Samak Bows Out

[Los78]

Sadly enough it seems the governing coalition leaders,

are the puppets of the puppet-master's puppets.

Hence the lack of coherent freelance statements and much backtracking.

A general incoherence of policy and aims.

We don't know what to real say until we get told.

Sadly the coalition members believe in democracy. Thats why they agree with the PPP stance.

[hammered]

Sadly enough it seems the governing coalition leaders,

are the puppets of the puppet-master's puppets.

Hence the lack of coherent freelance statements and much backtracking.

A general incoherence of policy and aims.

We don't know what to real say until we get told.

Sadly the coalition members believe in democracy. Thats why they agree with the PPP stance.

Actually in a democratic system they can agree or disagree with any viewpoint in the parliament. It is politcs that they agree with a certain viewpoint. There is subtle difference.

[steveromagnino]

Sadly enough it seems the governing coalition leaders,

are the puppets of the puppet-master's puppets.

Hence the lack of coherent freelance statements and much backtracking.

A general incoherence of policy and aims.

We don't know what to real say until we get told.

They have to bend over and take it until the budget gets passed and the contractors subsequently relase the moolah for "fairly" winning the contracts or until th companies run by the MPs families "fairly" win the government concessions.

Right now if there were an election without the budget passed things would look very dodgy for the coalition allies and maybe even PPP.

But at least with relief we see that in fact King Power is now operating slightly higher areas than originally planned at the airport, but only SLIGHTLY (i.e. the corridors where you arrive, and also the departure hallways were designed to be that narrow with no toilets) so thank goodness, while the country might indeed have issues, the AOT and powers that be have been able to reach some sort of compromise. It wasn't nearly as bad as what those coup leaders said, and the contract is indeed under 1 billion, so King Power don't need to get kicked out after all.

Thank goodness for prioritisation. Why spend time trying to run a country when you can lean on state owned enterprises and their investigations?

Just as well really, after all, what good is a man if you cannot rely on his word, and let's remember that Thaksin headed up the airport project and handed that monopoly to King Power AGAIN in return for something which is for them to know and for us to never understand. At least one of the big backers of TRT have got their money back, it was looking a bit sad for the polo players for a while......

Score one for the TRT/PPP!!! They may have done F&*k all to help the rural poor because apparently they don't have their A team of 111, but at least they can still ensure King Power stays in business at the airport with a monopoly! Well Done! I have faith after all!

Edited September 14, 2008 by steveromagnino

[Plus]

I won't disagree with Chang Noi, he was looking at it from "vote buying" perspective only. I use quotation marks because this process involves a lot more than handing out a few 100 baht notes.

They come with the whole package - free food, free transport, t-shirts , blazers and stickers, inspiring talk, bags or rice, bottles of fish sauce, friendly advice from kamnans, a little chat in the community, and then the actual results, of course - 30 baht scheme, local development and so on. The actual money is only a small, but often necessary part to complete the picture, and it doesn't amount to much in the overall scheme of things - all the other sweet things cost a lot more money to organise.

They tried to use government funds as much as possible - all kinds of roadshows, a week long fair "government says thank you to people" at Muang Tong, free nationwide publicity on TV, and the populist policies, of course. The largest part of the government budget went on special projects to win people's hearts, without any oversight by the public. They want a road, a hospital, a bridge - the money will be there, if you deliver votes.

Once the votes are harvested, you can do anything you want - cut excise tax on telecoms? Done. Get a billion baht contract from the foreing government? Done. Buy the best public company with a monopoly on the market? Done. Bailout failing businesses to the tune of ten years of free healthcare? Done. Get them all listed on SET? Done.

At one time Democrats calculated returns on the stock market vs the cost of populist policies - it was like four times more, and only for a few thousand people.

Brilliant scheme, if not for those pesky PAD protesters who figured it out.

Never mind, we can start an educational campaign and tell the voters that it's PAD who wants to milk the poor and keep them under control, not us.

Oh the hypocrisy of that!

[sriracha john]

Anti-government coalition rejects proposal on dropping charges against them

BANGKOK, Sept 14 (TNA) - Core leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Sunday rejected a proposal to drop court charges against nine of them in exchange for an amnesty for 111 former senior executives of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai (TRT) political party.

Describing the proposal as "stupid and insane", Somsak Kosaisuk, a PAD core leader, told journalists that the case of 111 former executive members of the now-dissolved TRT at the order of the Constitution Court on charges of fraud in the general election held last December, was now ended while charges against the nine PAD core leaders had yet to be proven and would be appealed. *elementary, dear Watson.... convicted versus accused*

The Criminal Court on August 27 issued arrest warrants for the nine on charges that they had used force in attempting to topple the government, amassing arms and inciting rebellion, thereby committing treason. The charges make them liable to penalties ranging from jail terms to capital punishment.

Having outstanding arrest warrants on sedition charges are Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pipob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornratananon and Terdpoom Jaidee.

Asked whether the PAD protesters now laying siege to Government House would make any move to influence the decision this Wednesday in parliament when the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its allies nominate a new prime minister in the House of Representatives, Mr. Somsak said the group's core leaders had not yet discussed the issue.

However, he said the PAD would not accept any of the three leading PPP members to become prime minister because they had committed mistakes before and were therefore unsuitable.

The three senior PPP members are caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister and finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee and justice minister Sompong Amornwiwat.

Gen. Chamlong, another core leader of the PAD, said his group's stance on a new political system which calls for 70 per cent of the House members to be appointed and only 30 per cent elected remains intact.

Gen. Chamlong said dissolving the House is not the solution to the country's political problems because the same old faces and policies would return to the House after an election.

The new political system should have representatives from every profession to sit in the House, Gen. Chamlong added.

[sriracha john]

Prime Minister Somchai confers with his niece, Billionairess Pinthongta Shinawatra earlier in 2008

PPP Deputy Leader Somchai reveals new PM nominee to be unveiled tomorrow

Caretaker Prime Minister and People Power Party (PPP) Deputy Leader Somchai Wongsawat says that the face of the new premier candidate will be unveiled tomorrow.

Somchai says from now on, his task is to invite political parties to join the coalition force formed by the PPP.

He says the nomination in seeking new prime minister will be in the hands of PPP members.

He further added that once the candidates are selected, the coalition party will vote for 'the one prime minister.'

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-14

Edited September 14, 2008 by sriracha john

[LaoPo]

Anti-government coalition rejects proposal on dropping charges against them

However, he said the PAD would not accept any of the three leading PPP members to become prime minister because they had committed mistakes before and were therefore unsuitable.

The three senior PPP members are caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister and finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee and justice minister Sompong Amornwiwat.

Gen. Chamlong, another core leader of the PAD, said his group's stance on a new political system which calls for 70 per cent of the House members to be appointed and only 30 per cent elected remains intact.

Gen. Chamlong said dissolving the House is not the solution to the country's political problems because the same old faces and policies would return to the House after an election.

The new political system should have representatives from every profession to sit in the House, Gen. Chamlong added.

...representatives fom every profession.....but 70:30...right ?

I could swear I noticed some members here telling that the 70:30 proposed system of NEW POLITICS by PAD was abandoned,.... "AGES AGO" as a member wrote me ?

Appears I was correct it is not.

I am shocked that there are some, supposedly intelligent, Farang members here on TV who still SUPPORT the PAD and doing so they SUPPORT a TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT as proposed by the PAD.

PAD = END of the road to a -slowly but surely- growing DEMOCRACY in Thailand; don't you see that ?

LaoPo

[rocky3]

I would not look for a peaceful departure of the PAD in the near future. It still does not have it's appointed government installed nor has the Army/Military stepped in and taken over. They will not negotiate to any point and it's their way or the highway or hit the road and let us properly educated city slickers dictate to you.

If and when this is settled who pays for the clean-up of government house, the Thai people that's who, along with all of the other losses of revenue from this fiasco. Thank-you vary much for thinking of others, let alone your own country or king.

[hammered]

Anti-government coalition rejects proposal on dropping charges against them

BANGKOK, Sept 14 (TNA) - Core leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Sunday rejected a proposal to drop court charges against nine of them in exchange for an amnesty for 111 former senior executives of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai (TRT) political party.

Describing the proposal as "stupid and insane", Somsak Kosaisuk, a PAD core leader, told journalists that the case of 111 former executive members of the now-dissolved TRT at the order of the Constitution Court on charges of fraud in the general election held last December, was now ended while charges against the nine PAD core leaders had yet to be proven and would be appealed. *elementary, dear Watson.... convicted versus accused*

The Criminal Court on August 27 issued arrest warrants for the nine on charges that they had used force in attempting to topple the government, amassing arms and inciting rebellion, thereby committing treason. The charges make them liable to penalties ranging from jail terms to capital punishment.

Having outstanding arrest warrants on sedition charges are Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pipob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornratananon and Terdpoom Jaidee.

Asked whether the PAD protesters now laying siege to Government House would make any move to influence the decision this Wednesday in parliament when the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its allies nominate a new prime minister in the House of Representatives, Mr. Somsak said the group's core leaders had not yet discussed the issue.

However, he said the PAD would not accept any of the three leading PPP members to become prime minister because they had committed mistakes before and were therefore unsuitable.

The three senior PPP members are caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister and finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee and justice minister Sompong Amornwiwat.

Gen. Chamlong, another core leader of the PAD, said his group's stance on a new political system which calls for 70 per cent of the House members to be appointed and only 30 per cent elected remains intact.

Gen. Chamlong said dissolving the House is not the solution to the country's political problems because the same old faces and policies would return to the House after an election.

The new political system should have representatives from every profession to sit in the House, Gen. Chamlong added.

This description of the amnesty offer is spot on. Innocent until proven guilty and guilty after the verdict are two very different things and to describe the idea as insane is verty accurate.

It is kind of a shame that few paragraphs later they go abpout undemocratic stuff having shown in teh insane comment that they have a closer grip on democratic rerality than the PPP in terms of legal issues. Lots of ironies in the current situatuion but alsp proof that this is not about democracy but about power and in this one article it exposes that both sides cherry pick what they want as democracy

[blaze]

Anti-government coalition rejects proposal on dropping charges against them

BANGKOK, Sept 14 (TNA) - Core leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Sunday rejected a proposal to drop court charges against nine of them in exchange for an amnesty for 111 former senior executives of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai (TRT) political party.

Describing the proposal as "stupid and insane", Somsak Kosaisuk, a PAD core leader, told journalists that the case of 111 former executive members of the now-dissolved TRT at the order of the Constitution Court on charges of fraud in the general election held last December, was now ended while charges against the nine PAD core leaders had yet to be proven and would be appealed. *elementary, dear Watson.... convicted versus accused*

The Criminal Court on August 27 issued arrest warrants for the nine on charges that they had used force in attempting to topple the government, amassing arms and inciting rebellion, thereby committing treason. The charges make them liable to penalties ranging from jail terms to capital punishment.

Having outstanding arrest warrants on sedition charges are Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pipob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornratananon and Terdpoom Jaidee.

Asked whether the PAD protesters now laying siege to Government House would make any move to influence the decision this Wednesday in parliament when the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its allies nominate a new prime minister in the House of Representatives, Mr. Somsak said the group's core leaders had not yet discussed the issue.

However, he said the PAD would not accept any of the three leading PPP members to become prime minister because they had committed mistakes before and were therefore unsuitable.

The three senior PPP members are caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister and finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee and justice minister Sompong Amornwiwat.

Gen. Chamlong, another core leader of the PAD, said his group's stance on a new political system which calls for 70 per cent of the House members to be appointed and only 30 per cent elected remains intact.

Gen. Chamlong said dissolving the House is not the solution to the country's political problems because the same old faces and policies would return to the House after an election.

The new political system should have representatives from every profession to sit in the House, Gen. Chamlong added.

This description of the amnesty offer is spot on. Innocent until proven guilty and guilty after the verdict are two very different things and to describe the idea as insane is verty accurate.

It is kind of a shame that few paragraphs later they go abpout undemocratic stuff having shown in teh insane comment that they have a closer grip on democratic rerality than the PPP in terms of legal issues. Lots of ironies in the current situatuion but alsp proof that this is not about democracy but about power and in this one article it exposes that both sides cherry pick what they want as democracy

Interesting that the article doesn't indicate just who made the swap proposal- a PPP member? Or a journatlist?

This impasse may have less to do with power than it seems- the PAD leadership may well be half baked ideologues (I say half baked because even the far right movements in Europe in the twenties had a strong intellectual component- at this point the PAD ideology sounds more like something cooked up by some kids over a bottle of rot gut and some cheap speed). But none the less- the goals, I believe, are sincerely held- namely to restore Thailand to the presumed order and purity of a bygone time but now with the middle class sharing the power that was once solely the domain of the beaurocaries and military.

Edited September 14, 2008 by blaze

[Crushdepth]

Stupid and insane is a good way to describe the proposal...because once you're charged its up to the courts to sort it out - not PPP or PAD.

[blaze]

Stupid and insane is a good way to describe the proposal...because once you're charged its up to the courts to sort it out - not PPP or PAD.

If in fact this proposal originated with a member of the esteemed Thai press corp- then I sincerely hope that we never again have to be subjected to a barage of posts demeaning the 'rural idiots'- the professions in Bangkok are not without their share.

[Plus]

The proposal of new politics remains intact, the exact ratio is not.

At this point PAD wants a serious consideration of their proposal, they want government's commitment to studying it.

They might get it under 'national unity' cabinet, or as a pledge to take it up after fresh elections. Somchai is a stop gap PM, his best policy would be to dissolve the House as soon as possible.

If he drags it on until PPP lines up the investors, there will be no end to it at all.

Ultimately it's up to the academia to think up ways to adjust Thai political system, PAD can't do it alone. After watching the shenanigans of Samak's rule for the past month, "new politics" should get some traction there. Clearly something's not right and needs to be changed.

Once there's a clear demand for it from the mainstream society, PAD will pack up and go home.

Alternatively, new elections might give another lifetime to the failing system, and even if PAD is persuaded to stop its protests for now, they'll be back again - it's the society's allergic reaction to the local brand of politics, you can treat the symptoms for a while but it will never go away until there's a contact with allergens.

[blaze]

The proposal of new politics remains intact, the exact ratio is not.

At this point PAD wants a serious consideration of their proposal, they want government's commitment to studying it.

They might get it under 'national unity' cabinet, or as a pledge to take it up after fresh elections. Somchai is a stop gap PM, his best policy would be to dissolve the House as soon as possible.

If he drags it on until PPP lines up the investors, there will be no end to it at all.

Ultimately it's up to the academia to think up ways to adjust Thai political system, PAD can't do it alone. After watching the shenanigans of Samak's rule for the past month, "new politics" should get some traction there. Clearly something's not right and needs to be changed.

Once there's a clear demand for it from the mainstream society, PAD will pack up and go home.

Alternatively, new elections might give another lifetime to the failing system, and even if PAD is persuaded to stop its protests for now, they'll be back again - it's the society's allergic reaction to the local brand of politics, you can treat the symptoms for a while but it will never go away until there's a contact with allergens.

Have they ever clearly defined who would do the selecting. You claim the representatives will be elected- but even Chamlong's most recent statement says- appointed. And of course, if there is a sincere wish to quash the abuses inheirent in elections- then it makes sense to simply do away with them- at all levels of any significance.

Edited September 14, 2008 by blaze

[h90]

I would not look for a peaceful departure of the PAD in the near future. It still does not have it's appointed government installed nor has the Army/Military stepped in and taken over. They will not negotiate to any point and it's their way or the highway or hit the road and let us properly educated city slickers dictate to you.

If and when this is settled who pays for the clean-up of government house, the Thai people that's who, along with all of the other losses of revenue from this fiasco. Thank-you vary much for thinking of others, let alone your own country or king.

I pay for the clean-up, if you want....It is not more than 50.000 Baht....just minor damage to grass....Chamlong also told that his group can fix it after.

[blaze]

The proposal of new politics remains intact, the exact ratio is not.

At this point PAD wants a serious consideration of their proposal, they want government's commitment to studying it.

They might get it under 'national unity' cabinet, or as a pledge to take it up after fresh elections. Somchai is a stop gap PM, his best policy would be to dissolve the House as soon as possible.

If he drags it on until PPP lines up the investors, there will be no end to it at all.

Ultimately it's up to the academia to think up ways to adjust Thai political system, PAD can't do it alone. After watching the shenanigans of Samak's rule for the past month, "new politics" should get some traction there. Clearly something's not right and needs to be changed.

Once there's a clear demand for it from the mainstream society, PAD will pack up and go home.

Alternatively, new elections might give another lifetime to the failing system, and even if PAD is persuaded to stop its protests for now, they'll be back again - it's the society's allergic reaction to the local brand of politics, you can treat the symptoms for a while but it will never go away until there's a contact with allergens.

Have they ever clearly defined who would do the selecting. You claim the representatives will be elected- but even Chamlong's most recent statement says- appointed. And of course, if there is a sincere wish to quash the abuses inheirent in elections- then it makes sense to simply do away with them- at all levels of any significance.

By the way- I agree that the PAD will likely be back again- see how well the minority Bolivian middle/upper class has accepted majority rule. (not that I am comparing the PPP or even the TRT to the Morales government- but unless the Thai middle classes recognizes that a fully functioning democracy will eventually lead to a much more pro-poor government than they wre willing to support, then education in Thailand really is in bad shape. And if the current PAD leadership doesn't lead the revolt- a new generation of reactionaries will be created.

Which is why I say that the real danger in this mess is not the impact it has on current politics- it is the way in which the politcal culture of Thailand is swung increasingly to contempt for parliamentary procedures of initiating regime change. And not all of these street movements - or coups- will be as peaceful as we've seen in the last two years.

Edited September 14, 2008 by blaze

[Plus]

No, they haven't defined anything.

I say "elected" because I want them elected - as in primary caucases among professional sectors. Final choice would probably be an appointment or selection by some sort of electoral body.

As in

- Now press the button to select one of these three lumberjacks

- Is it really a choice?

When academics look at it closely, it probably won't fly at all - drawing and monitoring these "functional constituencies" will be an unsurmountable obstacle.

I think they'd settle on proportional representation, the House will be decided on party list only and local MPs would have to be given a different playground. The idea is to keep them engaged in one way or another - the feudal system can't just be dismantled overnight, and many of them DO feel responsible for THEIR people, they just don't care about what their party bosses do with their allegiance.

Perhaps we'll even see elected governors, but most likely more strength (read money) would be given to some kind of local administrative bodies that are already in place. It's just the matter of choosing the right size as TAO's are probably too small.

[Plus]

Morales, afaik, is not one of Bolivia's richest men exploiting democratic system to his own ends. Thailand won't have its own Morales for a very very long time, if they don't change the system to allow access to politics for grass root activists, as per new politics proposal.

If Thailand DOES have its own, budging Morales, he's probably lurking somewhere among PAD ranks at the moment.

[blaze]

Morales, afaik, is not one of Bolivia's richest men exploiting democratic system to his own ends. Thailand won't have its own Morales for a very very long time, if they don't change the system to allow access to politics for grass root activists, as per new politics proposal.

If Thailand DOES have its own, budging Morales, he's probably lurking somewhere among PAD ranks at the moment.

If he's in the PAD ranks, and given that Sondhi has said on several occasions that it is unfair for the middle class to be footing the bill for populist (read pro-poor) policies- then he'd do well to keep a very low profile. I doubt he'd find much support in the PAD for the kind of tax hikes that Morales imposed on the middle and upper classes.

[ace]

Ultimately it's up to the academia to think up ways to adjust Thai political system, PAD can't do it alone. After watching the shenanigans of Samak's rule for the past month, "new politics" should get some traction there. Clearly something's not right and needs to be changed.

Once there's a clear demand for it from the mainstream society, PAD will pack up and go home.

I find this point of view nieve. Many people have offered "new politics" and it usually ends badly.

I would not take PAD at face value and even if I did I still would be against them.

You would think that such a crackpot organization would soon be moved on by the police or army but no, it hasn't happened. Why not?

[Plus]

Because it has support of the people. Not every action, like the raid on NBT, and not every demand, like new politics, but people are behind its principle. The army and the police understand that, some posters here apparently don't.

It's a conflict between PAD/people and Samak/PPP. No one else wants to enter this battle, PPP is on its own.

People will prevail.

[Pierrot]

The idea is to keep them engaged in one way or another - the feudal system can't just be dismantled overnight, and many of them DO feel responsible for THEIR people, they just don't care about what their party bosses do with their allegiance.

You're absolutely right. Nothing to do with Thaksin.It's just about a feudal system that doesn't want to die.

"THEIR people" Do you realize how ugly it sounds to a free man ?

[kurtgruen]

...If and when this is settled who pays for the clean-up of government house, the Thai people that's who, along with all of the other losses of revenue from this fiasco...

I pay for the clean-up, if you want....It is not more than 50.000 Baht....just minor damage to grass....Chamlong also told that his group can fix it after.

From the pictures that h90 posted on another forum, it doesn't look like cleanup will be very expensive...

http://www.psxtune.com/padweb/

I can't speak for "all of the other losses of revenue", but I just read that in 2007, Thailand had 15 million visitors. They are still expecting the same amount of visitors this year. Count in the fact that air fares are way more expenive, the cost of living and holidaying in Thailand has gone way up since last year, I think that is pretty fantastic, to get the same numbers as last year. So much for all the PAD bashing and fear mongering over the tourist cancellations. (Should really have been PPP bashing, as they, needlessly, kept the State of Emergency in place for almost two weeks.

[LaoPo]

Because it has support of the people. Not every action, like the raid on NBT, and not every demand, like new politics, but people are behind its principle. The army and the police understand that, some posters here apparently don't.

It's a conflict between PAD/people and Samak/PPP. No one else wants to enter this battle, PPP is on its own.

People will prevail.

I see it as a battle between Sondhi and Thaksin>>>TRT>>>PPP>>>Samak>>>>>and now the new PPP - PM.

Forget talking/writing about the PAD.

The PAD=Sondhi and Sondhi=PAD. All so called top leaders of PAD will do and listen to what Sondhi says and decides.

That's the way I see it....and once Sondhi has reached his goals (all enemies removed), Thailand will have it's BIG surprise.....a 70:30 totalitarian ruled government.....or worse.

The Kingdom of Thailand, according to Sondhi...believe it or not.

LaoPo

[Pierrot]

Because it has support of the people. Not every action, like the raid on NBT, and not every demand, like new politics, but people are behind its principle. The army and the police understand that, some posters here apparently don't.

It's a conflict between PAD/people and Samak/PPP. No one else wants to enter this battle, PPP is on its own.

People will prevail.

The PAD has no support from the people. All recent polls show people are tired with the PAD.

The police and the army don't want to be involved because they don't want to upset anyone. They don't give a dam_n about "the people", they know who's running the show and it's certainly not "the people".

It's not a conflict between PAD/people and ... It's just Sondhi, brother Ho and a gang of nuts case that belong to a psychiatric ward. Then you have these gutless democrats that are circling around like vultures hoping to benefit from the PPP misfortune.

[animatic]

Same stale rhetoric of fear.

Same myopic look at a narrow part of a big picture.

Same attempts at demonizing a whole movement over one member.

Same support of a grossly corrupt puppet regime, B-team at that,

waiting for more largese from a desperate despot on the run,

trying to to stave of penury because his ego got the better of his business sense.

Same, same, over and over, an NO CONVERTS for all this wind.

Why not call it a day, at the end of the day your arguments fall flat.

[Pierrot]

I can't speak for "all of the other losses of revenue", but I just read that in 2007, Thailand had 15 million visitors. They are still expecting the same amount of visitors this year. Count in the fact that air fares are way more expenive, the cost of living and holidaying in Thailand has gone way up since last year, I think that is pretty fantastic, to get the same numbers as last year. So much for all the PAD bashing and fear mongering over the tourist cancellations. (Should really have been PPP bashing, as they, needlessly, kept the State of Emergency in place for almost two weeks.

Expecting, right. I was in Bangkok airport lat week and it wasn't really busy. I asked a girl at the counter if the flight was full and she just laughed at me.

You can expect whatever you want, reality is people are not coming.

[animatic]

French are all over the island, hard to get a flight,

hasn't stopped them, a strike, a group protesting the government,

what else is new.

C'est Aout time for vacation.

Rainy season isn't exactly high booking time,

but I had a hard time driving through Chaweng last night too many people.

No one talking about destruction of the tourist biz here.

They ARE worried about the weather being so wet.

[kurtgruen]

Because it has support of the people. Not every action, like the raid on NBT, and not every demand, like new politics, but people are behind its principle. The army and the police understand that, some posters here apparently don't.

PAD, is drawing support from many sources at the moment, including the "People". Many others jumped on the bandwagon, for example the unions, because they want to get rid of the current government, because of it's privatization plans, which hurts the workers and also sells off valuable, profitable government corporations and in the long run will mean higher costs to the average consumer of electicity and such, if privatized. A good thing to be opposed to, if you ask me.

The Kingdom of Thailand, according to Sondhi...believe it or not.

LaoPo

Not! The PAD is made up of several different interest groups. They do have one thing in common right now...they all want to get rid of this corrupt and incompetent PPP government right now. Once that is accomplished, you will see most of them going home. No matter if Sondhi has another agenda or not, once the PPP resigns, he will not have the numbers to carry on this protest at Government house any longer.

Then, as the courts and election commission are allowed to do their work, fairer elections may be the result and if the next elections go off without any major vote buying scandal, most of the voters will be content.

Sondhi and the PAD will have more of an audience in the media, as many people every day sign up for ASTV satelite programming(I did a few days ago and I love it) and can be the "voice of reason" on television.

So in the end, the PPP will be the big looser, as I don't think that they can win again, without vote buying and with their party faced with being disolved. I don't think their newly established party can either.

So in the end, the Unions win, the PAD wins, the Army wins, some other party we can't speak of wins and the people win.

[Pierrot]

A good thing to be opposed to, if you ask me.

No, we don't

Not! The PAD is made up of several different interest groups. They do have one thing in common right now...

200 Bahts / day + free meals

Then, as the courts and election commission are allowed to do their work, fairer elections may be the result and if the next elections go off without any major vote buying scandal, most of the voters will be content.

Sondhi and the PAD will have more of an audience in the media, as many people every day sign up for ASTV satelite programming(I did a few days ago and I love it) and can be the "voice of reason" on television.

So in the end, the PPP will be the big looser, as I don't think that they can win again, without vote buying and with their party faced with being disolved. I don't think their newly established party can either.

So in the end, the Unions win, the PAD wins, the Army wins, some other party we can't speak of wins and the people win.\

My answer :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1auRCameVY

Edited September 14, 2008 by Pierrot