Democrats To Form New Coalition Government

[jdinasia]

Looks as if the demos may have enough votes to form the next Government

[jdinasia]

Sanan says 15 former Chart Thai MPs to support Abhisit as next PM

Sanan Kachornprasart, a senior member of the Chart Thai Party, Saturday pledged support for the Democrat Party's bid to form a coalition government.

Sanan said all 15 remaining MPs of the defunctwould vote for Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the next prime minister.

The Nation

[jdinasia]

Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana sends representative to attend Democrat's press conference

Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana Party sent a representative to attend the press conference of the Democrat Party at the Sukho Thai Hotel.

Wannarat Charnukul represented his party to attend the press conference.

So far, the Pracharaj was the only former partners of the People Power Party-led coalition that did not attend the Democrat's press conference.

The Nation

[siam4ever]

Well, at least this is a victory for the "corrupt elected" government that most Thais prefer to the 'corrupt unelected" imposed government that PAD mandates.

[jdinasia]

Some members Newin's faction present at Democrat's press conference

Some former People Power Party MPs, who are members of the Friends of Newin faction, arrived at a Bangkok hotel to announce support for the Democrat's bid to form a coalition government.

They included Boonjong Wongtrairat and Sophon Sarum.

They arrived at the Sukho Thai hotel before Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban arrived at the hotel at 6:10 pm.

Boonjong said they came to confirm that 37 MPs of the Newin faction would support the Democrat as the next coalition leader.

The Nation

[marshbags]

Looks as if the demos may have enough votes to form the next Government

BREAKING NEWS Bangkok post, Saturday December 06, 2008 19:06

Democrats, former coalition parties to form govt

The Friends of Newin Chidchob faction together with the court-dissolved Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties changed their political polarity by joining hands with the Democrat party to set up a new government.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban together with core members of the Friends of Newin faction and Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties held a press conference on Saturday evening.

REf url http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=135192

Your on the mark this time JD

marshbags

Edited December 6, 2008 by marshbags

[TAWP]

Looks like some of the 'politicians' have started to bet on a new horse. They switch since they think the old one isn't profitable/powerful enough anymore.

If only politics here was about politics and ideology instead of power and mega contracts...

[dave9988]

They must have gotten something VERY nice out of this considering that many of these seats will be lost next election in the North and Northeast if they do in fact defect.

Rumors have been throwing around 40 million baht per MP being offered by the corruption free Democrats http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?...05&catid=01

Edited December 6, 2008 by dave9988

[jdinasia]

They must have gotten something VERY nice out of this considering that many of these seats will be lost next election in the North and Northeast if they do in fact defect.

Rumors have been throwing around 40 million baht per MP being offered by the corruption free Democrats http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?...05&catid=01

HUH?

Newin is strong where his power base is.

BTW --- I do not think that you are reading that article correctly at all! Care to verify it ?

Edited December 6, 2008 by jdinasia

[dave9988]

i do not read thai but it was translated as saying that on a blog.

any party that joins a democrat government with seats in the north will likely face a backlash from voters next election in the north

Edited December 6, 2008 by dave9988

[marshbags]

They must have gotten something VERY nice out of this considering that many of these seats will be lost next election in the North and Northeast if they do in fact defect.

Rumors have been throwing around 40 million baht per MP being offered by the corruption free Democrats http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?...05&catid=01

The main objective is that Thailand benefits from this newly proposed coalition ( still not 100% yet, get ready for possible flip flopping re the Newin faction, but i hope not )

The others have had a go and failed miserably so they should be given every chance to demonstrate they are fit to govern and benefit All Thai society.

The Thaksin influence needs burying once and for all or everyonel will suffer the consequences iIMHO

marshbags

Edited December 6, 2008 by marshbags

[Shah Jahan]

takeaway.

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

do what you got to do.

[Ulysses G.]

Shah Jahan Posted Today, 2008-12-06 19:25:39

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

[Guest Reimar]

From TOC

Snoh Rejects Puea Thai - Democrat Candidates for New PM

UPDATE : 6 December 2008

Veteran politican Snoh Tientong is rejecting the possibility of naming potential candidates for the role of new premier from either the Puea Thai or the Democrat party. However, the opposition secretary general believes his party still has the potential to form a new government.

Pracharat party chief Snoh Tientong has reported that the former 5 coalition parties are agreeing not to support candidates from either the ruling Puea Thai or the opposition Democrat parties for the new prime minister post.

Snoh said that former government members will back candidates for the prime minister from other coalition parties.

He pointed out that having a premier from either the Puea Thai or Democrat parties is likely to trigger further political unrest among the public.

However, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban says he is confident his party still has an opportunity to form a new administration.

He said a couple of former PPP members have now moved to the Democrat party, and that the MPs need more time to consider options for the new prime minister candidates.

Members of the now-defunct People Power Party are still unable to reach an agreement regarding the new PM candidate.

Ubon Ratchathani MP Choowit Pitakpornpanlop, member of the Friends of Newin faction, is in agreement with Snoh, arguing that potential candidates such as caretaker Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung or former Industry Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan would only aggravate the problems if they succeeded as the new premier.

However, Roi-et MP Sakda Kongpetch who leads the Isan Pattana faction has said he believes the new premier should come from Puea Thai, who would remain the ruling party. But the group agree that the party leader need not necessarily become the next prime minister.

[george]

Democrat, smaller parties announce formation of new coalition

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party and representatives of smaller parties Saturday announced a coalition government of at least 250 MPs.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban held a press conference at the Sukho Thai Party.

Representatives from the former Chart Thai, former Matchima Tipataya, Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana, Puea Pandin and the Friends of Newin faction were present at the press conference.

-- The Nation 2008-12-06

[george]

Thai opposition party says it can form government

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's opposition Democrat Party says it has enough support to form a new government following a six-month political crisis that has paralyzed the country.

Party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban announced Saturday that his party has the backing of more than half of the 400 lawmakers in the lower house, allowing it to form a government.

An activist group, the People's Alliance for Democracy, has spearheaded mass demonstrations against several recent governments led by exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies which culminated in a weeklong siege of the capital's two airports.

-- AP 2008-12-06

[jdinasia]

Newin is far from a fave of mine .. wouldn't surprise me that this is an attempt to postpone house dissolution and a snap election until the new party members of PTP have been in the party long enough to contest the next elections.

[LaoPo]

Thai opposition party says it can form government

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's opposition Democrat Party says ............................

After many months of uproar, fights, occupations, seizures of airports without even mentioning the words "Democratic Party" all of a sudden the white rabbit comes out of the hat....and saves Thailand ? That'll be the day.

Hmmmm...too soon...too fast...too easy...without bribing....

Amazing Thailand behind the velvet curtains of the elite.....never a dull moment for sure

LaoPo

[Gravelrash]

Looks like some of the 'politicians' have started to bet on a new horse. They switch since they think the old one isn't profitable/powerful enough anymore.

If only politics here was about politics and ideology instead of power and mega contracts...

Various blogs are stating that 40 million baht per head was on offer. Thank goodness we can finally have a government that doesn't engage in vote buying.

[Sarge]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

[Jingthing]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

By forming a coalition with other smaller parties. The very same thing PPP did. TRT clones had two tries and failed to succeed, it makes sense to try another flavor in the hot seat. I have had temp jobs that last longer than a typical Thai PM post.

I am not overly optimistic or anything silly like that but assuming Abhisit will be PM, I suggest he take a meeting with Barack Obama on ways he can reach out to bases that are not naturally his own, namely the people of NE Thailand. Thaksin bought/caught their attention by paying attention to them like no other Thai pol had ever done. If Abhisit takes that lesson, perhaps he can even keep the office for a few years. I am not joking about the Abhisit/Obama meeting. Think what that imagery may potentially symbolize to Thais hoping for a brighter future.

Edited December 6, 2008 by Jingthing

[ray08]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

Exactly my thoughts ,they have no mandate to govern ,and it looks like a dogs breakfast,

The only answer now is fresh elections ,and forget Thai Pride ,what is needed is an independant international body to observe elections ,at least the winner would not have to put with allegations of fraud from the very first day.I think this will give whoever wins a strong mandate to govern for the full term,

[DP25]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

The PPP never had a mandate either. They had a bit over 1/3rd the vote and under half the seats. They formed a coalition with other minority parties, just like the Democrats are trying to do now. The fact is that ALL the parties in Thailand at the moment are minority parties that can not form a government without the help of other minority parties.

[Gravelrash]

It is also being suggested that Sondhi, the PAD leader would like to see Thailand as a more closed society from the western "globalized" world, adopting sufficiency etc.

Apart from the "errh, that 'ill never happen" mob, lets hope he has little influence on his bed partners the Democrats, or many here may be rethinking their future.

[marshbags]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

Ditto it seems to me or am i missing something ?????????????

The PPP formed a government with a very similar amount of votes and had to form a coalition to do so, courtesy of the much talked about monetary incentives that are now being thrown in the opposite direction.

The important difference being that this time Thaksin will not be the ghost PM running a sorrogate TRT party / ies

It will be interesting to see what the fat lady does, should the new coalition become reality.

A swift return to the outside world would seem to be on the cards as and when her appeal is heard or the outcome announced.............. IMHO

marshbags

[Gravelrash]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

By forming a coalition with other smaller parties. The very same thing PPP did. TRT clones had two tries and failed to succeed, it makes sense to try another flavor in the hot seat. I have had temp jobs that last longer than a typical Thai PM post.

I am not overly optimistic or anything silly like that but assuming Abhisit will be PM, I suggest he take a meeting with Barack Obama on ways he can reach out to bases that are not naturally his own, namely the people of NE Thailand. Thaksin bought/caught their attention by paying attention to them like no other Thai pol had ever done. If Abhisit takes that lesson, perhaps he can even keep the office for a few years. I am not joking about the Abhisit/Obama meeting. Think what that imagery may potentially symbolize to Thais hoping for a brighter future.

I believe he had that opportunity at the last election.

And yes, the Democrats forging alliances with minor parties is just as legitimate as the PPP doing same. Elections are about numbers, you just need to get there.

[KireB]

First good news in weeks!

I hope we'll see good governance.

[KhaoNiaw]

Q. how can an opposition party form a (coalition) government WITHOUT an electorate mandate?

Well, they did get a fraction more of the vote than the party that formed the government. Less MPs though.

The wife is not an Abhisit fan but her home area in Ubon has continued to return Democrat MPs through the TRT/PPP era. So she's quite happy about it.

Edited December 6, 2008 by KhaoNiaw

[Jingthing]

I believe he had that opportunity at the last election.

That is true, but he seems a bright young man. Perhaps he can develop in the role and as an actual PM will at least for some time have the credibility that brings (well, until the mobs appear ....).

[henryalleman]

If this is true its the best news since years for Thailand. The democrats have young corruption free politicians, the party has a corruption free reputation. Most of their young politicians got their education abroad. Maybe a new wind will blow over Thailand.

Non of the former PM of the democrats from Kikrut Pramoy till Chuan was ever accused of corruption, and they always give the young ones in their party a change by making place for them.

I only hope that Thai people turn a page and will give them a change and time.

I hope this will be the definitive end of the reign of Thaksin and his cronies.

Because Thailand is going to an transition very soon, we all know why. And this is not the time to let stir up things by a corrupt man who have dictatorial ambitions.

And indeed if a man like Chalerm will be caretaker its a big mistake. Corruption will not be stopped on the contrary, just look the murder case where his son was involved with. Chalerm buy of the mother of the victim to drop charges.