Thread: Thousands of protesters surround Thai govt. headquarters

I don't really think Thaksin is the force that people still credit him with being. Now that he's ousted I doubt his PPP cronies, who have absorbed his support base, will be queuing up to take a back seat to him should he make a triumphant return.

Originally Posted by bobcummings

Thaksin is wanted for crimes against his country

And then there is this. Were he innocent of wrongdoing I'd think he'd be clearing his name regardless of who is in power. Lord knows he has enough cash to get a fair shake (and then some) in the Thai legal system.

Originally Posted by Eric

And then there is this. Were he innocent of wrongdoing I'd think he'd be clearing his name regardless of who is in power. Lord knows he has enough cash to get a fair shake (and then some) in the Thai legal system.

He was convicted of "conflict of interest" because his wife bought a plot of land on Ratchada when he was pm, though she had the highest bid. definitely conflict of interest because family members of govt officials shouldn't be doing business with the state,

though the "powers that be" in Thailand were after him, not because of corruption, IMO. There is also the case against him in the Burma loan to buy telecom equipment. Though, America does that quite often, loans money to buy American goods, though not from a company that the president formerly owned (except Cheney's Haliburton)

anyway, yep, some corruption, though don't think that is why he was brought down.

They may say about Thaksin what they like, yet the question remains, is the country better off now without him?
And who elected this current "democrat" government? They won't hold elections because they know very well that they can't win.

FEd up with all this anti Thaksin shit, corrupt yes probably, what about the others??? Sure they've never taken 1baht.

As long as they keep on hunting him down they can hide their own little corruption schemes.

It's so damn hot now!! At least the PAD had the good sense to take down the government via a protest siege in the cool season

Originally Posted by likewise

They won't hold elections because they know very well that they can't win.

last elections were held more than a year ago, so they have a few years, if the coalition holds together, I guess.

The Democrats would be smart to never hold elections because they'll never win.

Originally Posted by wallyburger3

This government was elected the same way all the elected governments have been, by a vote in parliament.

Mr. Burger, you are one deluded mofo! The Dems got in with a little help from their friends...the fascist mob: The PAD, the military, the corrupt coup appointed judges...twice, and with the help of corrupt, convicted and banned politicians, ala the friend's of Newin...

...please Mr. Burger enlighten yourself.

thought Thaksin and TRT were overall doing a good job of governing the country. can't say the same of the PPP. That's just a matter of opinion. anyway, Wally, do you think the coup, most likely supported by Prem, was in the interest of democracy in Thailand?

or should the Democrat Party have gotten off it's arse, as it were, developed some policies, run some candidates that attracted voters in the north and north-east to beat Thaksin a better way, i.e. through an election?

disagreed with many of the things Dubya was doing as president of U.S. as did many others, though don't think anyone ever thought "time for dubya to go, can't wait till the next election, gotta have a coup". Would it have been better for Dubya's critics and opponents to have wished or called for that, Wally?

Thailand's democracy needs to mature and not rely on Elvis, Prem and the military to sort things out, IMO.

Bangkok Pundit: Tyranny of the Minority; Democrat and PAD Relationship

Aphisit: "I have been criticised by PAD when they wanted the PM to resign and I said that he came from an election. I think there was vote buying, but even if there was no vote buying, he still would have won.

Originally Posted by wallyburger3

Do I think that the coup was in the interest of democracy? yes.

guess we'll have to agree to disagree then. even aphisit was against the coup. it could happen to him one day, too, if he doesn't kowtow to Prem or military demands.

regarding aphisit? he has spoken against the coup.

Abhisit Vejjajiva - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2006 military coup

On 19 September 2006, only weeks before the scheduled elections, the military seized power in the 2006 Thailand coup. Abhisit voiced his disapproval of the coup just hours before all political activities were banned:

“We cannot and do not support any kind of extra-constitutional change, but it is done. The country has to move forward and the best way forward is for the coup leaders to quickly return power to the people and carry out the reforms they promised. They have to prove themselves. I urge them to lift all restrictions as soon as possible. There is no need to write a brand new constitution. They could make changes to the 1997 constitution and if that's the case, there is no reason to take a year. Six months is a good time.[45]”

Abhisit was criticized for his lack of action after the coup, with The Economist calling him "well-liked but ineffectual."[7]

he didn't even agree with the PAD calling for Samak and Somchai to resign.

Originally Posted by Farangrakthai

Aphisit: "I have been criticised by PAD when they wanted the PM to resign and I said that he came from an election. I think there was vote buying, but even if there was no vote buying, he still would have won.

b.t.w. this is just my opinion

Originally Posted by Farangrakthai

it could happen to him one day, too, if he doesn't kowtow to Prem or military demands.