1840 hours Friday 24th Feb
Just had a BBC newsflash that the Thai PM has dissolved Parliament amid mounting criticism of his leadership and calls for his resignation.
This means elections will be held within 60 days.
Oops !
Breaking News
yessssss
-
BangkokButcher
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 2690
- Joined: July 4, 2005, 9:06 pm
- Contact:
-
BangkokButcher
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 2690
- Joined: July 4, 2005, 9:06 pm
- Contact:
He could get voted back in. he doesn't do anything without a reason. I wouldn't count him out yet
Either way a good time to play the money market short term.
I forsee a fairly rapid >5% devaluation
There again I got caught out on "Black Monday"
The main downside to this is the bars will be closed for elections during the hottest month of the year
TC
Either way a good time to play the money market short term.
I forsee a fairly rapid >5% devaluation
There again I got caught out on "Black Monday"
The main downside to this is the bars will be closed for elections during the hottest month of the year
TC
-
valentine
SNAP ELECTION
Thaksin announces House dissolution
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced a House dissolution Friday evening after he was granted an audience with His Majesty an individual.
Thaksin entered the Chitralada Palace at 5 pm to be granted the audience and left the palace shortly before 6 pm.
The prime minister then went to the Thai Rak Thai party head office and told reporters there that he had received a royal command to dissolve the House of Representatives.
He appeared relaxed and humming a song.
The prime minister will appear on Channel 9 at 8:30 pm to make the formal announcement of the House dissolution.
"Only House dissolution, no Cabinet reshuffle," Thaksin told reporters at his party's head office.
A Government House source said Thaksin decided to dissolve the House because he could find a suitable person to replace him as the prime minister.
The source said Thaksin wanted the snap election to be held as soon as possible. The source said Thaksin wanted to have the election held on April 2 or April 9.
Election Commission member Parinya Nakchattree said the EC would be able to make preparations in time for the election to take place on April 2.
He said the EC would have to send lists of eligible voters to each house at least 20 days before the Election Day but he was confident that the preparations could be made in time.
Suriyasai Katasila, a coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD was unhappy with the House dissolution and saw it as an selfish act of the prime minister.
He said the House dissolution would not solve the current political problems but would allow Thaksin to try seek a political come back and prolong his political power.
Anek Laothamthap, a former leader of Mahachon Party, denounced Thaksin for dissolving the House without informing other parties first as he had promised in the past.
Anek said Thaksin used to say he would inform MPs and other parties at least 90 days before a House dissolution so that MPs could switch party.
"He lied and took the edge over other parties," Anek said.
MORE HERE----> http://203.150.224.53/2006/02/24/headli ... 001495.php
http://203.150.224.53/index.php
Thaksin announces House dissolution
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced a House dissolution Friday evening after he was granted an audience with His Majesty an individual.
Thaksin entered the Chitralada Palace at 5 pm to be granted the audience and left the palace shortly before 6 pm.
The prime minister then went to the Thai Rak Thai party head office and told reporters there that he had received a royal command to dissolve the House of Representatives.
He appeared relaxed and humming a song.
The prime minister will appear on Channel 9 at 8:30 pm to make the formal announcement of the House dissolution.
"Only House dissolution, no Cabinet reshuffle," Thaksin told reporters at his party's head office.
A Government House source said Thaksin decided to dissolve the House because he could find a suitable person to replace him as the prime minister.
The source said Thaksin wanted the snap election to be held as soon as possible. The source said Thaksin wanted to have the election held on April 2 or April 9.
Election Commission member Parinya Nakchattree said the EC would be able to make preparations in time for the election to take place on April 2.
He said the EC would have to send lists of eligible voters to each house at least 20 days before the Election Day but he was confident that the preparations could be made in time.
Suriyasai Katasila, a coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD was unhappy with the House dissolution and saw it as an selfish act of the prime minister.
He said the House dissolution would not solve the current political problems but would allow Thaksin to try seek a political come back and prolong his political power.
Anek Laothamthap, a former leader of Mahachon Party, denounced Thaksin for dissolving the House without informing other parties first as he had promised in the past.
Anek said Thaksin used to say he would inform MPs and other parties at least 90 days before a House dissolution so that MPs could switch party.
"He lied and took the edge over other parties," Anek said.
MORE HERE----> http://203.150.224.53/2006/02/24/headli ... 001495.php
http://203.150.224.53/index.php
-
PopsIcafe
- Udonmap Sponsor
- Posts: 1106
- Joined: July 4, 2005, 4:21 pm
- Location: Bannon Udon Thani
- Contact:
Need to look this in many ways. This could be a good thing, then again if he is voted back, which my wife says "NO CAN NOT" because he is disliked by many. Now the falangs need to think and hope that the new PM "IS" falang friendly, of course, and I won't mention names here, there are other people that are not so falang friendly. They will take power one day and no election will be held (hint hint). 
Pop's
Pop's
-
Prenders88
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 3482
- Joined: July 7, 2005, 12:51 am
- Location: Udon Thani
[. Now the falangs need to think and hope that the new PM "IS" falang friendly, of course, and I won't mention names here, there are other people that are not so falang friendly. They will take power one day and no election will be held (hint hint).
Pop's :
What agenda do the "not so falang friendly" politicians have, Cliff?
Tony
[/img][/quote]
Pop's :
What agenda do the "not so falang friendly" politicians have, Cliff?
Tony
[/img][/quote]
Well at least a reduced majority might go some way (he says naively) to reducing the indiscriminate wielding of power he seems to love. You know, compared with some of his predecessors, and some of the alternatives right now, I don't actually think he's too bad. Its just the level of blatent corruption taints it, but is that so unusual around the world. It's all relative is'nt it?BobHelm wrote:This is a quote from the BBC report...
Only a year ago his Thai Rak Thai party won 375 out of 500 seats in the general election, and he is widely expected to retain power, but with a reduced majority.
So, more of the same...
I got the same reaction as Pop did from the TW though, "hope he go away"
At the end of the day though, he is a passing phenomonen; Pop's hint is the really worrying one for Thai and non Thai IMHO.
Breaking News
The Thai political news was extensively covered in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this morning -- straightforward, not a lot of speculation.
The key,IMHO,is that the political parties will remain intact because the election will be in less than 90 days.So the power base will remain intact,giving Thaksin the ability to do whatever he wants.It is obviously a delaying tactic to diffuse the immediate demands of the opposition.It seems to me that none of the parties are particularly farang friendly.I feel that Nong Khai is the least unfriendly community that I have seen in Thailand.I could hardly believe that the police never hassle us here.I have to get halfway to Udon before the ''money stops'' begin and I have been told that in several relationship disputes,the local police have not automatically sided with the Thai partner.And I see the falang doing actual work insome of the ''establishments''.Never happen in other place that I have been in Thailand!
Farrang you have to gte rid of that avatar my wifes getting tired 
I believe my wife is a typical Issan girl and she has already said I vote for Mr. Taksin he good man. I have no idea what would change the hearts and minds here. My wife watches Thai news every night so she is not completly uninformed. It's waht she beileves and thats that.
What really throws me and why i really don't have an opinnion is that I have no idea what Thailand was like pre Thaksin and don't know if he was an improvement or if things got worse.
I don't see corruption changing because there is a new PM I think that is the nature of the beast here and in many other countries. I know my home coutty America ha had it's fair shre in it' history and I would be very surprised if it didn't exist in some form today.
I do know this the average Issan person can find a job of some kind today even if it is for 170 Baht a day. Construction is going crazy in the Udon area. I would just imagine that is the story all over Issan. Now this does very much seem similar to the last crash. But if you are a guy who has a job today and came by a few thing extra for the family or yourself and befoer you had to sit in the village and wait for the next rice season to meek out a living things probably seem pretty good these days. Forget what is going to happen tomorrow an individual will take care of us. Keep in mind he has done just that for many years.
When my wife thinks of Mr. Thaksin she says he gives money to poor people. In her mind he is reaching into his pocket, not the government budget to do this.
There is no doubt n my mind that Mr. Thaksin will carry Issan and there are a lot of people who don't live in Bangkok.
So lets say thats a given what's the next step of the oppostion? those possibilities are what could make this a real powder Keg.
I believe my wife is a typical Issan girl and she has already said I vote for Mr. Taksin he good man. I have no idea what would change the hearts and minds here. My wife watches Thai news every night so she is not completly uninformed. It's waht she beileves and thats that.
What really throws me and why i really don't have an opinnion is that I have no idea what Thailand was like pre Thaksin and don't know if he was an improvement or if things got worse.
I don't see corruption changing because there is a new PM I think that is the nature of the beast here and in many other countries. I know my home coutty America ha had it's fair shre in it' history and I would be very surprised if it didn't exist in some form today.
I do know this the average Issan person can find a job of some kind today even if it is for 170 Baht a day. Construction is going crazy in the Udon area. I would just imagine that is the story all over Issan. Now this does very much seem similar to the last crash. But if you are a guy who has a job today and came by a few thing extra for the family or yourself and befoer you had to sit in the village and wait for the next rice season to meek out a living things probably seem pretty good these days. Forget what is going to happen tomorrow an individual will take care of us. Keep in mind he has done just that for many years.
When my wife thinks of Mr. Thaksin she says he gives money to poor people. In her mind he is reaching into his pocket, not the government budget to do this.
There is no doubt n my mind that Mr. Thaksin will carry Issan and there are a lot of people who don't live in Bangkok.
So lets say thats a given what's the next step of the oppostion? those possibilities are what could make this a real powder Keg.
One wonders if there is a certain amount of jealousy. he is after all an extremely rich and successful man. Some of his methods in obtaining that wealth may be 'called into question' and I am sure there are not many countries in the world where you could be Prime Minister as well as run some of the largest companies in the country.
What would opinion be if Taxin was just an ordinary bloke without billions in the bank (or under the matress morelike). Would his style and policies be any more acceptable - predjudices aside?
What would opinion be if Taxin was just an ordinary bloke without billions in the bank (or under the matress morelike). Would his style and policies be any more acceptable - predjudices aside?
Yes Paul, I would guess they would. His opponents seem to be of the same ilk, just jockeying for position to be the next person to get their snout into the trough.
His policies, whatever his personal agenda for doing so, have already benefited many Thai. Personally, if I shook hands with him, I would count my fingers afterwards, but he seems to be far from the worst option.
My TW, who reads this, and is of course a voter, will give me a
if she sees this
His policies, whatever his personal agenda for doing so, have already benefited many Thai. Personally, if I shook hands with him, I would count my fingers afterwards, but he seems to be far from the worst option.
My TW, who reads this, and is of course a voter, will give me a
if she sees thisActually I doubt that it really has to much to do with how much money he has I think is how much power he has and those who want it.
Not much different then politics everywhere really just a very different playing field.
I doubt very seriously that he invented graft in this country.
Personally I think the ony way he will go is if the protest get out of hand and people start getting hurt. He is not getting voted out that would be one heck of a surprise.
I hear a lot about him but personally he hasn't made my life miserable yet. There is no guarentee that his replacement is going to be a benefit for farangs or Thais.
Time will tell
Not much different then politics everywhere really just a very different playing field.
I doubt very seriously that he invented graft in this country.
Personally I think the ony way he will go is if the protest get out of hand and people start getting hurt. He is not getting voted out that would be one heck of a surprise.
I hear a lot about him but personally he hasn't made my life miserable yet. There is no guarentee that his replacement is going to be a benefit for farangs or Thais.
Time will tell
Exactly Ray, the farang do not even come on to his radar, a very tiny number who cannot vote anyway.
As long as he shows no sign of hurting me or mine, or my friends, I care even less about him than I do about politicians in my homeland. He seems no worse to me than his predecessors, or his possible successors.
As long as he shows no sign of hurting me or mine, or my friends, I care even less about him than I do about politicians in my homeland. He seems no worse to me than his predecessors, or his possible successors.
Times have changed..
In watching the economic and infrastructure development in Thailand since 1973 I've seen it go a long long way. In talking with my relatives, a brother-in-law now 73, a sister-in-law now 66 and their 8 kids that range from 46 down to 24 the consensus is that things have pretty much constantly gotten better for the peasant classes, particularly since the Thai boom in the early 90's. Yes, the 97 crash slowed things down for a bit over 2 1/2 years but things accelerated even more after Taksin moved in as PM. When I recall the thatched roof, one room shack they had back in 75, with water hauled from the village pond in buckets, and a slit trench for a bathroom, and kerosene wick lamps for light, what they have today is aeons more modern. Since the mid 90's they've gotten reliable, cheap electrical power, running water from the village tank, refrigerator, TV, fans, gas stove, and an inside bathroom with a shower. A walk-behind tractor vice 3 water buffalo, paved roads and even the poorest family has a cellphone. New village schools, affluence enough to trick out the local Wat with a belltower, new meeting hall, and even competing mini-marts in the village. The folks pretty much attribute "good things from the government" to the man-in-charge. Taksin and Thai Rak Thai has brought them more than old Chavalit and the now defunct New Aspiration Party which was real big in Isaan until 99 or so.
Oh, and although I've contributed to the common good of my relatives on occassion, it actually hasn't been much.. A combination of the boys doing Saudi and Singapore contracts with tow of the daughters actually finishing high school and one now a college grad reflect pretty much the average advancement of folks in their village.
I'd guess it boils down to a culture where folks knuckle their brow to the big man as long as he produces. Taksin brought in the 30 Baht medical scheme, land reform and a slew of other social programs that the peasant classes see as needed and indeed desired. Taksin is a populist and if he comes up with another big "mega-project" that filters down to ISaan in a positive way, he'll proably have no problem getting re-elected.
As for "Falang" Friendly politicians. Well, I really don't think that there are any truly Falang friendly politicos. There's nothing in it for a Thai politician to do things to benefit the expats. No votes, little money in the big scheme of things. On the flip side, what expats in Thailand should be wary of is the "Falang-bashing" politician that raises a nationalistic tirade against any foreign investment, ownership, or influence in order to gather votes. For many of us, when the TW bought that land, it was with the Falang husband standing beside her in the land office and signing that letter that states, "not my money, not my land" Can you imagine that perhaps in the land ownership database there is some type of lfag on the file identifying the TW landowner as a "Falang wife".. Hmm.. a paranoid nationalist could change the laws that currently allow a TW married to a Falang to own land. Remember, the law previously had many exclusions for folks married to Falangs..
Oh, and although I've contributed to the common good of my relatives on occassion, it actually hasn't been much.. A combination of the boys doing Saudi and Singapore contracts with tow of the daughters actually finishing high school and one now a college grad reflect pretty much the average advancement of folks in their village.
I'd guess it boils down to a culture where folks knuckle their brow to the big man as long as he produces. Taksin brought in the 30 Baht medical scheme, land reform and a slew of other social programs that the peasant classes see as needed and indeed desired. Taksin is a populist and if he comes up with another big "mega-project" that filters down to ISaan in a positive way, he'll proably have no problem getting re-elected.
As for "Falang" Friendly politicians. Well, I really don't think that there are any truly Falang friendly politicos. There's nothing in it for a Thai politician to do things to benefit the expats. No votes, little money in the big scheme of things. On the flip side, what expats in Thailand should be wary of is the "Falang-bashing" politician that raises a nationalistic tirade against any foreign investment, ownership, or influence in order to gather votes. For many of us, when the TW bought that land, it was with the Falang husband standing beside her in the land office and signing that letter that states, "not my money, not my land" Can you imagine that perhaps in the land ownership database there is some type of lfag on the file identifying the TW landowner as a "Falang wife".. Hmm.. a paranoid nationalist could change the laws that currently allow a TW married to a Falang to own land. Remember, the law previously had many exclusions for folks married to Falangs..
Dave