Elections delayed again, and again, and again

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buksida
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Elections delayed again, and again, and again

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Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday dismissed a perception that the ruling junta was behind a move by lawmakers to stay enforcement of the MP election law for 90 days, which could further delay the election.

When asked to comment on the matter, Prayut said briefly: “There’s no order.” He meant there had been no interference from his government or the National Council for Peace and Order, which he also heads.

The PM then walked away, avoiding more questions from reporters. He was presiding over a seminar for senior executives titled “One Country, One Team”, at the Impact Muang Thong Thani conference centre in Nonthaburi.

The National Legislative Assembly’s law-vetting committee has amended the MP election bill to extend its enforcement for 90 days, which could result in the next election – promised to happen in November – being delayed until February next year.

The proposed legislation, one of the four organic laws required by the Constitution before the next election, is pending its second and third readings in the NLA. It is expected to be forwarded to the legislative body by the end of this week.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... s/30336858
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

Post by caller »

He can deny all he wants, but most don't believe him anymore. No wonder his personal approval rating is down to nearly 35% and diving.

Slowly and almost imperceptibly, a mood shift is talking place and protests are increasing.

The saga of Prawit's watches and obvious double standards don't help, but great fun to follow!
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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Good luck with those protests:

ARMY WANTS CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH ORGANIZERS PROSECUTED
Activists behind an ongoing cross-country march to demand greater civil rights face charges of violating the junta’s ban on public protests, police said Tuesday.

An army officer representing the military filed complaints against eight activists identified as organizers of the march Monday. Police said they have yet to formally charge the campaigners, and one of them pledged to fight the case.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/ ... rosecuted/
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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caller wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2018 1:10 pm He can deny all he wants, but most don't believe him anymore. No wonder his personal approval rating is down to nearly 35% and diving.

Slowly and almost imperceptibly, a mood shift is talking place and protests are increasing.

The saga of Prawit's watches and obvious double standards don't help, but great fun to follow!
Where do you get 35% from, the following link indicates 5.73 out of 10 or 57.3%. This is the only government that has brought any stability to Thailand for years

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... at-new-low
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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Did you ever see a dictator leaving power voluntarily ?
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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StevePIraq wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2018 3:30 pmWhere do you get 35% from, the following link indicates 5.73 out of 10 or 57.3%. This is the only government that has brought any stability to Thailand for years
It was from the Bkk post a few days back, I can't find it right, now. It had dropped from the figure you quote.

It's easier to maintain stability when you have the power to arrest, detain and threaten. But that doesn't work in the long term and it can't and won't last forever. Even the General understands that.
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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This is still the most stable Thai government for a long time which is actually getting things done.

Dictators or lets say non elected governments can and do last a long time, there are lots of them around, and other governments are very happy to work with them.
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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StevePIraq wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2018 3:30 pm ......This is the only government that has brought any stability to Thailand for years
That ignores the fact that certain groups caused instability for years until they got the type of government that they wanted to stage manage the succession and so protect vested interests.
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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Yes stable, but a strong support for this oligarchy, and what did they for normal Thais, about education, heath etc...?
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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StevePIraq wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:01 pm
Dictators or lets say non elected governments can and do last a long time, there are lots of them around, and other governments are very happy to work with them.
Yes, maybe, for now. But are the Thai's? Most have got poorer and don't see many things being done, unless being shunted off the land they have used for God knows how long, or otherwise are just ignored.
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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Here's the BP article showing the General's popularity rating has dropped to 36.8% amid other bad news.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opi ... pm-of-all-
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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EU urges return to democracy

The European Union (EU) has urged the regime to ensure a quick return to democracy and stick to its pledge to hold elections in November.

The EU's statement was issued a day before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will consider Thursday whether to approve the proposal of its panel vetting an organic bill on MPs for suspending the enforcement of the bill for 90 days, consequently postponing the planned election to 2019.

"We understand that it is still possible to hold the elections by November 2018 and encourage all stakeholders to respect the previously announced road map for a return to democracy in Thailand, for the benefit of all its people. The EU stands ready to assist Thailand in this endeavour," EU Ambassador to Thailand Pirkka Tapiola said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... -democracy
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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Last night I was out and spoke about this with a number of Thais I know, including bar staff/owners, none of them seemed interested at all if it was delayed or never happened.
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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Under military rule the public will assume they are powerless to do anything hence adopting this laissez-faire attitude. This is the whole intention of a military dictatorship - rule by fear.
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Re: Elections delayed again, PM denies involvement

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StevePIraq wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2018 12:29 pm Last night I was out and spoke about this with a number of Thais I know, including bar staff/owners, none of them seemed interested at all if it was delayed or never happened.
They may not have wanted to speak about it in public or to a farang and probably didn't want to risk disagreement or argument. Even my wife doesn't want to talk about politics and certainly doesn't want to hear any criticism of the present government. Unless they have a political agenda, Thais are not outspoken publicly. Just smile and make nice and everything will be fine.
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