Thailand general election fundamentally flawed: Human Rights Watch

[STEVE G]

I've a feeling that the military factions will be happy for PT to run the economy, they've always struggled with that, as long as their ultra-conservative institutions are left alone.

[hhinner]

Prayuth for Ministry of Defence? Pravit deputy pm? What post for the convicted heroin smuggler/trader? If the coupists don't get the jobs they want will Thaksin have to go back to prison hospital or even a cell?

[STEVE G]

Prayuth for Ministry of Defence? Pravit deputy pm? What post for the convicted heroin smuggler/trader? If the coupists don't get the jobs they want will Thaksin have to go back to prison hospital or even a cell?

I'm pretty sure all the details would have been agreed before he came back.

[Big Boy]

Off subject slightly................... I've just been watching the new PM on Thai News. What a giant of a man for a Thai. Mrs BB says oh that's because he studied in America . Too many hot dogs?

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/srettha-is ... st-leader/

[buksida]

Good (long) article here which basically says the new coalition won't get much achieved as the old dinosaurs will want to keep the status quo...

Will fixing Thailand's economy help salvage Pheu Thai's image? Possible, say analysts, but it won't be easy
Property mogul-turned-prime minister Srettha Thavisin is facing a monumental task of reviving Thailand’s sluggish economy – a binding campaign promise he has to keep in order to salvage the image of his party Pheu Thai.

Observers expect to see various economic stimulus efforts as the party continues on the track of populist policies, which have long defined its political brand and achievements.

However, with 11 parties in the coalition government, doubts have been raised over Mr Srettha’s ability in commanding and keeping the coalition together – especially when it is dominated by factions from the old ruling camp closely allied with the military.

Also, there are questions over how much improvement on the economic front can trickle down to the political realm for Pheu Thai, said Mr Yuthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

“Solving economic problems belongs in the old world. Today, politics of the new world is no longer about that. It’s about political divisions,” he added.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/th ... is-3724291

More to the point from Malaysia ...
Thailand’s establishment clings to power, despite vote for change
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/ ... 20151.html

His coalition would collapse without the support of three rival parties – Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath, and the United Thai Nation party – said Termsak Chalermpalanupap, of the Thailand Studies Program at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

“He can be easily voted out in a no-confidence motion in the House of Representatives. In other words, he will be a lame duck PM, just like Yingluck,” he said.

Four more years of military dictatorship then ... ho-hum.

[STEVE G]

It's always the same in Thailand, if Move Forward had got into power, as soon as they tried to push through any reforms there would have just been another coup, either military or judicial.

[hhinner]

Bumper poppy harvest next year?

[caller]

A good article here from Thitinan, but not from the usual source of the Bangkok Post. Maybe it's harder hitting for that reason:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Thaksin ... ablishment

[Suua]

A good article here from Thitinan, but not from the usual source of the Bangkok Post. Maybe it's harder hitting for that reason:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Thaksin ... ablishment

Great article, thanks!
Harder hitting, as in 'truthful/factual' and straight to the point.
I hope this article was available in Thai script for the Thai folks to read.

[PeteC]

"Today is the D-day for former Move Forward party leader – Pita Limjaroenrat’s holding
of 42,000 shares of now defunct – iTV, media company, whereby the Constitutional Court
is set to give its verdict on the case which could put Pita back in the driver’s seat in the
parliament or ban him from politics for at least 5-10 years."

Fully acquitted at 1400 hours. Retains his MP status

(Print story when published)

[PeteC]

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/24/asia ... index.html

[PeteC]

^ 2 hours now since the ruling and the Bangkok Dinosaur Post hasn't published a word, whereas worldwide press has. Go figure? I'll tell you why, they are huddling with their conservative minders and controllers in Bangkok trying to make a positive outcome sound negative.

[PeteC]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... lding-case

[HHTel]

I found this statement interesting. I have never heard these sayings. Has anyone else?

The Thai idiom is akin to the English expressions "He that eats the hard shall eat
the ripe" or "It is better to have a hen tomorrow than an egg today."

[caller]

I found this statement interesting. I have never heard these sayings. Has anyone else?

The Thai idiom is akin to the English expressions "He that eats the hard shall eat
the ripe" or "It is better to have a hen tomorrow than an egg today."

I was puzzled when I read that as well. Never heard of either.