PAD press release

[buksida]

I have been sent this PR from the PAD:

People’s Alliance for Democracy Announcement 26/2008 on The Ultimatum for the Prime Minister to Resign Immediately and Without Condition

The People’s Alliance for Democracy has been rallying continuously since May 25, 2008 for 2 main objectives;

1. To prevent the rewriting of the 2007 Constitution by the proxy government of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who are trying to amend the charter to whitewash the crimes committed by Thaksin and his cronies and to destroy the country’s judiciary system. The PAD also strives to prevent the proxy government from abolishing the Privy Council, a move which the PAD considers to be a direct violation of His Majesty the King’s authority.

The current Thai Parliament is also considered to be under Thaksin’s complete control. It has committed various wrongdoings and violated election laws, yet continues to claim it represents the people of Thailand. But in truth, the proxy Parliament is a sale to any highest bidding politician. The Constitution court’s imminent deliberation of a various party dissolution cases against several of the government coalition partners is proof enough of the fact that Thaksin’s proxy government is not a truly ‘constitutional’ government of Thailand.

2. To drive out the killer government that has shamelessly acted as a nominee for fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra. The government is clearly behind the ruthless killings of Thai citizens, manipulated state media, supports the destruction of the Thai judiciary system, exploits the country’s national budget, condones lese majeste actions, lacks any ethical standing and therefore is deemed to be an illegitimate government which is not fit to administer the Kingdom.

For the above reasons the People’s Alliance for Democracy has been rallying peacefully and without arms, a right which is sanctioned by the 2007 Constitution Article 63. Article 70 stipulates that a Thai citizen has the responsibilities to protect the 3 pillars of the country; the nation, religion and the King and the nation’s constitutional monarchy.

However, during the course of the rally the lives and safety of supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy have been in constant jeopardy. The government is also clearly involved in masterminding various violent attacks against the PAD. It has also turned a blind eye when the PAD was attacked with weapons of war on more than 10 occasions. The ruthless attacks have resulted in countless injuries and 4 deaths. Several attacks were also targeted at the ASTV headquarters in an attempt to prevent that station from broadcasting live the PAD rally. The government has yet to take any responsibility for the underhanded sabotage attempts.

Three Senate committees, tasked with investigating the violence and bloodshed of the October 7th incident, have found that the PM Somchai Wongsawat and his Cabinet ministers are to be held responsible for the injuries and deaths of the protesters. Their findings coincide with that of the National Human Rights Commission. Premier Somchai must take responsibility for the tragedy by resigning immediately and without any condition.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy has called for a final mass rally to stop the traitorous government and proxy Parliament on November 23, 2008 at 2 p.m. The final rally is well into its 50th hour and the supporters of the PAD have been pressuring the traitorous government to step down with peaceful means. Armed with only the plastic hand clappers, the PAD protesters have marched to various key locations including Parliament, Finance ministry, the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the government’s temporary seat at Don Muang Airport. However, to no avail, the proxy government has failed to show any sign of remorse or any intention to step down as demanded by the PAD. In addition, it continues to cling on to power and is determined to amend the charter for the interests of its puppet master and his associates.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy is left with no choice but to step up its peaceful rally by blocking off access to the Suvarnabhumi Airport. This is considered to be an ultimatum for Somchai Wongsawat and the Cabinet to resign immediately and without any condition.

The people’s alliance apologizes for any inconvenience the closure of the Suvarnabhumi Airport may cause to the public and international visitors to the Kingdom of Thailand. But the PAD believes the measure is crucial to bring an end to the traitorous-killer government.

The PAD is calling for the public from all walks of life to join the PAD movement and call for the current administration to resign immediately to protect Thailand from more harm and to restore morals to the Thai society without any further delay.

With deepest respect, People’s Alliance for Democracy Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Ladawan Pittayapiboon (Wan)
Executive Secretary
Tel. 662 629 4488 x 1200
Fax. 662 629 4474

Manager Media Group Co., Ltd. / Thaiday Dot Com Co., Ltd.
102/1 Pra-arthit Road, Chanasongkram, Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200 THAILAND

Source: Press release to Thai based foreign correspondents

[BaaBaa.]

Armed with only the plastic hand clappers

These ones????



These ones look a little different.

[curber]

It is such a pleasure to see democracy in action...peaceful protest....intelligent discussion...adult responses to problems..just goes to show you how,when given a chance the masses will respond with reason.Enough of the sarcasm...can anyone explain to me why these thugs are allowed to take over government headquarters, disrupt an international airport and basically go to mob rule..albeit in isolated spots as of now...there is no country in the world that would tolerate this type of behavior ohh pardon me I guess there is one.This is a disgrace......government get off your butts and do something

[buksida]

Farcical is the word of the day.

The PAD are currently doing more damage to the country than their opponents. The government look weak and stupid because they can't do anything about it, the military won't intervene because they are royalists and many are anti-Thaksin. That is why the mob is getting away with causing chaos.

When the government, the military, the throne, and the population are in different corners pandemonium will prevail.

Welcome to Thailand 2008.

[dtaai-maai]

Farcical is the word of the day.

The PAD are currently doing more damage to the country than their opponents. The government look weak and stupid because they can't do anything about it, the military won't intervene because they are royalists and many are anti-Thaksin. That is why the mob is getting away with causing chaos.

When the government, the military, the throne, and the population are in different corners pandemonium will prevail.

Welcome to Thailand 2008.

Have to say I agree with every word.

[The understudy]

[quote="buksida"]Farcical is the word of the day.

The PAD are currently doing more damage to the country than their opponents. The government look weak and stupid because they can't do anything about it, the military won't intervene because they are royalists and many are anti-Thaksin. That is why the mob is getting away with causing chaos.

When the government, the military, the throne, and the population are in different corners pandemonium will prevail.

Welcome to Thailand 2008.[/quote]

Your Words in Buddhas Ears Buksida!

Your's the understudy!!!

[faq2mfh]

What is the way forward wish one?

[Guess]

What is the way forward wish one?

Dissolve parliament, re-instate the stand in pre Samak regime, hole a general election asap.

This time it should be pointed out that the chance to enforce democracy is at the polling booths, not in the street or at the airport.

There also is a need to stop Thaksin installing another puppet. I really don't have an answer for that one except that all sides should be given media time prior to the election to state their case. This is a legal democratic requirement in some countries. The UK I think, (party political broadcasts???).

[Wanderlust]

Guess,
There is another problem, which i have stated on another thread - the make up of the constituency map and the number of MPs allocated to the various regions is distorted, making it virtually impossible for any party other than PPP/TRT or the next incarnation to be the largest party; this can only be addressed by boundary changes so that the population is as evenly allocated to each constituency/MP as is possible, and is an issue that should be taken out of the hands of the politicians and be an automatic process done by a rigid system every 5 to 10 years to avoid any corruption or political interference.

[STEVE G]

According to some reports, the PAD has stated that they don’t want another election now anyway as they don’t believe it will have a different result.
It seems it’s the 70% nominated parliament or nothing.
That might end the present problems for about as long as it takes the then disenfranchised rural electorate to get organized into an opposition group, and seize the airport or whatever has worked to bring down a government.

[Wanderlust]

According to some reports, the PAD has stated that they don’t want another election now anyway as they don’t believe it will have a different result.

I think they are right about that because of what I stated above and in the other thread. I don't agree with their solution or current tactics but in some ways they are right about the current election system being inadequate in delivering a fair and representative government; however I don't think there is any quick fix for this.

[STEVE G]

Basically it seems the PAD are trying to force their nominated parliament on the people before the judiciary ends the government in December when by all likelihood they will dissolve the PPP.
Perhaps this is also why the present government is not doing anything to end the situation. If they try to use force now and people get killed they could be held accountable after they have lost power, and why would you take that risk if you only have a few more weeks in office anyway.

[caller]

WL - what are the issues with the boundaries? Is it number of MP's per head of population, or geographical area or what. In what way is biaised towards Issan - genuine question as I don't know?

The UK regularly changes its boundaries, usually based on population and some changes will be introduced for the next election. It's watched closely, as in a close election, these changes can effect a seat changing hands. Presumably that would be an issue in LOS as well?

[sandman67]

Caller

from what I gather from various sources the problem is that the low population northern states elect a disproportionately high number of MPs, so it skews representation in the house to favour the Northern states....which is PPP/TRT heartland....and they also have the usual issues of electoral corruption on a grander scale...so PPP/TRT always win.

The number of MPs should represent the "head of population" count....and it doesn't. Efficient and independent electoral monitoring should take place in "carded" constituencies....and it doesn't.

Theres the main issues....sort that out and its a big start to solving the issues....problem is PAD haven't thought of using that....theyd rather have non elected MPs...yet more bad strategic thinking.

its got sod all to do with poor / rich or elite / farmer....the south is piss poor and full of "uneducated farmers" .... who vote Democrat. Strangely enough as well theres few cases of electoral corruption passed down in the south, whereas in the North theres loads.....one or two Democrats get a slap, over 70 coalition MPs get their collars felt.....go figure eh?

still....clever Army eh....coup by proxy

We arent getting the tanks out for a coup...but we arent getting them out to help you either Mr PM.....

Theres strategic thinking for you

[Wanderlust]

caller,
I have been searching the internet but can't find any links or details, but it was an Asia Times article that first talked about it I think but I can't find it now. Whether there is a mechanism in place similar to the UK I don't know but what I read implied (to me) that there hadn't been any changes for a long time. Basically what I remember the article saying was that there were huge areas with very few voters that had an MP in Isaan and the north, while highly populated areas had only one MP for tens or even hundreds of thousands, hence the rural population effectively controlling who was in power. Thaksin appears to be the one who made the most effective use of this and any connection with him ever since seems to win Isaan and the north and thus the largest party in Parliament. If someone can find either the article or some figures on population and MP representation I'd appreciate it, as it is possible that I have remembered this wrong.