Prem will support election outcome ... or not.

[Hmmm]

A number of web sites are buzzing over the exact meaning of a doorstop interview given by General Prem in the lead-up to the election. Given his widely assumed role in the coup, people are attaching a lot of weight to his words.

The most widely accepted interpretation suggests that he would not necessarily support a PPP victory ...
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala ... he-result/ (http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/12/21/accepting-the-result/)

As is often the case, the English language press are less than thorough in reporting the full text of what he said ...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_new ... ?id=124580 (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=124580)

Also in question is whether the PPP leader Samak used a gay slur in attacking Prem ...
http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2007/ ... t-gay.html (http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2007/12/white-haired-closet-gay.html)

Unfortunately the lack of precise meaning in the Thai language hampers total certainly about what was said in both cases.

Dangerous undercurrents.....

At some point Old Man Prem and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named have to understand that Constitutionalism is the only hope for the future of Thailand. Otherwise all Hell's a'gonna break loose after they're gone.

An intresting side note: Boyfriend professes to be unfazed by the election but lately he confesses to having nightmares about not being able to contact me ever again.....

[TrongpaiExpat]

On a lighter note, I have been watching the political poster go up around town. The candidates seem to run in threes, I guess there's a reason but I don't know, the Stooges factor?. There's the three with the casual look in polo shirts; the business look in suits and ties; The we love the King look, in yellow; The military look with one old big guy with enough mettle on his chest to set off all the mettle detectors in all of Thailand; the mixed look: one in a suite, one casual and one with a stethoscope around his neck, must be a safe cracker; and one I have not idea, three guys all holding their noses and smiling--got my vote, if I had one.

http://www.tvcrazy.net/tvclassics/articles/stooges/images/three-stooges.jpg

At some point Old Man Prem and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named have to understand that Constitutionalism is the only hope for the future of ThailandIn this morning's Bangkok Post it was reported that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named told a group of newly created generals that the Army has a "special" role in guaranteeing the stability of Thailand - http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/t ... ?id=124621 (http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=124621)

In the mean time Thailand is still a hot economy...I really do not understand why. The coup....incompetent Generals running and screwing up all kinds of things, a 30% hold back on invested cash...a new election on the way, and it looks like Taksin's party wins again. The military is nervious as Hell and has already said another coup is possible. He who must not be named is very old, and no one knows what comes after him. He is literally worshiped as a living Buddha....and the Thai currency continues to rise against the dollar, construction is going gang busters, new cars everywhere....It all makes no sense.

In the mean time Thailand is still a hot economy... the Thai currency continues to rise against the dollarA currency's strength is no indicator of its virility; the Thai baht is strong against regional currencies as well. Over the last 10 years the Singapore dollar has declined against a number of other currencies, but I still would prefer to have investments in Singapore than Thailand

A currency's strength is no indicator of its virility; the Thai baht is strong against regional currencies as well. Over the last 10 years the Singapore dollar has declined against a number of other currencies, but I still would prefer to have investments in Singapore than Thailand

Totally agreed....there is a reason why Thai Baht is not a major currency for international investors.
To all those people who are fortunate enough to enjoy the benefit of Thai Baht appreciation and Thai property value jump.....I will wait and see the result when the decline starts....one of these days.
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