paulg
March 5th, 2006, 06:28
From BangkokPost website sunday 0100GMT
Civil disobedience call to oust Thaksin
Activists to stage protest at Democracy Monument until he quits
By Pradit Ruangdit Manop Thip-osod
The People's Alliance for Democracy will stage a prolonged demonstration at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue until Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra calls it quits. Social critic Thirayuth Boonmi voiced support for the move, urging PAD to adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle for another round of political reform.
Speaking after a meeting to discuss strategies for today's anti-Thaksin rally, PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the alliance resolved to gather at 4pm at Sanam Luang before marching to the Democracy Monument to press for Mr Thaksin to quit unconditionally.
He said the alliance believed Mr Thaksin's address to supporters at Sanam Luang on Friday night was full of distortions and intended to cover up his wrongdoings.
''It was a campaign rally for votes and Mr Thaksin failed to clarify many doubts raised against him. He pleaded for sympathy, reminding people of what he had done for them, despite the fact that for the past five years he has misused his power for personal gain,'' Mr Suriyasai said.
Mr Thaksin's promise to amend the constitution and renew political reform after the April 2 election was designed to keep him in power. In fact, it was Mr Thaksin who had obstructed the political reform process and violated the constitution.
Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD core leader, said the pro-Thaksin rally on Friday was a gathering of grassroots people without proper knowledge about Mr Thaksin.
Some were paid 300, 500 or 1,500 baht, depending on travel distances, to join the rally. As many as 3,025 buses and more than 5,000 vans were used to transport Thai Rak Thai supporters to the rally. At least 300 million baht had been spent to take them to Sanam Luang, Mr Sondhi said, without explaining how he reached this figure.
He said transport for provincial supporters to the rally was arranged by Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat.
Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, the prime minister's former mentor while leading the Palang Dharma party, said Mr Thaksin had divided people in the country. ''Although what we are doing is called an exercise in 'mob rule,' it is legal and constitutional.''
Mr Thirayuth, former student leader in the Oct 14, 1973 uprising, said the people's struggle had developed into a people's alliance for democracy.
The alliance was so effective it had forced the government to dissolve the House after only one year in power.
''The alliance, which has been mature, should adopt steady and prolonged tactics, not quick actions,'' he said.
Mr Thirayuth suggested PAD adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle to fight right violations or oppression.
''Civil disobedience can paralyse the Thaksin regime. Eventually Mr Thaksin will not be acceptable to the people,'' he said.
A demonstration was a way of showing resistance to Mr Thaksin and may be held at a symbol of his power such as Government House.
Meanwhile, Mr Thaksin said in Chiang Mai that everyone has the right to give their opinions but it is the people who decide.
Suranand Vejjajiva, Thai Rak Thai executive, said Mr Thirayuth's call for a prolonged demonstration at government offices such as Government House was undemocratic.
More than 5,000 police will be deployed to maintain law and order during today's anti-government rally, said assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Ashirawit Suphanphesat.
Poll could lead to shortage of MPs
New members could fall below 500 required
By Mongkol Bangprapa
The Thai Rak Thai (TRT)-dominated election on April 2 will lead to a malfunctioning House as the number of new MPs could fall below the 500 requirement, a source from the Election Commission (EC) said yesterday. The boycott by the three major opposition parties _ Democrat, Chart Thai, and Mahachon _ has begun to threaten caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hopes that his government will be returned.
TRT rivals are little known and small. They may not even exist in many constituencies.
''Looking at the list of election applicants for the party list, many constituencies may have only TRT candidates,'' the source said.
Parliament needs 500 MPs, of which 100 come from party lists, to open. Only eight parties have applied to register party list candidates. Applications for constituency MPs opened yesterday.
''So I beg you to send your candidates to the election,'' Mr Thaksin said in his Friday public address.
Small parties do not have enough money to field candidates in every constituency, leaving only TRT candidates in some places.
If too many people spoil their votes, the frontrunner may face a by-election. A candidate must win the support of at least 20% of eligible voters to take a seat in the House.
''If a new election is held three or four times but a new MP is still not elected, we would then reach a dead end,'' the source said.
EC political party development section director Krit Uarwong said the law screening the qualifications of the candidates was also a concern. The commission must examine whether a candidate has belonged to his or her party for at least 90 days.
Civil disobedience call to oust Thaksin
Activists to stage protest at Democracy Monument until he quits
By Pradit Ruangdit Manop Thip-osod
The People's Alliance for Democracy will stage a prolonged demonstration at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue until Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra calls it quits. Social critic Thirayuth Boonmi voiced support for the move, urging PAD to adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle for another round of political reform.
Speaking after a meeting to discuss strategies for today's anti-Thaksin rally, PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the alliance resolved to gather at 4pm at Sanam Luang before marching to the Democracy Monument to press for Mr Thaksin to quit unconditionally.
He said the alliance believed Mr Thaksin's address to supporters at Sanam Luang on Friday night was full of distortions and intended to cover up his wrongdoings.
''It was a campaign rally for votes and Mr Thaksin failed to clarify many doubts raised against him. He pleaded for sympathy, reminding people of what he had done for them, despite the fact that for the past five years he has misused his power for personal gain,'' Mr Suriyasai said.
Mr Thaksin's promise to amend the constitution and renew political reform after the April 2 election was designed to keep him in power. In fact, it was Mr Thaksin who had obstructed the political reform process and violated the constitution.
Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD core leader, said the pro-Thaksin rally on Friday was a gathering of grassroots people without proper knowledge about Mr Thaksin.
Some were paid 300, 500 or 1,500 baht, depending on travel distances, to join the rally. As many as 3,025 buses and more than 5,000 vans were used to transport Thai Rak Thai supporters to the rally. At least 300 million baht had been spent to take them to Sanam Luang, Mr Sondhi said, without explaining how he reached this figure.
He said transport for provincial supporters to the rally was arranged by Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat.
Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, the prime minister's former mentor while leading the Palang Dharma party, said Mr Thaksin had divided people in the country. ''Although what we are doing is called an exercise in 'mob rule,' it is legal and constitutional.''
Mr Thirayuth, former student leader in the Oct 14, 1973 uprising, said the people's struggle had developed into a people's alliance for democracy.
The alliance was so effective it had forced the government to dissolve the House after only one year in power.
''The alliance, which has been mature, should adopt steady and prolonged tactics, not quick actions,'' he said.
Mr Thirayuth suggested PAD adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle to fight right violations or oppression.
''Civil disobedience can paralyse the Thaksin regime. Eventually Mr Thaksin will not be acceptable to the people,'' he said.
A demonstration was a way of showing resistance to Mr Thaksin and may be held at a symbol of his power such as Government House.
Meanwhile, Mr Thaksin said in Chiang Mai that everyone has the right to give their opinions but it is the people who decide.
Suranand Vejjajiva, Thai Rak Thai executive, said Mr Thirayuth's call for a prolonged demonstration at government offices such as Government House was undemocratic.
More than 5,000 police will be deployed to maintain law and order during today's anti-government rally, said assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Ashirawit Suphanphesat.
Poll could lead to shortage of MPs
New members could fall below 500 required
By Mongkol Bangprapa
The Thai Rak Thai (TRT)-dominated election on April 2 will lead to a malfunctioning House as the number of new MPs could fall below the 500 requirement, a source from the Election Commission (EC) said yesterday. The boycott by the three major opposition parties _ Democrat, Chart Thai, and Mahachon _ has begun to threaten caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hopes that his government will be returned.
TRT rivals are little known and small. They may not even exist in many constituencies.
''Looking at the list of election applicants for the party list, many constituencies may have only TRT candidates,'' the source said.
Parliament needs 500 MPs, of which 100 come from party lists, to open. Only eight parties have applied to register party list candidates. Applications for constituency MPs opened yesterday.
''So I beg you to send your candidates to the election,'' Mr Thaksin said in his Friday public address.
Small parties do not have enough money to field candidates in every constituency, leaving only TRT candidates in some places.
If too many people spoil their votes, the frontrunner may face a by-election. A candidate must win the support of at least 20% of eligible voters to take a seat in the House.
''If a new election is held three or four times but a new MP is still not elected, we would then reach a dead end,'' the source said.
EC political party development section director Krit Uarwong said the law screening the qualifications of the candidates was also a concern. The commission must examine whether a candidate has belonged to his or her party for at least 90 days.