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Monday , December 8 , 2008

PAD should turn into political party, says Chai-anan

Posted by Yoon , Reader : 1896 , 10:31:28

Dr Chai-anan Samudavajija, a prominent academic closely linked to the People's Alliance for Democracy's core leader Sondhi Limthongkul, proposed today that PAD should become a political party and run in the next elections. He wrote in his weekly column in ASTV Manager daily that even if PAD leaders are reluctant to consider that option, there probably is no other way -- if PAD wants its movement to effect real changes in Thai politics. Chai-anan suggests that PAD has many advantages over other political parties. "For one thing, PAD can be considered a mass movement, supported by a great number of people. It also has gained vast political experience through its protest. PAD, unlike most political parties, has a collective leadership. Besides, PAD has all the communications channels such as newspaper, radio, television and mobile phone networks to keep in touch with the public..." The academic said PAD shouldn't expect to become a major party after the election. "It should aim to become a medium-sized party with about 50 to 80 seats in the House, and should mainly field candidates in the Central Region, the East and Bangkok." PAD could join hands with the Democrat Party to form the government after the election, he wrote. Financially, Chai-anan believes that PAD could get sufficient donations to run a political party. "A lot of people want to donate to PAD. I guess with all the small donors and those willing to offer upwards of 100,000 baht each, PAD could obtain up to one to three billion baht in its fund-raising activities. That should be sufficient to run an election," Chai-anan suggested. What do you think?

Dr Chai-anan Samudavajija, a prominent academic closely linked to the People's Alliance for Democracy's core leader Sondhi Limthongkul, proposed today that PAD should become a political party and run in the next elections.

He wrote in his weekly column in ASTV Manager daily that even if PAD leaders are reluctant to consider that option, there probably is no other way -- if PAD wants its movement to effect real changes in Thai politics.

Chai-anan suggests that PAD has many advantages over other political parties. "For one thing, PAD can be considered a mass movement, supported by a great number of people. It also has gained vast political experience through its protest. PAD, unlike most political parties, has a collective leadership. Besides, PAD has all the communications channels such as newspaper, radio, television and mobile phone networks to keep in touch with the public..."

The academic said PAD shouldn't expect to become a major party after the election. "It should aim to become a medium-sized party with about 50 to 80 seats in the House, and should mainly field candidates in the Central Region, the East and Bangkok."

PAD could join hands with the Democrat Party to form the government after the election, he wrote.

Financially, Chai-anan believes that PAD could get sufficient donations to run a political party.

"A lot of people want to donate to PAD. I guess with all the small donors and those willing to offer upwards of 100,000 baht each, PAD could obtain up to one to three billion baht in its fund-raising activities. That should be sufficient to run an election," Chai-anan suggested.

What do you think?

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comment 64
Ian date : 14/12/2008 time : 20.25
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Frankie, sure the PAD can form a political party but that would have a price. As a legally constituted party they would have to comply with the law or risk the fate of the PPP. As a pressure group outside the political framework they can break the laws with much greater impunity, as has been clearly demonstrated.

comment 63
Frankie date : 13/12/2008 time : 09.37

RN,
Maybe,you should try to be less emotional.
I am stating facts not supporting this ,or that group.
If more people were to stick to the facts rather than only accept views that favour their point of view, we might move on.

comment 62
RN date : 13/12/2008 time : 05.17

PAD is death of Thailand, cant you get that Frankie? It is really weird how people can support a group of gangsters who wants dictatorship and destroy Thailand. Can you get that Frankie? or are you too brainwashed? Gosh, people like you really makes me angry.

comment 61
Frankie date : 12/12/2008 time : 16.52

Ian,
The occupation of the airports and government house were clearly in breach of the law. However, as you stated the street protests were within the rights of the citizen as long as they remained peaceful.
My comment was that The PAD were not always outside the law, as far as the early street protests were concerned.
In my opinion the PAD would be ill advised to set up a political party, hence my comment " fools rush in where angels fear to tread ."
Having said that, they would be quite within their rights to go ahead and form a new party if they so wished.
Would you agree with that?

comment 60
Mill date : 12/12/2008 time : 15.01

3,450 policemen to be deployed to keep security at gathering of red-shirted people
1,500 police to keep security at Parliament: metropolitan police chief
Where been this police when yelow shirt make mess.Now ewery body know where from wind come

comment 59
Ian date : 11/12/2008 time : 17.39
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Frankie, street protests are within the law, as is picketting, occupying a government building is a breach of thai law, occupying international airports is a breach of both Thai law and international law.
Do you care to contend otherwise?

comment 58
Frankie date : 11/12/2008 time : 12.06

Ian, always outside the law is a matter of your opinion. However, they still have the right, if they so wish to set up a party.
My opinion is "fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

comment 57
Ian date : 11/12/2008 time : 08.30
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Frankie, as you point out in 55, political leaders and their parties are subject to the law, or to dismissal. the PAD has always operated outside the law, to form a political party would cramp their style.

comment 56
Frankie date : 10/12/2008 time : 22.40

Buying and selling MPs is expensive, but if the money comes from Shinawatra, whose money comes from robbing Thailand blind,then the money comes from our taxes, so for the PPP who do all the buying and selling around here, it doesn't cost them a bean, simple math.

comment 55
Frankie date : 10/12/2008 time : 22.33

With three out of three of Thailands last Prime Ministers in some way or another in trouble with the laws of this fair land. There seems to be no good reason why the PAD sohouldn't set up a political party.

comment 54
Frankie date : 10/12/2008 time : 22.28

Little things please little minds and bigger fools look on.

comment 53
Ian date : 10/12/2008 time : 22.09
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

frankie, and the white rabbit was beheaded by the red queen because he was late, everything is always very simple and logical in Wonderland.

comment 52
Frankie date : 10/12/2008 time : 21.49

If anyone has a complait against the PAD, then you have every right to go to the police and make a complaint. Is there anything in that you don't understand??

comment 51
Frankie date : 10/12/2008 time : 21.46

Samak lost his job because as the PM he was barred from working in any other job with pay. That's it. Cooking ,or whatever. Is that too difficult to comprehend????

comment 50
Teddy date : 09/12/2008 time : 20.27
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/I-Man

Quick question on my mind. If Mrs.T reclaims about 5 heads at 40million a pop, and the new PPP does not survive; can she cancel the cheques?

comment 49
twodogs date : 09/12/2008 time : 16.51

should find a lot money to buy MPs for supoorting them in present bidding for power. but they should find money for paying the lost and damage of public properties first.

Now govt approved bt1.9M to compensate to stranded tourist. This money come from all of you.

comment 48
Mill date : 09/12/2008 time : 14.53

comment 47
Simon date : 09/12/2008 time : 14.23

Great suggestion Ian and they can have with my compliments, Chamlong and Sondhi for target practice.

comment 46
windy date : 09/12/2008 time : 14.23
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/lisnaree
Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

Now you ruin my snack...I think I am going to cry

comment 45
Ian date : 09/12/2008 time : 14.10
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

All this buying and selling of polititicians seems rather expensive and unreliable, Now Mugabe has a simpler and much cheaper method. You put togther a hit squad, cost a few million baht, then tell every MP you do what I want or your family will suffer "grave" disciplinary actions.

comment 44
massein date : 09/12/2008 time : 14.06
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/massein

Ian that does surprise men I thought the UK was a orderly society, we will change that to spiting on the sidewalk ok

comment 43
Steven date : 09/12/2008 time : 13.53

comment 36

This is persuasion

comment 42
Simon date : 09/12/2008 time : 13.26

#41

Totally agree with you, they are a bunch of SHAMLESS Kangaros.

comment 41
RN date : 09/12/2008 time : 13.10

The court in Thailand cannot do their job. They are bribed and corrupt. Samak cooking on TV is a huge crime. PAD shooting people, put knife on people throat, hijack buses, block airports and government house is not illegal, that is totally fine, but cooking on TV.....ooohhh that is a very very bad crime.

comment 40
Chris-TH date : 09/12/2008 time : 13.03
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/Chris-TH

(I guess there is a difference for the politician. Vote buying will make him poor, but vote selling will make him rich???)

comment 39
Chris-TH date : 09/12/2008 time : 13.01
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/Chris-TH

C37

I agree, that is not vote buying, that is vote selling. (I wonder if there is a difference???)

comment 38
Chris-TH date : 09/12/2008 time : 12.58
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/Chris-TH

Probaly wont work. They will dig into the Democrat voters (like PDP did), and wont change anything.

And as other posters mention. If the courts do their job, all the leaders with charisma will be gone, and PAD will fizzle away.

comment 37
RN date : 09/12/2008 time : 12.47

That is not vote buying my friend, that is offer. Or as they call it in sports "contract". Vote buying is when someone pay you to vote for them, so no that is not vote buying at all.

comment 36
Mill date : 09/12/2008 time : 12.41

Democrat party admitted Tuesday it can't confirm numbers of MPs agreeing to join it in forming govt.

Secretary-general of Democrat party Suthep Thaugsuban said the number of MPs who agreed to join it in forming a coalition government cannot yet be confirmed because there are still efforts in bringing back some MPs to join its rival Puea Thai party.

Such attempts, he said, include offering cash and positions in the new government.

This article it's from Bangkok post.This is not a buying vote. Can somebody explain to me.

comment 35
Steven date : 09/12/2008 time : 11.31

First PAD core leaders must be tried in accordance to the law just as they have use every means to put Thaksin on trial.

Stand for election if they have the guts but I believed they don`t have as they knew exactly where their position stand. Not by the people but under the guise of powerful people behind.

comment 34
usmale date : 09/12/2008 time : 11.27

C1, this is what the Thai people were arguing about all along. Why doesn't Sondhi run for office (doing) instead of just protesting (making noise)? My guess is that it costs money to form a political party.

comment 33
Ian date : 09/12/2008 time : 11.16
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

" if i get stop by the local police for J Walking" you will know that you are not in the UK

"British adults will generally simply step out into traffic and expect the traffic to stop" ..... another example of culture shock when they visit Thailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywalking#United_Kingdom

comment 32
massein date : 09/12/2008 time : 10.03
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/massein

Its not easy, maybe its not meant to be. but as a American
i know that if i visit the UK, if i get stop by the local police
for J Walking, i will receive no more or no less punishment
of a British Citizen. why, because there is recognized rule of law. In Thailand rule of law is often determined by who you are and what you have.

comment 31
Mill date : 09/12/2008 time : 08.31

It's so easy.Open border with Burma and Thailand will by have same goverment like up there.

comment 30
massein date : 09/12/2008 time : 08.01
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/massein

This is all so bizarre, I'm red, Your Purple, He's Yellow, and those guy or Green, When we all want the same thing. Good , Honest , Moral government. Ok my group wants to save the trees, your group wants to save the Dung Beetle,, But we both want to get out children educated, and ensure adequate health care for all, so we join together and become democrats, simple because the Conservative parties, do not want to save the trees or the dung beetle,but they do want to educated their children, and provide adequate health care for all. Now we have the liberal party , who simple want to save to the trees and the dung beetle
but let the ppl take care of themselves. Now where do you fit in in this equation. Myself all the above or important, but where does individual determination, or I:E freedom step in. The government should the there to provide, what i cannot provide reasonable for my self, and prevent groups or individual from interfering with that process

comment 29
massein date : 09/12/2008 time : 07.43
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/massein

Too many political parties can cause redundancy, and split votes reducing power to of the government or the opposition. Certainly you can have different factions within a party. Since many small groups of ppl have a different axe to grind. In a case where 2 parties suddenly find themselves in agreement on a policy, We suddenly have good law.

comment 28
RN date : 08/12/2008 time : 20.31

Well, I am so fed up with PAD which I think the rest of Thailand is so why would we want them inside the government house instead of outside the government house (protesting). But I can guess what they would do with the system. They already said that they are against mass transit and infrastrucutre, no more highways, subway, skytrain, new buildings, development that is. Health care would double in price, education as well. Then people will have to listen to millitary propaganda at 6 o´clock everyday instead of the national song. Hmm sounds good to you? I dont think so huh.

comment 27
wch date : 08/12/2008 time : 20.17

A name, Chaianan or somebody is very new to me but anyway, I dont think any stupid PAD leader would descend themselves to the lower level, a political party.

PAD expelled the historically largest political party of Thailand and they clearly positioned themselves above any political party.

I have long insisted that PAD must ascend up to the level of national culture movement that can change people's brain, seeds, DNA and must be the locomotive to pull this degenerated kingdom into modern nation.

PAD must continue in their original missions.

PAD must expedite to complete all the pending 25 courts cases against Thaksin syndication.

PAD must expel those anti-system elements embedded in ex TRT, PPP and pronvinical level of politics.

PAD must press NCCC to establish each provincial NCCC who could pursue investigating all the chronicle corruption in provincial administration bodies down to the village admin council.

PAD must press NCCC to investigate how 2552 budget, expecially local development fund has been spent by PPP MPs.

PAD must play the pivotal role to be national guardians to preserve traditional Thailand.

PAD must pursue to arrest all the grenade throwers and root them out.

comment 26
Teddy date : 08/12/2008 time : 19.58
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/I-Man

C2 This is your observation, fair enough; but I happen to think that C4's comment is legitimate.
PAD probably now has aspirations to become a political entity, but at the start they were literally 'flying by the seat of their pants.'
To cast them blatantly as a political party is ' stretching the imagination'.

comment 25
Outsider date : 08/12/2008 time : 17.37
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/outsider

Rad I like to think its a combination of money and age, terrorism is a young man's/woman's game, once you reach middle age you start to think of settling down, hijacking airports and planes don't seem so appealing as it does when you're young

comment 24
Ian date : 08/12/2008 time : 17.20
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Thaksin showed all the politicians how to get power and grow rich, now they all want to do the same. Unfortunately they are in a severe economic downturn and have no idea what to do about it. They want to plunder the nation's coffers, but the coffers are getting emptied fast.

comment 23
rad date : 08/12/2008 time : 16.38
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/rad

Outsider,
Funny you mention that, my impression of rebel/terrorist groups turning political, has been it was based on money. As soon as the money shows up, the rhetoric shows up and the causes fade.

comment 22
twodogs date : 08/12/2008 time : 16.36

They are the tool of political in Thailand, so it's enough for them. There is longer PAD Thailand if their boss win the enemy in the political field.

comment 21
rad date : 08/12/2008 time : 16.36
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/rad

AO,
Having crinimal charges pending seems to be a requiremnent at least for PM.

The last three democratically elected all had charges pending.

You sound like you still believe this is a democracy.

This is rough and tumble anything goes politics.

comment 20
Outsider date : 08/12/2008 time : 16.28
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/outsider

Yes they will follow in the footsteps of movements like Fatah, Hizbollah and the Irgun metamorphosizing from a terrorist group into a political party.

comment 19
massein date : 08/12/2008 time : 15.41
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/massein

People here only see the problems their adversaries cause, they refuse to deal with the problems, they themselves caused. It is a hopeless proposition

comment 18
AussieObserver date : 08/12/2008 time : 15.39
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/politics

Rad,

of course, if the PAD wants a role ot interfere in politics they should form a party and be prepared to face free and fair elections... in fact I and many others have said that in the past....

but, I am surprised if the PAD elements or anyone else that has committed criminal offences are allowed to stand for election.. surely there are rules about that

plus i suspect undischarged bankrupts also cannot stand... am not sure if Sondhi claims he is personally a bankrupt or its only some of his companies?

so, unfortunately I think the PAD leaders plus may individual guards and others, have probably disqualified themselves

they should have thought about that first I guess...

why didnt you think about it and give them good advice before now?

comment 17
redandwhitestripes date : 08/12/2008 time : 15.21
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/reallifethailand

They already DID register as a party after the Thaksin protests but did not enter elections.

comment 16
anthonyford date : 08/12/2008 time : 14.51
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anthonyford
BLANK

RE: C7 and C10- Panya, no offence taken. Have to agree with you not much rational thought currently in Thai politics. Rad, yes Thai politics is dominated by the right. The democrats seemed only slightly less right when compared to the previous government. PAD’s success using its pressure on a number of fronts might bring power to the people but defiantly will bring power to the political party that aligns itself with them. The democrats have done nothing to distance themselves from PAD so I would suspect they have an allegiance to each other. PAD entering politics would damage relationships. Perhaps the future relationship between PAD and the democrats will be more like this: PAD does the heavy handed activities while the Democrats offer a civilized front and lobby for the interests of PAD.

comment 15
ys-lai date : 08/12/2008 time : 14.29
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/ys-lai

PAD don't need any votes from people. That's not even in their brain. Remember the famour 70% by appointment 30% by people is their ulimate motive.

PAD already won 70% votes from Military, police and bunch of judges in court plus divine power.

Don't insult PAD ; they don't need people; what they need is POWERFUL blessing. They are worshippers of FORCE and power.

comment 14
rad date : 08/12/2008 time : 14.19
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/rad

Let us go back to the beginning,
'If they don't like the government let them form a political party and wait the four years and contest it then.' A common anti PAD saying.

So now, that is no longer true? What happened to one man one vote? Democracy is not fashionable any more and only works for onr side?

Let the voters decide or is someone afraid of the out come?

If PAD wants to front the money for a party and campaign why not? Based on the anti PAD rhetoric they have no support in any case, so what is the problem, they spend they lose and so what?

comment 13
freeland date : 08/12/2008 time : 14.06

PAD from a protest group to become a political party? To become a political party to fight for the people and the nation? If that is the case, they would not have plunged the country into chaos by seizing the airports creating so much losses to its people and country. Of course they can form a political party but will the people support saboteurs who destructs rather than build.

PAD should be classified as enemies to the nation and should face sanctions.

comment 12
FOS date : 08/12/2008 time : 13.59
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/Dom

Forst deal with what they have done to this country and to it's people first then we talk about what they should be if they ever survive through it. If the Justice system and theDem's helps them get away with their crime, I don't think this country will be in peace.

comment 11
rakbkk date : 08/12/2008 time : 13.47
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/rakbkk

Rad. very true. as i mentioned earlier, in Thailand we only have Right, right to the Right and Far Right. Thai politics has no left eye... and most them have a squint in the right eye.

comment 10
rad date : 08/12/2008 time : 13.41
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/rad

anthonyford,
I don't see much left leaning in Thailand, I do see a strong right in most parties. Social awareness and labor movements are not a big deal here.

If you noticed there was a little commie bashing directed towards the PAD, but I think most of that stemmed from Chamlong and the previous uprising and not from the current thinking.

A left leaning party could be an asset, but probably will not happen for sometime.

comment 9
theinnaing date : 08/12/2008 time : 13.24
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/chitchat

Is PAD confident enough to form a party

comment 8
panya date : 08/12/2008 time : 13.14

C7
left wing and right wing categorisation suggests parties have policies which have been conceived and formulated upon rational political thinking. if you feel that is applicable to what is called politics in thailand, fine. as i have yet to see or hear any credible policies from any party in this country (as opposed to the joining together for greed power and money), i think categorising is nonsense. furthermore, not all political parties globally fall under left or right - there are some people, independent free thinkers perhaps, who adopt policies from both camps, and become 'middle'
i'm sorry you took my comment as offensive. it was not meant so

comment 7
anthonyford date : 08/12/2008 time : 12.57
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anthonyford
BLANK

Panya- Before giving judgments on blogs, perhaps you should attain some education on politics. A good place to start is wiki- left wing and right wing politics. Or are you saying right and left wing politics does not exist in Thailand?

comment 6
Ian date : 08/12/2008 time : 12.35
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

First removed those leaders that turned a protest group into a terrorist group, then indeed form a political party.

comment 5
ys-lai date : 08/12/2008 time : 12.19
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/ys-lai

Before stand for election. The court of Justice should put Sondhi & Chamlong in jail on terrorist act on illegal occupation of GH and airport.

Comptempt of court order to evict.

State of terrorist to be ruled by terrorist???

comment 4
panya date : 08/12/2008 time : 11.30

C1 makes a valid point re PAD's legitimacy. at this stage, nobody really knows how many people snationwide upport them or their views

C2 is nonsense - they are not a party, and why should they be left or right category?

C3 says they would be as accountable as the others - agreed, and good thing too

imho

comment 3
rad date : 08/12/2008 time : 11.18
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/rad

Now they can be like the others guys with their leaders getting picked off one by one for criminal charges.

Should be a good start.

comment 2
anthonyford date : 08/12/2008 time : 11.03
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anthonyford
BLANK

Will that mean the democrats become the right and PAD become the left?
From my observation, PAD is already a poltical party. (PAD and the Democrats are one and the same.)

comment 1
CMSteve date : 08/12/2008 time : 10.54

It is the only way they can be a legitimate part of the democratic process. It could be a good thing - to have what they stand for under scrutiny and have the population vote on their right to do what they do.

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