New Parliament in Thailand

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New Parliament in Thailand

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » So Jan 20, 2008 9:38 am

SAMAK LOSES HIS COOL AGAIN

Refuses to answer most questions

Story by SURASAK GLAHAN

A press conference held yesterday to announce the formation of a six-party coalition did not go as smoothly as planned for People Power party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej. First, the microphones did not work when Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong and Puea Pandin party leader Suvit Khunkitti wanted to make their statements.

Mr Samak showed his leadership skills by intervening and fixing them.

A storm of questions from journalists then ruffled the 72-year-old's feathers who could not hide his displeasure.

Like his previous confrontations with the media, Mr Samak did well again by dominating the stage and offering no substantial answers.


Most members of the press wanted to know whether the five political parties would throw their support for sure behind his bid to become prime minister.

Quickly responding to the question in his usual style, he suddenly turned the mood of newshounds hostile.

''How can you ask this kind of question? I don't want to answer it,'' he bawled. The situation worsened when Associated Press journalist Sutin Wannabovorn, who was caught in a similar situation once before with Mr Samak firing away, insisted on an answer.

''If you don't expect us to ask who will become prime minister, what else should this event be all about?'' said Mr Sutin.

Mr Samak shouted back the answer would be given in parliament.

The war of words continued between them, upsetting a group of PPP members in the room who booed and jeered at the newsman.


When facing more questions, Mr Samak chose not to answer and cut it short by saying: ''I'm not a fortune teller.''

When the Bangkok Post questioned the representatives of the PPP's allies, asking them what criteria they would use to choose a prime minister, and what kind of leadership and judgment they expect from the new premier, Mr Samak bluntly shot back: ''That question is too long and it wouldn't be answered,'' he said before closing the press conference.


Bangkok Post Jan. 20, 2008

I'm not a fortune-teller either, but I can tell that a politician who cannot handle the press but gives them opportunity to ridicule him like that will not become PM or be PM for long, especially in a multi-party coalition government. :lol:

Only saying to bring back Thaksin just isn't enough. One gotta get into a position for doing that first.
Es gibt nichts Gutes, ausser man tut es! Erich Kästner, 1899 - 1974

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Re: New PM Samak? Food for the press!

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » So Jan 20, 2008 10:47 am

GOVERNMENT FORMATION

Samak showcases coalition


But gets testy and evasive when asked if he will be premier

Published on January 20, 2008


Samak Sundaravej, leader of the People Power Party, yesterday pledged to unveil the PPP-led Cabinet in 15 days after he introduced his six-party coalition backed by a solid majority of 315 MPs.

However, the euphoria at the press conference called at Bangkok's Sukhothai Hotel to showcase the coalition was ruined by coalition leader Samak when he became testy after he was asked about becoming the prime minister.

"Why raise an inappropriate question? If I don't answer, I'll be picked on non-stop, though I think the question is quite annoying," he said, while managing to evade saying how confident he was in securing the top job.

Sources close to Samak suggested the new government's priority was amending the 2007 Constitution. Then it would likely dissolve the House and call a snap election, which meant it might be in office just one year, the sources said.

In his opening remarks, Samak praised the Election Commission for its success in supervising the voting process and ensuring a fair outcome.

"Although each party received its share of red and yellow cards, this was inevitable and can be settled later. But the crucial thing is the filling of 95 per cent of the House seats, allowing for the opening of Parliament," he said.

The Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties were thanked for joining the alliance and making it possible to achieve the comfortable majority and a stable coalition.

He then turned the mike over to the other parties to explain their decisions to support the coalition.

Pracharaj leader Snoh Thienthong said he wanted the country to move ahead following a turbulent period.

"I'm not worrying about how long the government will last, which will depend on each coalition partner, but I am concerned about the well-being of the country," he said.


People Power won the December 23 election, so it had the legitimacy to form the coalition, he said.

Chart Thai chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart said that party leader Banharn Silapa-archa had outlined the reasons for joining the coalition on Thursday and that he represented Banharn at the press conference as a confirmation for the alliance.

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said he viewed the balloting outcome as a mandate for the PPP to spearhead the coalition. The press conference was just a formality, as his party had already jumped on the coalition bandwagon on December 31, he said.

Puea Pandin leader Suwit Khunkitti said he appreciated the goodwill gesture of the PPP in inviting his party along and hoped the team would put politics back on course.

"My party's utmost concern is forging national reconciliation in order to restore normalcy as soon as possible," he said.

Matchima Thipataya secretary-general Anongwan Thepsuthin said that with its victory, People Power had the right to form the new government.

The excitement over the coalition announcement dissipated when Samak returned to the podium to answer questions. His mood turned sour after reporters asked him about his plans in lining up his Cabinet and about his chances of getting elected by the House to lead the government.

He abruptly ended the press conference after saying he would be in a position to comment on his leadership after the six coalition members met to nominate him as premier.

The House is scheduled to convene tomorrow and will elect the House Speaker and two deputies on Tuesday. The coalition parties are expected to meet before Friday when the House will vote on the prime minister.

The unveiling of the coalition leaves the Democrats as the sole opposition party with 165 votes.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he wished the best for the new government and hoped it could quickly restore confidence.

"Many problems are waiting to be resolved. I hope the new government will come up with personnel and policies to face the challenges and meet the people's high expectations," he said.

The coalition should avoid bringing up issues that might aggravate social divisions and should heed the lesson of not abusing its majority to dilute the system of checks and balances, he added.

Abhisit said the Democrats were ready to work as the opposition. He also played down concerns about lingering turmoil, saying the political system would function properly if all parties played by the rules.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas expressed relief that the coalition had come together.

"It's a good thing for the coalition to emerge, as Thailand has been in a transition period for quite some time," he said.

But he could not pass judgement on the new government, which has yet to name its ministers.

Boonrawd dismissed speculation that Samak might also head the Defence Ministry while governing as prime minister.

"I don't think Samak would want the post," he said.

The rumours are designed to deter jockeying for the job, he said, adding that he still believes the new government will name a respected military figure for the defence portfolio.

The Nation Jan. 20, 2008

I think these statements show better than ever before how some of the present politicians see a coalition: "One calls and all of the others jump at his command!" Will it be like that? Will the caller be Samak? IMO this coalition will hardly get anything done before they break apart and Thailand needs new elections. But maybe there is something good behind this: maybe it will mobilize political education so that future elections and governments can be more democratic.
Es gibt nichts Gutes, ausser man tut es! Erich Kästner, 1899 - 1974

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Re: New Parliament in Thailand

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » Mi Jan 23, 2008 10:24 am

Coalition given its first test

Vote for Yongyuth as Speaker not unanimous

MANOP THIP-OSOD & PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN

The People Power party-led government faced its first challenge yesterday when some MPs from coalition partners broke ranks and supported a Democrat MP for the position of House speaker.

Three Chart Thai party MPs cast their ballots for Democrat Banyat Bantadtan who stood against former PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who was eventually elected with 307 votes.

Mr Banyat received 167 votes. The Democrat party, the sole opposition party, has 164 seats in the lower house. There were two abstentions.

But what raised eyebrows more was six MPs from the PPP's coalition partners voting for Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, a Democrat MP who stood for the post of first deputy speaker.

Khunying Kalaya received 170 votes and her opponent Somsak Kiatsuranont 303 votes.

Two of the six were said to be Chart Thai chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart and his son Siriwat.

Apiwan Wiriyachai of the PPP was named second deputy speaker and was unchallenged.

Political observers speculated the government would see more such challenges. They suggested Friday's selection of the prime minister be observed closely.

Under the constitution, MPs are free to vote, in secret balloting, without being bound by the resolutions of their parties when selecting a speaker and in no-confidence debates.

PPP deputy secretary-general Sukhumpong Ngon-kham yesterday shrugged off speculation that some MPs would not support PPP leader Samak Sundaravej for prime minister.

''We have no worries about the selection of the prime minister,'' he said.

He added that the ballots will also be cast in the open, which suggests that MPs are unlikely to break ranks.

Mr Sukhumpong expressed confidence that Mr Samak would be named the new prime minister.

The selection of Mr Yongyuth as the speaker drew harsh criticism.

Panithan Wattanayakorn, Chulalongkorn University's political scientist, said Mr Yongyuth was unlikely to bring about national reconciliation.

The former PPP deputy leader is known to be a loyalist of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and he is also being investigated by the Election Commission (EC) for alleged vote buying in his home province of Chiang Rai.

However, Mr Panithan said the PPP had made a good choice for the party, which will nominate Mr Samak to become prime minister.

The new House speaker's first task is to call for the lower house to meet and choose a prime minister.

Varin Thiemjaras, secretary to the People's Network for Elections in Thailand, an independent poll watchdog, said Mr Yongyuth's appointment was absurd.

''It is ridiculous to appoint a person who has a tainted record of poll fraud to head the legislative branch,'' he said.

EC member Somchai Juengprasert said Mr Yongyuth's resignation from the PPP executive post would not affect the EC's probe into poll fraud allegations.

''If the EC finds there are grounds, it will submit the case to the Supreme Court. That means the Election Commission has the evidence,'' he said.

Mr Yongyuth had stepped down from the deputy leader's post before standing for the speaker's job.

Mr Yongyuth's appointment as the House speaker is a career leap for a man who entered politics 13 years ago.

A native of Chiang Rai, Mr Yongyuth made his political debut in his home province under the Solidarity party's banner in 1995.

He defected to the Democrat party after the House dissolution in 1996 and was appointed secretary to the Prime Minister's Office minister.

In the 2001 general election he switched allegiances, moving to the Thai Rak Thai party founded by Mr Thaksin and held several key posts in the cabinet.

Mr Yongyuth gave the refrigerator a bad name when he, serving as Mr Thaksin's secretary-general, led a team of police to a house in Ayutthaya and they opened fire on suspected drug dealers.

The raid turned out to be misguided but the refrigerator inside the house was riddled with bullets.

As a result, local newspapers often refer to him as ''Yuth Tooyen [Thai word for refrigerator].''

After the vote, Mr Yongyuth said he would distance himself from politics to maintain impartiality, especially the formation of the government and cabinet.

''Do not worry about unfairness. The opposition will get its chances because their opinions do matter,'' he said.

Bangkok Post Jan. 23, 2008
Es gibt nichts Gutes, ausser man tut es! Erich Kästner, 1899 - 1974

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Re: New Parliament in Thailand

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » Mi Jan 23, 2008 10:25 am

Coalition given its first test

Vote for Yongyuth as Speaker not unanimous

MANOP THIP-OSOD & PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN

The People Power party-led government faced its first challenge yesterday when some MPs from coalition partners broke ranks and supported a Democrat MP for the position of House speaker.

Three Chart Thai party MPs cast their ballots for Democrat Banyat Bantadtan who stood against former PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who was eventually elected with 307 votes.

Mr Banyat received 167 votes. The Democrat party, the sole opposition party, has 164 seats in the lower house. There were two abstentions.

But what raised eyebrows more was six MPs from the PPP's coalition partners voting for Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, a Democrat MP who stood for the post of first deputy speaker.

Khunying Kalaya received 170 votes and her opponent Somsak Kiatsuranont 303 votes.

Two of the six were said to be Chart Thai chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart and his son Siriwat.

Apiwan Wiriyachai of the PPP was named second deputy speaker and was unchallenged.

Political observers speculated the government would see more such challenges. They suggested Friday's selection of the prime minister be observed closely.

Under the constitution, MPs are free to vote, in secret balloting, without being bound by the resolutions of their parties when selecting a speaker and in no-confidence debates.

PPP deputy secretary-general Sukhumpong Ngon-kham yesterday shrugged off speculation that some MPs would not support PPP leader Samak Sundaravej for prime minister.

''We have no worries about the selection of the prime minister,'' he said.

He added that the ballots will also be cast in the open, which suggests that MPs are unlikely to break ranks.

Mr Sukhumpong expressed confidence that Mr Samak would be named the new prime minister.

The selection of Mr Yongyuth as the speaker drew harsh criticism.

Panithan Wattanayakorn, Chulalongkorn University's political scientist, said Mr Yongyuth was unlikely to bring about national reconciliation.

The former PPP deputy leader is known to be a loyalist of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and he is also being investigated by the Election Commission (EC) for alleged vote buying in his home province of Chiang Rai.

However, Mr Panithan said the PPP had made a good choice for the party, which will nominate Mr Samak to become prime minister.

The new House speaker's first task is to call for the lower house to meet and choose a prime minister.

Varin Thiemjaras, secretary to the People's Network for Elections in Thailand, an independent poll watchdog, said Mr Yongyuth's appointment was absurd.

''It is ridiculous to appoint a person who has a tainted record of poll fraud to head the legislative branch,'' he said.

EC member Somchai Juengprasert said Mr Yongyuth's resignation from the PPP executive post would not affect the EC's probe into poll fraud allegations.

''If the EC finds there are grounds, it will submit the case to the Supreme Court. That means the Election Commission has the evidence,'' he said.

Mr Yongyuth had stepped down from the deputy leader's post before standing for the speaker's job.

Mr Yongyuth's appointment as the House speaker is a career leap for a man who entered politics 13 years ago.

A native of Chiang Rai, Mr Yongyuth made his political debut in his home province under the Solidarity party's banner in 1995.

He defected to the Democrat party after the House dissolution in 1996 and was appointed secretary to the Prime Minister's Office minister.

In the 2001 general election he switched allegiances, moving to the Thai Rak Thai party founded by Mr Thaksin and held several key posts in the cabinet.

Mr Yongyuth gave the refrigerator a bad name when he, serving as Mr Thaksin's secretary-general, led a team of police to a house in Ayutthaya and they opened fire on suspected drug dealers.

The raid turned out to be misguided but the refrigerator inside the house was riddled with bullets.

As a result, local newspapers often refer to him as ''Yuth Tooyen [Thai word for refrigerator].''

After the vote, Mr Yongyuth said he would distance himself from politics to maintain impartiality, especially the formation of the government and cabinet.

''Do not worry about unfairness. The opposition will get its chances because their opinions do matter,'' he said.

Bangkok Post Jan. 23, 2008
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Re: New Parliament in Thailand

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » Mo Jan 28, 2008 1:15 pm

Samak elected PM with 310 votes


People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej was elected as the new prime minister with 310 votes.

Democrat Party leader Ahbisit Vejjajiva got 163 votes.

Nearly all present coalition MPs vote for Samak, except Samak himself and the House speaker.

Three MPs abstained and one was absent

The roll call voting was held after MPs disputed for 2 hours and 40 minutes as to whether a debate should be held before the voting.

he Nation Jan 28, 2008

"Fast, let's vote before he starts talking and people get to think!" :lol:
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Re: New Parliament in Thailand

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » Di Feb 26, 2008 1:08 pm

Samak stunned as Yongyuth's fate hanging in the wind

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday said he was stunned by the Election Commission's decision to disqualify House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat on grounds of campaign violations, saying he would have to clarify the information before deciding a next move.

The five-member EC ruled in a majority vote to petition the Supreme Court to launch a judicial review on alleged votebuying in Chiang Rai involving Yongyuth, EC secretary general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn said.

Once the high court has ruled to commence trial, Yongyuth is expected to suspend his speakership though he would retain in House seat as a partylist MP from Zone 1 covering the Upper Northern Region. His two deputies would act as interim speakers during trial.

If he was convicted in the onetier, fasttrack review, he would lose his seat and face a fiveban from the electoral process.

In trying Yongyuth who is concurrently a People Power Party executive, the EC is obliged to form an investigative panel to determine whether his alleged violations were linked to the party. Should the linkage be suspected, the EC must petition the Constitution Court to rule whether the dismantle the party.

The Nation Feb. 26, 2008
Es gibt nichts Gutes, ausser man tut es! Erich Kästner, 1899 - 1974


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