Mentors Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday rejected the House vote for Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister and vowed to continue its street protests. "Our goals remain the same - opposing any charter rewrite and ousting the People Power Party from the coalition government," PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said. Chamlong said he expected the Somchai government to inflict damage on the country and hamper the introduction of "new politics" as advanced by the PAD. All PAD leaders were in unanimous agreement that the House vote for Somchai would not resolve the political crisis, he said. He said PAD leaders were not concerned that the government would try to arrest them on the charge of treason, arguing that this would not have an impact on the protests and that the leaders would neither flee nor surrender. "I heard that about 20 trucks are transporting plainclothes policemen dressed in yellow shirts to try to infiltrate the protesters and arrest PAD leaders," he said. Another PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said Somchai was just a political bandit acting as nominee of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Somsak claimed that Somchai was involved in many irregularities linked to the Thaksin government. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/18/politics/politics_30083735.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted September 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 After being voted in as the new PM yesterday, Somchai Wongsawat said he expected his government to stay the entire term. "According to law, the term of the House is four years. Eight months have passed so far, and we will have to deduce from that," Somchai said when asked if his government would be temporary, as predicted by some observers. In reference to the ongoing political conflict, the PM-elect said his greatest wish was to restore peace and unity. "It's time for reconciliation. We will have to make Thailand peaceful and good for living," he said. Though he declined to talk about his Cabinet line-up, citing the fact that his nomination is subject to royal endorsement, he said he would attend to immediate problems like flooding and the distress triggered by bankruptcies in the United States. Somchai also said he would seek advice from his predecessor, Samak Sundaravej, and would work closely with opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. He also welcomed recommendations from people outside the Parliament. With regards to his brother-in-law Thaksin Shinawatra, he would not say if he had been given any advice for even congratulations for being given the top post. At the House of Representatives meeting yesterday, Somchai obtained 298 votes compared to 163 for Abhisit. Somchai, Abhisit, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and his two deputies Samart Kaewmeechai and Apiwan Wiriyachai abstained. After the voting result was announced by the House speaker, Somchai thanked everyone for their support and even walked up to Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa to show his gratitude face to face. While waiting for the results, MPs from factions that supported Somchai from the beginning started congratulating him. However, MPs close to banned influential politician Newin Chibchob, who previously backed Samak's re-nomination, chose to talk to one another even though they were few rows away from the new PM. Somchai only just managed to secure support from MPs in the "Friends of Newin" faction on the eve of the voting, reportedly after hours of lobbying, bargaining and delivering some warnings. Samak did not join yesterday's session, because, according to Somchai, he was caught in rush-hour traffic. The PM-elect was quick to add that he did not feel slighted and would call on Samak for advice later. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/18/politics/politics_30083734.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faustian Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Ho hum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 "caught in rush hour traffic" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 He also refused to say if he had ever met or even heard of his brother-in-law before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 Mentors how many months do you give Wongsawat's government? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Mentorshow many months do you give Wongsawat's government? less than the Samak Government, i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 ok, so we will see another one within 2008? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has surprisingly emerged as a potential deputy prime minister in Somchai Wongsawat's new cabinet line-up. :smirk: A reliable source said Gen Chavalit, who was army chief before resigning to enter politics, would oversee security affairs and southern unrest if his appointment is tangible. Mr Somchai yesterday denied his brother-in-law, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had a hand in picking cabinet ministers "I am the prime minister and I am responsible [for selecting the ministers]. Nobody has a hand in it," he said. A recent trip to London by Yongyuth Tiyapairat, former deputy leader of the People Power party (PPP), has reinforced the speculation. Mr Somchai said there has been a lot of progress in putting the cabinet together and some coalition parties have already forwarded their lists of ministers. A source in the PPP said that former Siam Commercial Bank president Olarn Chaipravat has been approached for the finance minister post, but he has not made a decision. Former interior minister Chalerm Yubamrung is lobbying for a deputy prime minister slot. However, Mr Somchai's political advisers are reluctant due to his widely-perceived negative image. Kowit Watana is likely to retain his interior portfolio despite pressure from Mr Yongyuth and his associates to hand the job to deputy party leader Sompong Amornwiwat. Santi Prompat has reportedly cleared the air with Mr Somchai's wife Yaowapa and is likely to keep his job as transport minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said yesterday there would be changes in the party's cabinet line-up. Mr Somsak noted that Warawut Silpa-archa, son of Chart Thai party leader Banharn, is likely to be appointed as a cabinet minister. http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news001.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waerth Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Oh great getting rid of one pig .... now they take the other pig .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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