9-12-56 9:39

[Flashermac]

'People's revolution' declared

 

 

Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protest, announced last night that the public would appoint a new prime minister and government, as well as a "people's council" to act as the legislature following what he termed a "people's revolution".

 

He made this announcement outside Government House before a large crowd of protesters who had marched for hours from nine locations across the capital. Suthep, himself, had taken part in the 20-kilometre march from the Government Complex in Nonthaburi.

 

In the morning, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had dissolved the House of Representatives and called for a new general election. His Majesty the King endorsed the decree on House dissolution in the evening. The election date was later set for February 2.

 

Suthep, who is secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said in a live broadcast that the people had "recalled the power" from the government, which he described as corrupt, dishonest and unfaithful.

 

He pointed to acts by the government and the Pheu Thai-dominated lower house that resulted in a loss of trust. This included the bill that would give blanket amnesty to politicians sentenced in corruption cases and offenders of serious crimes during the recent political unrest.

 

Suthep said the people had the right to take back the government's power, as the administration had abused its authority and violated the rule of law and good governance, hence the PDRC could invoke Article 3 of the Constitution. It states: "The sovereign power belongs to the Thai people. The King as head of state shall exercise such power through the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution."

 

Describing the protest movement as "pracha phiwat" or people's revolution, Suthep likened PDRC to the "sovereign power" obtained by coup-makers following a successful takeover.

 

"We will work on change, reform and the happiness of people in the entire country, regardless of their political preferences. There will be fairness to everyone," Suthep said.

 

He also summoned government officials to report to the PDRC and suggested that a "peacekeeping force of volunteers" be set up in every province, which he said would "serve as an important force" for protesters in their fight in the future.

 

Suthep also urged the demonstrators to continue with their push for political reform. "We have invested a lot together and we have to succeed, or we won't return home," he said.

 

Earlier in the day, in her nationally broadcast address, Yingluck said: "The government does not wish to see political conflict escalate into national division and violence. Returning power to the people by dissolving the House and calling a general election is a democratic and acceptable recourse. Let a majority of the people decide the direction and whom they want to run the country."

 

Pheu Thai Party resolved late yesterday to contest the next general election with Yingluck as its first party-list candidate to become the next PM.

 

Wirat Kalayasiri, who resigned on Sunday as opposition Democrat MP along with 151 other party MPs, said yesterday that dissolving the House was "not enough". He called on the caretaker Cabinet to resign en masse, and the majority of the outgoing and incoming members of the five-person Election Commission to resign so that an election could not be held.

 

Wirat suggested that the Senate Speaker should nominate a neutral prime minister for royal endorsement. A new caretaker Cabinet should spend six months to one year amending necessary laws for reform and to make way for a new election.

 

He said the Democrat Party would convene later to come up with a joint proposal on this.

 

Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Vechayachai yesterday said he saw no good reason why the Democrats should boycott the next general election. He said the prime minister had done her best in order to defuse a crisis - offering an apology and returning power to the people.

 

He challenged the protest leaders' demand for Yingluck to resign as caretaker premier, as the Constitution states the PM has to continue with the caretaker role until the new election is held.

 

"House dissolution is the best the prime minister can do. We may be called the losers if you like, but we just want peace to be restored in the country. We are not afraid of losing. Winning or losing, let's fight it out in the election," Phumtham said.

 

Academics agreed they did not think that dissolving the House was a way out - though they also did not view the proposal for a people's council and an unelected interim government as a solution either.

 

Jade Donavanik, of Siam University's Faculty of Law, said that with a House dissolution failing to satisfy protesters, having an election when the conflict was still simmering would only bring more problems to the country. He suggested the government resign as caretaker administration and pave the way for a neutral Cabinet to take over. He also called on the protesters not to insist on their demand for a people's council.

 

Kanit na Nakorn, chairman of the Committee for Legal Reform, said the prime minister's decision to dissolve the House came too late. He noted that the current situation was similar to one after the student-led uprising in October 1973 that brought down a dictatorial government and forced government leaders to flee the country.

 

Assadang Panikabutr, former dean of Ramkhamhaeng University's Faculty of Political Science, called on Yingluck and Suthep to have a dialogue in order to settle differences. He did not think House dissolution would solve the political stalemate but said the government had made its decision.

 

Prachak Kongkirati, a political scientist at Thammasat, said a House dissolution was the best option in the current situation to avoid bloodshed. He urged the Democrat Party to take part in the next election.

 

Academic Nidhi Eoseewong voiced opposition to the idea of having an unelected people's council. He said people's representatives must be elected. Nidhi said that after the House dissolution, political parties had to comply with the existing legal path by taking part in the next election.

 

 

http://www.nationmul...d-30221752.html

[Specialist]

An unelected People's Council is a contradiction in terms.

[Flashermac]

What? You question the People's Republic of China? The Lao People's Democratic Republic? What have elections got to do with anything?

[Mekong]

You forgot the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

[passingthru69]

My wife just arrived last night. Last I heard from her was this morning. Said her brother was coming to get her and go to the family house.. Problem is our house is west of BKK. Not sure how they will pull this off as all the rtes. I know allways was around the government area...

She said something about maybe wanting to join in and show her support about getting Thaskin out. I said up to you, but please be carefull.. Now I might be regretting those words..

[Flashermac]

No problem, just go down Rachadapisek. Cross the river on the Rama VII bridge. You will go around all of the protest areas.

 

 

p.s. Why not go with her to Rachadamnern? Let her pick up some souvenirs. Folks are friendly at the protest camp. I enjoyed chatting with them. It would be something for her to remember.

[WorldFun]

very interesting day this monday 9dec13...and interesting number of protesters...some say half of bkk ie. ~5million on the streets...either as demonstrators, sanuk, trying to get to/from work or perhaps just 'exercising' like suthep

in either case a beautiful mainly peaceful day to remember^^

[passingthru69]

Well I'm stuck in the states working right now.

She got to the family house ok. Her one cousin and his wife went. They sent her some pics.

If she went I know she can take care of herself. Her and her family are strong supporters of the King..

Plus I've allways told her to speak her mind on all matters..

[Flashermac]

The maid in my office told me this morning about about marching in the protest. She is a poor woman from Khonkaen (Issan), but she hates Thaksin since she sees him as trying to put himself above the King. She has a point. Remember the famous photo of HM bend way down to receive an offering of flowers from an aged country woman? Thaksin had an identical photo over his desk, only with himself bending down to receive the flowers.

[Flashermac]

Tussle over push for reforms

 

 

 

 

The government and protest leaders yesterday vied for support for their ideas of setting up a forum to reform the country.

 

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in a national address in the afternoon, called for a forum with representatives from all walks of life to find "the best solution for Thailand" and to brainstorm reform ideas for the country in the future.

 

Her move came amid growing calls for an overhaul of the political system.

 

After the committee is formed, Yingluck would go on leave and allow one of her deputies, possibly Phongthep Thepkanjana, to take over as caretaker prime minister, a source said.

 

Later, Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the protesting People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), proposed a "people's council" with 400 members - 300 elected from various occupations and 100 selected by the PDRC.

 

According to the PDRC, this council would help with suggesting reform measures for the country before a new election would be held.

 

Yingluck later said she would not join her proposed forum. It would be left to permanent state officials and "people with neutrality", to allow free and open discussion.

 

The forum would do its work while preparations for the general election, scheduled for February 2, would be carried out as planned. No time frame has been set for the forum to complete its task, she added.

 

Tongthong Chandransu, secretary-general of the Prime Minister's Office, has been assigned to implement this forum. Yingluck expects further details about this forum to be revealed today.

 

"There is no problem if the PDRC wants to take part in the forum," she told reporters.

 

In her address, she urged people interested in joining the forum to gather at 9am on Sunday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. The event would be hosted by the PM's Office.

 

The Sunday forum is intended to lead to the formation of a "political reform committee" that would consist of 400-1,000 people, according to a government source.

 

After the dissolution of the House of Representatives on Monday, the PDRC demanded that Yingluck and her Cabinet members, who are now taking a caretaker role, resign en bloc to make way for the formation of a "people's council".

 

Suthep yesterday met with leaders of seven private-sector organisations at Bangkok's Sukosol Hotel to discuss his group's reform ideas. He said he would attempt to stop the election from taking place.

 

"And I can do it," he said.

 

He also urged the private sector to back his group's cause for political reform.

 

"If you share our goal, let's do it together so that we can end all this quickly," he said.

 

The seven private-sector organisations are set to hold a conference at the QSNCC today to propose their national reform plan.

 

The PDRC yesterday ignored the forum proposed by Yingluck.

 

"From what she said [in her statement], it is not the answer we need to hear. We need her to resign [from her caretaker post] to pave the way for national reform," its spokesman Akanat Promphan said.

 

An election cannot lead to reform - the demonstrators need reform before going to the polls, he said.

 

The meeting with the private sector was the PDRC's first with organisations that have not

joined its protest. Suthep on Wednesday had sought meetings with other organisations including security forces.

 

The seven private-sector organisations were the Tourism Council of Thailand, the Thai Bankers' Association, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Thai Listed Companies Association.

 

The PDRC will today meet with media representatives to explain its national reform agenda at the Royal Turf Club at Nang Lerng. Tomorrow the PDRC is scheduled to hold an open assembly at Thammasat University from 9am-4pm with the public invited.

 

The PDRC's proposed 400-member "People's Council"

 

- 300 members selected from various occupations.

 

- 100 members selected by the PDRC.

 

- No members or executives of any political party allowed.

 

- Members must refrain from accepting any political position for at least five years.

 

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Tussle-over-push-for-reforms-30221995.html