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Discussion 1 : 23/10/2012 at 03:19 PM

Whatever you think about TS. He's a good chess player. Time somebody takes him off the board.

Discussion 2 : 23/10/2012 at 12:14 PM

So it all begins again. "The Big Boss"; "The Fugitive from Justice"; "The Man Abroad" is preparing his come-back with the dutiful, but hypocritical, kissing of Thai soil. And who will warn his sister that in history would-be emperors are loyal to no one except themselves. PM Yingluck is being ring-fenced before being ditched.

Discussion 3 : 23/10/2012 at 08:20 AM

Arguing over which party got the most votes from tax paying Thais is denigrating those who work hard to enable those who are supposed to pay taxes. Take e.g., the hard-working road sweepers are helping businesses to generate revenue by keeping roads and streets clean. Farmers help farms-related manufacturers, exporters, and traders stay afloat and responsible for taxes. The argument on tax is not who pay more but who and what make up our social fabric. Everyone has an important role in nation building.

Discussion 4 : 23/10/2012 at 07:54 AM

If you want a government that is working for the progress, peace and prosperity of its people and nation, then vote and support the one that has policies that are bold, but to the mediocre, uninitiated, maintenance leaders - controversial.

Discussion 5 : 23/10/2012 at 05:44 AM

There will be more than a few hours of lost sleep in Democrat bedrooms. They couldn't win an election without this group in the equation now they are really behind the 8 ball.

Discussion 6 : 23/10/2012 at 12:07 AM

I have been reading a lot of the posts here for the past year or so. It appears to me that the PT/UDD supporters also support corruption, suppression of contrary opinion, in other words dictatorship as the Shinawatra clan as always stood for!

Discussion 7 : 22/10/2012 at 10:41 PM

An old English saying, reposed. Thai Rak Thai never die, they only fade away. Hello patcharipat, do you need to see a doctor for your headache.

Discussion 8 : 22/10/2012 at 10:05 PM

And they want to rewrite the constitution to benefit themselves even more.They seem to have written it to protect and serve themselves as it is. Most lotteries I know benefit the people through charities and the like.Quite frankly how do you know your ticket has even been put forward to the draw.Do they produce monthly accounts to indicate how much has been taken where the profit has gone and most of it untrainable cash?Stupid question really.

Discussion 9 : 22/10/2012 at 08:45 PM

hangover #27: Not only did AV dodge the army draft, he did not show up on 200 days of the 300 days that he was paid as a "lecturer". It was close to sociopathic to see AV wearing his army uniform, to look as if he actually served. But the only truly shocking thing when it came to the draft dodger's actions was that he didn't rub some mud into his uniform for extra verisimilitude.

Discussion 10 : 22/10/2012 at 08:21 PM

If Abhisit believes in democracy and rule of law, he should have resigned as Democrat party chief a long time ago. His military draft-dodging and use of fake documents to apply for a teaching position at the military academy is known worldwide but he pretends nothing happened and even threatened to sue anyone who exposed his misdeeds (mind you, it is only a threat) As an Oxford graduate, Abhisit should see the example of Yongyuth Wichaidith the white-haired guy who resigned as deputy prime minister, interior minister, party chief, and member of parliament. Does Mark think that he can avoid the wheel of karma about to catch up with him soo

Discussion 11 : 22/10/2012 at 07:21 PM

They are back just in time to feed on the 2.75 trillion baht infrastructure budget, and to share the 900+ billion, which will magically disappear as the politicians' 35% commission! Having said that, neither they nor their families will not find any happiness in their ill-gotten wealth. It is fairly common news that something befalls the family members of politicians. A Buddhist would say it is their Karma.

Discussion 12 : 22/10/2012 at 07:08 PM

With the corrupt gang back in charge, while I don't know if there will ever be a military coup again, I am sure that something will happen to get rid of the gang when their corruption and dictatorship becomes too much again. Maybe next time it will just be plain old fashioned, escalating street demonstrations and street sit-ins. Eventually, they'll all be booted out again. It is inevitable.

Discussion 13 : 22/10/2012 at 06:45 PM

whatajoke #21: Let me try to address your tax concerns in a simple way- 1. Corporate tax: Paid by enterprises (local or foreign). They are not voters, and definitely not what you referred to in discussion #8, that most taxes are paid by TS haters. 2. Income tax: Rich & middle income earners (in BKK and the South) may pay more tax individually, but collectively it is impossible for them to be paying more than the rest. Also, not all rich & middle income earners are TS-haters. 3. VAT: We pay when we consume. Arguably the rich pay more individually since they consume more. Again, collectively they cannot be paying more VAT than the mass

Discussion 14 : 22/10/2012 at 06:20 PM

android, "Return of these experienced politicians who are thaksin supporters to run the PT government is really a nightmare for the dems." It's a nightmare for anyone who supports democracy and rule of law.

Discussion 15 : 22/10/2012 at 05:14 PM

Return of these experienced politicians who are thaksin supporters to run the PT government is really a nightmare for the dems.

Discussion 16 : 22/10/2012 at 04:56 PM

D18 Mushashi, only about 5 million people pay tax in this country, mostly they are in the formal sector, which is mostly in Bangkok, which mostly voted against Thaksin. It's pretty well documented how the demographics of this country generally vote, it's obvious to all Isarn & the North pay very little in tax, certainly informally employed. Anyway, it should be noted that many of these 111 were unfairly banned because of the actions of one member, resulting from a retro-actively applied draconian law, but neither did they make much attempt as an executive to run their party properly, they were Thaksin yes-men & they suffered the consequences.

Discussion 17 : 22/10/2012 at 03:34 PM

Perfect... More noses in the trough. More greedy criminals to feed. And more opportunities for Peua Thai to break the law and face justice... You'll call it a 'judicial coup'. I'll call it 'reaping what they sowed'.

Discussion 18 : 22/10/2012 at 03:33 PM

The last sentence is most important: " Mr Somchai said anyone who works for Thaksin must be aware that they cannot be independent or refuse to follow orders." And they talk about democracy. This is a real dictatorship.

Discussion 19 : 22/10/2012 at 03:20 PM

whatajoke #8:".. those who mostly didn't vote for the Shinawatras are the ones footing the tax bill .." Please show us the facts that led to your conclusion. Those who are always complaining about paying more tax than others are perhaps the ones scheming to avoid paying tax. Of the foreigners (non voters) paying tax, the Japanese and Asian investors are the ones who are contributing most to the tax pool.. though many visa runners that we commonly see crossing into Cambodia may wish us to think otherwise (and they are not Asians).

Discussion 20 : 22/10/2012 at 11:35 AM

BKK farang Oh yes very sure .He didnt spend it left and right .He wasted it .He knew it was stolen. The piece of mind you get from knowing you arent a lowlife doesnt have a price tag .

Discussion 21 : 22/10/2012 at 11:17 AM

@dao #14: Are you sure about: “Money stolen is never sweet as money earned ”? I knew a boiler room guy who spent his money left and right and had a lot of fun doing it. His explanation was: It’s not really my money, I stole it…

Discussion 22 : 22/10/2012 at 11:09 AM

D13 hillfarang - Like most red shirts, you are quick to find an exception and then use it as a blanket of justification. The bottom line, Thailand's punishment of corruption in politics is a joke. Those TRT executives who were involved in the vote buying (including their superiors who should have known better) should have been banned for life and jailed for a while. But no, they were simply scolded and then allowed back in to resume their unethical ways. But feel free to support he who hides in Dubai and his dictatorial democracy, the day may come when you will regret that support.

Discussion 23 : 22/10/2012 at 10:32 AM

I think the coming back of these banned politicians are good news for PTP, and PTP led government and Thailand. It keeps everyone on their feet. Don't count on the oppositions' daily rattling at the moment. These politicians were banned because of one executive's mistake, and the law used to ban them was applied retroactively.

Discussion 24 : 22/10/2012 at 10:04 AM

After having 5 years to reflect why they were banned from politics some just jump right back into it .Some people never learn .Their leader has imposed himself in exile because of his own short sighted greed and the delusion that he is some how better than everyone else .These guys are living their karma .Too bad they cant step away from stealing taxpayers money long enough to see it .Money stolen is never sweet as money earned .

Discussion 25 : 22/10/2012 at 09:49 AM

bikeme D@9 "...corruption is a felony offensive and when you are convicted of a felony you lose your right to hold political office." You are oh, so wrong about USA President! Read: "The only requirements for presidency of the U.S.: Being a natural born citizen of the U.S. Being at least 35 years of age. Being a permanent resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. The Senate the power to disqualify persons who have been impeached from holding federal office. However, there is no mention of the simple state of being a "felon" disqualifying a person from being elected President. 'Felon' who ran: Lyndon Larouche."

Discussion 26 : 22/10/2012 at 09:17 AM

@ OldThaiHand #11: I am definitely not a fan of TRT & Co but I think condemning them because of visa fees and tougher Non-B regulations should not be the issue here. If a party takes care of Thailand and all Thais then this is the party Thai voters should supports, regardless of the fees which farang guests have to pay. I am also happy if I don’t have to pay a lot of administration costs but I would happily accept them if I would know that the money is wisely spent by the government. Or would you support party XYZ only because they would abandon visa fees and if they would let everybody into Thailand?

Discussion 27 : 22/10/2012 at 08:43 AM

Somehow I must have missed the part about how many of the 111 were banned again after 5 years because they illegally continued active in politics. The evidence is all over the place so why did nobody prosecute the people who did not follow the law – again? @hillfarnag #6: these party executives were banned from politics because they supported vote buying. They knew about it or at least they should have known about it. Lots of (not only) TRT politicians were convicted of vote buying. If the party did not want these dishonest politicians TRT could have expelled them. They didn’t so they are guilty as well.

Discussion 28 : 22/10/2012 at 08:04 AM

D6 Hillfarang - In many western countries corruption is a felony offensive and when you are convicted of a felony you lose your right to hold political office. So yes western countries do "ban" politicians. And as you mentioned they also put them in jail. But in Thailand they are told to go sit in the corner for a bit, then are welcomed right back to the feeding trough.

Discussion 29 : 22/10/2012 at 07:46 AM

The keyprhase here is in the standfirst paragraph; 'pushing controversial policies'. Puea Thai's policy is all about pushing controversy, an arrogant assertion that 'we won and we won big, so we get to do as we please'. And the problem with this fractious political method is that the those who mostly didn't vote for the Shinawatras are the ones footing the tax bill for all these populist policies that are just wasteful means of buying further political dominance, and creating graft opportunities. So, we are coming full circle to 2006 when the middle class start screaming 'get out! get out!', and with good reason.

Discussion 30 : 22/10/2012 at 06:47 AM

This is certainly bad news for Thaksin's political foes and anti-Thaksin media (both English and vercacular) because the Yingluck government's policies have been warmly welcomed by poor farmers and urban poor like taxi-drivers. The previous Abhisit government, whose policies were strongly amplified by the yellow press (again English and verncacular ones) was only good at talking and saw nearly nothing implemented.

Discussion 31 : 22/10/2012 at 06:21 AM

Discussion 4 : dickemery "...its amazing corrupt politicans can get caught,be banned for 5 years." What's amazing is that there is this 'ban' law in Thailand. Most Western Democracies do not impose such a ban. If anyone, including a politician, breaks the law, they should go to jail. Mass bannings are eerie.

Discussion 32 : 22/10/2012 at 06:08 AM

Like before, Thailand is basically becoming a kind of dictatorship whereby everyone in government has to obey Thaksin or else. With the TRT cronies back in power I think that corruption and money laundering will now reach heights that will make the Marcoses look like amateurs.

Discussion 33 : 22/10/2012 at 05:15 AM

its amazing corrupt politicans can get caught,be banned for 5 years and then welcomed back into politics to do it all again ?

Discussion 34 : 22/10/2012 at 04:49 AM

Somchai(Sripatum):"Many capable people wanting to join the team have been blocked.." On the contrary, invitations have been given to capable and experienced people. Many past scholars are actively helping this government in various ministries, and they in turn are recruiting their personal network of overseas and locally educated people to help as well. The House No. 111 is a welcome addition to add experience to the government (..and headaches to the draft dodger et friends ^^).

Discussion 35 : 22/10/2012 at 03:26 AM

This can only be bad news for the country and everyone that is not a politician or on Thaksins payroll. Hopefully the people who do not want or need the constitution changed will be able and competent enough to hold out against the increased pressure, particularly from khun Ponsak.

Discussion 36 : 22/10/2012 at 02:44 AM

I cant help feeling a sence of 'be aware' in this editorial. What's the problem? This is what a true democracy is all about. Competition is not a threat, it should be an ooportinity for those who oppose to come up with better policies to attract the voters vote.