People's Alliance For Democracy To Renew Movement, PAD lists four main issues

People's Alliance for Democracy to Renew Movement

The five key members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy officially met this morning to discuss the renewed movements of the PAD. The group says they are ready to renew ‘all facets’ of movements to prevent the return of pre-Thaksin politics.

Former key members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy or PAD met this morning.

The key members who attended the meeting include Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaibun and PAD’s coordinator and spokesperson Suriyasai Katasila.

The group says the transfer of Department of Special Investigations Director-General Sunai Manomai-udom was the major catalyst in propelling the PAD to regroup.

After the meeting the PAD held a press conference in which the five members stressed to the media the group will renew all ‘facets’ of movements to prevent the return to pre-Thaksin politics in Thailand.

The group says they will focus and fight for four main issues.

The four agendas include the transfers of government bureaucrats that are unfair or considered not transparent, political interference in the operations of independent organizations such as the Assets Examination Commission, the Election Commission and the courts. The PAD will also carry out actions to address the government’s decision to revive the controversial harsh crackdown on drugs that the group says could encourage more extra-judicial killings.

During Thaksin Shinawatra’s tenure as premier, Thailand has been heavily criticized for its blatant disregard for human rights when thousands of alleged drug dealers were killed in shootouts with police officers.

Last but not least the group will also be keeping a close eye on the return of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The PAD says the return of Thaksin will have political consequences and already preparations are being made to pave the way for his return.

- Thailand Outlook

Activists oppose return of Thaksin

The group that staged huge street demonstrations before the military stepped in and overthrew PM Thaksin Shinawatra resurrected itself on Monday and threatened to start the protests again. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) suddenly on Monday morning turned against the return to Thailand by Thaksin for any reason. Leaders of the group, including newspaper tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul and Buddhist sect activist Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, said at a special meeting to the current government was acting in the interests of "the Thaksin regime," and PAD instend to step up protests. In a seven-point statement, PAD resolved "to oppose the return of Thaksin" and threatened to return to the street protests if, as likely, the ex-premier comes back to Thailand. "The PAD has never opposed the return of Thaksin if the former premier comes back to fight corruption charges in court, without interference from the current government," said the statement. "But since the Thaksin regime has interfered in the justice system, the PAD now must oppose Thaksin’s return." The statement called on "the people, civil servants, the military, police who love the country" to be ready to restart street protests which drew up to half a million people during the summer of 2006.

Continued here:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126139

(IMG:http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/thaivisa2/Smilies/pad.jpg)
Sondhi Limthongkul, center, co-leaders of the People's Alliance for Decmocracy or PAD, speaks as his colleagues Somsak Kosaisuk, left, and Suriyasai Takasila, right, look on during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand Monday, Feb. 25, 2008.
Associated Press

Dead men walking.

Yeah, goo that chart, baby. Yeehah, here we go again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

At this point in time in Thailand's history, it might be in the interest of certain PAD so-called "core-leaders" to concentrate on their respective vocations: a certain news-media magnate should perhaps stick to news-media-related matters and a certain cult leader should perhaps perfect his vipassana meditation techniques. Mr. Chalerm and ohers may now be thinking in terms of once bitten, twice shy. It would be ironic to read future news reports concerning PAD members living permanently abroad: ironic, but perhaps inevitable and deservingly so in the interest of stability in this country.

This post has been edited by chevykanteve: 2008-02-25 18:09:08

Activists threaten street protests if Thaksin returns

Bangkok - Activists who helped bring down former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra warned Monday that the return of the controversial exile would trigger mass protests. Thaksin, an allegedly corrupt but still popular figure, wants to return home within a month following his proxy political party's victory in a December 23rd election, officials in the new government said over the weekend.

The billionaire businessman has been given back his diplomatic passport which was revoked after his ousting in a September 2006 coup, foreign minister Noppadon Pattama told the Thai News Agency.

Two leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), newspaper tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul and former Bangkok Governor Chamlong Srimuang, said Thaksin would be met by street protests.

Bangkok Post online reported a PAD statement saying that it was not opposed in principle to Thaksin returning to face corruption charges, but not when the new government appears to be sabotaging the prosecuting agencies.

"Since the Thaksin regime has interfered in the justice system, the PAD now must oppose Mr Thaksin's return," the statement said. The People Power Party, which dominates the coalition government, is widely believed to be Thaksin's political vehicle.

The PAD protests in 2006 attracted crowds of up to half a million people in the capital, with many people angered by Thaksin's tax-free sale of his huge business empire to Singapore at the beginning of the year.

Thai media reported that some investigators who recommended prosecution of Thaksin have been reassigned.

Thailand appears relatively subdued at the moment but the return of a vindictive and hyperactive populist could again test the patience of some powerful forces in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said on Thai television the ex-premier was a Thai citizen with every right to return, if he so wishes.

- DPA



This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2008-02-25 19:08:42

Anti-Thaksin alliance reactivates

BANGKOK - Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Monday announced its reactivation and vowed to renew its fight against any unscrupulous behaviour by the government which it branded as a proxy administration of the deposed Thaksin administration.

The PAD, a staunch opponent of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, suspended its movement after claiming success in expelling Thaksin from the premiership in 2006. The ex-premier has been in self-exile abroad since the September 2006 coup that toppled his administration.

PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the alliance would carry out its movement in every possible manner to fight against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej who is a proxy for Thaksin.

"In the past, the PAD has never objected Thaksin's return to the country. Now that 'Thaksinocracy' has interfered in the justice system, the PAD will oppose his return especially as long as there are attempts to dominate and interfere in the justice system," Mr. Suriyasai said, quoting resolutions reached by leading PAD members.

A seven-point resolution was reached after a tense meeting of key PAD members including Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Somsak Kosaisuk, Pipob Thongchai and Somkiat Pongpaibul, all of them the driving forces behind the anti-Thaksin movement before the 2006 coup.

The government has lately threatened the mass media and interfered in the justice system with the transfer of Director Sunai Manomai-udom of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to rid him from corruption investigation against the former prime minister and his family, the PAD spokesman said.

Mr. Suriyasai added that the PAD executives would meet every week to evaluate the situation.

PAD leading member Pipob Thongchai said the renewal of the alliance would not necessarily lead to a political unrest but "we will launch our movement if the justice system is interfered after Thaksin's return to the country."

Chamlong Srimuang, another PAD member, said, "We are here today to show our stand and tell the public to be prepared. We don't want any disunity in the country. We still give the government a chance to work for the people, and not for Thaksin and his family."

Meanwhile, Pracha Prasopdee, Samut Prakan MP of the People Power Party and former key member of anti-coup alliance, vowed to mobilise his supporters to rally against the anti-Thaksin demonstration.

- TNA

And give all Thailands right, money direct to the corrupt, never realy electected Dictator Thaksin (200 Baht for one vote before this time even more)

Better to give it all to generals and their small elitist-group-crony mafia who certainly weren't elected as opposed to the "never realy [sic] electected [sic] Dictator Thaksin". Give me a break.

This post has been edited by chevykanteve: 2008-02-25 19:25:03

From Nation


Jakrapob blames PAD for abusing media freedom

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair on Monday shrugged off criticism about his meddling with the media, saying the public would be the judge for his performance.

"The People's Alliance for Democracy is known for causing social divisions and my job as the PM's Office minister is to foster reconciliation and unity in society," he said.....

toss the lot in jail - their interest is only in causing divisiveness in thailand.

This post has been edited by britmaveric: 2008-02-25 20:19:08

These people are the only ones in this country who have the guts to stand up and fight the corruption.
Sure toss them in jail, that what's probably gonna happen anyway. I hope you're being sarcastic.

Thai society is sick; it's corrupt and greedy and selfishness seems to be a national moral value.
Respect to those who dare to take it to the streets. PAD go for it.

And give all Thailands right, money direct to the corrupt, never realy electected Dictator Thaksin (200 Baht for one vote before this time even more)
[/quote]

Better to give it all to generals and their small elitist-group-crony mafia who certainly weren't elected as opposed to the "never realy [sic] electected [sic] Dictator Thaksin". Give me a break.
[/quote]

Sunshine...maybe you are way off...judging by the following conversation....

So we are in this taxi and I ask my wife to ask the driver, why do you taxi drivers like Thaksin? The surprising reply was..we don’t now because…some of the reasons he gave were
He doesn’t pay his taxes
He builds chemical plants that kill our fish
He removed the 50,000 limit on how many taxis are allowed and now anyone can own a taxi so we struggle to make money.

So I then get her to ask..Why did you vote for PPP then?
He said well they gave us all money.

So I then get her to ask..Why didn’t you take the money and then vote for who you really wanted to?
He says..that wouldn’t be honest would it?

enough said.....

no sarcasm here, deadly serious - PAD should try smth novel and win an election. Anything else is simply undemocratic and hinders the govt from functioning.

If the government focused on doing what it was elected for instead of arranging Thaksin's return, there would be no need for PAD to resurrect itself.

Note how peaceful was the country until they started pushing for Thaksin's return. Now everyone is up in arms already.

I wonder what would happen if someone shot Thaksin dead. Suddenly everyone would lose agenda to protest - either for or against.

The beauty, or ugliness, of true check and balances lies too often in the hands of people who oppose their governments. History has proven that too many times.

When you speak about undemocratic, you imply that this government is democratic. Democracy doesn't just mean the right to vote, but also a government that benefits its people.

And to say that this government is functioning is quite a statement.

PAD is concerned with Thaksin, the government is not a target unless it starts meddling in Thaksin's business (which it does, sadly). They should concentrate on running the country and let Thaksin go through the due process. Something PAD wants him to do as well, without any demonstrations.

I think britmaveric has a good idea...that the PAD start a political party....but on the other hand Thailand has laws concerning freedom of the press along with the freedom meet etc. so I for one support their right to publish, broadcast, and otherwise propogate their views whether they are political or not. If you want freedom of press then you've got to support their right to publish their views...if you want freedom of the media then you've got to support their right to broadcast their views...etc. It doesn't mean you agree with them or not to support their rights which they have under law and even their inalienable rights (in reference to those rights mentioned in the US Declaration of Independence) which no gov't can take away.

On the issue of them not wanting to allow Toxin to enter Thailand....seems like a most antidemocratic concept to want to bar a citizen from entering his/her country of citizenship without due process of law at a minimum.....not to mention the question about how they feel that there is a court order which orders him to enter the country....they may think that their rhetoric can in some way dispense with the mechanisms of the justice system because of their views as to the possibility of its outcome being unjust by their standards but I prefer to believe in the rule of law and so while I do not condemn them for their stance I do insist that it is somewhat untenable for a group which purports to be in existence precisely for the purpose of supporting democracy. It is certain that their stance on this issue will garner them some supporters who are ready to take to the streets to support barring Toxin but for me this appeal to the emotions as opposed to the processes of the justice system is throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Chownah

This post has been edited by chownah: 2008-02-25 21:23:50

Pad DOES want Thaksin to return and face the courts, they are protesting against government interference in the judicial process, it has nothing to do with elections. Separation of powers, juduciary and executive in this case, must be upheld no matter who is in the government.

I'm pretty much in agreement here. I think one of the big difficulties historically in Thailand has been seperation of powers...I think it is good that the PAD raises this issue. It is a difficult situation....I haven't seen where PAD really has a way to implement seperation of powers and in the long run it is not viable to have a group of citizens staging disruptive demonstrations as THE method for enforcing seperation of powers. The US constitution is sometimes pointed to as an example of good seperation of power but even there it is maintained to a significant degree simply by the fact that there are enough well educated people all across the political spectrum who understand its importance and will drop their ideological urgencies and join together to maintain it. But even when seperation of power is firmly established it is subject to erosion which some people claim is the problem in US politics today (please let's not get into US politics...this is just presented as a possible example).

I guess my view is that PAD's tactics while in support of alot of very good ideals do not really do so much to achieve those ideals. Their previous demonstrations helped a military dictatorship to come to power which so far doesn't really seem to have accomplished much. I guess the hope is that "this time" there will be more people getting involved and that increases the chance of a good outcome...but realistically getting more people involved in the struggle (remember there are two sides to every struggle) might lead to an even more disasterous outcome......I don't know. I just try to support the democratic process and sometimes it difficult to know what helps and what does not.

chownah

Since when does a government have to benefit the people to qualify as democratic?? There have been so many governments divided to the point of non-functionality or too weak to set about doing anything, yet were allowed to fulfill their term in office.

These people do not fulfill the role of a checks and balances system, they fulfill the role of an unruly mob...they should just organize an election with only the Democrat Party running, because it obviously seems that any other ruling party is deemed wrong by these idiots. Seriously, they complain and moan and bitch and cause all sorts of social problems, yet do they have a solution? NO! Never mind paid voting in the upcountry moobans, ask any person in Bangkok who they voted for in the previous election...but noooo, it's still no good for the mighty, incorruptible PAD (IMG:style_emoticons/default/annoyed.gif)

Mr T returns faces charges then is found not guilty. PAD will protest, so what difference does it make?

An example of some of the "causing social divisions" that PM's Office Minister Jakrapob was arrested for and charged with as being a leader and an instigator of a riot injuring hundreds:

(IMG:http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/thaivisa2/Thaksin/30041977-01.jpg)

Is this how he seeks "reconciliation"?

(IMG:http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/thaivisa2/Thaksin/7.jpg)

Is this what he means by "unity in society"?

(IMG:http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/thaivisa2/Thaksin/11.jpg)

The military government didn't mess with judiciary, otherwise Thaksin would have been sentenced already. Current, democratically elected government made fixing Thaksin's fate its first priority. Citizens have all the right, and, in fact, it's their duty, to try to prevent the government from deviating from its course. They can use the media, they can rely on civil society, ultimately they can take to the streets. It's about making themselves heard.