152 replies to this topic
Posted 2008-10-09 12:41:06
 Reimar, on 2008-10-09 12:29:37, said:
FROM TOC
SNAP UPDATE: Appeals Court Ordered Withdrawal of Treason Charges against 9 PAD Leaders
UPDATE : 9 October 2008
The Appeals Court has decided to cancel the charges of treason which have been filed against 9 PAD leaders.
The charge of amassing armed forces has also been withdrawn. But 3 other charges remain.
Anti-PAD Group Provides Protection for National Police Bureau
UPDATE : 9 October 2008
Hundreds of anti-PAD members, donned in black, are guarding the front entrance of the National Police Bureau.
Hundreds of members of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship or Nor Por Gor are dressed in black. They are patrolling the front of the National Police headquarters to protect the police from the People's Alliance for Democracy.
There is an irony in there somewhere. The DAAD who purpotedly hail from the poor, although this may be debatable as theri leadership are certainly not a bunch of poverty stricken farmers, are defending the police force.! Judging from the other day the police - we only used tear gas - force dont exactly need defending form anyone considering the ability of local terar gas to blow feet off. Maybe the DAAD should be careful of their feet although no doubt they wontr be experiencing any nuclear tear gas as the police usually get out of the way and allow them to march anywhere they want.
By the way it is bunch of nurses from Chulalongkorn Hospital who are heading to the Police HQ not the PAD.
Posted 2008-10-09 12:47:46
Reimar, on 2008-10-08 22:05:31, said: chevykanteve, on 2008-10-08 21:36:47, said: Reimar, on 2008-10-08 21:14:19, said:
Democrats and Senators Press Charge against PM
UPDATE : 8 October 2008
A group of 40 senators have urged the prime minister to step down or dissolve the House to help restore the country's peace.
Meanwhile, the Democrat's legal team has pressed criminal charges against the prime minister for issuing an order for yesterday's crackdown on the PAD.
The Democrat Party's legal team, led by its Deputy Secretary-general, Thavorn Sennium, has submitted a complaint to the National Police Chief, Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, asking for legal action against Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
The opposition party said the prime minister has breached several articles of the Criminal Code as he issued an order that resulted in the loss of several lives.
If found guilty, Somchai could face the maximum sentence of capital punishment.
Sathit said the opposition Democrat Party can no longer allow Somchai to administer the country and legal action could be the best way out, as the party is still not allowed to hold a censure debate in the upcoming House legislative session.
Meanwhile, the party's shadow Defence Minister and former Third Area Army Chief, General Picharnchet Muangmanee said yesterday's use of homemade teargas by police officers was inappropriate as it can cause powerful explosions when mixed with pieces of glass or iron.
At the same time, some Democrat MPs such as Asi Mahamadyanggee and Yukol Chanawatpanya showed the press the wounds they suffered during their observation of yesterday's crackdown.
In a related development, 40 senators led by Bangkok Senator Rossana Tositrakul released a statement to deliver their condolences for the families of the people killed and for those injured in yesterday's crackdown on the PAD rally.
The group said Prime Minister Somchai should resign or dissolve the House, as the situation could deteriorate.
The senators will submit a complaint with the Administrative Court tomorrow to seek an injunction against the use of border police officers and teargas in dealing with the PAD rally. The PAD had submitted a similar complaint today and the court has already accepted the case.
Senator Prasarn Marukapitak said he will send pictures and evidence related to yesterday's crackdown to the United Nation's Human Rights Committee, the Human Rights Watch, and foreign ambassadors in Thailand for clariification of the incident.
Prasarn added that he will file a motion with Parliament, asking the prime minister to clarify his involvement and policies that are not in compliance with international practices, as well as the actions against officials related to the brutal crackdown.
The group of 40 senators also plans to file a complaint with the Constitution Court, seeking a trial on the possible share concealment of the prime minister and his daughter, Chinnicha Wongsawat, a Chiang Mai MP.
The group also visited PAD protesters and police officers who were injured in yesterday's crackdown.
Supreme Court Accepts PAD Petition for Temporary Injunction
UPDATE : 8 October 2008
The Supreme Court has accepted the People's Alliance for Democracy's petition for a temporary protection against more crackdowns or tear gas attacks on the protesters.
Is this why the police maybe need to infiltrate the PAD for to get the "alibi" for to start an other "crack-down" while bupassing the Supreme Courts decision as claimed in the following report?
PAD Claims Plain Clothed Police Have Infiltrated PAD Gathering
UPDATE : 8 October 2008
According to PAD's intelligence, plain clothed police have infiltrated the PAD's gathering and intend to set fire to the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
The alleged arson attempt would give the police the reason to launch another crackdown on the PAD protesters.
Who does PAD's intelligence consist of, exactly? Do you have names? More heresay (pro-PAD progaganda), right?**english only please--sbk**
Interesting to see that the only interest are about the PAD, but the criminal charges from other groups, here the Senators and the Democrats, are not interesting.
There's not the PAD only but others as well who're not conform with the government and against the action the government has taken against the PAD.
Unfortunate there a lot of, let say with this word: untrue reports about the PAD, special if it comes to the points of "paid" supporters and so on.
And where now those with the big mouth about the first death human a few weeks ago, while yesterday the result was not just a bit more high but a lot?! 2 death and more than 400 injured by the police and maybe others while using Teargas only?!
And a lot of you applaud about that tragedy!
IMHO that is a shame for a human being to show such character.
PAD supporters not paid!!! ????? who's side of the red tape are you on? It's a well known fact that supporters are paid otherwise they couldn't afford so many months of protests. Otherwise they must have saved lots of money from their poor incomes in the rural areas to do such long sit ins.
The govt is corrupt, sure! So are the PAD leaders. Both sets of leaders are power hungry and really don't care for the average voter. Go and clap your hands out of here...
Posted 2008-10-09 12:55:59
Plus, on 2008-10-09 07:40:37, said: I'm afraid I'd have to ask you for examples of clear cut bullshit regarding TRT/PPP that went unchallenged, or wasn't apologised for when exposed.
I''m not going to even look, but surely the opposite will also be the case, without a doubt in my mind. Even khun Sondhi was doing it all the time, one of the most stricking example being the bullshit about Thaksin being behind the Erawan shrine destruction.
Plus said: You can say a lot of things about new politics, but you CAN'T claim that anyone, let along the poor, will be excluded from voting process, as Clausewitz did.
In fact, if you read PAD's own proposal, they want to give farmers MORE voice in governing and guarantee direct representation, but that's beside the point - some posters, like Clausewitz, and he is not alone, are able to get away with posting clearly wrong and false information, and then trying to support it with unrelated quotes from unrelated sources. No wonder non-regulars feel pissed off.
Welcome to news clippings.
I myself have not used the word poor, I used uneducated, and this is not something I'm making up, I'm just repeating words used by the PAD leadership. Sentiments that have been repeated on this forum by many other posters. Can I then now safely assume that the 30/70 or whatever ratio is off the table, I'm not so convinced.
Posted 2008-10-09 13:09:45
Sondhi is not a member of Thaivisa, he can't be taken to task like our members here.
Poor or uneducated - it doesn't make Clausewitz statement any more correct.
Posted 2008-10-09 13:40:16
Plus, on 2008-10-09 13:09:45, said: Sondhi is not a member of Thaivisa, he can't be taken to task like our members here.
Poor or uneducated - it doesn't make Clausewitz statement any more correct.
You said that no PAD supporters ahve ever suggested such a thing. I have spoken with several that say exactly that - Issan people are too dumb to be trusted to vote. Do you actually live in thailand, the sentiment is not uncommon. That is why so many academics and news editors support PAD, they really believe that Issan people, for the most part, are a subclass fit only to serve.
Look at this post http://www.thaivisa....od-t214432.html
Quote Isan...strange people, even stranger customs.
Southern Thailand people consider them human subspecies, shame of entire country.
Posted 2008-10-09 14:28:38
Oh, so now you can't find any proof in the available media that PAD leaders or supportes said anything about stripping the Isanese of their right to vote, now we are treated to a non-documented hearsay.
I'm not expecting that you'd ever admit that you were wrong, you can just drop it.
I only pointed it out for Reimar's benefit who is apparently not accustomed to this kind of bullshit or, perhaps, level of moderation.
Posted 2008-10-09 14:38:10
Here is a quote from CNN today
http://inthefield.bl...tag/dan-rivers/
Quote they[PAD] want nothing less than the overthrow of the entire political system. Their argument goes something like this: the vast majority of voters are poor, uneducated farmers who are susceptible to corruption by Thaksin and his allies, therefore we should abandon democracy to prevent this corruption
Posted 2008-10-09 14:51:18
FROM TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA
" If the PAD succeeds in overturning those elections, it will be at the cost of disenfranchising millions of voters -- and at a cost to Thailand's struggling democracy.".
http://online.wsj.co...=googlenews_wsj
Posted 2008-10-09 15:14:05
clausewitz, on 2008-10-09 14:38:10, said: Here is a quote from CNN today
http://inthefield.bl...tag/dan-rivers/
Quote they[PAD] want nothing less than the overthrow of the entire political system. Their argument goes something like this: the vast majority of voters are poor, uneducated farmers who are susceptible to corruption by Thaksin and his allies, therefore we should abandon democracy to prevent this corruption dauu, on 2008-10-09 14:51:18, said: FROM TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA
" If the PAD succeeds in overturning those elections, it will be at the cost of disenfranchising millions of voters -- and at a cost to Thailand's struggling democracy.".
http://online.wsj.co...=googlenews_wsj
Not good enough. You need a verbatim quote from a PAD leader, not some story in an insignificant rag or two, to satisfy Plus.
A video, in English, on Youtube would probably do.
Posted 2008-10-09 15:35:30
Well, since Clausewitz specifically said "PAD itself", then Dan Rivers blog on cnn doesn't qualify, does it?
He can stuff "Their argument goes like this" line up his ass. Their argument doesn't go like this, and it certainly doesn't say that Isanese would lose their rights to vote.
Who are you going to quote next? Sunrise07?
And in unanimous opinion piece in WSJ, which surely wasn't written by any PAD representatives or supporters, btw, the line " If the PAD succeeds in overturning those elections, it will be at the cost of disenfranchising millions of voters" refers to last elections. I can't see how that can be attributed to PAD itself or prove Clawsewitz's allegation, which so far remains absolutely baseless.
You are trying in vain. It's like the WMD case in the run up to the Iraq war.
Posted 2008-10-09 15:40:36
clausewitz, on 2008-10-09 13:40:16, said: Plus, on 2008-10-09 13:09:45, said: Sondhi is not a member of Thaivisa, he can't be taken to task like our members here.
Poor or uneducated - it doesn't make Clausewitz statement any more correct.
You said that no PAD supporters ahve ever suggested such a thing. I have spoken with several that say exactly that - Issan people are too dumb to be trusted to vote. Do you actually live in thailand, the sentiment is not uncommon. That is why so many academics and news editors support PAD, they really believe that Issan people, for the most part, are a subclass fit only to serve.
Look at this post http://www.thaivisa....od-t214432.html
Quote Isan...strange people, even stranger customs.
Southern Thailand people consider them human subspecies, shame of entire country.
Clausewitz, while we don't know what form the new politics will take, the discussion has been to appoint a certain % of MP's and have the rest elected. Nowhere have I ever heard that those appointed would represent Isan or any other part of Thailand. In fact, given the Democrats won the majority of the popular vote in the last general election, it wouldn't take that much change in the overall system to tip the scales.
Posted 2008-10-09 16:04:24
Knightsbridge, on 2008-10-09 12:47:46, said: PAD supporters not paid!!! ????? who's side of the red tape are you on? It's a well known fact that supporters are paid otherwise they couldn't afford so many months of protests. Otherwise they must have saved lots of money from their poor incomes in the rural areas to do such long sit ins.
The govt is corrupt, sure! So are the PAD leaders. Both sets of leaders are power hungry and really don't care for the average voter. Go and clap your hands out of here...
No it is a well known lie. Many forum members here have friends and relatives going every day to the PAD and no one ever heard or saw any payments. Food and water juice is free there. No payments. Transportation is sometimes free like the southern trains do not charge people who come to join PAD.
Posted 2008-10-09 16:13:57
Plus, on 2008-10-09 15:35:30, said: Well, since Clausewitz specifically said "PAD itself", then Dan Rivers blog on cnn doesn't qualify, does it?
He can stuff "Their argument goes like this" line up his ass. Their argument doesn't go like this, and it certainly doesn't say that Isanese would lose their rights to vote.
Who are you going to quote next? Sunrise07?
And in unanimous opinion piece in WSJ, which surely wasn't written by any PAD representatives or supporters, btw, the line " If the PAD succeeds in overturning those elections, it will be at the cost of disenfranchising millions of voters" refers to last elections. I can't see how that can be attributed to PAD itself or prove Clawsewitz's allegation, which so far remains absolutely baseless.
You are trying in vain. It's like the WMD case in the run up to the Iraq war.
To be fair I don't think the PAD leadership have said anyone will lose their right to vote.Nevertheless it's possible to get a reasonable understanding of the New Politics from statements made over recent months.It's difficult always to be precise because quite often the PAD leadership will shift ground or say that what appeared to be policy was in fact just a discussion topic.Chris Baker made the highly pertinent comment that what is projected as New Politics is in fact very old politics indeed.I have just been reading about Sarit and it's quite clear that he would have understood exactly the way Pad leadership thinks.
The PAD certainly have a public relations problem internationally where they have already lost their case.
Posted 2008-10-09 16:27:59
younghusband, on 2008-10-09 16:13:57, said: Plus, on 2008-10-09 15:35:30, said: Well, since Clausewitz specifically said "PAD itself", then Dan Rivers blog on cnn doesn't qualify, does it?
He can stuff "Their argument goes like this" line up his ass. Their argument doesn't go like this, and it certainly doesn't say that Isanese would lose their rights to vote.
Who are you going to quote next? Sunrise07?
And in unanimous opinion piece in WSJ, which surely wasn't written by any PAD representatives or supporters, btw, the line " If the PAD succeeds in overturning those elections, it will be at the cost of disenfranchising millions of voters" refers to last elections. I can't see how that can be attributed to PAD itself or prove Clawsewitz's allegation, which so far remains absolutely baseless.
You are trying in vain. It's like the WMD case in the run up to the Iraq war.
To be fair I don't think the PAD leadership have said anyone will lose their right to vote.Nevertheless it's possible to get a reasonable understanding of the New Politics from statements made over recent months.It's difficult always to be precise because quite often the PAD leadership will shift ground or say that what appeared to be policy was in fact just a discussion topic.Chris Baker made the highly pertinent comment that what is projected as New Politics is in fact very old politics indeed.I have just been reading about Sarit and it's quite clear that he would have understood exactly the way Pad leadership thinks.
The PAD certainly have a public relations problem internationally where they have already lost their case.
They lost the arguement internationally ages ago probably even before they started.
I never understood why nobody on their side just made the argument for pure proportional representation without constituencies ie pure party list. It may always result in coalitions or nearly always but it values everyones vote more equally than constituency systems do and hence would be more democratic and wouldnt upset the international community. It would also directly impact the money politics that PAD dont like. However, who am I to know the bizarre machinations of Sondhi et al. For Gods sake if they had pure PR at the last election you'd almost certainly have a Dem led coalition right now and the PAD could all be going about their business.
The rate we are going we'll end up with another coup instead of getting anyone to agree on a set of rules that evryone will judge things on.
Posted 2008-10-09 16:30:52
For those who would like a little more academic opinion on what may be the reason for this all going on, read this. It is fascinating.
http://rspas.anu.edu...f-democracy.pdf
The State of Democracy in Thailand
Robert B. Albritton University of Mississippi
Thawilwadee Bureekul King Prajadhipok’s Institute
Quote Most scholars agree that consolidation of democracy requires mass approval in order to sustain this form of government. Even overwhelming support for democracy among peoples of developing nations, however, cannot guarantee democracy in the face of determined elites who have access to instruments of military power Quote Table 1: Satisfactions with and Commitments to Democracy, 2002 and 2006, N=1546 ________________________________________________________________________
2002 2006
Percent satisfied or very satisfied with the way democracy works in Thailand 90.5 83.8
Percent satisfied or very satisfied with the Thaksin regime 89.5 81.8
Mean rating of democracy under the present government 8.22 7.48 (1-10 scale)
Mean score on desire for democracy 9.33 8.75 (1-10 scale)
Mean score on “suitability” of democracy for Thailand 8.31 8.75 (1-10 scale) ________________________________________________________________________
Edited by Thai at Heart, 2008-10-09 16:32:46.
Posted 2008-10-09 16:44:24
hammered, on 2008-10-09 16:27:59, said: .....edit....
The rate we are going we'll end up with another coup instead of getting anyone to agree on a set of rules that everyone will judge things on.  Well I am afraid that this is the core reason of the state of this demise very, very TiT !
Sad but true!
The major problem seems to be to get people to agree united on a certain set of rules, it won't happen, one reason why the PAD is out there!
One reason why they want this proxy-or any other proxy government "old wine in new bottle" to disappear, they can't be simply shot,send home or the like, it will take much more action, legal action, educate the voters, implement important laws, get the bad apples out of the equation, will prove as the most difficult as yesterday events have shown!
It's not as simple as just changing a Tyre!
It will take time, precious time, it can't be rushed and the more often the matter is taken to the streets the more often the problem will surface and will be discussed and more and more people will get an understanding of what and why!
As the Chula lecturer who lost 2 toes, said: "I have hope"!
Edited by Samuian, 2008-10-09 16:50:48.
Posted 2008-10-09 17:08:56
Quote Percent satisfied or very satisfied with the Thaksin regime 89.5 81.8
In 2006 81.8% of Thais were "very satisfied" with Thaksin's regime, at the height of anti-Thaksin protests?
This number alone undermines the credibility of this so called "academic" paper.
Posted 2008-10-09 17:11:44
Old Man River, on 2008-10-09 15:40:36, said: In fact, given the Democrats won the majority of the popular vote in the last general election, it wouldn't take that much change in the overall system to tip the scales.
I've seen this stated several times on the forum and am genuinely puzzled as to where this idea comes from. Does the claim involve some calculation that treats different kinds of votes differently or just looks at the electoral areas rather than the constituencies?
The figures I have seen reported are:
People's Power Party
26,293,456 votes in constituencies, giving 199 MPs (of the 400 MPs elected in this way)
14,071,799 votes in 8 electoral areas, giving 34 MPs (of the 80 MPs elected proportionally)
Democrat Party
21,745,696 votes in constituencies giving 132 MPs (of the 400 MPs elected in this way)
14,084,265 votes in 8 electoral areas, giving 33 MPs (of the 80 MPs elected proportionally)
Are these numbers wrong? Perhaps I have misunderstood.
Posted 2008-10-09 17:15:04
14,084 for Dems on party list vs 14,071 for PPP.
I thought the final tally was still in PPPs favour, but I might be wrong.
The fact is - when it comes to national politics and national issues - Dems have won, or nearly won. Of course that's not enough to form a government, locally elected MPs need to be counted, too.
Posted 2008-10-09 17:17:19
Pierrot, on 2008-10-08 23:04:19, said: Reimar, on 2008-10-08 23:37:36, said: Pierrot, on 2008-10-08 22:25:14, said: Not so sure what you're talking about ...
But if it's about the poor guy who was killed by PAD supporters, I remember a number of comments in this forum: he was looking for trouble, he has only himself to blame ...
So get your facts straight before blaming anybody.
Talking about the Anti PAD posters who posted flaming and abusing post's against all PAD supporters about the one human death from the "other" site but didn't do the same now while 2 death and more than 400 injured by "legal" actions of the police.
That's the fact's! The rest you can read in my post!
Cheers.
. The police is doing a fine job. Again, get your facts straight !!
If the police are doing a fine job...
why would they need to say...
"Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano said no other lethal force was used to disperse the crowd."
http://www.bangkokpo...s.php?id=131231
while photographs from Thai reporters at Parliament House show police firing shotguns?
http://www.zimbio.co...kok/fzGShwhJx5I
http://www.zimbio.co...kok/w3XwX5kU615
Yes, there was violence from the PAD onto the police too.
But I can't understand how a Pol Maj-Gen saying one thing when evidence contradicts it is "doing a good job."
If shotguns were needed... why not come out and admit it?
Posted 2008-10-09 17:24:15
Reimar, on 2008-10-09 12:29:37, said: FROM TOC
SNAP UPDATE: Appeals Court Ordered Withdrawal of Treason Charges against 9 PAD Leaders
UPDATE : 9 October 2008
The Appeals Court has decided to cancel the charges of treason which have been filed against 9 PAD leaders.
The charge of amassing armed forces has also been withdrawn. But 3 other charges remain.
Anti-PAD Group Provides Protection for National Police Bureau
UPDATE : 9 October 2008
Hundreds of anti-PAD members, donned in black, are guarding the front entrance of the National Police Bureau.
Hundreds of members of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship or Nor Por Gor are dressed in black. They are patrolling the front of the National Police headquarters to protect the police from the People's Alliance for Democracy.
The staggering irony here is breath taking.
The Pro PPP MOB is PROTECTING the police,
from a group of people the police routed with savagery the day before.
Thepolice can't protect themselves???
A mob to protect the police...
This has gone past farce and into the absurd.
But most absurd the police LET THIS MOB CAMP OUT FRONT....
No bias show, , no sir'ie!
Edited by animatic, 2008-10-09 17:32:30.
Posted 2008-10-09 17:35:57
I saw this on another Board, I thought it was very interesting.
we have just been down in Koh Samed for a few days, when we arrived, we went for something to eat at the Ban Phe pier whilst there there was a popular Thai actor on the next table to us, i could see my was wife was annoyed, but left it until she was ready to tell me.
The actor left and she says i used to like that man hes a good movie star, so it seems hes one of the PAD activists, and he was on a Rent a mob recruitment drive, he was offering 1,500 baht per day, and 2,000 baht for front line demonstrators, (get your head kicked in for a extra 500 seems a good deal)
So it seems he was telling to locals that PAD will not stop until the present Goverment are put out of power. he was taking phone numbers and not saying when anything will happen. What can we expect next. Huh
Posted 2008-10-09 17:55:19
Plus, on 2008-10-09 18:15:04, said: 14,084 for Dems on party list vs 14,071 for PPP.
I thought the final tally was still in PPPs favour, but I might be wrong.
The fact is - when it comes to national politics and national issues - Dems have won, or nearly won. Of course that's not enough to form a government, locally elected MPs need to be counted, too.
But if that is the basis of the claim, it clearly rests on a misunderstanding of what comprises the popular vote. The 8 electoral areas only elect 80 MPs out of 480. The constituency MPs of PPP stood with a clear party affiliation. I'm surprised that something that seems very clear can lead to such different interpretations, assuming that people approach those figures in good faith.
Posted 2008-10-09 18:30:21
citizen33, on 2008-10-09 17:11:44, said: Old Man River, on 2008-10-09 15:40:36, said: In fact, given the Democrats won the majority of the popular vote in the last general election, it wouldn't take that much change in the overall system to tip the scales.
I've seen this stated several times on the forum and am genuinely puzzled as to where this idea comes from. Does the claim involve some calculation that treats different kinds of votes differently or just looks at the electoral areas rather than the constituencies?
The figures I have seen reported are:
People's Power Party
26,293,456 votes in constituencies, giving 199 MPs (of the 400 MPs elected in this way)
14,071,799 votes in 8 electoral areas, giving 34 MPs (of the 80 MPs elected proportionally)
Democrat Party
21,745,696 votes in constituencies giving 132 MPs (of the 400 MPs elected in this way)
14,084,265 votes in 8 electoral areas, giving 33 MPs (of the 80 MPs elected proportionally)
Are these numbers wrong? Perhaps I have misunderstood.
You have not misunderstood, based on the way the Thai's elect their MP's. However, if you look solely at who got more votes, although it was close, the Democrats received more votes. It is kind of like a few years ago in the US when Gore received the most votes, but Bush won the election.
Posted 2008-10-09 18:45:36
Old Man River, on 2008-10-09 18:30:21, said: citizen33, on 2008-10-09 17:11:44, said: Old Man River, on 2008-10-09 15:40:36, said: In fact, given the Democrats won the majority of the popular vote in the last general election, it wouldn't take that much change in the overall system to tip the scales.
I've seen this stated several times on the forum and am genuinely puzzled as to where this idea comes from. Does the claim involve some calculation that treats different kinds of votes differently or just looks at the electoral areas rather than the constituencies?
The figures I have seen reported are:
People's Power Party
26,293,456 votes in constituencies, giving 199 MPs (of the 400 MPs elected in this way)
14,071,799 votes in 8 electoral areas, giving 34 MPs (of the 80 MPs elected proportionally)
Democrat Party
21,745,696 votes in constituencies giving 132 MPs (of the 400 MPs elected in this way)
14,084,265 votes in 8 electoral areas, giving 33 MPs (of the 80 MPs elected proportionally)
Are these numbers wrong? Perhaps I have misunderstood.
You have not misunderstood, based on the way the Thai's elect their MP's. However, if you look solely at who got more votes, although it was close, the Democrats received more votes. It is kind of like a few years ago in the US when Gore received the most votes, but Bush won the election.
The link below is to Wiki, so may not be fully updated, but it does give a good indication of just how close the popular vote was. This is, of course, before several PPP MP's were red carded for voting irregularities.
http://en.wikipedia....lection_results
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