Puea Thai: End double standard

Published: 2/07/2009 at 04:20 PM
Online news:

The government should stop applying double standards in its treatment of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, red-shirts and Puea Thai members, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Thursday.

At a press conference, Mr Prompong pointed to four cases he said �showed a double standard.

1) The Election Commission (EC) is set to investigate �the phone-ins �made by Thaksin to address his supporters before the by-elections in Sakon Nakhon and Si Sa Ket. But the election agency had failed to investigate Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva having lunch with Newin Chidchob, leader of the Friends of Newin faction, at Baan Pitsanulok yesterday, even though Mr Newin was banned from politics at the same time as Thaksin.

2) The EC also had ruled that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban had acted within his authority in sending 19 Democrat MPs to help �the culture minister, even though there was evidence showing this was a violation of the law.

3) The move by red-shirts to seek a royal pardon for Thaksin was strongly attacked by the prime minister's Democrat party and members of the former Council for National Security (CNS). But no one had taken action when the CNS had issued a law to pardon its own members for staging the military coup on Sept 19, 2006.

4) The parliament's TV station had interviewed Mr Prompong on the government's performance during its first six mlnths in office, but it was not broadcast today as scheduled. There was an explanation that this was because of a technical problem. Mr Prompong believed it was banned by PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey and he therefore accused the mionister of double standards.

The spokesman called for an end to such unfair actions and justice for all groups of people.

About the author

Writer: BangkokPost.com

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Share your thoughts

For more candid, lengthy, conversational and open discussion between one another, use our Forum

Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

RicefieldRadio

Discussion 7 : 03/07/2009 at 01:54 AM7
I'm with chavalit on the civil war idea. A few months ago it looked like it now is a bit calmer. We are not privy to much that goes on behind the scenes, that's the Thai way.

If thee PTP win the next election, which is almost certain at this point, and there is yet another outside intervention to overthrow them, you may see a huge uprising where everything is on the table and only some very astute bargaining may avert it.
chavalit

Discussion 6 : 03/07/2009 at 12:59 AM6
Dear Jangop Peg,

You say that civil war will come because both the yellows and reds have blown themselves out. This is a contradictory statement. I agree that both colors have blown it. The yellows had their say and blew it in terms of mass public opinion. The reds also tended to marginalize themselves more even though they could have used the rallies to broaden their support. As both failed, I see that they blew it. The steam has gone for now.

I don't see a civil war now. I might have agreed with you seven months ago but not now. Besides, even in the worse case, about 80% of the army is red sympathetic and would quickly win any "war". I expect PAD are very much marginalized as a polarized movement which is why they're trying to enter mainstream politics to broaden their base and appear "mainstream" But I don't think it will work. Ultimately, the PAD will negotiate with the army who they already have a good relationship and the army will be a middle-man more or less as it's starting to be now (take Chidchob for example).

Thirdly, most Thais like others in SE Asia care mostly for money and nobody wants to see their assets destroyed in a war.

So I think you're totally wrong. No war but a disgruntled society for several more years. Yes. Will Abhisit remain in power??? Probably but he'll have to ultimately negotiate with Thaksin or a proxy of him which he will do because that's the Democrats all over.
Django Peg

Discussion 5 : 02/07/2009 at 10:59 PM5
I hate to say or even admit this. But having lived here for 17 years and worked as a journalist and a writer for most of them in one of the English language newspapers here, I see no political solution. None at all. The divisions are set. Almost in stone. There is no dialogue and Thailand is about to be caught in a perfect storm.The yellow shirst blew it with the airport, the red shirts blew it at Pattaya. There is a global recession. I see civil war. Please, correct me if I am wrong.
RicefieldRadio

Discussion 4 : 02/07/2009 at 10:57 PM4
The previous posters are correct in their assumption about double standards in Thailand.

What has come out in the last year or so is the public is discussing the situation of double standards openly. It's come to the forefront and just possibly it will slowly end. For Thailand to move ahead it needs to shun it's old patronage ways and move forward. People are not as accepting today as they were a year or two ago. things will change as they always have in Thailand and eventually the population will elect the people to govern then without outside interference but that's a way off, at the moment.
Whatta Crock

Discussion 3 : 02/07/2009 at 07:54 PM3
There's quite a difference between having lunch with someone and phoning into a rally to stir up political unrest.....who buys into this crap?
timjack

Discussion 2 : 02/07/2009 at 05:49 PM2
Sure it is double standards, not doubt about it - but whats new?

If there were less interference by the military over the past few years may be; just may be Thailand would be more stable, no red or yellow shirts.

It appears that Mr Prompong is right in what he says, but it is my view that what he said, deep down, he himself knows it will again fall on "deaf ears." Talk is cheap, action has a price!

Thailand just will not let go of its old ways, centralised government from Bangkok, governing for the "Elite" with no respect for its rural cousins.

The military have a lot to answer to but they will continue to stonewall the people of Thailand choosing to look after themselves first, before country. (If this gets printed)

It is a sad state of affairs for such a beautiful country.
igor

Discussion 1 : 02/07/2009 at 05:19 PM1
Khun Prompong

"Double standards" have a long tradition in Thailand. Just as corruption accepted by the people here. Do not complain because you are on the 'wrong end' of it this time.
If you were on the winning end of it, You'd find it OK and in the good old tradition of Thailand.

What do you think about 'two tier pricing' for foreigners in Thailand? or the double standards in law-courts for Thais and foreigners, or poor or rich?

I think your complaint is only good for a little laugh /smirk?/

Puea Thai: End double standard