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Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday denied accusations that the cabinet's last minute approval of projects involving expenditure of tens of billions of baht its final meeting yesterday were tantamount to buying votes prior to the general election.
Mr Suthep said it was necessary for the government to approve budgets for projects due to be implemented since the constitution and election law state that after a House dissolution the caretaker cabinet and individual ministers are not allowed to make such approvals.Without approved budgets, the country's administration during the two to three months before a new government takes office would be disrupted, he said.Therefore, various ministries and departments had sought approvals for important projects and budgets to be spent during the 90 days of a caretaker government.Mr Suthep pointed, for example, to projects to provide assistance to victims of natural disasters."As a result, the cabinet was flooded with more than 100 requests for approvals. "The meeting continued until about 2am today, to consider all of the requests. It was not a rush to make massive payouts as alleged," Mr Suthep said.The deputy premier said the House dissolution would likely be delayed a few days, from the previously scheduled first week of May.“The prime minister [Abhisit Vejjajiva] has to wait for the Constitution Court ruling on whether the three election-related organic laws comply with the amended charter,” Mr Suthep said.
Ex-PM Banharn Silpa-archa (left) and Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban (Photo by Pattarachai Preechapanich)
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Red-shirt supporters have expressed dismay over ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's call for them to set aside their anger and frustration over social and legal injustices for the sake of national reconciliation.
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Discussion 8 : 05/05/2011 at 11:02 PM8
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Disc 4 & 6 - Sorry, it's 65 years thay have not won a popular popular. They have formed coalitions but never actually won a majority.
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Discussion 7 : 05/05/2011 at 02:15 AM7
Time is money! And there is so little time, but so many to be bribed...
Post : 373
Discussion 6 : 05/05/2011 at 12:53 AM6
Khun Suthep... i wish fellow Thais have a longer memory but fortunately wikipedia doesn't forget about your little "problems"... "The Democrat Party won elections in 13 September 1992, shortly after Black May, and formed a government. Suthep became Agriculture Minister. As part of the Sor Por Kor 4-01 (สปก.4-01) land reform scheme, Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 489 farmers. It was later found that members of 11 wealthy families in Phuket were among the recipient.: "In 2009, Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government."
Discussion 5 : 05/05/2011 at 12:43 AM5
Banharn Silapa-acha... 79 years old ! Time to take a rest and let Suphansuri breeze a little bit of fresh air. More then half of Thailand's population is under 18. Who Khun Banharn exactly represent ?
Discussion 4 : 05/05/2011 at 12:23 AM4
It's been over 10 years that "democrats" have not won a popular election. It can certainly wait a bit longer.
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Discussion 3 : 04/05/2011 at 11:46 PM3
seeing as its just a short delay i'm sure we can all hold our breath hanging on to your next speech lol, in the meantime why dont you boys have a nice little 5 star long weekender in Samui. courtesy of us the taxpayers
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Discussion 2 : 04/05/2011 at 10:55 PM2
Another delay! how long is the short delay? who know? can be months or years.
Post : 2,476
Discussion 1 : 04/05/2011 at 09:04 PM1
I have no reason to doubt there will be a dissolution soon - why else are they shutting down opposition radio stations across the country?
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