2 replies to this topic

[Sexpat]

"Deputy Prime Minister General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin flexed his muscles yesterday by ordering the Interior Ministry to mobilise its grassroots mechanisms to prevent politicians loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra returning to politics after the election scheduled for Dec 23.

His announcement was interpreted by observers as an attempt by the ministry, under Gen Sonthi's supervision, to play a greater role in overseeing the poll to prevent Thaksin allies from winning. . .

''The Interior Ministry has a duty to bring about national reconciliation to prevent national crisis. If there are mistakes in this election, the [vicious] cycle will return,'' he told officials during a briefing at the ministry. Gen Sonthi, when he was the army chief, engineered the military coup that ousted Mr Thaksin from power on Sept 19 last year. . .

He said although the Election Commission (EC) was in charge of organising the poll, it still needed the ministry's support to ensure it was free and fair. He added that the people's decision at the ballot box would be final and must be respected, no matter who came into power after the election."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=122594

[Hedda]

If there are mistakes in this election, the [vicious] cycle will return,''

I guess that's what you might call an "I told you" warning about what might happen if the wrong people get re-elected.

I don't think the Thais recognize that putting a coup leader in charge of free elections is like putting the fox in charge of running the chicken coop. Coups, coops and foxy generals just don't mix, even in Amazing Thailand.

[UncleSam]

I wonder if the odds on another coup are being quoted in Las Vegas ?

Hehehe......