7 replies to this topic

[Sexpat]

BULLETIN: Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej orders transfer of Police Department chief Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyavej, a reliable source said Friday. Seripisut became the fourth senior official to be transferred under Samak government."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30066830

"The Public Relations Department (PRD) chief Pramote Rathavinit has been transferred to an inactive post in the PM's Office Ministry, PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair said yesterday."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/29...es_30066829.php

[Garcia]

"The speculation about the abrupt transfer happened a day following the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is reportedly pushing for the promotion of his brotherinlaw Lt General Preowpan Damapong.

Seripisut was promoted to his job following the ousting of Thaksin. Preowpan has been seconded from the police service to the Prime Minister's Office since the September 19 coup. He called on Thaksin on Thursday's evening before the transfer of Seripisut was released to the public.

Patcharawat is expected to work in the caretaker capacity as he would reach his retirement next September. Seripisut will also retire this year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/29...cs_30066833.php

[Snowy]

Forget the promises and declarations immediately after the election by various PPP leaders that there would no witch-hunt and vendetta against those who turned a blind eye to or supported the coup. The game of musical chairs is getting into full flow now with the vacant chairs reserved solely for PPP/Thaksin supporters and opponents being cast out into the wilderness.

The shuffle of judges in the various courts will start to happen very soon with those likely to be impartial or even to vote against Thaksin side-lined. It will certainly take place in time for Thaksin to receive favourable treatment when his various cases come to court. Indeed, the planning for this process is probably in a very advanced stage otherwise it is doubtful whether Thaksin would have deemed it to be in his interests to return right now.

[Haloi]

I don't see how this is any different than the normal changes you get in any democratic system, whether it's Democrats replacing Repubicans or Laborites replacing Tories. Remember also that these guys they are replacing were installed by an illegal coup d'etat !

[Snowy]

I don't see how this is any different than the normal changes you get in any democratic system, whether it's Democrats replacing Repubicans or Laborites replacing Tories. Remember also that these guys they are replacing were installed by an illegal coup d'etat !

There's a vast difference between the instances you cite and what is happening in Thailand right now.

The changes in the most part are designed to stop any further investigation of Thaksin/TRT corruption and mal-practice and to pave the way for PPP to resume it's predecessor's rampant abuse of the political system and the power it affords to enhance their financial fortunes at taxpayers' and mere mortals' expense.

BTW if you consider that what Thailand now has is democracy, you view of democracy is as twisted and corrupt as the present Government's.

[Tony]

BTW if you consider that what Thailand now has is democracy, you view of democracy is as twisted and corrupt as the present Government's.

OK, what do you think a freely elected parliament is.....if it's not democracy ?

[Hedda]

OK, what do you think a freely elected parliament is.....if it's not democracy ?

I agree. High officers of the government should serve at the pleasure of the President or Prime Minister, especially if they are people left over from a military government that came to power through the illegal overthrow of the constitutionally elected government. The idea that such men should be left in positions of power by the peoples' elected representatives or that replacing them is a "witch-hunt" simply reinforces the "what-do-we-have-to-lose" mentality that has encouraged the endless sponsoring of coups for the past 75 years. The way to end coups is to punish their sponsors, not reward them with garlands and tenure.

[Snowy]

OK, what do you think a freely elected parliament is.....if it's not democracy ?

Just because more than one party stood in the election and most adults were eligible to vote does not mean that what resulted is a freely elected parliament.

The test for democracy is not 'free' elections but that they are also fair and, with the rampant vote-buying and other political corruption in Thailand, that is not the case. The situation where a village kamnan decides who the entire village votes for does not constitute free elections either. Take your rose-tinted glasses off and look at what really happened in your so-called 'free' election.