NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081215/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_politics

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand's parliament chose the country's Oxford-educated opposition leader as prime minister Monday, capping six months of violent anti-government protests that included a weeklong takeover of Bangkok's two airports.

The selection of Abhisit Vejjajiva marks the first time in eight years that the government will be led by an opponent of exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has loomed over Thai politics since he was ousted by a military coup in 2006.

Abhisit, 44, will face an enormous challenge trying to unite the country — split in part between the middle class that is his base and the rural poor who backed Thaksin — and manage an economy buffeted by Thailand's political turmoil and a global slowdown.

His appointment is expected to bring at least a brief period of calm, although the move unleashed new protests by supporters of the previous government. Abhisit's image as an upper-class elitist also could hinder his attempts to end the turmoil.

In Monday's vote in the lower house of parliament, Abhisit received support from 235 lawmakers, compared with 198 for a pro-Thaksin former national police chief.

As lawmakers arrived for the vote, Thaksin supporters tried to block the gates of parliament in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the outcome. Riot police later cleared a path for lawmakers to leave the compound. The demonstrators hurled rocks at vehicles and abuse at lawmakers inside but most dispersed peacefully.

Following the vote, Abhisit thanked fellow lawmakers and the public but said he would not talk about politics until he was officially endorsed as prime minister by the constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This is expected within several days.

Would this bring a real cease to the violence being lived in Thailand throughout the past months? Could the election of Abhisit as PM bring peace to this convoluted Asian nation?

Now Abhist's opponents can get some rioting done, which is good because it is just in time for the Christmas season.

I figure they will calm down when they get bored but yeah they have a government now so naturally...

Oxford-educated

may god help us all...

Now Abhist's opponents can get some rioting done, which is good because it is just in time for the Christmas season.

Eh? Like, Riot Present Giving or something like that?:tongue:

I figure they will calm down when they get bored but yeah they have a government now so naturally...

Naturally what?

may god help us all...

And what is wrong with being Oxford educated?

Eh? Like, Riot Present Giving or something like that?:tongue:
It is like a Christmas sale, only with slightly more casualties and much lower prices!

It is like a Christmas sale, only with slightly more casualties and much lower prices!

Ah, Black Friday all over again, with gore included.

Does anyone else always think "Frank Sinatra" when you see the name "Thaksin Shinawatra"?

Does anyone else always think "Frank Sinatra" when you see the name "Thaksin Shinawatra"?

Nope, that's just you.

Does anyone else always think "Frank Sinatra" when you see the name "Thaksin Shinawatra"?
Now I am, and I can't stop. Damn you, damn you to Hell!

Naturally what?

the new government offers stability which is what people want rather than dicking about not bathing all day (or whatever damn hippies do)

And what is wrong with being Oxford educated?

Cambridge > Oxford

the new government offers stability which is what people want rather than dicking about not bathing all day (or whatever damn hippies do)

Why must you put poor hippies down? I'm sure that in those protests, they do find a way to take a bath. Like under the rain or with wet wipes or something...:mad:

:D

Cambridge > Oxford

In my book both universities are among the best worldwide.

Hull > Cambridge > Oxford

FIXED

Oxford's a complete dump!

As to the OP, when was the last time there was an actual parliamentary election, as opposed to an internal election of prime minister? That might help more..... People might stop rioting for a bit, if they think they have a say.

Cambridge > Oxford

Maybe, but PPE > SPS.

Does anyone else always think "Frank Sinatra" when you see the name "Thaksin Shinawatra"?

I can't seem to get storm (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=V8umPqykrtQ) out of my head

da da da da da dun dan dun dun dun

Why must you put poor hippies down?

because they can somehow live without having a job :p

In my book both universities are among the best worldwide.

now your being just plain silly.

its a university rivalry thing much like class war only nothing at all like it with polo and rowing

FIXED

Oxford's a complete dump!

As to the OP, when was the last time there was an actual parliamentary election, as opposed to an internal election of prime minister? That might help more..... People might stop rioting for a bit, if they think they have a say.

For what I was reading, apparently the last actual parliamentary elections held in Thailand were in 1986.
http://countrystudies.us/thailand/82.htm

Maybe, but PPE > SPS.

Polyphenylene Ether is better than Syndiotactic Polystyrene?

Controversial.

because they can somehow live without having a job :p

A commodity, true.

now your being just plain silly.

its a university rivalry thing much like class war only nothing at all like it with polo and rowing

What about academics? Polo and rowing are silly.:tongue:

Polyphenylene Ether is better than Syndiotactic Polystyrene?

Controversial.

*Cough*... PPE is the reason all foreign statesmen go to Oxford, rather than Cambridge ;)

*Cough*... PPE is the reason all foreign statesmen go to Oxford, rather than Cambridge ;)

What, Personal Protective Equipment?:eek2:

What, Personal Protective Equipment?:eek2:

:( This isn't even funny any more.

Does anyone else always think "Frank Sinatra" when you see the name "Thaksin Shinawatra"?

No, because the '-ra' on the end is not really pronounced. It sounds like Toxin Chin-a-Wat.

Vejjajiva says one of his favorite books is Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus. That seems to be an apt metaphor for Thai democracy.

For what I was reading, apparently the last actual parliamentary elections held in Thailand were in 1986.
http://countrystudies.us/thailand/82.htm

Hmm, perhaps an out-of-date source? Captain Wiki pronounces thusly:

"The ban on political activities was lifted in July 2007,[19] following the 30 May dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai party. The new constitution has been approved by a referendum on 19 August, which led to a return to democratic elections on 23 December 2007.

The People's Power Party (Thailand), led by Samak Sundaravej formed a government with five smaller parties. Following several court rulings against him in a variety of scandals, and surviving a vote of no confidence, and protesters blockading government buildings and airports, in September 2008, Sundaravej was removed from office by the Constitutional Court of Thailand. He was replaced by PPP member Somchai Wongsawat. As of October 2008, Wongsawat was unable to access his offices, which were occupied by protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy. On December 2, 2008, Thailand's Constitutional Court banned the ruling Peoples Power Party.[20]"

So it looks like elections aren't stopping general unrest. Perhaps they have unrealistic expectations of good-natured non-corrupt public servants running for office.

:( This isn't even funny any more.

Then what is PPE?

PPE: Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Every Oxford educated politician has one of them. Don't even bother checking it out. [/generalisation]

SPS: Social and Political Sciences. Cambridge's variant of the Politics-but-not-quite degree, and includes stuff like Psychology and Anthropology.

FIXED

yes well the Cambridge students will need someone to mind the factory's for them :p

Maybe, but PPE > SPS.

bah Cambridge is far too busy dominating maths and science

What about academics? Polo and rowing are silly.:tongue:

the worlds elite battling it out for honour is silly? *paddles*

*Cough*... PPE is the reason all foreign statesmen go to Oxford, rather than Cambridge ;)

its just too bad none of them can count

bah Cambridge is far too busy dominating maths and science

I agree. Yet Oxford dominates Politics... hmmm... who funds universities again? :$

its just too bad none of them can count

Well apparently the new PM also has a masters in Economics so I dunno:$

the worlds elite battling it out for honour is silly? *paddles*

But it's with paddles. :eek:

I agree. Yet Oxford dominates Politics... hmmm... who funds universities again? :$

is that why Cambridge gets all the research grants :wink:

Well apparently the new PM also has a masters in Economics so I dunno:$

well Thailand's economy is falling apart...

But it's with paddles. :eek:

*sets the giant rowing men on Nanatsu*

*sets the giant rowing men on Nanatsu*

*runs, terrified of the Cambridge row men*

is that why Cambridge gets all the research grants :wink:

Well not all the funds are from the government ;)

well Thailand's economy is falling apart...

Give the man a while... he's only just taken over.

Well, there you have it. If you don't like the people your fellow countrymen democratically elected, engage in violent riots until they get forced out.