VCD decision before poll

PPP sec-gen Surapong says party did not solicit for Thaksin's assistance

December 11, 2007

The Election Commission is expected to decide whether to hold the People Power Party (PPP) accountable for the controversial video CDs before the December 23 election, but PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee has tried to pin the blame on one of the 111 banned political executives.

"The mastermind behind the distribution of the recorded remarks of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is among the 111 and none of the PPP candidates are involved in the matter," Surapong said yesterday.

He admitted that Thaksin's remarks could be construed as an attempt to sway votes for PPP candidates, a duty reserved for party executives, but he claimed the PPP had no involvement in soliciting Thaksin's assistance.

"If anyone speaking in favour of the PPP is assumed to be doing the job of a party executive, then the PPP has tens of thousands of party executives," he said, dismissing the allegation about Thaksin's domination of PPP.

He also said the party would look into the allegation that three Hong Kong businessmen tried to smuggle Bt60 million in cash into the country. The funds were allegedly destined for the PPP campaigning.

EC member Sumeth Ubanisakorn said the investigation into the distribution of Thaksin's remarks should be completed in three to seven days - well before the casting of votes.

"The EC will have to complete the fact-finding probe before determining charges and the culprits involved," he said.

Sumeth said the facts would show if the PPP was involved. The central issue, he added, was whether the release of Thaksin's remarks was timed to influence the voting outcome and not when the comments were actually made.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej argued earlier that the comments were recorded before the start of campaigning.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn said the EC would debate two key issues today - whether Thaksin acted as if he was a PPP party executive, which would have violated his five-year ban, and whether PPP was linked to distribution of VCDs.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he wanted to defeat People Power at the polling stations instead of seeing it dissolved because of campaign violations.

"The PPP should abide by the election law in order to allow the people to pass judgement on it," he said.

He said the race had boiled down to a choice between him and PPP leader Samak as the next prime minister. "Voters will have to decide whether they want me or Samak to steer the country's future."

The PPP had become a constant target to be picked on, he said, starting from classified documents showing a plot to undermine it to the VCDs. And he was concerned over what might happen in the 10 days before the ballot.

Junta secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul said he would leave it up to the EC to rule whether Thaksin tampered with the electoral process. "It is clear that Thaksin wants to grab publicity to sway the outcome," he said.

Puea Pandin Party leader Suwit Khunkitti urged judicial proceedings to be fast tracked for cases involving Thaksin in order to put an end to bickering by the former PM's opponents and supporters.

The Nation

Watchdog barks at election officials

The election office in this northeastern province has recommended the transfer of five government officials for political prejudice.

December 9, 2007

"The five are suspected of involvement in the intimidation of political canvassers and other violations of the campaign rules," provincial election-committee chairman Kasem Wattanatham said yesterday.

Their superiors will decide whether to launch disciplinary proceedings or reinstate them after the balloting, he said.

Provincial authorities are investigating eight complaints of vote-buying, he said. Law-enforcement officers are acting on a tip-off about irregular money movements in 20 locations ready to be paid out in exchange for votes.

Candidates and their ground operatives have devised new gimmicks to secure votes, he said. For example, some canvassers will give Bt20,000 to Bt30,000 to a grocer, and the villagers will pick up the pre-paid goods later.

In Chiang Rai, the 17 Northern Provinces Kamnan and Village Headmen Association issued a statement calling on its members to stop canvassing for votes.

Association chairman Inwan Bangngern said candidates were trying to recruit canvassers among public-health volunteers, village volunteers and the elderly to replace kamnan and village headmen.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayatham arrived in the province to launch an awareness campaign for absentee voting next weekend.

Commenting on the fierce vote-buying, Sodsri said the EC would tighten its monitoring in the final week of campaigning.

She said she had read the news reports about the intimidation of campaigners for the People Power Party but found that the PPP had made complaints only to attract publicity and had not asked the EC for action.

In Bangkok, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond rebuffed suspicions of half-baked efforts to suppress vote-buying, saying his agency was fighting money politics with all means available to it.

The Nation

Buri Ram

Football on a political pitch

Reactions were mixed regarding the arrival of football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and the signing of three young Thai players to the Manchester City Football Club.

November 17, 2007

My take: More details reported on Sven visit with views from Thai reporter.

On the one hand, many people were happy for the three athletes. It's a dream come true to play in one of the world's most watched leagues. For the fans here there has never been such an achievement by local players.

On the other hand, it's hard not to sense a "political atmosphere" when Thaksin Shinawatra's children accompany one of the world's top coaches on a conspicuous signing mission.

Eriksson's presence was by all means meant to send a message that "This is real!" The English football club has signed up Thai players Kiatprawut Saiwaeo, Teerasil Daengda and Suree Sukha. The timing couldn't be better: Manchester City now ranks third in the Premier League table.

Eriksson may or may not be aware that his visit was well scheduled - over a month before the general election and on the same day as the People Power Party's first major rally in Bangkok, where Thaksin's recorded speech was supposed to be broadcast to supporters. The plan was abruptly cancelled by the party.

Whether the Blues' move has political implications or not, yesterday was the day that Thaksin originally planned to deliver two speeches - to Thai football fans and to PPP's supporters.

It's hard for the public to tell sports from politics. Thaksin's image was seen during the PPP's campaign. Likewise, there was a cardboard model of him in a Blues jersey walking around the Conrad Hotel, where the press conference took place.

Sceptics question whether his trip and the signing are really necessary at this time. Under normal circumstances, such a historical move should have been celebrated with the presence of Thai ministers - at least from the Sports and Tourism Ministry - but attending the press conference were only Thailand's Football Association and the Chon Buri Football Club.

The press was also dubious about whether the club knew the Thai players well enough, as the video presentation at the press conference got the name of Kiatprawut as Kiatprapong. Some wondered whether Eriksson knew the three well enough to sign them.

During the conference, a member of the press asked Eriksson whether the signing was a direct order from the club's owner or Eriksson's decision. Surely it could mean the decision was due to more than football. However, he confirmed that the signing was his idea.

"We're a football team, and players are football-players. We never discuss politics," Eriksson said later in an interview aired on TITV.

Eriksson could have sensed from that kind of question that the local and international journalist crowd was signalling that it was not all about football.

Nevertheless, he appeared friendly and did the job of an ambassador of his club well. He was polite enough to slow down when someone wanted to take his photograph while he was walking.

At the nearly two-hour exclusive press luncheon, Eriksson spoke little. About 20 people were at the table, including members of the press, especially those covering English football, and Manchester City's management, including Panthongtae Shinawatra.

Pairoj Piampongsarn, a club board member sitting next to Eriksson, talked about the club's ambitions following Thaksin's goal to boost the profile of the club in Asian markets. The idea is that the Premiere League should adopt a give-and-take approach. The region is one of the biggest markets for the league, so it should provide a chance for Asian players to show their stuff in the league.

"The FA's [English Football Association's] regulation is rather strict and not so open to foreign players. I've met them and expressed my thoughts," Pairoj said.

Pairoj also told the press that they were all welcome to watch the matches in England. "We have about 40 seats for each game."

Thaksin's daughters Pinthongta and Paethongtarn walked around the table after the Thai lunch and handed a Manchester City jersey to each guest as a souvenir. Markers were prepared as the Man City manager got ready to autograph the team's shirts for guests.

Eriksson became busy again as he signed shirts and posed with guests. There was no sign of unwillingness, and the luncheon ended almost one hour earlier than scheduled at 3pm, as the manager had to go to another TV interview.

The manager excused himself and bid farewell to all the guests. The Swedish coach's job was nearly finished, and he was scheduled to fly home yesterday evening.

Without a doubt his visit boosted the profile of Manchester City and fanned the hopes of this football-crazy nation. By the time he arrives back in England, Eriksson will surely realise that there is a very blurred line between politics and soccer in the case of Manchester City. Strange as it seems, his club's chairman Thaksin probably doesn't mind keeping it that way.

Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation

City Sign Thai Trio

My take: Why now? The election in Thailand is near. Thaksin needs his nominee party PPP to win so it's time to make some good news and win the votes from football-lovers all over the country. He will be on the news on TV, newspapers, and sport newspaper for this. Yes, it's free. This is what he's so good about, be the news and get publicity (for free).

--Manchester City have officially signed three Thailand internationals – Suree Sukha, Kiatprawut Saiwaew and Teerasil Dangda.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson unveiled the trio at a press conference in Bangkok on Friday.

The high-flying Premier League club have been active in Asia during the international break and have already offered three players from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua a trial in England.

"Before Dr. Thaksin (Shinawatra) became the club's chairman, we wanted to acquire so many players from different countries but we didn't have the money," Eriksson told a throng of reporters.

"Now with Dr Thaksin's support, we can together work to achieve his dream of developing football in Asia and especially in Thailand, and also to make Manchester City a global brand."

Right-back Suree was one of the most impressive players at the recent Asian Cup and, like centre-back Kiatprawut, plied his trade for Thailand league leaders Chonburi. Teerasil joins from second division outfit Muang Thong Jok United.

Due to work permit issues, the trio are likely to be farmed out to clubs in Belgium or elsewhere for the foreseeable future.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=483293

Long Live the King of Siam

Long Live King of Siam by Kelly Newton

Download: http://rapidshare.com/files/65791324/Long_Live_King_of_Siam.mp3

The King of Siam
=================================

Ever since I saw the face of this man

The king of Thailand, The king of Siam

I felt in love with his soul loves this land

It's in his eye, it's in his heart, it's in his hand

He is the husband, the father and the king

A great photographer , musician so many things

The way he lives his life is something to be hold

His grace, his wisdom , an example to the world

Long live the king of Thailand
Long live the king of Siam

And in the time when the rain came flooding down

He saved the city with a building of the dam

In time of conflicts, he has always been there

To stop the fighting just like the father who really cares

Long live the king of Thailand
Long live the king of Siam

I'm watching wonder at the things he understands

His love for his people, his love for this land

His working a great culture, he is one of a kind

His vision for the future way ahead of their time

Long live the king of Thailand
Long live the king of Siam

Thailand: Martial law lifted in 221 districts ahead of election

Martial law lifted in 221 districts

The Cabinet Tuesday ordered the lifting of martial law in 221 districts and decided to maintain the martial law in 179 districts.

The Nation