Suthep Resigns MP seat, retains real power, gives Thaksin like excuses

Bangkok Post


Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has resigned as an MP over the Election Commission's conclusion that he had violated the constitution by holding shares in prohibited businesses.

Mr Suthep yesterday tendered his resignation as a Democrat MP for Surat Thani's Constituency 1.

However, Mr Suthep said he will not quit the ministerial post.

Mr Suthep was one of 28 Democrat MPs investigated for the alleged offence.

The EC has recommended the disqualification of 13, including Mr Suthep, for breaching the shareholding ban.

The charter prohibits MPs from holding stakes in media and telecom firms and from holding shares in firms granted state concessions. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Constitution Court.

Mr Suthep said he had decided to quit as an MP because he did not want to get involved in an imminent drawn-out court battle.

He said he needed time to focus on other pressing matters.

"I need to concentrate on my job as deputy prime minister in charge of national security. I don't want to waste time preparing for a court fight."

Mr Suthep said he sold all his questionable shares before becoming a member of the cabinet last year.

He said the charter was not violated because all his share transactions were carried out through the stock market.

He claims to have sold them off before the shareholding restrictions came into force and had no intention of abusing his power or interfere or dominate companies with state concessions.

"Since I began holding those shares in 1995, I never attended any of the shareholders' meetings," Mr Suthep said.

It never ceases to amaze me how all the people who have so much contempt for Thaksin and his weasley ways act exactly like Thaksin in every way.

These Democrats always have pathetic excuses for flouting the same laws they created to get rid of their enemies.

Thanong's Astrologer: The Insanity Continues

The Nation:


I heard that the people in green uniforms are making some unusual movements in preparation for something big. Many people are also feeling worried about the solar eclipse that will take place on July 22. The solar eclipse is seen by some as a bad omen for countries directly affected by it. Most people also would like to know whether there will be any serious political incidents between now and July 22, and beyond. The country is still in turmoil.


So I decided to consult my favourite astrologer.


"What can we expect from this eclipse?" I asked.


"It's gonna be pretty bad," she said. "It will adversely affect the astrological sign of Cancer. We don't know whether it will hurt Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva or Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister. Both are Cancer. Either could get hit."


"The military is making unusual movements. I smell a coup. Does it have anything to do with the eclipse?" I asked.


"If the military were to stage a coup, they should do it now. The alignment of the stars is on their side. The eclipse on July 22 would be ideal because it is when there is an eclipse over the country. If they wait longer, the timing will slip away," she said.


The astrologer added: "But in the period before or after the eclipse, the water element would create problems. I don't understand why Abhisit has decided to host the Asean summit in Phuket, surrounded by water. His advisers should have consulted the stars first."


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Let's wait for the solar eclipse to see whether the bad omens will come true. Sometimes we have to give in to the stars in the sky.


It is horrifying that The Nation is actually transforming itself into Not the Nation---and still taking itself seriously. The farce has become the reality. Just when you think the absurdity of The Nation's opinion pages can't get any worse, the editors go and top themselves.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when the foreign sub-editors are going over this stuff. It must be a laugh a minute.

To pass Abhisit's ethics test for Foreign Minister, Take over an airport and break international law

Bangkok Post


Kasit Piromya meets the ethics standards set down for cabinet members and should stay in the cabinet, insists Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The embattled foreign minister had no credibility problems, Mr Abhisit said while denying claims the government had interfered in the legal case now before him.

Mr Kasit is facing charges for his part in last year's blockade of Suvarnabhumi airport. Critics say he should resign immediately.

Speaking on his weekly television programme, the prime minister yesterday said he would not dismiss Mr Kasit over his involvement in the People's Alliance for Democracy's blockade of the airport.

"At this stage, where a summons has been issued, there is no need to dismiss him from the post," Mr Abhisit said.

"Initial checks found that the minister has no credibility problems."

Mr Kasit is among 36 PAD leaders and key supporters facing terrorism and other criminal charges for the Nov 25 to Dec 2 occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

The blockade was part of a campaign to force the government, led by the now-defunct People Power Party, to give up power.

Abhisit is tone deaf. If The Nation, your biggest propagandist, calls on Kasit to resign, you better start re-thinking this strategy.

Kooky Kasit Piromya Lashes Out at His Enemies

Bangkok Post


Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Sunday has challenged a group of army officials who wanted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dismiss him for a televised debate. Mr Kasit, who has been charged with committing an act of terrorism by police, said he had enough of being criticised without substantial evidence by different sides.


The evidence is well, self-evident. He announced to the whole world in the front of foreign journalists that he took pride in the airport takeovers.


"I do not know who those army officials are, but I must ask why didn't they protect their country when former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ruining it," he said.


I guess Kasit forgot about the coup. By the way, Kasit had no problems working for Thaksin or taking his money.


The embattled minister said those who criticised him should reveal themselves.


"There are many evil politicians walking inside and outside the parliament, and why don't people pressure them to resign," he said.


None of them took over an airport, violating international law, and bragged about it.


Mr Kasit said he would like to ask Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who actually wanted to harm Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul.


Kasit is a loose cannon. In any civilized country, he would have been sacked. Interesting that the foreign minister is accusing the deputy prime minister for security for wanting to harm Abhisit.

Clearly, Abhisit doesn't have his government in order. So far, he has proven to be an incompetent manager.