Suu Kyi: Election "absolutely unlikely" to be free and fair

Detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi believes that the upcoming Burmese election is "absolutely unlikely" to be free and fair "because the election date has not been set and political parties will not have enough time to campaign."

she said this to Nyan Win, a senior official in the disbanded National League for Democracy, who met Suu Kyi on Tuesday.

He told The Irrawaddy magazine that her health is good and that they also discussed the appeal of the 18-month extension of her house arrest and renovation work that was needed on her home.

There has been speculation that she may be released before the election but so far there has been no confirmation.

In March, the NLD decided not to register as a political party for the 2010 election, saying that the election would not be free and fair.

In case of a war...

Lt Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin, the Third Army Commander, was discussing the formation of the new 7th Infantry Division based in the North when he obviously let slip a very interesting "strategic plan."

Asked by a Matichon reporter whether the setting up of the new division in the north was a reaction to recent reports of neighbouring countries' plans to develop nuclear capacity and digging of underground tunnels close to the Thai border, he responded:

"We have our own assessment of possible future scenarios with our neighbours. If it's Cambodia, one squadron of our F-16s should suffice. But with Burma, we aren't quite sure. They have MiGs and are backed by the Russians and they also have a nuclear development plan aided by North Korea. Therefore, we have to develop our own preventive plan for the future. It's nothing to do with politics..."

Mingkwan is ready for the top job!

Mingkwan Saengsuwan, a former commerce minister under the Pheau Thai Party, now says he is ready to assume the premiership "should the majority in the party decide to nominate me as a candidate for the primer's post in the upcoming election."

But would Chalerm Yoobamrung, the party's MPs chairman, agree? Hasn't Chalerm been strongly opposed to Mingkwan's political ambition?

Mingkwan was quick to point out to reporters that they had patched up. "Didn't you see the two of us hugging each other the other day?"

Most political reporters say Chalerm and Mingkwan have called a truce and have been eager to make a show of their "reconciliation."

But hasn't Mingkwan been dubbed "warrior in an air-conditioned room" by some of his critics within the party?

Mingkwan hit back: "If I had just been working in an air-conditioned room, I wouldn't have been able to jack up the price of paddy to 14,000 baht per ton (when I was commerce minister)."

He says Pheau Thai Party should win no fewer than 250 seats in the upcoming election.
"Now is the time for all our MPs to start visiting their constituencies in preparation for the new polls," he said.

Now, Opposition will get free air time on Channel 11

The Opposition will get some free air time after all. Channel 11 will launch a new programme entitled: "Trong Pai Trong Pa" (Straight to the Poin) starting Aug 2, beginning 10 pm, Monday to Friday.

It won't be a "solo" opposition slot though. Opposition figures will be invited to join their government counterparts (perhaps starting with the govt and opposition House whips) to discuss issues of the day. The problem behind the scenes has been who will be moderating the programme. A number of well-known anchors have politely turned down the offer for fear of being caught in the unenviable position of being seen siding with one side or the other.

The latest I heard is that "Adisak Srisom," Channel 11's veteran moderator will be filling in for the first few programmes before a "permanent solution" is found.

Would Pheau Thai Party despatch Chalerm Yoobamrung as the first salvo on the air? If so, would PM Abhisit accept the challenge of facing his long-time political rival in a live debate on Channel 11?

Stay tuned!

The Sign is back and it needs special security now!

The "Ratchaprasong Interesection" sign disappeared for one day -- and was back today. The sign, covered with dirt and even graffiti, was removed on Monday for a thorough cleaning. When it came back yesterday, it looked so clean that the speculation was that it was a "new" sign.

As cartoonist Arun here suggests, a squadron of security officials may now be necessary to just guard the sign from being vandalised or taken away. It has simply become too politicized!

Now, the 'Loei Model'

And now, it's the "Loei Model." It's supposed to be a local initiative in this northeastern province to encourage reconciliation at the local level.

A sort of a "town-hall meeting" tookplace here during the weekend at the Loei Rajabhat University where the provincial governor, Pornsak Jiaranai, chaired a discussion on "Trend Towards Reform for Thailand."

The most interesting aspect of the meeting was that both the "reds" and "yellows" were represented in the public seminar and local leaders at the provincial, district, tambon levels were all present.

Participants were at pains to stress that while they continued to respect the freedom of expression for all shades of the political scene, what they agreed upon was that they would not support the use of violence.

Loei is basically a "red" area, with four Pheau Thai MPs and one Bhumjaithai (pro-government)MP.

Some leading government people flew up to Loei to take part in this "reconciliation experiment" including PM's adviser Apirak Kosayothin, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Polabutr and Deputy Govt Spokesman Supachai Jaisamut.

If the Loei Model project shows any positive sign, they plan to move on to Pai (Mae Hong Son) where a similar sort of activity has also taken place. And if the trend prevails, then election campaigns could take place without risk of violence.

Pridiyathorn approached to lead Pheau Thai? I wouldn't bet on that

If you ask me, I would tell you this speculation wouldn't turn out to be anything concrete. M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakul ("Mom Ouei") becoming the leader of Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheau Thai Party?

But then, it's a juicy rumour that is sweeping the town. Why? First of all, Thaksin needs someone to head his party like a hole in the head. Chalerm Yoobamrung has been battling it out with Mingkwan Saengsuwan. Gen Chavalit YOngchaiyudh is always there waiting in the wing. But none of these could really hold the party together.

M.R. Pridiyathorn's name has come up perhaps because he is one of the handful who are "available," having no clear affiliation with any particular political grouping.

The former deputy PM, ex-commerce minister, and former central bank governor, is also the father of M.L. Nattakorn Devakul ("Pluem") who has been quite active on Voice TV providing lively comments that are critical of the Abhisit government and in a number of cases quite pro-Red.

It's no surprise that the son's political commentaries may have something to do with the rumours that the father could well be taking an active political role once again. And what's wrong with Thaksin calling up Mom Ouei to say: "Hello, how's your son doing?"

Mind you, I am in no way suggesting that the conversation did take place or that the two have come to any agreement if they have actually been talking to each other.

If you need additional information to enhance your analytical depth on this issue,let me tell you that M.R. Pridiyathorn, by the way, has just agreed to take up the position as chairman of the board of directors of the Post Publishing Co.