Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
After deadly clashes, Thai opposition regroups
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Senate approves Obama nominee Kagan to top court
| Video
05 Aug 2010
UPDATE 2-Google ordered to defend against age bias lawsuit
05 Aug 2010
UPDATE 1-US Postal Service loses $3.5 bln in third quarter
05 Aug 2010
Key Obama economic adviser Romer stepping down
05 Aug 2010
Dog chews off Michigan man's toe, saves his life
04 Aug 2010
Cancer cells slurp up fructose, US study finds
02 Aug 2010
WRAPUP 5-Saudi, RIM talks progress as Blackberry ban looms
05 Aug 2010
Factbox: How to invest into gold and key price drivers
05 Aug 2010
Wheat at 23-month high on Russia curbs
3:02am EDT
Russia fires pose nuclear threat, death toll hits 50
05 Aug 2010
Chavez may bar nominee U.S. envoy for "meddling"
05 Aug 2010
Cancer cells slurp up fructose, US study finds
02 Aug 2010
UPDATE 1-US Postal Service loses $3.5 bln in third quarter
05 Aug 2010
Dog chews off Michigan man's toe, saves his life
04 Aug 2010
Facebook fights New Yorker's claim of 84 percent stake
12 Jul 2010
Senate approves Obama nominee Kagan to top court
| Video
05 Aug 2010
UPDATE 2-Google ordered to defend against age bias lawsuit
05 Aug 2010
Half million flee as floods threaten Pakistan's Sind
| Video
2:45am EDT
Facebook and other social media cost UK billions
05 Aug 2010
U.S. billionaires pledge fortunes to charity
04 Aug 2010
After deadly clashes, Thai opposition regroups
Digg This
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
Related News
Military shakeup could derail Thai peace moves
Thu, Aug 5 2010
Bomb explodes in Bangkok, seriously wounding man
Fri, Jul 30 2010
Analysis: Enthusiasm gap could be trouble for Democrats
Tue, Jul 27 2010
Bomb in central Bangkok kills 1 and wounds 10
Sun, Jul 25 2010
Thousands gather for Thai "red" rally before vote
Fri, Jul 23 2010
Analysis & Opinion
Thailand: The Queen and CNN
Uneducate people
Related Topics
World »
Thailand »
By Ambika Ahuja
SI SA KET |
Thu Aug 5, 2010 11:41pm EDT
SI SA KET Thailand (Reuters) - On a stage in a muddy soccer field in Thailand's rural heartlands, an opposition leader declared to thousands he would bring back toppled premier Thaksin Shinawatra from exile if his party is voted back into power.
That vow by Puea Thai Party's Chalerm Ubumrung signals trouble ahead in a polarizing political crisis that turned deadly on the streets of Bangkok in April and May as thousands of "red shirt" supporters of the deposed Thaksin clashed with troops.
Hundreds of red shirts have been detained under emergency rule since the unrest that killed 91 people, mostly protesters, and wounded nearly 2,000. Several opposition websites, radio stations and a TV broadcaster were shut. Red-shirt bank accounts have been frozen. Protest leaders face terrorism charges.
Emergency rule has helped to restore order in Bangkok and many areas. But in the rice-growing farmlands of Si Sa Ket bordering Cambodia and other provinces where the decree has been lifted, Thailand's political opposition is regrouping.
The fiery rhetoric at the recent campaign stop in Si Sa Ket, 600 km (370 miles) northeast of Bangkok, illustrates how issues that exploded into violence in May remain at the heart of Thailand's anti-government movement -- from charges of class warfare to reverence of populist multimillionaire Thaksin.
They also demonstrate how the anti-government movement is shifting from street-protest tactics to election campaigning, while retaining, at least in the heartlands, one of their most controversial goals: the return of the twice-elected Thaksin.
"If you want everyone to be treated the same way under the eye of the law, vote Puea Thai! If you want to see democracy and equality, vote Puea Thai! If you want Thaksin back, vote Puea Thai!," Chalerm told cheering supporters.
CONTENTIOUS ELECTIONS
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said elections could be held early next year if the political situation is stable. His Democrat Party hopes heavy government spending and economic stimulus packages will lift its popularity.
"If we win back power through yet another election, what are they going to do? What trick do they have in the hat this time?" Chalerm told Reuters on the sideline of the campaign.
He was referring to a coup that ousted twice-elected Thaksin in 2006 and several court rulings which toppled two prime ministers and disbanded two parties allied with him, paving the way for Abhisit's rise in 2008 with tacit military backing.
Puea Thai said it is confident it could win back at least 255 in the 480-seat lower house, enough to form a single-party government. But analysts say the election is likely to be contentious and winning a landslide would be difficult.
"While people's voting pattern won't change, horse-trading of parliamentarians will be key in determining who forms the government," said Karn Yuenyong, an analyst at the independent Siam Intelligence Unit..
A 32-seat Bhumjai Thai Party, allied with the government, is poised to win 50-60 seats in the next poll after defections from several parties. It campaigns on a royalist platform, accusing Thaksin of harboring a republican agenda, a taboo in Thailand.
But convincing the rural voters to reject Thaksin's allies won't be easy.
Puea Thai is campaigning on Thaksin's populist platforms such cheap loans and universal healthcare. The ruling Democrats have adopted similar measures but the opposition can win by tapping public discontent about the status quo in the power structure.
That sums up their main selling point: the rehabilitation of the controversial and divisive Thaksin and the promise to end what the red shirt protesters view as "double standards" in law enforcement and the dominance of the ruling elite in politics.
"I will vote for them no matter what, because they will bring back Thaksin," said Metha Panchaisi, a 55-year-old rice farmer, who attended the rally.
"I want to see how they will discard our votes this time. Another coup? Another court ruling? What now?."
(Additional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Jason Szep)
World
Thailand
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Friday, 6 August 2010 Iran sees regional alliance to counter NATO
Russia bans grain exports due to drought
US demands WikiLeaks return military documents
Israel returns Turkish aid ships seized near Gaza
US-TECH Summary
Wyclef Jean flying to Haiti to announce presidential run
NATO strike kills at least 12 Afghan civilians: official
RIM headache grows as governments seek BlackBerry access
Track stars Bolt, Gay shrug off Powell absence
Google adamant about 'net neutrality'
NATO acknowledges civilian deaths in Afghan clash
Haitian excitement builds for Wyclef presidential bid
Pentagon tells WikiLeaks: Do right thing
|
FCC chief says supports open Internet
Iran wants cooperation with Afghans and Tajikistan
Transocean gets 249 lawsuits, claims over oil spill
BlackBerry security backlash spreads to Lebanon
Venezuela slams meddling by nominee U.S. envoy
|
Suicide bomber kills 7 Afghan police in north
Facebook and other social media cost UK billions
Fires rage in Russia, death toll rises to 48
|
Singapore pushes responsible Internet use among youth
Kenya 'yes' camp hails referendum victory
US, UAE to hold expert talks on Blackberry: Clinton
French watchdog warns of iPhone hacker glitch
Pakistan floods head south after devastating trail
US declines to put NKorea back on terrorism blacklist
Myanmar dissident quits as head of democracy party
Mao's grandson eyes run at politics
Facebook and other social media cost UK billions
|
Activists clash with Taiwan police over China envoy
FCC chief says supports open Internet
|
Japan PM blames weak social bonds for missing centenarians
Delhi Games treasurer resigns but event 'on track'
Black vs Mexican conflict has New York City worried
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Indian central bank survey raises GDP growth forecast
Rock band Weezer signs to Epitaph
Largest Picasso painting exhibited in London
China faces dilemma in managing economy: central bank
Japan's NTT sees quarterly profit rise
Eminem leads U.S. singles chart for third week
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $16.50 bln
Naomi Campbell tells court of "dirty pebbles"
Film festival opens in once-violent West Bank town
Ballet star Duato ditches native Spain for Russia
Nigel Lythgoe returns to "American Idol"
A Minute With: Rob Reiner "Flipped" over love
Truth meets fiction for S.African crime writers
Eminem leads U.S. singles chart for third week
|
30th season will be the last for ET's Mary Hart
|
A Minute With: Rob Reiner Flipped over love
|
Nigel Lythgoe returns to American Idol
|
Rock band Weezer signs to Epitaph
|
Ballet star Duato ditches native Spain for Russia
|
Saddam aide says U.S. "leaving Iraq to the wolves"
German insurer Allianz says Q2 net profit plunged
Half million flee as floods threaten Pakistan's Sind
|
NATO acknowledges civilian deaths in Afghan clash
Watchers fear Google compromise on 'net neutrality'
U.S. attends Hiroshima bombing ceremony for first time
|
Russia struggles against spreading wildfires
Chavez may bar nominee U.S. envoy for meddling
|
US attends Hiroshima atomic memorial for first time
Saudis, RIM near solution on BlackBerry: source
Attack caused damage to Japan tanker: UAE agency
|
Fannie Mae loss shrinks to 3.1 billion dollars
After deadly clashes, Thai opposition regroups
|
Flash floods kill 58 in India's Ladakh
|
Chile mine collapse leaves around 30 trapped
|
Saddam aide says U.S. leaving Iraq to the wolves
|
Chavez may bar nominee U.S. envoy for "meddling"
U.S. Senate approves Obama top court nominee Kagan
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Australia launches foreign student safety campaign
Flash floods kill 60 in Indian Kashmir
Conn. shooter told 911 he 'handled the problem'
Flash floods kill 58 in India's Ladakh
China stops shipping on N.Korea river border
Political rivalry blamed for Filipino airport bomb
Saudi and RIM talks progress as Blackberry ban looms
|
S.Korea holds second day of anti-submarine drill
'Toyota defense' frees US man jailed in fatal car crash
China Unicom to finally roll out iPhone with WiFi
Beatles and iTunes deal still at impasse -- Yoko Ono
|
Taiwan in final review of AIG's stalled Nan Shan deal
Witness
Robbie Williams to marry US actress: report
Taiwan Air Force to pay airline record damages
Pakistani c.bank buys 10.9 bln rupees of govt paper
Seoul shares flat; exporters weighed by U.S. data
Wyclef Jean registers as Haiti presidential contender
Daewoo wins major Libyan power plant project
Beach Boys label after Katy Perry's "California Gurl"
PAKISTAN
Israeli art show's portrayal of FM as a pig sparks protests
S.Korea dealers suspect dlr-buying intervention
Appeal lodged after California gay marriage ban overturned
China on WTO pact offer: Don't be 'too demanding'
30th season will be the last for ET's Mary Hart
Beijing confirms bank test for property price drop
S.Korea bonds weaker on central bank caution
Wyclef Jean registers as Haiti presidential contender
|
Beatles and iTunes deal still at impasse -- Yoko Ono
|
Beach Boys label after Katy Perry's California Gurl
|
Obama Economic Advisor Returning To Academic World In Berkeley
U.S. Arrests Group Linked To Al-Shabab
US Vindicates Indian Allegations Against LeT, Urges Pakistan To Act
Report: Al-Qaeda "Most Formidable" Group Targeting America
Senate Approves Kagan For Supreme Court
Stocks Fall Amid Rise In Jobless Claims, Employment Report Scare
Health Inspectors Shut Down Little Girl's Lemonade Stand
Largest Ice Tea In The World?
Top Researchers Not Necessarily Leading Research Institutions
Western Refining To Shutter Virginia Plant
Russia Bans Grain Export As Drought Cuts Wheat Harvest Yields, Raise Prices
Police Told To Cover Up Ink
Rhode Island Most Liberal State According to Poll
Florida Man Bites Girlfriend's Finger Off
Georgia Bulldogs Ranked Top Party Animals
Laughter Still Is The Best Medicine For Aliments
Angela Scognamiglio Crowned Italys Miss Chubby Beauty Contest
UAE Suspending BlackBerry Service
Fray Widens As Copyright Attorneys May Have Pilfered Competitors Website
Botox Bandit Rips Off Fort Lauderdale Cosmetic Surgeon
Tanker damage blamed on attack, Japan seeks details
State-rescued bank RBS scrapes into profit
China says to maintain trade cooperation with Iran
|
Apple ordered to publicize iPod fix in Japan
Baghdad returns to map of global airlines
One dead and 30 injured as train derails in Naples
US insurer AIG reports $2.65 bln quarterly loss
BlackBerry services restored in Saudi despite ban
Turkish referendum opens wounds of 1980 coup
New 3D film recreates Warsaw after 1944 uprising
Health alarm as wildfire smog smothers Moscow
Planes diverted and offices close as smoke chokes Moscow
|
Pentagon urges WikiLeaks to return leaked documents
Apple in talks to buy China's Handseeing
Scientists find sea sponges share human genes
12 Afghan civilians, 1 NATO service member killed
Lebanon wants program to access BlackBerry info
Komorowski sworn in as Polish president
|
SKorea: Afghan guards faked attack on SKorean base
Italy PM to seek September confidence vote
|
Britain and Pakistan gloss over diplomatic spat
|
Campbell's dirty diamonds given to South Africa police
|
Sri Lanka leave India uphill task in final Test
Wyclef Jean bids for Haitian presidency
UK, Pakistan pledge unity in 'anti-terror' fight
Thai 'Yellow Shirts' plan Bangkok rally
To seal or sell? BP has options on remaining oil
Japan tanker was hit by 'terrorist attack'
States respond in health care overhaul lawsuit
Lebanon wants program to access BlackBerry info
|
Pakistan appeals for help over 'worst ever floods'
Apple ordered to publicize iPod fix in Japan
|
Convicted K.Rouge jailer hires new lawyer
Apple in talks to buy China's Handseeing
|
Cambodia to sign cooperation deal with Iran on oil
Flash floods kill 88 in Indian Kashmir: police
New 3D film recreates Warsaw after 1944 uprising
|
Apple eye Chinese game developer Handseeing
Kosovo war widows wage battle on tradition
BUY OR SELL-PE-backed Taiwan banks: China plays or money sinks?
Toyota's Japan hybrid sales top one million
Tata chairman successor to be chosen by March
Sime Darby exec. charged with graft in Malaysia
Seoul shares flat; exporters weighed by U.S. data
Campbell's dirty diamonds given to South Africa police
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights