View Full Version : General Election Dec. '07
General election to be held in December : Gen Surayud
Thai government is considering whether to carry out the general election on December 16 or 23, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Thursday.
"It will be either December 16 or 22, which are both Sunday. The mechanism will be ready, including the constitution," he said.
Therefore, the election will be held within this year as promised.
"The referendum on a new constitution will be held no later than September," he added.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/29/headlines/headlines_30030590.php
Selective quotes from a rather gloomy assessment, although Crispin's longer-term predictions seem almost inevitable - regardless of who forms the next government:
Thailand's rocky road ahead
By Shawn W Crispin
(The following is an excerpt from a longer presentation ATol Southeast Asia editor Shawn W Crispin made on Tuesday in Bangkok to a group of foreign-equity and investment-fund representatives now touring the region with US investment bank JP Morgan.)
If indeed investors prefer certainty in making their investment decisions, then Thailand is arguably not the best place for your money over the short or medium term. With the return of democracy later this year, Thailand is nonetheless headed toward a highly uncertain political period, one likely to be plagued by intense factional and political party infighting and the incessant shadow threat of another military intervention.
..........
I predict that the Democrat and Motherland parties will form the core of a new coalition government, also consisting of the smaller Chat Thai, Rak Chat and Mahachon parties, convened under a national-unity banner. That will put the PPP and a smattering of other smaller parties in the opposition.
I also predict that the marriage won't last longer than two years. As was the case throughout the 1990s, the coalition government will likely dissolve because of factional infighting, conflicts over government resources and allegations of the PPP-led opposition playing money politics to lure enough members of Parliament (MPs) into its camp to break the coalition government.
That would arguably set the stage for a new military intervention, completing the age-old cycle of Thai politics: coup, constitution, political parties, election, legislature, honeymoon period, crisis, new coup, and the installation of another - though not necessarily interim - military-appointed government that with the perceived failure of elected politicians would likely be less committed to returning the country to democracy.
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The uncertain future
It's important to note that there is a palpable feeling among certain elite circles that in recent years Thailand has opened too much, too fast to foreign investment in domestic-oriented industries and that new opportunities opening in the tourism and property sectors should prioritize Thai over foreign entrepreneurs.
To be sure, Thailand still wants and courts large-scale, export-oriented investments, but indications are that the door is closing and will likely continue to close on smaller-scale ventures that compete for domestic markets. No party has yet to play the anti-foreigner card overtly and I don't expect any of them will. But it's also interesting to note that the new constitution mandates that the next government implements King Bhumibol Adulyadej's sufficiency-economy concept and that the highly respected monarch himself said in a recent speech to officials that the philosophy should be fully, not partially, followed.
The unspoken subtext to all of this is the role of the palace, which by Thai law is above politics. The Privy Council advisory body to King Bhumibol was seen by many as instrumental in planning and staging last year's coup - though the council has denied it. Since the coup, the body's president, Prem Tinsulanonda, has been dragged in unprecedented fashion into the cut-and-thrust of Thai politics, with anti-junta groups rallying in front of his home and accusing him of, independent of the palace, masterminding last year's military intervention.
Many believe that for all the military's original stated motivations for launching the coup, including the allegations leveled against Thaksin of corruption, abuse of power and dangerously dividing the nation, it was royalist concerns that if he remained in power when the highly revered Bhumibol finally passes from the scene that the ambitious premier could have complicated the already delicate royal succession.
As Thailand prepares to celebrate King Bhumibol's 80th birthday in December, as always, speculation is rife among the chattering classes about his health. He had a major surgery last year and has a long history of heart ailments. Many Thais will tell you openly that they dread the uncertainty that the generational transition could cause, and many believe that with the eventual handover, the current centrality of the institution of the monarchy in Thai society could be at stake.
If that day were to arrive in the months ahead, it is highly likely that the military's concerns for national security would trump its stated commitment to uphold democracy and that royalist soldiers would move to dissolve government and resume their hold on power to manage the transition. And, as with last September's coup that ousted Thaksin, it would likely be a popular decision among Bangkok's upper and middle classes, who, as ever, despite all the talk of democracy, still dictate Thailand's political course.
Shawn W Crispin is Asia Times Online's Southeast Asia Editor. He may be reached at swcrispin@atimes.com.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/II13Ae01.html
General election to take place as planned
(BangkokPost.com) – Amidst growing rumours that the general election may not be held on December 23 as announced by the government, the Election Commission has reiterated that the election will be held as scheduled.
Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC) Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said preparations for the election are now 80 percent complete.
There has been widespread speculation that the election may be delayed due to the lack of progress in passing the three organic laws on the election.
Mr Suthipol, who will meet Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont this morning to discuss the election preparations, says he will assure the premier that everything will be completed in time to ensure the polls are held on the scheduled date.
May expire soon:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122309
SPECIAL
Plot to delay the election
Published on October 5, 2007
A group of powerful anti-Thaksin rivals allegedly wants to oust Surayud because of fears the ex-PM's party will win the poll.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has kept his guard up in recent weeks to ensure he survives a plot to postpone the election - due on December 23 - by derailing his premiership.
Fierce enemies of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra are getting tough in their campaign to oust Surayud in a bid to indefinitely postpone the poll, because the People Power Party - thought to be under Thaksin's influence - may have a chance of winning. They are upset more has not been achieved during the Surayud government's year in office and want more time to undermine his capacity to win the poll.
Key players in the alleged plot are familiar faces that worked hard to overthrow Thaksin during two years of political turmoil.
Prasong Soonsiri
Prasong, a fierce enemy of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is believed a mastermind behind the plan to delay the December 23 election. He is upset with Surayud, whom he said failed to accomplish the coup leaders' goal to eliminate Thaksin's ability to return to power.
Last week, Prasong led a group of about 30 members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), who called for a session to question PM Surayud over eight of his Cabinet members violating the shareholding limit and having conflicts of interest.
But what could be worse for Surayud, who insists he will not resign under any circumstances, is that Prasong aims to "execute" him by revealing evidence that reportedly shows the prime minister illegally owns a plot of land in a national park in Nakhon Ratchasima, as claimed previously.
Prasong made his move in response to an out-of-the-blue report by Klanarong Chantik, a member of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), that several ministers of Surayud violated the ethical standard for politicians.
Prasong has rapidly grasped the ball from Klanarong, one of his close allies and a fierce enemy of Thaksin, and appears keen to build up the issue into a national ethical issue. Other close allies have begun to call for Surayud to show responsibility.
PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan, allegedly a minister "sponsored" by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, urged those alleged ministers to quit to set a high ethical standard for politicians.
Media outlets under Sondhi Limthongkul's Manager Group played up the issue and said that Surayud should resign.
Sitthichai Pokaiyaudom, reportedly close to Sondhi, resigned as the Information and Communication Technology Minister shortly after he was named by Klanarong. Although his shareholdings did not violate the law according to the 2007 Constitution, he said it was his responsibility as a politician to step down.
With Sitthichai's rapid exit, the four other ministers found it hard to resist growing pressure and quit shortly after.
Saprang Kalayanamitr
Saprang is a military leader who played a key role in the September 19 coup. He had been the favoured candidate to succeed junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin as the Army chief-of-command.
Opponents of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra have from time to time called for Surayud to resign, but he has so far defied the pressure. They allege the PM was unwilling to punish Thaksin.
When the prime minister endorsed General Anupong Paochinda - a classmate of the former PM - to become the new Army chief, this was "the last straw" for Thaksin's rivals.
Prasong, Sondhi and leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy cried foul over the decision. They felt they were betrayed after years of fighting Thaksin until the military intervened and appointed Surayud as premier.
They wondered if Surayud had reached a deal with Thaksin to undermine their clout and pave the way for him to return to power.
A series of scandals involving Surayud's ministers has been revealed since Saprang was moved from a powerful post in the Army to a lesser role - deputy permanent secretary - at the Defence Ministry.
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi is one of the first of Thaksin's enemies to campaign against Surayud. His ties with Prasong Soonsiri and key members of the People's Alliance (PAD) are still solid despite Thaksin having been ousted a year ago.
Sondhi is disappointed with the Surayud government, which has not always cooperated with the anti-graft agencies looking into charges against Thaksin. He blamed Surayud for making a compromise with the ousted premier, saying it was like slapping the face of Thaksin's opponents, who could not accept such reconciliation.
ASTV and Phujadkan newspaper have, under Sondhi, attacked Surayud for more than half a year. Meanwhile, he backed his main ally General Saprang Kalayanamitr to become the Army chief. He claimed that only a strongman like Saprang would be able to resist Thaksin and his clan, which are said to be ready to spend a fortune to regain the reins of power. However, Surayud allowed Anupong to succeed General Sonthi.
Sondhi has travelled to the US to campaign among overseas Thais. Surayud is helping Thaksin to get back home by turning a blind eye to charges against the ousted premier. His voice has been a key part of the campaign for a "licence to kill" the softly spoken PM.
As part of the People's Alliance led by Sondhi and several other seasoned activists, key PAD member Somkiat Pongpaiboon led the Northeastern People's Assembly to call on Tuesday for Surayud to "show responsibility" for his ministers' ethical lapses and his own land scandal.
Somkiat allegedly has close ties with Kraisak Choonhavan, another fierce opponent of Thaksin and a key member of the Democrat Party who will supervise the party's campaign in the Northeast.
Somkiat warned that his movement would rally against the government if those ministers failed to show strong evidence to the NLA group [led by Prasong and members close to Sondhi and the PAD] to defending the allegations in the upcoming debate.
Klanarong Chantik
Without reporting to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Klanarong, a National Counter Corruption Commissioner, told the press on Sept 20 three ministers were found to have shareholdings over the legal limit. His surprising move has been linked the plot to oust Surayud and alleged plan to delay the election till some time in the New Year.
Klanarong, who was involved in the assets concealment case against Thaksin in mid-2001, claimed that because of a technicality - the suspension of the 1997 Constitution - none of the three could be charged. However, he pointed out that the NCCC deemed it as misconduct.
Shortly afterward, five other ministers were named has having conflicts of interest. Within a week or so, five of these Cabinet members decided to quit after facing growing pressure.
Klanarong denied the NCCC had a hidden agenda to cooperate with Prasong and other rivals of Thaksin to remove Surayud, saying it was coincidental this his move was followed by an attempt by almost 30 NLA members, led by Prasong, to censure Surayud over his land scandal and ministers' holdings.
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi recently retired as the Army chief and resigned as chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS). He was then appointed into the Surayud government as deputy prime minister for security affairs.
Junta leader Sonthi is alleged to be part of the plot. He is quoted several times by military sources as saying he had told Prasong Soonsiri about his strategic moves. Although Sonthi would be out of a job if Surayud was forced to resign, he may also have a chance to become the next prime minister.
If Surayud quits, it is not clear, according to the 2007 Constitution, who would succeed him because Parliament does not formally exist until an elected government takes power. Given that potential power vacuum, and legal loopholes, anti-Thaksin forces could find a "proper" way to propel Sonthi to power.
In early May, the then CNS chief reportedly sent a signal to Surayud that his time as PM was running out. More than 50 activists from the Assembly of Isaan People met with Sonthi, and urged him to remove the PM from office "before the country fell apart".
In an uncommon approach to his visitors, Sonthi opened a meeting room at the Army headquarters to welcome the group, then promised to consider their request. They even took group photographs.
Given the supposed rift with Surayud and close tie to Prasong - Sonthi could get most benefit from Surayud leaving.
Weerayut Chokchaimadon
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/05/politics/politics_30051381.php
Cabinet approves Dec 23 election
Published on October 17, 2007
The Cabinet yesterday approved the draft royal decree setting December 23 as the date for the general election, the secretary-general of the Election Commission (EC) said.
Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont would present the draft to His Majesty the King next week for royal endorsement.
The decree will take effect a day after it is published in the Royal Gazette.
He said the registration of candidates would be carried out early next month.
A source familiar with the draft said registration of party-list candidates would be held from November 7 to 11 while registration of constituency candidates would be from November 6 to 12.
Sutthipol said the Cabinet approved the draft as prepared by the EC, so all the key dates would be the same as those earlier agreed by the agency.
He said the EC would also campaign for people living or working outside their home provinces to register to cast their votes in advance. The voters would need only their identification cards to register for the right of advance voting from October 22 to November 22, he said.
He added that the EC would not begin the tackle the issue of election campaign adverts on electronic media until the royal decree comes into effect.
The EC resolved yesterday that provinces will be grouped into eight constituencies with similar voter populations and represented by 10 party-list MPs each.
This approach was picked out of six proposals for organising the eight electorates because more than 20 political parties including the Democrats and Pracharaj backed it as the best arrangement, EC member Praphan Naikowit said.
The decision will take effect after being published in the Royal Gazette soon.
Under the old 1997 Constitution, all 76 provinces were regarded as a single party-list constituency for 100 party-list MPs. The new charter staffs the House with 400 constituency MPs and 80 party-list MPs.
Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary-general of the People Power Party, said the EC's third option was more consistent with the new principle for zoning, which assigns provinces to constituencies according to their socio-cultural profiles.
The first pattern, which was selected by most political parties, divided provinces only by population, he said.
"For example, the first pattern put Nakhon Ratchasima in the same zone with provinces in the Central region. But we know well that Korat [Nakhon Ratchasima] belongs to the Northeast [in terms of culture and lifestyles]," he said.
However, the composition of the constituencies would not make much of a difference to the voter bases for political parties, he added.
Atthayuth Butrsripoom,
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Hassaya Chartmontri
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/17/headlines/headlines_30052736.php
Election decree gets Royal endorsement
The election decree has received Royal endorsement and is expected to be declared in the Royal Gazette by next Wednesday, said Surachai Phuprasert, the Cabinet secretary general.
He said on Friday that the decree takes effect the day after it is announced in the Royal Gazette.
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Cabinet expected the election decree to take effect from next Thursday.
The general election is scheduled for December 23.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/19/politics/politics_30053107.php
The Enforcer!
04-11-07, 07:56 AM
I notice that the ECT site in English contains nothing about the forthcoming election.
Is there anywhere to see a list or map of Bangkok Constituencies?
The Enforcer!
Experts attack populist policies
Published on November 5, 2007
Handouts won't end poverty, show politicians' poor opinion of rural voters: panel
All political parties, large and small, are trying to woo the electorate with populist policies ahead of the election, but experts say it will not bridge the gap between rich and poor in the long run.
"It will only lead to a phoney poverty-eradication programme," said Chulalongkorn University political scientist Prapas Pintobtaeng.
Prapas, who has done plenty of research on rural poverty, said populist handouts like cheap loans and debt moratoriums will not address the issue of agricultural production and farmers' debt as the sector will continue to bleed and turn rural farmers into seasonal unskilled workers in the cities.
He voiced his concerns last week at a roundtable discussion organised by Nation Multimedia Group.
"It's also risky to fiscal discipline," said Songtham Pinto, a macro-economist from the Bank of Thailand.
He said that many of the promised freebies could bankrupt the national treasury. While acknowledging that populist policies were not wrong per se, he said their success depended on how they were implemented by political parties.
Viroj na Ranong, a senior research specialist with the Thailand Development Re-search Institute Foundation (TDRI), said the media's stereotyping of the poor as rural voters who were "addicted" to populist policies was disturbing because it revealed a deep-rooted bias against the poor.
Viroj reminded the panel that the rich got their own handouts from the Thaksin Shinawatra administration through assistance with non-performing loans.
"If you really count it, the cost of assistance given to the rich may be even higher than that given to the poor. I feel disturbed with the view that the poor are addicted [to populist policies] because it reflects a belief that the poor are lazy and do not know how to look after their interests."
But the panel agreed that the various populist policies are here to stay as long as politicians feel they can make instant electoral gains from promises made to voters. Bridging the social and economic gaps will require quality education, increasing the ability of people to learn and progressive taxes that cover inheritance tax, land tax and so on.
Songtham said that although farmers made up more than half of the workforce, the farming sector accounted for only 9 per cent of the GDP.
"In the long run, we must nurture people's ability to think and that doesn't mean just schooling," he said, adding that Thai soap operas filled with violence and romance revealed much about the condition of society.
Viroj agreed, but stressed that middle-class people also have a problem.
"If our population is not a quality population and is easily manipulated over the past year, such as the middle class [was manipulated by the junta], then it's tough. People were raised in a culture where followers and those with less power simply followed and trusted those with power," he said.
"Any state that reduces its own citizens to docile followers will never achieve greatness. I feel as if we're living in a cultural revolution [like China].
"Those with reserved power preach to people all the time about morality and ethics, but look where we are now. Perhaps this is the country with the most preaching. We ought to let people think more freely."
Prapas said the issues of natural resources, government budget allocation and progressive taxes cannot be overlooked.
Another TDRI researcher, Somchai Jitsuchon, said that people must have more to say about how to manage their own natural resources.
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/05/headlines/headlines_30054887.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/05/headlines/headlines_30054887.php
New Mandala has since reported Viroj na Ranong's words in a bit more depth. I wonder who blundered by incorrectly terming HM the King's 'Sufficiency Economy' as 'Self-Sufficiency'. The latter has absolutely nothing in common with the former:
Viroj na Ranong, a senior research specialist with the Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation (TDRI), said the media’s stereotyping of the poor as rural voters who were “addicted” to populist policies was disturbing because it revealed a deep-rooted bias against the poor. Viroj reminded the panel that the rich got their own handouts from the Thaksin Shinawatra administration through assistance with nonperforming loans. “If you really count it, the cost of assistance given to the rich may be even higher than that given to the poor. I feel disturbed with the view that the poor are addicted [to populist policies] because it reflects a belief that the poor are lazy and do not know how to look after their interests.” If one is critical of populist policies offered by various parties, Viroj said, one should also be critical of what he called “royalist populism”, wherein people implement initiatives inspired by His Majesty the King such as the so-called “self-sufficiency” economy in a totally uncritical manner. “Royalist populism is also risky like those in Latin America,” Viroj explained.
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/11/05/royalist-populism/#comments
Nakon Sri Thammarat is notorious for its electoral gunmen. Although any excuse is good enough to settle an old score with gunplay:
Deadly row
Published on November 9, 2007
A shouting match between supporters of Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and People Power leader Samak Sundaravej turned deadly in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday.
Samak admirer Thepnimit Kongjan, a village headman, shot and killed Abhisit fan Vichan Santivorakul, a local administrator, after arguing and drinking at a funeral.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/09/politics/politics_30055448.php
And speaking of unseemly behavior, here is Samak himself proving yet again what an utter savage he really is!:
Samak gets vulgar in exchange with media
Published on November 9, 2007
People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday blew his top, asking one reporter if he had sinful sex the night before after he was pressed about the role of two banned political figures in developing his party's line-up.
The heated war of words between Samak and the media erupted after a group of reporters asked him whether Newin Chidchob and Sudarat Keyuraphan, two top members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, had helped him in compiling the PPP's party-list candidates.
Using Pali, the sacred language of Buddhism, to bite back at the question that struck his last good nerve, Samak asked if one of the Siam Rath reporters had had sinful sex the night before.
Other reporters joined the fray, pressing Samak harder on the issue in an apparent attempt to help out a fellow journalist who was caught off guard.
"I have no duty to answer this question. Who told you to ask me? I will not answer,'' Samak said.
The reporter persisted and asked him if by not answering meant he was not denying the fact.
Samak hit back: "Not answering does not mean not denying. Do not pose a question as if you were a court. Do not scratch to create damage to the party. I will charge and sue everyone who asks such questions. Who hired you to ask that?'' The reporter replied that the public hired him. Samak then snapped: "Bring me the list of the people."
He then tried to turn the tables, asking the reporter how he would feel if such a damaging question were posed against Siam Rath.
The reporter said its management would have to clarify the accusation.
"You are the management of the party," the reporter said. "You have to answer because the public wants to know.'' Samak said: "If I ask you … do not think that I am rude, whether you had sexual intercourse last night.''
In what appeared to be a strange way of showing support to the party boss, some PPP candidates at the press conference let out a big laugh as Samak hit back with his question.
Samak was asked why it was inappropriate for reporters to ask such a question as it was about the party.
He said: "Do not intrude into the party's issues. Do you want to disclose the party's issues to destroy it? If you do not want to destroy it, do not ask this."
A Channel 7 reporter said the question was asked because Newin and Sudarat were among the 111 Thai Rak Thai executives who have been banned from politics. Samak said: "Thank you for explaining."
But the TV reporter insisted on asking if the report was true. Samak angrily hit back: "What is the damn use of telling you? If I do not answer, will you bring me to court? I will not answer.''
Then a reporter from The Nation pursued the same topic, saying many people had confirmed that Newin was involved in arranging the party-list MP candidates.
Samak asked the reporter which newspaper she represented. When he discovered she worked for The Nation, he asked her: "Has The Nation put its tower up for sale? You tell me first."
The reporter said the news about the sale of the building was true, but she could not answer any more questions, saying only The Nation management could answer.
"You are the management of the party - you have to answer on the party's behalf,'' the reporter persisted.
Samak refused. "I know you are doing your job but I answer only what I know. Do not be stubborn in asking me."
The Nation reporter said she had been reporting on Thai Rak Thai news since the party was born and had never wanted to harm the party.
"So what? If you have never thought of that, then do not ask. Others do not ask. They have manners,'' Samak said.
People Power MP candidates of Bangkok expressed concern about the war of words between their leader and the media. They fear that Samak's harsh personality will ruin their chance of winning in the capital.
Kesinee Jaikawang
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/09/politics/politics_30055452.php
Wisarut
09-11-07, 09:50 AM
Yah the correct translation of this vulgarity by AI Samak would be:
"Who did you COPULATE with last night?"
Now, Matichon has poitn out hte cracks within PPP -> Newin & UDD vs. Sudarat.
It seems to me that Ee Sudarat is lostign influence sicne Ai Maew decided to take side with Ai Newin and UDD Men ... who go AGAINST Papa Prem to please Ai Maew.
I think we can safely leave the 'serious' political discussion to those who stand to benefit most from making complete jackasses of themselves at every election. Unable to even earn 500 baht for voting, I prefer to get my pound of humorous flesh out of this unending farce:
12 November 2007
Authorities apprehend two men attempting to set fire to the Democracy Monument
Fire fighters traveled to control flames after 2 men were about to set fire to the Democracy Monument in protest of the upcoming general election. Sumranrach (สำราญราษฎร์) Police Station authorities apprehended the two men along with 6 gallons of thinner fluid, 2 gallons of gasoline, 50 square slices of tire rubber and 20 candles as well as pamphlets opposing the election and the constitution.
Authorities escorted the men to Sumranrach police station for questioning and arrested the men for attempted arson and destruction of public property. During questioning one of the men evaded police to the top of Democracy Monument and made several statements in protest of the government and the upcoming election.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011110017
Leena to sue party leader, Prachai
(BangkokPost.com) – It looks like Leena Jangjanja is intent on giving Matchimathipataya party leader Prachai Leohapairatana a hard time for not fielding her in the election.
She is said to be preparing to file charges against Mr Prachai, asking for one billion baht in financial compensation.
Leena Jangjanja - a former Bangkok governor candidate, disqualified for sponsoring a parade with scantily-clad girls - told reporters Mr Prachai’s party had annulled a document approving her as an eligible candidate to contest the upcoming general election.
She also claimed to have been offered one million baht by the party in exchange of her decision not to contest the election. According to her, she had already refused the offer.
Suthipol Thaweechaikarn, Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), declined to comment much on the case, stating that EC regulations usually applied in cases where political parties attempted to bribe candidates into running in the election race.
“There has never been a case in which the party attempted to bribe a candidate not to contest the election so we will have to examine Ms Leena’s documents before deciding what to do,” Mr Suthipol said.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=123499
mdechgan
12-11-07, 11:33 AM
Anybody have a list in English of the parties and candidates?
I am very interested in the election yet I have no idea who is who.
However I still can't believe how the Thai people allow this idiot Samak to still be in politics. If his party does win this election there is no hope for democracy in Thailand. If the PPP does win it will be because rural and lower class majority have sold their votes, their freedoms, their rights, their ideals for a few hundred baht. I just don't think the Thai people are ready for a democracy.
Vote buying still exists. I've seen it and experienced it myself. Even recently while I was in the chinatown area. Usually there is some called a "head score caller" or "caller of scores head" This person has a jurisdiction over a particular area like other of the same. Usually this person is a very large person in his area. Kinda like a local mafia boss, etc. Someone with large influence in his area. He is loaded with 500 baht bills which he uses to tell people to vote for so and so etc. Sometimes free bottles of whiskey, cartons of cigarettes. Also if you vote you will recieve free fire extinguishers, mail boxes, etc. He is also the one that organises the rally buses. Get on this bus, van and you will receive free food, etc. To report him to the EC is unthinkable. He is a very large person with influence over your family's and neighbors' businesses. So no one will dare to report. Even if somone wants to report how? Where to contact? Too much hassle, so might as well take the 500 baht for some food and beer. If he is reported someone is always eager to take his place. He gets paid so and so amount of money for a number of votes. If not enough votes are registered for his particular party he is immediately replaced by someonelse that will try even harder to get more votes.
GWR’s comment #2's quotation from New Mandalla--which, in turn, quoted a Nation URL contains a serious mistake. I already responded to it in the New Mandala page as follows:
“I have just seen this post and would like to set the record straight.
The content and qoutation below was, in fact, an editorial error.
” If one is critical of populist policies offered by various parties, Viroj said, one should also be critical of what he called “royalist populism”, wherein people implement initiatives inspired by His Majesty the King such as the socalled “selfsufficiency” economy in a totally uncritical manner. “Royalist populism is also risky like those in Latin America,” Viroj explained.”
I don’t see it in the following URL, so I presume that Khun Pravit Rojanaphruk had realized that and corrected it.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/05/headlines/headlines_30054887.php
I believe that the comment above should be attributed to Dr.Prapas Pintobtang, who was the real panelist who employed–and probably invented– the term “Royalist Populism.” For those who interested to hear that term, Prapas also mentioned it in the video file posted in Bangkokbiznews.com
In my own view, the movement we see in Thailand has only one common emphasis as those in Latin America, i.e., the anti-globalization element.”
Cabinet declares Dec 24 be public holiday
(BangkokPost.com) - The cabinet declared on Tuesday that Dec 24 be a national holiday to encourage people living away from homes to return to take part in the Dec 23 general election.
Deputy Interior Minister Thirawut Butrsripoom said the government expected that this will help increase voter turnout.
The government hopes that turnout will be 70%.
Central bank will cooperate with commercial banks to announce to public that all the banks close on that day.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=123538
Not sure that 'working class' is really an appropriate construct here anyway!:
No clear party policies seen for working class
Published on November 17, 2007
Despite the seemingly endless choice of parties in the coming general election, labour experts say not one truly represents workers - either blue- or white-collar - and none has impressed them.
"They're not different and their policies to help workers are superficial," said labour expert Sakdina Chatrakul na Ayudhya. "Most major parties are neo-liberal and pay little interest to the labour sector. I don't see any party preparing a labour expert in their line-up to take the post of labour minister."
Labour researcher Bandit Thanachaisaettawut of the Arom Pongpangan Foundation agrees, though he thinks many parties could have policies that would please workers. "The Democrat Party is the only party that has forwarded me its labour policy outline," he said. "They may expand social security to cover workers in the non-formal sector and increase protection of women and children labourers."
However, Bandit remains sceptical. "I think many policies are about election campaigning and the chance of [the parties] following through after being elected are slim, especially if there isn't enough pressure."
What's more, Bandit says many labour policies promoted by parties are more social or populist policies.
Sakdina and Bandit agree that no strong party will represent workers for years to come for several reasons.
"There is no ideology-based effort. This can only succeed when society accepts a socialist ideology to a certain degree. We need social democrats," said Sakdina. "The unionisation rate is very low, just 1.4 per cent out of 35.5 million formal and informal workers."
Many workers can't vote in the city or province that they work in, adds Bandit, thus diluting their votes because they have to return to their home provinces to vote, while in rural provinces agricultural issues dominate.
Bandit added that during the decades of dictatorship in Thailand, big business and the middle class grew but the labour movement was squashed. "There's no mass party representing workers," he pointed out. "Thai politics today is still about groups of politicians more than a political party as an institution. Power is centred on the party leader and the financier.
"I don't see any parties being sincere to workers," he said, adding that none has offered to decentralise the Social Security Fund, which is now worth Bt400 billion and subject to government abuse.
While some groups have attempted to promote small labour-oriented parties, Bandit sees these efforts as acts of well-intended intellectuals that failed to truly galvanise popular labour consciousness.
However, Sakdina thinks such efforts should be supported.
Both agree that if Thai workers are without real representation, migrant labours will be in an even more precarious situation.
"I'm worried about them. The mass media are fanning ultra-nationalism and portray them as a problem," said Sakdina.
"From what I saw of the Democrats' policy on migrant workers, it is to make them legal in order to prevent them causing security problems and stealing jobs from Thai workers. This is a typical state view," said Bandit. "What they should do is offer them protection." [Mod: Related Thread - http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18172&postcount=2]
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/17/politics/politics_30056439.php
Wisarut
17-11-07, 07:05 PM
Not sure that 'working class' is really an appropriate construct here anyway!:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/17/politics/politics_30056439.php
Well, the incident of General Strike by SRT Union have create Strong Distrust on the Union for bnoth capitalists as well as the middle class alike ....
Worse still, you could hear ANTI Illegal Immigrant workers flamign aroudn the community radios .... ready to ignite the incidents of Persecution/Pogroms of illigal immigrant communities such as fisher men villages in Mahachai or so ... at ANY Second ... just a matter of time .... :eek:
This isn't exactly a new story, but I'm rather taken by the photo:
http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd11
Local candidate pulls stunt during registration
Saksit Meesubkwang
The first day of local proportional zoning for Minister of Parliament candidates produced an overwhelming number of hopefuls who showed up at the Chiang Mai Municipal stadium.
http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/pictures/n13-248.jpg[Photo: Chiangmai Mail - Surapong Tovichakchaikul, right, a candidate of People Power party for Chiang Mai constituency walks with his supporter wearing a mask of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as he arrives to register for the general election in Chiang Mai. (CMM Photo)]
The candidates began arriving in the early morning hours of Nov. 12 to draw numbers and begin their candidacy requirements for the general election that will take place on December 23.
Enthusiastic supporters from each party also showed up to cheer on their favored candidates.
When Suraphong Towijackchaikul registered to his name, he concealed his face but not his loyalties by wearing a huge mask bearing the face of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Category 4 covers political hitmen, but what do we make of Category 3, "potential imposters". At a rough guess, Burmese fishermen & factory workers, expatriate teachers, Pattaya sexpats, Sven Goran Erickson, Temasek, NGOs, Gi or Jon Ungkapakorn, 2bangkok readers, ..........::eek:
21 November 2007
Region 5 Police Commander reveals 4 groups of suspected political interlopers
Commander of the Provincial Police Region 5 Police Lieutenant General Theerasak Chukitkhun (ธีรศักดิ์ ชูกิจคุณ) revealed that after submitting instructions to police to monitor activity to safeguard the upcoming election 100 suspicious individuals have been found in the northern region. Police have divided the 100 people into 4 suspect groups.
The first group is comprised of out of uniform soldiers and policemen which police have thus ordered all personnel to return to their posts for inspection. The second group are retired government officials. The third are potential impostors and the fourth are suspected mercenaries.
Police have been dispatched to closely monitor suspicious activities. The officers have been instructed to report back to their superiors promptly.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011200030
See also Frontpage throughout the General Election campaign for excruciating examples of this debased artform. :rolleyes: The election is on December 23:
http://www.2bangkok.com
About campaign posters
Published on November 22, 2007
Visual pollution in Bangkok is always at its worse during elections.
But this year the walls of placards that block views and create hazards are remarkably few.
By law, local administrations can direct where candidates are allowed to put up their posters and campaign materials.
For Bangkok, the metropolitan administration has been quite firm on placard placement. Candidates can display their pictures in most public places except for the following:
Median strips and traffic islands, flyovers, pedestrian bridges, bridges, traffic fences besides roads, traffic signs and signals, government announcements, walls of government buildings, trees and light poles on traffic islands, bus stops, public telephone booths, public toilets, Sanam Luang, public parks, public recreation areas and roundabouts.
The Royal Plaza, Rajdamnoen Avenue and roads surrounding the Grand Palace and Chitralada Palace are also strictly off limits.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/22/politics/politics_30056998.php
23 November 2007
BTS administrators state providing cheaper service still a difficulty
President of the Bangkok Transit System (BTS) Board of Administration Keeree Kanjonpat (คีรี กาญจนพาสน์) revealed that though many political parties at the moment are promoting themselves by promising cheaper BTS rates, it is not a feasible possibility. Mr. Keeree said it was the right of election candidates to state their claims, but based on his own perspective he cannot foresee a workable process to achieve lowered rates.
The BTS board president stated that if there was government assistance, lowered fares were a possibility. With the present state though, he revealed that the BTS is still not making a profit with minimum prices and constant promotional discounts.
Mr. Keeree said though the BTS has experienced a 6 percent increase in public usage, a 10 percent increase is still needed to take it out of the red.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011220028
See also Frontpage throughout the General Election campaign for excruciating examples of this debased artform. :rolleyes: The election is on December 23:
http://www.2bangkok.com
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/22/politics/politics_30056998.php
26 November 2007
BMA amends public property regulation
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Chief Pongsak Saemsun (พงศ์ศักติฐ์ เสมสันต์) indicated that as the BMA has restricted the use of campaign advertisements to be pasted on government property, candidates have found it hard to find non-government or non-private property to attach their ads.
The BMA has thus amended its general regulation concerning public property owned by the government. The amendment now specifically lists what objects are off limits. The items listed were mail boxes, police posts, monuments, public restrooms and bus stops.
The BMA has also organized 12 stages for use by parties in giving speeches and campaigning. Parties can currently apply to use the stages which are can be found in each district.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011260001
Voting ≠ Democracy ≠ Justice
Harrison George
30 November 2007
Alien Thoughts
I hate to say this, but I do think we are losing the plot with these elections. There seems to be a widespread misunderstanding that they have something to do with democracy, compounded by a second misunderstanding that somehow democracy is good for everyone.
In a sort of time warp incident, I was recently visited by someone who was in Thailand almost 20 years ago, but had since been following news from Thailand from the western mainstream press. In other words, he'd almost completely lost touch. He knew that we'd had a coup and bought Manchester City, but not much else.
Imagine his confusion to find that Samak Sundaravej (he of the multiple libel suits) is an odds on bet to become Prime Minister and that Banharn Silapa-archa is being touted in a king-maker role. When small men make big shadows and all that, but these are politicians whose lights went out years ago in black holes of incompetence.
Now next month everybody will dutifully go and put crosses on the most complicated ballot form that Thailand has ever devised (the Election Commission has already conceded that this fact alone is likely to cause many unintentionally invalid ballots). But this is far from being a democratic exercise.
Let us put aside for the moment the high visibility vote-buying and even the low visibility MP-buying. Let us also put aside the malign influence of the patron-client system on any equitable system of governance. (Would you dare vote against the orders of the person you're up to your neck in debt to? Because that's the situation many voters find themselves in.)
There are too many people who are not free to vote for the candidate of their choice. The military, for instance, are busy telling their people how to vote. The ‘by the left, vote right' conscripts are marched to the polls to ensure that Dusit constituency, for example, will elect the army's favourite son. (The army doesn't have favourite daughters and in times past Samak was their darling. How times have changed.)
Then there are some strangely lop-sided raids and accusations flying about. And we mustn't forget that substantial areas of the country are still under martial law. By one of those amazing coincidences, these areas correlate very closely with those that voted down the constitution at the August referendum, where ‘no' votes were interpreted as signs of pro-Thai Rak Thai (aka People Power Party) sentiment.
‘The strongest argument against democracy,' said Winston Churchill, ‘is a five minute discussion with the average voter.' It wouldn't take nearly that long with the average Thai military officer. General Sonthi, whose CNS had dragooned military personnel, government officials, local government officers and their families to vote yes at the referendum, and who had tried their best to squelch any anti-referendum voices, declared that result a ‘victory for democracy'. He's in charge of the committee to stop vote-buying in this next election. And hoping for another ‘victory', one assumes.
But even if we did have a level electoral playing field, will this exercise in democracy do us any good? If the Thaksin proxies win, the military will fear revenge and may be provoked into something silly. If they lose, we can expect even more non-democratic laws and regulations to eliminate their chances of ever taking power again.
With society as polarized as it is, democracy stops meaning ‘rule by the people' and starts meaning ‘licence for the majority to suppress the minority'.
If we accepted that everyone has the same basic rights, including the right to disagree with us, and if we had a more respectful attitude to these rights of others (even people we can't for the life us stand), then we might not be so worried.
But does Thai society have this respect for minority rights? The signs are not good. A recent survey of attitudes to the migrant labour that built the sky train and catches and processes most of our fish showed that 75% of Thais think that migrants should work as hard as Thais but should get paid less, and 60% thought they should have no right to freedom of expression. Perhaps so that they won't be able to complain about the discrimination they suffer.
Maybe this explains the general lack of outrage at decrees that migrant labourers can't drive, can't assemble, can't use mobile phones, and, if they get pregnant, can't have their babies in this country. We can only hope that when the Internal Security Act starts inflicting similar violations on the rights of Thais, there might be a bit more reaction.
No matter who you cast your vote for next month, it's unlikely to solve this kind of problem.
http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=402
The Enforcer!
12-12-07, 07:30 AM
I am aware that it is usual election law that there is no alcohol on the day of or prior to an election, in this case 22nd and 23rd December.
However I have heard rumours from various bars and from a Foodland employee that this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (14th to 16th December) are also 'No Booze' days.
Can anyone enlighten me on this?
The Enforcer!
Stephen Cleary
12-12-07, 07:59 AM
This isnae just a rumour like, they really have ordered that sales of hootch be disallowed for the two weekends. Well.... that's according to reports on the TV and radio.
How seriously they are gonna implement regulation enforcement though is a completely different matter. And especially in regards to this coming weekend.
Like you said, it's been normal policy for donkey's years that sales be forbidden on election days but this one about one week prior is completely unique.
And this government once promised to 'win the hearts and the minds of the people'?
Absolute lunacy!
FarangBha
13-12-07, 09:09 AM
No booze anywhere in CM - even 5 star hotels, I checked - 14,15,16th.
Wisarut
13-12-07, 09:53 AM
In such as case, you bettter rely upon the moonshines ... :p
The Enforcer!
13-12-07, 10:07 AM
I got the confirmation yesterday from the boys in brown at Lumpini - due to Pre-Election voting on 15th and 16th, there is no alcohol on 14th from 6pm until midnight on 16th/17th.
I hope that they have warned all incoming tourists that five days of their fortnight's holiday in Thailand are dry!
The Enforcer!
Jromerz
13-12-07, 02:03 PM
Yes, a great way for them to enjoy this holiday season, and a great boost to the country's tourist economy!
doseiai
13-12-07, 04:37 PM
Hmm...looks like someone's liver could use the rest. :D
Here's what Phuket's finest have to say on the matter:
http://www.phuketgazette.com/news/index.asp?id=6156
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Bars must close this weekend – and the next
PHUKET: The upcoming general election will be a sobering experience for the island’s party people, as a ban on alcohol sales will force bars to close for two consecutive weekends – starting at 6 pm tomorrow night.
Phuket Election Commission Director Supap Akkam this morning confirmed that the new election law prohibits alcohol sales not only on election day, but during the two-day advance voting period the week before.
As advance voting will be held this Saturday and Sunday, the ban on alcohol begins tomorrow at 6 pm. At that time, all bars and other outlets vending alcohol must cease sales until midnight on Sunday – or face arrest, he said.
All political campaigning is banned from 8 am Saturday until 6 pm on Sunday, he added.
The same ban on alcohol sales will also apply during the poll on December 23, when alcohol sales will be banned from 6 pm on Saturday, December 22 until midnight the following day.
Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette that police will strictly enforce the ban, the purpose of which is to prevent drunken behavior that could disrupt polling or lead to violations of electoral law.
With two consecutive high-season weekends sacrificed to the cause of democracy, publicans can take some solace in the fact that all nightspots in Phuket will be allowed to remain open throughout the night on New Year’s Eve.
The official closing time that night has been moved to 6 am on New Year’s Day, Col Paween said.
Normal closing times will apply on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which are not official holidays in Thailand, he said.
This will never stop votebuyers. Only direct prosecution might POSSIBLY stop votebuyers. Have you noticed any votebuyers getting 6 year sentences lately? The law is an ass! See also previous post::D
14 December 2007
Alcohol to be banned during the election
As to ensure the sanctity of the election, a measure has been implemented which will ban the sale of alcohol preceding and during the election day. The ban will apply to all entertainment venues as well as convenience stores with authorities reiterating that the measure is serious.
Alcoholic beverages will be taken off shelves on Saturday December 22nd and stay off until midnight of December 23rd. Authorities state that the measure is to ensure that people are fully ready for the election as well as to not allow vote-canvassers to organize parties to sway voters.
People who break the ban will face a hefty fine of up to 10,000 baht or up to six years in prison.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
The Enforcer!
15-12-07, 08:35 AM
Only direct prosecution might POSSIBLY stop votebuyers.
The only real way to stop vote-selling/buying is to educate the mass of the population to the level where they can earn a respectable living wage. That will then put the cost of buying the vote too high for corrupt politicians to pay.
In all countries where there the national economy does not give a liveable wage to all (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia etc) "Democracy" has no real meaning for those who are hungry, or living in a shack, or too old or infirmed to work.
Sadly 75 years of democracy in Thailand has not raised everyone to the same or even similar levels of income as was the original idea. Politicians and the Military have spent most of their time infighting to develop a broadband economy that benefits all. Ironically it came down to a politician with little regard for the democratic process to actual give something to the poor of the nation .... 30 Baht healthcare, village loans, free cows etc.
The ban on alcohol pre-election is merely a symptom of the failure of the democratic process at this point in time and unless the incoming government seriously tackles the inequalities of the Thai economy, such symptoms will remain.
The Enforcer!
Wisarut
17-12-07, 12:01 PM
Booze Banning does NOT create a good democracy
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000148875
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=941&Itemid=31
Thailand’s Democracy Drought
Our Correspondent
18 December 2007
The Kingdom goes dry – well, semi-dry – in advance of elections.
During one of the year’s heaviest tourist seasons, Thailand’s military-backed government has banned alcohol sales for two consecutive election weekends. This could seem to be very bad news for thirsty non-voting expatriates, but life has a way of working out.
“Man, that’s coffee,” observed the live entertainment, a soulful American keyboardist, as he savored the contents of a mug at his side. The dozen or so customers in the pub, whose tables also had coffee mugs rather than the beer bottles or cocktail glasses one would normally see here on a Friday night, seemed to agree.
“Kafae ni mai rawn” (this coffee is cold) I had pointed out to the comely waitress when my own mug arrived, and she politely giggled at my lame attempt at humor. Icy cold, in fact, and tasting rather like a certain Singaporean brew made with hops and named after a striped cat. My companion, meanwhile, reported that his “coffee” had the distinct bouquet of Jack Daniels.
Later, a cruise through the Soi Cowboy area found the normally bustling strip of go-go bars much quieter than normal on a Friday evening. Most had opted to stay open with large signs out front proclaiming that only soft drinks and the like were available, but at least one chain of bars shut down all of its venues. Thailand’s other great economic driver, the sex industry, seemed thrown for a loop.
Except for the so-called Dark Age of a couple of years ago, during the morality crackdown under then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the governor of Bangkok, the girlie bars of Soi Cowboy and vicinity have not faced anything like a Christmas period two-weekend ban. In places that were open, a few sad-looking foreigners could be seen nursing colas and water bottles as the dancing young women gazed glumly down from their brass-poled perches – sober foreigners are just not that much fun, and their pocketbooks were more likely to stay closed.
This was our investigative experience on December 14, the first evening of the sudden and unwelcome alcohol ban in the Land of Smiles. The purported reason: the Dec. 23 general election, with the first weekend being set aside for advance polling. The second weekend will be election time – and one of the busiest weekends of the year, since it is Christmas season.
Before we found our pub with its “brewed” coffee, we found masses of confused people wondering what the hell happened. Some were tourists who had just arrived to sample Bangkok’s renowned nightlife; others were locals who had simply not heard of the booze ban.
Indeed, the mini-prohibition had either been an afterthought or, more likely, was simply kept under wraps for reasons known only to the authorities. Whatever the truth of the matter, the evidence is that even some Thai-owned establishments were only notified a day or two ahead of time, and some Christmas parties and other events had already been planned and venues booked.
Thailand, of course, is well known for its frequent alcohol bans, usually for important Buddhist holidays or the King’s birthday, but often for less comprehensible reasons.
Bans for elections are a long tradition, and apparently serve three purposes:
*Sober voters theoretically make better choices in the election booth (although when the people soberly elected Thaksin Shinawatra one too many times in a landslide, the army brought the tanks out and set up their own regime).
*Because most elections in the past have necessitated travel to the voter’s home province, a booze ban should reduce highway carnage.
*Probably most important, the ban makes impractical, if not illegal, the “vote-buying parties” for which Thailand is infamous.
That’s the theory. The practice is something else.
The most obvious objection to the way election-time alcohol bans are carried out is that they target precisely the wrong people: tourists and expatriates, who can’t vote anyhow. Thais, of course, simply ignore the bans; as do most expats, but the authorities typically make life difficult by forcing bars that cater to foreigners to obey the edict while blatantly ignoring – even patronizing – those that cater to Thais. As for tourists, most are unaware that the probability of their actually being penalized for ignoring the ban is extremely low, and they don’t know the venues that practice business as usual (albeit with “coffee” or other ploys).
A local Internet forum in Hua Hin, a city on the Gulf of Thailand popular with long-term expatriates, was burning up this past weekend with complaints about the ban – and the duplicity of allowing Thai bars to stay open while expat hangouts were watched more carefully.
Numerous posts noted the ease with which anyone – foreigners included – could access a favorite beverage if necessary, but many said that wasn’t the point. For Thais, flouting the law is a national sport. Foreigners, typically from Europe or North America, are generally law-abiding by upbringing, if not by nature.
Not only that, expatriates are upset by what they see as inane governance that can only damage the economy. Slapdash lawmaking gets even further up expatriate noses when it is seen as targeting them or their livelihoods. Many are in the tourism or entertainment trade, and most support Thai families.
“Had a bottle or two of Chang at our favorite watering hole today. Just 50 meters away from a polling station and out in the sticks. It was business as usual. No question of hiding the bottles or drinking out of mugs,” wrote one poster on the HuaHinAfterDark.com Internet forum. “Sadly, the crazy ‘laws’ (and I use that term loosely) seem to only affect the farang-run bars, which are, from what I hear, really suffering from the lack of tourists this year.
“Come on, Thailand! We've had the tsunami, a military coup and some murders *– which are all reported in the tabloids in the west. And now holidaymakers are denied alcoholic drinks because of a (another loose term) ‘democratic’ election. Great news for the tourism industry! I feel sorry for the unaware tourists who have booked the Christmas holiday period here.”
“Isn't it about time the farangs had some kind of proper representation in this country? We pay taxes, can’t vote, can’t buy land, can’t work even for free, can’t take up a hobby without a work permit *– it would drive you to drink (sorry, can’ t drink!).”
The forum moderator replied: “Amen to that – can’t see it happening for a long time, though, the powers that be simply don’t like us. They tolerate us but they don’t like us. A good example is the alcohol crackdown on farang bars only, while the Thai-cop-run karaoke places are partying like there’s no tomorrow – all laughing at the stupid farangs that aren’t allowed to drink!”
Baton Rouge
23-12-07, 02:19 PM
This stupid 'sanctity of the vote' stuff is enough to give anyone the pip. I have already met one person this morning who obviously did not understand how to cast his vote the way he wanted. And if I know anything at all about this person it is that he was probably going to vote for a party that the head honchos would thoroughly approve of. The powers-that-be change the system with every poll, and still there is a problem. They think they can change human nature without going after those who genuinely conspire to subvert the electoral system.
Frankly, if grannies really want to tear up their voting slips I would encourage them to do so. They're certainly old enough to know their own mind, and they are also certainly old enough to make a genuine mistake in some cases.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30059991
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30059996
Would they rip up their slips if they were going to vote for the gremlin who is almost certain to win? They might tear it up if they didn't like the available choice. In which case, I would gladly join them.
mdechgan
23-12-07, 09:04 PM
I have just placed my vote and was very very confused.
I think my vote became invalid.
There are 2 pieces of paper. One pink and one yellow. One is for the party. This one is very clear. The party's name and number are clearly printed on the ballot along with theor repspective number. #4 for democrat and #12 for PPP, and etc (throughout Thailand). You just put an X on the piece of paper. Although rather hastily. You just mark an X in the box next to your vote with a regular blue point pen
The other ballot is very confusing. It just has a bunch of numbers. No names or anything, just numbers. No party names or MP names. Secondly it doesn't state how many x's you can vote for. Usually for Bangkok 1,2, and 3 are for PPP Mps but in other places, it can become 11,12, 13. In some other places 11,12, and 13 are Democrat Mps. I wasn't sure if you vote for 1 x or for three Xs. At my polling place instead of three MP's per party it became only 2. I didn't know if you mark for the three MPs of the party or just vote for one or to mark two x's? PPP was I think 12 and 13. What was really confusing was there wasn't any information on the boards for other party list MPs other than the PPP. There were big stickers on the board for PPP candidates for 11 and 12 but no other information for other party members. The big board had like 20 or so boxes and the PPP sticker was pasted on #11 and #12 boxes. All the other boxes were empty! I think there was a another sticker on another box for a smaller party. The only sign I saw for other party members were like a few hundred meters away but those meters became a different polling place and possibly another amphur because the PPP party MPs also changed.
As for election observers I didn't see anything or anyone resembling an observer other than a police officer that was sitting behind the sign in the shade with a drink.
Personally I think this election might become invalid if there are many discrepacies between the votes.
Vote-buying tales circulate in Thailand
By News Desk
The Nation
Publication Date: 23-12-2007
As Election Commission and government officials get set for today's election, almost 160 alleged cases of election fraud are being investigated.
All 88,500 polling stations nationwide will open today (Dec 23) at 8am and close at 3pm. The voter turnout is expected to be more than 70 per cent.
Unofficial results of the post-coup election should be available by midnight.
Commission secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiy-garn said the agency had received a total of 742 complaints of election fraud, including 507 of vote buying and 79 of impartial state officials.
However, 585 complaints were found to be groundless.
Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin encouraged voters to get out and vote and to vote for good people.
Sources said Sonthi, who led the 2006 coup, had departed Bangkok for the Chiang Mai province yesterday (Dec 22) to see a trusted astrologer, following speculation there could be chaos after the polls.
Meanwhile, Maj-General Amnuay Mahapol of Police Region 3 said nine officers had been transferred from several lower-Northeast provinces as a result of allegations of impartiality.
"In Nakhon Ratchasima a villager complained to police that a political party was buying votes for Bt100 each," Amnuay said.
In Northeast's Buri Ram, a local government official in Phlubphlachai district also faces charges of intimidating villagers on behalf of a political party.
National police spokesman Lt-General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said two policemen would be stationed at each polling station until voting closed.
Police will direct traffic near polling stations and help electoral officials transport ballot boxes following the tallying, he said.
"All police stations are alert to campaign violations and unanticipated incidents in order to ensure uninterrupted balloting," he said.
More roadblocks will be established, and patrols across the country will be on the lookout for vote-buying, as well as crimes by those seeking to take advantage of voters leaving their homes unattended.
Commission member Prapun Naigowit said about 20 cases of vote-buying, including an incident in Maha Sarakham reported by the People's Network for Elections, or P-Net, were being investigated.
Prapun had no details about speculation that money destined for vote-buying had changed hands at casinos in Poipet, just over the Cambodian border.
"If the commission can uncover evidence to prove this, then culprits will be penalised, even though the wrongdoing took place abroad, because it was meant to tamper with the Thai electoral process," he said.
In the capital, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said the unofficial outcome of direct voting should be known by 8pm.
The computation of proportional votes will take longer because it includes ballots cast in Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi.
Vote counts will be broadcast in real time at City Hall, district offices and public places, it said.
In Phichit, resident Sannoh Matchima, 66, complained to police that an unidentified man had assumed his identity to cast an absentee ballot in Bangkok last Saturday.
He said he had discovered his name removed from the list of voters for today's balloting because he had voted in advance.
In Kamphaeng Phet, the provincial election office was reviewing a compliant by villagers that People Power canvassers had offered them Bt300 each to vote for the party.
Northern P-Net leader Prapoj Srithes said he had alerted authorities to attempts to buy votes on the eve of balloting in Phichit and Sukhothai.
Prapoj produced buffalo tails as evidence of three among over 100 vote-buying cases in Noen Maprang district of Phitsanulok.
The tails, a delicacy for making soup, were given to villagers last week by canvassers seeking votes, he said.
http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?aid=14146
Restaurants breach law prohibiting alcohol sales on election day
Two restaurant owners arrested on Saturday Dec. 15
Staff reporters
Predictably, the recently announced law preventing sales of alcoholic drinks on parliamentary election days was disregarded at various entertainment venues in the Chiang Mai area. During inspections on 15th December authorised by the commander of San Kamphaeng Municipal Police Station, a team of officers led by Police Captain Phakhorn Suravichai visited a number of venues, and arrested two persons who were found to be in breach of the law. Mr. Nakharin Faknak, the owner of the Rainbow at Moo 3, San Kamphaeng, and Mrs Sompopng Khonlasit, the owner of Kuk Kai Karaoke at Moo 1, Tan Pao, also in San Kamphaeng district, were taken to San Kamphaeng Police Station and charged. They will both be prosecuted for illegally selling alcohol inside designated election zones.
http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd9
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