General Election Dec. '07

[GWR]

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...s_30030590.php

[GWR]

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

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.

..........

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.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southea.../II13Ae01.html

[GWR]

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_....php?id=122309

[GWR]

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...s_30051381.php

[GWR]

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...s_30052736.php

[GWR]

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...s_30053107.php

[The Enforcer!]

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!

[GWR]

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...s_30054887.php

[GWR]

Originally Posted by GWR

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007...s_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/newmand...lism/#comments

[VN]

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...s_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.”

[GWR]

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...s_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...s_30055452.php

[Wisarut]

Yah the correct translation of this vulgarity by AI Samak would be:

Originally Posted by samak

"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.

[GWR]

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/newsenglis...d=255011110017

[GWR]

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_....php?id=123499

[mdechgan]

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.