Thread: Thailand : Election Commission starts preparing new general election

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Cries of 'social justice' from a party who is deeply involved in a sweeping amnesty for all those in positions of power who have transgressed in cheating the nation along with serious crimes against humanity, quite honestly belongs more in a festive pantomime rather than Parliament.

I'm guessing that certain parties are going to auto-delete that remark from their memory banks pronto, while composing a new pretty speech.

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Holding election after election whilst doing nothing to ensure a level playing field

All participants in elections have equal opportunity to buy votes, form populist platforms, own media enterprises to promote themselves, offer juicy contracts to financial supporters, charge political opponents with LM, and bring charges of corruption against other politicians.

Playing field is perfectly level. Seems some parties cannot win even when they practice same election behavior as their opponents.

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Holding election after election whilst doing nothing to ensure a level playing field

All participants in elections have equal opportunity to buy votes, form populist platforms, own media enterprises to promote themselves, offer juicy contracts to financial supporters, charge political opponents with LM, and bring charges of corruption against other politicians.

Playing field is perfectly level. Seems some parties cannot win even when they practice same election behavior as their opponents.

This is the crux of the issue . . . it seems the Dem/allied supporters feel as though they don't engage in vote buying - but no-one is actually forced to vote one way or the other at the ballot box.

Take the money with the one hand and vote for whoever you wish with the other - majority wins.

Imagine the outcry by the White-Man-Brigade if Yingluck had proposed canceling elections until a proper and honest system has been set in place . . . until then a council of 'independent' people of worth would run the place (appointed by Yingluck and her cronies) . . . until an undetermined date, with no recourse for anyone to alter or influence this.

Both sides in Thailand preach and practice a shockingly inept and feudal form of power-grabbing - but to say one side is worse than the other in terms of 'democracy' or ethics -

Originally Posted by OckerRocker

Take the money with the one hand and vote for whoever you wish with the other - majority wins.

Which of course is exactly what happens

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

^^

I have given clear reasons why I do not like Suthep, or rather his method of securing power, but I shall make it even clearer for those who are intellectually challenged.

There you go again.

Every time you're told that people are not fans of Suthep ....

.....you embark on a new pretty speech, which indicates you're so keen to get your say in, you didn't read what they said!

I happen to think that Suthep behaved abominably during the red riots.

Originally Posted by OckerRocker

it seems the Dem/allied supporters feel as though they don't engage in vote buying

Aware of this urban myth. I've spoken with a few PDRC supporters. Actually now former supporters. They absolutely refuse to believe the Dems are guilty of vote buying. The BKK folks need to get out more. A short holiday up country around election time will clear up this misconception. South or north. Matters not.

Originally Posted by The Ghost Of The Moog

.....you embark on a new pretty speech, which indicates you're so keen to get your say in, you didn't read what they said!

I responded to a post which quoted an earlier post of mine.

What is your beef, or are you just keen to get your say in?

Originally Posted by OckerRocker

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Holding election after election whilst doing nothing to ensure a level playing field

All participants in elections have equal opportunity to buy votes, form populist platforms, own media enterprises to promote themselves, offer juicy contracts to financial supporters, charge political opponents with LM, and bring charges of corruption against other politicians.

Playing field is perfectly level. Seems some parties cannot win even when they practice same election behavior as their opponents.

This is the crux of the issue . . . it seems the Dem/allied supporters feel as though they don't engage in vote buying - but no-one is actually forced to vote one way or the other at the ballot box.

Take the money with the one hand and vote for whoever you wish with the other - majority wins.

Imagine the outcry by the White-Man-Brigade if Yingluck had proposed canceling elections until a proper and honest system has been set in place . . . until then a council of 'independent' people of worth would run the place (appointed by Yingluck and her cronies) . . . until an undetermined date, with no recourse for anyone to alter or influence this.

Both sides in Thailand preach and practice a shockingly inept and feudal form of power-grabbing - but to say one side is worse than the other in terms of 'democracy' or ethics -

It does surprise somewhat when westerners appear to find electoral fraud acceptable practise whilst also bandying the word 'Democracy' around as if the two are one of the same.

A level playing field ideally can only be achieved when all parties have no direct monetary influence on voters which is deemed illegal come polling day.

I share no grief for those politicians who do not abide by the rules and not only lose their bribes but also their status as an MP. It matters not which party they claim to represent

There was a memorable case not so long ago when a quite famous former PM of Thailand and around 100 of his former elected MP's were found guilty of massive electoral fraud and banned from politics for 5 years. I suppose some might feel such a deliverance of justice was a wee bit over the top but personally I just can't dig up any remorse for those people.

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

A level playing field ideally can only be achieved when all parties have no direct monetary influence on voters which is deemed illegal come polling day.

My staff, for reasons best known to them, are all registered to vote in their home towns, not Bangkok. They take time off work, pay bus fares and endure considerable inconvenience, to return home to vote. Nobody is paying them a bean for that. Frankly whatever payments are being made may not be making the difference the Democrats are suggesting.

^

29/03/2014

Ms Yingluck also got some noticeable support for her "only current priority" to hold a national election ASAP — All Speed, All Polls.

All but one of the country's currently active 54 political parties signed a joint letter to the Election Commission to get cracking on another national vote.

The holdouts were again the Democrats, who were meeting to decide to stage their third boycott of five elections.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/tops...e-men-in-black

Originally Posted by Mid

All but one of the country's currently active 54 political parties

Some defections from Dem coalition. Notably Bhumjaithai. Has Newin the opportunists jumped ship again?

^^^^ I'm not suggesting that electoral fraud doesn't occur, with both parties heavily involved but the fact that it is illegal and so widespread wont ever constitute a 'democratic' process. The two are just not compatible.

Oddly, today is polling day in the village. We live in an area (NE) where the PT have received the popular vote in the past. I've never witnessed any other party than PT hand over cash for votes in our area and i'm surprised that if they are so confident in receiving the majority of votes in the N/NE they still bother to operate a system.

Notably on Feb 2nd, when no cash was offered as the Dems weren't running for office, my family didn't bother to vote but maybe more out of apathy. The EC have yet to release the results so no facts available although I suspect that PT achieved another majority but perhaps smaller than before.

Support for certain political parties can become somewhat distorted if but a few thousand turn up in the capital to raise a commotion. People in our community seem to be less than impressed with the recent political fights hence some apathy at election time.

In the main they are just happy to get on with their everyday lives as they realise they aren't going to become millionaires overnight just because of a few promises from those in power.

The idea that vote buying is an acceptable face of politics fails miserably when those parties who have paid billions of baht to the electorate in order to secure victory, now need to glean that cash back to replenish their bank accounts for the next round of elections in a few years time. Ministerial budgets/contracts, treasury coffers, etc: will no doubt all be raided in order to recover those losses and the corruption will unashamedly continue..............

There have been many occasions where politicians have been found to have amassed 'unusual wealth', none more so than the man in Dubai who couldn't account for 46 Billion baht found in his possession.

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

've never witnessed any other party than PT hand over cash for votes in our area

I'm absolutely fucking amazed to hear that. It is most certainly not my observation, having lived in chonburi and ubon.

Originally Posted by sabang

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

've never witnessed any other party than PT hand over cash for votes in our area

I'm absolutely fucking amazed to hear that. It is most certainly not my observation, having lived in chonburi and ubon.

For as long as I can recall it's been a Shinawatra stronghold although I've seen/heard of no rallies within 30 kms. It's becoming somewhat of a loyalty bonus at election time now rather than a carrot.

Local election here today with no money on offer. Disgraceful!!

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Local election here today with no money on offer. Disgraceful!!

I see your location is set as "Mountain View". Is there a candidate named "Apple"?

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

My staff, for reasons best known to them, are all registered to vote in their home towns, not Bangkok.

Because the law says they must.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

My staff, for reasons best known to them, are all registered to vote in their home towns, not Bangkok.

Because the law says they must.

I believe they are able to register to vote in Bangkok, (well, they seem to think so anyway) although my understanding is that the process is cumbersome.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

I believe they are able to register to vote in Bangkok, (well, they seem to think so anyway) although my understanding is that the process is cumbersome.

Its the bluebook system which is no longer fit for purpose.

A thai you have to be on the bluebook in the property you live in by law, and thats where you vote. Most of the thai's that I know who migrated to bangkok are on bluebooks in their home town/village usually the family home. Even those who own condo's.... so its not simply the issue of getting a landord to add you to a bluebook.

Ive asked why and the explanations mostly boil down to where the leart lies. They don't see bkk as their home. It is a place to live work and leave; utility back to their relatives in their hometown/village. maintaining their presence on that bluebook is a cheap easy way of maintaining that connection and dream.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

The funding is from a mixture of corporate interests and drug cartels.

Which do you want running Thailand?

thats an interesting claim, pray do expand

Probably posted elseware but ;

The Democrats annual conference to discuss future tactics was interupted by three protesters, two women and a man, who held up placards demand the Democrat part reform itself before it discusses how to reform other. The three protesters also gave the Democrats a sample of some whistle blowing before being ushered out of the building to shouts of ' ey kee ka ' ( slaves ) which term was previously used by the upper classes when refering to their minions.



Bloke has got a lot of balls as he has done this a few times now.

This from another thread. I take Suthep to be literal and a man of his word.

Originally Posted by Yasojack

PDRC secretary-general said that the people would “seize back the sovereign power”

Originally Posted by Yasojack

He said that the mass procession tomorrow (Saturday) was meant to send a message that the “people who are the real owner of the country” want immediate reform before there is an election.

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...sive-next.html (Suthep says PDRC to launch an offensive next week)

I want immediate world peace too.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

The funding is from a mixture of corporate interests and drug cartels.

I assume you're talking about US politics here?