Thread: Thailand : Pre General Election 2014

Thai opposition debates whether to run in February election
Amy Sawitta Lefevre
(Writing by Alan Raybould; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Mon Dec 16, 2013


Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban (C) leaves The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Bangkok December 14, 2013.
Credit: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha

(Reuters) - Thailand's main opposition party opened a meeting on Monday to decide whether to take part in a snap election called by the government to defuse street protests but one senior member said reforms demanded by the protesters should be implemented first.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the election after weeks of protests against her and her brother, ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and his influence on Thailand's political system.

The protesters, backed by Bangkok's elite, have rejected the election and want to set up a "people's council" that would eradicate the influence of the "Thaksin regime" and introduce reforms following a decade of election wins by Thaksin or his allies with support from the urban and rural poor.

The protests have also been supported by the main opposition Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest party. All Democrat lawmakers resigned from parliament this month and some joined the protests, including leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was prime minister from late 2008 until 2011.

But the party has yet to announce its stand on the February 2 election. A boycott by the Democrats would rob the vote of much of its legitimacy and prolong political uncertainty.

Korn Chatikavanij, widely respected as finance minister under Abhisit, said he would not be standing for the party executive at the meeting, which ends on Tuesday. His intentions are not clear and he was not immediately available for comment.

Korn has crossed swords with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, another long-time Democrat lawmaker who had stepped down earlier, and has largely stayed away from his rallies, but he played down any differences in a Facebook posting.

"I agree with the need for reforms and want to see reforms before elections take place ... You know well where I disagree with the protest leaders but this is a minor issue and doesn't affect our overall goal," Korn wrote.

Suthep says reforms, taking in the electoral system, should be pushed through by an unelected "people's council" of people from various professions plus members nominated by his movement.

The Puea Thai Party of Yingluck Shinawatra, who remains caretaker prime minister until the election, is well placed to win again with its bedrock support in the populous rural regions in the north and northeast.

ARMY NEUTRALITY

Thailand's eight-year political conflict centers on Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon who won over the rural poor with healthcare and other policies when he was premier. The army ousted him in 2006.

Since 2008, he has chosen to live in exile rather than come home to serve a jail sentence for abuse of power, a charge he calls politically motivated.

Suthep's protest gained impetus in early November after Yingluck's government tried to push through a political amnesty bill that would have allowed Thaksin to return home a free man.

The politically powerful military has rebuffed Suthep's call for it to intervene on his side and has offered to help hold a "fair and clean" election next year.

General Nipat Thonglek, the Defence Ministry's permanent secretary, said at a government-sponsored forum: "The military wants to see the February 2 election. If there are signs that the election will not be fair, the military is ready to make it fair and clean."

It was unclear how the military would do that and Nipat did not elaborate. But armed forces chief General Tanasak Patimapragorn said on Saturday he wanted to see a general election take place and that there should be "a central panel" to help educate the public about free and fair elections.

Army leaders have expressed neutrality in the latest crisis, but the military has a long history of intervening in politics in support of the establishment that includes generals, royalists and old-money families who have backed the protests and the opposition Democrat Party.

The military has staged or attempted 18 coups over the past 80 years, including the one to remove Thaksin.

Military sources say Suthep is backed by two powerful retired generals, former Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and former army chief General Anupong Paochinda. Both have a history of enmity with Thaksin and remain influential in the military establishment.

As deputy premier under Abhisit, Suthep authorised a military crackdown to end weeks of anti-government protests by Thaksin supporters in central Bangkok in 2010. Scores of protesters died and both Abhisit and Suthep have been charged with murder in connection with the crackdown.

reuters.com

Thai Military Sees Role in Ensuring ‘Fair’ Election
ORATHAI SRIRING
Additional reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat.
Monday, December 16, 2013


Military personnel deliver meals to soldiers and police over the fence at a protest site in Bangkok.
(Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy)

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military offered on Sunday to help the politically polarized country hold a “fair and clean” election next year, suggesting the armed forces may play a role in a vote aimed at ending protests seeking to topple the government.

The idea was raised at a forum organized by the caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who last week called an election for Feb. 2 to try to defuse protests targeting her brother, ousted ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and his influence on Thailand’s political system.

The protesters, backed by Bangkok’s elite, have rejected the proposed election and want to set up a “people’s council” that would eradicate the influence of the “Thaksin regime” and introduce reforms following a decade of election wins by Thaksin or his allies on broad support from the urban and rural poor.

Gen Nipat Thonglek, the Defense Ministry’s permanent secretary, said at the forum: “The military wants to see the Feb. 2 election. If there are signs that the election will not be fair, the military is ready to make it fair and clean.”

It’s unclear how the military would do that. Nipat did not elaborate, but armed forces chief Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn said on Saturday he wanted to see the general election take place and that there should be “a central panel” to help educate the public about free and fair elections.

Although army leaders have expressed neutrality in the crisis, the military has a long history of intervening in politics in support of the traditional Bangkok elite that includes generals, royal advisers and old-money families who have backed both the protests and the opposition Democrat Party.

The military has staged or attempted 18 coups over the past 80 years, including one in 2006 to remove Thaksin.

Military sources say protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is backed by two powerful retired generals, former Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and former army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda. Both have a history of enmity with Thaksin and remain influential in the current military establishment.

Suthep is a former deputy prime minister in the previous Democrat-led government that Yingluck’s party beat by a landslide in a 2011 election.

The forum comes a day after Suthep outlined his movement’s aims at an armed forces seminar, urging the military to join his movement and repeating his demands that Yingluck resign to make way for an interim government of appointed leaders whose reforms would clean up a political system he says Thaksin corrupted.

Thailand’s eight-year political conflict centers on Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon popular among the rural poor because of policies pursued when he was in power and carried on by governments allied to him after he was toppled.

He gained an unassailable mandate that he used to advance the interests of big companies, including his own. Since 2008, he has chosen to live in exile after being sentenced in absentia to jail for abuse of power, a charge he calls politically motivated.

The chances of the election taking place may become clearer at the start of this week when the opposition Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest, decides whether to take part. Yingluck’s Puea Thai Party seems almost certain to win again.

Democrat lawmakers resigned from parliament on Dec. 8 and joined the street protests.

Suthep had resigned earlier to lead the movement, which gained impetus in early November after Yingluck’s government tried to push through a political amnesty bill that would have allowed Thaksin to return home a free man.

As deputy premier, Suthep authorized a military crackdown to end weeks of anti-government protests by Thaksin supporters in central Bangkok in 2010. Scores of protesters died and Suthep has been charged with murder in connection to the crackdown.

irrawaddy.org

Feb 2 election date maintained: EC
December 16, 2013

Election Commission's newly-appointed chairman, Supachai Somcharoen, insisted that the gubernatorial election would take place on February 2.

He foresees no hurdle in hosting the elections, despite boycotts from some political parties.

Some anti-government protesters planned to disrupt the process, planning to gather when the EC opens for the application of partylist candidates.

nationmultimedia.com

EC says it could postpone Thai elections
Dec 18, 2013

Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday said it could postpone the February 2 snap elections if the political parties agree, even as the opposition Democrat Party is still undecided on whether to field candidates for the polls.

“We are willing to delay the election for three months, six months, one year to two years. But first things first: The political parties have to reach an agreement. The second thing is whether it [a delay] is allowed by the law. We, the EC, are the third factor,” EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said.

His remarks came after representatives of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), a protest group led by the opposition party, met with the EC on Tuesday and submitted an open letter calling for the postponement of the election.

The letter said that the protesters want political reform to be implemented before another election can be held.

In an earlier statement, protest leader Suthep Thausuban said the national reform may take a year and a half to complete.

Democrat Party, who has been leading a campaign against Prime Minister Yingluck Shibawatra’s regime, has said it will convene a meeting on Saturday to decide whether to compete in the February 2 polls or not, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

He told Nation Channel TV that no matter what the decision will be, his party would be criticised. However, he said that in order to help the country move on, his party was willing to take the blame.

The Democrats must decide by December 27 if they want to register for the vote.

Meanwhile, the interim government on Tuesday approved a 3 billion baht budget for the election.

Chalitrat Chandrubeksa, deputy government spokesman, said that to ensure transparency, international organisations and media would be invited to observe the nationwide poll.

Democrat politicians resigned from parliament this month to join the street protests. The move prompted Yingluck to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections. But, protesters want Yingluck to resign and hand over the government to an un-elected ‘People’s Council’.

Yingluck on Tuesday reiterated that she would stay on the caretaking post until a new prime minister is elected.

“I came to power through an election two years ago. If I have to go, let me go only through an election,” she said.

asianage.com

Between the rice pledging scheme, and the hamfisted amnesty attempt that seems to have backfired on most sides, the Dem's might have had a decent opportunity to make inroads into PT electoral dominance- which i would actually like to see. Khun Suthep threw a spanner in that works.

Feb 2 election date maintained: EC
December 16, 2013

EC says it could postpone Thai elections
Dec 18, 2013

fucking idiots.

EC won't detail how to defer election: Somchai
December 20, 2013

Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said Friday that the EC will not detail how the February 2 election may be postponed.

Somchai, who is in charge of holding elections, said the EC would be seen as benefiting one side if it provides details.

nationmultimedia.com

EC reaffirms Feb 2 election date
December 20, 2013

The Election Commission announced Friday that the election will be held on February 2 as in the initial schedule.

It made the announcement after a meeting with caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the EC head office.

EC commissioner Theerawat Theerarojwit said Yingluck pledged during the meeting to provide full budget for the EC to organise the election.

nationmultimedia.com

Democrat Party to boycott Feb 2 election
December 21, 2013

Democrat Party met on Saturday and agreed that they will boycott the February 2 snap election.

Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party will not field in any candidate in the election scheduled after the House dissolution.

The party has called for delay of the election, saying the country needs political reform first.

The announcement came one day before Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat Party, organises a mass rally in the capital.

nationmultimedia.com

Perhaps they can all be sent off to exile in Knightsbridge.

Yingluck announces next govt to set up reform's council
December 21, 2013

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced on TV on Saturday that the next government would set up a reform council to reform politics.

She said the political parties that will contest the February 2 election are urged to sign a social contract to support the country's reform, which will be advised by the reform council.

The council must be formed only after the election, she said.

nationmultimedia.com

Just watched Voice TV, which reports that the Democrats are still deciding what to do, though The Nation obviously has slightly closer connections with the Cockroach Party

Originally Posted by Mid

Democrat Party met on Saturday and agreed that they will boycott the February 2 snap election.

Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party will not field in any candidate in the election scheduled after the House dissolution.

No he hasn't. (Well not yet anyway)

I suspect the Dems will boycott the next election, this is getting ugly

Originally Posted by Mid

Democrat Party met on Saturday and agreed that they will boycott the February 2 snap election.

here we go,

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Here is the start of the judicial coup, me thinks.

more like a military coup, very much needed at this stage. Where are the reds to oppose Y blatantly corrupted amnesty ? where is their outrage ? oh I forgot, they are paid by PT so they don't have really a voice.

Originally Posted by Mid

that the next government would set up a reform council to reform politics.

she is dreaming, it's game over. This is the beginning of the big fuckup, she started it with the amnesty despite numerous warnings. Suthep and friends were waiting for an excuse and she provided one. Why couldn't she just pretend to be the PM and smile at the camera and not rock the boat ? silly bitch had to follow the pressure from her big delusional power hungry brother.

Thai Rath are reporting that the original reports were true after all - the Democrats have unanimously decided not to put forward candidates Thai Rath These people have no fucking shame.

They were never gonna have elections. This is not about elections, it's about changing the constitution to take democratic powers away from the electorate.

How ironic, February 2nd, thats groundhog day, here we go again !

PT ready for candidates registration
22 Dec 2013

The Pheu Thai Party is ready to field 125 candidates in the party list sytem, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit announced.

Mr Prompong said party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan would lead the candidates to the Thailand-Japan Sports Centre at Din Daeng tomorrow for registration.

The registration of candidates in the party-list system has been scheduled for Dec 23-27.

Pheu Thai adheres to democracy and wecome opinions from eligible voters.

Being well-prepared in terms of policies, the party will start with the campaign for votes right after the candidacy regristration, Mr Prompong said.

bangkokpost.com

Coming Election Widens Rift in Thailand’s Political Crisis
THOMAS FULLER
December 22, 2013

BANGKOK — The dueling realities of Thailand’s political crisis were vividly on display on Sunday.

In Bangkok, antigovernment protesters blocked traffic at major intersections and marched to the house of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, demanding she step down.

But Ms. Yingluck was absent. She was ensconced among adoring crowds in northeastern Thailand, the power base of her party, a vast region with a population that rivals Bangkok.

Like red and blue states in America, Thailand’s geographical divides have become even sharper as the country’s month-old political crisis wears on.

And more than ever the country is split over whether elections are the answer to the country’s woes or whether Thailand should suspend democracy while it “reforms” its political system, the plan advocated by protesters.

Ms. Yingluck, the head of the governing party that is confident of victory in Feb. 2 national elections, has been in election mode, spending most of the past week north of Bangkok meeting with throngs of supporters. She called the elections earlier this month in an effort to defuse the crisis.

The country’s main opposition party, the Democrats, which has failed to win a national election since 1992, announced Saturday that its members would boycott the election.

Ms. Yingluck on Sunday criticized the planned boycott.

“Even if they do not accept this government, they must accept the system,” she told the Thai media. “The government has already returned power to the people and let them decide the future of the country.”

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, which is Thailand’s oldest political party and has its power base in the country’s old moneyed elite, justified the decision on Saturday by saying the elections would be the “same old power grab” by the governing party and its allies.

“The election on Feb. 2 is not the solution for the country,” Mr. Abhisit, a former prime minister, said after meeting with party leaders on Saturday. “It will not lead to reform.”

The Democrat Party and the protesters are deeply frustrated by the electoral power and influence of Ms. Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a tycoon who founded the country’s most successful political movement. They accuse Mr. Thaksin of subverting democracy through corruption and populist policies.

The government counters that the opposition is afraid of elections because it will lose, an electoral calculation supported by many scholars who say the ruling Pheu Thai Party has created a strong base with its policies. Many voters, especially the less affluent, are grateful for policies such as universal health care and an increase in the minimum wage.

Chaturon Chaisang, the education minister and a senior member of the governing party, accused the Democrat Party of “setting conditions for a possible coup d'état.” The last time the Democrats boycotted elections was in 2006, another period of political turmoil, which culminated with a coup against Mr. Thaksin.

The current political crisis, which comes during the high season for tourism in Thailand and a fragile time for the Thai economy, has brought the military back to the forefront of politics. Protesters are openly asking for the military’s backing, and military leaders have helped arrange meetings between the government and its detractors.

The head of the army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, said on Friday that the crisis “must be solved through political means,” and warned of “battles between people” if political differences are not resolved.

The protests on Sunday are the latest in a series of marches that have drawn hundreds of thousands of people. At the height of the protests several weeks ago, demonstrators took over some government buildings. They have since ceded control of the buildings, but have not stopped the marches.

Protest leaders say their plan is “reform before elections,” an ambitious idea beyond the scope of the Thai Constitution.

Suthep Thaugsuban, the charismatic leader of the protests, has called for the creation of an unelected legislature called the People’s Council that would be partly composed of citizens from various professions and partly appointed by Mr. Suthep and other protest leaders.

He hopes that such a council would pass new electoral laws, end the longstanding practice of vote buying, overhaul the police force, allow any citizen to bring corruption charges against government ministers and other senior officials, and abolish the populist policies that have made Mr. Thaksin’s political movement so popular in the northern half of the country.

“When everything is settled,” Mr. Suthep said last week, “we will go back to elections.”

Ms. Yingluck on Saturday countered with a proposal for a “reform assembly” that would be formulated after the elections.

While the Democrats are by far the largest opposition party, a number of smaller parties, including a provincial party led by former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, have indicated they are ready to contest the election.

And in a vivid symbol of the mercurial alliances in Thai politics, the man who led the coup in 2006, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, said his party would participate, although he also was quoted in the Thai media urging for a delay.

The protesters, including many present and former members of the Democrat Party, have said the power of their movement should be judged by the large number of protesters on the streets. Government supporters have scoffed at this logic, saying popularity should be judged in the voting booth.

“If you really have such huge numbers of people,” said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of a political faction that supports the government, “why are you opposing the election?”

nytimes.com

Originally Posted by nytimes.com

“If you really have such huge numbers of people,” said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of a political faction that supports the government, “why are you opposing the election?”

Riddle me that one

easy to say for Jutaporn when he knows they get all the votes for buying them out

try that election without a single "voting allowance" and see how many bother to go to the vote booth, and make the numbers needed by PT

that said, the Democrats don't have much as political inspiration, might as well not vote at all, even if getting paid for it by PT

Political Revolution in Thailand will begin when a new political party without connection to PT or the Democrats will surface, and win local elections.

the problem is those greedy bastards will always sell out to a bigger party like PT,

maybe PT could detach itself from Thaksin and promote a different kind of leadership within, while promoting a socialist agenda, this would be the beginning of progress

instead it's more vote buying and free iPads if you vote PT, pathetic