Old parties cry foul over rules on registration

By The Sunday Nation

 

Nipit Indarasombat, a former Democrat Party MP

 

MAJOR FALL IN MEMBERSHIP FEARED BECAUSE OF LIMITED TIME MADE AVAILABLE; SOME SEE JUNTA TACTIC TO REVAMP POLITICAL SYSTEM

 

ESTABLISHED political parties will be hit hard by the latest National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s order on re-registering existing members, according to leaders of several parties.

 

Nipit Indarasombat, a former Democrat Party MP, said the NCPO order will negatively affect the party’s membership base of 2.8 million people since there are only 30 days from April 1 to April 30, 2018 for members to show up and keep their membership.

 

As a result, the Democrat Party’s members could fall sharply even though there could be another 30-day extension of the April 30, 2018 deadline to comply with the NCPO order.

 

According to Nipit, the order would cause problems for all political parties that existed before the 2014 coup since most would not be able to meet the deadline on re-registering members in accordance with the new order from junta leader and Prime Minister General Prayut Cha-o-Cha.

 

“We discussed this order among former MPs and shared the opinion that it would be lucky for the Democrat Party to have 100,000 members left in May 2018 because most people would not be able to show up and pay the membership fee in time as required to keep their membership.

 

“Political parties will then have less funding and less membership participation. In fact, we’ve been building the party’s membership base for the past 71 years. It would be demolished in a matter of 30 days,” he said.

 

Regarding deputy premier Wissanu Krau-ngam’s reassurance that the election road map is not affected by the NCPO order unless there are other factors, Nipit said such a statement reflects a perception among the powers-that-be of returning the country to a democratic path.

 

Nipit also noted that some people had cheered Prayut to stay on as PM, as happened during a recent visit to the Northeast, so there could be a general election just to legitimise his premiership.

 

Udom Rathamarit, spokesman for the charter-drafting committee, said the NCPO order will facilitate political parties to move on with their activities after April 1, 2018, even though there are criticisms that harsher conditions would be imposed, including disqualification of executive members as well as general members.

 

There are a total of 19 items barring individuals from being party executive members under the new regulations.

 

On re-registration of members, Udom said the process has to be completed on official forms provided by the Election Commission and should not be seen as an additional burden. He said that the requirements under the new order concerning the political parties’ funding base is aimed at creating an equal footing for both legacy parties and new parties which would be set up.

 

However, Nikorn Chamnong, director of Chatthai Pattana party, said the NCPO order appears to be a tactic to revamp the whole political party system via requirements about re-registering members.

 

He said those who drafted the new conditions did not consult with political parties so there could be future problems when enforcing the conditions.

 

Kept in check

 

“The order is designed to overhaul the whole system for all old and new parties to start anew, which is worse than the previous conditions which allow members to re-register within 90 days and this deadline could be further extended three times by up to another 270 days, compared to the new conditions which give a total of only 60 days, including one 30-day extension,” Nikorn said.

 

Nikorn also dismissed as groundless an allegation of many redundant memberships of political parties, reasoning that duplication is not possible given that all members submit their 13-digit ID number.

 

Analysts said the NCPO order would effectively keep previous political parties in check until April next year as they are not allowed to undertake other activities beyond those outlined in the NCPO mandate for fears of triggering sensitive issues that could affect peace and order.

 

In addition, the order also states that members of the general public will have the freedom to make their decision on joining any political parties without pressure or pre-conditions imposed by any entities. Law drafters have denied that the order is aimed at diluting the membership base of established major parties.

 

Paiboon Nititawan, a leader of the People’s Network for Political Reform, said the NCPO order would ensure that old and new political parties are on an equal footing, adding that new parties would have time to hold meetings to establish their new grouping after April 30.

 

From March 1 onwards, new political parties may apply for registration with authorities after which they could seek permission to hold meetings to complete the registration process around April.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30334654

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-24

It is very quickly approaching decision time for the parties; this latest order is clearly designed to marginalize them.

 

The Junta is quite powerful, but there is one thing that it needs above all else; it needs some kind of legitimization and it cannot give itself that. If the parties want to have a voice and influence going forward, this is where the fight and focus must be. If the parties want to fight, then they need to make it clear that the question of legitimacy is still open and pending.

 

Fight or acquiesce. 

I don't know why they bother. 

2018 elections are highly unlikely. 

We've heard it all before. 

There will be an election next year. 

There might be a delay. 

There might not be an election next year. 

There will not be an election next year. 

If nothing changes, then nothing will change. 

Why is it so difficult for members to register ? They have 3 months to plan it and a month to get it done !!

Doesn't seem too hard to me :)

Edited December 24, 20178 yr by cornishcarlos

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

“We discussed this order among former MPs and shared the opinion that it would be lucky for the Democrat Party to have 100,000 members left in May 2018 because most people would not be able to show up and pay the membership fee in time as required to keep their membership.

There’s this thing called “the internet”...apparently you can do things “online” with it. 

Edited December 24, 20178 yr by Bluespunk

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

maybe the problem isnt with the "real" members re joining but the " not so real" ones.........

55 minutes ago, generealty said:

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

planning

If you were one of the parties that cheered on the coup, this is what you get.  You have helped ruin it for everyone including yourself. 

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Political parties will then have less funding and less membership participation.

I'm trying, I really am, to find a single iota of sympathy for any of the "old" parties. Turns out my attempts are futile, not one of them is worthy to govern. Toss the lot of them, block anyone who has held office in the past from running again. Frankly, I would only approve female candidates, they rule the country anyway and they don't have that nasty testosterone fueled "I'm more powerful than you" problem.

3 hours ago, generealty said:

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

 

Competence

3 hours ago, generealty said:

 The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

You can still be arrested for holding a political meeting, I believe. Campaigns are not ready or the people that will qualify in the election.

Edited December 24, 20178 yr by Chris Lawrence

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

The UK actually wanted to have an election...

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

4 hours ago, generealty said:

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

A rhetorical question? 

6 hours ago, generealty said:

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

Coups

8 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

Why is it so difficult for members to register ? They have 3 months to plan it and a month to get it done !!

Doesn't seem too hard to me :)

Only the Dem Party has a problem. Logistically difficult to register 3 million members in 3 months or a million in a month. Seem hard to me 

Obviously the Dems have refused to back Prayuth as non-elected PM and they are now punished for that

11 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Nipit Indarasombat, a former Democrat Party MP, said the NCPO order will negatively affect the party’s membership base of 2.8 million people since there are only 30 days from April 1 to April 30, 2018 for members to show up and keep their membership.

You didn't expect anything fairer, surely. This is just one stepping stone that will be thrown across the river for those brave enough to want to do battle or despairing enough to want to retreat to safer ground. There is no way Prunella is going to pass her wardrobe onto another PM . . . absolutely no way. He's in sky blue, today . . . nice, eh, and remember, this and all the others will not be handed over fairly or peacefully. I see interesting times ahead.

And, in case you missed it, that's one hell of a big chunk of ice, poking above Nipit's finger. It seems they've been pretty standard equipment for some time and there's poor old P2, still on tick leave.

 

Edited December 24, 20178 yr by Ossy
omission

7 hours ago, generealty said:

The UK managed to hold a snap election in 6 weeks a few months back, so whats the problem with Thailand ?

It takes 30 days, here, to decide which side of the bed get out of - and the same again, tomorrow . . . they're bloody impossible.

3 hours ago, ramrod711 said:

I'm trying, I really am, to find a single iota of sympathy for any of the "old" parties. Turns out my attempts are futile, not one of them is worthy to govern. Toss the lot of them, block anyone who has held office in the past from running again. Frankly, I would only approve female candidates, they rule the country anyway and they don't have that nasty testosterone fueled "I'm more powerful than you" problem.

Nice one!

3 hours ago, candide said:

Obviously the Dems have refused to back Prayuth as non-elected PM and they are now punished for that

Seem likely Dem Party will be cannibalized and caught between a rock and a hard place.   The party has not stayed true to its democratic principle; boycotting election twice and collaborated with the military to form previous government. Internally there are calls for reform to appeal to the North and NE electorate. There is a fault line in the party. Then you have the Suthep’s faction of families and associates that could break from the party and form a pro military party. There also have disillusioned members who are mainly south and affected by the poor economy. They are rich pickings for new parties and even PTP. We may see a many changes in the south electorate in who they will back. PTP seem more stable and just have to sort out the leadership situation. 

 

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Seem likely Dem Party will be cannibalized and caught between a rock and a hard place.   The party has not stayed true to its democratic principle; boycotting election twice and collaborated with the military to form previous government. Internally there are calls for reform to appeal to the North and NE electorate. There is a fault line in the party. Then you have the Suthep’s faction of families and associates that could break from the party and form a pro military party. There also have disillusioned members who are mainly south and affected by the poor economy. They are rich pickings for new parties and even PTP. We may see a many changes in the south electorate in who they will back. PTP seem more stable and just have to sort out the leadership situation. 

 

That is funny.  The one aim the army  has had is to marginalize the PTP and the Shins of course.  It seems now they may be the only ones left intact.  No surprise given that was what had happened last time too.  Watching Thailand's history repeat itself is mind numbing.

1 minute ago, yellowboat said:

That is funny.  The one aim the army  has had is to marginalize the PTP and the Shins of course.  It seems now they may be the only ones left intact.  No surprise given that was what had happened last time too.  Watching Thailand's history repeat itself is mind numbing.

So true. The prolonged stay, bad economy and the idioscrantic behavior of the key NCPO leaders have eroded much of the support that had when they staged the coup. 

There may be some legitimacy to doing a recheck on the membership roles...and you can guess why...plus you can guess who's plan the inevitable delays caused by some of these rules will bolster.

Elections are fun and good it allows people to have a party, Chang anyone, I know it tastes dreadful these days but the real question is what sort of a party do you want?

Thailand will get the Government it deserves, how they get it and when they get it is yet to be determined and I guess that the average Thai does not know or care about democracy, they dont know what it means apart from 300 bts to put your X here, thats the only part of the trough they get into, but, for western observes we all know that coups are not the answer, should the people ever rise up they would be stuffed.

Peace be with you.

On 12/24/2017 at 6:52 AM, greenchair said:

I don't know why they bother. 

2018 elections are highly unlikely. 

We've heard it all before. 

There will be an election next year. 

There might be a delay. 

There might not be an election next year. 

There will not be an election next year. 

If nothing changes, then nothing will change. 

Hey, give them a chance - The PM just wants to "Make Thailand Great Again"  that can't be done of they have stupid elections....................

On 24/12/2017 at 7:11 AM, cornishcarlos said:

Why is it so difficult for members to register ? They have 3 months to plan it and a month to get it done !!

Doesn't seem too hard to me :)

 

Get all their existing membership detail from the computer and employ up to 1,000 people to contact the members quickly. Sure it will cost money, but if you want to be in the game.....

What elections??? 

18 hours ago, nong38 said:

Elections are fun and good it allows people to have a party, Chang anyone, I know it tastes dreadful these days but the real question is what sort of a party do you want?

Thailand will get the Government it deserves, how they get it and when they get it is yet to be determined and I guess that the average Thai does not know or care about democracy, they dont know what it means apart from 300 bts to put your X here, thats the only part of the trough they get into, but, for western observes we all know that coups are not the answer, should the people ever rise up they would be stuffed.

Peace be with you.

Study a bit of history of the west....coups have been very effective over the centuries. Not always for the best outcome...but effective nevertheless.