Election could be delayed to 2019

[rooster59]

Election could be delayed to 2019

By KAS CHANWANPEN, 
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN 
THE NATION

 

Thailand's last vote was in August 2016, when the nationwide referendum on the junta-written charter was held

 

SOME CRITICS SEE MOVE AS ENABLNG JUNTA TO SET UP A POLITICAL PARTY

 

THE ELECTION is likely to be postponed until next year after a majority of the law vetting committee yesterday voted to write that the MP election bill should be enforced 90 days after promulgation.

 

Committee spokesman Taweesak Sootakawatin said the move follows the junta’s recent order that only allows political parties to start working on their administrative affairs later this year.

 

He refused to say whether the extension would cause the election to be delayed.

 

Taweesak Sootakawatin

 

The charter states that the election should take place within 150 days after all the four laws, including the MP bill, were “in effect”.

 

Taweesak said that the stipulation, first addressed under Article 2, still had to undergo deliberation by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). A minority of members continued to argue that the bill should be effective as soon as it is promulgated, he said.

 

He insisted the committee had acted independently and there had been no pressure to prolong the road map. However, he refused to say who brought the idea to the committee.

The proponent of the move also proposed an extension of 120 days but the committee settled at 90 days. 

 

Some critics speculate that the delay supports the junta’s ambition to set up a party to contest the election. The 90-day period could give the junta extra time to set up a party.

 

Chat Thai Pattana politicians said the move would taint Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha image.

 

Paradon Prisananantakul, the party’s former MP, said that although the delay was legally feasible, it would affect Prayut’s credibility.

 

However, no matter how the law turned out, Paradon said he believed politicians from all parties were ready to comply.

 

Koravee Prasananantakul

 

Koravee Prasananantakul, also Chat Thai Pattana’s former MP, said the news about the 90-day extension may be a move to test reactions, although the government’s image would also be impacted, he said.

 

Despite the controversy, he said he believed all parties would equally fall under the same conditions so it would not prove advantageous to one particular group. But if the rules created inequality, conflict may arise, he said.

 

Siriphong Angkhasakulkiat, the former Si Saket MP, said he did not mind whether the election was held late this year or early next year, although the government should just be exact about the date.

 

People could have different perspectives about the legislation, he said, but in the end the voters would decide the election. Siriphong said he hoped political groups had learned a lesson from the issues that had arisen in the past decade.

 

Nipit Intrasombat, deputy leader of Democrat Party, wrote on Facebook yesterday the extension of the enforcement of the law could be against the Constitution.

 

He warned the powers that be that such an action could have consequence. In the past, the Pheu Thai Party tried to amend the Constitution and it led to a political crisis, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30336687

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-20

[Samui Bodoh]

2 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He insisted the committee had acted independently and there had been no pressure to prolong the road map. However, he refused to say who brought the idea to the committee.

"Liar, liar, pants on fire..."

 

Notwithstanding the steaming pile above, I don't see this as a big issue. I assume that the actions taken were done on instruction from the generals, and it says that they are not confident of their ability to stay in power. Good. As long as a delay is relatively short, I don't see it making a big difference.

 

However, I am a bit confused by the reaction of the political parties to all this.

 

The central issue in Thai politics (in my view) is one of 'legitimacy'. The Junta desperately wants to get some kind of legitimacy for their rule, and thus it should be the aim of the political parties to deny that. And that is what the coming election is all about; the Junta is quite powerful and doesn't need elections to retain power, but they'll never be considered 'real' or 'honest' or 'proper' without some kind of mandate from the Thai people. By the way, it gives me great pleasure to know that this must just stick in Prayut's craw; no matter what he does, he'll never be considered 'proper' unless he gets legitimacy from the people he looks down on. And at the moment, he is simply a coup leader, nothing more.

 

I am a bit befuddled by the actions of the political parties. Yes, they should go to court or the NLA and challenge the Junta's orders there, but that is a fight that they will lose in the end (Yellows and Greens always cheat in 'official' matters). The parties should be out in front of the cameras everyday declaiming the Junta's actions as 'Not Legitimate". Every election rule that comes up should be evidence of the Junta's 'Lack of Legitimacy'. Each populist policy of the Junta should be evidence of the Junta's 'Lack of legitimacy' (BTW, didn't the Junta used to dislike populist policies?). Each trip that Prayut takes to campaign on the taxpayer's dime should be decried as a 'political stunt' and 'illegitimate'. 

 

If the parties allow the Junta to set rules without complaint, then they will lose before the game begins. This is a political, 'hearts and minds' campaign and the parties can no longer wait until the Junta says it is 'OK' to begin.

 

Silence is acquiescence. Acquiescence is consent.

 

 

[Bob12345]

I can't believe this, i thought Prayut was a man of his words.

 

What a totally expected and obvious move again...

[Enoon]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"Liar, liar, pants on fire..."

 

Notwithstanding the steaming pile above, I don't see this as a big issue. I assume that the actions taken were done on instruction from the generals, and it says that they are not confident of their ability to stay in power. Good. As long as a delay is relatively short, I don't see it making a big difference.

 

However, I am a bit confused by the reaction of the political parties to all this.

 

The central issue in Thai politics (in my view) is one of 'legitimacy'. The Junta desperately wants to get some kind of legitimacy for their rule, and thus it should be the aim of the political parties to deny that. And that is what the coming election is all about; the Junta is quite powerful and doesn't need elections to retain power, but they'll never be considered 'real' or 'honest' or 'proper' without some kind of mandate from the Thai people. By the way, it gives me great pleasure to know that this must just stick in Prayut's craw; no matter what he does, he'll never be considered 'proper' unless he gets legitimacy from the people he looks down on. And at the moment, he is simply a coup leader, nothing more.

 

I am a bit befuddled by the actions of the political parties. Yes, they should go to court or the NLA and challenge the Junta's orders there, but that is a fight that they will lose in the end (Yellows and Greens always cheat in 'official' matters). The parties should be out in front of the cameras everyday declaiming the Junta's actions as 'Not Legitimate". Every election rule that comes up should be evidence of the Junta's 'Lack of Legitimacy'. Each populist policy of the Junta should be evidence of the Junta's 'Lack of legitimacy' (BTW, didn't the Junta used to dislike populist policies?). Each trip that Prayut takes to campaign on the taxpayer's dime should be decried as a 'political stunt' and 'illegitimate'. 

 

If the parties allow the Junta to set rules without complaint, then they will lose before the game begins. This is a political, 'hearts and minds' campaign and the parties can no longer wait until the Junta says it is 'OK' to begin.

 

Silence is acquiescence. Acquiescence is consent.

 

 

 

The Junta has, and will continue to have , all the "legitimacy" it requires.

 

The acquiescence that you seem to find so confusing can be explained by the fact that the political parties, along with everyone else in the country, are looking straight down the barrel of its legitimacy:

 

 

Do you seriously think that they are concerned about a "mandate" from the "people", or anyone else?

 

Do you really not get it?

 

 

 

Edited January 20, 2018 by Enoon

[Samui Bodoh]

12 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

The Junta has, and will continue to have , all the "legitimacy" it requires.

 

The acquiescence that you seem to find so confusing can be explained by the fact that the political parties, along with everyone else in the country, are looking straight down the barrel of its legitimacy:

 

 

Do you seriously think that they are concerned about a "mandate" from the "people", or anyone else?

 

Do you really not get it?

 

 

 

Funny, I would ask the same question of you... Do you not get it?

 

If they do not need a mandate from the people, why have they promised an election? Why did they go through the farce of a referendum? Why not just say "we are in charge. Period!"

 

Because they cannot.

 

Thais have demonstrated several times in recent years that they are willing to come out on the streets if pushed too far. True, with enough force they could be pushed back, but at what cost? Thailand is dependent on trade and tourism; if they push too far, the economy tanks.

 

Even if the above doesn't happen, the Junta needs economic progress to stay in power (you can do your own research as to what happens to non--democratic governments in low/no economic growth scenarios). If the economy isn't doing well, pressure builds and builds and builds and eventually it bursts; can I suggest you look into the reasons behind the 'Arab Spring'?

 

If the Junta thought that it didn't need elections, it wouldn't have them. What it is doing now is trying to create a situation where it can 'win' an election and have it validated. If it was not necessary, why do it?

 

It is true that you can govern a place for a while using oppression, but there are limits. And, the Junta is bumping up against those limits...

 

[tartempion]

What about proposing 2580?


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[petermik]

Absolutely shocked....Gen Prayut assured Mr Trump and everyone else elections would be held in 2018......

[janclaes47]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

Siriphong Angkhasakulkiat, the former Si Saket MP, said he did not mind whether the election was held late this year or early next year, although the government should just be exact about the date.

 

Well they have been exact about the date at least 5 times already, though it was each time an exact different date.

[Thunder26]

I don't really care about elections, but it really gets me when they keep telling lies. It would be better if the Army was honest and said that there wouldn't be any elections until further notice :)

Edited January 20, 2018 by Thunder26

[sawadee1947]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Chan-o-cha image.

What Image? I really want to know if anybody in this country think of him as an honest, corruption free, caring for ordinary Thai people, capable of ruling this country, solving problems instead of creating, without "Amigo " mentality, likable man. 

[yellowboat]

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Chat Thai Pattana politicians said the move would FURTHER taint Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha image.

Further taint his image

[TechnikaIII]

Crooks  ... 2019? ... 2020 .... 2021 .... 2022 .... 2023 ... ad infinitum. 

 

Until there is an uprising, like the one that saw the end of Yingluck.

The difference being that that protest was largely peaceful, with only the Red Shirts doing the shooting and the off-duty policeman throwing the hand grenades in Victory Monument.

The protests to oust Prayut will be bloody from Day 1.

This does not bode well for the future of Thailand.

In the attached photo, simply change the name from Yingluck to .... ?

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

4 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

The Junta has, and will continue to have , all the "legitimacy" it requires.

 

The acquiescence that you seem to find so confusing can be explained by the fact that the political parties, along with everyone else in the country, are looking straight down the barrel of its legitimacy:

 

 

Do you seriously think that they are concerned about a "mandate" from the "people", or anyone else?

 

Do you really not get it?

 

 

 

At present this maybe true but sone of their guns are owned by another faction in the army and many of the men are watermelon soldiers. The country is on a tipping point with anger and hopelessness growing. The most dangerous person is one without hope, bacause such a person has nothing to loose. 

[Tilacme]

Beware the person who has drunk the milk of paradise - Marco Polo

[William C F Pierce]

4 hours ago, petermik said:

Absolutely shocked....Gen Prayut assured Mr Trump and everyone else elections would be held in 2018......

Many of us writing in this column said it would be postponed again. Is there any real hope for the return of real  democracy in Thailand. Probably not.

 

[Lupatria]

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Election could be delayed to 2019

Wrong headline again. Here is the edited:

 

Election could be delayed to 2119

 

[Bob12345]

1 hour ago, TechnikaIII said:

The difference being that that protest was largely peaceful, with only the Red Shirts doing the shooting and the off-duty policeman throwing the hand grenades in Victory Monument.

Sigh, why you have to add this piece of nonsense in there? It does not help the case you are making and just shows which color you support which most likely will result in off-topic discussions which side committed which crimes.

 

Leave BS like that out and you make a better case which more members here can support.

Edited January 20, 2018 by Bob12345

[Srikcir]

This is Thai-Style Democracy.

The unelected minority decides when the majority electorate can vote and, the way things are developing, who they can vote for.

[natway09]

Not so sure that Thailand is grown up enough to handle a democratic government, 

nor an elected party that will not feed at the trough,,,,,, its just the way it is here

[generealty]

What amuses me is that people and media still refer to the General in charge of the military junta that took control by a military coup as PM. PM is an democratically elected leader-so What the #### ?

[nong38]

The benevolant military, sounds a lot better now doesn't it.

[Jonmarleesco]

Well, well, well, what a  surprise.

 

But if the junta determines to set up a party and seek votes, it had better be prepared to flog a few watches to 'fund' potential supporters. Without that precaution, at least one member of the current administration would hamstring the party's chances at the polls.

[diehard60]

well knew this would happen

[Happyman58]

It was to be expected I dont know  what will happen next?  Oh there was a mistake written in here Election maybe postponed  till 2019  It should of been 2119 Just a mistype there

[tryasimight]

1 hour ago, Bob12345 said:

Sigh, why you have to add this piece of nonsense in there? It does not help the case you are making and just shows which color you support which most likely will result in off-topic discussions which side committed which crimes.

 

Leave BS like that out and you make a better case which more members here can support.

Members can support? 

You make it sound like anything said on this subject on this forum has some relevance.

555555555

Edited January 20, 2018 by tryasimight

[MaddDog]

AND in 2019 it will be postponed to 2020

[tryasimight]

44 minutes ago, generealty said:

What amuses me is that people and media still refer to the General in charge of the military junta that took control by a military coup as PM. PM is an democratically elected leader-so What the #### ?

He was democratically elected as PM by a vote in parliament. 

He didn't get into parliament democratically true..... But nevertheless the act of making him PM was by way of vote. 

[baboon]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

He was democratically elected as PM by a vote in parliament. 

He didn't get into parliament democratically true..... But nevertheless the act of making him PM was by way of vote. 

...by way of the vote of the people he installed to vote for him.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

elected as PM by a vote in parliament

Unsurprisingly by unanimous vote!

Because of their creation by the junta, the National Council for Peace and Order (aka "junta"), the National Legislative Assembly, the Constitution Drafting Commission, the National Reform Steering Assembly and the Cabinet are called by the junta as The Five Rivers. There is nothing democratic about these organizations nor does the junta present them as democratic institutions.

[midas]

8 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Funny, I would ask the same question of you... Do you not get it?

 

If they do not need a mandate from the people, why have they promised an election? Why did they go through the farce of a referendum? Why not just say "we are in charge. Period!"

 

Because they cannot.

 

Thais have demonstrated several times in recent years that they are willing to come out on the streets if pushed too far. True, with enough force they could be pushed back, but at what cost? Thailand is dependent on trade and tourism; if they push too far, the economy tanks.

 

Even if the above doesn't happen, the Junta needs economic progress to stay in power (you can do your own research as to what happens to non--democratic governments in low/no economic growth scenarios). If the economy isn't doing well, pressure builds and builds and builds and eventually it bursts; can I suggest you look into the reasons behind the 'Arab Spring'?

 

If the Junta thought that it didn't need elections, it wouldn't have them. What it is doing now is trying to create a situation where it can 'win' an election and have it validated. If it was not necessary, why do it?

 

It is true that you can govern a place for a while using oppression, but there are limits. And, the Junta is bumping up against those limits...

 

" If they do not need a mandate from the people, why have they promised an election? "

 

You can't be that naive can you? What the people want is the very last thing on their mind.

Try what the international community (including the White House) are expecting and waiting for

 

 

 

Quote

 

The United Nations has expressed concern over what it calls a deteriorating rights situation in Thailand, including harsh sentences for those convicted of violating the lese-majeste law, known as Article 112, as well as other restrictions placed on freedom of expression.

 

 

Edited January 20, 2018 by midas