A huge wave of new parties to take first steps to contest poll

[webfact]

A huge wave of new parties to take first steps to contest poll

By ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM 
THE NATION

 

File photo : Suthep Thaugsuban

 

MORE THAN 100 new political parties are expected to launch next month after registration opens on Friday. It will be the first time since the military coup in May 2014 that political activities will be officially allowed.

 

A junta order signed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha last December allows new political parties to be registered, along with their members, starting on March 1, with existing parties able to start membership confirmation from April 1. The order in effect relaxes some rules and deadlines set in the Political Parties Act.

 

Starting from this Friday, given that Thursday is a public holiday, party founders are expected to register the names and symbols of new political parties with the Election Commission (EC). As many as 114 groups of people have already informed the EC of their intention to form new parties.

 

 

However, the requirements of the Political Parties Act require more than party names and logos for the registration to be accepted. Additional hurdles include a minimum number of registered members and party branches in different regions of the country.

 

Judging from the nature of the different groups, new parties could be divided into three main categories – those backing the return of junta chief Prayut as prime minister after the next election, those that expect to become a partner in a future coalition government, and those offering themselves as new alternatives in politics.

 

The first group has gained much attention recently after announcing their pro-military stance and a plan to support Prayut’s return as government head. These include the Reform People Party initiated by former senator Paiboon Nititawan, the Great Mass of People Party initiated by veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban, and the Public State Party reportedly planned by a pro-military group. 

 

According to some sources, the last group of people has links to the ruling junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the party’s name could resemble the government’s large-scale development project, which is called “Pracha Rath” in Thai.

 

Another planned pro-military new party is expected to be called “For Thai Nation”. It was initiated by Ampapan Thanetdejsunthorn, the wife of late former Army commander-in-chief General Sunthorn Kongsompong. While serving as the Armed Forces supreme commander, Sunthorn in 1991 led the National Peacekeeping Council to stage a coup that overthrew the then-elected government.

 

Deputy Premier and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday declined to comment on reports that Suthep was about to set up a new party in support of Prayut’s return as prime minister. “I don’t know. You need to ask Suthep,” Prawit said.

 

The second group expects their new political parties to join the next government as coalition partners. These include a party to be called Citizen Power and set up by a group of old-style politicians from different current and defunct parties – some of them controversial. They include Samphan Lertnuwat, Wichai Chaijitwanitkul, Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk, Wiwatanachai Nakalasin and Choksamarn Silawong. 

 

New rules under the current Constitution make it more likely for smaller political parties to gain MP seats thanks to the “proportional representation electoral system” in which “every votes count”. Political observers and experts have predicted that many smaller parties will win a handful of MP seats in the next election.

 

That explains why there is speculation that some well-established existing parties also plan to set up new political parties as nominees in the hope of sharing votes in constituencies dominated by their rival parties.

 

The last group of new parties will offer themselves as alternatives to the old-time parties. Among them is a party likely to be formed by a group of activists and academics from the Nitirat group, including the young scholar Piyabutr Saengkanokkul. It is reportedly going to be supported by tycoon Thanathorn Juangroong-ruangkit, whose family owns the giant auto-parts maker Thai Summit Group.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30339749

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-27

[yellowboat]

I would put my money on the "Nation Party", steeped in the tradition of overthrowing elected governments.   They should go far. 

[canuckamuck]

What? no Thai Visa Party? We got all the answers.

[Somtamnication]

Super. Have 20 parties and a damned coalition. That way, no party has a majority. Just want the junta wants. 

[JAG]

Well, they will be able to say that there are still plenty of parties to choose from, when they ban Pheu Thai just before the election...

[gunderhill]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

What? no Thai Visa Party? We got all the answers.

Would be banned by the "Thai Visa Moderators Party"

[overherebc]

A huge wave of new parties.

Can I name the the next election The Tsunami Election?

[grumbleweed]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

founders are expected to register the names and symbols of new political parties

Here's a symbol they can use, although if/when Prayut's team win Kim Jong-Un's not gonna take too kindly to being compared to such an oppressive regime

Edited February 27, 2018 by grumbleweed

[baboon]

3 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Super. Have 20 parties and a damned coalition. That way, no party has a majority. Just want the junta wants. 

That, or the junta could argue the number of new parties demonstrates there are too many disparate groups pulling in different directions, so they need to stay on until each and every difference between them are ironed out. This will of course take literally forever...

[YetAnother]

Bad News; the head people noted on the first two listed  parties qualify completely as people we all should want far from power; 

Paiboon based on what he said publicly as Justice Minister, a champion of Racism

and Suthep, a rabble-rouser of the most negative kind

[Eric Loh]

The Nitirat group gets my attention. Social media talks about this alternative group consisting of activists and academics who are non aligned to the colours and certainly against the military. They are well financed but only lacking in experience. Some incumbent honest politicians out there in the major parties may be suitable for this party.

 

I think they will pit themselves against the pro military parties and even the Dem in Bangkok where they are disillusioned middle class supporters and a non aligned will be appealing. I hope they get the traction in the run up to the election (?) and be a credible opposition and gain respect from the public and poise themselves well for future elections. Caveat as usual is another coup. 

[ratcatcher]

4 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Super. Have 20 parties and a damned coalition. That way, no party has a majority. Just want the junta wants. 

It's..........................................2018, the year Democracy tried to crawl back out of the grave?

[robblok]

4 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Super. Have 20 parties and a damned coalition. That way, no party has a majority. Just want the junta wants. 

Yea imagine that having a system where small parties have a say, where small parties can grow and later challenge the older big parties. Sounds a lot like a democracy instead of a almost 2 party system supported by an archaic voting system per district instead like the Dutch system where every vote counts. (i am quite happy they changed it).

 

Now finally there is a time for new parties to raise (something that was real hard before because you had to win in a district to get a vote) now you just have to get enough votes country wide to matter. 

 

This is the way to get new blood in Thai politics to finally get rid of the old. I wonder why so many are against it... 

 

The only drawback is that it might open the door for a non elected PM. But that is all.. this is good for the future of Thailand. Bad news for the PTP and Democrats.

 

[Thailand]

30 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

The Nitirat group gets my attention. Social media talks about this alternative group consisting of activists and academics who are non aligned to the colours and certainly against the military. They are well financed but only lacking in experience. Some incumbent honest politicians out there in the major parties may be suitable for this party.

 

I think they will pit themselves against the pro military parties and even the Dem in Bangkok where they are disillusioned middle class supporters and a non aligned will be appealing. I hope they get the traction in the run up to the election (?) and be a credible opposition and gain respect from the public and poise themselves well for future elections. Caveat as usual is another coup. 

They could run under the "Nitty Gritty Party" under the slogan "We get down to it!"  

[mikebell]

They're all chasing the money except the anti-corruption party but Prayuth tried that & rejected it as he would lose too many friends.

[robblok]

40 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

The Nitirat group gets my attention. Social media talks about this alternative group consisting of activists and academics who are non aligned to the colours and certainly against the military. They are well financed but only lacking in experience. Some incumbent honest politicians out there in the major parties may be suitable for this party.

 

I think they will pit themselves against the pro military parties and even the Dem in Bangkok where they are disillusioned middle class supporters and a non aligned will be appealing. I hope they get the traction in the run up to the election (?) and be a credible opposition and gain respect from the public and poise themselves well for future elections. Caveat as usual is another coup. 

There you have it Eric, something positive coming form the junta's change to the voting system. A chance for smaller parties to rise (the old almost 2 party system something archaic with voting districts would never allow the rise of new parties with the same ease as this one) . 

 

The drawback is of course (and i believe this only goes for the first term) is that it could open the way up for Prayut to be PM. But in the long run this could be great for smaller parties who are sincere to rise. Good parties like the one you mentioned. 

[worgeordie]

Has the Monster raving loony party registered yet.

 

regards worgeordie

[Srikcir]

48 minutes ago, robblok said:

This is the way to get new blood in Thai politics to finally get rid of the old.

How is that accomplished with all the newly professed pro-military parties?

 

 

[JAS21]

Won't this give  Phu Thai Party a walkover ........

[robblok]

Just now, Srikcir said:

How is that accomplished with all the newly professed pro-military parties?

 

 

Yea the cup is empty instead of half full.

 

The new military parties will only work if people vote for it.. that won't happen would it ? If it would happen is that not democratic (i rather not see it happen) I prefer parties like Eric mentioned parties who otherwise would never have a chance.

Take some bad with your good. 

[Eric Loh]

34 minutes ago, robblok said:

There you have it Eric, something positive coming form the junta's change to the voting system. A chance for smaller parties to rise (the old almost 2 party system something archaic with voting districts would never allow the rise of new parties with the same ease as this one) . 

 

The drawback is of course (and i believe this only goes for the first term) is that it could open the way up for Prayut to be PM. But in the long run this could be great for smaller parties who are sincere to rise. Good parties like the one you mentioned. 

That will all depends on whether the smaller parties have the finances, resources and candidates to run in most constituencies. The previous MMP system is better for smaller parties where they can participate as party list while not simultaneously competing in constituencies.

 

The MMA system benefits the middle size parties more. Parties like BJT, CPPP and CTP  who can compete in large numbers of constituencies which they already have large support. They are the parties to watch as they may be the kingmaker. Now we know why Prayut went on a charm offensive in those provinces. 

 

PTP will be the worst loser in this new system well unless they gained constituent seats which they never had before like in South and Bangkok. Could happen.

 

 

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

That will all depends on whether the smaller parties have the finances, resources and candidates to run in most constituencies. The previous MMP system is better for smaller parties where they can participate as party list while not simultaneously competing in constituencies.

 

The MMA system benefits the middle size parties more. Parties like BJT, CPPP and CTP  who can compete in large numbers of constituencies which they already have large support. They are the parties to watch as they may be the kingmaker. Now we know why Prayut went on a charm offensive in those provinces. 

 

PTP will be the worst loser in this new system well unless they gained constituent seats which they never had before like in South and Bangkok. Could happen.

 

 

Eric, it always depends on finances but its harder to convice 50% of a district to vote for you then get the same amount of votes all over a country. I know... you know why because i come from a country with a functioning system like this. This works much better for small parties, and the proof is simple.. look at countries that use similar systems to Thailand (before) and look at the Netherlands.. then count the parties.

 

PTP might be the worst looser but your missing something here.. it depends on how many votes they got .. before if they got 49% of votes in a district and the dems 51% all those 49% of votes would be gone... now these get counted. So it all depends how the votes were distributed. But one thing is for sure because the PTP does not automatically get extra seats for being the biggest party they certainly lose those. 

 

 

 

 

[JAG]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Has the Monster raving loony party registered yet.

 

regards worgeordie

They're running the show at the moment aren't they?

[gunderhill]

4 hours ago, overherebc said:

A huge wave of new parties.

Can I name the the next election The Tsunami Election?

Pronunciation  could  be  difficult  for the  Thais and you may wonder what they are implying!!

[Baerboxer]

7 hours ago, JAG said:

Well, they will be able to say that there are still plenty of parties to choose from, when they ban Pheu Thai just before the election...

 

Aw diddums. Don't worry, someone may believe Pheu Thai when they claim Thaksin ain't in charge. 

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, robblok said:

Eric, it always depends on finances but its harder to convice 50% of a district to vote for you then get the same amount of votes all over a country. I know... you know why because i come from a country with a functioning system like this. This works much better for small parties, and the proof is simple.. look at countries that use similar systems to Thailand (before) and look at the Netherlands.. then count the parties.

 

PTP might be the worst looser but your missing something here.. it depends on how many votes they got .. before if they got 49% of votes in a district and the dems 51% all those 49% of votes would be gone... now these get counted. So it all depends how the votes were distributed. But one thing is for sure because the PTP does not automatically get extra seats for being the biggest party they certainly lose those. 

 

 

 

 

 

Your last sentence is key. A system that rewards a party, any party with large amounts of extra seats for being the biggest party is giving them the power to do as they please. If you look at the last election here PTP won as the largest minority which translated into a massive majority of seats in parliament. No wonder they thought they could do anything they wanted.

 

However, of course the outside wheeler dealing in forging "alliances" could be interesting here!

[InfinityandBeyond]

It think they misspelled Suthep's party. The "M" needs to be dropped. 

[DrTuner]

"Great Mass of People"? Sounds like a mass grave.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, robblok said:

But one thing is for sure because the PTP does not automatically get extra seats for being the biggest party they certainly lose those. 

What if a party breaks itself into 6-8 smaller parties, all with the same politics and commitment to the same PM candidate? Would those parties collectively have the same potential advantage as a large minority party?

 

Along that same vain, what if seemingly independent 6-8 newly created parties evolve but with the same politics and commitment to the same PM candidate, ie., a pro-military PM candidate? Would those parties collectively have the same potential advantage as a large minority party?

 

I'd say the MMA electoral system designed by the junta-s CDC, being used for the first time in Thailand and not found anywhere else in the world would present the perfect electoral system for such possible electoral manipulation.

[robblok]

9 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

What if a party breaks itself into 6-8 smaller parties, all with the same politics and commitment to the same PM candidate? Would those parties collectively have the same potential advantage as a large minority party?

 

Along that same vain, what if seemingly independent 6-8 newly created parties evolve but with the same politics and commitment to the same PM candidate, ie., a pro-military PM candidate? Would those parties collectively have the same potential advantage as a large minority party?

 

I'd say the MMA electoral system designed by the junta-s CDC, being used for the first time in Thailand and not found anywhere else in the world would present the perfect electoral system for such possible electoral manipulation.

The first 2 paragraphs have the same answer they don't have the same advantage as one party under the old system as the bonus seats are just no longer distributed this way. Now its really about the seats your earned.. no extra seats for just being the largest the party.

 

The 3rd paragraph, I have no idea but i still find the new system better than the old system, as it is based on actual votes not won voting districts. Just look at the mes the US is in Thrump has no majority (in votes) but still became president. For people from real democracies that is a bit strange. But also the system i support has it weaknesses that it leads to coalitions (a weakness and a strength depending how you look at it)