Up to 30 groups apply to be political parties on first day of registration

[webfact]

Up to 30 groups apply to be political parties on first day of registration

 

 

BANGKOK, 2 March 2018 (NNT) – Up to 30 groups have shown an interest in registering as political parties on the first day of application. 

The Election Commission (EC) has so far today received applications to register as a political party from 30 different groups, some appearing before the process officially started in the morning. The registrations were recently allowed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) following the new political party organic law taking effect. 

EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen reported the process has progressed in an orderly fashion and remarked that the large turnout indicates increased interest in politics among the public. 

Groups that submitted their documentation today will be vetted and if approved will be given 180 days to gather the required number of members and founding capital. They will also have to comply with regulations set by the NCPO before they can officially register as a political party.

 

-- nnt 2018-03-02

[daoyai]

[Eligius]

This article is a joke, is it not? Firstly, it insults the Thai people by saying that they have now suddenly developed an 'increased interest in politics'. No! They have been (and still largely are) blocked on pain of imprisonment from speaking openly about politics, let alone organising for an election!

 

Next, note all the caveats and self-protective clauses from the 'Government': groups will be 'vetted' (we all know what that means) and must be 'approved' (ditto) and must 'comply with regulations set by' the Junta. Right! Bags and bags of freedom and political fairness there - even at this very early stage!

[gunderhill]

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

and remarked that the large turnout indicates increased interest in politics among the public.

Nah mate it's because they are sick of the low achievers  currently screwing the country over.

[JoePai]

With all the "experts" we have on Thai Visa, maybe Thai Visa should start a political party 

[webfact]

Thailand's election commission opens registration for new parties

By Aukkarapon Niyomyat

 

Members of Thai Citizen Power party summit their documents to register their political party at the Election Commission Office in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2, 2018. REUTERS/Aukkarapon Niyomyat

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Registration for new political parties in Thailand began on Friday with the Election Commission (EC) noting that 34 groups turned up to register, the first sign of political activity being officially allowed in the country since a 2014 coup.

 

The registration opening comes days after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who led a 2014 coup, said that a general election would take place "no later" than February 2019, pushing back the vote by several months.

 

The vote delay has fuelled growing protests in the Thai capital Bangkok in recent weeks.

 

Aspiring founders of new parties picked up documents on Friday to register party names at the Election Commission's headquarters north of Bangkok.

 

"This is the first time ... that we have opened registration. There are 34 [potential] parties which is a lot and it shows us that people are interested in taking part in politics and that they want a general election," Jarungvith Phumma, acting secretary-general of the Election Commission, told reporters on Friday.

 

Thailand currently has 69 registered, political parties.

 

Thailand has been bitterly divided since a 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a businessman turned politician who gained the adoration of rural voters but made many enemies among the military-royalist elite.

 

After the restoration of democracy, the military again intervened in 2014 to topple a civilian government led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

The Election Commission has said those who want to register a new party for the general election will have until the end of March to do so.

 

One of those is Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister turned street protest leader who led demonstrations in Bangkok in 2013/14 that helped to oust Yingluck's government.

 

"We are ready to field candidates in the South and in Bangkok ... I cannot tell you more yet but we already have the names of those who we want as prime minister in mind," Thani Thaugsuban, a former Democrat Party lawmaker and Suthep's brother, told Reuters on Wednesday.

 

Some groups wanting to register may face hurdles under the Political Parties Act that require parties to at least have 500 registered members and 1 million baht (23,044.67 pounds) in party funding.

 

(Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panu Wongcha-umWriting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-02

[greenchair]

1 hour ago, Eligius said:

This article is a joke, is it not? Firstly, it insults the Thai people by saying that they have now suddenly developed an 'increased interest in politics'. No! They have been (and still largely are) blocked on pain of imprisonment from speaking openly about politics, let alone organising for an election!

 

Next, note all the caveats and self-protective clauses from the 'Government': groups will be 'vetted' (we all know what that means) and must be 'approved' (ditto) and must 'comply with regulations set by' the Junta. Right! Bags and bags of freedom and political fairness there - even at this very early stage!

And only new parties, mostly made up of junta supporters are allowed to register and gather together their members. 

Basically, it's a time to see which party will be best to utilize as a political tool to a pre-ordained outcome. 

 

And just how fair is that hmmm. 

 

[Get Real]

Good Tactics for a safe and secure outcome and win. After that we are going to implement that in the world of democracy.

[webfact]

First day’s registration sees 40 parties step forward

By The Nation

 

 

About 40 new political parties registered their names and logos with the Election Commission (EC) on Friday morning, the first day for party registration.

 

One familiar name was that of former senator Paiboon Nititawan, who registered the Reform People Party.

 

Others were political novices with backgrounds in business, civil society or academia, plus several farmers from the North and South.

 

The EC will check qualifications over the next 30 days, and in the meantime the parties can seek National Council for Peace an Order permission to hold meetings and other activities.

 

The junta’s ban on political activity of any kind remains in effect, though it is giving newly created parties some leeway.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30340013

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-02

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Groups that submitted their documentation today will be vetted and if approved will be given 180 days to gather the required number of members and founding capital. They will also have to comply with regulations set by the NCPO before they can officially register as a political party.

So many ways to kill a new party.

Even then the NCPO has the power to ban any registered party.

[Golden Triangle]

HMM, I can imagine how the selection process will go, "Okay Somchai lets have a look at that application, Ahh, I see they have an address up North, this one goes into file B1N" - sorted, that should weed out 75% of applications.

[yellowboat]

Looks more like fragmentation or a bunch of little quislings all trying to cash in on junta plunder.  If the junta wins, they will win favor.  If the junta loses, they will pander to the shills in parliament.   They do not give a toss about their fellow Thai.   That is for certain. 

[Happyman58]

All of this is just another joke. It is just Thai stupidity. They are making this so called election a big circus. The ringmasters are the junta who are seeing this all fold before them. One day Thailand must stop acting like clowns and start taking things serious like there road toll, there freedom of speech, there education system, and there basic right as a citizen in Thailand. One day the laughing will stop and when people see what a mess Thailand is in the tears will start flowing