Parties Accuse Each Other Of Defying Political Ban, Vote Buying

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

 

Former Redshirt hardliner Suporn Attawong now supports a pro-junta political party.

 

BANGKOK — Campaigning may still be banned by the junta, but some politicians are already accusing their peers of paying for party members and votes.

 

Accusations were traded as Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam warned Tuesday that campaigning would be tantamount to disturbing peace and order, adding that politicians are also watching out for illegal political activity, not just the government and Election Commission.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2018/09/04/parties-accuse-each-other-of-defying-political-ban-vote-buying/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-09-04

Bhumjaithai party refutes claim it pays for new members

 

 

Election campaign has yet to start. Yet, some political squabbling has already begun.
 

The Bhumjaithai party has threatened to sue a former Pheu Thai leading member in the Northeast for defamation after the latter asked the Election Commission to dissolve the party accused of hiring people to apply for memberships.

Bhumjaithai deputy secretary-general Supachai Jaisamut on Monday dismissed the accusation made by Mr Suporn Atthawong, alias Isan Rambo for his political bravado, as false and ill intention to discredit the party.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bhumjaithai-party-refutes-claim-it-pays-for-new-members/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-09-04

They are a bit quick off the mark,there might not be an election,anyway.

regards worgeordie

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

Campaigning may still be banned by the junta, but some politicians are already accusing their peers of paying for party members and votes.

I know of one unofficial politician who is actively campaigning and has been doing so for some time. He has been seen moving from province to province and trailed by a conga line of sycophants carrying large bags of vote buying money which is handed out to provincial and village voter recruitment officials. 

I wonder if that could be regarded as illegal political activity and disturbing the peace.

Edited September 4, 20187 yr by Cadbury

You just know this election, whenever it may be, will be a complete farce. 

This is all so sickening. 'Red-hot' Red Shirts now supporting the Autocracy of Prayut and co. Where is the political principle in that? And all this talk of (pathetic, petty) bribery (a hundred baht - are they serious?!).

 

The only party that still seems to be clean and to stand head and shoulders above all this dirt is Thanathorn's Future Forward.

 

But of course - FFP will be (or are) effectively excluded from the rigged running.

 

My God: Thai politics seems really, really HOPELESS sometimes!

 

Edited September 4, 20187 yr by Eligius

Normality will be resumed in a short while.

 

Its going to be hard to make a good show without time to represent the ideals of the parties. Deep pockets may again prevail?

18 hours ago, Cadbury said:

I know of one unofficial politician who is actively campaigning and has been doing so for some time. He has been seen moving from province to province and trailed by a conga line of sycophants carrying large bags of vote buying money which is handed out to provincial and village voter recruitment officials. 

I wonder if that could be regarded as illegal political activity and disturbing the peace.

My wife says that the villagers are more than happy to take politican's money and then vote however they want once in the voting booth. 

19 hours ago, Eligius said:

This is all so sickening. 'Red-hot' Red Shirts now supporting the Autocracy of Prayut and co. Where is the political principle in that? And all this talk of (pathetic, petty) bribery (a hundred baht - are they serious?!).

 

The only party that still seems to be clean and to stand head and shoulders above all this dirt is Thanathorn's Future Forward.

 

But of course - FFP will be (or are) effectively excluded from the rigged running.

 

My God: Thai politics seems really, really HOPELESS sometimes!

 

I think the bribery the op talks about regarding recruiting members to the party is not the petty one hundred baht that you're talking about.

 

A few years ago two of my relatives went to a meeting where a well-known party was 'reforming' itself. They were being offered 20,000 a month if they registered and got elected. Neither had any political experience, they would just be required to do what they were told.

On 9/4/2018 at 4:37 PM, Eligius said:

My God: Thai politics seems really, really HOPELESS sometimes!

Sometimes ?   Hope is in very short supply.  It is sloppy and nonsensical at best.  The clowns and little ballerinas fighting on stage sum it up best.  Student protests to this craziness may be the only hope left. 

On 9/4/2018 at 4:14 AM, Cadbury said:

I know of one unofficial politician who is actively campaigning and has been doing so for some time. He has been seen moving from province to province and trailed by a conga line of sycophants carrying large bags of vote buying money which is handed out to provincial and village voter recruitment officials. 

I wonder if that could be regarded as illegal political activity and disturbing the peace.

Nope, not until he decides if he is going to run for (legally) elected office and as long as he has article 44 in his pocket.