Poll shows over 60 %  doubt they will have good MPs after election

 

 

More than 60 percent of respondents in an opinion poll are not confident that the upcoming election will produce good members of the parliament while 73.6 percent want politicians who are concerned about the well-being of the people to get elected and form the next government.

 

The poll was conducted by Super Poll Research Institute during September 25-29 among 1,163 people representing different occupations across the country.

The survey shows that 74.9 percent of the respondents admit that they have not closely followed political developments although 61.5 percent of them are not confident that they will have good MPs after the election against 38.5 percent who are confident.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/poll-shows-over-60-doubt-they-will-have-good-mps-after-election/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-10-01

"...The survey shows that 74.9 percent of the respondents admit that they have not closely followed political developments although 61.5 percent of them are not confident that they will have good MPs after the election against 38.5 percent who are confident..."

 

Chances are very high that the Thai people will not have good people as MPs after the next election.

 

The way Democracy works is that a group of people are elected to run things for a certain period of time, then their performance is put to the people for judgement. If they have done a good job, they usually continue; if they have done a bad job, then they are usually fired.

 

In Thailand, the process of allowing the people to judge performance has never been allowed to occur, thus they keep getting lousy people. If the 'Greens' and 'Yellows' would allow the people to pass judgement on the performance of a government, then the Thai people would gain the skill of evaluation and make good decisions (hopefully!). 

 

Stop the coups, stop the cheating and allow the Thai people to pass judgement. When politicians seriously have to be concerned about the opinion of the "Somchai on the street", then they become responsive to Somchai's needs.

 

It is rather simple. 

 

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The survey shows that 74.9 percent of the respondents admit that they have not closely followed political developments although 61.5 percent of them are not confident that they will have good MPs after the election against 38.5 percent who are confident..."

 

Chances are very high that the Thai people will not have good people as MPs after the next election.

 

The way Democracy works is that a group of people are elected to run things for a certain period of time, then their performance is put to the people for judgement. If they have done a good job, they usually continue; if they have done a bad job, then they are usually fired.

 

In Thailand, the process of allowing the people to judge performance has never been allowed to occur, thus they keep getting lousy people. If the 'Greens' and 'Yellows' would allow the people to pass judgement on the performance of a government, then the Thai people would gain the skill of evaluation and make good decisions (hopefully!). 

 

Stop the coups, stop the cheating and allow the Thai people to pass judgement. When politicians seriously have to be concerned about the opinion of the "Somchai on the street", then they become responsive to Somchai's needs.

 

It is rather simple. 

 

 

Yet, extremely complex for the controllers to comprehend. 

In real practice, one would never expect them to give it all up - especially, to the people that they represent. 

 

Expect the same old guard to reflect both houses after any such election. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

although 61.5 percent of them are not confident that they will have good MPs after the election

getting elected only means you are good at getting elected, nothing more;

being appointed only means you are a product of nepotism,cronyism

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Poll shows over 60 %  doubt they will have good MPs after election

While I doubt they could be dumb enough to elect someone in the Trump mould, this still leaves almost 40% seriously deluded

6 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

When politicians seriously have to be concerned about the opinion of the "Somchai on the street", then they become responsive to Somchai's needs.

As long as 3/4 of the population admit that they have not closely followed political developments, (in other words is not interested in politics) they get what they deserve. People here would only wake up and revolt if someone cut off their phone connection. 

9 minutes ago, Lupatria said:

As long as 3/4 of the population admit that they have not closely followed political developments, (in other words is not interested in politics) they get what they deserve. People here would only wake up and revolt if someone cut off their phone connection. 

 

Basically, Thais are indifferent towards politics at all levels, as they've no reason to be involved deeply [expect for local politics] - they're everyday independent lives are not really hindered or suppressed in any manner. The added bonus will be that they know that it's a circus of corruption......so, why bother. 

Edited October 1, 20187 yr by zzaa09

"More than 60 percent of respondents in an opinion poll are not confident that the upcoming election will produce good members of the parliament " Hey, look at this like an reduction of 40% compared to current parliament... Glass half full/empty sort of thing.

Perhaps indifference towards politics by general population is to be expected, given the generations who have seen politicians of all stripes serving themselves and buddies first, coups seem to take place at greater rate than elections, control of the media....  like a farang looking for "true love" who's been ripped off time after time by bar girls deciding perhaps lowering expectations might be in order.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Poll shows over 60 %  doubt they will have good MPs after election

 

Genuine concerns of all electorates in all democratic countries. Politicians have 4-5 years to prove themselves or they will be out of office. Still better than incompetent generals with arbitrary draconian laws clinging to powers indefinitely and no avenues to dispose them. 

Seems the Thai are smarten the foreigners give them credit for they know that whoever gets in power next will be as corrupt as the previous ones in power and the next. This is the reason why they won't rise up against the junta... they know their are no good alternatives.

 

As for what Eric Loh said, that its better as generals, probably slightly.. but politicians will also do what they can to silence protests and online actions against their corrupt actions. We seen it before all they laws politicians are against now that make it hard for them to comment on the junta will be used to silence the public when they are in power. I have yet to see Thai politicians give MORE freedom to the people when it means that the politicians cant shut them up. Why else is the defamation law still criminal. The politicians have had plenty of time to change that.

 

I will make a bet that none of the tough laws that make it hard to comment the junta (or later the politicians) will be revoked but will be used by those in power for their own protection of their evil deeds.

 

So while Eric Loh is right that its better, its just marginally better. I am sad that its this bad but as long as corruption is so wide spread and so much money can be made by being in government nothing will ever change.

Thailand gets the Government it deserves - those with the most guns.

If you only can pick your ingredient from a basket of rotten tomatoes, your tomato sauce won't be tasty nor healthy. It's as simple as that.

 

The unfortunate fact is that the vast majority of Thai politicians are egotistical opportunists without moral compass or a sense that they are supposed to serve the people, not themselves. Being associated with a political party - any party - to them is only a vehicle to secure themselves a spot at the feeding trough.

 

I am actually surprised only 60 per cent of poll respondents seem to have recognized that. Voting in Thailand sadly is not a matter of "choosing the good guys" but rather of "choosing those who are still bad but not quite as bad as the others".    

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

getting elected only means you are good at getting elected, nothing more;

being appointed only means you are a product of nepotism,cronyism

 

You make a good point, but do not tell the full story.

 

Yes, getting elected means that you are good at getting elected. And yes, getting appointed means you are a product of nepotism/cronyism.

 

However, getting re-elected means that you have to demonstrate that you did a good job.

 

This is the key element...

 

 

"...73.6 percent want politicians who are concerned about the well-being of the people..." 

 

Make up your mind. Do you want those who are concerned about the well-being of the people, or do you want politicians? 

You can't have both.

 

 

Edited October 1, 20187 yr by jaltsc

5 hours ago, webfact said:

More than 60 percent of respondents in an opinion poll are not confident that the upcoming election will produce good members of the parliament

The other 40% are positive that it will not produce good members of parliament!

Never had good ones before, why would you have good ones after the next election. 

2 hours ago, robblok said:

So while Eric Loh is right that its better, its just marginally better. I am sad that its this bad but as long as corruption is so wide spread and so much money can be made by being in government nothing will ever change.

Democracy is a a political system and corruption is a social ill. If you want to reduce corruption, you will need democracy as it is has transparency of political acts and process in general and it has citizen participation. Corruption is due to weak institutions and weak rule of law like the current junta government is exhibiting and they are also totally opaque in their governance. Thailand disrupted democracy weakened citizens expectations and erode their sense of empowerment to elect government that will make institution reforms to eradicate corruption. The best examples are Indonesia and Malaysia in which governments campaigned on platform of reducing corruption and they are doing a good job. Malaysia is the most obvious in sacking the Najib's linked AG and MACC (NACC) and changing the top management of state enterprises. Thailand need a process of elections and meritocracy to reach the goal of getting the government they desired.   

The poll although maybe accurate for Thailand doesn't reflect Australia's trend of 98 per cent, the other 2 percent being the redneck brain dead faithful.

 

11 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Democracy is a a political system and corruption is a social ill. If you want to reduce corruption, you will need democracy as it is has transparency of political acts and process in general and it has citizen participation. Corruption is due to weak institutions and weak rule of law like the current junta government is exhibiting and they are also totally opaque in their governance. Thailand disrupted democracy weakened citizens expectations and erode their sense of empowerment to elect government that will make institution reforms to eradicate corruption. The best examples are Indonesia and Malaysia in which governments campaigned on platform of reducing corruption and they are doing a good job. Malaysia is the most obvious in sacking the Najib's linked AG and MACC (NACC) and changing the top management of state enterprises. Thailand need a process of elections and meritocracy to reach the goal of getting the government they desired.   

To quote: Democracy, checks and balances, balances and checks.

3 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Democracy is a a political system and corruption is a social ill. If you want to reduce corruption, you will need democracy as it is has transparency of political acts and process in general and it has citizen participation. Corruption is due to weak institutions and weak rule of law like the current junta government is exhibiting and they are also totally opaque in their governance. Thailand disrupted democracy weakened citizens expectations and erode their sense of empowerment to elect government that will make institution reforms to eradicate corruption. The best examples are Indonesia and Malaysia in which governments campaigned on platform of reducing corruption and they are doing a good job. Malaysia is the most obvious in sacking the Najib's linked AG and MACC (NACC) and changing the top management of state enterprises. Thailand need a process of elections and meritocracy to reach the goal of getting the government they desired.   

Too bad that theory and practical application are so far apart here in in Thailand. The only government that I have seen that made extra corruption laws is the junta. I have not seen such a thing from democratic governments. So democratic governments here so far have never done a thing corruption wise. I know there is a difference between making laws and applying them equally but the fact remains that I have NEVER seen any democratic government make any new laws about corruption. Do correct me if I am wrong. 

 

You won't have any argument that Thailand needs a meritocracy because that is a major problem here. But the problem is that both democratic governments as military ones don't care about merits at all and just put people in place who are either linked to their party (good example is YL who was incompetent but got in power because of her brother), Junta is now putting people in places too like sons of the godfather of Chonbury only because they control votes. So they all drift away from your laudable goals.

 

The only marginal difference s that democratic governments can be voted out, but otherwise i see neither military or democratic government making progress in going to a meritocracy. The Thais know this and don't care anymore. 

 

Only new blood can change things.. change wont come from the old parties. Democracy wont solve anything if they keep the old parties in power. They failed just like the junta. Thailand is not moving anywhere. Its sad but its the truth.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, robblok said:

As for what Eric Loh said, that its better as generals, probably slightly.. but politicians will also do what they can to silence protests and online actions against their corrupt actions.

True to a certain degree, but politicians have an opposition, laws and public opinion to contend with. The junta simply do anything they want and browbeat and threaten people into silence. Nor do they have an opposition or follow the laws and constitution they themselves wrote.

Just now, baboon said:

True to a certain degree, but politicians have an opposition, laws and public opinion to contend with. The junta simply do anything they want and browbeat and threaten people into silence. Nor do they have an opposition or follow the laws and constitution they themselves wrote.

Yes politicians have less tools to silence people, however if politicians were so much better they would revoke some of the laws that make it hard to criticize politicians and junta. That would prove to me that they are a lot better then the junta. If they leave these laws in place (as I expect) they are just as bad. I hope they prove me wrong. 

1 minute ago, robblok said:

Yes politicians have less tools to silence people, however if politicians were so much better they would revoke some of the laws that make it hard to criticize politicians and junta. That would prove to me that they are a lot better then the junta. If they leave these laws in place (as I expect) they are just as bad. I hope they prove me wrong. 

'All' politicians can do is sue for defamation and can be countersued in return. They can't decide you are guilty of sedition and haul you off to jail. There is really no comparison between this junta and the system which preceeded it. 

2 minutes ago, baboon said:

'All' politicians can do is sue for defamation and can be countersued in return. They can't decide you are guilty of sedition and haul you off to jail. There is really no comparison between this junta and the system which preceeded it. 

No that is not all they can do, that was how it used to be. They got much more powers now especially as politicians in power can tell the police what to do. Now with the new computer crime laws the power has grown a lot its far easier now to shut people up. 

So if these laws are changed back to the old way will I say politicians are better.. if not.. then they are just as bad and power hungry.

 

You seem to think that all politicians can do is the defamation suits.. that is only true for those not in power. Those in power can influence the police and with all those new laws in place they have far more power as before. Now do you think they will give up this power...

1 minute ago, robblok said:

No that is not all they can do, that was how it used to be. They got much more powers now especially as politicians in power can tell the police what to do. Now with the new computer crime laws the power has grown a lot its far easier now to shut people up. 

So if these laws are changed back to the old way will I say politicians are better.. if not.. then they are just as bad and power hungry.

 

You seem to think that all politicians can do is the defamation suits.. that is only true for those not in power. Those in power can influence the police and with all those new laws in place they have far more power as before. Now do you think they will give up this power...

Fair point. I forgot about the computer crimes diktat, which should of course be scrapped immediately. One-nil to you...????

1 hour ago, robblok said:

Too bad that theory and practical application are so far apart here in in Thailand. The only government that I have seen that made extra corruption laws is the junta. I have not seen such a thing from democratic governments. So democratic governments here so far have never done a thing corruption wise. I know there is a difference between making laws and applying them equally but the fact remains that I have NEVER seen any democratic government make any new laws about corruption. Do correct me if I am wrong. 

 

You won't have any argument that Thailand needs a meritocracy because that is a major problem here. But the problem is that both democratic governments as military ones don't care about merits at all and just put people in place who are either linked to their party (good example is YL who was incompetent but got in power because of her brother), Junta is now putting people in places too like sons of the godfather of Chonbury only because they control votes. So they all drift away from your laudable goals.

 

The only marginal difference s that democratic governments can be voted out, but otherwise i see neither military or democratic government making progress in going to a meritocracy. The Thais know this and don't care anymore. 

 

Only new blood can change things.. change wont come from the old parties. Democracy wont solve anything if they keep the old parties in power. They failed just like the junta. Thailand is not moving anywhere. Its sad but its the truth.

 

 

 

 

To combat corruption, you need transparency and freedom of speech whether from the media or the people. You need a functioning parliament to expose and question the standing government on any corruption allegation. None exist now.

 

If the junta has done a lot more in combating corruption than elected governments, please explain why the global corruption index were worse during military rule. 

 

Democracy as I said numerous times is a process and when given freedom and continuity, electorates gained empowerment to elect better representatives each time elections are held. Coups disrupt democracy and created a dent in people’s confidence in gaining empowerment.  You seem to only linked democracy to Thaksin. He is not the best example. 

 

If if you want new blood,then democracy is your only chance. How does that failed?

6 minutes ago, baboon said:

Fair point. I forgot about the computer crimes diktat, which should of course be scrapped immediately. One-nil to you...????

No need for points, just have different views at times.

 

Anyway I hope they scrap it, there are quite a few laws that should be amended. Thing is i seldom see people give up tools of power. This is not a Thai thing of course. 

 

I really hope they scrap this law.

 

Though there should be something to combat real fake news (don't ask me how as I don't know)

107% polled didn’t understand percentages ,while the other 65% didn’t think that a better education would help them understand that or help evaluate politicians .

9 minutes ago, baboon said:

Fair point. I forgot about the computer crimes diktat, which should of course be scrapped immediately. One-nil to you...????

 

The Computer Crime Act was a product of another junta government in 2007 and unanimously passed by the appointed NLA back then. It has been misused and abused by the military since then. 

2 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

 

To combat corruption, you need transparency and freedom of speech whether from the media or the people. You need a functioning parliament to expose and question the standing government on any corruption allegation. None exist now.

 

If the junta has done a lot more in combating corruption than elected governments, please explain why the global corruption index were worse during military rule. 

 

Democracy as I said numerous times is a process and when given freedom and continuity, electorates gained empowerment to elect better representatives each time elections are held. Coups disrupt democracy and created a dent in people’s confidence in gaining empowerment.  You seem to only linked democracy to Thaksin. He is not the best example. 

 

If if you want new blood,then democracy is your only chance. How does that failed?

The reason the corruption index worsened is that its a political tool too. You get negative points if your not a democracy not based on actual facts just on not being a democracy. 

 

You know only new anti corruption laws ever to be made were by the junta (in recent memory).. you just don't want to admit it.

 

Thaksin is the worst example as he is one of the biggest crooks together with Suthep and a few others. But its a good example of democracy in Thailand, how it is abused.

 

Yes democracy is the only way forward for new blood, that is its advantage over other forms. However in Thailand this is not happening and the same old crooks get in power time after time. Democracy is better.. but far from perfect and in some cases like in Thailand it just does not produce the right results. Thai democracy is actually an example of how not too. 

 

Now because of the junta and its new way of voting new parties emerge.. and that is a good thing. I dd not see this happening before but now it is. Would be something if those new laws ultimately mean new honest blood in politics. The irony of that.

 

Anyway I agree with you that democracy is better then the junta.. only in Thailand its just marginally better. Maybe in a few decades we will see change.