Election has already been won, so what now?

By The Nation

 

 

Parties are aligning behind junta leader, but Thais still have power of a protest vote  

 

No one should have any doubts about Prayut Chan-o-cha’s future political path. Reading between the lines of his statements, it’s now plain that the function of the coming election is to legitimise and extend the general’s stay in power.

 

Monday was the deadline for politicians to choose parties they want  to join, 90 days ahead of the election scheduled for February 24.

 

But that timeframe only applied for ordinary politicians. Junta chief Prayut is an exceptional case. He has the backing of the junta-sponsored Constitution, which allows him to retain his post as prime minister without receiving a single vote from the people.

 

While parties such as Palang Pracharat and the Action Coalition for Thailand have announced they were launched in order to secure Prayut in that post, the junta chief said it was unnecessary for him to join their election bid.

 

“I talked to the legal team: I don’t need to be a member or anything,” Prayut said, adding that he had not been approached by any party. He also said his political future would be clearer once all the electoral laws were in place. 

 

“I don’t know if I will accept the invitation [of any party]. Let’s see what I decide and if their offer matches my desires,” Prayut told reporters.

 

The words indicate Prayut wants to be viewed as an angelic presence, hovering above the evil election fray before eventually incarnating when the winners invite him to rule the country.

 

Political parties must, by law, list their candidates for the government top job. But Prayut can rest safe in the knowledge that the law also says if MPs fail to select a candidate from party lists, they can ask Parliament to allow the candidacy of “outsiders”. 

 

The junta chief, who in 2014 staged a coup to oust a government that enjoyed a popular mandate, can also afford to ignore whatever campaign policies and promises are made to voters by parties.

 

The votes of Thais will be rendered meaningless. Whatever policies of the parties they vote for, the politicians who pledged them will flock to support Prayut in an extension of his rule.

 

While analysts regard parties like the Democrats and Bhumjaithai as the pivotal factor, since their backing may be needed by the 

winner to form the government, some politicians are adamant they will not ally with “proxies” of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They prefer, in other words, to join the bandwagon supporting Prayut as next prime minister, rather than their own party leaders.

 

Prayut believes that his pet social welfare project Pracharat – a name co-opted by the Palang Pracharat Party that supports him –  will win the hearts and minds of voters. This is a favourite strategy among the Thai elite: exploiting the national budget for political gain by forging populist giveaways. 

 

The hands of the people have already been tied ahead of the election. The junta’s 20-year strategic plan offers parties a stark choice: toe its policy line or be thrown out of government.      

 

Thais do, though, have a way of exercising what little democratic will remains in their hands. With their ballots in February, they can show their opinion of four year’s rule under Prayut. 

 

The result could at least pull the country in a direction away from the military-backed and authoritarian regime of the last four years.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30359420

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-28

"...No one should have any doubts about Prayut Chan-o-cha’s future political path. Reading between the lines of his statements, it’s now plain that the function of the coming election is to legitimise and extend the general’s stay in power..."

 

True.

 

That is why the pro-Democracy parties should call it what it is and (loudly) decline to participate.

 

End of story.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“I don’t know if I will accept the invitation [of any party]. Let’s see what I decide and if their offer matches my desires,” Prayut told reporters.

Narcissistic <deleted>.

Maybe another coup, forcing you to live in exile abroad, would not be a bad idea ?

Remember, you were NOT elected by the people.

 

5 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

Narcissistic <deleted>.

Maybe another coup, forcing you to live in exile abroad, would not be a bad idea ?

Remember, you were NOT elected by the people.

 

Forced exile?

Who might take this old goat in?

And Mugabe is still around at 90 plus, a scary proposition for Thailand if the same longevity applies to the coupmaker.

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...No one should have any doubts about Prayut Chan-o-cha’s future political path. Reading between the lines of his statements, it’s now plain that the function of the coming election is to legitimise and extend the general’s stay in power..."

 

True.

 

That is why the pro-Democracy parties should call it what it is and (loudly) decline to participate.

 

End of story.

 

I guess that won't apply to the actual Democrats, been away from the trough for too long, will want to get back in the pecking order.

Unless Mark shows some backbone and aligns with the realish democratic parties. 

No matter what, nothing will change after the election and Prayuth will no doubt have an all encompassing section something.

Gotta new batch of Ya Dong steeping as we speak....

Great celebratory distraction.

 

Is it February already?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Election has already been won, so what now?

Snouts to the trough!

I guess this farce is the closest to democracy TH can expect.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

but Thais still have power of a protest vote  

in light of what is laid out in the article, is there any real power in a protest vote ?

Is not voting the answer? A 10% turnout would be a good reminder of the mans popularity.

55 minutes ago, Thailand said:

And Mugabe is still around at 90 plus, a scary proposition for Thailand if the same longevity applies to the coupmaker.

At least Mugabe was finally ousted (November last year) in a coup.

 

The only way Prayuth is going anywhere is via the same route he got in ????

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The words indicate Prayut wants to be viewed as an angelic presence,

He is a delusional coward.  He is afraid of debate and scrutiny.  He also throws temper tantrums when challenged.  

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut believes that his pet social welfare project Pracharat – a name co-opted by the Palang Pracharat Party that supports him –  will win the hearts and minds of voters. This is a favourite strategy among the Thai elite: exploiting the national budget for political gain by forging populist giveaways.

Exploitation is the only reform Thailand will know. 

Let me see

 

A. I vote for Thaksin

Or

B for Chan I choya

 

Sounds like the American election

 

Chillary or the Donald

 

 

 

Is this a first? Is Thailand going to be the first country in modern times to have a leader not elected by the people, where there are no military or coups involved?

 

11 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Maybe another coup, forcing you to live in exile abroad, would not be a bad idea ?

That's what happened to his role model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaek_Phibunsongkhram#Coup,_second_premiership_and_more_coups

 

In here history really does repeat itself.

Did you think it would be done any other way?

 

Thailand will join the ranks like Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Laos and Cambodia who rule their people with an iron fist. 

 

 

12 hours ago, webfact said:

The words indicate Prayut wants to be viewed as an angelic presence, hovering above the evil election fray before eventually incarnating when the winners invite him to rule the country.

megalomaniac

1 hour ago, DrTuner said:

That's what happened to his role model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaek_Phibunsongkhram#Coup,_second_premiership_and_more_coups

 

In here history really does repeat itself.

That period, of the 30s/40s, was just the tip of the iceberg. 

Phibun was the protype that was copied and carried on through the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s.....continuing on to present day

 

It's their country, and their funeral. Best let them get on with it.

 

 

Hmmm. If Prayuth is still uncommitted it might be a good time for Phua Thai to sign him up.

 

He has clearly been on the blower to Thaksin lately for tips on good populist policies so they are evidently on the same page.

 

Get rid of Sudarat and let him lead Phua Thai to election victory !! What theatre that would make.