Democrats join other parties in shunning NCPO meeting

[webfact]

Democrats join other parties in shunning NCPO meeting

By THE NATION

 

 

THE NUMBER OF parties boycotting tomorrow’s meeting with the junta grew yesterday with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva announcing that his party also will not be attending.
 

The Democrats are the latest major political party to shun the meeting called by the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

 

Earlier, Pheu Thai, Thai Raksa Chart and Future Forward parties had announced that they would not attend any meeting called by the NCPO, stating that the ruling |junta had nothing to do with the elections. They have insisted |that the upcoming election only concerns the Election Commission (EC) and political parties. 

 

Abhisit said yesterday that he “saw no benefit” in attending the meeting, as the NCPO invitation said the event was being held for political parties to hear from the authorities about the next election. 

 

“The invitation said the meeting was for relevant authorities to explain details about the election, not for participants to discuss how the election will be held. So, I’m not sure if there will be any exchange of views,” Abhisit said. 

 

“The crux of this election is to allow public participation under a democratic system that sets the country’s future. Also, for this election to be acceptable it needs to be free and fair.” 

 

Abhisit also said the Democrats would not join forces with the pro-junta Palang Pracharat Party to back General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return as prime minister. 

 

He added that many of Palang Pracharat’s policy platforms were “incompatible” with those of his party. For instance, Palang Pracharat focuses on centralisation of power, while the Democrats want power to be decentralised from Bangkok to the provinces.

 

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who is expected to be Pheu Thai’s chief prime ministerial candidate, maintained yesterday that the party would not attend tomorrow’s meeting if the NCPO and government representatives were present. 

 

“Holding an election is the EC’s duty. We don’t think the government and the NCPO should get involved,” she said. “I am against the NCPO or the government interfering” through use of absolute power allowed by Article 44 of the post-coup interim charter, some elements of which have been added to the current Constitution. 

 

General Prayut, in his capacity as head of the NCPO, had earlier shrugged off growing opposition to the meeting, which was previously expected to serve as a forum for political parties to voice their requests related to the next election. The national ballot has been tentatively scheduled for February 24.

 

Prayut, who is expected to preside over the meeting, had implied that the boycotting parties did not want to contest the election. 

Through an order issued by Prayut in December last year, the junta has been empowered to “work with” the EC and political parties in setting the election date. 

 

Separately, Pheu Thai yesterday blamed the “serious conflicts” between its election candidates on the EC’s recent mapping of constituencies.

 

Sudarat, who leads Pheu Thai’s election strategy committee, said there were conflicts involving its candidates in more than 10 constituencies, though she dismissed media reports that fistfights had broken out among some party members. 

 

“There was no violence. The persons involved only showed their hurt feelings. The mapping of the constituencies is to blame for the conflict. This problem needs to be tackled urgently,” she said. 

 

Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said yesterday that a misunderstanding had caused the conflict and that the arguments between the politicians could not be considered serious.

 

“The incident was inaccurately reported and was over without any violence,” he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30359901

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-06

[sjaak327]

The elections won't be free and fair. Anyone still In doubt need to wake up.

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

[Thailand]

The EC are not exactly independent now are they?

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Also, for this election to be acceptable it needs to be free and fair.” 

depends on whose definition of 'free and fair'; junta will say it is free and fair even if they are the only ones voting

[a977]

Ah! well there's the excuse Pinocchio needs to defer the election!!!!!!!!!!

[Eligius]

The political parties (who genuinely stand for democracy) should now be boycotting the fake election in toto. It is quite obvious that the whole thing is going to be one massive con trick, deception, and outrageous fraud - an insult to Thailand's and the world's intelligence.

[PatOngo]

8 minutes ago, Eligius said:

The political parties (who genuinely stand for democracy) should now be boycotting the fake election in toto. It is quite obvious that the whole thing is going to be one massive con trick, deception, and outrageous fraud - an insult to Thailand's and the world's intelligence.

Do you think the world really cares what happens in Thailand? Do Thai's really care? They say in politics you get what you deserve. If the junta can dupe 50 million people, that doesn't speak volumes for those people!

[mfd101]

Nevertheless there have been reports of a backbone being sighted. Could be a sign of something interesting.

 

Perhaps a mammal.

[Samui Bodoh]

This is all well and good, but what about doing something proactive rather then simply reacting?

 

Why not call a meeting- call it the "Democracy Summit"- and lay out all the reasons you think the Junta is cheating and what it would take for you and your party(s) to participate in the election?

 

This re-acting, this whining, this whingeing is a waste of time and makes you look like 12 year old girls.

 

As the old saying goes; act now or forever hold your peace.

 

 

[zzaa09]

2 hours ago, sjaak327 said:

The elections won't be free and fair. Anyone still In doubt need to wake up.

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk
 

Oh well....

The indifference is quite consistent among Thais. 

Continue on with their everyday free, independent, and self-sufficient lives regardless of false standing governments. 

 

Why Farang are so terribly angst towards all Thai affairs is quite baffling. 

Their observations are clearly manufactured.

Edited December 6, 2018 by zzaa09

[Ossy]

I look forward, tomorrow, to hearing about the 'useful' meeting between the NCPO - aka Prayuth and anyone with the stomach to sit close to him - and the PPRP. With all the election details to be explained by the 'relevant authorities', I can see the meeting lasting for at least five minutes.

[Brigand]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

For instance, Palang Pracharat focuses on centralisation of power...

Well, imagine that...how very military of them. Just wanting the same old BS to continue and for Bangkok to decide every tiny detail of life in all parts of Thailand. Keep going backwards morons.

[TKDfella]

Ha, Mr. PM look on the bright side. If opposing parties boycott the meeting then from any questions you'll get all the answers you want to here. It'll be just like talking to yourself...you'll like that won't you!???? 

[sjaak327]

Oh well....
The indifference is quite consistent among Thais. 
Continue on with their everyday free, independent, and self-sufficient lives regardless of false standing governments. 
 
Why Farang are so terribly angst towards all Thai affairs is quite baffling. 
Their observations are clearly manufactured.

It is clear you underestimate the Thai. Happens to the best.

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

[meechai]

6 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

The indifference is quite consistent among Thais. 

Continue on with their everyday free, independent, and self-sufficient lives regardless of false standing governments.

Ignorance sometimes mistaken for indifference

 

Until false standing governments slip one too many links onto the chains that bind them.

 

Has many forms...could be the new tax that lines the false standing governments pockets

Could be the loss of previously held rights or benefits

But when that last straw breaks ...then claimed ignorance/indifference finds its limit

[CantSpell]

Can already imagine Friday speech at 08:00 p.m.

 

"And those no good politicians that want to damage the country showed again their true colors for the people to see...

Your beloved PM working very hard for you all, myself, invited them to a meeting to discuss our fair elections, but they did not show (wave of hand).

So this is clear, those no good politicians are not interested in discussing my election(s) with me...

Elections are therefor cancelled for next year..

It is clearly their fault: they damaged the country again"..... 

[chama]

It appears there may be enough parties declining the indoctrination meeting to make it a mute forum. Ultimately it also appears this is all for show and the election has already been decided...not voting required. The junta is using the time leading up to the election to quell any opposition from the voting public to having their voices silenced.