webfact Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Prayut says EC will decide whether to allow foreign observers to monitor election Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made clear today that the Election Commission will be the sole authority to decide whether or not to allow foreign observers to monitor the forthcoming election tentatively scheduled for February 14. However, Gen Prayut insisted that Thailand must solve its own internal problems to ensure transparency and fairness in order to restore international community’s confidence in Thailand. Asked by a reporter if there will be any problem if international organizations ask to come to observe the election, the prime minister did not reply but just nodded his head. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-says-ec-will-decide-whether-to-allow-foreign-observers-to-monitor-election/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-12-18 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluesofa Posted December 17, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2018 22 minutes ago, webfact said: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made clear today that the Election Commission will be the sole authority to decide whether or not to allow foreign observers to monitor the forthcoming election tentatively scheduled for February 14. That must really mean the EC will say what they have been told to say by the PM. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post YetAnother Posted December 17, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2018 54 minutes ago, webfact said: that the Election Commission will be the sole authority to decide whether or not to allow foreign observers sure they will be the sole deciders, after they have been threatened by the current rulers 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thailand Posted December 17, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2018 The EC have hardly been unbiased, the fiasco of 2014 confirms exactly where their wallets were facing. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post neeray Posted December 17, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2018 I think it all depends on what the projected outcome looks like. 1) If outcome looks marginal, keep foreign observers away so that results can be "massaged". 2) If outcome looks encouraging, let foreign observers "observe" so that results can be validated. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post colinneil Posted December 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2018 What the PM really means to say is, i have not yet decided what to order the EC to do yet. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eligius Posted December 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2018 It is clear from this that the junta leader has already decided (as if we didn't know) that there will NOT be any foreign, truly independent observers of the sham election: he is simply pushing 'responsibility' for this outrageous decision onto the shoulders of the EC (which he controls). Typical Thai (especially junta) evasion of any and all responsibility . 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yellowboat Posted December 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, webfact said: However, Gen Prayut insisted that Thailand must solve its own internal problems to ensure transparency and fairness in order to restore international community’s confidence in Thailand. Solving your own problems means making good use of resources regardless where they come from. Thailand buys medicines made outside of Thailand to solve medical problems. Thailand buys cars and trucks from foreign companies to solve transport problems. I always feel I am in danger of losing IQ points every time I read this man's remarks. Edited December 18, 2018 by yellowboat 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jayboy Posted December 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2018 I think the issue is not that foreign observers would have issues with the conduct of the election which is highly unlikely to be controversial. It's very hard to cheat in Thailand elections these days. So foreign observers will give the conduct of elections a tick. The issue is more in my opinion that foreign observers and organizations would scrutinize the general context in unwelcome detail, and come to the conclusion that the whole process has been fixed through the junta's constitution with the objective .of furthering the aims of the coup.No need to elaborate since its defects have been discussed on this forum extensively. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Darcula Posted December 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2018 4 hours ago, webfact said: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made clear today that the Election Commission will be the sole authority to decide whether or not to allow foreign observers to monitor the forthcoming election tentatively scheduled for February 14. Clearly, everybody must now readjust their perception of Gen P as sole authority on all matters. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post quandow Posted December 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2018 Is he casting some kind of angry "Harry Potter" spell in that picture? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadbury Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 4 hours ago, webfact said: Asked by a reporter if there will be any problem if international organizations ask to come to observe the election, the prime minister did not reply but just nodded his head. A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quandow Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Why do I hear him shouting "Two line! Two line!" as a caption? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 25 minutes ago, jayboy said: I think the issue is not that foreign observers would have issues with the conduct of the election which is highly unlikely to be controversial. Recall that Prayut recently stated that the presence of foreign election observers would be an admission that the election would have issues. Thus by converse reasoning, the absence (ie., by denial) of foreign observers would indicate that there are no election procedural issues. If it were true that there is unlikely to be controversial election issues, then Prayut wouldn't oppose the presence of foreign election observers. In reality Prayut will likely admit (as a symbolic gesture) selected observers from "friendly and understanding" nations such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar who favor authoritarian governments such as Prayut's government. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huckenfell Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 According to his instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I actually hope they are arrogant enough to ban foreign election monitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake Monster Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I suppose that whether the EC allow obsevers or not, ultimately, will be the way that Thailand is perseived by other Nations going forward into the future. By allowing observers, Thaiand will show that it is an open, honest Country with nothing to hide from the rest of the World. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petedk Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I haven't followed the news for a few days. When did they decide to tentatively have the election on Valentines Day? That will be a big blow to entertainment venues as there will be an alcohol ban. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denim Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 The result is already in so no need for outside nosy parkers. And the surprise winner is the man with the guns ! Well..... Who would have thought.....eh ? Amazing Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petedk Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 2 hours ago, petedk said: I haven't followed the news for a few days. When did they decide to tentatively have the election on Valentines Day? That will be a big blow to entertainment venues as there will be an alcohol ban. Just read on another thread the election is set for the 24th NOT 14th as written here. I understand now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HalfLight Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 (edited) Report post Prayut says EC will decide whether to allow foreign observers to monitor election Whoops, missed a bit: Prayut says EC will [be allowed to appear to] decide whether to allow foreign observers to monitor election There, that's better. And more truthful. Edited December 18, 2018 by HalfLight 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 11 hours ago, jayboy said: I think the issue is not that foreign observers would have issues with the conduct of the election which is highly unlikely to be controversial. It's very hard to cheat in Thailand elections these days. So foreign observers will give the conduct of elections a tick. The issue is more in my opinion that foreign observers and organizations would scrutinize the general context in unwelcome detail, and come to the conclusion that the whole process has been fixed through the junta's constitution with the objective .of furthering the aims of the coup.No need to elaborate since its defects have been discussed on this forum extensively. I agree. All the changes to ballots and gerrymandering, etc, is designed so there need be no shenanigans at the polls themselves. I mean there will possibly be soldiers here and there to 'ensure order is kept' or some other euphemism for 'intimidating by their presence', but that would likely be about it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chama Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 13 hours ago, Eligius said: It is clear from this that the junta leader has already decided (as if we didn't know) that there will NOT be any foreign, truly independent observers of the sham election: he is simply pushing 'responsibility' for this outrageous decision onto the shoulders of the EC (which he controls). Typical Thai (especially junta) evasion of any and all responsibility . Seems to be the consensus that the PM is pulling the strings...not a surprise, but the fact that he is not willing to allow them in (which appears to be likely) would be an indication that he is truly concerned that he may lose if a fair election is held. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithathome Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 In reality Prayut will likely admit (as a symbolic gesture) selected observers from "friendly and understanding" nations such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar who favor authoritarian governments such as Prayut's government. And don't forget China and Russia and maybe even America now they have Trump in charge 55555 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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