Minister explains comment on poll observers

By THE NATION

 

FOREIGN MINISTER Don Pramudwinai

 

Thailand has plenty of experience in holding elections; EC stays mum on issue.
 

FOREIGN MINISTER Don Pramudwinai yesterday clarified his controversial statement over allowing international observers at the upcoming election, saying that Thailand was not a new country that did not know how to hold an election and needed foreigners to monitor the process. 

 

The clarification yesterday came after his previous statement drew flak from critics and politicians.

 

Don also told the press yesterday that having foreigners monitor the election only showed that Thailand had internal problems.

 

“I don’t mean we should reject international observers,” he said. “But we are experienced enough and the process is already transparent.”

 

Don said having foreign diplomats monitor the events should be enough. 

 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Busadee Santipitaks also put an emphasis on the issue, repeating that Thailand had the capacity to hold an election without international assistance.

 

“The foreign minister has always said that there’s no need to invite observers from abroad to monitor our internal affairs. The election, for instance, we Thais can take care of that on our own,” she said.

 

Only countries that are new to holding elections need international observers to monitor the process, she said, pointing out that Thailand has held 27 elections since the Siamese revolution in 1932 and has an independent agency – the Election Commission – responsible for election oversight.

 

This election, she said, was more important than usual and was a great opportunity to get every Thai to participate throughout the process. 

 

“An election for and by the Thais is better than involving foreign observers who may not understand Thai politics,” the spokesperson |said. 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, said it was up to the EC to decide if international observers should be allowed to monitor the poll scheduled for February, though the commission has remained mum on the matter.

 

In a related development, another controversy surrounding the upcoming election was resolved yesterday after the EC decided the ballot paper would include party symbols and party names.

 

This reversed an earlier EC concern over the difficulties in organising the printing of so many different ballots. 

 

It had initially been suggested that the ballot paper only include candidate numbers so the 350 consistencies could use the same sheet.

 

However, the decision drew serious flak, with politicians and critics saying it would create confusion if the ballot failed to show the party symbol or name under which each candidate is running. 

 

A poll last week found overwhelming public support for a ballot with party names and symbols.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30360690

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-19

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

... the process is already transparent

Yes indeed, we can see right through it.

 

LOL. What a circus. Can't wait for good ol' Feb 24! Buying popcorn now.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

FOREIGN MINISTER Don Pramudwinai yesterday clarified his controversial statement over allowing international observers at the upcoming election, saying that Thailand was not a new country that did not know how to hold an election and needed foreigners to monitor the process. 

Elections and democracy night not be new to Thailand, however. the concepts seem to have been a largish blind spot in the current government's view of the world. Given the recent history of elections and politics in general in Thailand some supervision by experienced adults might be an idea.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

saying that Thailand was not a new country that did not know how to hold an election and needed foreigners to monitor the process. 

lack of intelligence in line with comments this guy has made before; monitoring is not about ability to hold an election , something about 'fairness' and exposing the rigging of an election

 

“An election for and by the Thais is better than involving foreign observers who may not understand Thai politics,” the spokesperson |said

 

A typical Thai response if I ever saw one. No foreigner could possibly understand anything Thai.

 

They use the same excuse for every aspect of life. So predictable it hurts.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“An election for and by the Thais is better than involving foreign observers who may not understand Thai politics,”

It's not a matter of understanding, it's a matter of trust, and there are many sceptics!

38 minutes ago, KhunProletariat said:

 

“An election for and by the Thais is better than involving foreign observers who may not understand Thai politics,” the spokesperson |said

 

A typical Thai response if I ever saw one. No foreigner could possibly understand anything Thai.

 

They use the same excuse for every aspect of life. So predictable it hurts.

Predictable and a national mandate since long ago. This "defending the nation against foreigners" is one of the few things Thais commit to consistently. 

 

Thai Cultural Mandates 

2.2

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Don also told the press yesterday that having foreigners monitor the election only showed that Thailand had internal problems.

 coup's...............not a problem i guess

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“An election for and by the Thais is better than involving foreign observers who may not understand Thai politics,” the spokesperson |said.

And here I thought counting ballots was supposed to be totally objective, so the need to understand politics had nothing to do with it... ????

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has plenty of experience in holding elections; EC stays mum on issue.

Thailand has also plenty of experience with the military overthrowing elected governments.

Well, let's get ready for a fair and free election then.

 

"Only countries that are new to holding elections need international observers to monitor the process, she said, pointing out that Thailand has held 27 elections since the Siamese revolution in 1932 and has an independent agency – the Election Commission – responsible for election oversight."

 

The Thai interpretation of independent. Who hid the spew bucket?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Don also told the press yesterday that having foreigners monitor the election only showed that Thailand had internal problems.

Hate to be Captain Obvious here, but when the military takes over the country and overthrows a democratically elected government by force, holds on to power for 4 years, and only grudgingly allowing elections to take place while impeding virtually all other opposing parties - that is pretty much indicative that Thailand has internal problems.  Hence the legitimate call for foreign election monitors.  Just saying.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Don also told the press yesterday that having foreigners monitor the election only showed that Thailand had internal problems.

It does.  It has far too many coups.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Don said having foreign diplomats monitor the events should be enough.

Nobody trusts them either.  Diplomats will weigh their responses based on their country's best interests, not that of the humble Thai.    What a stupid comment.  He should put more effort in his use of words instead of looking old and distinguished. 

 

Don is playing with matches in a pool of high octane aviation fuel.  Thailand's track record of coups gives it no credibility whatsoever in the realm of governance.  If the junta wins without monitors, it will really look bad.  With monitors, the junta could lose.  They are in a pickle, and no empty pontification and calls to nationalism can help them.       

Don also told the press yesterday that having foreigners monitor the election only showed that Thailand had internal problems.

 

“I don’t mean we should reject international observers,” he said. “But we are experienced enough and the process is already transparent.”

 

Well, the administration has been anything but transparent, so why should a single soul believe that they will be honest and righteous, when it comes to this election. Most of us expect the Army to steal votes, in any manner they deem fit, in a bid to desperately cling to power. 

Yeah we Thai actually do not need any foreigners at all. We have Karaket.

Nothing foreign is good, only cars and luxury Swiss watches...