2,746 candidates in running for Senate seats

By Kas Chanwanpen 
The Nation

 

File photo

 

The Election Commission revealed on Monday that 2,746 Senate candidates had made the cut from the provincial to the national level after voting last Saturday.

 

 

Of the candidates, 2,116 were male and 630 female. The provinces with the most number of successful candidates were Bangkok (74), Nakhon Ratchasima (57), Ratchaburi (56), Pathum Thani (53) and Songkhla (52), according to EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma.

 

Jarungvith also reported that Bungkan, Singburi, Chumphon and Nakhon Nayok were the five provinces with the least number of successful candidates.

 

These candidates had been voted in the process called cross-election involving 10 groups of professional guilds. 

 

 

The Senate under the Constitution represents these professional groups. Previously, the senators were independent individuals running in an election. The Constitution writers decided to change that, arguing that a normal election essentially made them politicians and no different from members of Parliament.

 

The semi-final round will take place on Thursday and the final number of candidates will be reduced to 200. 

 

Those getting the most number of votes will be scrutinised again by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which will only pick 50 people out of these to become senators.

 

The Senate, however, will comprise 250 members. Six will come from the military top brass and police chief who will be ex-officio members. The balance 194 senators will be handpicked by the NCPO.

 

Number of successful candidates classified by 10 professional groups

 

1 Public Administration and Security 294 

2 Law and Justice 257

3 Education and Public Health 346

4 Agriculture and Fisheries 336

5 Private Employees, Labour and Freelancers 231

6 Environment, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Science and Tech 178

7 SMEs 262

8 Women, Elderly, Disabled and Ethnic Groups, Civil Society 383

9 Arts, Media and Sport 213

10 Others 246

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30361058

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-25

So the race to the trough begins..........

18 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

So the race to the trough begins..........

You just read my thoughts.????

Thailand is one of the most macho government countries in the world. It is ranked No. 181 out 187 in the world for the number of women in parliament. It has only 13 women in the Senate and none in the totally male dominated House of Assembly (National Legislative Assembly)).

It would do the country good if the women could hip and shoulder a few of the men away from the trough and give a more balanced representation.

36 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

So the race to the trough begins..........

 

On your bahts

Get kickback

 

GO!

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Six will come from the military top brass and police chief who will be ex-officio members. The balance 194 senators will be handpicked by the NCPO.

aka Stacked Deck in a House of Cards.

On 12/25/2018 at 8:02 AM, Cadbury said:

Thailand is one of the most macho government countries in the world. It is ranked No. 181 out 187 in the world for the number of women in parliament. It has only 13 women in the Senate and none in the totally male dominated House of Assembly (National Legislative Assembly)).

It would do the country good if the women could hip and shoulder a few of the men away from the trough and give a more balanced representation.

 

That would be excellent. It is my opinion that the women run this country anyway. Without them, Thailand would shut down in 48 hours. They are smarter, they work harder, they are more sensible, their egos are not as fragile, and they are more level headed than their male counterparts. Why not allow them some power at the national level?

24 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

That would be excellent. It is my opinion that the women run this country anyway. Without them, Thailand would shut down in 48 hours. They are smarter, they work harder, they are more sensible, their egos are not as fragile, and they are more level headed than their male counterparts. Why not allow them some power at the national level?

You are quite right but it is the Thai male ego that won't allow them for that very reason they would do a better job. And that would be serious loss of male face and an embarrassment to the military generals. 

1 hour ago, Cadbury said:

You are quite right but it is the Thai male ego that won't allow them for that very reason they would do a better job. And that would be serious loss of male face and an embarrassment to the military generals. 

 

There would be nothing better for Thai society, than embarrassing the generals and the guys at the top. That is as good as it gets. Humility can be quite a teacher. They need it big time.