Dictating the election outcome

By The Nation

 

 

Authorities’ heavy-handed response to criticism, opposition bodes ill for transition to democratic rule

 

The junta’s use of legal means to ban politicians and activists from expressing opinions on election irregularities and the formation of a new government violates not only basic civil rights. It also threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system.

 

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has filed police complaints against rising political star Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of Future Forward Party, over an incident that allegedly happened four years ago.

 

On Saturday, police duly charged Thanathorn with inciting unrest, with helping a student activist flee arrest, and with taking part in an unlawful gathering that threatened public order. He denied all the charges, which came a week after his party’s surprisingly strong showing in the election, winning more than 80 seats in the House of Representatives.

 

The accusations stem from an incident in 2015, when anti-junta student activists resisted authorities’ attempts to detain them. Thanathorn is accused of providing a vehicle for the students to flee. The billionaire-cum-politician told diplomat-observers at the Bangkok police station on Saturday that the charges were politically motivated, as they were pressed only after the junta witnessed his party’s strong showing in the March 24 election. The junta has good reason to be worried: Future Forward has pledged to reform the military and restore democratic rights and norms suppressed since the 2014 coup.

 

The move to try Thanathorn in a military rather than a civilian court has proved especially controversial, given the country is meant to be transitioning to civilian rule.

 

It adds weight to perceptions that last month’s general election was merely a tool used by the junta to legitimise an extended stay in power. That perception gained momentum after a raft of irregularities and discrepancies in the counting of votes were reported. The Election Commission (EC) has been reluctant to offer explanations despite the rising concern over its conduct, preferring instead to gag criticism with legal threats.

 

In the crosshairs are activist Nuttaa Mahuttana and political critic Sirote Klampaiboon, whom the EC has sued for libel. Sirote says both have been summoned to report to police tomorrow. Meanwhile seven more people were charged last week for sharing an online petition calling for impeachment of the election commissioners. That hasn’t halted the flow of visitors and signatures at change.org/EC, nor other attempts to oust EC members.  

 

Public distrust stems not just from recorded election irregularities but also the method used to calculate the number of party-list MPs. The EC stands accused of choosing a formula that favours pro-junta parties. The commission rejected the allegation, saying it had no intention of serving the interests of any particular group. It also threatened more legal action against anyone who caused misunderstandings that discredited the body. 

 

Rather than taking legal action to stifle criticism, the EC should do its job to correct the flaws in the poll, whether real or perceived. Using the law to silence dissent is not the solution, but rather part of the problem. It risks further eroding public faith in both the commission and the entire election. 

 

By resorting to legal threats against politicians and activists, the junta is exposing to the world its lack of faith in democracy. With each such act of suppression, the general election appears more and more like a cynical exercise to legitimise and extend its stay in power. Its proxy party fell short of the majority it sought, and now all means are being   employed to stop the opposition.

 

However, using force and legal trickery will never bring sustained stability and peace to the country. Instead, it creates rising frustration and grievances among the population – a situation ripe for social unrest. The time bomb of social tension is already ticking. Better to defuse it now.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30367454

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-10

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

The time bomb of social tension is already ticking. Better to defuse it now.

They don't defuse bombs here - they pile old tyres around them and hope that nobody hears or notices when they go off!

And yet the international community sits back and does sweet <deleted>.

Edited April 9, 20197 yr by metisdead
Profane acronym removed.

"...The junta’s use of legal means to ban politicians and activists from expressing opinions on election irregularities and the formation of a new government violates not only basic civil rights. It also threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system..."

 

"...threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system..."?

 

After 20+ coups or attempted coups, after all the many, many, many constitutions, after seeing state employees give themselves immunity from law and/or merely be transferred to an inactive post when committing felonies, after utilizing the law/legal system to attack opponents, after allowing those rich and /or connected people scoff at the law and prosecution, after watching legislators spend their afternoons napping on the job, after witnessing on-going corruption in almost every governmental office, after seeing the anti-corruption organization shield the worst of the perpetrators for their activities, after all that and much, much, much, much more...

 

...perhaps you could explain the idea that there currently is credibility of the entire governmental system?

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

It also threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system.

to the minority, the thinking people, it does; to the majority, the people only ready for an authoritarian system, it doesnt

Well if this is the sort of nonsensical nonsense is allowed to continue , its time the population grew a set and started where they left off in 72 and 92.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

They don't defuse bombs here - they pile old tyres around them and hope that nobody hears or notices when they go off!

The foreign embassies going to the police station made that less likely. Nice thing done by Thanathorn. The junta its foreign minister was not amused. Lets hope they keep the spotlight on it. Too bad the US embassy was missing. Though I doubt that both EU and US won't do too much if things go wrong. They never do. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

It also threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system.

What credibility? 5 years of packing every 'independent' institution with sympathisers and creating laws to criminalise criticism and opposition has rendered the entire govt system a pro-coup, pro-military fan club.

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The junta’s use of legal means to ban politicians and activists from expressing opinions on election irregularities and the formation of a new government violates not only basic civil rights. It also threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system..."

 

"...threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system..."?

 

After 20+ coups or attempted coups, after all the many, many, many constitutions, after seeing state employees give themselves immunity from law and/or merely be transferred to an inactive post when committing felonies, after utilizing the law/legal system to attack opponents, after allowing those rich and /or connected people scoff at the law and prosecution, after watching legislators spend their afternoons napping on the job, after witnessing on-going corruption in almost every governmental office, after seeing the anti-corruption organization shield the worst of the perpetrators for their activities, after all that and much, much, much, much more...

 

...perhaps you could explain the idea that there currently is credibility of the entire governmental system?

 

 

You were struck, Samui Bodoh, by the same idiotic, ludicrous phrase as I was just now: 'threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system'.

Oh pleeeeeeeeeease! What nano-particle of credibility does the existing government system here possess?

 

NONE WHATSOEVER!

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The junta’s use of legal means to ban politicians and activists from expressing opinions on election irregularities and the formation of a new government violates not only basic civil rights.

Some very intelligent and qualified posters above have nailed this for what it is.

 

This maneuvering by the junta, to stay in power, who could not win an election on their own merit, just proves that statements made in the last 5 years about returning Thailand to democratic rule and "returning happiness to the people" were nothing but pure bull shit. But we all knew that!!! 

Come on chaps please stop making unfair comments about Prayut.

He is doing his best.

Yes doing his best to destroy the country, helping all his cronies fill all the places at the trough, taking the country back into feudal times.

“Inciting unrest” by giving a student a ride home? Really?

Even these idiots should see how idiotic that sounds!

 

But the scoundrel Suthep still walks the streets? Oh I forgot he incited unrest FOR the junta so they could use it as a pretext to stage their illegal coup, committing treason then forming an illegal government after murdering scores of unarmed civilians - Great country - total failure of a corrupt judiciary which should step in when some people think they are above the law - but here they sell out to the highest bidder.

 

Good thing is - they will all be dead soon and just a bad memory!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

"Authorities’ heavy-handed response to criticism, opposition bodes ill for transition to democratic rule" -What transition to democratic rule? ????

2 hours ago, chainarong said:

Well if this is the sort of nonsensical nonsense is allowed to continue , its time the population grew a set and started where they left off in 72 and 92.

But, they have no such set. Thais, not all but seemingly most, cannot tolerate sacrifice. They don't like anything that's difficult.

 

After all, a most important part of their culture is "sanuk" or having fun. 

 

As long as any government doesn't stop them from living largely meaningless, unproductive lives of pleasure, they will never have reason to revolt. 

 

Edited April 10, 20197 yr by Fex Bluse

1 hour ago, chainarong said:

Well if this is the sort of nonsensical nonsense is allowed to continue , its time the population grew a set and started where they left off in 72 and 92.

Go and tell that to the families of those whose remains are still missing from 92.  Not one government, whether military, appointed, or elected, since then has made any effort to find them.  (And 'find' is really the wrong word, as there will still be quite a few people alive who know exactly what happened to them, and where the bodies are).  Fight for your rights, get killed for your rights, disappear into a mass grave for your rights, but at least you've helped make the country a better place!  Well, actually, no you haven't, because the same old power mongers will still pop up again once the dust settles and the country will be back to exactly where it was. 

 

It will take more than a protest and the blocking of some Bangkok streets to make any significant change.  Sure, it might see the end of the current government, and the installation of an elected one, and then the people will go home, or those still alive will, but cutting off the tail doesn't kill the lizard, and the root cause of Thailand's problems won't be affected in any way by a few protests.  It will take a concerted, unified, country wide rebellion by the people to make a real dent, and that has never happened in Thailand's history.  And, while Thanathorn may be a catalyst that sets off some protests, there are still many who support the current government, and even more who just want to get on with making a living, and, despite what is said here on TV, see no real difference in their lives no matter who is in charge.  And, this blend of active counter protest and apathy, will lead to the same result as previous protests.  Some, maybe many, will be killed, but most will survive, and back we go to the second sentence of this paragraph.

 

Until a government makes real changes to education, ends patronising and unfair policies towards the poor, gives closure to families of killed and disappeared protestors, and takes real steps to cut down on corruption and the above-the-law power of local strongmen, nothing will change.  And these stories on TV will continue to excite the expat community, while the rest of the world remains totally unaffected.  Cynical? Me?  Yes.  Realist?  Yes.

16 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

Go and tell that to the families of those whose remains are still missing from 92.  Not one government, whether military, appointed, or elected, since then has made any effort to find them.  (And 'find' is really the wrong word, as there will still be quite a few people alive who know exactly what happened to them, and where the bodies are).  Fight for your rights, get killed for your rights, disappear into a mass grave for your rights, but at least you've helped make the country a better place!  Well, actually, no you haven't, because the same old power mongers will still pop up again once the dust settles and the country will be back to exactly where it was. 

 

It will take more than a protest and the blocking of some Bangkok streets to make any significant change.  Sure, it might see the end of the current government, and the installation of an elected one, and then the people will go home, or those still alive will, but cutting off the tail doesn't kill the lizard, and the root cause of Thailand's problems won't be affected in any way by a few protests.  It will take a concerted, unified, country wide rebellion by the people to make a real dent, and that has never happened in Thailand's history.  And, while Thanathorn may be a catalyst that sets off some protests, there are still many who support the current government, and even more who just want to get on with making a living, and, despite what is said here on TV, see no real difference in their lives no matter who is in charge.  And, this blend of active counter protest and apathy, will lead to the same result as previous protests.  Some, maybe many, will be killed, but most will survive, and back we go to the second sentence of this paragraph.

 

Until a government makes real changes to education, ends patronising and unfair policies towards the poor, gives closure to families of killed and disappeared protestors, and takes real steps to cut down on corruption and the above-the-law power of local strongmen, nothing will change.  And these stories on TV will continue to excite the expat community, while the rest of the world remains totally unaffected.  Cynical? Me?  Yes.  Realist?  Yes.

Agreed far too many people still support the junta, so mass protest are useless as the junta still has too much support. If that support is gone then maybe. But your points are perfect it will take a lot, it has been tried before and we are back here. So why would anyone do this again knowing it won't change much.

2 hours ago, neeray said:

Some very intelligent and qualified posters above have nailed this for what it is.

 

This maneuvering by the junta, to stay in power, who could not win an election on their own merit, just proves that statements made in the last 5 years about returning Thailand to democratic rule and "returning happiness to the people" were nothing but pure bull shit. But we all knew that!!! 

As do the writers of these opinion pieces. So why they are so polite about it in the face of having clearly been stitched up by the junta is a mystery to me.

Phrases such as 

"The move to try Thanathorn in a military rather than a civilian court has proved especially controversial, given the country is meant to be transitioning to civilian rule.

 

It adds weight to perceptions that last month’s general election was merely a tool used by the junta to legitimise an extended stay in power"

are too mealy-mouthed. Journalists need to be calling a spade a spade. Yes I know they have to watch their backs, but the current criticism is way too muted.

4 minutes ago, robblok said:

Agreed far too many people still support the junta, so mass protest are useless as the junta still has too much support. If that support is gone then maybe. But your points are perfect it will take a lot, it has been tried before and we are back here. So why would anyone do this again knowing it won't change much.

But we have social media this time. The word will spread faster than a forest fire in Chiang Mai.

2 minutes ago, neeray said:

But we have social media this time. The word will spread faster than a forest fire in Chiang Mai.

Until the PM instructs the army to pour cold water on social media.

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The junta’s use of legal means to ban politicians and activists from expressing opinions on election irregularities and the formation of a new government violates not only basic civil rights. It also threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system..."

 

"...threatens the credibility of the entire governmental system..."?

 

After 20+ coups or attempted coups, after all the many, many, many constitutions, after seeing state employees give themselves immunity from law and/or merely be transferred to an inactive post when committing felonies, after utilizing the law/legal system to attack opponents, after allowing those rich and /or connected people scoff at the law and prosecution, after watching legislators spend their afternoons napping on the job, after witnessing on-going corruption in almost every governmental office, after seeing the anti-corruption organization shield the worst of the perpetrators for their activities, after all that and much, much, much, much more...

 

...perhaps you could explain the idea that there currently is credibility of the entire governmental system?

 

 

Love your observations.... you've been paying attention.

Agree totally.

Get ready for Mr. Dick Tater's government to declare themselves "democratically elected" 

46 minutes ago, Captain_Bob said:

Get ready for Mr. Dick Tater's government to declare themselves "democratically elected" 

Exactly, Captain_Bob. Some of us have been predicting this for years (literally). It is overwhelmingly obvious that it is going to happen, and it has been long planned (obvious to anyone who was not born two minutes ago and who has more than three brain cells functioning in his head!).

And yet, some naive souls (bless them) say: 'Oh, they would never lie about such a big thing as a general election result - that would be impossible in this day and age.'

Oh, really?! Heaven give me strength!

 

 

Edited April 10, 20197 yr by Eligius