Thailand’s 24th March election a missed opportunity says Watchdog

 

 

The Asian Networks for Free and Fair Elections (ANFREL) released its mission report yesterday (June 21st) on Thailand’s recent general election saying it was a “missed opportunity for democracy” with the striking key words “free but not fair”.

 

The Bangkok-based international poll watchdog, whose members are from over 30 countries in Asia, was officially authorised to observe the general election by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT).

 

After five years of unchecked military rule and successive election postponements, the people of Thailand finally had an opportunity to express their opinions, in what should have been a moment of collective exhilaration, says ANFREL’s mission report summary.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-24th-march-election-a-missed-opportunity-says-watchdog/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-06-22

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4 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

After five years of unchecked military rule and successive election postponements, the people of Thailand finally had an opportunity to express their opinions,

When you can decide how to allocate seats after the people have already voted, it shows that they really didn't have much of an opportunity to express their opinions.

It went on to say that, despite keeping the promise to hold an election, Thai authorities failed to establish the healthy political climate that lies at the heart of a free and fair electoral process, claiming that all stages of the electoral process, from its inception to the announcement of results and beyond, were influenced to secure an electoral outcome that would not be too disruptive to the ruling establishment. The report places most blame on the legal framework for elections laid out in the controversial 2017 Constitution.

ANFREL explained that the legal framework limits the role of the people’s representatives, fails to provide for a democratically-elected government and introduces a unique form of guided democracy whereby an appointed Senate participates in the selection of the Prime Minister, defying the common understanding of what constitutes a parliamentary democracy.

The watchdog, however, said that the electoral campaign, political rallies and the use of social media to reach out to voters have provided Thais with a chance to voice concerns that they had long been unable to express in peaceful manner. Concern is expressed, however, over weakening civil society and media sector due to years of banned political activities and threats to freedom of expression.

It added that reports of vote-buying were received but it cannot be ascertained whether voters were actually influenced. It also expressed disappointment over the ECT’s “wildly inaccurate” announcement on immediate election results and lack of transparency in not allowing observers and the media to witness the handling of election results, which is one of the principles of transparency required for a truly democratic election.

 

This says it all about the recent so called election  IMO

Thailand has officially joined the fake democracy of Cambodia and Myanmar.

An opportunity to unite has been lost to greed of control... the lack of large investors is evidence enough.

Missed opportunity? Never ever had one. But could inspire an uprising so maybe not all is lost. Let’s see, but us as foreigners more than ever are walking on tighter ropes and eggs shells.

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The Asian Networks for Free and Fair Elections (ANFREL) released its mission report yesterday (June 21st) on Thailand’s recent general election saying it was a “missed opportunity for democracy” with the striking key words “free but not fair”.

And they are supposed to be updated. News flash, dudes! You can´t miss a chance for something that never been on the table.

Another captain obvious comment about cha cha democracy.   The last coup leaders allowed for the people to decide, watching the yellows lose.  The less than nimble minded cha cha could not stomach that.   Most on this forum are just filled with "I told you so". 

Thailand will never have a real democracy until the Thai people are willing to demand it, fight for it, if necessary and then downsize the military to a reasonable level.

 

Until then, they have the democracy they deserve and are willing to suffer from.

Edited June 22, 20197 yr by Reigntax

So the international community is weighing in and seems to be confirming what many here have been saying. And things just sail along unchanged. And it will continue that way until the Thai people feel that the cost of pushing back is less than the loss of their civil liberties and control of their own country. This of us who are guest here can only shake our heads, we can leave if we wish, but ultimately it is not our fight to fight. Accept it, or leave it, but if you speak out your lifestyle could be altered significantly by a rapid move to the jailhouse. 

Opportunity for the people, the election was rigged over 5 years of Junta rule to allow them to continue

to rule, it was never up for a vote.

When the seat allocation proved un-beatable even the democratic party sold their soles for positions!

Thailand is a lost cause.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Opportunity for the people, the election was rigged over 5 years of Junta rule to allow them to continue

to rule, it was never up for a vote.

When the seat allocation proved un-beatable even the democratic party sold their soles for positions!

Thailand is a lost cause.

Rigged it was.

 

No doubt the junta cheated to inflate its vote total.

 

Of the 8,413,413 votes PPRP received, there is no doubt many, many false ballots topping up the count in strategic constituencies amongst that total.

Even if you allowed for 1 million false ballots - way more than enough to tip the result, that still means over 7 million Thais voluntarily voted for the Junta.

 

This is the missed opportunity.

 

The 7 million Thais who voluntarily voted for the Junta provided the cover for the regime to get away with the cheating.

Had just 1 million less Thais voted for the Junta, Prayuth would be out on his ass today.

 

Until a proportion of the millions of Thais that do not support democracy come to their senses and put the good of the country ahead of their own personal benefit - the junta will continue to ensure its policies favour this minority, increasing the nations already world leading level of inequality, and in doing so, remain in power.

 

Rigged as it was, Thais could have ended the Junta on the 24th of March with nothing more than ballot papers - too many of them opted not to so here we are.

It wasn't a missed opportunity it was stolen simple as that????

14 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

It wasn't a missed opportunity it was stolen simple as that????

Eleven words that say all that needs to be said.

23 hours ago, Reigntax said:

Thailand will never have a real democracy until the Thai people are willing to demand it, fight for it, if necessary and then downsize the military to a reasonable level.

 

Until then, they have the democracy they deserve and are willing to suffer from.

Sums it up completely, any further comment, hand wringing, wishful thinking is superfluous. 

7 hours ago, pornprong said:

Rigged it was.

 

No doubt the junta cheated to inflate its vote total.

 

Of the 8,413,413 votes PPRP received, there is no doubt many, many false ballots topping up the count in strategic constituencies amongst that total.

Even if you allowed for 1 million false ballots - way more than enough to tip the result, that still means over 7 million Thais voluntarily voted for the Junta.

 

This is the missed opportunity.

 

The 7 million Thais who voluntarily voted for the Junta provided the cover for the regime to get away with the cheating.

Had just 1 million less Thais voted for the Junta, Prayuth would be out on his ass today.

 

Until a proportion of the millions of Thais that do not support democracy come to their senses and put the good of the country ahead of their own personal benefit - the junta will continue to ensure its policies favour this minority, increasing the nations already world leading level of inequality, and in doing so, remain in power.

 

Rigged as it was, Thais could have ended the Junta on the 24th of March with nothing more than ballot papers - too many of them opted not to so here we are.

Correct, you get what you vote or don't vote for. 

It seems, that not only in this country but others, most of the complaints come from those who didn't even bother voting.