Thailand’s democracy index for 2022 jumps to 55th place in world ranking

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s Democracy Index for 2022 improved significantly over 2021, jumping 17 places to 55th out of 167 countries, according to Acting Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri, citing the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2022 Democracy Index.

 

He said that the ranking was based on assessments of the electoral process and pluralism, functioning of the government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties. Thailand scored 7.42, 6.05, 8.33, 5.63 and 5.88 points respectively.

 

On average, Thailand scored 6.67 points last year, compared to 6.04 points a year earlier.

 

The latest index puts Thailand 4th among ASEAN countries, after Malaysia (40th on global index), the Philippines (52nd on global index) and Indonesia (54th on global index).

 

Anucha said the fact that Thailand’s average increase by 0.63 shows that, in terms of improvement, it is a top performer globally, adding that the index represents tangible evidence of the government’s determination to develop democracy in Thailand and to respect divergent viewpoints.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-democracy-index-for-2022-jumps-to-55th-place-in-world-ranking/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-02-06

 

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[kwilco]

As Thailand isn't a democracy, that is a bit of an oxymoron,

[Jerno]

Based on not having an democratically elected government the past 8 years after an illegal coup and how a General named Pray-hoot subsequently changed the Constitution to guarantee his Premiership ensuring no way to oust him, and then trying to manipulate anything including the Courts to stay on indefinitely after years?  Real democracy, right.  

[Boomer6969]

The re-painted the Democracy Monument.

[spidermike007]

This is rich. If you look at the true meaning of the words whitewashing, obfuscation, deflection and disinformation, this fits the bill perfectly. 

 

"tangible evidence of the government’s determination to develop democracy in Thailand and to respect divergent viewpoints".

 

Really? So why is LM being used to lock up those who are critical of this administration? Why are protests being put down? Why, if this is anything approaching a democracy, are the goons so intolerant of dissent and opposing points of view? 

Edited February 5, 2023 by spidermike007

[Elkski]

Well no credibility for this ranking.  

[kwilco]

Probably a reflection of the downward change of the competitors rather than any change in Thailand

[ikke1959]

They forgot to count the people who are in jail for section 112? they forgot the impact of protests with chemical watercanons?, Democracy in corruption??? I believe fake news, to feel good for the Government

[mikebell]

Does this include the delay in announcing the results; the missing ballot boxes; the allegation of vote-buying; the multiple political parties all with no agendas other than to get rich; the politicians not turning up for work and jumping from one party to another? Oh and the army staging yet another coup?

[Srikcir]

58 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is rich. If you look at the true meaning of the words whitewashing, obfuscation, deflection and disinformation, this fits the bill perfectly. 

 

"tangible evidence of the government’s determination to develop democracy in Thailand and to respect divergent viewpoints".

 

Really? So why is LM being used to lock up those who are critical of this administration? Why are protests being put down? Why, if this is anything approaching a democracy, are the goons so intolerant of dissent and opposing points of view? 

Add Criminal Defamation that can be charged by the military and any government agency or official, public broadcasting mandatory self censorship, civilians tried in military courts, military monitoring of "Fake News" on all social media, repeated use of State of Emergency that by passes the Constitution. The list goes on that makes Russia look like a full democracy.

[cncltd1973]

now I'm confused, do these studies look past the facades? scratch the surface and and Thailand bleeds something other than democracy 

[Tarteso]

In your dream Mr. Blah.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Add Criminal Defamation that can be charged by the military and any government agency or official, public broadcasting mandatory self censorship, civilians tried in military courts, military monitoring of "Fake News" on all social media, repeated use of State of Emergency that by passes the Constitution. The list goes on that makes Russia look like a full democracy.

Spot on. This would make Prayuth a democratically elected leader, and the army a decent and half way noble organization, with some concern and regard for the common man. I think not. 

[ikke1959]

Forgot to mention the 250 MP's that were installed to protect the non democratic government...

[brucegoniners]

Still a long way to go.

[rwill]

If Thailand is 55th I feel sorry for all those below them.

[MrMojoRisin]

46 minutes ago, brucegoniners said:

Still a long way to go.

For sure still a long way to go, however, it is abundantly clear that the weaker the grip on power of the military and elites, the greater the level of democracy in Thailand. 
Something for all those morons who carry on about Thaksin to take on board.

Less military = more democracy = more freedom = less corruption

[Aussieroaming]

A democracy? Tell that to the student protesters that have all been locked up in the last two years because they rallied in order to expose the Junta government that then tried to legitimize themselves with faux elections, which was always weighted to reinstatement the Junta heads of state. 

Thailands democracy was stolen by Prayut.

[metisdead]

A post using an animated trolling meme has been removed.  This is trolling, this is a discussion forum not a cartoon forum, nor is it Twitter or Line, if you disagree with a post then please either move on or discuss.

[sammieuk1]

Lift carpet sweep vigorously replace carpet less filth visible but still there ????

[StayinThailand2much]

Googled the rankings...

 

#53 Colombia

#54 Indonesia

#55 Thailand 

#56 Hungary

#57 Bulgaria 

 

(All categorised as Flawed democracies.)

Edited February 6, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[sidneybear]

You get the same thing regardless of which side you vote for in the UK, so what qualifies The Ecomomist to judge Thailand or anywhere else's democratic credentials?

[Laughing Gravy]

Priceless! The best joke of the year so far and there have been so many with the 'Keystone Cops' and all the other TAT nonsense.

[BritScot]

2 hours ago, sidneybear said:

You get the same thing regardless of which side you vote for in the UK, so what qualifies The Ecomomist to judge Thailand or anywhere else's democratic credentials?

Why mention the uk? I think you will find that you get a vote in the uk that is counted and I'm sure you will see at the next general election how a party is punished by the electorate.  The UK has a new party that could well upset the apple cart at the next election. 

[zzaa09]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is rich. If you look at the true meaning of the words whitewashing, obfuscation, deflection and disinformation, this fits the bill perfectly. 

 

"tangible evidence of the government’s determination to develop democracy in Thailand and to respect divergent viewpoints".

 

Really? So why is LM being used to lock up those who are critical of this administration? Why are protests being put down? Why, if this is anything approaching a democracy, are the goons so intolerant of dissent and opposing points of view? 

All this above might be a perfect reflection of why such surveys and rankings are so moot and ridiculous. 

Nothing is real.

 

As I think about it, defining democracy and experiencing the truer practice is a very rare item the world over. 

Edited February 6, 2023 by zzaa09

[bangon04]

"tangible evidence of the government’s determination to develop democracy in Thailand and to respect divergent viewpoints."

 

so the more times you switch to a different party without a clear policy and the more public announcements you make about considering an election sometime in the future - the higher you get on the democracy hit parade???

[bangon04]

"The latest index puts Thailand 4th among ASEAN countries, after Malaysia (40th on global index), the Philippines (52nd on global index) and Indonesia (54th on global index)."

 

and couldn't even beat the banana republic of the philippines, which has the son of an infamous dictator in control, who is in the process of beatifying his father's legacy by rewriting school text books, and without his diplomatic immunity, would be non grata in his US protectorate...... what a triumph. At least Thailand edged out Myanmar....

[zzaa09]

36 minutes ago, bangon04 said:

"tangible evidence of the government’s determination to develop democracy in Thailand and to respect divergent viewpoints."

 

so the more times you switch to a different party without a clear policy and the more public announcements you make about considering an election sometime in the future - the higher you get on the democracy hit parade???

As long you receive the proper and authoritarian blessings/approval...

Mai phen rai. 

[fusion58]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that the ranking was based on assessments of the electoral process and pluralism, functioning of the government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.

????????????????

 

He must be talking about some other Thailand that exists in a parallel universe.

[greeneking]

17 hours ago, kwilco said:

As Thailand isn't a democracy, that is a bit of an oxymoron,

Morons involved certainly, of whatever kind.