Thai democracy at risk following Pheu Thai’s exclusion of MFP in coalition

[webfact]

 

A collective of democratic organisations has appealed to the Pheu Thai Party to reconsider its choice to exclude the Move Forward Party (MFP) from a coalition government, declaring the move as a setback for Thai democracy.

 

Yesterday, a joint statement from 32 unit network cautioned that sidelining of MFP, the party with the most parliamentary seats following the May 14 election, would prove detrimental to Thai democracy and could spark a severe political crisis.

 

The declaration, largely participated in by several pro-democracy groups, insinuated this move against MFP would backfire on the Pheu Thai Party. It could also dishearten their supporters, endangering the support base of what is currently the second-largest political party in Thailand.

The network, spearheaded by Metha Matkhao, the general secretary of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, appealed to the MPs and Senators to advocate for the democratic goal. They should endorse a PM candidate who could ensure a coalition government comprised of Pheu Thai and MFP.

 

by Mitch Connor 

TOP: Metha Matkhao leads a coalition warning that Thai democracy is at risk. (via matichon.co.th)

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-04

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[2baht]

1 minute ago, webfact said:

the May 14 election, would prove detrimental to Thai democracy

No it won't, Thai democracy died the first time the army staged a coup!

[ikke1959]

What Thai democracy? Thai democracy is not the same as western democracy Mr Prayuth said himself.. Democracy in Thailand is a totalitair system almost dictatorial.. surely no democracy

[spidermike007]

Did I hear the word democracy used? When an official of a party that has won an election, is denied the ability to represent, that is something other than democracy. 

[Pouatchee]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The declaration, largely participated in by several pro-democracy groups, insinuated this move against MFP would backfire on the Pheu Thai Party.

were it political parties that were upset i would say that it might have an effect. other than that i dont think so, the writing was on the wall and most people expected the tide to shift this way anyways. for me comes as no surprise

[anchadian]

(1/2) MFP leader #Pita Limjaroenrat said Friday democracy is being destroyed. Pita was speaking at Thammasat University's orientation for freshmen at Rangsit Campus. He urged young Thais to participate and define the future of not just Thailand but the world.

 

(2/2) Pita, an alumnus of Thammasat's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, added he was betrayed by one junta-appointed senator who has promised to vote for the PM candidate of the biggest winning party but ends up travelling abroad on the day of the bicameral vote.

 

https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1687392125233881088

[mark131v]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

Pita, an alumnus of Thammasat's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, added he was betrayed by one junta-appointed senator who has promised to vote for the PM candidate of the biggest winning party but ends up travelling abroad on the day of the bicameral vote.

He wasn't betrayed by one senator he was betrayed by the whole of Thailand's political, legal and judicial systems set up to preserve the status quo come what may

 

They should be ashamed but due to their cosseted privileged upbringing they probably wouldn't know shame if it butted them in the face, scumbags the lot of em....

[BayArea]

"Thai democracy at risk"

 

You mean to tell me it wasn't before??

[Partenavia]

There is no democracy in Thailand, if there were then on May 16th the two parties with the most votes would have been able to form a government.

Instead we have the spectcle of changing the rules in order the elite and "someone" else continue to remain in charge of the country. Look at Cambodia and Mynmar.

The Thai population are being ignored, their views are of little relevance. All the while struggling to make ends meet, because they are being subjugated relentlasly by a corrupt system. MF need to be patient, hopefully their time will come, but don't expect it anytime soon.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

declaring the move as a setback for Thai democracy.

Thailand has just very publicly shown it has no democracy... 

[soalbundy]

14 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

What Thai democracy? Thai democracy is not the same as western democracy Mr Prayuth said himself.. Democracy in Thailand is a totalitair system almost dictatorial.. surely no democracy

Yes, there isn't a great deal at stake here. Democracy is an over rated word anyway, most people will go their whole lives without being confronted by constitutional matters or having to speak with their MP. As for 'Western democracy' if we take the UK as an example, there is no proportional representation in government, just winner takes all and an unelected House of Lords and a huge disparity in the distribution of wealth. More important than parliament is an Independent judiciary (providing you can afford a lawyer) and a free press but the media is owned by the elite. The majority of people get by just fine under a benign dictatorship or a pseudo democracy like Thailand, a little excitement only happens at election time but soon calms down and life goes on in its own chaotic way.

[anchadian]

Pheu Thai courts old foe - The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is likely to join a new coalition led by the Pheu Thai Party, which is seeking to gather the support of at least 300 MPs to ensure a stable new government, according to a Pheu Thai Source.

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1687604452633784320

 

 

[RichardColeman]

Our World In Data currently lists Thailand's democracy at a 2-3 out of 10. That grouping contains such well known democracies as Libya, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Uganda and Kazakhstan ! None of which are known for democracy, but corruption.. I expect Thailand to drop to a 1-2 in the coming year.

[klauskunkel]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

a setback for Thai democracy

the military sets Thai democracy back on a regular basis, that needs to be addressed on a fundamental level

[brianthainess]

Democracy? they are all scared of 112, I wonder why. 

[AgMech Cowboy]

I am SO SO tired of hearing the BS about "Democracy is at risk". When there is a coup, that's true, when you're voting and upholding a constitution, it's not. Even if you don't like the constitution.  Democracy takes time to work correctly. YOU don't get what you want unless all the rules are followed.

[bannork]

Worth a read. Would the authorities really dissolve MF with more serious legal ramifications than that of FF's dissolution?

And would the manure really hit the fan then ?

 

[ryxyz]

It's good to know it was Phue Thai behind the numerous complaints against Pita all along.

[bizboi]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A collective of democratic organisations has appealed to the Pheu Thai Party to reconsider its choice to exclude the Move Forward Party (MFP) from a coalition government, declaring the move as a setback for Thai democracy.

 

Yesterday, a joint statement from 32 unit network cautioned that sidelining of MFP, the party with the most parliamentary seats following the May 14 election, would prove detrimental to Thai democracy and could spark a severe political crisis.

 

The declaration, largely participated in by several pro-democracy groups, insinuated this move against MFP would backfire on the Pheu Thai Party. It could also dishearten their supporters, endangering the support base of what is currently the second-largest political party in Thailand.

The network, spearheaded by Metha Matkhao, the general secretary of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, appealed to the MPs and Senators to advocate for the democratic goal. They should endorse a PM candidate who could ensure a coalition government comprised of Pheu Thai and MFP.

 

by Mitch Connor 

TOP: Metha Matkhao leads a coalition warning that Thai democracy is at risk. (via matichon.co.th)

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-04

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

The really sickening thing about this is that Pheu Thai has confirmed what a lot of people already knew anyway - that is that it is every bit as rancid snake like and piggish in it’s lust for power as the government that everyone has complained about since the last coup. The Thai people saw MFP as their choice for a new start and PTP and it’s demigod in Dubai did just as much as the junta to take this away from them. That is about as undemocratic as it’s possible to be!!!

[billd766]

4 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I am SO SO tired of hearing the BS about "Democracy is at risk". When there is a coup, that's true, when you're voting and upholding a constitution, it's not. Even if you don't like the constitution.  Democracy takes time to work correctly. YOU don't get what you want unless all the rules are followed.

The rules are NEVER followed after a military coup.

 

The generals simply write new rules to suit themselves.

[anchadian]

Pheu Thai deputy party leader Phumtham Wechayachai has urged all those concerned to work together in the attempt to form a government, in order that pressing problems can be addressed and resolved “so the country and the people will survive.”

 

After breaking from the eight-party coalition, led by the Move Forward party, Pheu Thai has been lobbying senators and MPs hard for support of Srettha Thavisin, the party’s prime ministerial candidate. They are also asking several parties in the current government to join its coalition, before the haggling starts over cabinet portfolios.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-seeks-cooperation-to-solve-current-political-impasse/

[billd766]

34 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Pheu Thai deputy party leader Phumtham Wechayachai has urged all those concerned to work together in the attempt to form a government, in order that pressing problems can be addressed and resolved “so the country and the people will survive.”

 

After breaking from the eight-party coalition, led by the Move Forward party, Pheu Thai has been lobbying senators and MPs hard for support of Srettha Thavisin, the party’s prime ministerial candidate. They are also asking several parties in the current government to join its coalition, before the haggling starts over cabinet portfolios.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-seeks-cooperation-to-solve-current-political-impasse/

It will be very interesting to see the senators response to Srettha Thavisin, the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

 

IMHO they will either have to accept it and choke on it, or reject it.

[SunsetT]

Democracy? What Democracy?

[roquefort]

On 8/5/2023 at 12:25 AM, soalbundy said:

Yes, there isn't a great deal at stake here. Democracy is an over rated word anyway, most people will go their whole lives without being confronted by constitutional matters or having to speak with their MP. As for 'Western democracy' if we take the UK as an example, there is no proportional representation in government, just winner takes all and an unelected House of Lords and a huge disparity in the distribution of wealth. More important than parliament is an Independent judiciary (providing you can afford a lawyer) and a free press but the media is owned by the elite. The majority of people get by just fine under a benign dictatorship or a pseudo democracy like Thailand, a little excitement only happens at election time but soon calms down and life goes on in its own chaotic way.

Totally agree. The UK, like other western 'democracies', is becoming more authoritarian by the day. Witness the debanking scandal (which is much wider than Nigel Farage by the way), where faceless bank bureaucrats can make someone a non-person just because they don't like their opinions, or the censorship of any views which contradict the official narrative on Covid 1984, climate change, Ukraine etc etc.

 

A benign dictatorship like Singapore, where the people give up marginal freedoms in exchange for prosperity, no corruption and a well-managed economy is preferable to a pseudo democracy like Thailand, where corruption is rampant and most of the country's wealth is controlled by an all-powerful elite.

[Rachel2023]

29 minutes ago, roquefort said:

Totally agree. The UK, like other western 'democracies', is becoming more authoritarian by the day. Witness the debanking scandal (which is much wider than Nigel Farage by the way), where faceless bank bureaucrats can make someone a non-person just because they don't like their opinions, or the censorship of any views which contradict the official narrative on Covid 1984, climate change, Ukraine etc etc.

 

A benign dictatorship like Singapore, where the people give up marginal freedoms in exchange for prosperity, no corruption and a well-managed economy is preferable to a pseudo democracy like Thailand, where corruption is rampant and most of the country's wealth is controlled by an all-powerful elite.

Could you please develop on the "marginal freedoms" Singaporean gave up? I am interested in reading this.

 

And about western democracy, are we talking about electing people, who then after conduct policies we had never asked for?? Except for the form, what difference does it make with other non-democratic countries?? I just recall 2005, as the French voted against the EU constitution project; 3 years later, French President Sarkozy signed the Lisbon Treaty and allowed France to rejoin the NATO integrated command.

[roquefort]

49 minutes ago, Rachel de France said:

Could you please develop on the "marginal freedoms" Singaporean gave up? I am interested in reading this.

 

And about western democracy, are we talking about electing people, who then after conduct policies we had never asked for?? Except for the form, what difference does it make with other non-democratic countries?? I just recall 2005, as the French voted against the EU constitution project; 3 years later, French President Sarkozy signed the Lisbon Treaty and allowed France to rejoin the NATO integrated command.

That's exactly what we're talking about and why western democracy is a sham. We're allowed a meaningless vote every 4 or 5 years to lull us into thinking we have some choice over how the country is run. The technocracy then completely ignores our wishes and carries on with its own agenda, regardless of the people's vote. Did anyone vote for Net Zero or half a million net immigration every year?

 

Re Singapore,  an example of marginal freedoms is freedom of the press. This used to exist in the UK, even though the mainstream media (including the BBC) was largely controlled by a small elite, all shades of opinion were tolerated and editorial freedom was sacrosanct. Now alternative views are suppressed by both MSM and social media platforms under the guise of 'disinformation'. Singapore has never made any secret of what can be published and what can't, there is a red line and everyone understands where it is and accepts it as a trade-off for the other benefits the government provides - prosperity, security and institutions that work,

[Gknrd]

"At Risk". hahahaha

[bamnutsak]

"Something" would have had to exist for it to be at "risk".

 

'Democracy' has only existed here for brief periods, since ~ 2006 (they tried to get rid of Thaksin in 2001) it's been a junta "ruling" Thailand.

 

Another Constitutional Crisis has arisen, all because a few minor changes to a law which protects a handful of individuals is a bridge too far.

 

It would simpler if they just went back to an absolute monarchy.