US Senate Urges Thailand to Uphold Democracy Amid Party Dissolution Fears

[webfact]

Ben Cardin. Picture courtesy: Foreign Relations Committee 

 

The US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has voiced significant concerns regarding the potential dissolution of Thailand's Move Forward Party (MFP), urging the Thai government to firmly uphold democratic principles.

 

Committee Chairman Ben Cardin remarked on "X" (formerly Twitter): "I am deeply concerned by developments in Thailand on the potential dissolution of the Move Forward Party. I urge Thai authorities to ensure fair treatment for MFP and respect (for) the will of the many Thai people who cast their votes in support of MFP candidates.”

 

He emphasised that any actions against the MFP or its members must be firmly rooted in due process and the rule of law. Cardin reiterated the importance of maintaining a commitment to shared democratic values between the nations.

 

Simultaneously, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a regional network advocating human rights, called for international vigilance against what they label as an emerging trend of using judicial mechanisms to dismantle opposition parties in Thailand. APHR warns that democracy in Thailand is deteriorating not just through overt military coups but also through questionable legal interpretations targeting political adversaries.

 

APHR noted that should the MFP face dissolution—similar to the Fate of the Future Forward Party in 2019—millions of Thai citizens would be effectively disenfranchised, raising the spectre of potential civil unrest and instability within the country.

 

This discussion comes ahead of the Thai Constitutional Court's scheduled session on June 18, where they will deliberate the Election Commission's petition for the MFP's dissolution and a ten-year political ban against its executive committee members. The Election Commission bases its case on a prior court ruling that MFP’s election campaign to amend the lèse majesté law was an attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy.

 

As the situation evolves, both local and international observers are keenly watching to see how Thailand navigates these turbulent political waters. The decisions made in the coming weeks could have far-reaching implications for the country's democratic future.

 

-- 2024-06-15

 

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[hotchilli]

I hope international voices of concern will be heard in Thailand... 

[dinsdale]

Sadly this will not affect the predetermined outcome of this so-called judicial process.

[nobodysfriend]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He emphasised that any actions against the MFP or its members must be firmly rooted in due process and the rule of law. Cardin reiterated the importance of maintaining a commitment to shared democratic values between the nations.

 

The possible forced dissolution of MFP will internationally be seen as a non democratic process that undermines Thailand's reputation as a democracy .

A loss of ' face ' for Thailand , and a big one ...

[cncltd1973]

Thai gov needs to be shamed, but is it capable of feeling shame?

[nobodysfriend]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

called for international vigilance against what they label as an emerging trend of using judicial mechanisms to dismantle opposition parties in Thailand. APHR warns that democracy in Thailand is deteriorating not just through overt military coups but also through questionable legal interpretations targeting political adversaries.

 

Correct and very well said .

[mfd101]

36 minutes ago, cncltd1973 said:

Thai gov needs to be shamed, but is it capable of feeling shame?

Given the Thai obsession with status ('face'), widespread Western commentaries about the appalling 'judicial' processes here can't do any harm.

[Tropicalevo]

Unfortunately, Thailand has to adopt democracy before it can uphold it.

We are still in the dinosaur age when it comes to democracy.

[Karma80]

Funny stuff. The country that barely scrapes number 50 in the democracy rankings telling the country at the 130 spot out of 157 countries to be democratic. https://www.idea.int/gsod/2023/countries/

 

But aside from that, this was all so very predictable and openly orchestrated to weaponise the law to keep those in power in power. And nobody is the least bit shocked.

 

I guess it beats the usual tanks rolling into Bangkok.

[brianthainess]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The Election Commission bases its case on a prior court ruling that MFP’s election campaign to amend the lèse majesté law was an attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy.

He will never ever let any government to be formed that might want the public to know how much tax payers money he gets, and pays none himself, that is a state secret. 

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Ben Cardin. Picture courtesy: Foreign Relations Committee 

 

The US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has voiced significant concerns regarding the potential dissolution of Thailand's Move Forward Party (MFP), urging the Thai government to firmly uphold democratic principles.

 

Committee Chairman Ben Cardin remarked on "X" (formerly Twitter): "I am deeply concerned by developments in Thailand on the potential dissolution of the Move Forward Party. I urge Thai authorities to ensure fair treatment for MFP and respect (for) the will of the many Thai people who cast their votes in support of MFP candidates.”

 

He emphasised that any actions against the MFP or its members must be firmly rooted in due process and the rule of law. Cardin reiterated the importance of maintaining a commitment to shared democratic values between the nations.

 

Simultaneously, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a regional network advocating human rights, called for international vigilance against what they label as an emerging trend of using judicial mechanisms to dismantle opposition parties in Thailand. APHR warns that democracy in Thailand is deteriorating not just through overt military coups but also through questionable legal interpretations targeting political adversaries.

 

APHR noted that should the MFP face dissolution—similar to the Fate of the Future Forward Party in 2019—millions of Thai citizens would be effectively disenfranchised, raising the spectre of potential civil unrest and instability within the country.

 

This discussion comes ahead of the Thai Constitutional Court's scheduled session on June 18, where they will deliberate the Election Commission's petition for the MFP's dissolution and a ten-year political ban against its executive committee members. The Election Commission bases its case on a prior court ruling that MFP’s election campaign to amend the lèse majesté law was an attempt to undermine the constitutional monarchy.

 

As the situation evolves, both local and international observers are keenly watching to see how Thailand navigates these turbulent political waters. The decisions made in the coming weeks could have far-reaching implications for the country's democratic future.

 

-- 2024-06-15

 

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One senator against Thailand's "elite"🤣.

Now, that Thailand joins the BRICS it's all only gibberish what he's talking.

But maybe stormy weather ahead for Thailand?🙏

[OneMoreFarang]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has voiced significant concerns [...] urging the Thai government to firmly uphold democratic principles.

 

Good idea!

Will they do the same back home in America?

 

 

 

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

any actions against the MFP or its members must be firmly rooted in due process and the rule of law

and that there is the problem: the Thai Constitution, having been written by the military, is the highest law in the land and therefore "due process" and "rule of law" are a pair of designer jeans worn as dress uniform by Constitutional Court judges.

[BusNo8]

Oh, this is hilarious

 

Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Good idea!

Will they do the same back home in America?

 

 

 

Your post is confusing, as it seems to imply that Trump won the election, and his followers had the right to illegally storm the capitol and disrupt the legitimate process of confirmation. 

[wwest5829]

5 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

The possible forced dissolution of MFP will internationally be seen as a non democratic process that undermines Thailand's reputation as a democracy .

A loss of ' face ' for Thailand , and a big one ...

There is an irony here in Thailand. Concern with loss of face and the guarding the Kingdom through misuse of judicial means is directly responsible for bringing on the results that Thailand says it is guarding against.

[Heavy Metal]

4 hours ago, Karma80 said:

Funny stuff. The country that barely scrapes number 50 in the democracy rankings telling the country at the 130 spot out of 157 countries to be democratic. https://www.idea.int/gsod/2023/countries/

 

But aside from that, this was all so very predictable and openly orchestrated to weaponise the law to keep those in power in power. And nobody is the least bit shocked.

 

I guess it beats the usual tanks rolling into Bangkok.

Surprised to see see USA was so highly ranked, current machinations within their Lunatic Clown Show Political System would suggest it should be lower than Thailand. Convicted Felon Donald Trump is no Poster Boy for Democracy. 

[The Old Bull]

22 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

The possible forced dissolution of MFP will internationally be seen as a non democratic process that undermines Thailand's reputation as a democracy .

A loss of ' face ' for Thailand , and a big one ...

Loss of face will not be enough, loss of money will work better. Figure a way to hit them in the pocket and they will smarten up quick.

[sidneybear]

What kind of a "democracy" offers its electorate the choice between Biden and Trump? The US is a laughing stock, and should mind its own business. Every US foreign policy intervention since World War 2 has been an absolute disaster. 

[sidneybear]

On 6/15/2024 at 7:18 AM, nobodysfriend said:

 

The possible forced dissolution of MFP will internationally be seen as a non democratic process that undermines Thailand's reputation as a democracy .

A loss of ' face ' for Thailand , and a big one ...

The US isn't a democracy. It's a kakistocracy. 

[Kinnock]

On 6/15/2024 at 7:18 AM, nobodysfriend said:

 

The possible forced dissolution of MFP will internationally be seen as a non democratic process that undermines Thailand's reputation as a democracy .

A loss of ' face ' for Thailand , and a big one ...

.... but China will be OK with it, so no problem.

[mania]

12 minutes ago, sidneybear said:

The US isn't a democracy. It's a kakistocracy. 

Actually it is a Constitutional Republic but that aside...

 

Quote

He emphasized that any actions against the MFP or its members must be firmly rooted in due process and the rule of law. 

 

Timing wise this comment is pretty funny considering what has been going on in the USA recently

Edited June 16 by mania

[sidneybear]

4 hours ago, mania said:

Timing wise this comment is pretty funny considering what has been going on in the USA recently

True. The US is so hypocritical that it's lost sight of its own hypocrisy. Putting politicians in kangaroo courts is what they're accusing Thailand of doing. 

[daveAustin]

On 6/15/2024 at 3:42 AM, BusNo8 said:

Oh, this is hilarious

 

Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.

Not quite. While the US’s system for getting in new presidents could seriously do with revising, Thailand is light years behind where government is concerned. It is kindergarten stuff and basically just a few steps ahead of Burma. I hope they listen. 

[Dan O]

On 6/15/2024 at 1:49 PM, Heavy Metal said:

Surprised to see see USA was so highly ranked, current machinations within their Lunatic Clown Show Political System would suggest it should be lower than Thailand. Convicted Felon Donald Trump is no Poster Boy for Democracy. 

your confusing the candidates and their platforms for the democratic process of the country. they are 2 completely different things.

[billd766]

On 6/15/2024 at 6:10 AM, hotchilli said:

I hope international voices of concern will be heard in Thailand... 

They probably will be heard, and equally probably they will be ignored.

[lordgrinz]

"Uphold Democracy"? Umm....Thailand isn't even remotely a democracy.

[howlee101]

On 6/14/2024 at 9:59 PM, Karma80 said:

But aside from that, this was all so very predictable and openly orchestrated to weaponise the law to keep those in power in power. And nobody is the least bit shocked.

curious if you are referring to the current Thailand administration or the current US administration 🤔?  Actually, IMO both are weaponizing the judicial system to stay in power.

[metisdead]

Posts using derogatory and toxic nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly, this applies to both sides of the political debate. 

[CallumWK]

On 6/15/2024 at 6:10 AM, hotchilli said:

I hope international voices of concern will be heard in Thailand... 

 For once I hope the US voice on this will be heard internationally.