Thaksin Plans Electoral Changes to Counter Move Forward's Rise

[webfact]

 

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is quietly considering a significant change to the country's electoral system in an attempt to undermine the growing influence of the Move Forward Party.

 

According to sources within his Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin aims to abolish the party-list mode of electing MPs, a system that Move Forward has successfully utilised to gain substantial representation in parliament.

 

Under the current constitution, the Thai House of Representatives is composed of 400 constituency-based MPs and 100 party-list MPs.

 

Thaksin's proposal would see the entirety of the 500 parliamentary seats decided by constituency-based elections. This shift could potentially increase the number of constituencies from 400 to 500, making it more challenging for parties like Move Forward, which rely heavily on the party-list system, to maintain their influence.

 

The proposition stems from Thaksin’s observation that Pheu Thai’s chances against Move Forward are slim under the current system, as evidenced by the latter's success in the previous election. In 2023, Pheu Thai and Move Forward each secured 112 constituency-based MPs, with Move Forward outperforming Pheu Thai in the party-list category by 39 to 29 seats.

 

Sources indicate that Thaksin has been actively consulting with influential figures, colloquially known as "Big House" elements, across the provinces to consolidate his party's constituency-based power.

 

These discussions involve current and former MPs and cabinet members who exert substantial influence either through personal popularity, charitable deeds, or discreet financial support.

 

The move has drawn remarks from Sudarat Keyurapan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, who revealed that Thaksin is leveraging his network to ensure Pheu Thai's dominance in future elections.

 

Since his controversial release from a brief stint in jail, Thaksin has been engaging with these crucial power brokers, signalling his continued involvement in Thai politics.

 

Thaksin’s strategy appears aimed not only at countering Move Forward but also at solidifying alliances with traditional political adversaries like Palang Pracharath and Ruam Thai Sang Chart, both of which currently support his administration.

 

In essence, Thaksin’s blueprint is a calculated bid to reshape Thailand's electoral landscape, potentially sidelining his most formidable opponents and ensuring Pheu Thai's supremacy in the next election.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-24

 

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[smedly]

won't make a difference - we all know who won the election and will win even bigger next time

 

Thailand needs to get out of this cycle, the youth have spoken - ignore at your peril

 

[mason 45]

Hypothetical. if the MFP were to get 100% of the votes at the next election, what next?

[stoner]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The proposition stems from Thaksin’s observation that Pheu Thai’s chances against Move Forward are slim under the current system

 

so instead of doing things the people want you to do you need to change how government is formed to do your own bidding. what a total a hole. the extinction of his kind and all others like him can't come fast enough. 

[gargamon]

This looks to be as bad or worse idea than the US electoral college.

[thesetat2013]

1 hour ago, mason 45 said:

Hypothetical. if the MFP were to get 100% of the votes at the next election, what next?

Charges would be brought against the MFP candidate  for something fake that hints at violating the election rules and the seat for presidency would be given to the 2nd place PTP candidate. Same as what happened before

[jippytum]

How can this man propose election changes when he is on parole, on bail and banned from politics. 

[Ben Zioner]

9 minutes ago, jippytum said:

How can this man propose election changes when he is on parole, on bail and banned from politics. 

TIT

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is quietly considering a significant change to the country's electoral system in an attempt to undermine the growing influence of the Move Forward Party.

Thaksin should be reminded he's on parole and should keep quiet.

[Luuk Chaai]

Thaksin Plans Electoral Changes ... !

what's wrong with this picture ?   ( starting with everything )

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Since his controversial release from a brief stint in jail,

What?

[2baht]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is quietly considering a significant change to the country's electoral system in an attempt to undermine the growing influence of the Move Forward Party.

Amazing what can be achieved by a convicted crim!

[Aussie999]

2 hours ago, mason 45 said:

Hypothetical. if the MFP were to get 100% of the votes at the next election, what next?

Coup

[OneMoreFarang]

There are two options for the convicted criminal:

 

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

Amazing democracy in Thailand... If you can't get what you want change the things to your convenience even by someone who is not elected, in fact has nothing to do with the Government or a party, is a criminal that has bend the rules already for his own sake... Anyway a lot of people don't like him anymore so we hope that it will reflect the results of the new elections too.. Pheu Thai must be ignored, they have done nothing yet for the country and probably will not do anything in coming years than a burden of the  10k handout scheme 

[mokwit]

45 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Thaksin should be reminded he's on parole and should keep quiet.

He might be reminded that he said he was a sick old man coming back to die in his homeland* and play with his Grandchildren.

 

* I mean Thailand, not China.

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, jippytum said:

How can this man propose election changes when he is on parole, on bail and banned from politics. 

Hopefully his big mouth will be his downfall, again. 

[dinsdale]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

undermine the growing influence of the Move Forward Party

undermine the growing influence popularity of the Move Forward Party

This can't be stopped. Changing the rules, charge the them under a corrupt junta judiciary or bring the army back on the streets people want change and this is what MFP represents. They won the popular vote by landslide and this will be by an even larger margin next time around IF next time around is allowed to take place.

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

discreet financial support

AKA brown paper bags stuffed with cash.

[spidermike007]

Just keep ignoring the will of the people, and denying democracy. It likely rankles him that he is no longer that popular, and the people prefer progressive minds like Pita, over his outdated, backwards, corrupt, non visionary, dinosaur ways. 

[koolkarl]

Democracy is nothing but a word here. 

[koolkarl]

Thought he was in ICU.

[Bert got kinky]

 

Where are all the comments from his red fanboys, who usually work so hard to make him out to be a saint?

 

[fondue zoo]

 

So, can PT affect those changes now?  What is the process?

[Denim]

No amount of gerrymandering or goalpost moving will stop a MF landslide.

 

So, they will use the tried and tested methods of disbanding on a trumped up charge or that good old method....another coup to save the institution.

[tomazbodner]

24 minutes ago, Denim said:

No amount of gerrymandering or goalpost moving will stop a MF landslide.

 

So, they will use the tried and tested methods of disbanding on a trumped up charge or that good old method....another coup to save the institution.

Well, he could make 2 changes that would stop MF:

- replace entire population Khmer Rouge style

- Put only his party on ballot Kim Jong Un style

 

Successful winning of election guaranteed. 106% of votes minimum!

[lordgrinz]

Inching closer to a Civil War, to tell you the truth, I think it's inevitable......but needed.

[JonnyF]

I wish he'd just go back to Dubai. 

[dinsdale]

8 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Inching closer to a Civil War, to tell you the truth, I think it's inevitable......but needed.

The next coup, which is already underway IMO vis a vis destabalisation of government, may very well be the catalyst.

[Gottfrid]

4 hours ago, mason 45 said:

Hypothetical. if the MFP were to get 100% of the votes at the next election, what next?

A definite dissolution of the party, with immediate effect and no need for court process. 😂