Senator Ben Cardin, head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has raised alarm over the potential dissolution of Thailand's Move Forward Party, which faces allegations of trying to subvert the nation's democratic system. This move, he warns, could harm Thailand's democratic principles.

 

Sen. Cardin wrote to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, stressing the recent election saw a historic turnout with over 39 million voters. The Move Forward Party, which received support from more than 14 million citizens, emerged victorious. Despite this clear mandate, the Election Commission has moved to dissolve the party, citing charges of subversive activities.

 

The Constitutional Court is set to rule on the party's fate on August 7. A verdict against the party could lead to its dissolution and bar its key officials from politics for a decade. Senator Cardin emphasized that such a decision would disenfranchise millions who voted for progressive change, threatening Thailand's democratic commitment.

 

“If the Move Forward Party is dissolved, this decision will effectively disenfranchise millions of voters who called for progressive change and democratic reform,” stated Cardin. He underscored the need for Thailand to uphold democratic values that underpin its long-term relationship with the US.

 

Cardin also called on the Srettha government to respect the will of the people and maintain a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. “I sincerely hope that Thailand will navigate this period with a steadfast commitment to democracy, ensuring that the voices of its people are heard and respected,” he said.

 

The international community is closely watching the situation. Diplomatic interest has been evident, with European diplomats meeting recently with Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward's chief advisor, to discuss the legal and political environment. Additionally, Pita and his team met with ambassadors from Asia and the West at the German ambassador's residence to discuss Thailand's democratic crisis.

 

As the court date approaches, the world is keenly observing how Thailand will address these challenges to its democracy.

 

TOP: Senator Ben Cardin. File photo courtesy: Middle East Observer

 

-- 2024-08-05

 

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2 hours ago, webfact said:

Senator Ben Cardin, head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has raised alarm over the potential dissolution of Thailand's Move Forward Party, which faces allegations of trying to subvert the nation's democratic system. This move, he warns, could harm Thailand's democratic principles.

I do hope that the government and CC are listening...

29 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I do hope that the government and CC are listening...

But do they care as long as elites are making money from China and India  what does it matter 

The only problem is that there is no democracy in Thailand.. A few rule and pretend that it is a democracy, a hidden monopolistic system which will not accept that there will a change of their powers....And as normal in Thailand, they don't listen or want advice of foreigners as in Thailand they know best.... Dissolving MFP will be do more harm to the country than they can imagine, but that is the eyes of outsiders.. It will bring less stabile political system, which influence the economy in a negative way, it will bring unrest all ove rthe country which will have a negative impact on tourism and of course it will bring more poverty as a result.. Anyway it their country 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“If the Move Forward Party is dissolved, this decision will effectively disenfranchise millions of voters who called for progressive change and democratic reform,” stated Cardin.

 

And it will show that Thailand is not really a country where democratic principles are valued and respected .

It still is more an autocracy where election results are ignored if they do not please the ruling elite .

It is a pseudo-democracy that has been put up just for the reputation of being democratic .

In reality , it is always the same group of people who design everything here .

They control the army and are not shy to use it for another military coup , if they sense a danger to their position .

The only way to definitely rid this country of the corrupt elite , would be a revolution . French style .

Does the Thai government really care what America thinks? 

I doubt they have a real hold over elites. Unless the government knows what America will do they won't worry.

16 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

The only way to definitely rid this country of the corrupt elite , would be a revolution . French style .

Great idea, I’ll dust off the old Guillotine

Why is US interested in the internal politics of Thailand?😬 

usa not my uncle?

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Senator Ben Cardin, head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Tut tut, him no understand Thainess...........

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“I sincerely hope that Thailand will navigate this period with a steadfast commitment to democracy, ensuring that the voices of its people are heard and respected,” he said.

Why ? they never have before, the military and 'Him' have, and always will, control this country and money in it. Oh yes and how did the outlawing of torture go ? was that ever resolved ? 

I do not believe the ruling elite here care one iota what anyone outside, or inside the Country thinks, as long as there coffers keep filling.

When I ask around in the village what they think of the way it has been handled (MFP winning the election, but about to be banned), the only response I get is that they have the guns, they have the money, what can we do. Subservient acquiescence drummed into them from the time they can walk.

I've been wondering why PT bothers to pursue the 10K handout in order to "buy votes", as many of us here explain, since votes don't determine the results of elections anyway, the power elite determines the outcome of any election. And I'm now thinking the handout is not to buy votes at all, it's to distract from the way the last election was manipulated and turned out, and with the vast majority of Thais that strategy seems to be working. There are no protests in the streets; people are just waiting for the money, which of course is taking a while.

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately there is no Democracy here. It's limited in the states too.

None of USA business. 

Unfortunately, this well intended comment will have the reverse effect.

With the exception of China, Thailand will usually do the opposite of what outsiders suggest.

Thailand represents itself as a democracy to the world, yet it steals elections on a consistent basis when the elite and the top powers do not like the result. This is not the way a democracy works.

 

Kudos to this senator for calling out Thailand on their nonsense, more nations need to call out Thailand for their misbehavior, as shame and humiliation seem to be one of the few things here that really works, when it comes to change and reform.

 

If they had a conscience, which they don't, the leaders here would be ashamed of themselves. 

1 hour ago, sscc said:

None of USA business. 

 

Good point: what indeed IS the "business" of the USA?

Those of us who remember the Vietnam War will remember that it was done to save the world from "communism".   "Better red than dead" was the war-cry. 

How ironic, therefore, that so much of the news coming out of the USA today reflects a tendency to turn the country into a carbon copy of the Soviet Union.  So many parts of the mainstream media seem to be singing (Pravda-style) from the same hymn-sheet.

And this airbrushing of the Harris woman's quasi-communist past reminds me of the airbrushing of Kremlin worthies who disappeared from official portraits from time to time (including Mikhail Gorbachev's birthmark on his scalp).

 

We live in a crazy world.

Ben Cardin is well advised, to keep his well-meant advice to himself. Thailand's sovereignty has always been influenced by the US, not once to the benefit of the country. 

He might be right but it remains with the democratically elected people in the driver's seat to decide. If their decision is not what the voters want, then let the voters take the necessary steps and action.

Any influence from the outside is uncalled for and, coming from the US, has always to be taken with salt; not a pinch but a 50lbs bag instead! 

Just wonder what US would say if Thailand criticize their political system...

It's none of his business! US senators are too annoying.

I doubt they care what a lone US senator thinks, they regularly get rid of political parties when they don't please the elite.

5 hours ago, sscc said:

None of USA business. 

 

In one sense you're right, Thailand can do what it wants. The US, and any other country for that matter, can do what they want as well. If that negatively effects diplomatic engagement and trade with Thailand then that may not be so good for Thailand. But that is Thailand's decision to make.

10 hours ago, Zab1e said:

Why is US interested in the internal politics of Thailand?😬 

Like Always ,They Try / Want to Play Big Brother  over Everyone.

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

Just wonder what US would say if Thailand criticize their political system...

Probably nothing.

On 8/5/2024 at 12:21 PM, Sydebolle said:

Ben Cardin is well advised, to keep his well-meant advice to himself. Thailand's sovereignty has always been influenced by the US, not once to the benefit of the country. 

He might be right but it remains with the democratically elected people in the driver's seat to decide. If their decision is not what the voters want, then let the voters take the necessary steps and action.

Any influence from the outside is uncalled for and, coming from the US, has always to be taken with salt; not a pinch but a 50lbs bag instead! 

Er, excuse me, but that is the point, there are no democratically elected people in power here. The voters did take the necessary steps, and what happened.......the winning party suddenly found itself virtually banned from politics. 

And what democratic principles that Thailand might sacrifice would they be? Foreign relations committee? Why did you leave Thailand on the list of democracies when the Senate prevented Pita from forming a government? Asleep at the wheel does even cover it. Wilfully blind, in fact.

4 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

Er, excuse me, but that is the point, there are no democratically elected people in power here. The voters did take the necessary steps, and what happened.......the winning party suddenly found itself virtually banned from politics. 

Noted, and yes, correct, but the process remains a domestic affair.

Tomorrow is MFP's "D-Day" and we'll see what is to follow. It remains up to the Thai voters to voice their concerns against getting the party with the most votes thrown out allowing for all sorts of little hat tricks by other parties.

Democracy is a form of government, which actually does not work anywhere perfect; the closest to it might be Switzerland. High education standard by the voters, small country, multicultural (mix of French, Italian, Romansh and German as a language base) an a federal management among 26 cantons. 

If a country can arrange for post-vote "appreciation" on the voters tax payments, then there might be improvement possible - me thinks 😉 

On 8/5/2024 at 7:27 PM, digger70 said:

On 8/5/2024 at 8:41 AM, Zab1e said:

Why is US interested in the internal politics of Thailand?😬 

Like Always ,They Try / Want to Play Big Brother  over Everyone.

This week MFP leader Pita L. met with ambassadors of 18 countries in Bangkok. Interesting the Thai MSM chooses this article about a US Senator, but does not mention that meeting. Or the fact that the German Embassy invited MFP leader to lunch last week. Say what you will about the MSM, they know by publishing this article and ignoring the other events happening here in Thailand, they will get a kneejerk response from the usual mush heads. Further they connect up the MFP and the USA in peoples minds. 

Building the narrative before kneecapping the MFP.