EC Chairman Suggests Election Date - December 16th

[Jai Dee]

EC Chairman suggests election date

Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Apichart Sukhagganond (อภิชาต สุขัคคานนท์) says December 16th is the most suitable date to launch the general election. EC is expediting its preparation of the election as there are only three months left.

The chairman adds that EC is conducting a campaign to inform people about the general election and persuade them to vote. The referendum turnout of more than 50% is a good sign for the general election at the end of the year as it shows that people are enthusiastic about democracy.

Mr Apichart says further that EC will use lessons learned from the referendum in arranging public relations activities for the general election. EC will call a meeting today in the afternoon to conclude the referendum results which will be submitted to the Constitution Drafting Assembly in the evening.

Unofficial results of the referendum yesterday show that there are 25,140,147 voters from 45,658,178 eligible voters or 54.80%. There are 58.34% of yes votes, 41.66% of no votes, and 1.97% of destroyed ballots.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC gives nod to Dec. 16 election date

The Election Commission chairman (EC) is backing an idea to hold the general election on December 16.

The EC is now moving ahead full steam to get the pre-election process going with just three months left to encourage voters to go to the polls on election day.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Jai Dee]

Islamic committee confident announcement of election date will improve economy

The chairman of the Islamic committee in Satun province indicates that the economy and political turmoil will improve after the government has officially announced the general election date.

Chairman of the Satun Islamic Committee Ibrohim Adam (อิบรอเหม อาดำ) says the majority of people approved the charter draft in the referendum yesterday as they want to bring peace and democracy to the county. As for those opposing the charter draft, the chairman suggests that they should stop their protests and accept the results of the referendum.

Mr Ibrohim adds that the government’s announcement of the general election date might also help regain foreign countries’ confidence in Thai politics. As for the Southern insurgency, he says the referendum results might not have an effect on it.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thailand’s general election to be held this December

Thailand’s general election is now looked set to be held this December after an approval of the first-ever national referendum for the draft constitution Sunday.

By 10.18 a.m. local time (0318 GMT) Monday, the draft charter was approved by 14,249,520 voters nationwide while 10,419,912 voters, mostly northerners and northeasterners, rejected it and 479,715 votes were void.

The North and Northeastern regions are considered political strongholds of the now disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, founded by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said he personally believed December 16 was the most suitable date for holding the general election and, if approved, the EC would start preparing works immediately because there was only about four months left.

Expressing his satisfaction over eligible voters exercising their rights in Sunday’s national referendum for the draft charter, Mr. Apichart said the EC would conduct a study on mistakes which prevented voters from casting votes Sunday for the upcoming general election.

EC officials will hold a meeting Monday afternoon on the national referendum and the outcome of the meeting will be submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee later in the day, he said.

Interim Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont said earlier he believed the most suitable dates for holding the general election are either December 16 or 23, after celebrations of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday which falls on December 5. He said he planned to confer with National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan and the EC chairman on fixing the election date after he returns from a visit to Malaysia this Wednesday.

“Under the democratic system, everybody must respect minority votes (on the national referendum) but must follow majority votes. The number of people exercising voting rights was quite satisfactory and I think people want to see the country to get out of crisis which should benefit the country’s future political prospect,” said Gen. Surayud.

Source: TNA - 20 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC Chairman believes December 16 ideal date to hold elections

The Chairman of the Election Commission of Thailand believes that December 16 is an ideal election date for the nation.

Mr. Apichart Sukakanon (อภิชาติ สุขัคคานนท์) said that the Election Commission of Thailand has set a work timetable to accommodate general elections after the public referendum. Mr. Apichart said that only 3 months remained for officials to campaign for public participation in the upcoming general elections.

The Chairman of the Election Commission of Thailand added that his organization will be evaluating for weaknesses in the public referendum public relations campaign in order to improve on campaigns to be used in the general elections. Mr. Apichart added that the Election Commission will submit its conclusions on the public referendum to the Constitution Drafting Assembly this evening.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Party urges government to set clear election dates

The Democrat Party is urging the government to set a clear date for general elections.

Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) and executive members of the Democrat Party are confident that the public referendum outcome has restored Thailand's democracy and set a clear future for the nation. The Democrat Party is urging the government, the Council for National Security, and the National Legislative Assembly to create a definite timeframe leading up to general elections at the end of the year in order to improve the nation's image and support the establishment of a new government.

Mr. Abhisit expressed his belief that all political parties have shown their willingness to contribute to revisions made to the 2007 constitutional draft, therefore parties should increase democratic elements in the constitution in order to prevent political conflicts between the opposition and the government.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC to set venues for new political parties to register

Election Commission (EC) will be preparing venues for new political parties to register tomorrow.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) urges political groups to quickly register their party names to avoid problems in the future. She says that the new constitution requires politicians to become members of a political party 30 days ahead of the election.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Third Army vows to monitor election

Third Army commander Lt-Gen Jiradej Kotcharat, who supervises the northern region, has expressed his intention to continue doing his job of overseeing the general election to ensure it is carried out transparently.

He said of the national referendum that it was “tainted with corruption” but was confident the passing of the draft charter would help to resolve the political situation.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Mid]

Third Army vows to monitor election

Kudos JD , I'm beaten to the punch .........................

rest of the story is worth a read IMHO

[rafval]

Third Army vows to monitor election

Third Army commander Lt-Gen Jiradej Kotcharat, who supervises the northern region, has expressed his intention to continue doing his job of overseeing the general election to ensure it is carried out transparently.

He said of the national referendum that it was “tainted with corruption” but was confident the passing of the draft charter would help to resolve the political situation.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

I think bribes will always be a problem, if you think none of the parties have anything to offer you and you are poor you take the 200b, I would

[Mid]

Election date still uncertain: EC chairman

August 20, 2007 : Last updated 04:52 pm

Election Commission Chairman Apichart Sukhakagganond said Monday that the EC could not confirm that the next election could be held on December 16 as proposed by the prime minister.

He said the election might be held on December 23 or 30 or even early January.

He said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had invite the EC to a meeting to consult on the election date.

The Nation

[Mid]

US asks Thailand to hold quick elections

08-20-2007, 15h18

WASHINGTON (AFP)

Thai soldiers seen here on 19 August queueing up at a polling station to cast their vote in the constitutional referendum in Thailand's restive southern Yala province. The United States called on Thailand's military junta to call for quick elections, following voters' approval of a new army-backed constitution.

(AFP)

snip

"We have seen reports of the referendum and we believe it is important that they move forward with the elections as quickly as possible," said Gonzo Gallegos, a spokesman for the US State Department.

snip

turkishpress.com

[Jai Dee]

Clear date for the election has yet been decided

The Election Commission (EC) has yet set a clear date to launch the election due to the amendment of the charter draft, especially the organic laws.

EC Chairman Apichart Sukakanon (อภิชาติ สุขัคคานนท์) informs that the result of the referendum will be presented to His Majesty the King for signing before it would appear in the government gazette.

However, the election schedule is hopefully to be scheduled on December 16th, 2007 – January 2008.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 August 2007

[hammered]

The fun begins

Parties jockey for position

The election race is on; no group is dominant like TRT, so wheeling and dealing is being ratcheted upPublished on August 21, 2007

With the success of the draft constitution in the referendum, politicians have already be-gun to jockey for opportu-nities by forging new groups and establishing power mergers to contest the upcoming election.

The Matchima Group and the Ruam Jai Thai have decided to merge and form a new party to run for the election, Anek Laothammatas said yesterday.

The high number of voters who rejected the draft in the stronghold of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party in the Northeast and the North have forced political groups and factions to unite. The Thai Rak Thai Party may have been dissolved but its politicians have gathered to create a new brand - the People Power Party.

Anek, a co-leader of Ruam Jai Thai, said his group had wanted to join forces with Matchima for a long time because Matchima had strength in remote constituencies, while his group had power in city constituencies.

He said that following the result of the referendum vote a merger was the best option for both groups.

Matchima leader Somsak Thepsuthin said his group was ready to merge with Ruam Jai Thai to be "an alternative party" because there is only the junta and the Thai Rak Thai group.

He said he had talked to Ruam Jai Thai leader Pradit Pattharaprasit about a working strategy, adding he had also asked both the Saman Chan group and the Pracharaj Party to join the new entity.

When asked about a possible move to combine the People Power Party, Somsak said it was too soon to talk about it.

Pracharaj party leader Snoh Thienthong remain reserved about making a

commitment, but admitted Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai had asked his party to join them.

"The political situation is not clear yet. It is always changing and we will have to talk again," he said.

Sophon Phetsawang, a key member of Matchima, said Somsak told members he would lead the group to join with the three factions to establish a new party.

Thai Rak Thai group member Kuthep Saikrajang said the merging of the four groups was not a surprise because following the vote, a number of groups would have to combine to create any unity.

"Thai Rak Thai had the idea to get each group to join with us, but they now want to form their own groups," he said.

Kuthep said it was admirable if the intention to merge was genuine, but it would be a pity if the four factions only came together after receiving a green light from the military.

TRT group core member, Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday called on the government to hold the election in December and urged the state to lift martial law - except in the deep South. The Election Commission should prepare the upcoming poll to be more efficient than the national referendum, he said.

Surapong said the group plans to propose that constitution drafters should come "from the people" to amend the 2007 charter for the next elected government.

Ban Rim Nam faction key member, Chalermchai Urankul said the faction had placed themselves under Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, but were not sure whether Chavalit would form a new party or move to join with the People Power Party.

Ban Rim Nam is led by Suchart Tancharoen and Sora-at Klinprathum - both members of the People Power Party.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said the party would hold a meeting on Monday to discuss its campaign for the election.

Meanwhile, Wadah group leader Muk Sulaiman said his members, who were former Thai Rak Thai MPs, had decided to join the Matchima group because they wanted to gain more support in the deep South.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that within two weeks a number of new political parties would start registering, which was good for the people because they would have more choices.

He said if the Democrats won the election he would establish a coalition government with any parties that wanted to serve the country.

From the nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/21...es_30045852.php

[Jai Dee]

EC prepares to seek an election date

The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to discuss with the state sector and general public to schedule an early election date, expected to take place within this year.

EC Secretary General of Suthipol Thaweechaikarn (สุทธิผล ทวีชัยการ) said that the EC's mission is to set an election date after the referendum is over. He said that today is the first day for EC to receive applications of political parties.

The EC is still examining the complaints concerning the referendum, and will find out ways to prevent mistakes from ooccuring in the coming general election.

The EC Secretary General said that the EC must follow regulations of the new constitution from now on. The three organic laws are expected to be presented to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for consideration within 45 days.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 August 2007

[Mid]

gotta admit ,

choosing thread titles is a dangerous game ..................................................

[Jai Dee]

gotta admit ,

choosing thread titles is a dangerous game ..................................................

Thay can always be modified once facts become clearer...

[Mid]

Political parties should register by Oct

(BangkokPost.com) – The Election Commission has called on those wishing to set up a new political party to do so by the beginning of October.

The commission stressed that the registration process is still being conducted under the old constitution and hinted that the rules could change once the draft charter is approved by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

snip

The Post Publishing Public Co

[Jai Dee]

NLA to submit charter draft to HM the King after August 27th

Chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Meechai Ruchuphan (มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์) says NLA will submit the 2007 constitution draft to His Majesty the King after August 27th.

The chairman says the Secretariat of Cabinet is making three copies of the constitution draft. One of them will be submitted to His Majesty the King. The other two will be kept at the Parliament and the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat respectively.

NLA will hold a meeting to consider the three organic laws of the constitution draft tomorrow (August 22nd). Although Mr Meechai has earlier refused to chair the committee studying the three organic laws, he says he is willing to give advices to the committee which has 30 days to complete the laws.

Mr Meechai adds that the general election can be arranged from the middle of December this year onward if the organics laws are completed in time.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Interior Ministeris ready to support election

The Interior Minister, Mr. Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ), insists that he will support the interim government in organizing the general election.

Mr. Aree says the Ministry of Interior is not responsible for proposing the suitable general election date to the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand, but the ministry will support the authority once the general election date has been set. Mr. Aree says he will instruct the Department Local Administration to expedite the election process, adding that he believes no disorder would occur.

Interior Minister Aree dismisses the news of transferring governors who failed to have a majority of constituents under their jurisdiction endorse the new charter. On Thailand's political climate, the Interior Minister says he would have to wait and see.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Women encouraged to run in the election

Ministry of Social Development and Human Security in collaboration with the Gender and Development Research Institute (GDRI) and the King Prakadhipok’s Institute (สถาบันพระปกเกล้า) have launched a campaign in a bid to encourage women to run in the election this year.

Mrs. Kanda Vajrabhaya (กานดา วัชราภัย), Deputy Permanent Secretary of the ministry said that women today are very competitive, educated and well-rounded; and that they should take part in co0ntributing to the good of the society. Therefore, it is necessary that women should take part in politics. Currently, only 10 percent of seats in the Parliament and House of Representatives, are occupied by women.

The ministry sets a target to double the number of women in the political roles. In addition, the charter draft also recognizes the importance of women, especially articles 30 and 97 which encourage women to show their potential in the political stage.

The talk will provide techniques for women wishing to play a role in politics and the coming election.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007