Thailand's Coming Election

[Mid]

EC to control poll posters

Tue, September 18, 2007 : Last updated 21:47 hours

The committee reviewing the three organic laws relating to elections decided yesterday to allow the Election Commission (EC) to control the size and number of electoral campaign posters.

It also decided to stick with the plan to allow each of the three Armed Forces to nominate only one name for the selection of senators, as the Army is considered as a single legal entity. Both decisions will soon be up for vetting by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

"I feel sympathetic towards the military as they have been criticised for many things," said chairman of the NLA committee Prasong Soonsiri, in reference to the decision to only allow one Army candidate. But he told military officials on the committee the issue was still be changed during the vetting process.

On the issue of restricting campaign posters, Praphan Naiyakowit, a committee member who is also part of the EC, expressed doubts as to whether the restriction could be enforced when posters are installed on privately owned land. He said it might be unconstitutional to challenge the rights of those using a private area. In light of the new mode of electoral advertisements, it was also proposed that the EC should be empowered to restrict other forms of electronic campaign material.

Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation

nationmultimedia.com

[soundman]

EC to control poll posters

Tue, September 18, 2007 : Last updated 21:47 hours

On the issue of restricting campaign posters, Praphan Naiyakowit, a committee member who is also part of the EC, expressed doubts as to whether the restriction could be enforced when posters are installed on privately owned land. He said it might be unconstitutional to challenge the rights of those using a private area. In light of the new mode of electoral advertisements, it was also proposed that the EC should be empowered to restrict other forms of electronic campaign material.

Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation

nationmultimedia.com

So what political capital would be involved in allowing political advertising in say all 7/11 outlets over and above quota'd advertising allocations?

[Mid]

Thai govt guarantees transparency in Dec election

Mon, September 24, 2007 : Last updated 18:10 hours

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Sunday that his government could guarantee a transparent, if not absolutely free and fair election, in the scheduled December 23 poll that will restore democracy to the kingdom.

"The election is of the highest concern for my government. We might not be able to eliminate money politics in this election but I can guarantee it will be a transparent one," the prime minister said to representatives of the Thai community in the US.

The premier is in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, at which one of his main missions will be to build confidence among the international community about the restoration of democracy in Thailand.

"I have told all the world leaders I have met that we are heading toward democracy and they understand our direction," he said.

"What we have done (over the past year) is to ask for a timeout to correct our game."

World leaders may dislike and disagree with the military coup, but understood what Thailand has done to fix the political crisis and misconduct of the previous government, he said.

snip

nationmultimedia.com

[soundman]

Thai govt guarantees transparency in Dec election

Mon, September 24, 2007 : Last updated 18:10 hours

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Sunday that his government could guarantee a transparent, if not absolutely free and fair election, in the scheduled December 23 poll that will restore democracy to the kingdom.

snip

nationmultimedia.com

What exactly does his mean?

"We are all going to cheat - we will just show you who cheated by what amount...."

[Mid]

EC may limit political advertising

Monday October 22, 2007

WORANUJ MANEERUNGSEE

Move would hurt broadcaster profits

Broadcasters are unlikely to see a windfall from ad spending by political parties ahead of the Dec 23 poll as the Election Commission will control airtime and limit budgets.

As a result, analysts predict that the printing industry, including newspapers, will reap benefits instead.

According to Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, the regulator will announce limits on ThursdayOct 25 for political campaigning as part of a poll decree. These would likely be published in the Royal Gazette and come into effect this week, he said.

snip

bangkokpost.net

how this will tie in with the earlier reported move on poll posters is yet to be seen .........................

[Sanpatong]

the scheduled December 23 poll that will restore democracy to the kingdom.

Under the current constitution & power structure, Thailand is simply not a democracy.

The only thing left to figure out for myself is is Thailand was EVER a democracy. Probably not.