Crackdown On Vote Buying

[John K]

Plus, you make is sound like you actually expect something that resembles the truth coming from that bunch. Remember what their father taught them!!!

[sriracha john]

EC extends probe deadline

The Election Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for the completion of an inquiry into a vote-buying case in Nakhon Ratchasima till next Monday, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said yesterday.

"The EC deems it necessary to collect additional evidence to determine the money routing."

Key issues included how canvasser Tee Sae Lek got hold of Bt10,700 in cash and if the funds, in varying bank notes stapled to campaign leaflets introducing People Power Party candidates, were earmarked to buy votes, he said.

The EC was scheduled to review the investigative report next Tuesday, he said, adding it might need more than one session to finalise its decision on whether to issue "a red or yellow card".

:D

Meanwhile, EC officials were monitoring an unusual surge in money orders at postal offices in Chiang Mai.

- The Nation

Edited November 28, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

I guess that means on Monday or Tuesday crash and burn for .........????

[sriracha john]

Apichart Sukhagganond

Thailand Outlook

EC to Rule Provincial Vote-Buying Case Next Week

The Election Commission (EC) expects to rule on a case of alleged vote buying in Nakhon Ratchasima province next week, which could send backlashes for the People Power Party, since the vote buyer was believed to have connections with the party.

According to EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond, an individual by the name of Tee Sae Lek was alleged for buying votes from various people ahead of the poll.

Tee was caught at a gas station in constituency 3, where he denied involvement with vote-buying, claiming that his possessed money was meant to pay for gasoline.

However, the commission has assigned investigators to look into Tee’s allegation, to determine whether he was connected with any running candidates or political parties.

Investigators were ordered to submit their findings on Monday, so the ruling on the case would proceed on the next day, said Apichart.

If Tee was found connected to any running election candidate, the commission would summon the candidate for questioning.

Apichart asserted that if evidence was significant enough to support the candidate’s wrongdoing, the EC would consider disqualifying the individual after he or she has been charged with the offence.

The EC chairman said the commission could possibly question the leader of the candidate’s party, adding that if the party was to found meddling with electoral fraud, it could be subject to possible dissolution.

Reportedly, the vote buyer was helping the People Power Party solicit votes by bribing local voters.

In the period from November 21 to Monday, the commission already received 61 complaints of vote-buying, where 24 were filed in zone 6, a provincial cluster of Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakarn. Meanwhile, election officials in the “insurgent-torn” South only reported one complaint of vote-buying.

So far, fifteen out of the total of 3,894 constituency candidates were determined by the commission as unqualified to contest the upcoming general election.

- Thailand Outlook

[Plus]

Today there's a story in the Nation about campaiging in Isan. I've noticed two things - you can campaign as long as you are not Democrat because Democrats are a party for Southerners.

If that is not divisive that what is. Who brainwashed them? Usually "progressives" blame Bangkok elite and middle classes but they surely had nothing to do with it.

When Thaksin captured their hearts he created an enemy for them, too.

Opposition to Thaksin was focused on real issues, not on his birthplace or his supporters ethnicity.

[Kan Win]

Yellow-top bikers oppose vote buying

Kan Win

[Tony Clifton]

Yellow-top bikers oppose vote buying

Kan Win

In the end it will have turned out to be a "wear your helmet campaign".

[bingobongo]

that ought to get a rise out of the population......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071129/ap_on_...7sOOZJzA_8Bxg8F

[cooL_guY_corY]

innovative ! but its probably kamagra, legit viagra is kinda pricey here no ?

[bingobongo]

regardless, i think they will experience "stiff" opposition come erection.....er i mean election time

Edited November 29, 2007 by bingobongo

[John K]

Campaigner: Viagra used to bribe voters

BANGKOK, Thailand - Vote-buying is an old practice in Thai politics, but one candidate for December's Thai election has reportedly come up with a new tactic — handing out Viagra instead of cash.

The allegation, made Thursday by a campaign worker against a rival party, comes as rules about handing out favors to voters have become stricter than ever, barring even the distribution of free T-shirts and soft drinks.

Sayan Nopcha, a campaigner for the People's Power Party in Pathum Thai province just north of Bangkok, said the drug used to treat sexual dysfunction in men was being distributed to elderly male voters at social functions.

Viagra is supposed to be used only on a doctor's advice, but is generally available over the counter in Thailand.

"The politician is giving out Viagra to gain popularity and votes," said Sayan, a local government official whose older brother is the PPP candidate. "I think this is a very bad way of vote-buying."

He would not identify the candidate who allegedly handed out the pills.

Under a tough new law, both the supplier and recipient of vote-buying can face criminal charges. Candidates can be disqualified and their party disbanded, as was the case with the old law, while voters who accept money or gifts can now face from one to 10 years in prison.

More than 4,200 candidates from 41 parties are competing for 480 seats in the lower house of parliament in the Dec. 23 polls — the first to be held after a bloodless military coup ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September last year.

Source

Edited November 30, 2007 by Jai Dee
Source added

[draggons]

Bit of "hard sell" tactics

[zorro1]

r&tug joints around the vicinity can expect unprecedented business

[Pepe']

Gives a new meaning to "erection year"...

[Jai Dee]

PM may have Gen Sonthi transferred

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior General Surayud Chulanont revealed that he will consider transferring Deputy Prime Minister of Internal Security General Sonthi Boonyaratglin away from his responsibilities concerning deterring vote-buying after some political parties have questioned the nature of his position.

General Surayud stated that he would alleviate General Sonthi from his duty heading a committee to tackle vote buying if the Election Commission (EC) rules that the Deputy Prime Minister’s former position as head of the Council for National Security (CNS) deems him as bias. The Prime Minister assured that the government will take all measures to ensure a transparent election that citizens can be confident in.

General Surayud stated that if the EC rules General Sonthi should not take part in the committee, he will oblige with the decision.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 November 2007

[Jai Dee]

Sonthi says he'll respect PM's decision

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin insisted Friday that he had not been biased against the People Power Party as alleged by the party.

But, he said, he would accept the decision of the prime minister if the prime minister wanted to remove him as chairman of the anti-vote buying committee.

Sonthi was accused by the PPP of having ordering the armed forces to prevent the party from winning the election when Sonthi headed the Council for National Security.

A fact-finding committee of the Election Commission concluded that the Army, which Sonthi headed before retiring and become deputy prime minister, was biased against the PPP.

The EC has yet to make a final decision over the case.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thursday that if the EC found Sonthi guilty of being biased against the PPP when he was army chief, Sonthi would be removed as chairman of the anti-vote buying panel.

Source: The Nation - 30 November 2007

[Jai Dee]

Junta boss willing to leave as poll panel head

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said Friday he is willing to accept Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's decision if he is to remove him from head of the government's committee against vote buying.

Gen Sonthi's statement came after an investigation committee of the Election Commission ruled that the Council for National Security, which was chaired by Gen Sonthi, had failed to act neutrally by issuing an order in a leaked classified documents to stop former Thai Rak Thai party members, now under People Power party, from returning to power.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[hammered]

Campaigner: Viagra used to bribe voters

BANGKOK, Thailand - Vote-buying is an old practice in Thai politics, but one candidate for December's Thai election has reportedly come up with a new tactic — handing out Viagra instead of cash.

The allegation, made Thursday by a campaign worker against a rival party, comes as rules about handing out favors to voters have become stricter than ever, barring even the distribution of free T-shirts and soft drinks.

Sayan Nopcha, a campaigner for the People's Power Party in Pathum Thai province just north of Bangkok, said the drug used to treat sexual dysfunction in men was being distributed to elderly male voters at social functions.

Viagra is supposed to be used only on a doctor's advice, but is generally available over the counter in Thailand.

"The politician is giving out Viagra to gain popularity and votes," said Sayan, a local government official whose older brother is the PPP candidate. "I think this is a very bad way of vote-buying."

He would not identify the candidate who allegedly handed out the pills.

Under a tough new law, both the supplier and recipient of vote-buying can face criminal charges. Candidates can be disqualified and their party disbanded, as was the case with the old law, while voters who accept money or gifts can now face from one to 10 years in prison.

More than 4,200 candidates from 41 parties are competing for 480 seats in the lower house of parliament in the Dec. 23 polls — the first to be held after a bloodless military coup ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September last year.

Source

As opposed to the thousand baht notes and money orders stemming from a certain party in any village my wifes family lives in.

Innovative and the funny thing is it may actually be effective. That is if it is true of course. At the moment we have only the word of a bias political operator. I will wait until i hear it happens from a real person i know and who is linked to it.

[Basil B]

I often wondered if the candidate with the most daughters had a better chance of winning?

BB

[blaze]

Campaigner: Viagra used to bribe voters

BANGKOK, Thailand - Vote-buying is an old practice in Thai politics, but one candidate for December's Thai election has reportedly come up with a new tactic — handing out Viagra instead of cash.

The allegation, made Thursday by a campaign worker against a rival party, comes as rules about handing out favors to voters have become stricter than ever, barring even the distribution of free T-shirts and soft drinks.

Sayan Nopcha, a campaigner for the People's Power Party in Pathum Thai province just north of Bangkok, said the drug used to treat sexual dysfunction in men was being distributed to elderly male voters at social functions.

Viagra is supposed to be used only on a doctor's advice, but is generally available over the counter in Thailand.

"The politician is giving out Viagra to gain popularity and votes," said Sayan, a local government official whose older brother is the PPP candidate. "I think this is a very bad way of vote-buying."

He would not identify the candidate who allegedly handed out the pills.

Under a tough new law, both the supplier and recipient of vote-buying can face criminal charges. Candidates can be disqualified and their party disbanded, as was the case with the old law, while voters who accept money or gifts can now face from one to 10 years in prison.

More than 4,200 candidates from 41 parties are competing for 480 seats in the lower house of parliament in the Dec. 23 polls — the first to be held after a bloodless military coup ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September last year.

Source

As opposed to the thousand baht notes and money orders stemming from a certain party in any village my wifes family lives in.

Innovative and the funny thing is it may actually be effective. That is if it is true of course. At the moment we have only the word of a bias political operator. I will wait until i hear it happens from a real person i know and who is linked to it.

Hammered, your insistance on hard evidence to support allegations of vote buying is commendable....

[John K]

Bad vote buying Good vote buying

[sriracha john]

He would not identify the candidate who allegedly handed out the pills.

That is if it is true of course. At the moment we have only the word of a bias political operator.

Especially in light of the above. It could be any Tom, DICK, or Harry.

Edited November 30, 2007 by sriracha john

[ukjackthai]

Crackdown On Vote Buying

My girlfriends mum, liviling in a rural area up north, was offered 500 THB for her vote a few days ago.

[Tony Clifton]

Pushing free Viagra pills during election time huh?

Makes one wonder if these people are also familiar and connected with the year round business of little red yaba pills...

[John K]

Bad Vote Buying

Good Vote buying

[stateman]

Which I take as a sign that voters have their own opinions, before the canvassers come round (unless PPP bought their votes real early, of course).

It was discussed on Thai media that votes were bought way back for rejecting the Constitution. Money paid for that was also an installment for voters to elect that certain party, remaining sum payable after the election.

Is is handled by the political machinery set up in the last 6 years.

Don't be naive that the election will be a fair one. It WILL NOT be a fair election.

Certain party MUST win to help out certain ex-politician currently in hot water with the law. It is a do or die situation.

If that certain party isn't elected, the court cases will go through and jail term is a certainty. That can't be allowed. Thus the flow of vast sum of money.

[blaze]

Which I take as a sign that voters have their own opinions, before the canvassers come round (unless PPP bought their votes real early, of course).

It was discussed on Thai media that votes were bought way back for rejecting the Constitution. Money paid for that was also an installment for voters to elect that certain party, remaining sum payable after the election.

Is is handled by the political machinery set up in the last 6 years.

Don't be naive that the election will be a fair one. It WILL NOT be a fair election.

Certain party MUST win to help out certain ex-politician currently in hot water with the law. It is a do or die situation.

If that certain party isn't elected, the court cases will go through and jail term is a certainty. That can't be allowed. Thus the flow of vast sum of money.

Absolutely correct= it will not be fair. Already the CNS has been found by the AEC to have illegally and unconstitutionally used its formidable power and resources to affect the election outcome.

[Plus]

I think what we assume as a fair election is simply impossible in Thailand. Neither politicians nor the electorate is ready.

CNS using powers... That's nothing comparing to what Thaksin government did to promote TRT before elections.

I don't watch Thai TV but I've seen plenty of PPP promotions - debates, live interviews, ads. Under "democratic" governement TRT vs Opposition coverage was something like 5 to 1.

Two months before 2005 elections there was a week long fair at Muang Thong Thani to promote TRT with freebees and stuff, was all over the news, it was paid from the government coffers, not by the party, of course.

Under current political conditions whatever CNS is doing is a drop in the ocean, politics are a lot more open now.

[blaze]

I think what we assume as a fair election is simply impossible in Thailand. Neither politicians nor the electorate is ready.

CNS using powers... That's nothing comparing to what Thaksin government did to promote TRT before elections.

I don't watch Thai TV but I've seen plenty of PPP promotions - debates, live interviews, ads. Under "democratic" governement TRT vs Opposition coverage was something like 5 to 1.

Two months before 2005 elections there was a week long fair at Muang Thong Thani to promote TRT with freebees and stuff, was all over the news, it was paid from the government coffers, not by the party, of course.

Under current political conditions whatever CNS is doing is a drop in the ocean, politics are a lot more open now.

And for generations to come, this will be the mantra of the apologists for every political force that behaves illegally and unconstitutionally (I expect even Samak will eventually use it) : 'But Thaksin was worse'

[hammered]

Interesting to note that the old viagra comment by one political activist from one party gets all the play from the media. One wonders why they dont send a couple of their reporters out to do some investigative reporting on the vote buying going on with cash. There sem to be enough people on here who know a bit about it so it cant be too difficult for them to get a scoop. Then again I guess true to form the media moguls wouldnt want to upset a powerful politicain who may be regaining a bit of power soon. Then one wonders why all those blogs and pseudo academic sites dont look into it. Well hold on a minute it doesnt fit with their assumption that there isnt much vote buying and/or it doesnt influence the rural majorities who are so well informed of the various groups policies by the totally neutral headmen and money lenders who control so much.

The coverage of this election by media, blogs and so called academics is utterly abhorent as they all shrillishly back their horse and se no wrong emante from their well backed camp. It is going to be hard for anything approaching democracy to develop in Thailand if the fourth estate including new media forms dont step up to the plate.