Whats The Difference Between The Parties

[pointofview]

As a part time observer - being a part time resident - in thai politics, i struggle to see any difference in the parties. Most politicians seem happy to switch parties quicker than they can say self interest. It must be difficult for thai voters to choose whose money to take.

I would love to be enlightend if there are any fundimental differences - or are they all simply populist!

[londonthai]

I am not into thai politics - but, as you have already spotted, there are no ideological differences between the parties. It's the same case with the political life in the UK or the USA).

All parties stand for the state interests, are part of the ruling class elite, are nationalistic and xenophobic, do support capitalism (production for profit), in one or the other form, as an economical model. They are all undemocratic, ruled not by the membership, but by the corrupted leaders.

not in thailand, nor in any other country, there is an organised alternative to the present political system

[peter991]

Official List of Political Parties in Thailand

Links to each of the parties.

Peter

[stateman]

As a part time observer - being a part time resident - in thai politics, i struggle to see any difference in the parties. Most politicians seem happy to switch parties quicker than they can say self interest. It must be difficult for thai voters to choose whose money to take.

I would love to be enlightend if there are any fundimental differences - or are they all simply populist!

There is one BIG party which is clearly a nominee for a rich ex-leader in exile. The agenda after being elected is to revive the 111 political corps, dead from the justices' decree in the lawsuit which the ruling party from a previous admin. was caught cheating in an election. They also made it clear they will get the leader-in-exile to return, undo all corruption cases currently coursing through the justice system by changing the law in the parliament. They feel the heat is really on for the ex-leader. So a MUST WIN at all cost.

The Dem. is an old institution. They were the oppisition party in the last parliament. They are more honest (though not 100%, but by far a breed above the party above) and are truly more democratic in practice.

Chat-Thai is ready to join with the Dem. to form the gov. It is widely speculated that Bunharn, the party boss, has a secret agreement with the ex-leader and would 'help the ex-leader' in certain issues. Many Bkk voters distrust the guy, whose nickname is eel as smooth like an eel.

"For The Land" is founded recently by ex TRT party leaders. However it is widely rumored to be funded by the junta. It seems possible they may partner with the ex-PM. But many believe they will go the direction of the junta.

Difference? Yes, big difference.

Best view point is to see this election as either "for" or "against" the ex-PM. Everything else is secondary.

The parties which are clearly against the ex-PM is the Dem. + Pracharaj (Royal Party.)

Matchima (middle ground)'s party chief, Prachai is absolutely against the ex-PM. But their candidates probably include several turncoats.

Many parties have candidates who are TRT's boys.

These are the swing candidates who may be voting for the ex-PM no matter what their alliance is currently. Many are reported to have traveled to meet the ex-PM and received their 'gift' already.

[JR Texas]

I am not into thai politics - but, as you have already spotted, there are no ideological differences between the parties. It's the same case with the political life in the UK or the USA).

All parties stand for the state interests, are part of the ruling class elite, are nationalistic and xenophobic, do support capitalism (production for profit), in one or the other form, as an economical model. They are all undemocratic, ruled not by the membership, but by the corrupted leaders.

not in thailand, nor in any other country, there is an organised alternative to the present political system

TOTALLY AGREE AND THANKS FOR THE POST.....would like to emphasize that there really is no major ideological difference between the parties we see in Thailand (same worldwide). The top members of the corporate-political-military ruling elite use the mainstream mass media to lull the masses into complacency and to make them BELIEVE the BS. The end result is a global slave labor class that smiles like grinning robots working in a factory that is destroying them along with the life systems of the planet and opportunities of future generations. The economic model is the growth model.....unlimited, unrestrained growth. In many ways, the entire system is anti-human nature. Maybe we will wake up soon.......we sure need to....all of us, in all countries.

[PhilHarries]

There are no political parties in Thailand, no left wing, no right wing, no centrist. What Thailand has is a bunch of idealogically bankrupt, cheating, lying, corrupt scum that has risen up through the common masses to rule the country. But enough of their good points. These people morph around forming "political" groupings according to their whim and attaching, leech like, to the lead person they think they have the best chance of achieving power with. The ultimate goal is power for with power comes their nirvana - MONEY. They have absolutely no interest in the plight of the common man except to give him some scraps from the table so he thinks he's better off and continues to support them. They have no interest in education for education instills knowledge and knowledge, within the masses, will bring about their ultimate downfall and that is not acceptable.

The above is a sweeping generalisation for which, without this disclaimer, I'd get a real good cyber slap. Of course there are some good politicians trying to do what is good for the people and the country. Unfortunately within the uneducated masses honesty is unrecognised the only quality that shines through is wealth and how that wealth is achieved is immaterial.

So sad that such a beautiful country populated by such beautiful people is led by such vermin.

Rant over, time for caffiene.

[Plus]

What is usually called "elite" in Thailand is a largely apolitical body of top military/civils servants type of characters. To rise to the top there you need to be well connected or work really hard to get noticed. You get state scholarships to study in the West, promotions, high salaries and hands on government budget.

Then there are politicians - nobodies, local goons who have no chance whatsoever to advance by traditional means. With democracy, however, they got that opportunity. Their prime interest in politics is business and family fortunes, some are godfather like figures who look after their flock, others can't care less.

Since they have absolutely no interest in country's affairs they have no ideology, no visions, no principles. They never stop to think about self-reliance and freedoms vs nanny state issues, populism, taxes, left wing, right wing - these are meaningless concepts to them. They want to bring government contracts into their family business, that's all.

The only party that ascribes to any sort of idelogy is Democrats, at least as a guiding principle in the top meetings between head honchos. At the ground level their members are far less selfless, business as usual, Thai style.

People who run this country, decision makers, are not in politics and not in the news. They are conservative and cautious, right of the center, in my opinion. They follow the US model of the government rather than socialist European states.

[chanchao]

Well waddayaknow... I agree with the Plus' post above from start to finish. Excellent analysis.

(Though I think we may disagree on what needs to be done to improve, or even disagree that something needs to be done at all)

I do think that some individuals in some parties DO aspire to an ideology, even if it's a mix that you wouldn't see in the West. That's how you arrive at parties like TRT, who supported 'business' at all levels AS WELL AS sucking up to the poor at the same time. From a Western perspective you'd have to cater to one or the other.

I also think banning politicians was a major mistake, firstly because it doesn't work and secondly because it means that what would and should be a clique of derelict dinosaurs that everyone thought were dispensed with are now floating towards the surface again, like turds that won't flush. That's why Thailand may end up with guys like Samak, Chavalit, Chalerm, Sanoh, Banharn and all those back in government and NOT banned-but-capable guys like, say, Somkid.

So, what is achieved with banning people: Samak heading a major block in parliament (or even becoming PM) instead of Somkid.. Way to go. I personally think it's intentional though, to weaken the power of the elected facade (politicians); divide & conquer.

Edited December 7, 2007 by chanchao

[stateman]

There are no political parties in Thailand, no left wing, no right wing, no centrist. What Thailand has is a bunch of idealogically bankrupt, cheating, lying, corrupt scum that has risen up through the common masses to rule the country. But enough of their good points. These people morph around forming "political" groupings according to their whim and attaching, leech like, to the lead person they think they have the best chance of achieving power with. The ultimate goal is power for with power comes their nirvana - MONEY. They have absolutely no interest in the plight of the common man except to give him some scraps from the table so he thinks he's better off and continues to support them. They have no interest in education for education instills knowledge and knowledge, within the masses, will bring about their ultimate downfall and that is not acceptable.

The above is a sweeping generalisation for which, without this disclaimer, I'd get a real good cyber slap. Of course there are some good politicians trying to do what is good for the people and the country. Unfortunately within the uneducated masses honesty is unrecognised the only quality that shines through is wealth and how that wealth is achieved is immaterial.

So sad that such a beautiful country populated by such beautiful people is led by such vermin.

Rant over, time for caffiene.

Well put PhilHarries.

It is a real shame that people tolerate such politicians to be elected and rule!

Thailand is a country that has so much potential. But through squandering, time after time, the opportunities kept slipping away.

[kmart]

Left or right of the feeding trough of public funds, is probably the real question. Same old mafia cliques and and their "Godfathers" coming back as old poison in new bottles. If anything is to ever change in Thai politics, you might have to wait for a lot of these old dinosaurs to die off first...

[chanchao]

I don't think that will help. Just like mafia clans, others will take their place.

I think change needs to be more... how to say this.. "profound".

Edited December 7, 2007 by chanchao

[Plus]

TRT is an interesting case. First we have Thaksin - no ideology, big business going into politics. Then we have populust policies and "we care" attitude. Then there's Finland Plan.

Samak explained it like this - Thaksin has indeed invited those former communists to Finland where they indeed come up with some earth shattering ideas, but Thaksin was in no way responsible for them (at least Samak doesn't hold him responsible).

There's no denying that TRT ideological platform was written by leftists. Yet after the coup those "leftists" accepted Samak, their ideological opposite and completely discredited themselves in the process. It's all about power.

Thaksin used them first, now they are helping themselves.