Cheerful Thai MP Candidate Registration Bodes Well For Political Harmony

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ANALYSIS

Cheerful registration bodes well for political harmony

By Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

If the atmosphere at the party-list MP candidate registration yesterday reflects the political atmosphere in general, there are good signs that supporters of different political parties and groups can be together without conflict or violence.

The atmosphere on the first day of registration at the Thai-Japan Youth Centre's Keelawes building was more like Sports Day.

Supporters in colourful outfits and people holding posters and banners were careful not to play songs or dance as it might have violated election laws by providing entertainment to voters. Nevertheless, the event was very cheerful.

Supporters of each party who sat on the stands "made the wave". They shouted and screamed to show support for their parties without trying to undermine others.

Supporters on major parties' stands were mainly former MPs. However, the stand supporting the Farmer Network of Thailand Party was full of active supporters.

Outside the stadium, supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy - the yellow shirts - were campaigning for the "No" vote. In a variety of outfits, they held posters featuring men with animals' faces. They were not allowed in the compound but rallied in the same area where party supporters were

promoting parties or candidates.

Some people even took the chance to promote their businesses by walking around holding posters saying they could quickly provide posters for election campaigns at low cost.

The drawing of the lots for the numbers representing each party in the election, the highlight of the event, also started auspiciously with No 9 coming up for Palang Muanchon, the first party to get a number.

The sound of the word "nine" in the Thai language is the same as the word meaning progress. It was one of the most wanted numbers.

The Democrat Party was the third to draw, according to the order chosen by Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond. Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva got No 10 for his party. The party's main opponent, the Pheu Thai Party, which was the next to take the draw, got No 1 - another highly sought-after number.

The atmosphere was both exciting and cheerful for the attendants and the organisers.

Perhaps it was not so fun, at first, for Yingluck Shinawatra. It was just this week that she announced becoming a politician as Pheu Thai's No 1 party list MP. From her arrival, media members flocked round her, bringing scenes of chaos.

While waiting for the official start time, Abhisit and prominent members from other parties greeted each other. Chart Thai Pattana's Chumpol Silapa-archa took some time chatting with the Social Action Party's Suwit Khunkitti.

Newcomer Yingluck looked nervous sitting among the others. She looked relieved and happy after her party leader Yongyut Wichaidit got No 1 in the draw. Amid the sound of cheers, she stood up with a bright smile and pointed her finger in imitation of her party's number.

Only minutes after getting their numbers, each party added them to their posters. The party representatives and supporters gradually left the event to promote their numbers outside.

In total, 30 parties registered for the party-list MP candidacy for the upcoming July 3 election. Party-list candidate registration will run until Monday, then registration for constituency MP candidates will be open until next Saturday.

-- The Nation 2011-05-20

[anterian]

Why bother with an election at all, just have a lottery for all candidates. probably get a government just as (In)effective as an elected one and much cheaper. But then the electorate would miss out on their 500Baht per head voting subsidy, so just give every voter 500 Baht and hold a lottery.

Reds and yellows can't object as they all believe in fate and destiny.