Thailand Ready To Allow EU Election Observers

[webfact]

Thailand ready to allow EU election observers

Thailand's electoral authorities said Monday they would welcome European Union observers at the July 3 polls, extending the invitation a bit belatedly.

"The Election Commission is ready to allow the international community, particularly the European Union, to come observe the election," chairman Apichart Sukhakanond said.

The invitation, coming less than a month before the polls, was deemed too late to prepare a full-scale EU election monitor team to come to Thailand, diplomatic sources said.

"These things have to be planned in advance," said one European diplomat who asked to remain anonymous. "The EU might be able to send some experts to monitor to the polls at this stage, but this is not what we'd call an election observation mission."

EU observation missions usually arrive in a country six months in advance of the polls, and can involve up to 120 people.

-- The Nation 2011-06-13

[webfact]

Thai polling agency OKs European Union election observers

BANGKOK, June 13 – Thailand's Election Commission (EC) has no objection to the European Union (EU) sending observers to monitor Thailand's upcoming general election, Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said on Monday.

After discussing and considering the EU request to send election monitors to the country’s July 3, Mr Apichart said the EC agreed to grant the permission, as he is confident that the election will meet international standards.

The polling agency head added that other international agencies related to election monitoring, including the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), are also interested and have asked to take part in observing the polls.

The EC has acknowledged the requests and welcomed the agencies monitoring the general election on that day, he said. However, the related organisations must comply with the EC rules and regulations as well as the legal framework.

Asked whether there would be any negative impact on the election results if the EU makes any complaints regarding the elections, Mr Apichart said he strongly believed that the EU will endorse the poll results.

He stood firm in his belief that Thailand’s election process meets international standards and will be made efficiently, transparently and fairly.

The EC chief added, however, that the EU observers' comments and suggestions are non-binding. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-13

[meithai]

I thought Suthep had already said it was not going to happen because he had no respect for falangs!

[Thailand]

Extending the invitation to something they know cannot be achieved-clever!

[Puccini]

The invitation, coming less than a month before the polls, was deemed too late to prepare a full-scale EU election monitor team to come to Thailand, diplomatic sources said.

...

EU observation missions usually arrive in a country six months in advance of the polls, and can involve up to 120 people.

I believe new elections must be held within 45-60 days from the date of the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Therefore, it would be impossible to invite EU election monitors six months in advance.

Edited June 13, 2011 by Puccini

[random]

The invitation, coming less than a month before the polls, was deemed too late to prepare a full-scale EU election monitor team to come to Thailand, diplomatic sources said.

...

EU observation missions usually arrive in a country six months in advance of the polls, and can involve up to 120 people.

I believe new elections must be held within 45-60 days from the date of the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Therefore, it would be impossible to invite EU election monitors six months in advance.

Unless a full term is served, then the date is known 6 months in advance.

[geriatrickid]

I'm surprised Thailand would consider the EU. With all due respect , Australia and Canada probably have the best systems in the world for dealing with rural voting and the nuts and bolts of running the process. It's a reflection of the fact that the two countries have populations scattered over a large land mass. They have been able to meld hi tech with old fashioned manual labour. Australia has a proven track record of integrity and professionalism in asia pacific. I don't think the EU fonctionnaires compare.

[lungmi]

The OECD has the qualification.

[Junglejumbo]

I guess the Thai government already knows that they can't just give 2.5 weeks notice.

I was a bit surprised at Suthep saying that foreign observers would not be allowed in the country for this election. Thaksin banished them from being inside the voting centre but allowed them to stand outside and take exit polls. As far as I can see, there were never any problems with this and the exit polls were usually correct so why Suthep thought to stop is surprising.

Suthep is not actually an MP himself either.

Cheating is not out of the question as they must be getting desperately worried about Phua Thai's lead. Thaksin's party won 233 seats in the last election and they need 250 to obtain a majority. Sentiment and support seems notably stronger this time around and so the chance of getting that majority is probably well over 50%.

[random]

I guess the Thai government already knows that they can't just give 2.5 weeks notice.

I was a bit surprised at Suthep saying that foreign observers would not be allowed in the country for this election. Thaksin banished them from being inside the voting centre but allowed them to stand outside and take exit polls. As far as I can see, there were never any problems with this and the exit polls were usually correct so why Suthep thought to stop is surprising.

Suthep is not actually an MP himself either.

Cheating is not out of the question as they must be getting desperately worried about Phua Thai's lead. Thaksin's party won 233 seats in the last election and they need 250 to obtain a majority. Sentiment and support seems notably stronger this time around and so the chance of getting that majority is probably well over 50%.

sadly he is now an MP having won a bi election last year, anyway not long now until he is opposition where he belongs

[whybother]

I guess the Thai government already knows that they can't just give 2.5 weeks notice.

Isn't it the Election Commission running the election? The government don't have anything to do with it.

I was a bit surprised at Suthep saying that foreign observers would not be allowed in the country for this election. Thaksin banished them from being inside the voting centre but allowed them to stand outside and take exit polls. As far as I can see, there were never any problems with this and the exit polls were usually correct so why Suthep thought to stop is surprising.

Suthep is not actually an MP himself either.

Suthep won a by-election in Surat Thani in October last year, so he is (or was before dissolution) an MP.

Cheating is not out of the question as they must be getting desperately worried about Phua Thai's lead. Thaksin's party won 233 seats in the last election and they need 250 to obtain a majority. Sentiment and support seems notably stronger this time around and so the chance of getting that majority is probably well over 50%.

Thaksin's party won 233 seats in the last election, but about 40 of those went to the BJT after PPP was banned, and a number of others have defected since.

That gives PTP 190-200 seats. Where will they find another 50-60 seats?

They've even rejected BJT as a coalition partner (not that they won't go back on their "promises"), so that means they'll need to find 50 seats with some of the other smaller parties.

[DP25]

Foreign observers are completely useless. Not like a single one of them would speak Thai and be able to understand what was going on or document any vote buying, corruption, violence, or intimidation. All they do is validate whatever the results are with a stamp of approval, no matter how corrupt the election actually is. It'd be like during the protests when they say in Thai that they'll burn the city down if there is no pardon and cheer when grenades are launched at counter protesters, while they tell foreign non Thai speaking reporters they are peaceful activists who simply love democracy

[kropotkin]

I guess the Thai government already knows that they can't just give 2.5 weeks notice.

Isn't it the Election Commission running the election? The government don't have anything to do with it.

I was a bit surprised at Suthep saying that foreign observers would not be allowed in the country for this election. Thaksin banished them from being inside the voting centre but allowed them to stand outside and take exit polls. As far as I can see, there were never any problems with this and the exit polls were usually correct so why Suthep thought to stop is surprising.

Suthep is not actually an MP himself either.

Suthep won a by-election in Surat Thani in October last year, so he is (or was before dissolution) an MP.

Cheating is not out of the question as they must be getting desperately worried about Phua Thai's lead. Thaksin's party won 233 seats in the last election and they need 250 to obtain a majority. Sentiment and support seems notably stronger this time around and so the chance of getting that majority is probably well over 50%.

Thaksin's party won 233 seats in the last election, but about 40 of those went to the BJT after PPP was banned, and a number of others have defected since.

That gives PTP 190-200 seats. Where will they find another 50-60 seats?

They've even rejected BJT as a coalition partner (not that they won't go back on their "promises"), so that means they'll need to find 50 seats with some of the other smaller parties.

How does a seat defect?

Does it crawl quietly away?

Has this ever happened to you, while making a sannitary stop?

Or did you mean: an elected politician betraying his electorate - which does not change the electorate?

[rubl]

How does a seat defect?

Does it crawl quietly away?

Has this ever happened to you, while making a sannitary stop?

Or did you mean: an elected politician betraying his electorate - which does not change the electorate?

Good question, it seems you grasp the strange and legal possibilities in Thai politics. That's independent of who's in charge by the way.

(I removed most, because quotes were mismatched, check the original post for all)

[jombom]

I guess the Thai government already knows that they can't just give 2.5 weeks notic

Let's not get bogged down on technical issues.

What I would like to know if the EU delegation, will receive a sponsored training program about 200 times tables ??. Actually 2 times tables would be fine, if they could be trained to remember to add 2 zeroes at the end of the calculation. Which begs the questions " How far will the visiting delegations go ??'' and ''Will they get down where it can be dirty ??''

[whybother]

How does a seat defect?

Does it crawl quietly away?

Has this ever happened to you, while making a sannitary stop?

Or did you mean: an elected politician betraying his electorate - which does not change the electorate?

The MPs that "defected" were part of the Newin faction when they joined the TRT/PPP. When the PPP were disbanded, one group formed the PTP, and the Newin group formed their own party.

Note, that they decided to do this before they joined the Democrats in coalition.

Also note, that in one electorate where there was a by-election last year, they voted a BJT candidate back into parliament in a landslide, so they must not have been too betrayed.

Watch the election when most of the BJT politicians that "betrayed their electorate" get re-elected.

[anterian]

I think the only way an EU inspection team, or come to that any other country, could really put together a meaningful inspection group, would be to co-opt local expats fluent in the Thai language and culture. Otherwise they might just as well be monitoring an election in an ant colony

[SICHONSTEVE]

The invitation, coming less than a month before the polls, was deemed too late to prepare a full-scale EU election monitor team to come to Thailand, diplomatic sources said.

...

EU observation missions usually arrive in a country six months in advance of the polls, and can involve up to 120 people.

I believe new elections must be held within 45-60 days from the date of the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Therefore, it would be impossible to invite EU election monitors six months in advance.

Unless a full term is served, then the date is known 6 months in advance.

But it's NOT a full term in this case!!!!

[webfact]

EC unconcerned over EU observers

BANGKOK, 14 June 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has voiced no concern after the European Union (EU) announced that it would send representatives to observe the upcoming 3 July general election.

EC Chairperson Apichart Sukhagganond stated that the EU has already informed him of its intention, and his panel has no problem about EU observers since it is confident that it will be able to handle the election in an internationally accepted manner.

The chairperson added that apart from the EU, several other organisations have indicated their intention to observe the upcoming general election although the EC has not yet invited them.

Mr Apichart however stressed that all those organisations coming to observe the upcoming election must comply with the regulations set by the EC. He noted that the permit for EU observers is not made under any agreement or memorandum of understanding.

Asked whether any problem will arise if the EU does not certify the election result, the chairperson responded that the EU will certainly certify the election result in Thailand because it is arranged with recognizable standards. He reiterated that the observation of foreign representatives will have no binding results to the election.

-- NNT 2011-06-14

[drdoom6996]

The invitation, coming less than a month before the polls, was deemed too late to prepare a full-scale EU election monitor team to come to Thailand, diplomatic sources said.

...

EU observation missions usually arrive in a country six months in advance of the polls, and can involve up to 120 people.

I believe new elections must be held within 45-60 days from the date of the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Therefore, it would be impossible to invite EU election monitors six months in advance.

But not too late for someone to request the team knowing that they could not complete the task 100% in the time involved. A little face saving perhaps.

[Maestro]

Entomological posts about ants and bees have been removed.

[chuang]

Allowing EU observers at the eleventh hour....the government must have swept everything under the carpet...

[Voltaire]

EU observers, indeed any election monitoring teams, will have an affect on the election outcome. Particularly, in the case of Thailand, where the present regime has no mandate to govern, inter alia, by definition this means the election commission is not internationally recognised. Hence, the ned for observers.

The unwelcome and politically ignorant remarks of Mr. Suthep - losely translated "we don't need foreigners to medle in our affairs", has been recorded. This coupled with another possible coup (let's face it) and the Veah Phrear Temple legal dispute with the UN (as well as the armed dispute with Cambodia) - all seems to give the green light for the UN peace-keepers to enter throught "the back door"?

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we set out to deceive....?

unconcerned over EU observers

BANGKOK, 14 June 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has voiced no concern after the European Union (EU) announced that it would send representatives to observe the upcoming 3 July general election.

EC Chairperson Apichart Sukhagganond stated that the EU has already informed him of its intention, and his panel has no problem about EU observers since it is confident that it will be able to handle the election in an internationally accepted manner.

The chairperson added that apart from the EU, several other organisations have indicated their intention to observe the upcoming general election although the EC has not yet invited them.

Mr Apichart however stressed that all those organisations coming to observe the upcoming election must comply with the regulations set by the EC. He noted that the permit for EU observers is not made under any agreement or memorandum of understanding.

Asked whether any problem will arise if the EU does not certify the election result, the chairperson responded that the EU will certainly certify the election result in Thailand because it is arranged with recognizable standards. He reiterated that the observation of foreign representatives will have no binding results to the election.

-- NNT 2011-06-14

[thaikahuna]

Eu Observers = More big money being thrown around Nana and Cowboy...

[samurai]

I'm surprised Thailand would consider the EU. With all due respect , Australia and Canada probably have the best systems in the world for dealing with rural voting and the nuts and bolts of running the process. It's a reflection of the fact that the two countries have populations scattered over a large land mass. They have been able to meld hi tech with old fashioned manual labour. Australia has a proven track record of integrity and professionalism in asia pacific. I don't think the EU fonctionnaires compare.

But Thailand considers the EU. Get over it.

[whybother]

EU observers, indeed any election monitoring teams, will have an affect on the election outcome. Particularly, in the case of Thailand, where the present regime has no mandate to govern, inter alia, by definition this means the election commission is not internationally recognised. Hence, the ned for observers.

The unwelcome and politically ignorant remarks of Mr. Suthep - losely translated "we don't need foreigners to medle in our affairs", has been recorded. This coupled with another possible coup (let's face it) and the Veah Phrear Temple legal dispute with the UN (as well as the armed dispute with Cambodia) - all seems to give the green light for the UN peace-keepers to enter throught "the back door"?

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we set out to deceive....?

Why wouldn't the Election Commission be internationally recognised ... even if it had the need to be?

The need for observers is because of vote buying and intimidation used by various parties, not because of anything the Election Commission is doing.

There hasn't been a rumour of a coup this week, and the border dispute is with Cambodia, not the UN. There is certainly no need for the U(seless)N(ations) peacekeepers.

Edited June 14, 2011 by whybother

[samurai]

How does a seat defect?

Does it crawl quietly away?

Has this ever happened to you, while making a sannitary stop?

Or did you mean: an elected politician betraying his electorate - which does not change the electorate?

The MPs that "defected" were part of the Newin faction when they joined the TRT/PPP. When the PPP were disbanded, one group formed the PTP, and the Newin group formed their own party.

Note, that they decided to do this before they joined the Democrats in coalition.

Also note, that in one electorate where there was a by-election last year, they voted a BJT candidate back into parliament in a landslide, so they must not have been too betrayed.

Watch the election when most of the BJT politicians that "betrayed their electorate" get re-elected.

There was one landslide victory for BJT early last year in a constituency, Prachinburi, that wasn't a former PPP(defector) win.

Later that year, December, ex-PPP BJT Boonjong Wongtrairat got re-elected in Korat, but that wasn't a landslide.

In the 29 by-election after the dissolutions BJT didn't win a single seat.

Keep dreaming.

[whybother]

There was one landslide victory for BJT early last year in a constituency, Prachinburi, that wasn't a former PPP(defector) win.

Later that year, December, ex-PPP BJT Boonjong Wongtrairat got re-elected in Korat, but that wasn't a landslide.

In the 29 by-election after the dissolutions BJT didn't win a single seat.

Keep dreaming.

Were there any by-elections in BJT areas? Have there been any other ex-PPP/BJT by-elections? Where they have gone up for re-election, they have won.

Considering Newin’s defection, retaining 10 of the PPP’s old 13 seats is not a terrible result.

Most likely not BJT, but interesting anyway. Not much of a backlash. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7822644.stm

But 16 of the vacant seats were previously held by a party which has now switched to the government's side.

http://www.businessreportthailand.com/sri-ayuthaya-bangkok-pundit-2-12317

On December 12, five constituency by-elections were held in the Northeast (Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Surin), Bangkok and Ayutthaya (Central Thailand).

...

Nevertheless, PT will be disappointed they were not able to challenge the coalition Bhum Jai Thai (BJT) candidates more closely in Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin. BJT held Nakhon Ratchasima comfortably with a 20,000-vote margin victory, but were also able to pick-up Surin from Puea Paendin, who did not contest, with an almost 30,000-vote margin victory.

[samurai]

BJT won three seats in by-election. all in 2010.

In January in Prachinburi (the landslide for BJT) and the two in December, Surin and Korat.

In Korat the PPP defector got re-elected. 82,978 votes. The PT candidate got 63,487 votes. NOT a landslide and the only win for a ex-PPP now BJT.

In Surin was it a former Puea Pandin seat. 104,659 for BJT, 75,025 for PT.

Compared with Khon Kaen , Dec 2010. 143,700 votes for PT, Dems 36,338. That is what you can call a landslide.

Another by-election in January 2010 was a direct battle between PT and BJT. PT won, narrow.

There were two other by-elections in June 2009. In Sakhon Nakhon and Si Saket. PT big wins.

In Sakhorn Nakhon against BJT. 83,348 votes for PT, 47, 235 for BJT.

In Si Saket a battle Chart That Pattana lost.

The 29 by-election in January 2009 after the dissolutions(13 PPP, 16 Chart Thai) the Democrats won 7 seats, Chart Thai Pattana 10, Puea Pandin 3, Pracharaj 4 and PT 5 seats. BJT zero.

Edited June 14, 2011 by samurai

[rayw]

Ah at last. Something I have personally been saying here on TVF for at least 3 years now. But sure this is way too late, so why so late hmm? Just a not so clever pretty obvious con trick I expect or else sheer unacceptable ignorance of now monitoring takes place, I opt for the former reason here. Surely is it not too late now this is in place to sensible delay the election from July until say November to give the EU team a chance to get it properly in place and to ensure for example that vote buying does not take place with removal of any guilty candidates if caught and their banning from politics for life or at least 10 years.

Already I hear about Thai folk living down here on teh East Coast planning on going back home at the end of this month to get their 500 Baht vote buying money, and mostly I hear form the Thaksin lot though I am sure the other side are guilty of this too if the truth were known. This has got to stop so Thailand can try to get some stable accepted Government in the near future or face a decline in the countries prosperity and current albeit low levels of well being for the ordinary Thai folk. Buying votes in ANY democratic system has to be a very serious crime which should involve reasonably long prison sentences for those found guilty of doing so as it is a crime against the people. I am sure folk can with modern small equipment record these vote buying deals taking place and send them to the top police and opposition parties, I would certainly do that if I was a Thai without asking for any money for doing so 9would do it as a falang too if I had the opportunity as a duty to what is right.

Yes I am a guest in Thailand but I am just trying to help this country find the rightful way forward as obviously things are not good at all over the past 5 or 10 years. I am NOT knocking Thailand as I love it here but just trying to help put things right in a friendly constructive and helpful way and as a person who does care. I do however have no time for corruption and will stand up against that in ANY country as it is always against the people of the country that corruption is ultimately aimed and it nearly always infringes human rights which is always a no no.