Vote-Buying And Graft Undermine Thailand's Competitiveness

[webfact]

WATCHDOG

Vote-buying and graft undermine the country's competitiveness

By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

Thailand is just one week away from a general election in which incumbent Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party and Yingluck Shinawatra of the opposition Pheu Thai Party are basically in a head-to-head contest to be the next prime minister.

But Thai elections are usually marred by vote-buying, and this time will be no exception. In Bangkok and its peripheral areas, canvassers are reported to have offered Bt500 to Bt3,000 per vote. In other parts of the country, prices vary.

Vote-buying has long been a chronic problem in the Thai political system, reflecting a form of deep-seated corruption in society.

Unrestrained vote-buying hurts free competition in the polls and underlines an overall lack of good governance. This in turn leads a lower grade for the country's international competitiveness. All of this is compounded by political violence, as reflected in the deep conflicts of the past few years.

Dr Sangsit Piriyarangsan of Rajabhat Chankasem University said recently that corruption needs to have a broader definition in Thailand, as most Thais still think it's just about cheating and the likes.

Corrupt practices in politics and the public sector includes all unethical behaviour by public office-holders that damages the public interest.

To combat corruption, civil society organisations need to be empowered, while corruption and related lawsuits should have no statute of limitations.

Dr Sangsit cited the multi-billion-baht Klong Dan corruption case involving several veteran politicians as an example in which the criminal lawsuit will soon expire.

Thailand also needs to enforce the use of "blind trusts" among public office-holders so that the public office is not abused for private gain, as evidenced during the tenure of Thaksin Shinawatra and related governments.

There should also be stronger legal protection for whistle-blowers who tip off the authorities to take action against wrongdoers and corrupt practices. The police, public prosecutors and the courts also have to be upgraded to handle more sophisticated corruption cases.

The Public Information Act in Thailand is also not strong enough to serve the purpose of combating corruption largely because too much government information is classified. The general lack of transparency often underscores a high incidence of corruption.

In a 2010 survey, Thailand was ranked 78th in the world in terms of transparent government. The high level of corruption here has eroded the country's international competitiveness. GDP growth and people's well-being are both negatively affected.

In the private sector, transparency and accountability are also key issues affecting listed companies in Thailand, especially with regard to the role of independent directors on listed firms' boards.

Overall, Thailand needs a strong civil society and effective measures to combat corruption in both the public and private sectors. There must also be freedom of expression, political stability, efficiency in government services and respect for the rule of law.

The public's participation is also crucial to strong good governance, while there must also be full disclosure of information in the private sector, especially with regard to listed companies on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

In fact, good governance should start at the polling booths, and the Election Commission is supposed to play a more pro-active role in combating vote-buying to ensure that the election is free and fair for all parties concerned.

-- The Nation 2011-06-25

[virtualtraveller]

Well said! Herein lies many of the causes for the present crisis.

[BAYBOY]

Vote buying is so ingrained into the Thai way of life it will/can never be eliminated,

Last local body elections here the least fancied candidate offered the highest amount and within days the other 2 candidates upped theirs, past his. Every body so happy and most tried to get a cash payment from all three.

Another time 4 candidates totally offered over 2 thousand baht as vote catchers and so many came home to collect.

The average Thai looks forward to any election as its free money, with no thought of how or where it comes from. So in the long term the people miss out as the candidates have to rort the money from budgets and something that needs doing isn't done...... the people suffer.

And it is only going to get worse over the next coming years

BAYBOY

[sirchai]

But Thai elections are usually marred by vote-buying, and this time will be no exception. In Bangkok and its peripheral areas, canvassers are reported to have offered Bt500 to Bt3,000 per vote. In other parts of the country, prices vary.

500 for an ordinary Thai, 3,000 for a teacher. But the joke is that they can take money from both sides and never vote for anybody.

People in my wife's village receive some free Lhao Kao as well. How can the result be taken serious, if everybody knows that the votes had been bought?

Thailand, another buying votes hub? :jap:

Vote-buying has long been a chronic problem in the Thai political system, reflecting a form of deep-seated corruption in society.

Only vote buying? Prostitution is illegal, but they always had full service massage parlous.

The main question is: Is there anything you can't buy here?

Aeeh sorry, of course, you can't buy love, neither friends.

Edited June 25, 2011 by sirchai

[OZEMADE]

Vote buying has always been in the Thai society whether it be at the highest level to the lowest level. It cant stop at the voting booth as it was taking place months before the elections were announced. It is in free fall at Pattaya where not only the General Elections are taking place on the 3rd of next month, but the local elections are also taking place almost at the same time. Money does not seem to be an option. This Topic is not telling the Thai people anything new.

[wackysleet]

Vote buying is so ingrained into the Thai way of life it will/can never be eliminated,

Last local body elections here the least fancied candidate offered the highest amount and within days the other 2 candidates upped theirs, past his. Every body so happy and most tried to get a cash payment from all three.

Another time 4 candidates totally offered over 2 thousand baht as vote catchers and so many came home to collect.

The average Thai looks forward to any election as its free money, with no thought of how or where it comes from. So in the long term the people miss out as the candidates have to rort the money from budgets and something that needs doing isn't done...... the people suffer.

And it is only going to get worse over the next coming years

BAYBOY

The real problem is education, thais do not appreciate the ramifications to their standard of living through widespread corruption and as you rightly said "it's free money".

The PM in a recent statement said that corruption is on the increase, so what is the answer,? the old saying comes to mind, set a thief to catch a thief, but who do you use to catch the thief that was sent to catch the thief, another thief?.

The problem does seem insurmountable as it is so endemic in this country but perhaps as PM it would have been a start if every official accused of corruption was actually suspended from their duty until the allegation was investigated instead of effectively condoning it by just moving the person to another province and sweeping the whole thing under the mat, out of site out of mind and of course that has been going on for years, nothing new there.

Why does it take years and in some cases never before these people are brought to court, the bigger the corruption case the longer it takes and I guess most people will draw their own conclusions on that one

[Kalbo]

Aside from education, one of the major problems here is that the organization entrusted to uphold and enforce the law is one of the worst offenders.

[JurgenG]

One important things to note : vote buying can backfire !!!

I already said that a number of people in Bangkok are bribing their employees to make the right choice during the next election. But it seems the most current practice is larger than usual tips, when people used to leave a 20, then they now leaves 50 or 100 or even more ... , with a message attached, make the right choice .

Last week, when having my car washed, I talked with the lady behind the counter and asked her if it really works, does people really going to vote because of the tips ? She said yes, of course ! People around her have realized that lately customers are nicer, suddenly they pay attention to people they barely noticed before. They have realized that election make them important, that their vote somehow matters. So they're definitively going to vote, but probably not for the democrats.

[whybother]

One important things to note : vote buying can backfire !!!

I already said that a number of people in Bangkok are bribing their employees to make the right choice during the next election. But it seems the most current practice is larger than usual tips, when people used to leave a 20, then they now leaves 50 or 100 or even more ... , with a message attached, make the right choice .

Last week, when having my car washed, I talked with the lady behind the counter and asked her if it really works, does people really going to vote because of the tips ? She said yes, of course ! People around her have realized that lately customers are nicer, suddenly they pay attention to people they barely noticed before. They have realized that election make them important, that their vote somehow matters. So they're definitively going to vote, but probably not for the democrats.

So you're suggesting that it's only the Democrats doing the vote buying? Will the vote buying by the other parties back fire on them too?

[jonnog]

Wife and her sister came back from Petchabun. The family received THB1,000 baht from PTP. I was told that the Democrats were told to bog off - no one wanted their money! So yes its corrupt - but people only take money from the party that they support, ie, PTP! Go Thaksin!

[unanimosity]

One important things to note : vote buying can backfire !!!

I already said that a number of people in Bangkok are bribing their employees to make the right choice during the next election. But it seems the most current practice is larger than usual tips, when people used to leave a 20, then they now leaves 50 or 100 or even more ... , with a message attached, make the right choice .

Last week, when having my car washed, I talked with the lady behind the counter and asked her if it really works, does people really going to vote because of the tips ? She said yes, of course ! People around her have realized that lately customers are nicer, suddenly they pay attention to people they barely noticed before. They have realized that election make them important, that their vote somehow matters. So they're definitively going to vote, but probably not for the democrats.

So you're suggesting that it's only the Democrats doing the vote buying? Will the vote buying by the other parties back fire on them too?

How naive and inattentive to infer that vote buying has anything to do with how a person votes. The lady in the car wash pointed that out if you'd simply paid attention, but you are too busy championing and defending one party to get the picture.

[whybother]

One important things to note : vote buying can backfire !!!

I already said that a number of people in Bangkok are bribing their employees to make the right choice during the next election. But it seems the most current practice is larger than usual tips, when people used to leave a 20, then they now leaves 50 or 100 or even more ... , with a message attached, make the right choice .

Last week, when having my car washed, I talked with the lady behind the counter and asked her if it really works, does people really going to vote because of the tips ? She said yes, of course ! People around her have realized that lately customers are nicer, suddenly they pay attention to people they barely noticed before. They have realized that election make them important, that their vote somehow matters. So they're definitively going to vote, but probably not for the democrats.

So you're suggesting that it's only the Democrats doing the vote buying? Will the vote buying by the other parties back fire on them too?

How naive and inattentive to infer that vote buying has anything to do with how a person votes. The lady in the car wash pointed that out if you'd simply paid attention, but you are too busy championing and defending one party to get the picture.

Jurgen was the one that said vote buying can backfire, so obviously he believes it has something to do with how a person votes. The think that surprises me is that Jurgen thinks it only backfires if the Democrats do the vote buying.

[JurgenG]

People are not stupid. The attitude of the democrats toward the "small people" has always been condescending. A couple of weeks before the election, they suddenly are all smiles. Do they really think people are that stupid ? Yes, they obviously think so. Don't blame the people to resent that.

As I said, the democrats are a minority party, catering for Bangkok civil servants and a few middle age housewives. If they really want to become a national champion, they seriously need to rethink their strategy

Edited June 25, 2011 by JurgenG

[whybother]

People are not stupid. The attitude of the democrats toward the "small people" has always been condescending. A couple of weeks before the election, they suddenly are all smiles. Do they really think people are that stupid ? Yes, they obviously think so. Don't blame the people to resent that.

As I said, the democrats are a minority party, catering for Bangkok civil servants and a few middle aged housewives. If they really want to become a national champion, they seriously need to rethink their strategy

Just as PTP are a minority party catering to the fiefdoms of the north east.

[DP25]

Love how every time there is talk about vote buying some are quick to chime in with personal stories (most likely fictional) about how people only take the money from Thaksin because of true love and even go so far as to refuse money from other sources. Handing out 50B tips (as opposed to 20) with notes attached 'make the right choice', sure dude

[JurgenG]

People are not stupid. The attitude of the democrats toward the "small people" has always been condescending. A couple of weeks before the election, they suddenly are all smiles. Do they really think people are that stupid ? Yes, they obviously think so. Don't blame the people to resent that.

As I said, the democrats are a minority party, catering for Bangkok civil servants and a few middle aged housewives. If they really want to become a national champion, they seriously need to rethink their strategy

Just as PTP are a minority party catering to the fiefdoms of the north east.

That's what you like to believe.

And then you have Thaksin, a true national brand.

You can call the party the way you want, at the end people vote for Thaksin.

That's the irony of the whole thing. Sondhi destroyed what was actually a quite forgettable politician to create in the proces a democracy champion.

Well done Sondhi !

[Robroy]

Out of curiosity, how do you buy a vote?

In the West you go into a polling booth & no-one can see what you write on that card. Your name isn't on it either.

You then put the card into the ballot box with thousands of others, so there's no way of knowing which one's yours.

[whybother]

People are not stupid. The attitude of the democrats toward the "small people" has always been condescending. A couple of weeks before the election, they suddenly are all smiles. Do they really think people are that stupid ? Yes, they obviously think so. Don't blame the people to resent that.

As I said, the democrats are a minority party, catering for Bangkok civil servants and a few middle aged housewives. If they really want to become a national champion, they seriously need to rethink their strategy

Just as PTP are a minority party catering to the fiefdoms of the north east.

That's what you like to believe.

And then you have Thaksin, a true national brand.

You can call the party the way you want, at the end people vote for Thaksin.

That's the irony of the whole thing. Sondhi destroyed what was actually a quite forgettable politician to create in the proces a democracy champion.

Well done Sondhi !

Where are the PTP seats in the south of Bangkok? Not quite national. http://www.outtospace.com/thailand-election-map-2007-2009/

Interesting that the Democrats have seats in the lower north and in the east. A little better spread than PTP.

In the end, a majority will probably NOT vote for Thaksin. Just a minority of the population in the North and North East.

[JurgenG]

Love how every time there is talk about vote buying some are quick to chime in with personal stories (most likely fictional) about how people only take the money from Thaksin because of true love and even go so far as to refuse money from other sources. Handing out 50B tips (as opposed to 20) with notes attached 'make the right choice', sure dude

When I said "with a message attached", I didn't mean it literally.

A post-it sticked on the bank note ? That's what you understood ?

Actually it explains a lot ...

[DP25]

Where are the PTP seats in the south of Bangkok? Not quite national. http://www.outtospace.com/thailand-election-map-2007-2009/

Interesting that the Democrats have seats in the lower north and in the east. A little better spread than PTP.

In the end, a majority will probably NOT vote for Thaksin. Just a minority of the population in the North and North East.

This map can't be right, for years we've been told it is urban elite in Bangkok vs rural poor

[EnhancePlus]

No chit, mang

[patjem]

One important things to note : vote buying can backfire !!!

I already said that a number of people in Bangkok are bribing their employees to make the right choice during the next election. But it seems the most current practice is larger than usual tips, when people used to leave a 20, then they now leaves 50 or 100 or even more ... , with a message attached, make the right choice .

Last week, when having my car washed, I talked with the lady behind the counter and asked her if it really works, does people really going to vote because of the tips ? She said yes, of course ! People around her have realized that lately customers are nicer, suddenly they pay attention to people they barely noticed before. They have realized that election make them important, that their vote somehow matters. So they're definitively going to vote, but probably not for the democrats.

So you're suggesting that it's only the Democrats doing the vote buying? Will the vote buying by the other parties back fire on them too?

How naive and inattentive to infer that vote buying has anything to do with how a person votes. The lady in the car wash pointed that out if you'd simply paid attention, but you are too busy championing and defending one party to get the picture.

In large communities, agreed..... but in the small villages in certain areas, the results will show if anyone has not voted how they have been told & paid to do.

[philw]

People are not stupid. The attitude of the democrats toward the "small people" has always been condescending. A couple of weeks before the election, they suddenly are all smiles. Do they really think people are that stupid ? Yes, they obviously think so. Don't blame the people to resent that.

As I said, the democrats are a minority party, catering for Bangkok civil servants and a few middle aged housewives. If they really want to become a national champion, they seriously need to rethink their strategy

Just as PTP are a minority party catering to the fiefdoms of the north east.

Not if they get 50% of Bangkok.................

[OzMick]

People are not stupid. The attitude of the democrats toward the "small people" has always been condescending. A couple of weeks before the election, they suddenly are all smiles. Do they really think people are that stupid ? Yes, they obviously think so. Don't blame the people to resent that.

As I said, the democrats are a minority party, catering for Bangkok civil servants and a few middle aged housewives. If they really want to become a national champion, they seriously need to rethink their strategy

Just as PTP are a minority party catering to the fiefdoms of the north east.

That's what you like to believe.

And then you have Thaksin, a true national brand.

You can call the party the way you want, at the end people vote for Thaksin.

That's the irony of the whole thing. Sondhi destroyed what was actually a quite forgettable politician to create in the proces a democracy champion.

Well done Sondhi !

In Australia, Ratsak is a national brand - but I wouldn't put it on my cornflakes. Thaksin is garnering votes by promising to prop up an unviable industry which happens to be labour/voter intensive; a policy which will eventually have to cease, causing even greater hardship for all involved. Populism caters to people's greed at the expense of the whole country.

Despite denials I believe that their first priority is amnesty for Thaksin, and always has been, but it will not be allowed to succeed.

Edited June 25, 2011 by OzMick

[jonnog]

Well, vote buying certainly isn't fictional, as one person said. I am writing this just outside Petchabun where my wife is from. My wife's family has been given 1000 baht by PTP. What's interesting is that I was told the Democrats have also offered but that no one wanted to take the money. The money from PTP is seen as a gift as it's a given that people here would vote PTP even if they got no money. From talking to people here it's very clear that everyone regards the PTP as the only option. Not because of money but because it's the only party that actually takes any interest in them (and their lives) whatsoever.

[JurgenG]

I think you miss the point. Thaksin succes is not about this or that policy. That's the old Thaksin, the one that Sondhi helped to kill.

The new Thaksin is about challenging the establishment. He appeals to everybody. From the poor guy in his rice field to the successful businessman who is tired to be restrain by dumb civil servants whose only qualification is to be born in the right family.

The old Thaksin would have probably disappeared by now. The new Thaksin will probably remembered as the political leader who helped the Thai democracy in the 21st century.

[rubl]

Dr Sangsit cited the multi-billion-baht Klong Dan corruption case involving several veteran politicians as an example in which the criminal lawsuit will soon expire.

K. Vatana of the Puea Pandin party is anxiously awaited at court. A few arrest warrents out for him and already convicted to 10 years imprisonment. K. Vatana is reportedly sighted at a casino on the Thai - Cambodian border, the resting place for some of the corrupt, on the run veteran politicians.

Puea Pandin was started in 2007 with former TRT politicians a.o., k. Juthamas of TAT fame another fine example. Lots of former TRT cabinet members under k. Thaksin, that epitome of transparency.

Some have it there's a new Thaksin, challenging the establishment. When people say 'the establishment' they mostly mean that part which is not related to Thaksin/PTP/UDD. Lots of establishment and veteran politicians are in Thaksin's folds.

'Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts', 'one man, one party, no compromise'. Welcome to Thaksinland

[OzMick]

I think you miss the point. Thaksin succes is not about this or that policy. That's the old Thaksin, the one that Sondhi helped to kill.

The new Thaksin is about challenging the establishment. He appeals to everybody. From the poor guy in his rice field to the successful businessman who is tired to be restrain by dumb civil servants whose only qualification is to be born in the right family.

The old Thaksin would have probably disappeared by now. The new Thaksin will probably remembered as the political leader who helped Thai democracy in the 21st century.

And I thought that 'No policy to give Thaksin amnesty' was I the joke of the day! The NEW Thaksin will restore Thai democracy! After he serves his jail term, and donates his wealth to the Thai Treasury, I might stop laughing, but until then your statement has as much credibility as the joke headline.

[patjem]

I think you miss the point. Thaksin succes is not about this or that policy. That's the old Thaksin, the one that Sondhi helped to kill.

The new Thaksin is about challenging the establishment. He appeals to everybody. From the poor guy in his rice field to the successful businessman who is tired to be restrain by dumb civil servants whose only qualification is to be born in the right family.

The old Thaksin would have probably disappeared by now. The new Thaksin will probably remembered as the political leader who helped the Thai democracy in the 21st century.

The old Khun_T didn't disappear, and that has been the whole problem. The Dem's were totally correct with what they said at Thursday night's rally. His refusal to accept the rule of the courts and sponsor an illegal rally last year is EXACTLY what is polarizing this country's politics. It's sad that this is able to happen.

[scotto]

we all no this wonderful place is corrupt

pity it will be there downfall eventually