Tourists Warned To Be Vigilant As Thailand Votes

[webfact]

Tourists warned to be vigilant as Thailand votes

BANGKOK, July 3, 2011 (AFP) - Tourists in Thailand have been warned to exercise caution and avoid political demonstrations as the nation goes to the polls Sunday for the first time since last year's deadly street protests.

More than 170,000 police were deployed at polling booths across the country for the tense vote, which pits Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of the ruling Democrat Party against the opposition Puea Thai Party's Yingluck Shinawatra.

"There is a possibility of further civil unrest and violence in the period surrounding the election and formation of a new government," the Australian embassy said on its website.

"You should avoid protests and political rallies, and any security deployments associated with such events."

The British embassy also urged its citizens to be on alert. "There remains a risk that political developments may lead to violence," it said in a message posted online on Friday.

"You should avoid demonstrations and in the event of violence, remain indoors."

The comments were echoed by several other countries, including Canada, Ireland, Japan and the Netherlands.

"Please stay away from rallies and demonstrations to ensure your safety," the Japanese embassy said in an email to its citizens.

Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the region but in recent years its reputation as the "land of the smiles" has been marred by protracted and often bloody political unrest.

The poll is the first major electoral test for the government since mass "Red Shirt" opposition protests in Bangkok in April and May last year scared away tourists and sparked an army crackdown that left more than 90 people dead.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-03

[BigSkip]

Yes, Stay at home and drink your brew :jap:

[animatic]

I'd say tonight is not a good night to go out late.

Once the drinking laws recede then the losers will start drinking heavily.

Or those that didn't think their side dill well enough

and with drinking comes hate and violence.

[rubl]

Looking down from my balcony the polling station looks relaxed. A very quiet coming and going, but no rush, no crowds. Police may be present, but not prominent.

BKK, Dusit, Const. 20 (or just station 20?). Did I miss k. Chamlorn this morning?

[londonthai]

concerns not only foreign tourists, but expatriates, as well as businessman coming to thailand with prospects of investing etc - you have to read a diplomatic language

Edited July 3, 2011 by londonthai

[bluebluewater]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

[animatic]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

Their MP's get elected, their votes count.

Just like last time. But it doesn't always get you the government,

ie PM and cabinet you expect. It never does.

Cabinets change in cycles so all the snouts get to the trough.

[ballpoint]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

[manarak]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

[Jingthing]

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

Maybe in fact of force, but no way that it SHOULD be.

[manarak]

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

Maybe in fact of force, but no way that it SHOULD be.

Well, the principle is even formalized in the process called a referendum.

Edited July 3, 2011 by manarak

[lannarebirth]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

What is it that you imagine the election commission and the judiciary are for? Do you suppose it is just some honorary position that regardless of what occurs should just sign off on it?

[lannarebirth]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

Amen. These expats with such a low regard for Thais make me sick. They imagine that criminals are good enough for the likes of them.

[lannarebirth]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

That's bullshit! The constitution is the source of the law. The people elect representatives that craft a constitution. Jesus Christ man! What the hell country did you come from that allowed you to think whatever the mob of the day believed was the law?

[manarak]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

That's bullshit! The constitution is the source of the law. The people elect representatives that craft a constitution. Jesus Christ man! What the hell country did you come from that allowed you to think whatever the mob of the day believed was the law?

Look it up.

A referendum has the power to change the constitution.

Granted, that's not the case in all political systems, but a direct consultation on people's wish has the highest value in many democratic countries.

[lannarebirth]

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

That's bullshit! The constitution is the source of the law. The people elect representatives that craft a constitution. Jesus Christ man! What the hell country did you come from that allowed you to think whatever the mob of the day believed was the law?

Look it up.

A referendum has the power to change the constitution.

Granted, that's not the case in all political systems, but a direct consultation on people's wish has the highest value in many democratic countries.

Yeah, so? This is not a referendum, this is an electoral vote. You're making a fallacious argument, as you well know.

[manarak]

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

That's bullshit! The constitution is the source of the law. The people elect representatives that craft a constitution. Jesus Christ man! What the hell country did you come from that allowed you to think whatever the mob of the day believed was the law?

Look it up.

A referendum has the power to change the constitution.

Granted, that's not the case in all political systems, but a direct consultation on people's wish has the highest value in many democratic countries.

Yeah, so? This is not a referendum, this is an electoral vote. You're making a fallacious argument, as you well know.

You are technically right, but this election was a de-facto referendum about Thaksin.

What will follow is an Amnesty, which is also above the Law, and has the power to simply free any sentenced criminal and stop prosecution of others.

[Britannia]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

That's bullshit! The constitution is the source of the law. The people elect representatives that craft a constitution. Jesus Christ man! What the hell country did you come from that allowed you to think whatever the mob of the day believed was the law?

Well everyone to their opinion as they say, but laws are made by lawyers, self appointed and a very small part of society, if the masses disagree with those law then should they be imposed? The masses are the law makers paymasters don’t forget.

Seems like the dark ages to me.

Laws are made by the rich for the rich to protect the rich against the poor (masses) that was the dark ages

[Bagwan]

I went to a polling place this morning with some of my friends just to see how it was done and to see the sights . . very calm & relaxed, a couple of bored cops on the beat. The people were all smiles and happy have the chance to vote again.

I hope their votes will count this time, for better or for worse I do not know. No election commission funnies, no judical funnies, no military.

I don't know what warped version of democracy is in place where you come from, but where I'm from it doesn't matter how popular a politician is, if they cheat they're out. If they steal they're thrown in jail. No taking the feelings of the supporters into account, no taking the opinion of a few expats who happened to make a buck from that politician's dishonesty. Break the law and out you go. We saw what a mealy "feel good' verdict did when Thaksin was acquited in his asset concealment case back in 2001. By "respecting" the choice of the voters the judges simply opened the door for the most single handedly corrupt figure in recent Thai history to thumb his nose at the judiciary and, literally, peoples' lives. If the judiciary had have had the guts and principles to do the right thing back then we wouldn't be in this mess now. The TRT/PPP were both dissolved for cheating, I suggest anyone calling foul play look at the evidence that was presented. In my opinion, there is ample evidence that the PTP is directed by a banned politician with a criminal sentence and a string of trials awaiting him. Will the constititutional court do the right thing?

The people's voice is above the Law, for the people are the source of Law.

So you're OK with lynching?

[wolf5370]

Look it up.

A referendum has the power to change the constitution.

Granted, that's not the case in all political systems, but a direct consultation on people's wish has the highest value in many democratic countries.

Yeah, so? This is not a referendum, this is an electoral vote. You're making a fallacious argument, as you well know.

You are technically right, but this election was a de-facto referendum about Thaksin.

What will follow is an Amnesty, which is also above the Law, and has the power to simply free any sentenced criminal and stop prosecution of others.

To some it may have been ; to some it would have been to remove the incumbent; to some it would be because they preferred their choice's policies and promises; to some because they were told who to vote for by the village head, family head or spouse; to some because they like the flag colour or the poster or the soap star standing for their seat or; to some they chose their lucky number; and so on. We can only surmise (i.e. guess) what motivated people to vote the way they did, so it can not be stated that it is de-facto anything IMO - even though I am sure the press will determine it as you have stated.