Thaksin Allies In Thai Election Landslide: Exit Polls

[Xangsamhua]

<br />

<br />Taksin almost destroyed the farang nightlife scene- guess you didn't go much.<br />

<br /><br />I *LOVE* nightlife and it's one of the great misconceptions that the social order campaign was targetted specifically at the Farang/tourist scene. <br /><br />Also, the drive for the social order BS originated from a faction that has long since split off (that nutter chamlong among others), so I'm not too worried.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

The "nutter" Chamlong?

Well, he's certainly different from the Shinwatra model of "civilized man"....

" A devout Buddhist and follower of the controversial Santi Asoke sect, he is now celibate, a vegetarian, and claims to have no worldly possessions."

(Wikipedia)

[Jingthing]

I have another theory to party explain this victory. It was clear after Black Songkran and Bangkok on Fire that Thaksin was going to stop at NOTHING to get back into power, including bringing Thailand into total CIVIL WAR. Perhaps that was conscious or unconscious MOTIVATION to give Thaksin this big voting victory -- a vote AGAINST civil war. If it's going to happen anyway, Thaksin coming back to take TOTAL POWER, just go ahead and endorse that, mai bpen rai; it felt better than watching the country fall into civil war. In that sense, it could be seen as a wise, rational choice, as a calculated wager that taking a chance on total Thaksin power was less bad than total civil war. Now, we'll see.

[lannarebirth]

who needs freedom of speach when you can get to tall bottles of Chang at give-away-prices?

.......................................................................................................................................................

.....and although the outcome does not bode well for the Kingdom, som nam naah!

Thai lover extraordinaire. Thanks for your contribution.

[bartender100]

Taksin almost destroyed the farang nightlife scene- guess you didn't go much.

Finally we know why so many farang are anti-Thaksin. Because they're worried they will lose access to cheap prostitutes.

The nightlife is going to get a hit lot harder with a female PM, just you watch.

[letitbe]

Fact: The Thai people voted for who they wanted. If, as all the doomsayers on here keep saying, 'that PT is corrupt and no good'. Then deal with it. Let the people put up with who they voted for until the next election. It's no different than in western countries. Some people really dislike their elected government, the fact remains that like it or not you are stuck with them until you vote them out next time.

As a farang, I firmly believe that it's up to the Thai people to choose their government. They have done so and I hope they get to run the full term. If after this the people decide they've made a mistake, THEN let them change it.

By the looks of the turnout this time, it looks as if the people have spoken. Who are we to judge Thai people by western standards.

At the end of the day if we don't like it, "We know where the airport is."

if they are given chance i totally agree with you and yes I know where airport is is they are not because im 100% sure unless as might me Taksin controls everything within 4 years the thais will get rid of him and his lot like a shot. Problem is your here in east and often people are not given a second chance. Your still in western mindset thinking normal western values rule here not those that rules in west 200-300 years ago.

[Gonsalviz]

ok, waiting for 2 ipads now (children), my own home and my own car, in stead of the wife's name loooooooooooooooool

Me too. Got 2 girls. But they are actually getting an education, so that they might know how to use them to an advantage that neither party (that count) were going to give them.

[sjaak327]

Isn't democracy nice ? Congratulations to PT for this landlside victory.

Of course the expats on TV talk about corruption, vote buying, red green blue. Lucklily these same expats don't have any right to cast their votes, unlike the Thai nationals, who have clearly spoken and have choosen their representatives. Maybe it is about time that these expats accept the results of this general election as the true democrats that they proclaim to be.

[dhrobertson]

Only good thing coming out of all this is going to be that their dreams will soon turn in nightmares for a lot of people and that is when hopefully they will realized what kind of mistake they made voting for them....

It will be too late. Total power will be solidified. Democracy is DEAD in Thailand, starting today.

Errr..just how is democracy dead?

The people have spoken havent they? If anything this prooves that democracy DOES work.

I dont like it any more than you, but you cannot claim democracy wasnt done just becuase you dont like the outcome. After all, NOT accepting the voice of the majority of the people would make one a bit of a dictator wouldnt it?

Sad day indeed for Thailand.

As you can see, democracy just doesn't work unless people have equal access to education and information.

Getting rid of Abhisit and Korn makes no sense.

And yes, by the way, I do feel intellectualy superior to many Thais, not through nationality but through the privilege of a first class education.

Sadly it is a Thai trait to consider today at the expense of tomorrow.

Fools

[lannarebirth]

Thaksin is the least corrupt of these leaders and policians, including the generals.

He doesn't need the money.

He's interested in prestige.

Of course, he must by sheer necessity engage in a certain amount of political corruption when you consider who the other players are, and that it's Thailand.

As for paying poor people for votes...how much did Abhissit pay them?

Nothing...zero...nadda....

.And what did he ever do for them....

Nothing...zero...nadda.

Thaksin tried, and with some success, delivered for them...health-care...land reform...education reform.... and he deserves every vote.

I hope his sister's government can restart those initiatives.

I'd call you worse but I might get suspended (I still might). Refute my assertion if you can.

Edited July 3, 2011 by sbk
flme removed

[housepainter]

It's third world and in a dire mess. It was previously under Abhisit who tried to keep order while surrounded by a morass of corrupt people. But at least he understood democracy.

Of course it is the vested interest groups who feed off Thailand and Abhisit had to put up with them; the army, police and powerful families. Folk who don't understand democracy.

The main difference is that the Thaksin clan are corrupt. Autocratic dictators who are guilty of the same crimes as the rest of these world criminals; mass killing and filling their own bank accounts with illegally gained monies.

They don't pursue any political ideology or follow a moral compass. Ergo once again it will be asset stripping and an autocratic state that benefits one family and bribes others with the falling crumbs of corruption. Mega projects, deals with Burma and North Korea, human rights trampling and more extra judicial killings. When Thaksin talks of 'no revenge' expect the worst; dissapearences Columbian style.

Furthermore, with the anti-monachy stance of Thaksin and a future King in waiting there is a terrible outlook for the future. I believe a Thaksin tenure is impossible. How are the Army expected to react?

Additionally, the yellow vote will be mobilised and once again a more intelligent mob will be shutting down Thailand. The Airport is the obvious and most effective target, block the embassies, close the City centre's business district and occupy the sky train. Result? Grid lock. Coming to Bangkok any time soon.

The outcome will be chaos once the various aggrieved groups commence a plan of action. Especially, the action plan most likely enacted by the military. Another coup then to protect the monachy. Plus the support of a million yellows on the streets.

But all of that is better than Thaksin keeping Thailand in the dark ages and as part of his play thing.

Oh dear.

[Mosha]

How can it be a democracy when votes have been bought? Going to a wake tonight, and there will be a lot of unhappy people there, and not for the deceased. There again this is the south.

[taff33]

[...I would think that most, if not all, of the Visa writers who are against the result have never seen how the people live in the 'sticks'.

Well I have, and it's not the worst existence.

Good power supply, water supply, reasonably good roads, many people in the village seem to be building new houses, lots of new cars/ pickups/ motorcycles and broadband internet.

Plenty of shops selling almost eveything.

No one looks starved, no beggars sleeping under bridges- no slums or shacks.

My mum in law had to go to hospital, and got treated- they didn't have to sell their children to pay for it.

All the children go to school, and seem very happy.

If life is so hard, I'm not seeing it.

I have too. I've also seen how the urban poor live -- and lived with them. If I believed that Thaksin and Co. was going to be ultimately better for the poor and the rest of the Thais than the other group of elites that want to run things, then I might be willing to overlook a lot of very unpalatable truths and support them.

But I have very little or no reason to believe that.

Then why did so many people vote the way they did,and please don't say ' brain washed buffalo's

[sbk]

Mosha

Early vote count showed Democrat win 49 seats in South

Early ballot count by TV Pool showed that the Democrat would win 49 seats in southern provinces.

The Chart Thai Pattana Party would win two seats and the Matubhum two seats.

The count was updated at 4:51 pm.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

There is a total of 53 seats in the South

I would like those who say the country is not divided to then please explain these results to me? And please, do not say anything if you have never lived south of Prachuab khiri khan. I think very few people north of that have any idea of the depth of anti-Thaksin feeling in much of the South

[Jingthing]

Isn't democracy nice ? Congratulations to PT for this landlside victory.

Of course the expats on TV talk about corruption, vote buying, red green blue. Lucklily these same expats don't have any right to cast their votes, unlike the Thai nationals, who have clearly spoken and have choosen their representatives. Maybe it is about time that these expats accept the results of this general election as the true democrats that they proclaim to be.

I totally accept the victory. Like I would accept getting crab lice. Then it's time to visit the pharmacy.

[Nidh]

My only question is, does this affect tourism? Will prices go up/down or remain the same? What about THB exchange rate?

[Jingthing]

My only question is, does this affect tourism? Will prices go up/down or remain the same? What about THB exchange rate?

His policies if carried out are definitely inflationary.

[thaitero]

The vote is all about the voice of the people & the people of Thailand have spoken. All Farangs should accept there decision or go back to where they came from.

I agree..

We are only quests living in Thailand..

If Thaksin or somebody makes Thailand too unpleasent place to live, we will just make our homes elsewhere. Simple as that

[kmj]

55555 All the crying, whinging, then insults when your brains get all seized up, I love it,,, and the results not even in yet,,,

[scotbeve]

PT's predicted number of seats is now 251 - just over 50% - which will give them the power to form a government whatever happens. If this is the actual number of seats, then it is 18 more seats than the last election in 2007 won by PPP under the supposed leadership of Samak and suggests that the majority of the population are still at odds with what happened over the last 4 years and willing to give the Thaksin clan another chance at running the country, regardless of what anyone on thaivisa.com thinks.

Good to see Chuwit probably set to get a run in parliament. Would have been better for comedy value if Jatuporn had still been able to claim a place in the circus.

Hopefully k. Chuwit remembers he's not supposed to punch another MP in the face

Personally i hope Chuwit goes and punches a lot of them in the face, from both sides. They all deserve it.

He should be the next PM. The most honest one out there.

..."Walk softly but carry a big stick"

[kalbo123]

My only question is, does this affect tourism? Will prices go up/down or remain the same? What about THB exchange rate?

Good questions accept there are not many Thai politicians interested in those subjects....

[lazygourmet]

If there are elections in our homecountries, would we like when foreigners there would call the majority of the voters "corrupt, uneducated, greedy bla, bla bal". For sure we would not like that. Is it democratic to repeat and repeat and repeat prejudices? Maybe the people in Thailand not want a "Westernstyle Democracy". We should respect that.

In my native country -Belgium-, there is no government for more than one year....

And apparently, they are living well -if not even better- without it.

And, as Thailand, it is a constitutional monarchy...

Edited July 3, 2011 by lazygourmet

[unanimosity]

They may not realize it now, but they will eventually.

It is a sad day for Thailand.

Not really. It's only sad for you and a small smattering of others. Can you not see the celebration of Thai people's collective will being served?

Edited July 3, 2011 by unanimosity

[WinnieTheKhwai]

My wife voted for Taksin so did all her family.

So did the family of several foreigners who told husband they wouldn't vote Taksin.

Heh. First of all, you're going to get some forum bullies coming down on you stating that Thaksin is a wanted fugitive and not on the ballot.

My wife has always voted Democrat so I was pleasantly surprised to hear that she made a different choice this time! (No, not PTP). Still, when she told me yesterday I knew the Democrats were in for an incredible slaughter. (Even given the statistically less significant samples size of 1. )

[kmj]

Isn't democracy nice ? Congratulations to PT for this landlside victory.

Of course the expats on TV talk about corruption, vote buying, red green blue. Lucklily these same expats don't have any right to cast their votes, unlike the Thai nationals, who have clearly spoken and have choosen their representatives. Maybe it is about time that these expats accept the results of this general election as the true democrats that they proclaim to be.

I totally accept the victory. Like I would accept getting crab lice. Then it's time to visit the pharmacy.

Yes your right, looks like Thailand just visited the pharmacy 5555

[xminator]

Even 250 is way higher then what was predicted at the start of the election period, you know when everyone was sure Yingluck would do a Palin. That didnt happen. Its also higher then what the polls showed a week ago, when most analysts predicted about 230 seats for PT. 250+ is a very good election for PT. The exit polls of about 300 where a bit too good to be in line with the final result, if that happended there would have been a massive shift the last week.

[Nidh]

My only question is, does this affect tourism? Will prices go up/down or remain the same? What about THB exchange rate?

Good questions accept there are not many Thai politicians interested in those subjects....

No i understand, i was referring to indirect changes.

But Jingthing pretty much answered my question

[dinger]

Really don't give a rat's arse what you belive or don't beleive. What I stated here, were the facts as they were given to me. You on the other hand appear to be one of those people that subscribe to the thinking that "if i don't know about it or haven't heard about it then it can't exist). The Dem's have been hitting this area pretty hard (northeast) as it is not a strong hold for them, so they have been here in force for about a week.

If you could pull your head out of the sand long enough to read my op I think you would see my only point was that it seems both sides are running around the country spreading money around and all they do is seem to cancel each other out

They may not realize it now, but they will eventually.

It is a sad day for Thailand.

A very sad day. This is not a democracy, it is all about money.

Last night my g/f's mother confirmed that all 7 members of her family and virtually everyone in the village (Korat) received 300thb each.

It is a bloody disgrace.

Not going to side either way on this. But my wife told me she got 300b from the democrats last week and 100b from the red shirts 2 days ago, and then voted the way she already had decided. So multiply that by all of the people in all of the villages and it adds up to a lot of waisted money

dont believe you. first ive never heard of only 100 baht. Second ones who take money feel obliged to vote for whose paid for it at least my wifes family are. Third agents control it all and take their cut and they do not tread on each others territory to much risk

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I would like those who say the country is not divided to then please explain these results to me? And please, do not say anything if you have never lived south of Prachuab khiri khan. I think very few people north of that have any idea of the depth of anti-Thaksin feeling in much of the South.

I believe it. (That the country is divided)

Similarly, I think very few people North or North East of Central Thailand have any idea of the depth of the pro-Thaksin feeling.

Even polite attempts to point this out in the past (talking several years, not so much nowadays) have been deemed 'trolling': there's THAT much of a divide that people genuinely cannot imagine why someone would love Thaksin.

So is there a divide: You betcha!

Edited July 3, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[hellodolly]

If there are elections in our homecountries, would we like when foreigners there would call the majority of the voters "corrupt, uneducated, greedy bla, bla bal". For sure we would not like that. Is it democratic to repeat and repeat and repeat prejudices? Maybe the people in Thailand not want a "Westernstyle Democracy". We should respect that.

I respect the outcome, even if I might not agree

I am with you on that.

Just out of curiosity what do you think he was talking about when he said Westernstyle democracy? Actually he sounds like a Thai to me.

[animatic]

Decembers High Season Is SHOT, yet again.