Pt / Dems Liberal Or Conservative?

[gatorsoft]

In the US there are two major political parties: the Republicans and the Democrats. It is generally accepted that the Republicans are conservative and the Democrats are liberal. My question is how do the two largest political parties in Thailand fall in that spectrum? Is the PT liberal or conservative? The Dems? Or does it not really translate at all?

[inthepink]

I would say the Democrats are conservative but as for what the PT are, I'm not so sure. If I were comparing to the UK, I would say PT = (old) Labour and Democrats = Conservative. (Similar in some ways would be better than saying equals but I don't have that squiggly equals sign on my keyboard).

[cdnvic]

We don't normally allow Thai political discussions here in General Topics, but so long as it's just a matter of clarifying where the parties sit on the political spectrum we'll let it run. DO NOT turn it into a political debate or argument.

Edit: I've deleted posts that started out as information, but went off track and became a political speech. If you can't answer the question without it turning into a stump speech, just move on.

[gatorsoft]

What section of the forum would be more appropriate for this question?

[cdnvic]

What section of the forum would be more appropriate for this question?

Here is fine so long as it doesn't turn into a political debate.

[Rinrada]

Dems=UKIP....PT=SNP................could be ?

[DP25]

Western categorization methods do not apply, but closest would be

Dems -Left wing socially and economically (from American perspective, not European), right wing with regards to nationalism.

PTP - Right wing economically (low taxes on rich and corporations, pro free trade, against expanding tax system). Other positions not applicable.

[Zooheekock]

Or does it not really translate at all?

This.

[geriatrickid]

Western categorization methods do not apply, but closest would be

Dems -Left wing socially and economically (from American perspective, not European), right wing with regards to nationalism.

PTP - Right wing economically (low taxes on rich and corporations, pro free trade, against expanding tax system). Other positions not applicable.

The PTP are made up of several blocs; The socially progressive, the workers, the newly minted business and professional class that cannot break through the social barriers of family background, skin colour, "connections" etc., and those that dislike the Dems.

The Democrats are made up of fewer blocs; the establlshment including the military command, the unions closely dependent upon government, those that are keen on authoritarian approaches as a panacea to changes in demographics, people that feel the Dems are protecting Thailand (e.g. ultra nationalists), people that dislike the PTP.

I don't think either party can be labeled right or left wing, because they each display positions that would fall into either camp. For example. the PTP is the party that has initiated policies to curb booze and to add taxes to tobacco and alcohol. It is the party most likely to push "crackdowns". This typically is a populist conservative approach. The PTP favours government intervention in the economy, which is considered to be a left of spectrum sentiment. The Dems have a more laissez fair attitude with the economy although the Dems initiated the largest intervention in Thailand's economy in recent years with Korn's stimulus spending, which can be considered leftist.

The PTP is newer than the Democrats and is a mix of former parties. As such it is more of a coalition melting pot subject to a greater number of positions and views. It offers greater potential for the advancement of young people. The Democrats are the established party with little room for movement of new faces as the old guard is firmly entrenched. The democrat's need for rejuvenation is evident much as it was for the Liberals, Conservatives, Labour, Social Democrats elsewhere. The PTP is attractive to some because it seems to be a party full of energy with a direction, whereas the Democrats are seen as drifting. All political parties go through these phases. Their policies reflect their respective phases.

[lannarebirth]

There are no lliberal p[arties in Thailand. They have righter, more right and most right.