Election Day In Thailand

[Jai Dee]

Prime Minister Thaksin calls on eligible voters to go to the polls

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called on all eligible voters to go to the polls today in order to show the power of democracy, the result of which will be used as decisive principle that everybody must follow.

He said that after the general election, he wished to see all conflicting parties turning to each other so that the country will not lag behind others and will gain the due economic strength. Besides, he said this year is special in that it coincides with the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the Throne. Everybody should therefore stay united to make His Majesty happy.

He remarked that he is ready to accept all conditions proposed by any side after the election if they shall bring in a compromise between conflicting parties.

As for the demand imposed by the People's Alliance for Democracy for the Election Commission to resign, Mr. Thaksin said he believed the action would not interrupt the election as the EC is bound with its duty. He also expressed sorrow for the bad experience facing the Democrat leaders when they went to address the people in Chiang Mai recently. He remarked that he did not want to see a repetition of such an incident.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2006

[Pink Mist]

spoke with our son last week and he seems to think thaskin will get back any thoughts on this?

[Jai Dee]

People crammed into bus terminal at Chatuchak to make way back to home to vote, but Transport Co. is confident it can accommodate them all

People flocking back to the provinces to take part in today's election has prompted the Transport Company Limited to increase coach runs by 80% from normal.

Yesterday, people crammed into the Bangkok bus terminal at Chatuchak (จตุจักร), and their number was significantly higher than the day before. People 'overflowed' the terminal building out onto the surrounding paved area, while many had to sit on the floor waiting for buses. Most people at the terminal since evening were those going on long trips, as those who had only a short distance to cover already departed since morning.

The Transport Company Limited is confident it will be able to accomodate passengers and take them to their ometowns in time for today's election. An additional 7,842 coach runs are being carried out, and this is an 80% increase from normal period. About 960 privately-operated buses are also being jointly run in addition to the Transport Company's own coaches.

Tickets for the additional buses may be purchased at the counter-front. It is expected that all passengers would have been thouroughly sent to their respective localities by midnight.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

The police have been providing full assistance to ensure smooth and peaceful election

The police have set up an operational unit to ensure law and order while all members of the force are told to take neutral stance during the election.

Police spokesperson Achirawit Suphanphaesat (อชิรวิชย์ สุพรรณเภสัช) said that the police headquarters has established the operational unit to handle the event while each police commission has been instructed to cooperate with provincial police stations in arranging fast-moving units in support of the election.

Police Lieutenant General Achirawit revealed that the police have already in hand plans to assist the removal of ballot boxes to and from remote rural areas. He explained that the assistance will be provided by land, sea and air. Public members can therefore stay assured that the election will be carried out smoothly.

With regard to vote-casting by people in the three southernmost provinces, the Police spokesman said the Provincial Police Region 9 is cooperating with the Fourth Army Area in providing protection and security to voters.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

GENERAL ELECTION

All set for contentious vote

Turnout expected to be same as last year, amid heightened security; results due on Wednesday, says Election Commission

A total of 86,905 polling stations are ready for 44 million voters to cast their ballots today and 869,050 officials will supervise the process and count the votes.

"Final preparations have been concluded and the voter turnout is expected to be about 72 per cent, on a par with the last general election," Election Commission secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapha said yesterday.

Of the 941 candidacy applications submitted for constituency voting, 589 candidates will run for the 400 House seats up for grabs. The other 100 seats are to be filled by party-list candidates allocated according to the proportion of votes each party receives.

Thai Rak Thai candidates will run unopposed in 200 constituencies in 59 provinces and must muster 20 per cent of the vote in each of these constituencies to win them.

Nonthaburi's third constituency has no potential MP because of Friday's disqualification of the lone Thai Rak Thai candidate Pimpa Chantharaprasong.

Voters there will cast ballots for party-list candidates today.

They can chose a constituency representative when the EC accepts fresh candidacy applications and organises a ballot at the same time as next month's Senate election.

Today's balloting will take place between 8am and 3pm, with voters being offered pens or a stamp to mark "X", or they can use their own pen of any colour.

EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp promised to complete the unofficial count by tomorrow and give the official outcome on Wednesday

Vote tallying will be conducted at 400 centres manned by 162,400 counters and 4,000 security guards.

Authorities in the three southernmost provinces are promoting the vote as well as strengthened security with bomb squads stepping up checks at polling stations.

Due to a freak storm in the lower Northeast yesterday, the Air Force provided a C-130 aircraft and a helicopter to fly 5,000 ballot boxes from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and will help transport the ballots to counting centres today.

Monitors from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan yesterday inspected the preparations at 188 polling stations in Songkhla and are scheduled to observe the voting.

At every province, officials fanned out to transport ballot boxes for overnight storage at district offices before releasing them to polling stations today while boats and helicopters have delivered boxes to islands.

Many civic groups are monitoring today's poll in a bid to prevent vote rigging and Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said the public should help officials ensure a clean election takes place.

"Some ill-intentioned people might try to tarnish the vote, hence it is everyone's responsibility to vote and to safeguard the ballots," he said.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said rumours that piles of Bt1,000 notes were ready for distribution on the eve of the election should be probed.

Ong-art urged voters to cast their ballots although his party was boycotting the election.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he was ready to accept the election outcome, regardless of whether it was favourable for him or not. Suspected ballot fraud should be reported to the following hotlines, run by volunteers from the media and health professions: (02) 621 6705; (02) 621 7814; (09) 163 3326; (09) 163 3364 or [email protected]

Source: The Nation - Sun, April 2, 2006

[Thaible]

This will be the cleanest election in the history of Thailand.

With millions of people watching for any evidence of fraud, no one would dare try anything.

[Jai Dee]

An editorial from today's Nation:

EDITORIAL

A day to act for your country

As we are called upon to cast our ballots, we must not forget the other essentials of democracy

You have seen, heard and read as much as you can. Probably not enough to establish the ultimate truth, but enough to make a judgement based on your conscience. To say that today is a big day for everyone is an understatement. It has been five years now since an historic election landslide installed Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister. So much has happened since - probably not enough for many people on the street to know the whole truth about him and the ruling party, but enough for anyone to make a choice today. There are pro-government media outlets, and there is the anti-government press. There are pro-government rallies and there are anti-Thaksin ones. This is normal in politics. It's why we need democracy.

Today, you have the right to do whatever you deem is in your motherland's best interest. Some have told you to do this, others have said do that. And they all say it is for the sake of the country. The good thing about democracy is that nobody owns you: when you open your eyes today you can do whatever you think suits your ideology. You have the right to take your own action, whatever it is, and make it count.

This is a special election day for obvious reasons. The country has gone through months of turmoil that sometimes pushed us to the brink of violent confrontation. Divisiveness has been widespread. Families have quarrelled. Taxi drivers have shooed customers away. Some leading political figures have been booed and jeered in public places. Newspaper offices have been surrounded by hostile protesters. There have been uproars among academic communities. Poor farmers have joined the political fray. Even our most revered institution, the monarchy, has been troubled by the present crisis.

But in a way we can be thankful we still can have great divisions. There are countries where the leadership tells people who to choose and what to think. That families in Thailand can argue and make different choices at the ballot booth is a blessing. Things are unlikely to return to normal after today, and there's even a strong possibility that they will get worse. But you can consider this either as bad fortune for our beloved Kingdom, or a valuable learning process that could be a blessing in disguise.

The most important thing today is not that we know whom to vote for or how to exercise our political right correctly, because all of us humans are entitled to make mistakes or bad choices. The most important thing today is that we recognise the real values and essence of democracy. It's important that we understand the reasons behind the pro-Thai Rak Thai votes, or the "abstain" votes, or even the "illegal" act of staying home in protest. It's important that we realise that casting our ballot is just one part of democracy, that the system requires other things like good checks and balances, respect for human rights and the rights of minorities, and freedom of speech.

Democracy is everyone's responsibility. It can only be taken, and not given. Don't let anyone fool us that they are "giving" us a chance at democracy. The system does not mean that an election is called once in a while and everything is fine. It doesn't necessarily mean that a leader who calls or allows an election is a champion of democracy. That leader has to also adhere to its other principles - every one of them - from the bottom of his or her heart. He or she has to accept your rights to scrutinise or question the government, or to voice your disagreement when you think something seriously wrong has happened to transparency and accountability or even the morality of our leadership.

Today is important not because of Thaksin Shinawatra, or Sondhi Limthongkul or Chamlong Srimuang. It's important because it's an ideal time for reflection. Democracy allows everyone to support or defend or defy or challenge. It gives you the right to act or not act - as long as it is within the framework of fundamental human rights and your aim is to help forge a national course. Thai people have these rights, under the Constitution. We have these rights every day, not just today. And we can exercise these rights every day, and not just today. And it's our duty to make the powers-that-be, or future powers-that-be, realise this.

[Jai Dee]

A slightly different editorial... also from today's Nation:

Voters have the chance to write off dictatorship today

The brute force hissing menace towards the people inside the Nation Multimedia Group offices on Thursday showed again that desperate politicians fearful of losing power could resort to senseless violence if necessary.

The same savagery was displayed in Chiang Mai when senior Democrat Party leaders were mobbed by a noisy crowd supporting politicians in power. The rally was disrupted and the Democrats were escorted away.

On Friday, the Manager office was mobbed by a few hundred jeering and booing taxi motorcyclists for hire. There was a brief clash but no serious injuries or damage to property.

The three violent incidents occurred in the span of three days, all caused by pro-government crowds, mostly induced by certain incentives. Deep-pocketed politicians are willing to hire jobless or poor people to form protest groups and put pressure on their targets.

What happened at the Nation Group complex marked a significant twist. For months, the pro-democracy alliance has been holding rallies, protests and street demonstrations peacefully. Despite a strong police presence, there has been no apparent harm of any kind.

The crowd organised by the so-called "Caravan of the Poor" was anything but poor. They were organised and transported in scores of coaches and vans to block the entry and exit points, barring people from entering or leaving the complex.

The mob, comprising youngsters who were obviously drunk and senseless, threatened women who wanted to leave the compound with beastly acts such as gang rape and physical assault. It was sheer horror.

What's more, those half-crazed men spoke Khmer dialects widely used in Buri Ram and Si Sa Ket. There is no doubt that they were herded by politicians with a stronghold in those areas.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra showed no remorse for his failure to maintain law and order. To a certain extent, he might have been pleased to see his adversaries and critics experience their own share of bad times.

He did not instruct law enforcement officials to strictly abide by the law and take action against pro-government mobs who have used lawlessness to intimidate and harass their targets.

Journalists and other employees of Kom Chad Luek, a sister publication of The Nation, were held under duress and against their will for more than eight hours while the police on guard were helpless to enforce law and order.

The mob hired by politicians in power was clearly unruly, savage and brutal. If they possessed rationale and sense, they certainly did not show these qualities during the hours they held people captive inside the Nation Group complex.

These three recent events could be seen as the signal for a time of anarchy and lawlessness. Politicians in power saw these incidents as a lesson for the pro-democracy alliance and freedom-loving people.

Thaksin urged his admirers to cease and desist from such savage acts. His tone was hardly convincing or indicative of what he really meant. Actually, it could have been his earlier negative remark about the planned campaign of the Democrats that fanned the violence.

This also marked a crucial twist. It is quite reasonable to say that Thaksin will surely think twice if he wants to set foot in the South, now that the people there have become more antagonistic towards him.

With Thaksin in charge, and his dogged stubbornness not to resign as widely demanded, not only could there be a class war between urban dwellers and the rural grassroots supporters of Thaksin, there could be a flare-up of divisiveness between the North and the South.

The South is mainly pro-Democrat while Chiang Mai and some northern provinces want Thaksin with his generous style of pork-barrel politics to continue his saviour's role with freebies and populist plans to help the poor.

We go to the polls today and there aren't other choices, only candidates from Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party and a few also-ran parties. There is a widespread feeling that most urban voters might just opt for the "No vote" box to express their disapproval of the entire polling process.

That's why we must make a wise choice to break this dictatorship and remake our nation.

[Jai Dee]

Election-referendum begins peacefully

(dpa) - Millions of Thais were expected to go to the polls Sunday to decide the fate of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has vowed to refuse the premiership if his Thai Rak Thai Party wins less than half the ballots.

The Election Commission, responsible for organizing the snap election, has predicted that 72 per cent of Thailand's 44 million eligible voters will cast ballots Sunday.

Oddly, one of the key choices in Sunday's poll will be the "no vote" box.

Thailand's three main former opposition parties - the Democrats, Chat Thai and Mahachon - have boycotted the election to protest Thaksin's "new form of dictatorship and authoritarianism," according to Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Thaksin is a billionaire telecommunications tycoon whose populist Thai Rak Thai Party won the 2001 and 2005 elections by wide margins.

The opposition accuse him of using his popularity "as a licence for corruption and violation of rights." They have called on their supporters to tick the "no vote" box as a protest against Thaksin's rule.

Although there are 18 parties contesting Sunday's election, Thai Rak Thai is the only real contender. Of the 941 candidates who registered to contest the polls, only 589 met EC qualifications. Most of those rejected were from the 17 small, largely unknown parties.

Consequently, some 265 out of the 400 constituencies have a Thai Rak Thai candidate on the ballot without opposition.

The constitution stipulates that a single candidate must win at least 20 per cent of the vote. Failing to do so, he or she must contest again. The single Thai Rak Thai candidates are unlikely to win 20 per cent in the 14 southern provinces, the traditional stronghold of the Democrats.

Analysts believe the polls will fail to secure the 500 seats needed to form a parliament, throwing Thailand into political limbo after the election.

Source: Bangkok Post - 2 April 2006

[jdinasia]

This will be the cleanest election in the history of Thailand.

With millions of people watching for any evidence of fraud, no one would dare try anything.

Have you seen the press for the last 3 months? Seen allegations of vote buying (directly .. not just the populist indirect vote-buying of only one side!)

Have you even been here? Of course silliness will happen today ... just hopefully it will be peaceful and less direct than it has been in the past!

[Bryan in Isaan]

A slightly different editorial... also from today's Nation:

Voters have the chance to write off dictatorship today

The brute force hissing menace towards the people inside the Nation Multimedia Group offices on Thursday showed again that desperate politicians fearful of losing power could resort to senseless violence if necessary.

The same savagery was

<clipped for brevity>

The South is mainly pro-Democrat while Chiang Mai and some northern provinces want Thaksin with his generous style of pork-barrel politics to continue his saviour's role with freebies and populist plans to help the poor.

We go to the polls today and there aren't other choices, only candidates from Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party and a few also-ran parties.

And how did that happen????

There is a widespread feeling that most urban voters might just opt for the "No vote" box to express their disapproval of the entire polling process.

That's why we must make a wise choice to break this dictatorship and remake our nation.

Lots of hot air. I hope the author feels better, getting that off of his chest.

Seriously though, I wouldn't vote Democrat, but I wish they would have showed up for today's election.

Edited April 2, 2006 by Bryan in Isaan

[jdinasia]

So does Thaksin

Exciting times in Thailand!!

[Thaible]

This will be the cleanest election in the history of Thailand.

With millions of people watching for any evidence of fraud, no one would dare try anything.

Have you seen the press for the last 3 months? Seen allegations of vote buying (directly .. not just the populist indirect vote-buying of only one side!)

Have you even been here? Of course silliness will happen today ... just hopefully it will be peaceful and less direct than it has been in the past!

The allegations are a JOKE! And they keyword here is "allegations".

According to the CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, there are supposedly 19 MILLION people who were bought off to vote for Thaksin. Gimme a break! TRT hardly needed that many votes to win. There is a huge and very powerful contingent of people trying to oust Thaksin, YET they have not been able to find a SINGLE piece of convincing evidence. EITHER they are extremely INEPT, OR these allegations are LIES.

[joe beets]

My GF just got back from voting.

Her first words were, "I hate this election."

The voting tables are shrouded around the sides and back, and in years past the shrouding faced the center of the room.

It seems this time they turned the tables around 180 degrees, so the shrouding now faces the walls, and the voter's back is now facing the center, greatly compromising the secrecy of their vote.

She incredulously asked the election judges there at the polling place about this, and they told her that this is the new rule.

On her way home, she was listening to Chula radio, and they were discussing the election.

She rang them and described her complaint, though she did not get on the air herself.

A few minutes later a professor from Chula came on the air and described the same situation at his polling place.

The hosts acknowledged that they were receiving a flurry of similar reports from all over town.

The professor said this was unconstitutional, as the ballot must be secret and private.

This is in Bangkok, where people can be more or less anonymous, and the likelihood of funny business is relatively low.

Imagine this scenario in some upcountry village, where everyone knows each other perhaps a little too well, and the chilling effect this small gesture may have.

It seems someone is a little insecure about the outcome of this exercise in de facto one-party democracy, and is hedging his bets.

Anyone else hearing about this?

jb

(edited for spelling)

Edited April 2, 2006 by joe beets

[Bryan in Isaan]

This will be the cleanest election in the history of Thailand.

With millions of people watching for any evidence of fraud, no one would dare try anything.

Have you seen the press for the last 3 months? Seen allegations of vote buying (directly .. not just the populist indirect vote-buying of only one side!)

Have you even been here? Of course silliness will happen today ... just hopefully it will be peaceful and less direct than it has been in the past!

The allegations are a JOKE! And they keyword here is "allegations".

According to the CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, there are supposedly 19 MILLION people who were bought off to vote for Thaksin. Gimme a break! TRT hardly needed that many votes to win. There is a huge and very powerful contingent of people trying to oust Thaksin, YET they have not been able to find a SINGLE piece of convincing evidence. EITHER they are extremely INEPT, OR these allegations are LIES.

Conspiracies, allegations, some mudslinging and yes - silliness (see other thread on disappearing ink). Where is Sherlock Holmes when we need him?

I agree with JDAsia's point that hopefully it will continue to be peaceful. I commend the people of Thailand for avoiding serious violence through all the events and passion of the past couple of months.

Edited April 2, 2006 by Bryan in Isaan

[bulmercke]

Prime Minister Thaksin calls on eligible voters to go to the polls

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called on all eligible voters to go to the polls today in order to show the power of democracy, the result of which will be used as decisive principle that everybody must follow.

"the power of democracy".....? Thaksin has no idea of what true democratic principles are all about. He has rendered most of Thailand's independent bodies useless and effectively redundant by the selective appointment of politically motivated nominees to those organisations. Most of these organisations no longer provide an effective "checks and balances" mechanism.

In the last election TLT was responsible for doling out tens of millions of baht to influence voters. And Thaksin has called a snap election which really isn't in the democratic spirit of things. He has also used government money on countless occassions to influence voters and improve the chances of the "ruling party".

He has attempted to stifle the free press here in Thailand and on many occasions has been successful - this applies to nationwide Thai dailies, local cable operators, local radio stations, television talk shows etc etc. all of which expressed political views opposed to Thaksin and the government.

Even the courts, in the main, are unfairly sympathetic to Thaksin. The Constitution Court is a prime example.

He said that after the general election, he wished to see all conflicting parties turning to each other so that the country will not lag behind others and will gain the due economic strength. Besides, he said this year is special in that it coincides with the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the Throne. Everybody should therefore stay united to make His Majesty happy.

He refused a debate with the opposition parties just two weeks ago. The two conflicting parties are so far apart that they could not even come to an agreement about what form the negotiations should take i.e. public or private etc.

He remarked that he is ready to accept all conditions proposed by any side after the election if they shall bring in a compromise between conflicting parties.

He isn't interested in a comprise and unconditional surrender of his premiership and power. He will not resign - and why should he be interested "in a compromise between conflicting parties" if he can somehow tenaciously hang onto power for a further four year term - why give anything away!

As for the demand imposed by the People's Alliance for Democracy for the Election Commission to resign, Mr. Thaksin said he believed the action would not interrupt the election as the EC is bound with its duty. He also expressed sorrow for the bad experience facing the Democrat leaders when they went to address the people in Chiang Mai recently. He remarked that he did not want to see a repetition of such an incident.

In the last week the PAD has been protesting outside the Election Commission because it has shown itself to be corrupt and in the pay of the ruling party, with regard to four particular commissioners.

And, if truth be told, I expect Thaksin is privately quite pleased that Abhisit and the Democrat party received a "rough reception" in Chiang Mai. The police presence and their actions were woefully inadequate and deliberately so.

Thaksin says one thing and thinks and does quite another under the table - that's his style! The government in the past few months have been quietly creating an atmosphere of animosity and enmity between all the opposing parties involved in this conflict.

This government press release is a load of baloney - hogwash - government and Thaksin hypocrisy at it's finest!

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2006

[sriracha john]

This will be the cleanest election in the history of Thailand.

With millions of people watching for any evidence of fraud, no one would dare try anything.

Have you seen the press for the last 3 months? Seen allegations of vote buying (directly .. not just the populist indirect vote-buying of only one side!)

Have you even been here? Of course silliness will happen today ... just hopefully it will be peaceful and less direct than it has been in the past!

I would hope he's been here before, jd... I recall him posting earlier that he was voting for TRT....

anyway... besides vote buying, there are also concerns about ballot tampering in the other thread...

my input on today's event's:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...ndpost&p=701626

[dan10400]

my input on today's event's:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...ndpost&p=701626

congratulations on your bringing pens to the polling station. i just heard that the polling station here in the mubaan lacked pens also (outskirts of bangkok). there was so much about the use of stamps and how easy it was to cheat - most of the rest of us would have figured it was a message that stamps would not be used in the polling stations. little did we know it would be a subliminal message for the polling stations to enable cheating....

[ColPyat]

my input on today's event's:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...ndpost&p=701626

congratulations on your bringing pens to the polling station. i just heard that the polling station here in the mubaan lacked pens also (outskirts of bangkok). there was so much about the use of stamps and how easy it was to cheat - most of the rest of us would have figured it was a message that stamps would not be used in the polling stations. little did we know it would be a subliminal message for the polling stations to enable cheating....

I am already seeing all these people at the polling stations sweating over mountains of ballots and erasing the stamp marks... wonder how many months until we see the results...

I think the traditional form of cheating was a bit more effectice and less time consuming - just walk up with a few hooligans, intimidate the folks, and stuff the box with pre-filled ballots of your candidate of choice.

[Orion76]

I am already seeing all these people at the polling stations sweating over mountains of ballots and erasing the stamp marks... wonder how many months until we see the results...

Actually it won't be that much work because most people are voting TRT anyway

[sushiman]

Nice recap Bulmercke there what's going on here.

News from Voting Thais in Bangkok & Isaan:

All my Thai friends here in Bangkok I know, are going to the polls today, with a big anger in their stomach.

Actually they all would like to tear their ballots apart as they told me, but as we have to play this game, they will all vote "Not vote".

The only solution to this undemocratically reply of Mr. Talk-sin towards the growing allegations against him, which he up to date only found briefly time to answer some serious questions. He's clearly trying to hide some wrong-doings, with a monologue (with all Thai People) and misuse of his political position.

My Thai friend they all are fed-up of his lies and big-mouth twisting of Mr. Talk-sin. His time is over, he just doesn't know it yet. Even if he will get voted again the Bangkok people who understand the situation, will not give up until he's gone.

Even my Girlfriends up-country Isaan family all decided to go voting "No Vote" as they also don't see any sense in these elections.

One Man, One Country, One Purpose, One Vote:

TRT = Thaksin (Talk-sin, Tax-sin etc.) Rules Thailand!!!

Let's hope the rest of the country, also see's through the golden TRT curtains.

Yesterday again he told the press, he might consider to step down. How many times, do we have to hear his promises, changing moods, ideas only when it's time to get some sympathy points, and play the nice guy??

"I would like to make friends with the press", he told yesterday the press, "because they didn’t' treat me right". Poor Mr. Talk-sin. What is he doing? If opposition or journalists, would like to get some answers concerning the allegations, he simple changes the subject and doesn't reply.

He's so fake, this guy! I hope he will be punished soon, for his arrogant wrong-doings and his incapability off listening to other peoples opinions

and media bashing, drug-addicts bashing, muslims bashing and whatever you can read in the press since several years.

A dictator has nothing lost in a democratic country, and he finally has to understand that!

Vote "No Vote" the only solution here, my dear Thai People!

chock dee Thailand

Edited April 2, 2006 by sushiman

[ColPyat]

Actually it won't be that much work because most people are voting TRT anyway

Well, not according to our analysts here.

According to them most eligable voters will use the no vote option, because people of their immediate social circle do so. And the ones who do vote for Thaksin are bought off, intimidated or completely misled, uneducated (solely Thaksin's fault - we of course know that before Thaksin rural folks were far more educated). So, if Thaksin gets a vast majority he must have cheated. And it anyhow it's not democracy when people are allowed to vote, because they must vote for the right candidate.

Isn't it comfortable to have an explanation that confirms one's chosen side and position for every possible outcome?

Edited April 2, 2006 by ColPyat

[Orion76]

ColPyat >

[sushiman]

ColPyat >

Of course you guys are right, and TRT will get the majority, for sure. We all know that,

I was just telling what my friends feel and told me. This is not the majority for sure.

Question for ColPyat & Orion76:

Do you think Thaksin is the right PM for this country? (straighforward question).

Please let us know why & your opinion. I agree that he also did some good things

too, but overall I believe his not the right person anymore, as his politics are

to short-minded and are just feeding some wallets of his own and his friends etc.

and is not beneficial for Thailand. That's my stand.

I basically read since 3 years 2 major English Newspapers (Nation & Bangkok Post),

and discuss with my Thai Friends, weekly the political situation here.

Of course as a Farang (and even Thais), well all never get the whole story 100% from both

sides, but one thing is sure, we all can have our opinions right?

Nice afternoon folks

Sushiman

[hammered]

Some issues seem confused here. Before the election the TRT had a huge majority based on a very recent election. They will continue to have a large majority after this one sided election. Even in a contested election they would have had a large majority albeit a tad reduced. That is parliamentary democracy. However, when serious allegations are made against sitting politicians democracies have check and balance mechanisms to ascertain the degree of truthfulnes in the allegations, and accusations are also usually debated openly in parliaments to enable the people to hear all sides. This is parliamentary democracy. Elections are not intended to or indeed cannot whitewash people of misdeeds. The decision on that defers to things like court or impeachment procedures. This election has ensured the above mentioned mechanisms have not functioned to date. Whether they will in the future reamins to be seen.

[Orion76]

sushiman - fair question

First of all I think Thai politics are rotten to the core and everyone in the game is in it for personal gain. Nobody is spending hundreds of millions of baht in campaign funds because they are philantropists that want to make this a better world.

I realize Thaksin has a conflict of interest and abuses his power for his own personal gain. I also feel that his opponents are in the political game for personal gain and that none of the major opposition parties are any better.

No Thaksin is not the perfect PM for Thailand, but he is not as bad as his opponents make him out to be. Of course he is not as honest as he makes himself out to be either but I don't see anyone in his opposition who would make a viable alternative and creating political instability by toppling a 'democratically' elected government with majority support, only to replace Thaksin with another crook will not improve things for Thailand in my humble opinion.

I was not supporting Thaksin in my posts above, I was pointing out that accusations of electoral fraud and tampering with ballots are pretty silly considering he can't lose this election.

If you would like to learn more about Thaksin this is a relatively objective source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin

[marshbags]

Up country in Isaan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wifes come home and told me that everyone is being met at the polling station and told........

Don,t forget to vote for No. 2 ( TRT ) verbally by the Moo Ban elders and actually being shown where to mark there ballot............................. T.I.T.

This is Thai democracy Moo Ban style and you can forget not being intimidated.

It,s a, joke.

My wife of course is made of stronger stuff and has penned a no vote but she reckons lot,s are doing what they are told.

Lots of them are saying as much after voting and not kidding either.

She,s well P***** ***

Another thing that is crazy is the money and resources that will be used by the time it,s finally sorted.

All the deserving causes that could benefit, you name them.

What are the people who have travelled home supposed to do should it be re run again and again and again and they are needed to register a vote ?

They might as well all stay home for songkran and save the mass exodus that usually proceeds

this famous occasion and at the same time saving all the carnage that goes with it.

While the authorities that be decide what to do next.

Let,s shout it out loud once again

Thaksin should do the honourable thing and resign if he loves Thailand and it,s people so much.

Enough is plenty thank you very much.

This is not politics it,s a farce

marshbags

Edited April 2, 2006 by marshbags

[ColPyat]

Question for ColPyat & Orion76:

Do you think Thaksin is the right PM for this country? (straighforward question).

Straightforward answer:

It is not upon me to decide who may be the right PM for Thailand. I personally am a Thaksin opponent. But that is besides the point.

The point is that the majority of Thais have to decide who in their perception is the right PM. I may not agree with their choice, i may not like it, but i have to accept it.

Not just a mainly urban based minority, whose educational standard is widely overestimated here on this board, has the right to decide who is Thailand's PM. Thai villagers have exactly the same right to voice their opinions.

If you have read the English language media for only three years here, i would suggest you to go into the archives of the national library at Thewet and read up how things were 10, 15 years ago, and see for yourself how things were then, especially concerning censorship, corruption, social justice, programs for the poor, etc.

You may be surprised that things were not that much different from the perspective of the poor, and that Thaksin might have improved their situation even a bit. Maybe you will come to a similar conclusion as mine, that in order to significally change Thailand to a more developed society there needs a whole lot more to be done than any available political party or social group is offering at the present moment.

You also may find out a bit more about the background of all the most vocal actors in the present drama, and not take them, on both sides of the fence, in their present incarnation of fighters for democracy, transparency and whatever at face value. Or even in their present opposing platforms in the evershifting world of alliances in the dirty swamp that Thai politics are.

Things are rather complex here.

[sushiman]

If you would like to learn more about Thaksin this is a relatively objective source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin

Interesting and full reply Orion 76 - Thanks

By the way the link you send is great I already fully studied it about 6 weeks ago. I think it gives a good overview of Mr. Thaksins’s career and also his other doings etc.

I think basically overall you from your most probably many years of Thailand experience is right, but I have a bit more optimistic view than you and I think Thailand's democracy and political corruptions history could be now a bit smoothened out as this Democracy here in Thailand is growing up and so do people's opinions and actions.

People going on the street now and raising their voices, are basically for once and all fed with corruption etc. Of course no country can be corrupt free (even in Europe where I think the peoplea are looking with a glimpse now, to try to achieve similar standards etc.) but the “corruption could be sure less” if the Thai people will continue to fight for it in the right peacefull manner. Why not try, is it so wrong, to express your hope and displease for wrongdoings?

Even if many of you guys don’t like the PAD’s, Sondhi, Democrats and noisy protesters etc, I think they are for the long-term a hope for a “less-corrupt” country. Why support the old habits, if you don’t actually don’t like them? Just because you give up, and think nothing can be changed? I think Thailand is a very dynamic country, with great and clever people and surely I believe many people could do a much better job than Mr. Thaksin did. Why not give them a chance, and after this case people will sure more and more watching on the doings of each new government.

Of course how to achieve this is the major problem, as the majority is being fooled or they

really believe in Mr. Thaksins politics (or close an eye on the corruption side). But I still believe the wind is changing very quickly now, and for the better for al less corrupt Thailand.

See the recent EGAT ruling. I think it was clear a sign of a change for Thailand, and more could come, if Thailand wouldn’t give back power to old habits and now stand against them.

Basically every big event (like this own fabricated one by Mr. Thaksin) is a step "hopefully" towards for a better supervised more correctly functioning government. As people get year by year more sensitive and the media (even if the Public TV is basically still gov. controlled)

has more possibilities to express their views (Internet, see ASTV etc. etc.).

So don’t give up for a good cause, if you have the choice, this is my opinion.

But your points are valid too, it’s very difficult to hinder corruption in this country.

But at least they could try, and that’s exactly what the opposition is doing, so why blame them

for that?

And "ColPyat" (thanks interesting too!) yes you are right too, and I did some digging (not as experienced as you, so I guess that's why I'm maybe a bit more optimistic ) !)

and also learned that these corruptions are an ongoing thing, but I still believe it's a thing which is slowing done or could and should be at least.

But don't we generally generate all over the world, less corrupt and more controlled goverments (I means most European countries also had there times, and

it seems to be working now there, mostly) this also thanks to new technologies, better Education etc. etc.

Maybe I'm wrong here, and am a big dreamer (I raise my hat for all expats living here for a long time here, and rasing their information and sharing their

experience with us newbies!) but I will not give up dreaming until Thaksin resigned, for whatever reasons (Article 7, people-protest, maybe even an internal

TRT surprise etc. )

Interesting topic!

Cheers

Edited April 2, 2006 by sushiman

[ColPyat]

Up country in Isaan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wifes come home and told me that everyone is being met at the polling station and told........

Upcountry in the North.

Had a phone conversation with the wife about how things were going with the elections. Everything as usual, even a bit more quiet than normally.

Same with her polling station and two more where relatives go to.

She and the brothers walked in, made their "no" vote and went home undisturbed.

One woman appeared to have an issue. They would not let her vote as she has not brought her ID card around as is law, only her house registration. Police and puyaiban let her scream against the government until she got horse and went home.