Thai editorial: Reforms must uproot 'money politics'

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Reforms must uproot 'money politics'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Vote-buying undermines every government's legitimate mandate to rule; it's time we tackled this scourge of Thai politics

The country's latest round of political conflict has seen each side question the other's political legitimacy, while insisting that its own actions are morally justified and necessary.

Government politicians say they are legitimately holding onto power because they were elected, while protesters accuse them of "stealing" their mandate through vote-buying, and of condoning widespread corruption.

Government figures have hit back, maintaining that protest leaders have no legitimacy to demand that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down and make way for a "people's council". But the protest leaders assert that the premier and her government lost their right to govern when the ruling Pheu Thai Party refused to respect the Constitutional Court's recent verdict striking down a government-backed move for an all-elected Senate.

Each side makes strong points to back its position, but two questions have emerged from the ongoing conflict that challenge those positions. First, is it legitimate to claim a mandate to rule if you won the election by buying votes? Second, is it legitimate to oust a government that includes MPs elected with purchased votes?

The wholesale buying of votes occurs at every level of Thai elections, from village heads up. Only those who are who are directly or indirectly involved in such corruption (or genuinely ignorant of it) will deny that it pervades Thai politics.

But vote-buying isn't just about swaying voters with offers of cash. According to the Election Commission, candidates also "buy votes" by offering large amounts of free food and drink at local functions, by funding parties, sponsoring trips and "educational tours" for targeted groups, and bribing local officials who have influence over voters. In many cases, the funds spent by incumbents to gain voter favour come from the taxpayers themselves.

For these corrupt politicians, vote-buying is a worthwhile investment. After winning an election, they once again have access to public funds, plus kickbacks from public projects under their supervision.

Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, rector of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), says more effective measures are needed to prevent politicians from indulging in the practice. The lure of power is too strong, and many opt to buy their way into office, he says.

Meanwhile more than 79 per cent of the 1,234 people surveyed in a Nida poll late last month agreed with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban's call for an election system that's free from vote-buying.

However, for many, any attempt to oust a government because some of its MPs are guilty of buying votes is a step too far and illegitimate. But with vote-buying repeatedly being blamed for the election of corrupt politicians, the time has come for political reform that tackles this long-time scourge of Thai politics.


-- The Nation 2013-12-05

[LomSak27]

Since that has never happend before why would anyone regard this as anything other than good PR by Tha Nation? The Yellows media Division.

[backtonormal]

I seem to remember Abhisit giving 2000 baht to all taxpayers before the last election. Just happened to be mostly Democrat supporters who pay tax...or so he thought

Edited December 5, 2013 by backtonormal

[Rob8891]

Corruption and politics are synonymous. It's only the degree of corruption that varies between countries and politicos of all hues.

That said, Thailand IS the hub of politics....... ?

[backtonormal]

The EC only found Newins lot guilty of vote buying and Thaksin had cut him adrift for his disloyalty by joining the army coalition under Abhisit

[trogers]

You cannot stop vote buying under the present terms of governing when a large portion of the voters look to sell.

The only way is to put the following into the Constitution:

- elections for a new government shall be held every 15 months

- no political party shall be allowed to be in the government for two consecutive term

Thus, the government that makes the budget shall not be the goverment that implements it. And vote buyers will eventually be bankrupt due to a lack of kickbacks.

Edited December 5, 2013 by trogers

[angsta]

Also known as now we are unable to win using this tactic we want to stop it. Or, Thaksin is cleverer than us what can we do?

The Nation are almost as embarrassing as Suthep. Almost.

[slapout]

To point the fickle finger at 'vote buying' as the scourge of Thai politics may be somewhat simplistic as well as ill informed. Vote buying has been a part of the pre election process in Thailand for several decades, and it has been reported to result in a corruption or skim factor of about 10%. The promise of "we will make you rich", outlandish populist promises, etc have resulted in the 'skim factor' being bumped up by a estimated 300 to 400%.

The old method of knowing number of potential votes, paying off less than half, as many will not have transport to the polls, be sick, working, etc, was fairly easy to figure cost vs return for the aspiring individuals. But, when you venture into the "turn key" business of getting elected, the treasue chest has to be opened for major plundering, due to all the different factions who will ultimately be involved.

[JRSoul]

The EC only found Newins lot guilty of vote buying and Thaksin had cut him adrift for his disloyalty by joining the army coalition under Abhisit

You just can't trust a cad who won't stay bought. What was Thaksin's mob found guilty of? Only bribery, hardly the same as vote-buying.

[Phuket Stan]

I seem to remember Abhisit giving 2000 baht to all taxpayers before the last election. Just happened to be mostly Democrat supporters who pay tax...or so he thought

Remind me where and when this happened......2000 sounds a lot for a vote in Thailand

Edited December 5, 2013 by Phuket Stan

[paymaster]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard it said that all members of the Phuea Thai Party have their salaries supplemented by a certain fellow from Dubai.

If this is so a sort of Dictatorship already exists already and vote buying pales into insignificance. Does anyone out there know if this is true?

[Thai at Heart]

I go with making everyone and I mean everyone's income tax statement a part of public record as a start.

It should be searchable on the internet. Now how many unusually rich people would you find in thailand?