Foreign organisations invited to observe election in Thailand

[webfact]

ELECTION
Foreign organisations invited to observe election
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra plans to invite international organisations and foreign media to observe the upcoming election.

At the Cabinet meeting today, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, acting foreign minister, was assigned to work with the Election Commission on the invitation.

Chalitrat Chantarubeksa, deputy government spokesperson, said after the meeting that the Cabinet approved the Bt3.885 billion budget for the next election.

Of total budget, Bt20 million will go to the Public Relations Department and Bt210.4 million to Thailand Post. They are among 18 government units to work with the Election Commission in the next election.

-- The Nation 2013-12-17

[bubblegum]

Would that be the same countries she visited ? Albania-Bulgaria-China and so on........

[fstarbkk]

Would that be the same countries she visited ? Albania-Bulgaria-China and so on........

Don't forget Montenegro and Dubai/UAE... all shining examples of modern democracy!

Of course she also visited Switzerland, but I doubt they'll be invited

[Tokay]

It is now important what foreigners think?

We're in, we're out, we're back in. I can't keep up with the madness anymore.

[MobileContent]

Excellent, hopefully OECD which covers Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

In addition maybe some UN agencies.

Looks bad for Abhisit and Suthep. They didn't wanted the farangs in at the last election.

[binjalin]

excellent progress

[xminator]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

[Yunla]

Will the popcorn be free?

[jonclark]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves here - They plan to invite - That's all

[binjalin]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

Suthep:

"I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them,"

​with regard to election monitors

[virtualtraveller]

Pulling out all the stops to legitimise an election that will mostly likely be a farce.

[backtonormal]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

That must be because of they were swindling votes in Bangkok...7,000,000 extra ballot papers printed. The Dusit exit poll( most accurate) predicted to within 2-3 % all over the country, predicted 24 seats for PTP and I think they got nine and Dems got about 15 more than the poll predicted in Bangkok

All rather sad really.....The party of the middle classes cant hang onto Bangkok. Dont be surprised if that little chestnut does not arise within the next 2 months. Did not use it at the last elections because they had 100 more seats than the Dems

[Siripon]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

That must be because of they were swindling votes in Bangkok...7,000,000 extra ballot papers printed. The Dusit exit poll( most accurate) predicted to within 2-3 % all over the country, predicted 24 seats for PTP and I think they got nine and Dems got about 15 more than the poll predicted in Bangkok

All rather sad really.....The party of the middle classes cant hang onto Bangkok. Dont be surprised if that little chestnut does not arise within the next 2 months. Did not use it at the last elections because they had 100 more seats than the Dems

Very sad that Pheua Thai lost the by- election in Don Meuang and the council elections in Pathum Thani since the last election.

[pisico]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

Suthep:

"I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them,"

​with regard to election monitors

Binjalin: you beat me to it. His statement (made to national and foreign press) speaks volumes about who the Bangkok Elite (although Suthep is an import from the South) really are, their feelings and their true colors. They embody the worst traits of the dark side of the spectrum: arrogance, xenophobia, ruthlessness of purpose (for personal reasons) and denial of how massively they are disliked by the majority of Thai people.

Never mind that: they are Democrats. They are better and more equal than other Thais!

The eternal, toe-tag anti-Thaksinistas will say: "but PTP buys votes!" Really? Was there ever an election in LOS without vote buying from all sides of the political divide?

[Tokay]

Suthep:

"I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them,"

​with regard to election monitors

Don't feel bad Suthep, the lack of respect is mutual.

[backtonormal]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

That must be because of they were swindling votes in Bangkok...7,000,000 extra ballot papers printed. The Dusit exit poll( most accurate) predicted to within 2-3 % all over the country, predicted 24 seats for PTP and I think they got nine and Dems got about 15 more than the poll predicted in Bangkok

All rather sad really.....The party of the middle classes cant hang onto Bangkok. Dont be surprised if that little chestnut does not arise within the next 2 months. Did not use it at the last elections because they had 100 more seats than the Dems

Very sad that Pheua Thai lost the by- election in Don Meuang and the council elections in Pathum Thani since the last election.

Normal to lose by elections all over the world mid term. Come the General Election they all return. Pathum Thani thats in the Dem heartland...must have paid for it (see my next post in this thread that refers to the Dems spending more money at the last election on vote buying than the PTP)

Edited December 17, 2013 by backtonormal

[Mackie]

Why would anyone accept foreign observers in any country? Any sovereign and self respected country shouldn't do that. I don't see anyone monitoring U.S elections and it is well known fact that George Bush won his first election by blatantly cheating in Florida. It happens everywhere. The USA simply set a bad example. Cheating is OK. The problem in Thailand is not only the election day but the whole process. People and their families, kids included are physically intimated in areas under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand. Furthermore, as long as people like Jatuporn and Nattawut, who are directly responsible for carnage, deaths and acts of terror in 2010, are allowed to participate in Thai politics and occupy public functions instead of being locked up in jail for good Thailand will not have a civilized and normal election process.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Mackie

[backtonormal]

Why would anyone accept foreign observers in any country? Any sovereign and self respected country shouldn't do that. I don't see anyone monitoring U.S elections and it is well known fact that George Bush won his first election by blatantly cheating in Florida. It happens everywhere. The USA simply set a bad example. Cheating is OK. The problem in Thailand is not only the election day but the whole process. People and their families, kids included are physically intimated in areas under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand. Furthermore, as long as people like Jatuporn and Nattawut, who are directly responsible for carnage, deaths and acts of terror in 2010, are allowed to participate in Thai politics and occupy public functions instead of being locked up in jail for good Thailand will not have a civilized and normal e

........under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand.

Appears a memo has done the rounds and the yellow perils have moved from 'red vote buying' to 'red mob control' and 'absolute lawlessness'. Either put some links or......

[culicine]

This is just a show - I would expect them to only show what they want observers to see. The should be embedded into some local villages in the weeks leading up to the elections to see what is really going on. But that's not going to happen. They will be carted off to predetermined places and a nice clean show put on for them. No way will they be allowed to go and observer where they want when they want. Vote buying does not happen on polling day or at the election booths.

[Mackie]

Why would anyone accept foreign observers in any country? Any sovereign and self respected country shouldn't do that. I don't see anyone monitoring U.S elections and it is well known fact that George Bush won his first election by blatantly cheating in Florida. It happens everywhere. The USA simply set a bad example. Cheating is OK. The problem in Thailand is not only the election day but the whole process. People and their families, kids included are physically intimated in areas under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand. Furthermore, as long as people like Jatuporn and Nattawut, who are directly responsible for carnage, deaths and acts of terror in 2010, are allowed to participate in Thai politics and occupy public functions instead of being locked up in jail for good Thailand will not have a civilized and normal e

........under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand.

Appears a memo has done the rounds and the yellow perils have moved from 'red vote buying' to 'red mob control' and 'absolute lawlessness'. Either put some links or......

Either prove your ridiculous insinuations about yellow memos or simply.... As I said earlier Jatuporn, Nattawut and similar ilk have no place in Thai politics. Their place is in prison.

It certainly is the right time to end red terror.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2013/12/thailand-ending-regimes-red-terror.html

[metisdead]

A post containing Thai language has been removed. This is an English language forum, English language is the only acceptable language, if you would like to post in Thai language, you can do so in the Thai language forum.

[Siripon]

Why would anyone accept foreign observers in any country? Any sovereign and self respected country shouldn't do that. I don't see anyone monitoring U.S elections and it is well known fact that George Bush won his first election by blatantly cheating in Florida. It happens everywhere. The USA simply set a bad example. Cheating is OK. The problem in Thailand is not only the election day but the whole process. People and their families, kids included are physically intimated in areas under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand. Furthermore, as long as people like Jatuporn and Nattawut, who are directly responsible for carnage, deaths and acts of terror in 2010, are allowed to participate in Thai politics and occupy public functions instead of being locked up in jail for good Thailand will not have a civilized and normal e

........under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand.

Appears a memo has done the rounds and the yellow perils have moved from 'red vote buying' to 'red mob control' and 'absolute lawlessness'. Either put some links or......

I wonder how good the foreign observers' Thai and Issan language skills are.

There are plenty of incidents of red intimidation on You tube. Cameras are everywhere nowadays.

[englishoak]

Why would anyone accept foreign observers in any country? Any sovereign and self respected country shouldn't do that. I don't see anyone monitoring U.S elections and it is well known fact that George Bush won his first election by blatantly cheating in Florida. It happens everywhere. The USA simply set a bad example. Cheating is OK. The problem in Thailand is not only the election day but the whole process. People and their families, kids included are physically intimated in areas under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand. Furthermore, as long as people like Jatuporn and Nattawut, who are directly responsible for carnage, deaths and acts of terror in 2010, are allowed to participate in Thai politics and occupy public functions instead of being locked up in jail for good Thailand will not have a civilized and normal election process.

If OECD were to be asked to monitor the election it would be a very good start, its entirely possible Thailand if it claims to want real democracy as so many do then I can think of no better way than to ask those who do have free and unrigged elections to take an interest. It might learn something.

Its a bit stupid to accuse an opposing side of vote buying and heinous crimes and then whine when it is asking for impartial international observers. It can only highlight these issues if indeed it is so rampant, or of course it may highlight that democratically its just that the majority prefer a certain party to the alternative...

It is interesting the ones that are screaming corruption and all this feet stamping about reforms are the same ones that do not want transparency of the election process. Youd think if sincere they would welcome it.

Edited December 17, 2013 by englishoak

[Siripon]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

That must be because of they were swindling votes in Bangkok...7,000,000 extra ballot papers printed. The Dusit exit poll( most accurate) predicted to within 2-3 % all over the country, predicted 24 seats for PTP and I think they got nine and Dems got about 15 more than the poll predicted in Bangkok

All rather sad really.....The party of the middle classes cant hang onto Bangkok. Dont be surprised if that little chestnut does not arise within the next 2 months. Did not use it at the last elections because they had 100 more seats than the Dems

Very sad that Pheua Thai lost the by- election in Don Meuang and the council elections in Pathum Thani since the last election.

Normal to lose by elections all over the world mid term. Come the General Election they all return. Pathum Thani thats in the Dem heartland...must have paid for it (see my next post in this thread that refers to the Dems spending more money at the last election on vote buying than the PTP)

PathumThani is in the Democrat heartland? Oh dear, your geography seems to be as weak as Yingluk's. Pathum Thani has many factory workers, it's reds' heartland.

And as for being interested in foreigners' opinions. didn't Yingluck recently invite Tony Blair and 2 other prominent foreigners to talk about reconciliation and then proceed to ignore all their advice?.

Regarding vote buying, that's not really the issue, Thaksin moved on to populism a while ago. Many people voted for Pheua Thai because of the populist policies last time.

I'm interested to see their 'goodies' this time. An I- phone would be better than a tablet.

[surangw]

a plan to bring in some "quality" tourists?

[fab4]

Why would anyone accept foreign observers in any country? Any sovereign and self respected country shouldn't do that. I don't see anyone monitoring U.S elections and it is well known fact that George Bush won his first election by blatantly cheating in Florida. It happens everywhere. The USA simply set a bad example. Cheating is OK. The problem in Thailand is not only the election day but the whole process. People and their families, kids included are physically intimated in areas under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand. Furthermore, as long as people like Jatuporn and Nattawut, who are directly responsible for carnage, deaths and acts of terror in 2010, are allowed to participate in Thai politics and occupy public functions instead of being locked up in jail for good Thailand will not have a civilized and normal e

........under red mob control during and after campaigns. It's absolute lawlessness in rural Thailand.

Appears a memo has done the rounds and the yellow perils have moved from 'red vote buying' to 'red mob control' and 'absolute lawlessness'. Either put some links or......

Either prove your ridiculous insinuations about yellow memos or simply.... As I said earlier Jatuporn, Nattawut and similar ilk have no place in Thai politics. Their place is in prison.

It certainly is the right time to end red terror.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2013/12/thailand-ending-regimes-red-terror.html

The "last refuge of a scoundrel" - quoting landdestroyer/cartalucci articles

[Mackie]

Either prove your ridiculous insinuations about yellow memos or simply.... As I said earlier Jatuporn, Nattawut and similar ilk have no place in Thai politics. Their place is in prison.

It certainly is the right time to end red terror.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2013/12/thailand-ending-regimes-red-terror.html

The "last refuge of a scoundrel" - quoting landdestroyer/cartalucci articles

Almost everyone knows that the last refuge of a scoundrel is in Dubai. It appears that you’re utterly uninformed.

No matter what spin you try to put on it, the fact remains that red mob brown boots hacked the old fella to death in his own garden only for daring to voice opposing views. Deal with it.

[wellred]

Suthep:

"I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them,"

​with regard to election monitors

Don't feel bad Suthep, the lack of respect is mutual.

I'm shocked he said that. Did any nations reply back? That must have been embarrassing for a lot of Thais.

[LukKrueng]

Remember how the democrats refused to accept foreign observers in 2011? This is how it should be done in a democracy. This is how you can actually get some facts about how fair an election have been.

right !!! this is why in your country's internal affairs are observed by the UN and other international bodies, right? And I clearly remember that the US elections were monitored by international bodies, no? Oh, no.... they weren't.

Thailand is an independent country and so should be treated and respected.

[DocN]

Isn't it great, how suddenly it seems to matter so much to Thailand, what farang think?

Suthep wants them to see the peaceful protests - when normally he does not respect ant of us.

And the PTP suddenly wants "us" to watch their fair and open elections- when the Great Leader made it very clear that "we" are not his father, when he kills 1.000s of small drug- mules.

...and at the same time, we are treated as second class human beings to the superior Thai- people in almost everything!

Hypocracy, much!?