Human Rights Watch calls on protesters to cease obstruction of voting

BANGKOK, 29 January 2014 (NNT) – Human Rights Watch has called for protest leaders in Thailand to cease their obstruction of the election process, as it is a violation of a basic human right under democratic principles.

Sunai Phasuk, advisor to Human Rights Watch, spoke of the holding of the general election by the Election Commission of Thailand, on a radio program on Tuesday. He said he was saddened by the performance of the EC, which had allowed citizens with voting rights to have their rights diminished.

According to Sunai, the recent developments were the most severe impediments to an election process that ever occurred in Thailand. He added that the right to vote reflected an equality of rights among people, and the entire population of the country was being punished by the acts of the groups obstructing the election.

A statement on the Human Rights Watch website also called on anti-government protest leaders to cease their obstruction of the voting process in Bangkok and other provinces, although it also called on state officials to allow peaceful protests.

Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, noted, “The protesters claim they are fighting corruption and seeking reforms, but this doesn’t justify their use of force and intimidation to block voting”. “Preventing people from casting ballots shows serious contempt for basic rights of voters and democratic principles”.


-- NNT 2014-01-29

Sunai from HRW latest Tweets:

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

EC ruled that people who registered for advance voting outside their residence & was obstructed from voting last Sunday CAN'T VOTE on 2 Feb!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

@JQP6 Provided by EC secretary-general.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

@JQP6 No explanation why.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

@JQP6 And I am one of those voters disenfranchised by PDRC & EC.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 57m

People registered for advance voting outside residence & was blocked from voting have to notify district chief at their residence in 7 days.

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

Brad Adams, needs to look at the past five elections in Thailand. How many of these democratic elections were thrown out because of fraud, voter intimidation and vote buying. Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption, and all these parties were funded by a convicted criminal. Brad, you should go see a doctor, you are coming down with the corrupt politics disease, which is highly contagious and is spread by the people you associate with.

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

BTW did Brad Adams mention how the HRW looks upon elections held while part of the country is put under an Emergency Decree?

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

Well, thank you for your opinion love, real swell.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote, but on a level playing field. 'Fair play' doesn't have the same meaning here as in Western Countries.

Yours,

uncle rubl

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

If this is true, why are the farmers joining the protest against the corrupt government. They turned over the product of their hard work to the government, than the government did not pay the farmers.

Brad Adams, needs to look at the past five elections in Thailand. How many of these democratic elections were thrown out because of fraud, voter intimidation and vote buying. Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption, and all these parties were funded by a convicted criminal. Brad, you should go see a doctor, you are coming down with the corrupt politics disease, which is highly contagious and is spread by the people you associate with.

You aren't serous are you? Those were judicial and/or military coups. Not one of those elections was called into question by any international watchgroup. Nor, in fact, by any Thai org at the time of the elections.

Unfortunately, because the will of the majority didn't match the interests of some very powerful people, the electoral outcome was post-facto reversed by force.

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

If this is true, why are the farmers joining the protest against the corrupt government. They turned over the product of their hard work to the government, than the government did not pay the farmers.

Excellent point. So the farmers are turning against the government? And other people too maybe because of their corrupt policies? So why not settle the issue by a headcount instead of speculating. Just go vote and may the best man win.

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

If this is true, why are the farmers joining the protest against the corrupt government. They turned over the product of their hard work to the government, than the government did not pay the farmers.

Excellent point. So the farmers are turning against the government? And other people too maybe because of their corrupt policies? So why not settle the issue by a headcount instead of speculating. Just go vote and may the best man win.

Vote for us and we'll ensure you get the money we promised you in the last election? something like that right? lol

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

If this is true, why are the farmers joining the protest against the corrupt government. They turned over the product of their hard work to the government, than the government did not pay the farmers.

Excellent point. So the farmers are turning against the government? And other people too maybe because of their corrupt policies? So why not settle the issue by a headcount instead of speculating. Just go vote and may the best man win.

Vote for us and we'll ensure you get the money we promised you in the last election? something like that right? lol

Brad Adams, needs to look at the past five elections in Thailand. How many of these democratic elections were thrown out because of fraud, voter intimidation and vote buying. Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption, and all these parties were funded by a convicted criminal. Brad, you should go see a doctor, you are coming down with the corrupt politics disease, which is highly contagious and is spread by the people you associate with.

"Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption...."

Probably says more about the courts than about the political parties.

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

Than I am surprised he has time for such minor issues, because than he should rant all the day about Guantanamo and Saudi Arabia......

But actually you hardly find any NGO that is truly independent.....

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

I assumed you had a basic understanding of the position regarding voting in Thailand - apparently not.Your second sentence sets out a position that has minimal significance in 2014.The facts have been presented frequently and at length, most recently in an article by Chris Baker and Acharn Pasuk.

And yet you persist in the tired old lies.

There are plenty of valid to reasons to criticise the present government, but not its electoral legitimacy.There are many arguments (valid and not so valid) to query its commitment to democracy over and above the minimum (namely winning an election).

So why debase yourself with dishonesty?

Sunai from HRW latest Tweets:

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

EC ruled that people who registered for advance voting outside their residence & was obstructed from voting last Sunday CAN'T VOTE on 2 Feb!

.... ,snip.

Sorry, voting rights once lost, will be lost forever.

Viva freedom.

Brad Adams, needs to look at the past five elections in Thailand. How many of these democratic elections were thrown out because of fraud, voter intimidation and vote buying. Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption, and all these parties were funded by a convicted criminal. Brad, you should go see a doctor, you are coming down with the corrupt politics disease, which is highly contagious and is spread by the people you associate with.

"Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption...."

Probably says more about the courts than about the political parties.

Read the facts dopey before posting tripe,

Thaksin's proxy parties, and indeed members of his family engaged in politics have a history of convictions for fraud and corruption.

And you think they are all innocent?

Dream on Ram fan.

OK now. Human Rights people have spoken, so we have to listen. But the big question is "Is suthep listening or even caring about people's rights?"

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

I assumed you had a basic understanding of the position regarding voting in Thailand - apparently not.Your second sentence sets out a position that has minimal significance in 2014.The facts have been presented frequently and at length, most recently in an article by Chris Baker and Acharn Pasuk.

And yet you persist in the tired old lies.

There are plenty of valid to reasons to criticise the present government, but not its electoral legitimacy.There are many arguments (valid and not so valid) to query its commitment to democracy over and above the minimum (namely winning an election).

So why debase yourself with dishonesty?

You state without a shred of proof, my dear jboy.

The so-called 'electoral legitimacy' of this Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts government is very questionable. The actions around the 'blanket amnesty bill' are very undemocratic. The "please wait a bit, not all done" by Ms. Yingluck very misleading. The "it's up to the senate" was a move to shift the blame. "no pressure on the senate", but a senate speaker frantically trying to move forward the debate for unclear reasons.

So, please tell me, where am I telling old lies? Where am I dishonest?

Brad Adams, needs to look at the past five elections in Thailand. How many of these democratic elections were thrown out because of fraud, voter intimidation and vote buying. Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption, and all these parties were funded by a convicted criminal. Brad, you should go see a doctor, you are coming down with the corrupt politics disease, which is highly contagious and is spread by the people you associate with.

"Two of the political parties , which won the elections were later devolved by the court for corruption...."

Probably says more about the courts than about the political parties.

True, just like the court in 2001 accepting Thaksin's teary eyed excuse of an "honest" mistake and some judge saying later "he won the election, how could we have found him guilty".

Now that tell you the state and level of democracy in Thailand.

Sunai from HRW latest Tweets:

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

EC ruled that people who registered for advance voting outside their residence & was obstructed from voting last Sunday CAN'T VOTE on 2 Feb!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

@JQP6 Provided by EC secretary-general.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

@JQP6 No explanation why.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 1h

@JQP6 And I am one of those voters disenfranchised by PDRC & EC.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 57m

People registered for advance voting outside residence & was blocked from voting have to notify district chief at their residence in 7 days.

No surprises there from the EC.

"The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do." - Joseph Stalin

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

Sweetheart ?? You should go to the gay forum...you are correct that differences of opinion should be settled by a vote....as long as it is honest voting....not bought votes or intimidated votes, The only sure way to get a true feeling of the Thai population is to make voting compulsory and transparent.

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

That's your opinion, sweetheart. Likewise farmers and reds think that the protesters are goons controled by elite interests.

Differences of opinion should be settled by vote. You seriously diminish the East by saying this is a Western perspective. No, it's about human rights and equality, east/west/south/north.

Sweetheart ?? You should go to the gay forum...you are correct that differences of opinion should be settled by a vote....as long as it is honest voting....not bought votes or intimidated votes, The only sure way to get a true feeling of the Thai population is to make voting compulsory and transparent.

1 Homophobic comments say more about you than the writer.Pisspoor behaviour.

2 Voting is compulsary ,please fact check before spreading your ignorance,perhaps ask a Thai if any speak to you.

3 Ironically the very transparency is the thing I think you. in your misanthropic way, advocate i.e a secret ballot.1/10 Fail try harder if you wish to debate with adults in a no prejudiced way

Is anyone surprised the EC isn't doing its job when the election commissioner says this :

"Mr. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, who oversees the arrangement of elections nationwide, also said he has already halted seminars and training session for over 1 million election staff because it would be a "waste of budget"

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1EYzBNall4TkE9PQ==

Wonder where his allegiances lie...

.

Many have expressed the hopes that the farmers will vote for the democrats, because they may be upset at the PTP over the non payment for their rice, it is well known in the village who must bear responsibly for the last 2 months that farming families had to suffer, to fulfill the wish of the Elite to unseat the PTP, the EC must bear the responsibility of their refusal to help the farmers in hope of getting a political backlash against PTP!

While there are those that may not vote for the PTP, anti Democrats sentiment is high in the village, if they decide not to vote for PTP they will not vote for the Democrats. As the Democrats are closely affiliated to the rich elite, that the village say want to take away the hospital affordable insurance program.

Cheers

I'm afraid Brad Adams thinks too much from a Western World perspective. He would do better to start talking about all democratic principles and not only on ballots and votes.

When regional political families 'control' 'their' voters those votes start to loose their democratic value. When a rice farming village doesn't (dare to) vote against their landlords or 'knows' what to expect in return from who they vote for as some poster wrote the democratic principles are totally distorted.

Under such conditions brought to the open by the undemocratic actions of the now caretaker government, an election just for the fun of it seems a futile exercise costing 3.7 billion Baht. Better spent of a reform forum.

Funny that western perspective tends to place everyone as being equal and deserving of the same principle human rights.... i see nothing wrong in that .... in fact it is one of the greatest ideals ever created.

It is highly likely without it Thailand would now be some backwater vassal state of some other stronger nation.

Respect the vote and the rights of all to have a voice not just a few loud mouth fascist thugs

 

OK now. Human Rights people have spoken, so we have to listen. But the big question is "Is suthep listening or even caring about people's rights?"

Suthep knows that Human Rights Watch are just another pawn bankrolled by Pheu Thai and their foreign masters...

Many have expressed the hopes that the farmers will vote for the democrats, because they may be upset at the PTP over the non payment for their rice, it is well known in the village who must bear responsibly for the last 2 months that farming families had to suffer, to fulfill the wish of the Elite to unseat the PTP, the EC must bear the responsibility of their refusal to help the farmers in hope of getting a political backlash against PTP!

While there are those that may not vote for the PTP, anti Democrats sentiment is high in the village, if they decide not to vote for PTP they will not vote for the Democrats. As the Democrats are closely affiliated to the rich elite, that the village say want to take away the hospital affordable insurance program.

Cheers

While farmers and others may decide not to vote for the PTP and desire to support the Democrats, the Democarts have no electorial candidates by their own design. So the options are either not vote at all (election defaults to the PTP) or vote for one of the other minority parties on the ballot (election goes to the majority PTP). Suthep's strategy has been an "all or nothing" strategy relying on either a military coup or abdication of the PTP government - neither not happening. He chose withdrawn from the parliament, not to register Democract candidates campaign, and use anarchy by the minority to intimidate the country into conceding majority rule to him and his People's Committee. He could have chosen to adhere to the democractic process of campaigning for farmers' vote, for the low income & poor peoples' vote and achieve a majority; but that would require him to abandon his dreams of a new reich of wealthy and elitests with himself as the leader.

 

OK now. Human Rights people have spoken, so we have to listen. But the big question is "Is suthep listening or even caring about people's rights?"

Suthep knows that Human Rights Watch are just another pawn bankrolled by Pheu Thai and their foreign masters...

"Human Rights Watch are just another pawn bankrolled by Pheu Thai and their foreign masters... "

Oh God! the roll call of nutcases on this forum just keeps getting longer and longer... Now come on, Monsieur Napoleon, back to your nice padded cell!

Suthep and his whistle blowers do not believe that everyone has an equal right to vote. He and the Bangkok Chinese think that the Thai people, in particular, in rural areas are not capable of making an informed decision since the rural Thais refuse to vote the way Suthep and his supporters want them to vote. Thus, they want to bypass the inconvenient democratic process.