Thailand election: Doubt over poll outcome

[smileydude]

If there were new major parties with fresh faces at the helm, the nation would be energised to vote, and turnout would be extremely high. Everybody in the mainstream is sick and tired of the same handful of mummified relics and cartoon characters that are offered at the vote-box. It is no different to marketing, if you are still trying to sell hobnail boots when your competitors are selling modern running-shoes. Don't expect people to queue up to buy those medieval clomps, when they know that the world has moved on since then.

There are people like Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi former WTO director, or Anand Panyarachun, a former prime minister who have been approached and are capable of leading the country but the problem is they don't want to join the current political parties or get involved in politics because they know the basics of politics requires funding sources. These funding sources vary from lobbyists, special interest groups or powerful business families who all want something in return (think government construction projects, subsidies, licenses etc.) They know that if they get involved in politics their reputations will be tarnished, enemies made and personal lives subject to mudslinging because there will be jockeying for positions and continued corruption from ministers seeking to collect on their investments (party funding).

How do you win votes without populist policies? All those populist policies are losing money and where do you get the money to fund those losses in order to maintain your voter base?

Thai's call it "putting the monkey on your back" or "seeking lice to put on your head".

Its a thankless job at best.

The most I can hope for is the less greedier of two evils.

Edited February 3, 2014 by smileydude

[espinoza]

This is very much about the Thai way of respecting another. In Thailand it`s almost always the oldest man who`s the boss. Nothing about beeing clever, having a bright brain, just age. Thailand has to get rid of this old fashion feudal system, if not Thailand is not aible to join ASEAN.

If there were new major parties with fresh faces at the helm, the nation would be energised to vote, and turnout would be extremely high. Everybody in the mainstream is sick and tired of the same handful of mummified relics and cartoon characters that are offered at the vote-box. It is no different to marketing, if you are still trying to sell hobnail boots when your competitors are selling modern running-shoes. Don't expect people to queue up to buy those medieval clomps, when they know that the world has moved on since then.

That is exactly what many of my Thai friends are saying- "there is nobody we can vote for - the same old faces - the same old corrupt clique who has been running this country since forever - no matter which party they belong too"! Voters fatigue that's how I would describe it.

People are tired of the never- ending bitching and fighting in politics like in one of the cheap Thai soaps. They know at the end it is all about money and who gets the bigger share of the pie and nothing else.

One even said that this whole old generation of crooks in state positions and politics will hopefully die soon and then the country might get a chance to start over and move forward.

They are all getting bored with the countries politics - but this is of course exactly what the few people who own this country want to see. They can go on and take turns milking the country like they have been doing since generations - nothing new here.

[MAJIC]

doubt about this election have only the yellows terrorists and some farangs supporting them. and this are mostly farangs from the usa, australia and england. experts in killing democracy step by step.

Some people never get it: Farangs and their support in Politics in Thailand mean absolutely nothing! neither is supporting Democracy or not,our opinions mean nothing to Thai people.

Farangs do not have a vote and never will do! neither do they have the same rights as Thais.And by the way it's wishful thinking to imagine you are guests in Thailand,and I have yet to have someone show me their invitation to Thailand.

All Farangs whether they believe they are on a higher plain to the ordinary Farang (often because they are allowed to own 49% of the the 100% they paid for the business) are in Thailand because they have money,and add to the economy by paying their way.The side issues are: Farangs improve the Thai housing stock,and Teach the indigenous population Sound English,not to mention looking after their Thai spouses and extended families. nothing more and nothing less!

So we have no influence whatsoever on the outcome of a Thai Election!

Edited February 3, 2014 by MAJIC

[me313]

I was in Florida in 2000, and I'm waiting for similar results here in Thailand- -recounting ballots, protests and riots and election committees swamped with people pushing their agenda until some "higher authority" relegates whatever outcome that has probably already been pre -determined.