A slap in the face: Thai politics

[webfact]

LETTER FROM A POLLING BOOTH
A slap in the face
Achara Deboonme
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- AGAINST THE People's Democratic Reform Committee's wish, I was among the millions who voted yesterday.

I was also among the millions who voted "No" to all election candidates, both party-list and constituency.

To me, it was like slapping the faces of the PDRC and all political parties and candidates.

Since I earned the right to vote two decades ago, I have never missed casting a ballot. I did it in honour of the people, in Thailand and overseas, who lost and risked their lives in securing equality for all regardless of religion, gender and personal beliefs. In this regard, compared to all the political systems humans have endured "democracy" wins the highest mark.

As such, the PDRC's approach is totally unacceptable. I praised the millions who showed their unity in killing the controversial amnesty bill, but the PDRC's unconstitutionally proposed "People's Council" is another issue. To date, there is no clarity on who would be "appointed". Plus, the PDRC has failed to outline the reforms that the council should look at. Importantly, the reforms should not be targeted at getting rid of the "Thaksin regime", but instead at improving Thailand's future for the benefit of all Thais. The leaders know that they cannot substantiate demands like the one that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign.

The PDRC had no good reason to block voting either, particularly to win support for its "pre-election reforms". No matter what its leaders said, actions speak louder - and there were attempts to block voting. It would have been better if it suggested a national referendum if Thais want to complete (the unknown) reforms before a national election. In two decades, I had never had this much desire to cast a ballot, to show PDRC supporters that they cannot ignore the majority if "Thailand" is to remain.

Still, I have no reason to support politicians of any party. The answer would be the same even if the Democrat Party had joined the election.

Some of these parties were part of the coalition government and their politicians failed to stop or even scrutinise the poor policies of the ruling party, Pheu Thai. I should say that I may have dreamt that these politicians could have acted differently, in a country where it is not new that politicians listen more to their party leaders than honour public interests.

It saddened me when the House was dissolved, as going with it was the Bt2 trillion borrowing bill. But I was glad that the loss-making rice-pledging scheme would go, as well as the poorly planned and ineffective tablet scheme.

I could not support Pheu Thai as its actions led to this chaos. It should learn now that a majority of votes cannot guarantee an absolute say if a policy does not truly benefit the country. I could not support other coalition parties as they turned a blind eye to these actions. I could not support politicians of other political parties because the parties failed to impress me with their populist policies. All the policies they announced involved huge spending without clear action or spending plans. They should have learnt that in the fast-changing world with the crises we experienced in 1997 and 2008, "sustainability" rules.

I do realise that going to the polling booth yesterday doesn't mean that the political chaos that grips the nation will end soon. More elections will follow until we have a new permanent government. No matter how lengthy this process is, I'm still glad that we will eventually get an elected government.

And hopefully, this elected government will learn that national interest must come first and that they should not repeat the previous government's mistakes. Only then can it complete a four-year term and Thai nationals can feel proud of their government. Hopefully, given the violence on the advance voting day and the national election eve, my vote can show everyone that only democratic and constitutionally-attained solutions can get Thailand through this chaos. Let democracy rule!


-- The Nation 2014-02-03

[jolyonpc]

Good for you.

I love Thailand and the great place it can be...

Thailand is one of the few places where there is still grace - but it is hanging on rather tenuously.

If politicians can see the big beautiful picture and make do without big money, maybe Thailand can return to being the land of genuine, happy smiles.

Chog dee!

Sent humbly from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[soundman]

Good to see somebody exercising their right to vote but unfortunately, if a government is formed from this mess, it will most likely pay absolutely no notice to what created the mess and continue to implement policy to line their own pockets while giving the Thai people a sugar coated, gold plated, bird.

[terryp]

just a waste of time and money...keep on voting for corruption you fools

[Cricketnut]

Here here for once a piece of reason coming from The Nation..

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sammyD]

I was also among the millions who voted "No" to all election candidates

Coupled with the estimated 12 million people who didn't cast their ballots and there's evidently not much support for whoever does win the election.

[bangkokheat]

intelligent post

[cdmtdm]

donkey votes do not help anyone ...it adds to the problem ....it is very clear that due to lack of a real ( i say real) opposition party , the reds will continue to rule the govt ..its a simple numbers game .... until they wake up and form a real party, with real policies to gain more followers ,more votes we just go round and round ....no govt is perfect in any country and u need opposition parties to keep the ruling party in order( on behalf of the people) what is more dangerous than an imperfect Govt ? a Caretaker Govt !!!! Thailand is on very shaky ground imo and i fear the worst for this great country ....

[millwall_fan]

'The Nation' are having to get more inventive, but this article still ends up at the same premise whilst explaining away the fact that the majority voted. -now they try to make people indifferent about politics

To me, it was like slapping the faces of the PDRC and all political parties and candidates.

Then the thinly veiled threat - the writer hopes that the government has learned its lesson and that the Interests of the Ruling Elite - otherwise known as the 'natonal interest' must come first.

And hopefully, this elected government will learn that national interest must come first and that they should not repeat the previous government's mistakes. Only then can it complete a four-year term and Thai nationals can feel proud of their government.

The writer who is so in favour of democracy also notes:

It should learn now that a majority of votes cannot guarantee an absolute say if a policy does not truly benefit the country. Says Who? Does he propose a body to oversee whether the governments policies are in the interests of th Ruling Elite - isnt that similar to teh Peaoples Council that the writer purports to oppose?

[Valentine]

donkey votes do not help anyone ...it adds to the problem ....it is very clear that due to lack of a real ( i say real) opposition party , the reds will continue to rule the govt ..its a simple numbers game .... until they wake up and form a real party, with real policies to gain more followers ,more votes we just go round and round ....no govt is perfect in any country and u need opposition parties to keep the ruling party in order( on behalf of the people) what is more dangerous than an imperfect Govt ? a Caretaker Govt !!!! Thailand is on very shaky ground imo and i fear the worst for this great country ....

Then what happens if "no vote" is declared the winner? It certainly means there are no viable political parties in this country. IMO a no vote is an important way for people to express their disatisfaction with the political system.

[tezzainoz]

just a waste of time and money...keep on voting for corruption you fools:whistling:

It was not all a waste of money and time, it will help see how the people feel

This was not an election

But a chance for the people to decide do they want

1) Taksin in for a dictatorship, as there was only 1 major party to vote for

2) A chance for a better Thailand by getting rid of ALL the corrupt politicians FROM both sides

As we have idea which one will get the most response, so we need to wait

Wife was told by a friend whose sister was working in a polling booth counters where amazed how many blank voting forms where put into the boxes.

Just maybe you can fool some Thai's some of the time

But I will be happy when you can not fool All the Thai people all of the time

Except if your the one we are counting on to get Thailand moving

and you can not even put your vote into the right box

We all understand Big brother was not there to tell her what to do

[Spalpeen]

Good to see somebody exercising their right to vote but unfortunately, if a government is formed from this mess, it will most likely pay absolutely no notice to what created the mess and continue to implement policy to line their own pockets while giving the Thai people a sugar coated, gold plated, bird.

.

The principal opposition party gave two fingers to the Thai people, like the writer of this piece, and showed utter contempt for the democratic process. As a result, the people were left with only one realistic choice for a government. What the Democrat party need to do now is to rejoin democracy and start campaigning to win seats in the next election, whenever it's held. That's not going to be easy for a party that shows it prefers coup to vote, but they have to start.

The first thing they could do is to expel Abhisit and Suthep, both wanted for murder and inextricably linked to the attempted coup.

[noitom]

This opinion piece makes more sense than most in the Thai press. Thais just don't seem to get it. Most of their programs and policies are inept, but even in the rare case when they get one that benefits the Thai people it falls flat over time. What the Thai press don't seem to get is that it's not about policies and programs at this stage, but rather "enforcing and managing law" rather than always shooting themselves in the foot in order to sabotage something they didn't initially sponsor.

[ourmanflint]

Unlike many of the posts that are sure to come and some already posted, I fully respect anyones democratic right to not vote if that is their wish. I'm sure the OP has actually given some thought to his/her decision and we should at least respect them for that. Here's hoping!

[tominbkk]

If you voted yesterday you voted for Thaksin.

Hope you are happy with him and what he does when he returns to claim his stake.

[Jasun]

Well done, well said, and let's hope you're right.

[Roadman]

I am a little confused with the writers thoughts as at one point they are not happy that the coalition parties did not reign in or scrutinise the poor policies of Pheu Thai, the writer was happy to see the crap that was the rice pledging and tablets go, yet in the very next sentence was sad to see the house dissolved and the two trillion baht loan going with it. This was the poorly thought out fly by night 2 trillion loan that was going to go to cover all the rest of the waste and corruption that the author did not like. The writers logic is flawed on that aspect as there would have been stuff all of this left once Pheu Thai had paid out for the huge loses elsewhere and by the time the rest was swirled in the pig trough for them all to gorge on there would hve been sweet bugga all infastructure.

However full credit for the "No" vote to the lot of them.

It will be interesting to see what the final results are simply from an interest point of view, regardless of the mess that is still to come. I suspect the Pheu Thai clowns claiming that they will have 280 seats might be in for a rude awaiting as I suspect there is going to be a good chunk of their previous support also voting "no" to all.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Roadman

[Roadman]

If you voted yesterday you voted for Thaksin.

Hope you are happy with him and what he does when he returns to claim his stake.

Or you "no" voted against him.

[ramrod711]

And hopefully, this elected government will learn that national interest must come first and that they should not repeat the previous government's mistakes. Only then can it complete a four-year term and Thai nationals can feel proud of their government.

We can all hope, but putting the national interest first means saying no to corruption. I'm not optimistic, can you imagine Chalerm turning down another Bentley?

[wamberal]

So, corruption is all the fault of politicians, is it?

That has got to be the silliest assertion of the decade.

[casualbiker]

So, corruption is all the fault of politicians, is it?

That has got to be the silliest assertion of the decade.

Interesting to see the Red/ pro government support disdain this piece!

It will be interesting to see the final vote.

I think the "NO " vote would have been a lot higher if Suthep had stood back from angering people with the stupid vote blocking.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[h90]

somewhere between silly and naive...no one will take notice of no votes.

Agree or disagree with Suthep but if you want political reforms Suthep is the only one who might do it. With no votes there won't be reforms in the next 100 years...

[darren84310]

Here here for once a piece of reason coming from The Nation..

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yes, totally agree that both sides are not worth voting for. However, the writer does not offer a way out.... If everyone keeps on using the "No Vote". There will never be a government.

Very easy to say everything that is quoted in this article, but not so easy to offer a solution that people will accept.

[Old Man River]

Good to see somebody exercising their right to vote but unfortunately, if a government is formed from this mess, it will most likely pay absolutely no notice to what created the mess and continue to implement policy to line their own pockets while giving the Thai people a sugar coated, gold plated, bird.

Along with many of the international press who had decided what Thailand should be, before there ever was an election.

Fortunately, not all the checks and balances could be eroded and there still is several corruption charges pending.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[tx22cb]

If you voted yesterday you voted for Thaksin.

Hope you are happy with him and what he does when he returns to claim his stake.

Or you "no" voted against him.

Some people who voted voted for other parties too - I don't know their names, but one has Chuwit as the head.

[MGP]

An resume of the current situation that YL is facing, on CNN iReport

LOST LEGITIMACY, PIGHEADED, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN AUTHORITY

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1080553

The caretaker government of Yingluck Shinawatra has entirely lost its legitimacy to govern the country. It has seriously violated the law and the Constitution. It has caused damages but would not take any responsibility.

1) Although Yingluck is from election, once she gets to form a government to govern the country, she brakes the rules, has malice against the nation, violates the rule of law, transgresses Constitution provisions of the Kingdom of Thailand, corrupts, embezzles, misbehaves, and betrays public trust. All of those have rendered her illegitimate to remain in state power.

Election is not a permit for anyone to defraud people or violate the law and the Constitution.

.../... http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1080553

Edited February 3, 2014 by MGP

[DocN]

just a waste of time and money...keep on voting for corruption you fools:whistling:

It was not all a waste of money and time, it will help see how the people feel

This was not an election

But a chance for the people to decide do they want

1) Taksin in for a dictatorship, as there was only 1 major party to vote for

2) A chance for a better Thailand by getting rid of ALL the corrupt politicians FROM both sides

As we have idea which one will get the most response, so we need to wait

Wife was told by a friend whose sister was working in a polling booth counters where amazed how many blank voting forms where put into the boxes.

Just maybe you can fool some Thai's some of the time

But I will be happy when you can not fool All the Thai people all of the time

Except if your the one we are counting on to get Thailand moving

and you can not even put your vote into the right box

We all understand Big brother was not there to tell her what to do

Aaaaahhh...so much time has passed, since we heard of the well- being of your wife!

By the way: you missed to make clear, that she is your Thai- wife...we might have forgotten!

Apart from that: you are a fool!

You are complaining that only 1 major-party was to vote?

1) So? There were plenty of other choices!

2) The "other" major party decided all by themselves to opt out! You really want to blame this on the people who exercised their right and duty to vote?

You are laughable and a troll!

Really, really sad!

[retsdon]

It doesn't matter who people voted for - they turned out in their millions to peacefully make their democratic contribution. Likewise amongst all the political parties who stayed within the law there are no real winners or losers. They all joined together to peacefully defeat the absurd Suthep and his PAD, PDRC, PDRK - or whatever acronym the current Establishment rent-a mob is calling themselves. The battle was for democracy and it was won.

By far the biggest losers yesterday were the DP. and those who chose to try and deny people their constitutional rights. And it's actually quite amusing to see the convoluted back-pedalling going on this morning amongst the erstwhile supporters of these clowns.

[tezzainoz]

Good to see somebody exercising their right to vote but unfortunately, if a government is formed from this mess, it will most likely pay absolutely no notice to what created the mess and continue to implement policy to line their own pockets while giving the Thai people a sugar coated, gold plated, bird.

.

The principal opposition party gave two fingers to the Thai people, like the writer of this piece, and showed utter contempt for the democratic process. As a result, the people were left with only one realistic choice for a government. What the Democrat party need to do now is to rejoin democracy and start campaigning to win seats in the next election, whenever it's held. That's not going to be easy for a party that shows it prefers coup to vote, but they have to start.

The first thing they could do is to expel Abhisit and Suthep, both wanted for murder and inextricably linked to the attempted coup.

I see you are now Judge and jury here in Thailand

and your job in the west before you came here was ??????

This may come as a shock to you

but under the law in Thailand you are not guilty until a court of the land finds you guilty

I would love to hear your reasons why the governmemt who take orders from a Convicted Criminal are the best choice

What a Topsy Turvey world we live in

Edited February 3, 2014 by tezzainoz

[ggt]

This is a very critical...precarious...time in Thai politics...and young democracy...

There appears to be no real governing body...no definitive leadership...a ship without a rudder...

If there is no one with the power to make the tough decisions to break the political stalemate...conditions are ripe for anarchy, civil war, total disruption of commerce...and the prospect of border countries taking the opportunity to test a weakened Thai resolve...

Has anyone ever seen the results of cutting a chickens head off...it flounders around...going in first one direction then the other...blood letting...until it dies...

I am afraid that if a responsible government is not formed soon...Thailand will become a headless chicken...