Thailand to hold election re-runs in April

[webfact]

Thailand to hold election re-runs in April

BANGKOK, February 12, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand will hold election re-runs in April in constituencies where voting was obstructed by opposition protesters earlier this month, poll officials announced on Tuesday.

Millions were denied the opportunity to cast ballots, with blockades by demonstrators seeking to prevent the re-election of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra causing the closure of some 10 percent of polling stations.

Voting will be held on April 27 for polling stations that were unable to open on February 2, Election Commission secretary general Puchong Nutrawong told AFP.

Another round of advance voting will take place a week before.

But there is still no decision on what to do about 28 constituencies that have no candidates because protesters blocked the registration process.

Yingluck called the February 2 snap election to try to end months of mass rallies against her government, but the main opposition Democrat Party boycotted the vote and protesters have refused to end their action.

Eleven people have been killed and hundreds injured in violence related to the political standoff.

Unless some kind of compromise is reached, the risk is that the demonstrators will try to block the re-runs as well.

The protesters want Yingluck to resign to make way for an unelected "People's Council" to enact vaguely-defined reforms before new elections.

They say she is a mere puppet for her elder brother, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whom they accuse of corruption and vote-buying.

Thaksin, a controversial billionaire tycoon-turned-politician, was ousted as prime minister in a coup in 2006 and lives in Dubai to avoid jail for a corruption conviction.

He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast but loathed by many in the Bangkok middle class and southerners.

The Election Commission has said the vote results will not be announced until polls have been held in all constituencies.

Yingluck will remain in a caretaker role with limited power over policy until there is a quorum of 95 percent of the 500 seats in the lower house of parliament to enable the appointment of a new government.

The opposition has asked the Constitutional Court to nullify the election -- one of several legal moves against Yingluck.

The United States has urged Thailand's army not to launch a coup to end the stalemate.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-02-12

[CelticBhoy]

"He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast."

A wee bit over the top wouldn't you say?

[JRSoul]

"He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast."

A wee bit over the top wouldn't you say?

With quite a few exceptions - notably those who declined to show their adoration with a vote for his puppets.

[Red Snake]

Will be interesting to see how Suthep handles it this time.

[ikurauni]

Another election in April?? For sure. They will waste the money again.

Yingluck is known as Thaksin's younger sister but some people told me that Yingluck is Thaksin's daughter.

I don't care if the rumor is true or not but I hear that no one can prove this. This is another amazing part of this country that they don't seem to keep the records straight. How can they do the election fair and correctly if they can't keep the records correctly? People with money always have advantages in Thailand. The corruption will continue no matter what.

[tezzainoz]

"He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast."

A wee bit over the top wouldn't you say?

Solution

Make an agreement with the Dems on an election date that agrees with both sides, forget about Suthep he will not be in the new Govt

Once the date is set

start again from the beginning

By that time half the PTP party may have been through court and banded from running

Let the people decide, they know a little more about corruption now it has come to the surface

I would like to see a Political Party for Issan area running, with not of the corrupt Mps allowed

They may or may not win, but at least they have the chance to be part of a new Government coalition

[mightyatom]

"He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast."

A wee bit over the top wouldn't you say?

One of the main things that piss me off about all the AFP political articles is that they use the same 80% of the report in almost all its reports and just changes the first 2 paragraphs.

Very lazy journalism.

They have failed to understand that the 'He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast' bit is now obsolete...

[mightyatom]

Will be interesting to see how Suthep handles it this time.

Quite simply by agreeing to let it happen, but will refuse to accept the result.

He now knows that the maximum vote they have already had and that is half the amount of votes as they got in 2011. Plus there is no way parliament can convene, or even for them to have a legal mandate, because the no shows and the no votes outweigh their 8 million. So it will have to be voided.

Dems will stroll the next one because PTP will likely be emptied out by the courts and Yingluck will be impeached, then there is also the April 1st expiry of the government's legal ability to remain as caretaker gov.... just to be sure.

This story has multiple possible endings, but one thing is assured, it will be the end of the Shins and the PTP.

Edited February 11, 2014 by mightyatom

[Ricardo]

"He is adored by the rural poor in the north and northeast."

A wee bit over the top wouldn't you say?

Except that TRT/PPP/PTP never polled 100% in those areas, even in Thaksin's glory-days a decade ago, and the low turnout & high no-vote in the recent election shows it's definitely no-longer the case today, so why don't AFP notice this contradiction ? What do they base their repeated mis-claims on ?

There are plenty of let-down rice-farmers in these areas, people who didn't receive their free cow or rubber-trees, and parents with children who didn't get their promised tablet-computers "just like mine", and workers on minimum-wage who had to wait 18-months to actually receive it, if they yet do. Plenty who aren't "rich in six months" as promised.

I understand that this is a complex multi-faceted situation, why can't the AFP-reporter(s) see past their simplistic slogan, and report the more-nuanced truth instead ?

The world can't always be reduced to short sound-bites !

[The Deerhunter]

Re: The world can't always be reduced to short sound-bites ! .... Journalism in the west is not as professional or respected as it was a generation ago, with lots of complaints about lazy journo's never leaving their desk to research or investigate a story. In which case, parroting "short sound bites" is about all we are going to get here, Leaves more time to Twitter & Facebook & it looks like you are working at your computer. Sad but true all over the world now. This ain't no "Washington Post,"

[77Dan]

Re: The world can't always be reduced to short sound-bites ! .... Journalism in the west is not as professional or respected as it was a generation ago, with lots of complaints about lazy journo's never leaving their desk to research or investigate a story. In which case, parroting "short sound bites" is about all we are going to get here, Leaves more time to Twitter & Facebook & it looks like you are working at your computer. Sad but true all over the world now. This ain't no "Washington Post,"

It's not that journalists are lazy, it's that budgets are being constantly squeezed and demands ever increasing. In the old days being a journalist was an easy life perhaps. But these days it's 12 hours a day in front of a computer churning out copy working for a newswire and articles have to be written quickly to meet deadlines.

Of course journalists would like to spend their time travelling around the country and spending hours crafting perfect prose but only a lucky few have that luxury anymore.

And the main reason is -- people aren't willing to pay for news anymore. How much did you pay to read this article? Not criticising, but that's the reality and yes it's going to get worse unfortunately. Go subscribe to some newspaper if you want better quality news. Or read the super quality Nation 555.

[smileydude]

Go for it and hope the Democrats join.

Hopefully it will be as fair as fair can be.

No handouts. No ghost ballots.

So we can see the degree of public change in sentiment for this government once and for all.

Last time PTP won 16 million to 12 million votes for the other parties.

Curious to see if the "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand changes and is reflected in this round of votes.

I just attended a TDRI hosted public forum on corruption and monopolies and the stats from Transparency International indicate a downfall from Thailand's previous rankings of 63 to 78 to 88 and currently 102.

Transparency International bases a lot of its analysis from interviews on "perception" of corruption as they are unable to actually get data on something that the government does not accurately gather up to date info on.

Pretty difficult since corruption has no receipts. I noted that the last independent research study on corruption was done over 10 years ago. Interesting thing is this "perception" is based on corruption that the common people experience, be it police checkpoint bribes, government office bribes (think land department, customs, etc). It seems the so called "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand has been lower over the past 15 years and I agree as most common government related procedures like your ID or drivers license has been streamlined and is more efficient with less bureaucracy and thus less need for bribes. This is petty corruption.

Problem is high level corruption has increased and thus Thailand's fall in rankings.

It seems the level of "organized and systematic corruption" has increased in major ministries such as Transport, Telecommunications, Finance, Commerce and our current favorite Agriculture.

Most of the systemic levels of corruption involve concessions that allow for monopolies like the 4G bidding by the NBT, High speed railroad, and exclusive oil processing by PTT to name a few instances. On the surface it seems like a fair bidding process but in reality there is often collusion by the bidding parties.

The levels of corruption are no longer simple puddles but span oceans.

Interestingly the reason why corruption still exists on such massive levels is the lack of political will and that the mindset of the average Thai is that "corruption is okay as long as there is progress".

The light at the end of the tunnel is that this mindset is changing especially among the younger generation and private businesses.

The attempted passing of the Amnesty Bill was a trigger and the first protest response was by students as we all saw.

Now everybody is getting onboard, be it businessmen to farmers. Usually it has to hurt your own pocket before we start caring.

We obviously all know that those in power do not want to reform and seriously tackle corruption and just offer lip service.

Hopefully the mindset of Thai people will start changing and people will refuse to take vote bribes and see politicians for what they are. Self-serving maggots.

Wishful thinking in my lifetime? I hope not.

Edited February 12, 2014 by smileydude

[77Dan]

Go for it and hope the Democrats join.

Hopefully it will be as fair as fair can be.

No handouts. No ghost ballots.

So we can see the degree of public change in sentiment for this government once and for all.

Last time PTP won 16 million to 12 million votes for the other parties.

Curious to see if the "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand changes and is reflected in this round of votes.

I just attended a TDRI hosted public forum on corruption and monopolies and the stats from Transparency International indicate a downfall from Thailand's previous rankings of 63 to 78 to 88 and currently 102.

Transparency International bases a lot of its analysis from interviews on "perception" of corruption as they are unable to actually get data on something that the government does not accurately gather up to date info on.

Pretty difficult since corruption has no receipts. I noted that the last independent research study on corruption was done over 10 years ago. Interesting thing is this "perception" is based on corruption that the common people experience, be it police checkpoint bribes, government office bribes (think land department, customs, etc). It seems the so called "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand has been lower over the past 15 years and I agree as most common government related procedures like your ID or drivers license has been streamlined and is more efficient with less bureaucracy and thus less need for bribes. This is petty corruption.

Problem is high level corruption has increased and thus Thailand's fall in rankings.

It seems the level of "organized and systematic corruption" has increased in major ministries such as Transport, Telecommunications, Finance, Commerce and our current favorite Agriculture.

Most of the systemic levels of corruption involve concessions that allow for monopolies like the 4G bidding by the NBT, oil processing exclusively by PTT and single energy providers like EGAT.

The levels of corruption are no longer simple puddles but span oceans.

Interestingly the reason why corruption still exists on such massive levels is the lack of political will and that the mindset of the average Thai is that "corruption is okay as long as there is progress".

The light at the end of the tunnel is that this mindset is changing especially among the younger generation and private businesses.

The attempted passing of the Amnesty Bill was a trigger and the first protest response was by students as we all saw.

Now everybody is getting onboard, be it businessmen to farmers. Usually it has to hurt your own pocket before we start caring.

We obviously all know that those in power do not want to reform and seriously tackle corruption and just offer lip service.

Hopefully the mindset of Thai people will start changing and people will refuse to take vote bribes and see politicians for what they are. Self-serving maggots.

Wishful thinking in my lifetime? I hope not.

The question is: are there any Thai politicians who aren't self-serving maggots?

[rickirs]

Such naivity. Does anyone really think that Suthep has changed his tactics or desire to take over the government? Do you see anywhere that Suthep has agreed to the April re-runs? Suthep WILL again block candidate registration and voting venues. And again the EC will stand helpless as cry babies and the police will again stand BEHIND the demonstrators for fear of violence. Very vulnerable times for Thailand's infant democracy.

[rogerdee123]

there goes the Songkran tourist revenue the Govt is supposedly so worried about

[seajae]

what about replacing the ptp people that will be in jail/court over all the graft and corruption, there goes yl and several of her close ministers so they will need to be replaced in any future vote as well, what a laugh this is turning into

[tingtongteesood]

I believe April 27th means it is after the 180 days for the amnesty bill to come back. I hope since there will be no government to accept it back and ram it through the bill will die. If PT are voted back in, no doubt they will try it again but in secret if possible. Don't let them get away with whitewashing their own crimes...

[h90]

I thought this government will expire on the 1st April.

If true....what happens in the time between?

[cronus]

"seeking to prevent the --- re-election of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra---"

They seem quite sure about that...

[Mr Yim]

Looks like the EC are doing their best to remove YL. It may put a smile on the faces of those seeking to remove the Government, but, in the unlikely event they are successful in their objectives, I very much doubt whether those same faces will be in town when the red shirt demonstrations get underway.

[rubl]

Such naivity. Does anyone really think that Suthep has changed his tactics or desire to take over the government? Do you see anywhere that Suthep has agreed to the April re-runs? Suthep WILL again block candidate registration and voting venues. And again the EC will stand helpless as cry babies and the police will again stand BEHIND the demonstrators for fear of violence. Very vulnerable times for Thailand's infant democracy.

I don't think Suthep wants to take over the government.

[tingtongteesood]

Suteb doesn't want to take over the government and he has made that very clear. Who really would want to right now since the mess left by PT has to be cleaned up ?

[smileydude]

Go for it and hope the Democrats join.

Hopefully it will be as fair as fair can be.

No handouts. No ghost ballots.

So we can see the degree of public change in sentiment for this government once and for all.

Last time PTP won 16 million to 12 million votes for the other parties.

Curious to see if the "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand changes and is reflected in this round of votes.

I just attended a TDRI hosted public forum on corruption and monopolies and the stats from Transparency International indicate a downfall from Thailand's previous rankings of 63 to 78 to 88 and currently 102.

Transparency International bases a lot of its analysis from interviews on "perception" of corruption as they are unable to actually get data on something that the government does not accurately gather up to date info on.

Pretty difficult since corruption has no receipts. I noted that the last independent research study on corruption was done over 10 years ago. Interesting thing is this "perception" is based on corruption that the common people experience, be it police checkpoint bribes, government office bribes (think land department, customs, etc). It seems the so called "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand has been lower over the past 15 years and I agree as most common government related procedures like your ID or drivers license has been streamlined and is more efficient with less bureaucracy and thus less need for bribes. This is petty corruption.

Problem is high level corruption has increased and thus Thailand's fall in rankings.

It seems the level of "organized and systematic corruption" has increased in major ministries such as Transport, Telecommunications, Finance, Commerce and our current favorite Agriculture.

Most of the systemic levels of corruption involve concessions that allow for monopolies like the 4G bidding by the NBT, oil processing exclusively by PTT and single energy providers like EGAT.

The levels of corruption are no longer simple puddles but span oceans.

Interestingly the reason why corruption still exists on such massive levels is the lack of political will and that the mindset of the average Thai is that "corruption is okay as long as there is progress".

The light at the end of the tunnel is that this mindset is changing especially among the younger generation and private businesses.

The attempted passing of the Amnesty Bill was a trigger and the first protest response was by students as we all saw.

Now everybody is getting onboard, be it businessmen to farmers. Usually it has to hurt your own pocket before we start caring.

We obviously all know that those in power do not want to reform and seriously tackle corruption and just offer lip service.

Hopefully the mindset of Thai people will start changing and people will refuse to take vote bribes and see politicians for what they are. Self-serving maggots.

Wishful thinking in my lifetime? I hope not.

The question is: are there any Thai politicians who aren't self-serving maggots?

as rare as hens teeth I think

[VegasVic]

Such naivity. Does anyone really think that Suthep has changed his tactics or desire to take over the government? Do you see anywhere that Suthep has agreed to the April re-runs? Suthep WILL again block candidate registration and voting venues. And again the EC will stand helpless as cry babies and the police will again stand BEHIND the demonstrators for fear of violence. Very vulnerable times for Thailand's infant democracy.

I don't think Suthep wants to take over the government.

I think you are correct, sutheps main motivation all along has been to avoid being tried for murder

[VegasVic]

Another election in April?? For sure. They will waste the money again.

Yingluck is known as Thaksin's younger sister but some people told me that Yingluck is Thaksin's daughter.

I don't care if the rumor is true or not but I hear that no one can prove this. This is another amazing part of this country that they don't seem to keep the records straight. How can they do the election fair and correctly if they can't keep the records correctly? People with money always have advantages in Thailand. The corruption will continue no matter what.

I think you misunderstand the situation, there is not going to be another countrywide election in April, there will just be an election in the few districts(around 10% of the country) where sutheps thugs blocked the polling places As far as the statement "people with money always have advantages in Thailand" goes, suthep is living proof of that each and every day, his wealth and his connections within the top tier of the military is the only thing keeping him alive, also keep in mind that people with money always have advantages in every country! Finally, you are correct in your assertion that the corruption in Thailand will continue no matter what, but then again that is not a uniquely Thai thing as there is corruption all over the globe, it is part of the human nature As far as you questioning the parentage of the PM, that is a pretty sick allegation of which you obviously have no facts to back up with, enough said

[rubl]

Such naivity. Does anyone really think that Suthep has changed his tactics or desire to take over the government? Do you see anywhere that Suthep has agreed to the April re-runs? Suthep WILL again block candidate registration and voting venues. And again the EC will stand helpless as cry babies and the police will again stand BEHIND the demonstrators for fear of violence. Very vulnerable times for Thailand's infant democracy.

I don't think Suthep wants to take over the government.

I think you are correct, sutheps main motivation all along has been to avoid being tried for murder

The pre-meditated murder cases, you mean? The cases for which he'd get an amnesty with the blanket amnesty bill the government tried to push through and which started all the anti-government protests culminating in PM yingluck duissolving the House and desperately trying to get herself re-elected to get that 'mandate to do as we like' ? You mean those murder cases?