On elections, 'when?' isn't the ultimate question

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
On elections, 'when?' isn't the ultimate question
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The notion that we could go to the polls soon must be weighed against Thailand's standing in Asean

When the Asean Economic Community formally comes into being just over a year from now, Thailand will most likely still be under an interim government. There are chances that the AEC launch could coincide with another fragile political period in the Kingdom. According to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who must know the future Thai political timeline better than most people, an election could be held in early 2016.

The good news is that AEC is not a short-distance race. The economic integration requires all 10 Asean member-countries to prepare for their long-term futures. Who gets what after the first few months will mean little to the question of who will succeed in the long run. Moreover, politics should be just one of several factors affecting Asean's journey into uncharted territory. Education is crucial, for one thing, and the younger generations will be the ones who really drive the AEC.

The bad news is that no one can guarantee that holding an election here will settle anything politically. One gloomy scenario has Thailand staggering into the AEC era as divided as ever, with political uncertainties affecting government stability and business decisions and forcing foreign investors to constantly review their options. A far worse scenario envisions street turmoil returning, turning any elected government into a lame duck, undermining local business, rekindling prospects of a civil war and scaring off overseas investors.

Optimists, however, can say that limping into the AEC is better than having Thai political rivals shoot or bomb their way into a regional economic integration. There is also the possibility that reform efforts could work. Some current ideas, such as having political parties name potential Cabinet members before voting, and separating MPs from the executive branch, might ultimately be embraced by both sides of the conflict.

Anyway, the timing of a Thai election and the beginning of the AEC are significant. The two could become intertwined since, certainly, Thailand does not want to be the "sick man" of the AEC when the new regional era begins. In other words, while a good or bad start will not ensure success or failure, it's better to make the first few steps great strides.

It is therefore imperative that all parties involved in what promises to be a bumpy reform process keep in mind the regional implications. Vested interests have always overshadowed common interests in the Thai political divide, but if this doesn't change now, it will not only be Thailand's bad start when the AEC is concerned. Thailand could get stuck in a vicious cycle for years and years while its neighbours keep moving forward.

Would an early election help? Many people cried foul when Wissanu, who will be among those instrumental in the reform process, said the election could take place early next year. However, opinion polls have revealed that the average Thai prefers slow-but-sure reform to haste that could overlook key problems. Most Thais are willing to have our "democratic break" last a few months longer if it helps bring about genuine and effective reform.

Taking the AEC into consideration, there is little difference in having an election late next year or early - as long as the voting brings about a truly new beginning. The AEC is best appreciated as a marathon race, not a sprint, and will demand robust health among its members. As far as reforms here are concerned, this is a case where the "how" is significantly more important than the "when".

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/On-elections-when-isnt-the-ultimate-question-30246706.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-01

[lomatopo]

Must find reasons to delay...next up, consult soothsayers for an auspicious day/date/year for elections. Is 2888 too far away for those meddling ferners?

[RustBucket]

The question is.... When Thailand enters ASEAN AEC. It may well have UN sanctions on it for its continued failure on human rights abuses and human trafficking. These are not just empty threats. The UN and US and possibly EU will certainly mete out some form of punishment, and usually that is in the form of sanctions.

Imagine going into AEC with certain trade restrictions on your country.

Anuway... Thaksin said that Thailand should come out as the dominant leader in the AEC.... I think it will be the loser.

[Toknarok]

I wonder if I should consult a fortune teller to determine when the next election should be held. Seems like our 'Beloved Leader' has faith in these charlatans.

Edited November 1, 2014 by Toknarok

[chainarong]

It is quite obvious that ASEAN as an identity want countries to maintain some decency, this will be a tall order seeing the structure of the nations involved , all have problems with human rights and other dismal records except Singapore , as for Thailand being politically sound, why, what has changed , just because there has been a coup doesn't mean people will change their views , Thailand is as divided as it ever was and preventing the red shirt group or individuals from participating in the election process will be a nightmare for any new government , that is not an option and also is un- democratic , so what has changed in Thailand, nothing.

[Estrada]

There will be no elections until at least 2017 and more likely in 2019/20 due to problems that we cannot speak about.

[poweratradio]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

[Thailand]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

Very little chance of that happening. Feet are now getting firmly under the table and those feet will not be walking away anytime soon.

[EnglishJohn]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

What are you talking about ?. Financial ruin 'to say the least' ??? what about 'to say the most' then if the best option is so bleak ?.

In case you missed it, the country was well down the road to financial ruin under Pheu-Thai without any help from the rest of the world.

You should try very hard to understand that the time for an election is when Thai society is ready for it. That is after reforms are implemented to prevent an immediate descent back into primitive 3rd world politics. Try something easier first: If a garage promised your car at 3pm and when you went, it was still in pieces : would you insist on trying to drive it away ?.

Anyway, do you seriously think the world cares that much about Thailand ?. As long as it is peaceful and the people are happy then they couldn't give a stuff. If the red-shirts start their terrorism campaign again, they will quickly become the 'bad guys' in the eyes of the world because now they will be caught and exposed.

[lomatopo]

Once the Thai Institute of Porcine and Aviary Studies completes their successful crossbreeding program there will be elections.

[ratcatcher]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

"The world is expecting.........."

Quite frankly "most of the world" has their own problems and don't give a Tom Tit about Thaiwan or is that Tailand, oh never mind it's a small country in Asia somewhere.

A few people will rightly be observing progress, or lack, of towards democratic normalcy, whatever that is.

As for financial ruin, I think some bigger nations need to worry about their own problems. I assume you live here?

Prayuth will hand over power when he's good and ready. Not before.

[Thailand]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

What are you talking about ?. Financial ruin 'to say the least' ??? what about 'to say the most' then if the best option is so bleak ?.

In case you missed it, the country was well down the road to financial ruin under Pheu-Thai without any help from the rest of the world.

You should try very hard to understand that the time for an election is when Thai society is ready for it. That is after reforms are implemented to prevent an immediate descent back into primitive 3rd world politics. Try something easier first: If a garage promised your car at 3pm and when you went, it was still in pieces : would you insist on trying to drive it away ?.

Anyway, do you seriously think the world cares that much about Thailand ?. As long as it is peaceful and the people are happy then they couldn't give a stuff. If the red-shirts start their terrorism campaign again, they will

quickly become the 'bad guys' in the eyes of the world because now they will be caught and exposed.

Are you posting under more than one name as your wording is very very similar to at least one other poster?

[ratcatcher]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

What are you talking about ?. Financial ruin 'to say the least' ??? what about 'to say the most' then if the best option is so bleak ?.

In case you missed it, the country was well down the road to financial ruin under Pheu-Thai without any help from the rest of the world.

You should try very hard to understand that the time for an election is when Thai society is ready for it. That is after reforms are implemented to prevent an immediate descent back into primitive 3rd world politics. Try something easier first: If a garage promised your car at 3pm and when you went, it was still in pieces : would you insist on trying to drive it away ?.

Anyway, do you seriously think the world cares that much about Thailand ?. As long as it is peaceful and the people are happy then they couldn't give a stuff. If the red-shirts start their terrorism campaign again, they will

quickly become the 'bad guys' in the eyes of the world because now they will be caught and exposed.

Are you posting under more than one name as your wording is very very similar to at least one other poster?

We need an immediate inquiry, a man with two identities confusing TVF posters.

Who gives an Aswan?

[Thailand]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

What are you talking about ?. Financial ruin 'to say the least' ??? what about 'to say the most' then if the best option is so bleak ?.

In case you missed it, the country was well down the road to financial ruin under Pheu-Thai without any help from the rest of the world.

You should try very hard to understand that the time for an election is when Thai society is ready for it. That is after reforms are implemented to prevent an immediate descent back into primitive 3rd world politics. Try something easier first: If a garage promised your car at 3pm and when you went, it was still in pieces : would you insist on trying to drive it away ?.

Anyway, do you seriously think the world cares that much about Thailand ?. As long as it is peaceful and the people are happy then they couldn't give a stuff. If the red-shirts start their terrorism campaign again, they will

quickly become the 'bad guys' in the eyes of the world because now they will be caught and exposed.

Are you posting under more than one name as your wording is very very similar to at least one other poster?

We need an immediate inquiry, a man with two identities confusing TVF posters.

Who gives an Aswan?

Or is it your third identity?

[fab4]

A couple of "critical" articles in The Nation and now it looks like the word has been passed.

So, these reforms - an example of reforms being considered;

1. having political parties name potential Cabinet members before voting

2. separating MPs from the executive branch

First of all

1) are they serious? Presumably meant to stop cabinet posts, especially the lucrative ones such as the Interior Ministry and Defence, being offered as "kickbacks" for services rendered. OK, the principle is fine but how will it be implemented in real life? Apart from the fact that no political party would accept it (and I mean all political parties before anybody starts the "but Thaksin twostep", remember the Friends of Newin group?), all it will mean would be the parties that have enough MP's elected will have to ensure they have all bases covered in their "nominated cabinet members" list, in the hope that the party that gets to form a government wants to form a coalition. So what happens if an in post cabinet minister has to resign, or dies and the government doesn't have a "reserve"? Do they have to ask another party for the loan of a cabinet member? Unworkable.

2) now in most governments of the world and presumably in Thailand too, the Executive Branch are Cabinet Ministers, charged with the daily administration of the State. So no MP's in the Cabinet? No doubt this idea will be accompanied by the call for "appointed" Cabinet members...............why stop there, why not just appoint the whole government, it seems to be a popular choice of those who support the present incumbents, not that there is a choice, mind.

If this is the calibre of what to expect from these "reformers", well, good luck with that............................................

Edited November 1, 2014 by fab4

[Eric Loh]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

What are you talking about ?. Financial ruin 'to say the least' ??? what about 'to say the most' then if the best option is so bleak ?.

In case you missed it, the country was well down the road to financial ruin under Pheu-Thai without any help from the rest of the world.

You should try very hard to understand that the time for an election is when Thai society is ready for it. That is after reforms are implemented to prevent an immediate descent back into primitive 3rd world politics. Try something easier first: If a garage promised your car at 3pm and when you went, it was still in pieces : would you insist on trying to drive it away ?.

Anyway, do you seriously think the world cares that much about Thailand ?. As long as it is peaceful and the people are happy then they couldn't give a stuff. If the red-shirts start their terrorism campaign again, they will quickly become the 'bad guys' in the eyes of the world because now they will be caught and exposed.

Well down the road to financial ruin when the PDRC hits the road. Before that, the economy averages 4-6% GDP growth, well contain inflation, current account surplus, debt to GDP ratio at 46%, low employment and a credit rating of BBB+. And do remember all this terrorism campaign did not start with the Reds but with the yellow PAD.

[ExPratt]

I hope these <deleted> at Pravda get paraded through the streets with their heads shaved , appeasing , collaborating scum

[poweratradio]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

What are you talking about ?. Financial ruin 'to say the least' ??? what about 'to say the most' then if the best option is so bleak ?.

In case you missed it, the country was well down the road to financial ruin under Pheu-Thai without any help from the rest of the world.

You should try very hard to understand that the time for an election is when Thai society is ready for it. That is after reforms are implemented to prevent an immediate descent back into primitive 3rd world politics. Try something easier first: If a garage promised your car at 3pm and when you went, it was still in pieces : would you insist on trying to drive it away ?.

Anyway, do you seriously think the world cares that much about Thailand ?. As long as it is peaceful and the people are happy then they couldn't give a stuff. If the red-shirts start their terrorism campaign again, they will quickly become the 'bad guys' in the eyes of the world because now they will be caught and exposed.

Way off base post without any degree of knowledge of the world at large and the view of the politics here and the aid given.

[poweratradio]

The world is expecting democratic elections October 2015 and for the military government to renege on that promise would ruin their word world wide and might cause financial ruin to say the least.

"The world is expecting.........."

Quite frankly "most of the world" has their own problems and don't give a Tom Tit about Thaiwan or is that Tailand, oh never mind it's a small country in Asia somewhere.

A few people will rightly be observing progress, or lack, of towards democratic normalcy, whatever that is.

As for financial ruin, I think some bigger nations need to worry about their own problems. I assume you live here?

Prayuth will hand over power when he's good and ready. Not before.

Another post Way off base post without any degree of knowledge of the world at large and the view of the politics here and the aid given. Total post shows the intelligence or lack there of of the poster...

[Suriya4]

What election.

The supreme leader General Prayuth the Great was recently elected as the 29th Prime Minister of Thailand.

I think the next election should be at least 4 years away, according to normal rules.

[Fatty123]

What election.

The supreme leader General Prayuth the Great was recently elected as the 29th Prime Minister of Thailand.

I think the next election should be at least 4 years away, according to normal rules.

And 93.3% of Thailand is delighted with him. Sadly, as the Thais need 'educating' on what democracy actually is, 'The Great Leader' will have to do the next best thing and get a bunch of 'good people' to vote on their behalf on whether or not he should stay on as The Great Leader. For ever. Hail!

[englishoak]

Correct the Q isnt when but more if and under what conditions of participation that the military cooks up.

None of which is likely to impress anyone and looking more and more chaotic and unworkable every time someone comes out with a proposal/idea...

All very sad but amusing just the same.

[SteveFong]

Has anyone mentioned the previous elections in

Palestinian Authority?

Syria?

Iran?

Egypt?

It would seem the former general would go to the polls immediatetly to gain a mandate