Thai elections may be delayed until 2016: report

[webfact]

Thai elections may be delayed until 2016: report
Bangkok, Thailande | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's finance minister Sommai Phasee has said elections in the junta-ruled kingdom could be delayed until mid-2016, days after military officials ruled out lifting martial law any time soon.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha had previously said his government hoped to hold fresh polls around October 2015, after seizing power in a coup six months ago, despite international appeals for a swift return to democracy.

But in an indication elections could be further delayed, Sommai told the BBC he felt polls were at least 18 months away after discussing the issue with Prayut last week.

"As announced by the prime minister, it would take about one year. But, from my feeling, I think it may take, maybe, a year and a half," he told the British broadcaster.

Junta chief and premier Prayut, who was army chief when he staged the May 22 coup, has said the takeover was necessary to end months of political unrest that left nearly 30 people dead.

But critics accuse the military of using the protests as an excuse for a power grab.

Thailand's finance ministry Thursday said it could not comment on the BBC interview.

The minister's comments come days after a junta official told AFP martial law would only be lifted when the country "has peace and order".

Martial law -- imposed by the army two days before the coup -- bans political gatherings, allows the detention of dissidents for up to seven days without charge, and permits trials in a military court.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-11-27

[MobileContent]

Not surprised at all. My guess it will be 2017/2018

[JOC]

Cleaning beaches, removing streetvendors and fixing the taxi-ranks clearly takes time!!

[Anthony5]

Well, there are lies, lies and damn lies, and the article above falls in the latter category.

Just a few days ago they announced they would need at least 10 months to decide on a referendum for the constitution draft. They admitted that by that time the draft would only be finished by half. So if they need at least 20 months from now to finish the constitution draft, then another few months at least to hold the referendum, after which we only can start thinking about an election, which year we are then?

Anyone need a calculator for this ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778835-thailand-live-monday-24-nov-2014/?p=8714563

Edited November 27, 2014 by Anthony5

[kotsak]

Saw this interview on BBC this morning

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30215120

[The stuttering parrot]

Absolutely a bald face grab not only for power but to cling onto it!

Here we have an unelected PM who's rambling on about bringing happiness to the thai people yet every second day we see these sudden bursts of anger when things don't go their way.

His fixation with the shinawatras with trying to wipe Thaksin from the history books and Yinglucks popularity is only showing the juntas insecurity and lack of understanding of the peoples wishes.

Rounding up everyone who dares try and express freedom of speech and taking them away for attitude adjustments is only backfiring while the big ticket item the economy is heading south and any prospect of foreign investment while this suppression under martial law continues and elections are put back even further.

By not returning to the elections mid 2015 the PM who gave assurances to world leaders that he would is just confirming the fact that he is what he said he wasn't the other day and we know what that is.

Never been a good one yet!

[webfact]

BBC
General election could be delayed : Finance minister

BANGKOK: -- The national election could be delayed and not occur for another 18 months, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee told BBC in an exclusive interview.

Prayut Chan-o-cha government discussed it last week, Sommai said, it could be "a year and a half."

Prayuth had said that they could hold democratic elections in a year’s time, possibly at the end of 2015.

"As announced by the prime minister, it would take about one year. But, from my feeling, I think it may take, maybe, a year and a half."

BBC reported that the delay meant that Thailand wouldn’t return to democracy until the middle of 2016.

Sommai said there was no end date for martial law as it was something that Prayut needed as his tool to deal with security.

The finance minister expects GDP growth could be just 1-1.2 per cent this year.

When asked when the economy could return to trend growth rate, Sommai pointed out to BBC that GDP could expand by 4-5 per cent.

The Thai government will spend to boost the economy and increase subsidies to farmers as one of a number of short-term stimulus measures.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/General-election-could-be-delayed-Finance-minister-30248649.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-27

[retsdon]

Somehow I can't see this government ever voluntarily re-instituting democracy. It's conceivable that somewhere down the road they devise some mechanism to pass day on to day running to faces in civilian suits. But any concession of real power is not, I fear, on the agenda.

[Boxclever]

They need time to set up all the para military stations throughout the provinces to crush any dissent or opposition quickly, they need time to insert military lackeys into all the key local, provincial and national government positions, they need time to enact laws where they will be guaranteed to win the election no matter what the majority of people vote for, they need time destroy any political party past, present or future that may be a threat to them, they just need more time....

[HeijoshinCool]

Can't allow elections until that retirement account is fully stocked.

[Costas2008]

Hypocritism about Democracy and elections is thriving on this forum.

Remember what was happening before this administration and try to keep your mouths shut.

Ideals and big words are only good for the armchair discussions.

Look at the reality, notice the effort of this government to clean Thailand from the scum, and corruption.

Be grateful to them and be patient, elections and the old <deleted> will come back when they feel the country is ready.

[mitsubishi]

Democracy is over-rated when used in Asian lands like Thailand, partly because you have the 'm' word to take care of things if it all goes tits up. The military just hold things together until the 'democracy' part gets its act together and stops being such a clusterfck.

[casualbiker]

" Thai elections may be delayed until 2016 "

Note the "may " this is one guys idea. Not concrete information, he may be correct in his assumptions BUT it is not an official announcement!

[Fat Haggis]

What flavour is the Kool aid this morning Costas? ?

[IMA_FARANG]

Not surprised at all. My guess it will be 2017/2018

--------------------------

Good.

maybe by then the Thai voters will realize that elections are not a popularity test, where they vote for their "favorites" as though they were movie stars.

But instead the elections should be a vote where they are hiring "servants" who they hire to take care of their nation-house as carefully as they hire workers...... who, if they do not do the job they are hired for, should be fired for not doing the job they were hired for.

Politicians are not "movie stars" who you vote for because you "like" them, they are hired servants.

But, I doubt that idea will ever get through to the Thai electorate.

Until it does, maybe after 10 years or so, Thailand does not really need "popularity contest elections".

[The stuttering parrot]

Here come the the junta supporters!

My country no way Thailand ok!

Shameful!

[worgeordie]

The longer the better,I feel, not looking forward to professional

politicians returning to Parliament, they have had a dry period

and will be greedier than ever to get their snouts in the trough,

Also the battle for power between the Reds and Yellows,and

other fractions will erupt again,resulting in a return to chaos,

as nothing has really changed.

regards Worgeordie

[Pib]

Power is a hard thing to give up once getting a taste of it.

[EnzoRippo]

Elections Hong Kong style or Mafia style are useless.

The important is the respect of: All Thais are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Or this one: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Is it the case in the Junta project or not?

[dominique355]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[MaxLee]

So an extended XTREME baby-sitting-brainwashing real military style for the next 2 years.... or more...

[Fat Haggis]

Not surprised at all. My guess it will be 2017/2018

--------------------------

Good.

maybe by then the Thai voters will realize that elections are not a popularity test, where they vote for their "favorites" as though they were movie stars.

But instead the elections should be a vote where they are hiring "servants" who they hire to take care of their nation-house as carefully as they hire workers...... who, if they do not do the job they are hired for, should be fired for not doing the job they were hired for.

Politicians are not "movie stars" who you vote for because you "like" them, they are hired servants.

But, I doubt that idea will ever get through to the Thai electorate.

Until it does, maybe after 10 years or so, Thailand does not really need "popularity contest elections".

You vote for the policies that will best suit your needs and that fit into your ideology.

At the same time if you know full well your party who promises the world to obtain your vote but will never secure enough votes due to ideology and demographics you tend to think second best.

How do you think all the Liberals in the UK felt for hundred of years, some great policies but were never strong enough to compete with the Tories or with new Labour? it took a coalition to give them any sort of day in implementing some of their policies.

The problem with Thaialnd is there's too many parties and demographically the PTP and it's precious incarnations seemed to hold the upper hands.

What the Dems have to do is to convince the die hard reds to switch their ideology and secure their vote.... Good luck with that Kuhn Abhisit !!

The dems also have to convince all the other parties to side with them to defeat anything the reds can muster in any future elections.

Having the Junta in power for the next few years and maintaining Martial Law is the inhibitor that prevents the dems and any other political party from canvassing to start actually swaying votes.

If I was to be a betting man, which is illegal here, I'd sayThere will be no elections until after a certain date ?

[Neeranam]

Doesn't make any difference if there is an election because the politicians will buy their way in. One thing for sure - the Generals will want to hurt their opposition financially to help their men get elected.

[Rumble]

In my humble opinion this may be a good thing. Firstly our policies on reform are still very far from completion, and then we should give the completed reform’s a trial run of about 2 years, making amendment’s wherever necessary. Secondly, we have to re-educate our poorer population (which may be over 70% at the moment) by re-educating them I mean in the difference from right and wrong, which is lacking at the moment. This should take a further 2 years, only then should we consider having elections. Once this happens the elected party should also have a trial run under the watchful eye of the military for a further 2 years, that should have the power to dissolve the party immediately should they not strictly conform to the rule of law.

[Fred Flinstone]

Thailand is in a deceptively Calm situation that could erupt at any moment.

Democracy was what even the Bangkok (largely Democratic Party ) People expected.

Delays are not a great sign.

Allowing for this deadline of 2016 its still plausible that Thailand won't implode prior to that.

However this would (were the elections held in May 2016) mean two years since Military seized control.

That is an extraordinary long period for a transitional Government.

Many may correctly or incorrectly assume the military may not have the urgency of free and fair elections in their mind for the most part.

But benefit of the doubt could be extended if they keep their word (this time)

Further delays would incite a dire situation Nationally and even Internationally.

But even with such a new deadline , the question needs asking.

""Can the military control the Thai Nation until such time in an appeased manner?''

This will largely depend on his success in maintaining the economy and limiting the protests in a responsible manner.

Should deaths and civil strife manifest in will be harder to convince the world its a good caring Government.

And if stricter laws and controls are implemented it might inadvertently trigger opinion likewise.

Its a balancing act with Time the opposing forces best friend .

They know its a waiting game.

That improvements in the Thai economy must occur (or else)

That means the forecasts that bank on tourism numbers and Investment continues to rebound.

Should further unrest break out - or Bangkok turn on this Junta the game is much much harder.

And the cracks are showing.

Media will as time progresses be less tolerant.

And students will most likely do what they passionately feel inclined to do and protest.

Then there is Yingluck and how she is treated.

Should she be impeached and/or imprisoned the undercurrents will start to swirl.

Deals may be made in the hidden places to "other generals " with a Sympathetic slant.

In other words Civil war is at stake here.

So i hope the good general does indeed hold elections as if a date is set that will help provide a stable back drop.

The longer people are kept guessing the fewer their confidences

And so lets hope at some stage the PM announces an election date in the not so far off future.

May 2016 might work.

But even that might be too far away to wait.?

Edited November 27, 2014 by Fred Flinstone

[ginjag]

Cleaning beaches, removing streetvendors and fixing the taxi-ranks clearly takes time!!

Make a decent post please............Bang Saen---Chonburi, All the beach clear and lovely /natural. get up to date.

How many beaches are there in Thailand ??? your post is unreal.

Wording on TOPIC---COULD be 2016, but it was on TVF that 2016 was stated 2 months delay. Your propaganda post is sickening.

[ginjag]

Thailand is in a deceptively Calm situation that could erupt at any moment.

Democracy was what even the Bangkok (largely Democratic Party ) People expected.

Delays are not a great sign.

Allowing for this deadline of 2016 its still plausible that Thailand won't implode prior to that.

However this would (were the elections held in May 2016) mean two years since Military seized control.

That is an extraordinary long period for a transitional Government.

Many may correctly or incorrectly assume the military may not have the urgency of free and fair elections in their mind for the most part.

But benefit of the doubt could be extended if they keep their word (this time)

Further delays would incite a dire situation Nationally and even Internationally.

But even with such a new deadline , the question needs asking.

""Can the military control the Thai Nation until such time in an appeased manner?''

This will largely depend on his success in maintaining the economy and limiting the protests in a responsible manner.

Should deaths and civil strife manifest in will be harder to convince the world its a good caring Government.

And if stricter laws and controls are implemented it might inadvertently trigger opinion likewise.

Its a balancing act with Time the opposing forces best friend .

They know its a waiting game.

That improvements in the Thai economy must occur (or else)

That means the forecasts that bank on tourism numbers and Investment continues to rebound.

Should further unrest break out - or Bangkok turn on this Junta the game is much much harder.

And the cracks are showing.

Media will as time progresses be less tolerant.

And students will most likely do what they passionately feel inclined to do and protest.

Then there is Yingluck and how she is treated.

Should she be impeached and/or imprisoned the undercurrents will start to swirl.

Deals may be made in the hidden places to "other generals " with a Sympathetic slant.

In other words Civil war is at stake here.

So i hope the good general does indeed hold elections as if a date is set that will help provide a stable back drop.

The longer people are kept guessing the fewer their confidences

And so lets hope at some stage the PM announces an election date in the not so far off future.

May 2016 might work.

But even that might be too far away to wait.?

OTT post as per norm, civil war hahaha. How do you expect Yingluck to be treated ?? For the dung they left no wonder it will take time---wake up.

Military INTERVENED.

[h90]

Cleaning beaches, removing streetvendors and fixing the taxi-ranks clearly takes time!!

removing police bosses as well

[JOC]

Cleaning beaches, removing streetvendors and fixing the taxi-ranks clearly takes time!!

removing police bosses as well

But for some reason only those with a certain political affiliation!!

The yellow pigs were left at the trough.

Don't get me wrong, red or yellow, they should all go!!

[WhizBang]

Now why am I not surprised?