I'm really not sure how to title this thread, but I'm sure you will get the idea....

My wife, son and I have been living divided between Thailand and Australia for the last 10 years. Well, the boy is only 4, so he has been in and out for 4 years..

Anyway; my wife qualified for Australian citizenship last year.

Today she qualified to vote in Australia for the first time; and did so with great interest ,in the Queensland state elections.

When I asked her why she is so interested, she replied that after 10 years she finally has a sense of ownership or authority in what goes on in Australia. Although her vote is only one in a few million, it is still her choice in the direction of the state and country.

I also reminded her that as an Australian citizen, she can approach her local member of parliament or senator at any time with a complaint or compliment. I believe that for the first time in her life she understands that, albeit a small part, she helps to control the outcome of our country.

So the context of my thread is this...

Do Thais believe that they have some control over Thailand?

And more to the point:

Would it do Thailand good if the laws of immigration allowed eligible "foreign born citizens" (in inverted commas) the right to vote in Thailand?

PS. As a footnote.

If your partner is spending time in your country, consider letting her/ him have the same rights. It will increase their interest in your country of origin, and their new home.

PPS. Edited "adverted commas" to "inverted commas". (spellcheck typo...)

Edited January 31, 201511 yr by sipi

I find it hilarious that either one of you think you have any control of what happens in Oz!! lol

I find it hilarious that either one of you think you have any control of what happens in Oz!! lol

Even funnier that the OP could even contemplate the prospect of Farangs voting in Thailand,

"foreign born citizens" are somewhere behind the family dog in the order of importance, so I doubt that voting rights would be a priority.

The majority vote for he/she who gives them the most money, its as simple as that.

Edited January 31, 201511 yr by kannot

I find it hilarious that either one of you think you have any control of what happens in Oz!! lol

My condolences that you have never lived in a democracy.

I find it hilarious that either one of you think you have any control of what happens in Oz!! lol

My condolences that you have never lived in a democracy.

neither have you pal

Sipi ol' mate...the right to vote is currently taken away from Thais though i doubt "foreign born citizens" has any rights either...sadly.

but on the other hand i would like to get treated in the same way as my wife gets treated in my home country:can work where i want,don't need to report,be part of medical health care... i don't need to vote here wouldn't know for whom anyway...

In the village come vote time they all get excited cause everyone gets money.

Funny thing is even the guy who no one's voting for gives them money!

Anyway you can vote in Thailand if you get Thai citizenship. Just like Australia.

Sipi ol' mate...the right to vote is currently taken away from Thais though i doubt "foreign born citizens" has any rights either...sadly.

but on the other hand i would like to get treated in the same way as my wife gets treated in my home country:can work where i want,don't need to report,be part of medical health care... i don't need to vote here wouldn't know for whom anyway...

Thanks CC for your sensible reply.

The title is "A sense of ownership". A feeling of "belonging". Not the actual ownership. That will never happen for us in Thailand.

But it can happen for Thai abroad.

Yes, it would do Thais good if the laws of immigration allowed eligible foreign born citizens to vote because they'd then have the perfect excuse for when everything goes tit's up... whitey's fault jing jing! But you and I both know that there is as much chance as non-Thais being allowed to have a say-so in how this place is run as there is in Mugabe committing harikari on live TV and saving the rest of the world the utter misery at watching the plick celebrate his centenary.

Its always exciting to do something for the first time. The best way to celebrate her new acquired citizenship is probably by voting. Who did she vote for lol?

Sipi ol' mate...the right to vote is currently taken away from Thais though i doubt "foreign born citizens" has any rights either...sadly.

but on the other hand i would like to get treated in the same way as my wife gets treated in my home country:can work where i want,don't need to report,be part of medical health care... i don't need to vote here wouldn't know for whom anyway...

Thanks CC for your sensible reply.

The title is "A sense of ownership". A feeling of "belonging". Not the actual ownership. That will never happen for us in Thailand.

But it can happen for Thai abroad.

in my Country after 3 years...but haven't been there since more than 5 years...

WE are Aliens,why would they give Aliens a vote.

WE are Aliens,why would they give Aliens a vote.

Speak for yourself...........by the way witch planet you were born on?

I come from planet Earth and I would have liked to be able to vote in the country I live.

Its always exciting to do something for the first time. The best way to celebrate her new acquired citizenship is probably by voting. Who did she vote for lol?

She voted "Labour". We live in a safe "Liberal" seat, so her vote probably won't matter. But that is besides the point, she had the opportunity to express her feelings..

WE are Aliens,why would they give Aliens a vote.

Speak for yourself...........by the way witch planet you were born on?

I come from planet Earth and I would have liked to be able to vote in the country I live.

What would Greeks know about democracy?

Ok, You possibly invented it, and recently overthrew your government by election; but so what?

WE are Aliens,why would they give Aliens a vote.

Speak for yourself...........by the way witch planet you were born on?

I come from planet Earth and I would have liked to be able to vote in the country I live.

as youre someone not too adept at english usage, its probably to be expected that you dont realize youre an alien

WE are Aliens,why would they give Aliens a vote.

Speak for yourself...........by the way witch planet you were born on?

I come from planet Earth and I would have liked to be able to vote in the country I live.

as youre someone not too adept at english usage, its probably to be expected that you dont realize youre an alien

Still young and learning.......read my posts in 30 years time.........you will notice the difference........

I do not think most Thais I know pay much attention to what is going on in their country.

Mai pen rai.

Maybe because they feel they do not have much influence.

There only concern at election time seems to be " who will pay the most for my vote".

My Thai wife, while living with me in America, became very interested in the US government system and elections.

She could not vote there, but we would always discuss and agree on how I would vote....for both of us.

P.S., she still follows U.S. politics on the news each night.

"Who will pay the most for my vote"

Not a Thai phenomenon.

Isn't that what is on our minds at voting time?

Sure, they don't pay directly (as in Thailand), but we look at where the budget lies. If you invest my taxes wisely I'll vote for you, simple as that.

Australia does not have megalomaniac generals to worry about....... I understand why your wife feels proud and motivated.

I find it hilarious that either one of you think you have any control of what happens in Oz!! lol

And I should also explain to my Thai wife that her registered Australian vote is irrelevant?

No matter which country offers her citizenship, she will forever live under a dictatorship???

Edited January 31, 201511 yr by sipi

My wife has British citizenship and would like to vote in the UK Elections, but she cannot read Polish.

My wife is working on her US citizenship and also is very excited about being able to vote.

Thais have no vote in Thailand, so why should foreigners.

(did you not notice the coup?)

At least you are all more equal now!

My wife believes her vote counts in Thailand and is mightily missed off at present that her right to vote has been taken away from her.

My wife is working on her US citizenship and also is very excited about being able to vote.

It is the whole "equality" thing. I'm sure she will feel proud.

I lived in Central America for a few year during voting time I got on a bus that stop at ever Bar bought drinks for everybody handed money and tee shirt out even thou I couldn't vote they gave me a tee shirt and money the one hour bus ride lasted about 6 hours and I got really drunk lol

AYJAYDEE. OK, so there are some mistakes in Costas's English, but he does well for a non English native speaker, and all his posts are easy to understand, you never seem to have anything decent to say about anyone.

AYJAYDEE. OK, so there are some mistakes in Costas's English, but he does well for a non English native speaker, and all his posts are easy to understand, you never seem to have anything decent to say about anyone.

I agree possum 1931.

I have no problem understanding Costa's English and value his input.

On the other hand, I understand AYJAYEE as well and tired of his negative input so much that I put him on ignore months ago.