donsonny Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Thailand has just been pushed back 30 years and is hundreds of light years away from democracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Salt Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 2 hours ago, canuckamuck said: Much as I was hoping to see a little backbone from the people. Perhaps this is the only way to move forward. Agreed, but hang on folks... Surely the fact that there has been minimal blood shed (so common with election politics here) during this latest 'reign' has some value. Not to mention the battle with corruption which none of we visitors can really evaluate except for what we see (Phuket cleaned up in many areas). Thailand will not be ready for democracy until the corrupt polititions diminish (Possible?) and all Thais understand that placing a government in power for a term means just that... Give them a chance. Western style democracy, which has it's own set of problems, is not yet the answer here. Re this government, I genuinely believe (should one use the word genuinely here in Thailand when speaking of politics) that they are trying to do the right thing and from all accounts, including many comments here, through this referendum they have spoken. Accept it.... It's a done deal. No one in our area paid the winners to vote, no one threatened school kids with only teaching a certain coloured shirt supporter. Many other countries had far worse conditions and living standards and have moved ahead through seemingly rigid controls... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alive Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 5 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said: So many people (losers) here say that the Thais were uninformed. My uneducated WTB had no difficulty knowing what it was all about and voted accordingly. My wife and daughter didn't really understand it and my wife was helping run the local voting booth in her village. I work with educated folks and many couldn't explain this clearly. It's a confusing long charter. And the evidence is there that no alternative opinions were really allowed on the public media. This regime is all about censorship and oppression of information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denkiblue555 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 This really is amazing. So, people have voted not to vote in politicians in the Senate? Why would you do that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreasyFingers Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 1 minute ago, Alive said: My wife and daughter didn't really understand it and my wife was helping run the local voting booth in her village. I work with educated folks and many couldn't explain this clearly. It's a confusing long charter. And the evidence is there that no alternative opinions were really allowed on the public media. This regime is all about censorship and oppression of information. Maybe you should have explained it to your wife and daughter as you fully understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcris52 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Had to laugh at the TV email headline: "Thailand Referendum: Draft constitution wins approval; Man Has Throat Cut." The stories seemed to go well together. Wonder if it was intentional??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louse1953 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 1 hour ago, sharecropper said: Stockholm Syndrome. I also find it hard to believe they apparently counted 90%+ of votes within 4 hours of the polling booths closing. Rubbish.These are the same type of people that went to Bangkok and stood against the might of the Army and police.Thai's might be scared(worried) about the future of their country,but they are certainly not scared to stand up.They have chosen peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winniedapu Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 34 minutes ago, cumgranosalum said: "Thais voted with their heads" - as in banging them against a brick wall? Indeed, though I think I agree with Eric's original post, The low voter turnout is being mentioned in the ESP, but largely ignored otherwise. If I were Prayuth this is what I would be worried about, 61% of the turnout of 55% is hardly a majority of the voters, in fact it's only a third of eligible voters. One possible interpretation which I haven't seen widely canvassed (unsurprisingly) is that the majority of Thai voters couldn't see the point of voting at all. Not a ringing endorsement for the junta government.. There's no doubt the army won but it shouldn't be taken as a ringing endorsement from the Thai public, because it certainly wasn't. Thailand's fat lady is singing... Winnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorecard Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 4 hours ago, scorecard said: North-East in rounded numbers: Yes 49% No 51% I'm very surprising it wasn't a bigger % for No. IMHO it shows the red machine was at work but didn't convince all that many. Or maybe it means the paymasters thugs are no longer capable of frightening and/or brainwashing so many Issan folks. Interesting message "Jatuporn announced that he would keep this pre-referendum promise to not contest the next election if the draft charter is endorsed in the referendum." Hope he does keep his promise but not all that convinced, he can stir up trouble a hundred different ways and no doubt he will on the orders from the man from afar who will not be giving up just yet (perhaps that means until he's bankrupt and there have been reports that his wealth has decreased enormously). Another angle - hopefully the clown will be in jail before the next government finishes anyway, he's currently been convicted on several counts but on bail to appeal, it will all catch up with him eventually. And same with quite a few more of his cohorts. The bigger picture, those who broke the law from any colour or other group should of course be investigated and punished if found guilty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlQaholic Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Doesn't really matter if this constitution was approved by the masses.....Next government will just make a new one, and then there will be another coup and another "road to happiness" and another charter..... When the constitution is remade every 5 to 10 years it somehow looses it's merits......whats the point in all of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreasyFingers Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 2 minutes ago, Winniedapu said: Indeed, though I think I agree with Eric's original post, The low voter turnout is being mentioned in the ESP, but largely ignored otherwise. If I were Prayuth this is what I would be worried about, 61% of the turnout of 55% is hardly a majority of the voters, in fact it's only a third of eligible voters. One possible interpretation which I haven't seen widely canvassed (unsurprisingly) is that the majority of Thai voters couldn't see the point of voting at all. Not a ringing endorsement for the junta government.. There's no doubt the army won but it shouldn't be taken as a ringing endorsement from the Thai public, because it certainly wasn't. Thailand's fat lady is singing... Winnie The turnout for the last election was 66% so not a big difference percentage wise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winniedapu Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 2 minutes ago, louse1953 said: Rubbish.These are the same type of people that went to Bangkok and stood against the might of the Army and police.Thai's might be scared(worried) about the future of their country,but they are certainly not scared to stand up.They have chosen peace. Why is it rubbish? The fact that the draft constitution was supported by only a third of eligible voters certainly isn't rubbish. I doubt they chose peace, they chose futility, which ultimately will not be peace, imho. "These are the same type of people that went to Bangkok and stood against the might of the Army and police". And were shot down like dogs for their trouble. By a Prayuth-commanded section of the 'Royal' Thai Army whose job it is to secure the safety of the Thai people from external threat. I cannot for the life of me see your logic, though I wouldn't dram of calling it rubbish. That just wouldn't be polite. Winnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toscano Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 1 hour ago, does said: My condolences to all commentors with this election result. Be patient; the perfection and beauty of western-style democracy will ultimately come to Thailand. Until such time, just hang in there! (PS You could alway move to another Asia country which already has a perfect western-style democracy.) Of course you're joking !!! Lol !!! " The perfection and beauty of western-style , " American style " democracy ? Perhaps you could name another Asian country with western-style democracy ? Lol !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alive Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 2 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said: Maybe you should have explained it to your wife and daughter as you fully understand it. I did and others. Its confusing to me too. Anyways, our village rejected it so you are right some people do get what is going on. Why would anyone give up the freedom to elect people who represent you? Thailand's military and royalists are all about oppression and empowering their cronies and nepots. If not, they wouldn't censor or use threats and violence to crush the will of the people. The evidence is there and this is exactly how they keep people down and turn people off from voting. There should be open discussion about endless issues here but this regime is keeping the Fear-the-powerful-and-connected theme. People fear to speak and just put things out of their heads. Thais have learned to do this under the conditions they live in. If they didn't they'd be detained, jailed or dead for speaking the truth about the corruption they see everyday and abuse by elites around them. Fear, Ignorance, and real threats are the tools of the military and royalist elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuanku Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 On to elections then. Interesting to see if any populist party is able to form and stand, and if so, if the previous voting patterns remain. Time for some new blood in politics, perhaps from the students who have led the resistance to the Junta. Once the unspeakable event happens, the political landscape may change again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmsally Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 It really is deja vu; almost an exact rerun of 2007. A slight win for an army constitution as most people not sure what going on or felt held to ransom. Last time didn't work out so don't have any optimism for this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louse1953 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 1 hour ago, cockatoowho said: Can't agree more, if you watched how long it took to tally each vote, it was quite obvious that it was an impossibility. Rubbish.Counting a thousand votes by 8 people then phoning in the result.How long can that take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Loh Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 4 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said: The turnout for the last election was 66% so not a big difference percentage wise Correction. It was 75.03% turnout and it is a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mesterm Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Now that the Thai people have decided they want a military government for the next few years, I guess all us farangs online should just shut up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmitch Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 51 minutes ago, louse1953 said: I agree.They voted on whether they like Prayuth or not. Surely not. If that was the case then YES would have received 99.8% of the vote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 5 minutes ago, Toscano said: Of course you're joking !!! Lol !!! " The perfection and beauty of western-style , " American style " democracy ? Perhaps you could name another Asian country with western-style democracy ? Lol !!! Perhaps you could name another Asian country with western-style democracy ? Lol !!! I think does does sarcasm quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toscano Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 1 hour ago, kennw said: Some may not like it but preventing the political parties from telling their supporters how to vote at least put responsibility on voters to read the constitution sent to them and think for themselves. The low turnout indicates many did not accept that responsibility. How can you vote for something you know nothing about ? The people were either voting along party lines , or in the belief that they will get free elections to form a truly democratic government . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winniedapu Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 12 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said: The turnout for the last election was 66% so not a big difference percentage wise Not relevant - you're comparing apples and oranges. This was a referendum not an election. The percentage of eligible voters supporting the draft constitution was 33%. Not an accolade for Mr Prayuth by any stretch of the imagination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreasyFingers Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 11 minutes ago, Eric Loh said: Correction. It was 75.03% turnout and it is a big difference. "According to preliminary figures from the Electoral Commission the voter turnout was at 65.99%" I have seen your figure in another article so maybe we chck with the EC again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louse1953 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 55 minutes ago, kingstonkid said: Looking at the map iot is easy to see that most of the country voted for a change. The red shirt areas are even smaller than they used to be. People can say it is a sham or whatever, BUT, the fact is that if the red shirt UDD had as much control as it usually does and if it was soo bad then the Democratic party and the UDD would have been able to mass their people anywy. Therefore no matter what the rest of the world and even some yahoo in Tokyo think this is the way the country will be run. Does it have some pitfalls yes but the one ting that may be beneficial is that no party is going to be able to promise the world and screw the country. The usual flow of money from outside the country didn't arrive,so the mercenaries stayed home.No money,no support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosha Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Why was somebody stood looking to see how the PM voted? Isn't it supposed to be private?Sent from my SMART_4G_Speedy_5inch using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 (edited) What percentage of eligible voters vote in US elections? what percentage of the eligible vote did each us president get? Edited August 8, 2016 by harrry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 (edited) 52 minutes ago, Thailand said: It was already available in the early hours of this morning, amazing! 52 minutes ago, Thailand said: 52 minutes ago, Thailand said: Actually I was wrong,it was posted on an online newspaper at 8.45pm last evening.Irrespective,sadly Thailand is now at the point where Myanmar was 40 years ago! Edited August 8, 2016 by Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winniedapu Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 18 minutes ago, Eric Loh said: Correction. It was 75.03% turnout and it is a big difference. There's no point comparing a referendum turnout to an election turnout. Apples and oranges. Winnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Loh Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 7 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said: "According to preliminary figures from the Electoral Commission the voter turnout was at 65.99%" I have seen your figure in another article so maybe we chck with the EC again. http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=4ff673240b01dabf3c024817#.V6f7H2thiK0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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