Election experts point to lessons from the US for 'feudalistic' Thai society
By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

THE UNITED STATES may have a vastly different political context than Thailand, but last month’s US presidential election could provide lessons to enhance election participation in the Kingdom, a forum heard yesterday.

 

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said using technology could facilitate the election process and encourage the public to exercise a wider range of choices at the ballot box.

At the forum held by the Election Commission, Somchai said most electoral constituencies in the US used electronic machines to facilitate the casting and counting of votes, although constituencies often oversaw elections differently according to rules set by local authorities.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30301739

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-12-09

THE UNITED STATES may have a vastly different political context than Thailand… (good approach).

And since when is Thailand accepting “lessons” from outside if there is no pressure, sanctions or cash involved?

Our system is old and archaic and with the passage of time is well outdated and needs to be changed. But it works, not like everyone wants so changes need to be made, but these take time and the changes will interrupt a lot of  opportunities for cheating and intimidation.

One Person One Vote the only it will work.

Vigilance is the price of freedom. We must always be on guard to stop the subversion of the persons who would infringe on our  rights As detailed in our Constitution.

It is time to review again the document that defines who we are and what our rights are.

We have strayed away from both contented and intent of this Document that defines us as a country.

Download a copy of Constitution of The United States of America, read it, study it, know what your rights are and make sure you elect people who will "Protect and defend the constitution of The United States of America.

I have taken this oath many times in the course of my life.

Read it, Defend it.

It is ours and ours alone and it works if we let it!

 

"He said regular, uninterrupted elections would help to foster a participation-oriented mindset in society".

 

Well said and hit the nail right on the spot. But not spoken by Somchai who lacks the guts of the professor and try to distract from the very important and fundamental aspect of enhancing election participation. .  

 

“Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said using technology could facilitate the election process…” 

“Unlike the US system, which is result-oriented, the Thai society is more feudalistic and we also don’t have a clear separation of powers,”

Right. Facilitate the election process in favor of the those in power. Especially when the government controls the technical aspect of the elections.  

 

“Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.” ―  Joseph Stalin

 

Eliminating feudalism in all its forms in Thai society will always be a challenge.

.Oh yeah!  the USA  two party system, and Congress   is  a  real  peach of  a system.

  Just   look   who   the  last  two people  that   the  population  of  that   country

had  to   vote  for.   Way  to  go   USA!

Geezer

33 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

.Oh yeah!  the USA  two party system, and Congress   is  a  real  peach of  a system.

  Just   look   who   the  last  two people  that   the  population  of  that   country

had  to   vote  for.   Way  to  go   USA!

Geezer

 

Democracy is not perfect, BUT it surely beats whatever is second best!

8 hours ago, webfact said:

encourage the public to exercise a wider range of choices at the ballot box.

Interpreted. Divide and conquer. 

4 hours ago, ksamuiguy said:

One Person One Vote the only it will work.

Yes and its amazing that workers keep hoping against hope that the Republicans are their saviors. Pitchforks and pointed tails. 

4 hours ago, ksamuiguy said:

It is ours and ours alone and it works if we let it!

Methinks there may be a meeting of the minds at street level to enforce it. Right to the center and Blue to the left and right. Together we stand divided we fall comes to mind. 

They need to do whatever is in their power, to try to get an understanding of democracy, how it works, and how it can be applied to their country. Sooner or later, the country is not only going to be ready for it, but will be deserving of it.

 

 

The USA has its own issues, but it is far (as of today) away from a military dictatorship. That is lesson 1

 

Lesson 2, voter participation in the USA (and elsewhere) has absolutely 100% nothing to do with the voting technology. It has to do with the sense of enfranchisement. In Thailand, that is at an all-time low, now isn't it?

 

Lesson 3, lifting the restrictions on access to voters around the voting booths is not going to increase democratic outcomes, even if this anti-democrat from the anti-EC thinks that exit polling is a reasonable cover for this move..