Election to be put off until 2018 amid legal delay: NLA

[55Jay]

Yesterday, it was General Somchai saying the Army would not interfere in the election outcome,  and TVF'ers joked cynically, "What election?". 

[Squeegee]

Is this the right way to The Thai Military Junta Bi-Annual Elections Will Be Delayed thread?

[candide]

So if it happens in 2018, then you can add 5 years of indirect government by the army through the puppet senate, various puppet committees such as the reform committee, and puppet independent organisations, they will be de facto in power until 2023.

As they started in 2014, they will have remained 9 years in power, nearly as long as Thaksin's direct and indirect government.

 

[baboon]

1 hour ago, yardrunner said:

IIs the same in all countries but perhaps more blatant in Thailand, in the UK you have politicians promising tax cuts and more spending on the NHS but after the election there is always a reason why they canr keep their promises and as for the USA and Trump, well his promises were changing almost daily before the election and he is backpedaling on his promises before he has even taken office 

It is exactly the same once you subtract the citizenry's right to vote, to view the media content they wish and comment upon pubically, the right to demonstrate on the streets, the right to berate the government on radio talk shows, the right to set up Facebook pages and click 'like' to any content they choose, the right to call for an end to their monarchies...

I mean other than that...

[Baerboxer]

13 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

 

I can agree with you that the amnesty bill was unpopular and the voices of the people were heard on the street and resulted in the bill being aborted. Why was a coup needed when the people got what they were protesting and went back home satisfied. 

 

Spot on Eric - the "let's whitewash Thaksin" bill was vastly unpopular.

 

The problem was Yingluck lied (again) when she repeatedly said all the versions of the amnesty bill had been aborted. All the various versions were aborted apart from one - and funnily enough it was the one doctored to whitewash her brother. PTP gambled on holding on to power until that bill returned to the lower house and could have been rubber stamped into law. 

That pro-longed the protests and allowed others to steal them for their own agenda. PTP's reaction, as in the past, was violence and as in the past the police did bugger all about it. Creating the spark the military were waiting for. 

 

Undoubtedly lots of manipulations and machinations going on - but PTP contributed significantly to creating the conditions for a coup by their obsession with whitewashing Thaksin and putting him above the law.

[tomacht8]

I believe many many Thai people have lost confidence in elections, politicians and governments, after so many changes of governments and military putsches.
All those who are in power have yet always only filled their own pockets with money and tries to shape the laws in their own mind, and to impose their misdeeds without a trace.

Many ordinary people have never seen or have never experienced that elections in good people's representatives can change their lives, besides 500 Baht voting money cash in their hands. There are always the same power clusters, which alternately put the money into their own pockets when they are in power.
Once poor, always poor.

So what is the progress over the past 30 years?
Sufficient old-age provision in a society that is increasingly aging?
Versatile educational opportunities, even for the socially weak?
Affordable health care, even for the average earners on the rice fields and in the factories?
Rising, inflation-adjusted net income for the broad masses?
Reasonable water and sewage supplies?
Reasonable waste disposal?
Equality law for all?
Environmental protection and resource conservation?

They have reached better power supply, mobile phones for all, and more cars on credit.
No glory for the governments of the last 30 years.

As another poster wrote:
The making of money, in a sick society, overrides safety, morality and good will.
The last electoral participation in the constitution was very low.
In the future there will be elections, but no one is going to vote.
A horror scenario for every democracy.


 

Edited January 2, 2017 by tomacht8

[gk10002000]

8 hours ago, gamini said:

so what. The average Thai couldn't care less if there is an election or not. They know it won't make any difference to their lives whatever political party comes to power, just as in the past. They have always had no choice but to vote for a business party. All major parties have exactly the same agenda. There are no farmers parties, labour parties, socialist parties or green parties.

Interesting point.  Thailand will not in my lifetime have a coalition type of government, and they also will never get a house of representatives type of government where each province that presumably have their own wants and desires, will get proportional representation.

[Mike555]

As if an election would mean anything anyway with the Junta involved. Just more of the same. Prayut has drunk way too much of his own Kool-aid to ever let go of power. 

[Thechook]

21 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

I'm shocked that the election will be delayed!!!!

Shocked I tell you.

What excuse will they use in the approach to 2018 I wonder?

Poor weather and Prayuth loves the people and doesn't want them to get ill when they all come out to vote for him.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

Thailand will not in my lifetime have a coalition type of government

Thailand already has had a coalition government. After the election in 2012  Yingluck's PTP formed a coalition with the minor parties of Chartthaipattana, Chart Pattana, Chart Pattana Puea Pandin and Phalang Chon. The referendum approved 2016 draft Constitution assures the continuation of coalition governments. Albeit with even more parties likely required to form a coalition government and creating the potential for politically unstable governments suitable to control by a junta-controlled Senate and Constitutional Organizations.

[Srikcir]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

expect the next general election to take place early in 2018

I expect a new national poll anytime now that will show 95% of those polled will accept delayed elections, no matter whether it be 2018 or later; thus, supporting the junta's delay and a Happy Ending (for the junta).

[DuiDui48]

22 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

I'm shocked that the election will be delayed!!!!

Shocked I tell you.

What excuse will they use in the approach to 2018 I wonder?

Maybe...BRAEK FAILURE....Morning from Udon-Thani and 2017 Greetings..Have a good day.

[tigermoth]

No surprise in this announcement but have they really thought about it? They are risking a real civic revolution against themselves. Not only that but the western world which gives millions to Thailand in aid will cut it. Maybe the semi educated Thais who most of us know will not care because no matter who is in power they get sweet fa out of it but those who think about their country and its future are already very angry and this delay is exactly the type of Junta maneouvering to stay in power which will set them alight. We do not want another Syria in this beautiful coumtry.

[IMA_FARANG]

And why does this news surprise you anyhow?

Question: Which will come first in history a Thai election or Teresa May actually have talks with the EU qbout a Brexit deal?

 

[Falcon]

No one should have expected anything different. This announcement just 2 days after the army chief announced that they would not interfere with the outcome of the next election! It's just like Africa, once the army gets in power, they never give up power. There's too much in it for them, money, power, etc. etc.

[connda]

"Elections" and "Wat Dhammakaya".  Ah-uh.

[elgordo38]

21 hours ago, rtco said:

555 ... I knew it. OK guys let's hang onto power for a bit longer and completely f#$k up this country before we have democratic rigged elections that will ensure we hold onto power a bit longer but with civilian clothes on. 

I really think your onto something

[elgordo38]

On 1/2/2017 at 9:05 AM, gk10002000 said:

roadmap to democracy.  siiiiigh.  But if the so called elected officials don't do what the military wants, they will be overthrown.  That is not a democracy

Didn't see the bottom screen news on Channel Asia by the head honcho of the military!!! (There Will Be No More Coups) till next time he he he

[tbthailand]

On January 2, 2017 at 0:28 PM, robblok said:

Not a shred of evidence.. the amnesty bill is what brought the people out.. it might not be the main reason.. but its the fatal mistake the PTP made. For the people this was the reason.. whatever reason the army has .. that is not important. Without the chance offered by YL because they are so arrogant (we got voted in we can do what we like ) this would not have happened, or would have been severely opposed.

 

The amnesty bill was all ok.. until overnight Thaksins name appeared even though they assured us before that his name would not be included.. SO even when the bill was killed nobody trusted them not to revive it again given their promises before. 

 

Then of course letting their thugs intimidate the peaceful protesters and bombing them escalating it all again stupidly played. 

The amnesty bill got things rolling, but it was just an event that resonated. 

 

Suthep was busy in August 2013 trying to get protests in the streets. The amnesty bill was November. There was a constant pressure to generate "rage" since the 2011 elections. The Dems tried to take the PTP to court in August of 2011, ... 

 

The fact is that Suthep finally tripped over a trigger and the rest was history / planned. BTW, your last point of thugs & peaceful protesters is a nice yellow-tinged rewrite of history, but nothing more... As anyone who had their eyes open in 2013/14 could see, the PTP government was exceptionally careful to avoid violence.  For rather obvious reasons. And Suthep was doing his absolute best to provoke violence. For rather obvious reasons. 

 

Now it is nearly 3 years down the road and we have neither reforms nor elections, so I guess that "reforms before elections" wasn't ever really the point, .... 

 

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, tbthailand said:

The amnesty bill got things rolling, but it was just an event that resonated. 

 

Suthep was busy in August 2013 trying to get protests in the streets. The amnesty bill was November. There was a constant pressure to generate "rage" since the 2011 elections. The Dems tried to take the PTP to court in August of 2011, ... 

 

The fact is that Suthep finally tripped over a trigger and the rest was history / planned. BTW, your last point of thugs & peaceful protesters is a nice yellow-tinged rewrite of history, but nothing more... As anyone who had their eyes open in 2013/14 could see, the PTP government was exceptionally careful to avoid violence.  For rather obvious reasons. And Suthep was doing his absolute best to provoke violence. For rather obvious reasons. 

 

Now it is nearly 3 years down the road and we have neither reforms nor elections, so I guess that "reforms before elections" wasn't ever really the point, .... 

 

If someone is rewriting history its you...

 

Forgetting that 4 kids were killed by red thugs..

Forgetting that Charlem himself said protesters should go home because a third hand would harm them. (yea the redshirts that were unleashed on them) 

People at a  red shirt gathering applauding about the violence in Trad that left 2 kids dead (yes they did not know about the dead kids at that time but they knew about the violence)

Come on the reds wanted to break up the protests at all cost.. and cost it did.

 

A Sinn fein and their IRA.. you had the PTP and their redshirts.. 

Edited January 3, 2017 by robblok

[tbthailand]

10 minutes ago, robblok said:

If someone is rewriting history its you...

 

Forgetting that 4 kids were killed by red thugs..

Forgetting that Charlem himself said protesters should go home because a third hand would harm them. (yea the redshirts that were unleashed on them) 

People at a  red shirt gathering applauding about the violence in Trad that left 2 kids dead (yes they did not know about the dead kids at that time but they knew about the violence)

Come on the reds wanted to break up the protests at all cost.. and cost it did.

 

A Sinn fein and their IRA.. you had the PTP and their redshirts.. 

ah, yes, ... 6 months and in total some 28 people were killed, ... including a police officer (by the protesters)... No one said that there was no violence. But you still re-write history. 6 months, ... very little violence in spite of Suthep and his protesters having free run of BKK and chasing the PTP government around town... Compared to 2 months and 100 dead. The vast majority shot and killed by the army.   That you cannot see the difference and the intentions of the respective governments which were in power speaks volumes about your lack of objectivity and connection to reality. 

[Fookhaht]

This just out:

Is there disagreement in high places, or were they just "testing the waters?"


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[George Graham]

8 hours ago, robblok said:

If someone is rewriting history its you...

 

Forgetting that 4 kids were killed by red thugs..

Forgetting that Charlem himself said protesters should go home because a third hand would harm them. (yea the redshirts that were unleashed on them) 

People at a  red shirt gathering applauding about the violence in Trad that left 2 kids dead (yes they did not know about the dead kids at that time but they knew about the violence)

Come on the reds wanted to break up the protests at all cost.. and cost it did.

 

A Sinn fein and their IRA.. you had the PTP and their redshirts.. 

An offensive and ridiculous comparison that in my humble opinion should be " moded" I suppose I should say "father forgive him (robblok) for he speaks from his arse."