Thailand’s democracy index ranking continues to slide downward

[webfact]

Thailand’s democracy index ranking continues to slide downward

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) Democracy Index performance has steadily dropped in the past five years since 2012 having scored 6.55 points until last year when it scored just 4.92 points and was placed in the Hybrid regime group.

 

Thailand’s scores for the past five years are as follows: 6.55 in 2012, 6.25 in 2013, 5.39 in 2014, 5.09 in 2015 and 4.92 in 2016.

 

Among Asean Ten, nine were measured and Thailand last year ranked 5th after Indonesia’s 6.97, the Philippines’ 6.94, Malaysia’s 6.54 and Singapore’s 6.38.

 

Worldwide, Thailand was placed on 100th ranking out of 167 countries measured by EIU’s Democracy Index. The top ten last year were Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland and Australia.

 

EIU ‘s Democracy Index measures the state of democracy by rating electoral processes and pluralism, the state of civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation and political culture in more than 160 countries worldwide.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thailands-democracy-index-ranking-continues-slide-downward/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-03-03

[Reigntax]

One notch off being equal to China. Prayuths comrades will be proud of his underachievement's. 

[plachon]

Am surprised Myanmar doesn't get a higher ranking than Thailand as a "hybrid regime". At least Myanmar's current set of leaders came from elections and they have made great strides in allowing civil society to have a role in the nation's development, and arguably, have a freer press and  better freedom of speech than their eastern neighbour.

Also interesting is France's ranking as a "flawed democracy", on a par with the US (correct ranking). I know which country I would rather live and be an active citizen in - and it ain't Trumpland. 

[wakeupplease]

What are they talking about/ We have democracy here but its called The Chosen One Democracy, It's A New world style

OK over to the usual suspects

 

[Captain_Bob]

"Reform before elections" has eventually become a joke. It feels more like a xenophobic dictatorship day by day. Promising to "move forward" stop acting like backwards cavemen with all this insular nationalistic "Thainess". Oh wait, farang if you don't agree get out! ;-) 

[wakeupplease]

2 minutes ago, Captain_Bob said:

"Reform before elections" has eventually become a joke. It feels more like a xenophobic dictatorship day by day. Promising to "move forward" stop acting like backwards cavemen with all this insular nationalistic "Thainess". Oh wait, farang if you don't agree get out! ;-) 

Did you say cavemen?, I would have said a lot lower than that

[rkidlad]

This sounds wrong. Like a big misunderstanding. 

 

I look forward to some official clearing this up for us by talking on other people's behalf.

 

Thank you, please. 

[wump]

This map is not very friendly to red-green blind people. Why not choose blue and red?

[Eligius]

I am amazed that current Thailand has got any points at all in this 'Democracy' ranking. Democracy here is less than a ghost and likely to continue that way for many years to come.

[darksidedog]

I am sure a denial will be issued shortly, explainging how this report has it all wrong, just like every other report critical of Thailand.

[whatawonderfulday]

They ( The despots and Elites ) won't be happy until Thailand is vying for bottom place alongside N Korea.  Then watch out those democratically elected politicians thrown out of office by the Junta,  you may get a VX nosewipe at the airport.

[yellowboat]

The Economist is being rather generous.  They probably have holiday plans do not wish to have messed up.  Thailand basks in the glow of under achievement

Edited March 3, 2017 by yellowboat

[Srikcir]

Hybrid regime is very generous for Thailand. No doubt giving optimistic credit for Prayut's promise of elections in 2018 and the passing referendum on the 2016 draft constitution. But that optimism is fragile and if Prayut increases denial of freedom of expression, rights and liberties of the Thai people, especially with more authoritarian laws, further delay for elections and protection of government/military from corruption investigations, 2017 might show a further decline into "Authoritarian Regime."

 

There will be a new meaning for Thailand 4.0 - its democracy index.

[Squeegee]

A spokestoad who wished to remain anonymous said, "Of course they can have their opinions and their polls. They think they're being helpful, but really they must make an effort to understand the difficult situation here in Thailand, and that these kinds of things, like speaking negatively on new social media, can cause many problems in society.

"We are determined not to return to the bombings and that's why we ask people to be patient and think longer term for the necessary reforms and return to democracy. Remember, the PM said himself he is a democratic soldier."

[chainarong]

Whilst there's any sniff of military involvement whether a Junta or departments heads  run by Generals this index wont score Thailand very favorably, regardless any elections held by the junta will be regarded as a sham, which they are  and as mentioned before any military involvement and or interfering in Government administration isn't a democracy , there's no place in a democracy for military interference..........................................

[ikke]

Impossible that Thailand scores any point, only the existence of art 44 is enough to know Thailand scores zero !

There is no democracy at all as non of the leaders is chosen by the people and all get the job with a military coup. so the makers of this "scorecard"  index ranking are selling bullsh*t....  

[Brer Fox]

3 hours ago, Eligius said:

I am amazed that current Thailand has got any points at all in this 'Democracy' ranking. Democracy here is less than a ghost and likely to continue that way for many years to come.

For those interested here is part of the Wiki explanation of how the rankings are arrived at. Can't help but wonder with a smile what Thailand's scores would be for Catagory 4

As described in the report,^[2] the democracy index is a weighted average based on the answers of 60 questions, each one with either two or three permitted alternative answers. Most answers are "experts' assessments"; the report does not indicate what kinds of experts, nor their number, nor whether the experts are employees of the Economist Intelligence Unit or independent scholars, nor the nationalities of the experts. Some answers are provided by public-opinion surveys from the respective countries. In the case of countries for which survey results are missing, survey results for similar countries and expert assessments are used in order to fill in gaps.

The questions are distributed in the five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. Each answer is translated to a mark, either 0 or 1, or for the three-answer alternative questions, 0.5. With the exceptions mentioned below, the sums are added within each category, multiplied by ten, and divided by the total number of questions within the category. There are a few modifying dependencies, which are explained much more precisely than the main rule procedures. In a few cases, an answer yielding zero for one question voids another question; e.g., if the elections for the national legislature and head of government are not considered free (question 1), then the next question, "Are elections... fair?" is not considered, but automatically marked zero. Likewise, there are a few questions considered so important that a low score on them yields a penalty on the total score sum for their respective categories, namely:

1. "Whether national elections are free and fair";
2. "The security of voters";
3. "The influence of foreign powers on government";
4. "The capability of the civil servants to implement policies".

[elgordo38]

Prayuth This is a flawed study and we are dismissing it. 

[ujayujay]

Oh nooooo......why!!!!

[TKDfella]

2 hours ago, darksidedog said:

I am sure a denial will be issued shortly, explainging how this report has it all wrong, just like every other report critical of Thailand.

Naa, a chat on the phone and '...they now understand...', Ha!

[Scott]

Posts removed and suspension given.   This topic is not about US politics or Trump.   Stay on topic.  

[Reigntax]

7 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

What are they talking about/ We have democracy here but its called The Chosen One Democracy, It's A New world style

OK over to the usual suspects

 

 

The problem is who is doing the choosing. 

[philosphrstone]

What a crock...  I am from Canada and to say we have a total democracy there is a complete and utter lie.  35% of the vote is all that is required to have a majority government (ie dictatorship) there...  Our civil liberties also continue to be eroded with every passing day.  We have 3 political parties of which two only ever get into power...  political participation is low because, just like everywhere else, the rich get their way no matter what.  We also have a prime minister who has no qualifications and got elected because his father was PM 30 years ago and he is nice to look at.  If Canada is one of the most democratic nations in the world then that is basically saying democracy is dead.  Thailand is not so bad...

Edited March 3, 2017 by philosphrstone

[apalink_thailand]

Some of you seem to forget that a working democracy requires THE PEOPLE (all people) to get involved and to elect representatives to government that look out for their constituents interests. These representatives must be genuinely qualified and not just be the the sons of an influential business man. The constituents must have the power to remove their elected officials if and when necessary.  Can they? Do they? No, they are too scared. The constituents must involve themselves in local and provincial politics and not be afraid to speak up. Do you think this is happening here in Thailand for real? I once read that democracy is the rich man’s folly and I do not believe that Thailand is ready for real democracy. Frankly, I would rather have the government we have now then resort back to Red vs Yellow and the very real possibility of a civil war.

[apalink_thailand]

1 hour ago, philosphrstone said:

What a crock...  I am from Canada and to say we have a total democracy there is a complete and utter lie.  35% of the vote is all that is required to have a majority government (ie dictatorship) there...  Our civil liberties also continue to be eroded with every passing day.  We have 3 political parties of which two only ever get into power...  political participation is low because, just like everywhere else, the rich get their way no matter what.  We also have a prime minister who has no qualifications and got elected because his father was PM 30 years ago and he is nice to look at.  If Canada is one of the most democratic nations in the world then that is basically saying democracy is dead.  Thailand is not so bad...

Actually, there are 16 registered political parties in Canada. Including the Marijuana Party. ;-)

http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?dir=par&document=index&lang=e&section=pol

[Aforek]

France, my country, flawed democraty ?; I think it deserves more than this

at least, for the president election, it's more democratic than USA

[harleyclarkey]

Nice to see Ireland up there with the Nordic countries and Canada (and OZ) as one of the few full Democracies on the planet! 

Good old Irish.....don't we do well for a tiny country! 

[Baerboxer]

So France, Italy, the USA are flawed democracies same as India and South Africa.

 

Sopped bothering with this report after that. 

[Baerboxer]

17 minutes ago, harleyclarkey said:

Nice to see Ireland up there with the Nordic countries and Canada (and OZ) as one of the few full Democracies on the planet! 

Good old Irish.....don't we do well for a tiny country! 

 

Not perfect - but very excellent!

 

Ireland is a really good model country in so many ways. Democracy, follows the rules, doesn't try and bully or cheat other countries, makes people welcome, and by and large is easy to get along with and pleasant.

 

Of all the countries I've been too, mostly working, Irish hospitality and friendliness is one of the stand outs.

 

To be honest, wish more countries were like Ireland in attitude.

[nong38]

Democracy is what I say it is, now get used it! Power to the people, the ones who know how to handle it.