New Election Rules Designed to Keep Junta in Power

[Felipesed1]

Hopefully there will be discussions to form a coalition and eliminate this dictator.

His party got the highest number of popular votes.

Please explain how that makes him a "dictator".

[europtimiste]

Hopefully there will be discussions to form a coalition and eliminate this dictator.

His party got the highest number of popular votes.

Please explain how that makes him a "dictator".

How ?? A Junta leader is always a dictator. This one ruled the country for 5 yrs. without freedom of speech, with art. 44, with computer crime, no political meetings. etc..etc.
Now he wants to be a non militar PM.
Put a smoking on a bear, he will remain a bear. Do you understand Felipesed1 ???

[Felipesed1]

No, nor did the majority of Thai voters apparently.
Perhaps it is you that is wrong?

[buksida]

I would hardly call 7 million out of a population of nearly 70 million a 'majority'. The whole thing was a farcical setup from the start and this was the predicted and planned outcome. The only thing to come of it is more strife and discontent such as this ...

Dubious results expose EC to glare of public scrutiny
The integrity of the Election Commission (EC) has come under question, as people are asking if the vote tally has been free and fair.

It is also being roasted for the confusing and contradicting results released through its Rapid Report system on Sunday night. The vote tally showing the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat beating former coalition leader Pheu Thai has raised many eyebrows, and made people raise queries over issues such as the mysterious surplus votes that far exceeded the turnout in many constituencies and the 2 million “spoiled” votes.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... s/30366513

[Nereus]

The most surprising thing to me is how poorly the Democrats scored.

[HHTel]

The much lower than expected turnout shows that, as we all know, people were unconvinced that a vote for any party would change the status quo.

[europtimiste]

The most surprising thing to me is how poorly the Democrats scored.

An old, very old party, could't bring new ideas. A party close to the monarchy and oligarchy.
The success of Future Forward a new party and his leader Thanathorn a new comer is a hope for Thailand's future.

[HHTel]

It seems social media is alive with questions. The main one being "Where did the extra 5 million votes come from?" Some constituencies had more votes than residents!! Also, 2 million 'spoiled votes'.

[caller]

Very interesting article for the NY Times written by Thaksin:

Thaksin Shinawatra: The Election in Thailand Was Rigged

The junta is ready to destroy an entire system just to stay in power.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/opin ... igged.html

[dtaai-maai]

Not very revealing, to be honest. And I'm not sure I trust Thaksin much more than Gen P. At least he had the good sense not to accuse the junta of buying votes...

And as a minor aside, don't these two sentences effectively say the same thing?

In some areas, the number of ballots seemed to exceed the number of voters. In others, voter turnout was reported to be 200 percent.

[caller]

And as a minor aside, don't these two sentences effectively say the same thing?

In some areas, the number of ballots seemed to exceed the number of voters. In others, voter turnout was reported to be 200 percent.

I wondered that. A ballot is an instrument used to vote, so I assume the allegation is that there were actually less voters than ballots completed. The 200% seems to be about massaging the reports of numbers who actually voted, in an attempt to show what a good turnout it was and getting it completely and utterly wrong. Just my take on what he could mean.

Many allegations of vote buying as well. But it's standard fare in any election here, even for local mayors.

Re: the article, I think you have to take into account how many supporters he still has in Thailand and the state of play at the polls.

Does anyone know if Mr. Vana Nava, owner of the water park, Intercontinental, Holiday Inn and the joint owner of Bluport, got elected in Korat?

[Nereus]

owner of the water park, Intercontinental, Holiday Inn...……….

Ahh, don't mean to steal your post, but unless it has changed since the old fellow passed away, the Holiday Inn Bangkok is owned by the Harilela Group of Hong Kong.

[caller]

owner of the water park, Intercontinental, Holiday Inn...……….

Ahh, don't mean to steal your post, but unless it has changed since the old fellow passed away, the Holiday Inn Bangkok is owned by the Harilela Group of Hong Kong.

No idea.I was referring to his businesses in Hua Hin.

[HHTel]

Yes, as caller pointed out, he was talking Hua Hin. The Holiday Inn Hua Hin is owned by the Proud Real Estates together with IHG.

[oakdale160]

The General and Trump both had good days. Notice a trend????