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Home » News from Thailand » EU urges Thailand to hold elections this year
EU urges Thailand to hold elections this year
The European Union wants the military regime to return quickly to democracy and deliver on its promise to hold elections in November.
The EU issued the statement yesterday. Today, parliament decides on the proposal of a parliamentary committee to have the law on elections come into force three months later than usual. This would shift the elections from November this year to February next year.
The EU countries announced at the end of last year that they want to gradually restore relations with Thailand, allowing talks on a free trade agreement to resume.
That decision came after Prime Minister Prayut promised that free elections would be held in Thailand in November. The parliamentary committee thinks otherwise and can thus delay the elections.
The EU understands a possible delay because the parliament has to control the government, which are both important parts of a democracy.
Source: Bangkok Post
Elections! Elections give the people the right to choose their own dictators 🙂
Even more important to me was the European Union's call to restore the rights to speak, demonstrate and assemble and to lift restrictions on the media, political parties and civil groups. The legislative and executive powers are now two hands in the same belly, while the judiciary cannot really be called independent.
Not only political movements are banned, but also movements for the environment, land rights, etc.
There is not 1 form of democracy, not even within the EU, so what is that ambassador talking about.
And elections in Thailand will not solve the existing problems in this country if the attitude of politicians and political parties does not change drastically. The current comments of the old guard politicians of any party give little hope for change.
Dear Chris,
The ambassador talks about the core of democracy: freedom of speech, information, meetings and demonstrations, a rule of law and citizens' say. (There can be different shapes around that). Thailand does not have that at the moment and Europe (and part of the rest of the world) largely does.
The comments from the old guard of politicians indeed give little but a little hope. I read a lot about the new guard of politicians, and that gives more hope, also in terms of solving problems. The comments of the old guard soldiers only show despair and regression. Make your choice.
You were quite enthusiastic 4 years ago about solving problems, eg corruption. Are you still?
Dear Tino.
Freedom of expression not in Thailand but in a large part of the world?
I advise you to talk (if you get the chance) with opposition groups in Myanmar, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Venezuela, USA, India, Libya, Spain (Catalonia), Israel, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Greece, Cambodia……….I estimate together 60-70% of the world population….
You're not reading correctly, Chris. I didn't write 'a large part of the world' but simply 'part of the rest of the world', I left open how big that part is. It is indeed unfortunately less than half.
That 'large part' refers to the extent of those freedoms, which is nowhere absolute.
I also wonder if the upcoming elections of 2014, 15, no 18, 19 uhm 2020 (??) will have parties or candidates that endorse democracy, freedom of speech, no nepotism and so on. What's the state of that new party in formation that you sometimes talked about dear Chris?
My late love has always been disappointed in Thai politics. Thaksin was corrupt, as were his predecessors (providing services to friends from their own clan or other irregularities with tax money, legal prosecution, etc.), the PAD was an aggressive toy with leaders who were/are out for conflict and blood). And a whole bunch of other people with all sorts of things to say about them. When I asked who she would vote for, she was of the opinion that Abhisit was the least bad choice, but also not the ideal candidate/party. When will Thailand offer any or all such choices to its people?
Dear Rob,
Yes, they are still working hard on that, behind the scenes, but they really do meet.
Mind your own business EU, don't mix things you know nothing about and stop pointing that finger….rubbish enough in the EU!!
Wouldn't it be better for the EU to first call the Spanish EU member to order? Before it becomes involved in the internal politics of third countries. I think the colonial era has been behind us for some time now.
I don't understand where the EU gets the nerve to force Thailand to call elections as soon as possible. How so? Why? The political calm in Thailand since the coup is a relief after all the political unrest before the coup. Thailand is nowhere near ready for elections. Prajuth and his colleagues would do well to allow more freedom of the press, to restore the right to demonstrations and to accept criticism of the government. Most Thais don't think that's really important though.
'Force'? This is the statement of the Finnish EU ambassador to Thailand on which the Bangkok Post article is based:
“We understand that it is still possible to hold the elections by November 2018 and encourage all stakeholders to respect the previously announced road map for a return to democracy in Thailand, for the benefit of all its people. The EU stands ready to assist Thailand in this endeavor,”
So encouragement, not 'forcing'
"Thailand not yet ready for elections."
Those Thais are so stupid and retarded.
Don't worry Tino, the general/dictator will explain to the Thai how Thai democracy works (hint: pure paternalism). Prayuth already came up with the plan that the government will provide lessons in Thai-ism in the coming months.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/01/25/prayuths-lips-national-crusade-just-thai-ism/
And if you are tired of the junta propaganda, there are still wise monks who explain that the Thai must first learn the right norms and values, morals, before they can deal with democracy.
http://prachatai.com/english/node/7578
It should be clear that the stupid plebs are not yet ready for trias politica, separation of church and state, freedom of the press, an end to nepotism and so on. Long live the generals who have led the country since 1932. The fact that it occasionally costs a splash of blood should not spoil the fun.
The uneducated peasant proletariat must be led by Soldiers, Monks and Monarchs. Then it will definitely be fine.
I read Nidhi Eeosiwong's article on Democracy and Buddhism. Come on, make it an article….
Fortunately, education in Thailand is so bad that the lessons of the government are not visited or understood.
A friend with the soldiers, certainly Leo. It has never been as bad for the population in Thailand as it is now. Even the rich are complaining because they have to tear down their illegally placed hotels and resorts.
The EU must have been ordered by the US to interfere in Thailand's internal affairs, I remember that the US did that 2 years ago.
Thailand's answer was: US do not interfere in Thailand's internal affairs, Thailand then promptly ordered warships and other equipment from China.
US then lifted sanctions on Vietnam, hoping to do business, Vietnam then also bought weapons from China.
Think the EU has enough work to do to put their own house in order, hubris and arrogance run rampant in the EU.
Some of these comments are truly unbelievable and seem to stem from an ingrained prejudice against the EU. Limit yourself to the facts, which are that the EU ambassador is encouraging/hopeful about the realization of what the junta has promised the population: elections. If you've been following the news, you might know that following that pledge, the EU is taking a positive stance and last month fully restored relations with Thailand at all levels. Negotiations on the EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement, previously halted due to the coup, will also be resumed.
Reading some of the comments here, I have to conclude that this blog apparently features some of those selfless “friends” who “borrow” Vice Prawit who have very expensive watches to assist him in his noble fight against corruption, bad politicians, retarded buffaloes, etc…
An ambassador who promotes Western European values by reminding the government of a foreign nation of its own promise. And if you read comments, many Western European citizens with some interest/connection with Thailand have difficulty with this.
Apparently, Thai air is bad for the sustainability of Western European values. T i (also) T 🙂