The unofficial farang election poll

[buksida]

Election fever is gripping Thailand and we've been relatively quiet about it on the forum so I thought I'd run a poll to see what people think about how things will go in the election and what will happen in the aftermath as it could potentially affect every one of us despite the fact we have no say in it.

Options are a bit tongue-in-cheek but lets have your thoughts on the immediate future of Siam.

[Big Boy]

I voted for number 3 - I just can't see anything changing soon.

[Takiap]

I'm with you on this one BB. I do believe PT will win, for the exact same reason the ruling party in my own country will continue winning elections even though they have failed totally and utterly. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you see things, the military in Thailand feel the same way, and I can't see them allowing PT to rule, at least not if Thaksin is allowed to return.

I still can't get my head around the fact that PT could grant Thaksin amnesty if his sister is prime minister. On the other hand, is she willing to allow him back in, given the very obvious trouble it will cause. Also, is he actually stupid enough to believe he'll be safe if he returns? No matter how popular he may be, the military is an almighty machine, which I'm sure can dispose of a single individual with a minimum amount of effort.

Of course I hope all goes well and Thailand can start to move forward, but to be honest, I seriously doubt it.

[Bamboo Grove]

Voted the second option, although I think, it will probably be a combination of 1,2 and 3. I wrote something about the elections and Thai society in my blog today.

[migrant]

I agree in that I do not see any real changes coming.

I went with number 5 since I believe the elections will find a way to be postponed.

[shunpike]

Methinks it's a PT landslide...so I ticked #1, but I can see the army kicking that result to touch. No matter what, I hope the soldierboys stay in their barracks. If there's a coup just before or after a big PT vote, it won't be all smiles and garlands like last time. It'll get real messy, real quick.

[Spitfire]

PT will win in one way or another.

Whether the army has any plans or not is anyone's guess, but wouldn't surprise me if they had, form would support it, I guess.

Whatever happens, I can see trouble and problems next month.

[STEVE G]

I went for number three as well but it might be the usual endless legal skulduggery that stops PT taking power rather than an actual coup from the military.
The result will be the same.

[buksida]

I went for number two, don't think either will have enough for an outright majority (though I can confirm that PT are actively buying votes in certain districts of this province). I have no doubt though that as soon as his sister gets control he'll be exonerated of all crimes and be back here quicker than flynn (read up the Wikipedia entry on her if you want more info).

Not sure what would be worse, a vengeful megalomaniac at the helm or the incompetent generals running the shop again. Either way, barring number six, all results and outcomes will be bad news.

[shunpike]

Well I hope the army stays home. Let PT govern if they win a majority. Putting up with a government you cant stomach is part of democracy and it's time for Thailand to show a little political maturity. It should also be considered that a coup that is so clearly seen to thwart the voice of the plurality, if not the majority of voters, will be roundly condemned internationally and be recognised only by China, Myanmar, and Cuba. Wee rant over.

[Dr Mike]

I hate third parties--the Lib-Dems in UK make the present govt fragile.
Worse was Ralph Nader who ran as in independat in the Bush/Gore election and his 3% vote gave the presidency to Bush.
Has anybody any idea what all these third parties stand for, apart from selling themselves into coalitions?????

[PeteC]

I didn't check any of them. To me this place is now a depressing quagmire of immeasurable depth. No matter who wins, someone else will work behind the scenes to bring chaos and discredit. Thailand burns while XXX fiddles.

In 2015 the ASEAN doors get thrown wide open, a la the EU, and Thailand is no where close to being ready. The country will be swamped with more highly trained, educated and multi-lingual Vietnamese, Filipinos, and others. Multi-national co's are screaming for more highly trained workers, and even lower level factory type workers. Simply not enough of either, and the ministry of ed continues to rotate on a greased stick, and the ministry of culture is still busy actually suppressing culture thinking it's still the 1800's. Every ministry is managed by obstructionists looking for a quick payday and the hell with the future.

IMO this place is traveling downhill so fast God Almighty couldn't reverse it. Pete

[JimmyGreaves]

Saw an interview with Taksin on Aljezera a couple of days ago. He is very confident they will win by a landslide. Asked why his sister will not have a debate with Abhisit he said 'Abhisit is a liar, so a debate would be worthless' :-)

He's looking very old these days!

[richard]

Gotta be no. 3

Let's hope the ramifications don't impact us too much

[dozer]

Has to be number 3
Thailand has always been subjected to ruled by a military junta, so elections are really only about maintaining the pretence that there is a democratically elected government.