Thailand general election fundamentally flawed: Human Rights Watch

[Bamboo Grove]

To me, anyone with a surname Shinawatra, doesn't promise good things for the country. Also it will most likely be a good excuse to get the old bhoys back to power.

[buksida]

To me, anyone with a surname Shinawatra, doesn't promise good things for the country. Also it will most likely be a good excuse to get the old bhoys back to power.

Indeed, it was Shinawatra family greed that caused the past ten years of military rule. Thailand is in reverse gear at full speed at the moment.

[caller]

To me, anyone with a surname Shinawatra, doesn't promise good things for the country. Also it will most likely be a good excuse to get the old bhoys back to power.

To that end, I am really concerned it's going to take 3 weeks to announce her new cabinet. It sounds as if an awful lot of horse trading is going to take place. I reckon we could see the following:

- As Anutin supported the new PM's nomination, cannabis will stay legal.
- The handout scheme will be scrapped or massively amended.
- As stated above, the 'conservative/establishment' parties will be the big winners in the new cabinet.
- Charges against Thaksin will be dropped.

[joelle]

To me, anyone with a surname Shinawatra, doesn't promise good things for the country. Also it will most likely be a good excuse to get the old bhoys back to power.

To that end, I am really concerned it's going to take 3 weeks to announce her new cabinet. It sounds as if an awful lot of horse trading is going to take place. I reckon we could see the following:

- As Anutin supported the new PM's nomination, cannabis will stay legal.
- The handout scheme will be scrapped or massively amended.
- As stated above, the 'conservative/establishment' parties will be the big winners in the new cabinet.
- Charges against Thaksin will be dropped.

And here we have it I quote from "Khaosod English"
BREAKING: Acting Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong confirms on Saturday ex-convict-cum-ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has completed his parole and is now considered an "innocent" person. Earlier, it was believed that the date will be August 31.
#Thailand #Thaksin

[caller]

And here we have it I quote from "Khaosod English"
BREAKING: Acting Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong confirms on Saturday ex-convict-cum-ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has completed his parole and is now considered an "innocent" person. Earlier, it was believed that the date will be August 31.
#Thailand #Thaksin

I was referring to the charge of LM due to be heard shortly. Not sure its the same as his current pardon? But it all seems to have gone very quiet in any case.

[joelle]

And here we have it I quote from "Khaosod English"
BREAKING: Acting Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong confirms on Saturday ex-convict-cum-ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has completed his parole and is now considered an "innocent" person. Earlier, it was believed that the date will be August 31.
#Thailand #Thaksin

I was referring to the charge of LM due to be heard shortly. Not sure its the same as his current pardon? But it all seems to have gone very quiet in any case.

Oh ok, sorry

[Bamboo Grove]

Ready to advise, oh yeah, rather ready to give orders.

Thaksin.jpg (53.76 KiB) Viewed 7020 times

[Bamboo Grove]

On another thread, I mentioned traditional Russian values. Traditional Thai values are that you do what your parents (particularly your dad) tells you and I think Shinawatras are rather traditional Thai family.

[pharvey]

On another thread, I mentioned traditional Russian values. Traditional Thai values are that you do what your parents (particularly your dad) tells you and I think Shinawatras are rather traditional Thai family.

Unfortunately it's hardly restricted to Russia or Thailand - "Political Voting" and "Values" are somewhat different though. The LHG for instance (yes, Chinese not Thai) is very much against the Chinese Government and has been ostracised from many of her family - though marrying a Welshman didn't help! Her "Values" however remain as they are/do in Asian cultures and that is to (despite not being reciprocated from China) take care of family and respect their elders - views and otherwise.

Welsh Labour have been kept in power purely due to the Father's/Grandfather's hatred of Maggie and the closure of Mines and the hit on the Steel industry - well, that and cluelessness.

Apologies - getting back to the real issue. How serious is this for Thailand? Military rule better?

[hhinner]

Ready to advise, oh yeah, rather ready to give orders.

Thaksin.jpg

What uniform is he wearing? Surely there isn't one for "Father of PM".

[PeteC]

Corrupt elections surprises no one here, but the apparent scale and sophistication of this one is a new low. For sure a new election will be coming up to replace all the Senators who will be kicked out and hopefully banned and jailed.

Thai Enquirer

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has found enough evidence, including money paid to candidates, to take up the case of possible vote collusion in the June 2024 Senate election. The case also involves allegations of criminal association and money laundering, according to leaked documents.

The DSI said a network organized Senate candidates at the district level, with groups of five applying together, totaling 100 candidates per district across 928 districts. Since five candidates from each district could advance, some provinces saw a high number of applicants.

Payments were set at 5,000 baht at the district level, 10,000 baht at the provincial level, and 40,000 to 100,000 baht at the national level. If more than 120 senators were secured, an extra 100,000 baht would be given.

After June 16, 2024, following the provincial-level selection, the network arranged meetings for national-level candidates to coordinate vote-buying in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Nayok on June 24, 2024. Candidates received 20,000 baht in advance, with the rest to be paid after the Election Commission certified the results.

Investigators found that two sets of numbered vote-buying lists were used, each with seven candidates, covering 140 individuals. About 1,200 candidates involved in the network were identified during the national-level selection.

On June 26, 2024, the network gave yellow shirts to national-level candidates and arranged transport to Muang Thong Thani using passenger vans. Both the morning and cross-voting rounds reportedly followed the vote-buying lists exactly. Of the 140 listed candidates, 138 were elected as senators, with two placed as reserves.
The DSI determined that these actions could violate the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, the Criminal Code, Section 209 (criminal association), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The network aimed to secure legislative power and committed multiple legal violations. Planning began before the selection process and continued even after the election. The operation had characteristics of an organized crime group, with defined roles, including an IT team that developed a vote calculation program to shape the Senate's composition. A “sacrifice group” was reportedly prepared to cast votes as instructed. Given the scale of the scheme, special investigative measures are necessary, meeting the criteria for the DSI to classify it as a special case.

The DSI plans to move forward with the investigation, as the network operated with clear coordination and disregard for the law. Many involved remain unidentified, requiring further evidence collection, including communication records, financial transactions, meeting locations, and the IT specialists who supported the scheme.
With personnel and technology in place, the DSI is prepared to uncover the entire network. Key witnesses may need protection due to possible threats. Since the case goes beyond the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, which falls under the Election Commission’s (EC) jurisdiction, the DSI argues it should take the lead in the criminal investigation.

The DSI has asked the EC to confirm whether it will handle any of the identified criminal offenses or allow the DSI to take full control of the investigation.

[caller]

That's really interesting, and of course, it's Anutin's party who now have most representatives in the senate, despite the fact it is meant to be non-polirical. Meanwhile there are ongoing enquiries being made innto Anutins involvement with a golf course, in Pak Chong, I believe?

Do I smell the nauseating stench of a turf-war going on here? If so, it's between two big hitters, one seems to have the support of the establishment, the other the military. Should be interesting.

[PeteC]

The battle lines are now drawn

Khaosod English

BREAKING: A secret and most urgent letter sent by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to the Election Commission (EC), stating that they are investigating possible rigging of the senatorial election has been leaked. The letter stated that there are grounds to believe some applicants were paid between 10,000 to 100,000 to vote for certain candidates at district, provincia, and national level.

Meanwhile, the Senate group, led by Senate President Mongkol Surasajja, issued a statement opposing this matter. They attacked DSI, saying the agency has no legal authority, while asserting their own positions are legally sound. Some see this as a fraudulent game aimed at toppling the Senate and triggering a constitutional crisis.

[caller]

I doubt the leaked letter was accidental.

I was wondering why the NACC were going after MFP, now PP politicians for old lesse majeste charges right now having sat on the matter for so long? They are asking the same question. That's 40 opposition MP's that could be jailed. At first I thought it a diversion tactic - let's get the plebs to think about and discuss this, rather than that.

But now I think what we are possibly facing is another electoral coup. Wipe out the opposition, wipe out the current senate, arrange to replace with their people - job done.

But who are they?

Yes, yes, I know it's fanciful.