Polls set for December 23
BangkokPost.com, agencies
A general election has been officially set for Sunday, December 23, to begin to return the country to democracy after 15 months and four days of military rule.
Prime minister Surayud Chulanont assured full government support for a peaceful, orderly election. He said the police referendum monitoring centre would be extended, and continue to function to oversee the general election in peace and order.
The election date was announced by Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukkhakanont at a press conference at Government House.
The Dec 23 date was approved - as expected - after a number of other possibilites were discussed and discarded.
The EC chairman said Dec 23 was simply the most suitable.
The Commission considered both January 6 and January 13, but these were ruled ununsuitable because of possible problems regarding advance voting around the New Year’s holidays.
Gen Surayud said the vote will enable his existing military-appointed caretaker government to give way to a popularly elected government with a mandate to revive the economy and maintain national unity.
Gen Surayud was appointed by the military junta that overthrew the government of premier Thaksin Shinawatra last Sept 19 after several corruption scandals and the dissolution of parliament.
Thaksin's powerful Thak Rak Thai party has been dismantled by the Constitutional Court, corruption charges have been filed against Thaksin and his wife, and parts of his great wealth have been seized.
"No one has come up with better and more appealing policies that Thaksin brought to the country. This election is going to be very tricky for everybody," said Jon Ungpakorn, a prominent social activist and former senator.
A raft of political party registrations occurred on Monday as politicians jostled to get in on the elections, which seem likely to feature vote-buying on an unprecedented scale, and end in a coalition government by several minority parties.
Polls set for December 23
Polls set for December 23
Per Angusta In Augusta.
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I should think so. The first year I was here, elections were held on the 24th and 25th Dec. I'm not joking. They're saying 23rd at the moment, but I bet you that extends into two days.BaaBaa. wrote:Would that mean bars closed 22nd and 23rd???buksida wrote:Good to hear the elections have finally been set but feel sorry for all those tourists who will be here over xmas to find everything closed!
It's their country, but as they rely so heavily on tourism couldn't they have made the voting a week earlier, the 16th as has been mooted for months?
Anyway, up to them.
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redzonerocker
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polls
i'm sure there will be a party somewhere? 
Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
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Vital Spark
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What an ideal opportunity for an enterprising tourist operation to do an "In the Sticks" tour.
We can buy beer here all the time. Election days, the King's Birthday, and other important days when (allegedly) it shouldn't be sold. The boys in brown are rarely seen in these parts, and it's only 30 mins from Hua Hin. No air-con, I'm afraid, but at 40 baht for a large Chang including waitress service it's a bargain. No tipping allowed. Just a smile will suffice.
Maybe I should invest in a minibus and do a bit of Unseen Thailand Tours...
VS
Yippee! Does that mean I can have Christmas Day off? Oh, frabjous joy!
We can buy beer here all the time. Election days, the King's Birthday, and other important days when (allegedly) it shouldn't be sold. The boys in brown are rarely seen in these parts, and it's only 30 mins from Hua Hin. No air-con, I'm afraid, but at 40 baht for a large Chang including waitress service it's a bargain. No tipping allowed. Just a smile will suffice.
Maybe I should invest in a minibus and do a bit of Unseen Thailand Tours...
VS
Yippee! Does that mean I can have Christmas Day off? Oh, frabjous joy!
"Properly trained, man can be a dog's best friend"
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Vital Spark
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- Location: Arcos de la Frontera, Spain
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Vital Spark
- Legend
- Posts: 2047
- Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:34 pm
- Location: Arcos de la Frontera, Spain
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dtaai-maai
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Vital Spark wrote:Yeah Caller:...I hack my way through the jungle every night. Fight off 'God's Army', wrestle with spitting cobras, and crawl on my belly through the border crossing. And all because the lady loves beer Chang....
VS
Sorry, but I'm choking on this one, VS. Consider a box of Milk Tray coming your way!
On second thoughts, would you accept a tin of choc-o-nut cookies from Lotus...?
This is the way
At the last election, I found some of the bars had interpreted the law in a sensible way. Initially, went to a beach bar where I commented that "I suppose I'll have to drink Coke". The waitress pointed out, "No sir, you can have a beer but your wife can't!" I then found other places doing the same. After all no foreigner can influence the election in any way, so why penalise the tourists/expats and restauranteurs.