In his article in the The Washington Post, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, FORSEA’s director of multimedia, argues that the recent elections in Thailand, held on 24 March 2019, may not pave the way for greater democracy in the country. Instead, the elections were exploited to delay the democratisation process.
Illegitimate Means to Steal an Election Victory
The old elites, presented by the army, are striving to preserve their interests through the elections. But instead of upholding the electoral process, they cling on to illegitimate means to steal an election victory with the help of the Election Commission (EC).
The Thai monarchy has also played a part in delaying democracy. It choses to directly intervene in politics against what is stipulated in the constitution – which says – the monarchy must stay above politics.
Read the full article here:
How Thailand’s Election Undercuts the Prospects for DemocracyRead Pavin Chachavalpongpun’s daily updates:
Election News from Thailand
LATEST UPDATE: APRIL 13, 2019
April 4, 2019
- The Election Commission (EC) ignores votes
- Thanathorn Jungrungruangkit charged with sedition
- #SaveThanathorn rose to number one on Twitter Thailand
April 6, 2019
- Thanathorn Jungrungruangkit reports to police
- Protests from Thanathorn’s supporters
- Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Future Forward Party has also been summoned
- Multiple polls at change.org
April 7, 2019
- Amnesty International condemns the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)
- Election Commission lawsuit against critics
- Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Future Forward Party has also been summoned
- No announcement two weeks since polls
April 8, 2019
- Rift within the Democrat Party deepens
- The Bhumjaithai Party, like the Democrats, makes no decision
- Nullifying the election? More uncertainly
April 9, 2019
- Foreign diplomats observing the Thanathorn Jungrungruangkit case to be called for violations
- Race for Democrat Party leadership becomes heated
April 10, 2019
- General Prem Tinsulanonda throws weight behind the Prayuth Chan-ocha government
- 121 academics petition the Election Commission (EC)
April 11, 2019
- The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand cannot calculate the number of votes
- Former police officer, Bhakbhum Soonthornsorn threatens to kill politicians
April 12, 2019
- Thai public losing trust in the Election Commission believing it politicised and biased
- The Election Commission claims it will listen to critics and act soon
April 13, 2019
- New Economy party to join the pro-junta Palang Pracharat-led coalition
- Thai Foreign Ministry confirms Thanathorn Jungrungruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, to be trialled in a military court
April 14, 2019
- Mingkwan Saengsuwan, leader of the New Economy party, backtracks on earlier pledge
- Speculation that Thaksin-influenced Pheu Thai party to join a national government
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