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Thailand
At stake: House of Representatives
Background
In 1917, the Kingdom of Siam became an ally of Britain during World War I. A constitutional government was introduced in 1932, following a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok. Seven years later, the country changed its name to Thailand.
During World War II, Japanese soldiers used Thailand as a base to advance towards Burma and Singapore. Following the allied victory, Thailand returned areas that had been seized to neighbouring nations. King Ananda was reinstated as monarch, but is assassinated a year later.
From 1932 to 1991, the country went through a period of political instability that included 17 coup d'etats. From 1992 to 1997, four different prime ministers—army general Suchinda Kraprayoon, Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party - Phak Prachatipat (PP), Banharn Silpa-archa of the Thai Nation Party - Phak Chart Thai (PCT) and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh of the New Aspiration Party - Phak Khwam Wang Mai (PKWM)—headed the government.
Thailand's economy expanded significantly in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1997, an economic crisis affected most of Southeast Asia, causing high unemployment levels and a decline in production. The PP's Leekpai became prime minister again, and established contacts with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to find a solution to the country's financial problems.
Thaksin Shinawatra—a media magnate—took over as Thailand's prime minister in February 2001. In February 2005, Thai voters renewed the House of Representatives. The governing Thai Love Thais Party - Phak Thai Rak Thai (TRT) elected 377 lawmakers to the 500-seat legislative branch, garnering 60.47 per cent of all cast ballots. Thaksin formed the first elected single-party government in Thailand's history.
Click here for Thailand 2005 Election Tracker
In April 2006, a general election was held after Thaksin decided to
dissolve the House of Representatives. Thaksin faced a series of public
demonstrations after the Shinawatra and Dhamapong families sold their
combined 49.6 per cent shares in the SHIN telecommunications empire to
Singapore's Temasek Holdings, in a transaction estimated at $1.88
billion U.S.
On May 8, Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled, in an 8-6 decision, that the Apr. 2 general election was unconstitutional.
Click here for Thailand April 2006 Election Tracker
A new election was scheduled for October 2006, but the three main opposition parties—the Democrat Party - Phak Prachatipat (PP), the Thai Nation Party - Phak Chart Thai (PCT) and the Mahachon Party (MP)—said they would participate.
On Sept. 19, the Thai Armed Forces enacted a military coup as Thaksin was in New York for the United Nations (UN) general assembly. The group declared martial law, suspended the constitution, affirmed their loyalty to the King, and released a statement, which read: "We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience."
On Sept. 20, army general Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said the coup was necessary to "end the intense conflicts in Thailand's society that Thaksin had created." The election was cancelled.
Click here for Thailand October 2006 Election Tracker
On Oct. 1, King Bhumipol Adulyadej endorsed the new prime minister,
Surayud Chulanont. Surayud discussed his priorities, declaring, "On top
of my agenda are the urgent issues—the political problems and the
southern violence—which require full cooperation from all sectors of
society. I will pull out all the stops to solve the two pressing issues
within one year."
A week later, Surayud's cabinet was sworn in. Central Bank governor Pridiyathorn Devakula was appointed as deputy prime minister and finance minister. Two former military officers are part of the 26-person team.
2007 House of Representatives Election
On Mar. 29, interim prime minister Surayud Chulanont announced that the election to the House of Representatives would take place either on Dec. 16 or Dec. 22, adding, "We are going to hold the election as promised this year." A referendum on a new Constitution has been tentatively set for September.
The Thai Love Thais Party - Phak Thai Rak Thai (TRT) is still facing possible dissolution for financing small parties to either contest or boycott the election last year.
On Apr. 2, Surayud said that the probe into corruption charges against his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra may be over by the end of April, and that democracy will be restored in his country by the end of this year, adding, "I believe that by the end of this year, following free and fair elections, Thailand will again emerge with enhanced democratic credentials."
On May 7, Kaewsan Atipho, chairman of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC)—a panel of anti-corruption experts instituted by the military junta after the coup—said Thaksin faces up to 15 years in prison if the authorities manage to prove that he maintained control of SHIN after he became prime minister. Kaewsan announced the start of a new investigation into this matter, adding, "If Thaksin made the faux transfer of shares, he will be penalized under Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act."
On May 12, Surayud declared he would visit the southern areas of Thailand, where Muslim militants have escalated violence against Buddhists recently, saying, "There has been no precedent anywhere in the world where the use of force and violence could lead to solutions of problems. (...) I am convinced we can achieve reconciliation in our country in the future. A peaceful end of problems can only be achieved through negotiations."
On May 17, Thaksin—who has not returned to Thailand—called for a quick ballot to restore confidence in the country, saying, "If the election is slow, the people will not accept it."
On May 30, the military-appointed Constitutional Tribunal—which effectively substituted the Constitutional Court after the September 2006 coup—banned Thaksin from participating in politics for five years, and ordered the dissolution of the Thai Love Thais Party - Phak Thai Rak Thai (TRT). The nine-person tribunal decided the party broke electoral rules in the annulled April 2006 ballot. The opposition Democrat Party - Phak Prachatipat (PP) was absolved of any wrongdoing, and its members will be allowed to participate in the December election.
The Constitutional Tribunal also found two members of the Thaksin administration—former transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal and former defence minister Thammarak Isarangura—guilty of paying candidates from the Thai Ground Party and the Pattana Chartthai Party to run in the April 2006 election.
Noppadol Pattama—Thaksin's legal adviser—disagreed with the Constitutional Tribunal's decision, adding, "Mr. Thaksin has always insisted that he would accept any ruling by the Constitutional Court (and) he also made it clear that he will leave politics."
On Jun. 6, Democratic Party - Phak Prachatipat (PP) leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party is prepared to participate in a national election, declaring, "The Democrats are ready to advance the country forward for a new future."
On Jun. 7, former TRT lawmaker Nisit Sinthuprai revealed that about 60 former ruling party politicians have assembled a new group called "Love Thaksin, No Dictatorship." Nisit said the group plans to help other Thaksin allies organize daily protests in the days ahead of an anti-government demonstration planned for Jun. 24.
On Jun. 11, Supachai Panitchpakdi, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development secretary-general, told reporters the Thai interim administration should ignore foreign opinions, saying, "The Thai government has been under too much pressure on the image issue. Don't feel too pressured about image. There are people writing (negative things) about Thailand because they want Thailand to look bad. The government has to be patient. They have to work hard and explain."
On Jun. 15, a crowd of about 15,000 people gathered in Bangkok to watch a video conference offered by Thaksin from his house in London. Thaksin denounced the army generals who ousted him, and told them: "Let the people decide who they want to run the government."
On Jun. 18, Noppadol Pattama—Thaksin's legal adviser—announced that both Thaksin and his wife Pojaman Shinawatra will be charged for their involvement in buying land from the Central Bank of Thailand. Noppadol said Thaksin will return to the country to defend himself from the charges, saying, "We are glad that the case will finally go to court where we still have trust in justice and fairness. (...) Thaksin will definitely come back as soon as the court orders his presence to defend the charge."
On Jun. 19, anti-corruption prosecutors ordered Thaksin to return from
London, where he currently lives in exile, before Jun. 29 and respond
to charges of hiding assets or face an arrest warrant. Surayud urged
the deposed prime minister to comply, adding, "What I can do is provide
personal safety for Thaksin when he returns. I have fully given an
assurance that I will do my best on this."
On Jun. 20, Surayud said the legislative ballot could take place on
Nov. 25, declaring, "The government wants to make elections happen
faster, and the elections must be free and fair and transparent." TRT
senior member Kudeb Saikrajang questioned the new timeline, saying,
"It's good that they moved up the election, but they have to open up
the opportunity to register the political parties. Otherwise the
election will not be legitimate."
The interim government said the proposed constitution would be finished on Jul. 6. Voters would have a chance to ratify or reject the document in a referendum scheduled for Aug. 19.
On Jul. 4, Council of National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin—considered as one of the coup's leaders—said he has not ruled out entering politics, adding, "All will be known on election day."
On Jul. 24, Prasong Soonsiri, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said he fears Thailand will see violent anti-coup riots ahead of the referendum. Prasong urged protesters to abstain from using violence, adding, "I want to beg them. Doing this is destroying our own country."
On Aug. 3, Election Commission (EC) chief Apichart Sukhagganond said authorities are expecting a voter turnout of more than 50 per cent for the constitutional referendum, adding, "Personally I hope that more than half of the 45 million eligible voters turn out. Then I would be happy. (...) I urge Bangkok residents to help our country by coming out and exercising their right to vote. The EC will announce unofficial results no later than 9:00 pm on referendum day."
Also on Aug. 3, the Thai coup leaders launched a "democracy festival" seeking to encourage people to participate in this month's referendum. On that day, Surayud said the new charter "will allow Thailand's democracy to have a stable and ethical political system and will preserve the constitutional monarchy forever."
On Aug. 1, a Bangkok Post editorial expressed disappointment with the current government's behaviour during the campaign, and stated: "The referendum on the draft constitution has the facade of being a democratic choice, but it is being carried out under a distinctly undemocratic and repressive climate. (...) The threat that the country will remain unsettled unless we vote for the draft charter is a cheap scare tactic, but one that seems to be working."
The constitutional referendum took place on Aug. 19. In all, 57.41 per cent of all voters ratified the proposed charter. Turnout was tabled at 57.6 per cent.
On Aug. 22, Surayud suggested Dec. 23 as the preferred date for the election, saying, "The day is apart from His Majesty the King's birthday (Dec. 5). There is enough time for an election campaign."
Also on Aug. 22, Surayud said he was not worried about the high number of people who rejected the military-drafted Constitution, adding, "I think by that time, in December, the Thai people, they have to choose the new government and I think they do understand the difficult time we have had in the last two years. (...) This is the first step—that the Thai people already accept the new Constitution—and we are working furiously towards the general election in December."
Former members of the TRT have assembled the Love The Nation Party - Phak Rak Chat (PRC) to take part in the legislative ballot.
On Aug. 25, PP leader Abhisit urged Thais to review their choices carefully in the next election, saying, “It’s up to the people now to decide if they want to see the rebirth of the Thaksin regime or not.”
On Aug. 27, the interim government and the Election Commission (EC)
agreed to hold the legislative ballot on Dec. 23. The date will not
become official until the King signs a royal decree.
On Sept. 2, Abhisit called on the interim administration to abandon
regulations enacted after the military coup, saying, “The martial law
should be lifted to enable politicians to organize political activities
for the upcoming general election.”
On Oct. 2, Council of National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin retired from the military and joined the government as deputy prime minister. On Oct. 13, Surayud discussed the situation, saying, “The general has only three months to work, which is a very short period. If he has more time, he will be able to help make the situation better.”
On Oct. 3, Surayud assumed the post of interior minister, effectively becoming the authority responsible for the ballot. After meeting with the head of the Election Commission (EC), Apichart Sukhagganond, Surayud promised to hold the ballot as planned and declared: “My government will cooperate with the EC to improve understanding and to monitor intelligence to reduce vote-buying as much as we can. (...) I will do my utmost to restore normalcy to our country so that we can move ahead.”
On Oct. 10, Sonthi said people in the poor rural areas of Thailand have
“little understanding” of democracy, “still have poor judgment in
voting for a politician,” and “need to be educated on how to be perfect
citizens who understand both their rights and duties.”
Sonthi said he intends to correct the current situation by instructing
the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC)—an army group tasked
with suppressing communist dissent during the Cold War that has been
accused of committing atrocities against civilians—to educate the
public. Sonthi announced he has “assigned the ISOC to train civil
servants from various ministries to have a good grasp of the concepts
of the rights and duties of the perfect Thai. Then these government
officials will be mobilized to educate the people.”
On Oct. 17, Surayud reiterated that his panel will investigate voting
fraud and report cases to the Election Commission, saying, “I am
studying strategies to make sure the elections are free.”
On Oct. 20, former Council of National Security (CNS) chairman and
current deputy prime minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin urged Thai adults
to be careful with their vote, saying, “I want voters to reflect on the
past and how it affected the nation when we chose wrong politicians. We
want the politicians to be good persons and loyal to the country.”
On Oct. 26, Abhisit called for the army to stay out of the national
election, and added: “We want a fair election. The only way to heal the
rift is to uphold the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”
On Nov. 6, deputy public health minister Wallop Thainuea announced he
has tendered his resignation in order to join the For the Motherland
Party - Phak Pua Paendin as a party-list candidate, and is waiting for
the prime minister’s approval. The previous day, party member Preecha
Laohapongchana said Wallop would be the leading candidate due to his
“popularity within the public health ministry” and for his “obvious
capabilities.”
On Nov. 7, campaign activities officially began, with 18 parties
registering their lists for the election. PP leader Abhisit declared:
“It’s time for the country to move on and get out of its crisis. It’s
time to make our economy a strong economy again.”
Thaksin’s niece Chinnicha Wongsawat is the PPP candidate contesting the seat of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, where the deposed prime minister is widely popular. On Nov. 12, she said her campaign would not be affected by claims of corruption being made against her uncle, adding, “People can think of me negatively, or they can think of me positively. I am only trying to do good for the people of this country.”
On Nov. 22, Abhisit launched a 24-hour tour to shake hands with “people from all walks of life,” including sex trade workers and weekend party crowds. The PP leader said he wanted to meet “the people who work at night” and hear their thoughts on Thailand’s political life.
Voting took place on Dec. 23. Final results gave the People’s Power
Party - Phak Palang Prachachon (PPP) 232 of the 480 seats at stake,
followed by the Democratic Party - Phak Prachatipat (PP) with 165
mandates. PPP leader Samak Sundaravej declared: “It is a victory for
this country. (...) I would certainly be prime minister.”
On Dec. 26, PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said the party would announce the formation of a new government on Jan. 4, 2008.
On Dec. 31, the PPP announced a coalition deal with three smaller political parties—the Thais United National Development Party, the Neutral Democratic Party and the Royalist People’s Party—but left the door open for possible collaboration with other forces. The Thai Nation Party and For the Motherland had conditioned their participation in the government on the PPP’s willingness to carry on with pending criminal proceedings against Thaksin.
On Jan. 3, 2008, Thailand’s Electoral Commission chairman Apichart Sukhakkanon revealed that almost one-fifth of the legislative races were being investigated over purported voting irregularities, including vote-buying. PPP spokesman Kudeb Saikrajang expressed confidence in the outcome of the inquiry, saying, “We are waiting for its results. We believe we can go ahead with launching our coalition government.”
On Jan. 28, the House of Representatives chose PPP leader Samak
Sundaravej as prime minister. Samak defeated PP leader Abhisit
Vejjajiva in a 310-163 vote.
Political Players
King: Bhumipol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Prime minister: Samak Sundaravej - PPP
Legislative Branch: The Ratha Sapha (National Assembly) has two chambers. The Saphaputhan Ratsadon
(House of Representatives) has 480 members, elected to four-year terms;
100 members by proportional representation and 400 members in
multi-seat constituencies. The Wuthisapha (Senate) has 200 members elected in single-seat constituencies. Only non-partisans are allowed to run for the Senate.
Results of Last Election:
House of Representatives - Dec. 23, 2007
|
Const. |
Const. |
Prop. |
Prop. |
Total |
|
|
People’s Power Party |
36.63% |
198% |
39.60% |
34 |
232 |
|
Democratic Party |
30.30% |
132 |
39.63% |
33 |
165 |
|
Thai Nation Party |
8.87% |
33 |
4.35% |
4 |
37 |
|
For the Motherland |
9.19% |
18 |
5.57% |
7 |
25 |
|
Thais United National Development Party |
4.73% |
8 |
2.67% |
1 |
9 |
|
Neutral Democratic Party |
5.36% |
7 |
1.49% |
-- |
7 |
|
Royalist People’s Party |
2.27% |
4 |
2.11% |
1 |
5 |
|
Others |
2.64% |
-- |
4.58% |
-- |
-- |