local election

nevets · Professional Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 363

Well big argument with the wife (Thai) today my fault i think should have said ,that's nice dear, She said on the way back from big c that she had got 100bhat for her vote this morning , the vote was on for our aria Nonshumsang Phetchaburi . So after me spouting about the virtues of voting for the one that pays the most and Thailand getting the government it deserves and all that. I was told that this is Thailand not my country and it was nothing to do with me the way the Thai conduct their business .
Well that told me then and now i no where i stand.

sandman67 · Guru Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 614 Location: Hua Hin

Whether Thai or farang....vote buying is unacceptable. Sorry of I sound like Im in an ivory tower or on a high horse but that is an immutable fact.

Vote buying and selling is what props up the rest of the ills. It allows the incompetent and corrupt to bleed this country dry.

Its what underpins all the crap that goes on here from uncontrolled developments to incompetent and corrupt police.

Thias know its illegal to sell votes (now anyway) just as it is to buy them. Whether educated or not they should also be able to see its what is messing the system up.

What is saddest of all is not that she sold her vote, but that it cost so little to buy her conscience. tsktsk

I am really sorry to level criticism at your missus mate, but this is just wrong.

Shame on her for selling her country out - which is what she just did.
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lindosfan1 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: votes

Had one of the candidates do a walk down our road. I was watering the garden and he asked me if the water was ok. I said water ok but keeps getting turned off sometimes for 4 days he said good and walked on. I felt like turning the hose on him.
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nevets · Professional Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 363

. Sandman totally agree with you , but they all do it that's how politics is done here. And i got stung for saying my piece to the wife.

sandman67 · Guru Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 614 Location: Hua Hin

Nevets

I symapthise with you mate....god knows what Id do if Mrs S said the same...I know Id feel like kicking her out but I doubt I would. Neutral

At least you stood up and said it mate.

which one of them did she vote for?
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niggle · Professional Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 403

In the words of Carter Brown "aye, well erm ....."
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buksida · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

Agree with you there sandman, the majority of Thais don't really give a rats arse about politics anyway - most don't even know what these local elections are for.
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Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 2919 Location: UK

What is the difference between paying somebody to vote for you, and making a stack of false promises? At least the Thai way you know what you're getting up front ie you don't have to wait 5 years to realise you;ve been spun a pack of lies..
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STEVE G · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

I’ve spoken to Thais about this issue of 100bt a vote in elections and there justification is that whilst technically illegal, it’s tolerated as it’s seen more of a thank-you for voting than actual vote buying.

Even to a Thai farmer it’s not enough to buy loyalty and in most cases all parties involved are paying the same amount so it just encourages people to actually go and vote.

The only thing is if you are the only party in the election not paying it I wouldn’t give much for your chances as you’ll be considered too mean to be put into office.

Wanderlust · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

The thing that always interests me in the vote buying scenario is, how do the people paying the voter actually know that the voter votes for them? The answer is, of course, that they don't, so if I was a Thai voter, I'd take everyone's money and then vote for who i thought was the best candidate, and I am pretty sure that is what a lot of Thais do. If they are smart they could even start playing the candidates off against each other, and tell them 'well Khun X offered me 200 baht so what are you prepared to offer?'... thumbs up

STEVE G · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject:

certainly up in Nong Ki my partners had more than one 100bt before in elections!

johnnyk · Guru Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 889

its 500 baht in my friend's village!
and the poo-yai is known as Khun 20% because that's his skim on everything. still, he does look nice in his freshly-pressed uniform Very Happy

and he has a lovely shiny new toyota pick-up.

Cowtown Comedy · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

BB, you said it perfect!!
Are we that naive to believe that in our own countries money isn't used to gain political strength??? Come on, think about it!! Yes, maybe its more blatent in LOS, but have a good look in your own back yard first, before you criticize this one. And can you seriously say your own countries are free of corruption. Cussing

johnnyk · Guru Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 889

Why do people spend half a billion dollars to become POTUS when the job pays less than 500K a year?

spitfire · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject:

Many a true comment here, it's all so painfully, transparently, full of sh.t. However, the Thai's get what they deserve, which is more of the same inaction, corruption and as many people as possible with their hands in the cookie jar. What is funny, is that they don't even try to hide it, it's almost a point of pride to be as corrupt and self-enriching as possible(avarice is what it's called, I think).