Polls set for December 23

JD · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:09 pm Post subject: Polls set for December 23

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.
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buksida · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

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!
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Luctor et Emergo

BaaBaa. · Legend Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2245 Location: England.

JW · Ace Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 1536 Location: hua hin

think so, bugger eh. will be a few places that can serve a sneaky beer or 7

lomuamart · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:53 pm Post subject:

BaaBaa. · Legend Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2245 Location: England.

redzonerocker · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject: polls

i'm sure there will be a party somewhere? Party

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when all are one & one is all, to be a rock & not to roll.

every silver lining has a touch of grey.

Vital Spark · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject:

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. Smile

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!
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'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana' -Groucho Marx

BaaBaa. · Legend Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2245 Location: England.

So you live in Cha-am? laugh

Vital Spark · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:05 pm Post subject:

No, Baa Baa, the other side of the motorway.

VS
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'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana' -Groucho Marx

caller · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject:

Burma?
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I know nothing

Vital Spark · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 12:00 am Post subject:

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.... Very Happy

VS
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'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana' -Groucho Marx

dtaai-maai · Ace Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: Thailand

Jimiherf · Specialist Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 216

Remembers me of last election's time in Chiang Mai : every water point closed for 2 days but the very busy Number 1 Pub 'till the man in brown poped up at 1 AM ... then everone moved to the next tea room place to be served beer in teapots ... lovely times Cheers

HHTel · Professional Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 374

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.