News Forum - Poll: majority favour new draft bill that regulates NGOs

[Thaiger]

In a new NIDA poll, questions about a controversial draft bill aimed at regulating NGOs operating in Thailand showed that people generally support the regulation. The poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, asked people a variety of questions about how non-governmental organisations operate within Thailand. The topic has been controversial with many activists and some human rights groups believing the goal of the law is to oppress dissent and demonstration, while the government insists it’s a way to provide transparency and prevent foreign interference in elections and government operation. The poll interviewed 1,314 people by phone between […]

The story Poll: majority favour new draft bill that regulates NGOs as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Rain]

Change the terminology of regulate to regurgitate to this story and it would be spot on.

[Dedinbed]

25 minutes ago, Thaiger said:

draft

 

25 minutes ago, Thaiger said:

asked people

Let's hope no one was excluded .. 

[Poolie]

Good. Kick the troublemakers out. Tell us all who funds you, then the soft and smelly starts flying.

[palooka]

NGOs should be prohibited from activities that could affect national security.

This one stands out, Pnut can make anything a national security issue.

[Rain]

3 minutes ago, Poolie said:

Good. Kick the troublemakers out. Tell us all who funds you, then the soft and smelly starts flying.

Indeed.

They also might want to concentrate on their own nasty and corrupt cultures who are the base instigators of the big mess. Always those folks.....never us. 

[anarchofarmer]

How does a poll of 1314 people tell us the majority view of 70+ million Thais?

[Poolie]

1 minute ago, Rain said:

Indeed.

They also might want to concentrate on their own nasty and corrupt cultures who are the base instigators of the big mess. Always those folks.....never us. 

Actually a country not too far away from Thailand did this about four years ago. 90% of those affected left toute suite.

[Poolie]

1 minute ago, anarchofarmer said:

How does a poll of 1314 people tell us the majority view of 70+ million Thais?

Proportional representation. 1000 people is fairly accurate.

[Rain]

2 minutes ago, anarchofarmer said:

How does a poll of 1314 people tell us the majority view of 70+ million Thais?

It doesn't. 

 

[AussieBob]

I agree - Thailand should control NGOs for the benefit of Thailand people. Both this Junta Govt and all future Thai Govts. NGOs are basically these days full of Human Rights activists and Climate Change nutters and Gender Studies idiots, and they are all about imposing their own and the usually aligned UN approved morals and social rules on the people of Thailand. Certainly there are some issues that needs addressing, but allowing NGOs full of activists, nutters and idiots to influence Thailand society too much, should and must be resisted and controlled.  If it is good enough for Expats to except the social values and social norms in Thailand, then it is good for the NGOs too. 

[Shade_Wilder]

 

This is a scary, scary poll, contrived by the military and the PTB, designed to create 'facts on the ground' (NGOs = BAD!!!) and influence public opinion against NGOs to ensure that ordinary folk can never organize to confront them.

First, what are we talking about? Yes, it is easy to say "Foreign" organizations and stoke the Nationalists against them, but any law that may come would be covering domestic organizations as well; this is a key thing that can't and must not be forgotten.

What is an "NGO"? It is a "Non-Governmental Organization". Okay, let's define it; one definition is " a group of people, outside of Business, Religion or Family, that has banded together to promote a common cause". (my own definition). Or perhaps the UN definition "a not-for profit, voluntary citizen's group that is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.". There are many other definitions, all with subtle differences, but you get the drift; any group of people, outside of the family, religion or business, promoting common cause.

Why is allowing the government, especially the Thai military government, to lay the groundwork for creating a new law regulating them a dangerous thing? There is already a ridiculous law governing political parties and there is the EC to govern their activities and to disband them. If this kind of polling/groundwork, and an eventual law governing NGOs comes about, it'll also have a governing body (like the EC) which can be used against anyone organizing against the State.

This is scary. if you can't organize, you can't protest.

People need to be able to organize to promote common causes, and if you allow the State to be the sole determiner of what groups are allowed to exist, then that power can and will be used to disband anything that the State doesn't like.

Sound terrifying? It should.

This poll is the first step in a governmental campaign to impugn NGOs and you can bet we will hear the word "Foreign" over and over, and further to lay the ground work for future laws which will certainly greatly diminish people's right to organize. 

Who benefits from laws like this? I'll let you figure that out.

This is a BIG, incredibly important issue that can't be done justice here and now, but if Prayut and his gang sneaks something in before an election, Thailand will suffer for decades to come; it is as serious as a heart attack.

BTW, it is possible to create reasonable laws regarding NGOs, but does anyone think that Prayut will create a reasonable law? I didn't think so.

PS Poolie and Rain; perhaps you might want to look up the term "Useful Idiot" on Wikipedia. It is appropriate.

 

[Rain]

And....the expected handful that still don't get it. Never will.

Why do you bother pretending to?

[Poolie]

Wikipedia is an American tool loaded with misinformation.

[HighSo]

Good news! The so-called NGOs are extended arms of the international Elite to overthrow whole countries with their Agenda and install a puppet that do what they want.

Best example for what happens if these NGOs are allowed to act like they want, just look at Myanmar. The Open Society Foundation is responsible for all this chaos and therefore they got their bank accounts seized and the people working for them thrown in jail for good reason.

While surely the media outlets, being financially controlled by the same people that fund these NGOs to push their agenda, are going crazy and starting their defamation against the militaries after their bosses were being exposed.

Thank you Thailand, that you do not make the same mistakes like many other countries. The war is not over, but after all these bad news the last months I am happy to see that you are trying to protect yourself from the foreign interference.

While I personally think a direct democracy based on the free and open education of every human being involved is the best, I need to admit that the monarchy in Thailand is the best mechanism to prevent this foreign interference. That is why these NGOs and the mass media trying to destroy the monarchy in Thailand, because it is their biggest hurdle.

Stay strong, Thailand. I do not agree with everything here, but overall I am happy to stay here and to see that you do not sell yourself out to the international elite like so many other countries.

[Shade_Wilder]

50 minutes ago, Shade_Wilder said:

This is a scary, scary poll, contrived by the military and the PTB, designed to create 'facts on the ground' (NGOs = BAD!!!) and influence public opinion against NGOs to ensure that ordinary folk can never organize to confront them.

First, what are we talking about? Yes, it is easy to say "Foreign" organizations and stoke the Nationalists against them, but any law that may come would be covering domestic organizations as well; this is a key thing that can't and must not be forgotten.

What is an "NGO"? It is a "Non-Governmental Organization". Okay, let's define it; one definition is " a group of people, outside of Business, Religion or Family, that has banded together to promote a common cause". (my own definition). Or perhaps the UN definition "a not-for profit, voluntary citizen's group that is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.". There are many other definitions, all with subtle differences, but you get the drift; any group of people, outside of the family, religion or business, promoting common cause.

Why is allowing the government, especially the Thai military government, to lay the groundwork for creating a new law regulating them a dangerous thing? There is already a ridiculous law governing political parties and there is the EC to govern their activities and to disband them. If this kind of polling/groundwork, and an eventual law governing NGOs comes about, it'll also have a governing body (like the EC) which can be used against anyone organizing against the State.

This is scary. if you can't organize, you can't protest.

People need to be able to organize to promote common causes, and if you allow the State to be the sole determiner of what groups are allowed to exist, then that power can and will be used to disband anything that the State doesn't like.

Sound terrifying? It should.

This poll is the first step in a governmental campaign to impugn NGOs and you can bet we will hear the word "Foreign" over and over, and further to lay the ground work for future laws which will certainly greatly diminish people's right to organize. 

Who benefits from laws like this? I'll let you figure that out.

This is a BIG, incredibly important issue that can't be done justice here and now, but if Prayut and his gang sneaks something in before an election, Thailand will suffer for decades to come; it is as serious as a heart attack.

BTW, it is possible to create reasonable laws regarding NGOs, but does anyone think that Prayut will create a reasonable law? I didn't think so.

PS Poolie and Rain; perhaps you might want to look up the term "Useful Idiot" on Wikipedia. It is appropriate.

Just a small addendum to my post above...

Who would feel the force of an NGO law first?

Would it be Greenpeace? Amnesty International?

Or...

Would it be Student Councils at Thai Universities? The students out protesting near the PM's residence? Any kind of consumer protection organization campaigning against Thai Insurance companies? The Soi Dog Foundation? The Chang Mai chapter of a clean air group? The locals protesting the coal plant in Krabi? A group advocating that High-So people must quickly pay when a court judgement is levied against them? 

It is easy to dislike some/all of the international NGOs (I detest a few myself), but they can take care of themselves. It is the small, Thai groups who would be overwhelmed and beaten down.

To lose that already limited voice in Thailand would be sad as hell.

 

[Poolie]

It wouldnt be any of them. It would be the lawyers, if its a race. They will all be included in a mass hit. 

[Paco]

It surprises me that if you ask such questions to a Thai that they even know what you saying.. for me... it is bullocks

[HolyCowCm]

9 minutes ago, Shade_Wilder said:

Just a small addendum to my post above...

Who would feel the force of an NGO law first?

Would it be Greenpeace? Amnesty International?

Or...

Would it be Student Councils at Thai Universities? The students out protesting near the PM's residence? Any kind of consumer protection organization campaigning against Thai Insurance companies? The Soi Dog Foundation? The Chang Mai chapter of a clean air group? The locals protesting the coal plant in Krabi? A group advocating that High-So people must quickly pay when a court judgement is levied against them? 

It is easy to dislike some/all of the international NGOs (I detest a few myself), but they can take care of themselves. It is the small, Thai groups who would be overwhelmed and beaten down.

To lose that already limited voice in Thailand would be sad as hell.

You got it 100% correct. It is a major silencer to everything and everyone who is not on their side or brings up issues they deem unfit to bring up. Nothing good can come from this BS like gag order.

[Rain]

42 minutes ago, HighSo said:

Good news! The so-called NGOs are extended arms of the international Elite to overthrow whole countries with their Agenda and install a puppet that do what they want.

Best example for what happens if these NGOs are allowed to act like they want, just look at Myanmar. The Open Society Foundation is responsible for all this chaos and therefore they got their bank accounts seized and the people working for them thrown in jail for good reason.

While surely the media outlets, being financially controlled by the same people that fund these NGOs to push their agenda, are going crazy and starting their defamation against the militaries after their bosses were being exposed.

Thank you Thailand, that you do not make the same mistakes like many other countries. The war is not over, but after all these bad news the last months I am happy to see that you are trying to protect yourself from the foreign interference.

While I personally think a direct democracy based on the free and open education of every human being involved is the best, I need to admit that the monarchy in Thailand is the best mechanism to prevent this foreign interference. That is why these NGOs and the mass media trying to destroy the monarchy in Thailand, because it is their biggest hurdle.

Stay strong, Thailand. I do not agree with everything here, but overall I am happy to stay here and to see that you do not sell yourself out to the international elite like so many other countries.

 

 

[DonG]

Many NGO's and charities are regulated in may countries including USA....and from experience in non-profits there...if you want funding you better have a good and clear financial statement......activities are often regulated by various states...countries also.....this is actually a bit normal and a non-issue actually and unless regulations are used improperly they are just a fact of modern life.

[Poolie]

2 minutes ago, DonG said:

Many NGO's and charities are regulated in may countries including USA....and from experience in non-profits there...if you want funding you better have a good and clear financial statement......activities are often regulated by various states...countries also.....this is actually a bit normal and a non-issue actually and unless regulations are used improperly they are just a fact of modern life.

Unless of course, they are funded by the countries.

[Rain]

39 minutes ago, Poolie said:

Unless of course, they are funded by the countries.

Which should tell you everything one needs to know. 

[Poolie]

11 minutes ago, Rain said:

Which should tell you everything one needs to know. 

Quite.

[HiuMak]

10 hours ago, DonG said:

Many NGO's and charities are regulated in may countries including USA....and from experience in non-profits there...if you want funding you better have a good and clear financial statement......activities are often regulated by various states...countries also.....this is actually a bit normal and a non-issue actually and unless regulations are used improperly they are just a fact of modern life.

This poll will be irrelevant. This is a difficult when it involves people, power and money.