News Forum - Thailand escapes ‘not free’ label despite election chaos

[Thaiger]

Thailand’s surge from the shackles of “not free” to “partly free” status in the annual Freedom House survey has sent ripples across the globe. Despite a rocky electoral journey that left many questioning the integrity of the democratic process, the Land of Smiles defies the odds, prompting scrutiny and speculation. Freedom House, a Washington DC-based … …

The story Thailand escapes ‘not free’ label despite election chaos as seen on Thaiger News.

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[cowslip]

How can it be free with a guaranteed majority for the military?

[BJoe]

Thailand has never attempted to pass itself off as a democracy.  It is a constitutional monarchy, with emphasis on Monarchy. He who controls the military, controls the country.

[Thaidup]

Australia, Canada,? Governor General can sack the Priminister at the monarchs will? it has happened before, re Gough Whitlam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_General_of_Canada

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor-General_of_Australia

[Thaidup]

I just get blown away by how some people think politics and governments operate, as above I show how in AU and CAN the king of England has ultimate authority to remove an elected leader, and to ad to that how many governments around the world are pieced together through ågreements made after no clear winner was elected, those who criticize Thailand should look at their home country first and ask if its so good why not stay there.

The irony is that some may come for a holiday or date a lady and feel they have better understanding of how everything works.

Then they start touting about democracy, well than lets see how absolute democracy rules, 51% V 49% just like in the Brexit vote, yet they still complain. That was pure democracy in fashion so like it or shut up about your version of democracy if you lose. peace and love with some democracy on the side

Edited March 5 by BigHewer
Expletive removed

[cowslip]

6 hours ago, Thaidup said:

I just get blown away by how some people think politics and governments operate, as above I show how in AU and CAN the king of England has ultimate authority to remove an elected leader, and to ad to that how many governments around the world are pieced together through ågreements made after no clear winner was elected, those who criticize Thailand should look at their home country first and ask if its so good why not stay there.

The irony is that some may come for a holiday or date a lady and feel they have better understanding of how everything works.

Then they start touting about democracy, well than lets see how absolute democracy rules, 51% V 49% just like in the Brexit vote, yet they still complain. That was pure democracy in fashion so like it or shut up about your version of democracy if you lose. peace and love with some democracy on the side

You're actually showing by your " not a lot of people know that" assumption, how little you understand how those constitutions work .

You also make schoolboy naive assumptions about what a democracy is.

Your comments on the Brexit referendum vote is just pure ignorance.

You don't even know the difference between democracy and mob rule.

 

What would you do if 52% of an electorate voted that the world was flat?

[Khunmark]

7 hours ago, Thaidup said:

Australia, Canada,? Governor General can sack the Priminister at the monarchs will? it has happened before, re Gough Whitlam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_General_of_Canada

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor-General_of_Australia

The Whitlam affair, rather than augmenting your argument, undermines it. The voting public, on both side of the political spectrum, were appalled at the actions of the sitting governor general, whom amongst other things, was a drunk.

[Thaidup]

On 3/5/2024 at 1:22 PM, Khunmark said:

The Whitlam affair, rather than augmenting your argument, undermines it. The voting public, on both side of the political spectrum, were appalled at the actions of the sitting governor general, whom amongst other things, was a drunk.

But that does not change the fact that the monarch´s representative can do , has done, and will do the Kings willing.

[Khunmark]

2 hours ago, Thaidup said:

But that does not change the fact that the monarch´s representative can do , has done, and will do the Kings willing.

The point I am making is you can be critical of a political process regardless of the country in which it occurs. 
Because someone labels the recent elections in Thailand as undemocratic (which they were), it does not follow that they believe the system in their country of birth is perfect. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

[Thaidup]

On 3/6/2024 at 8:31 PM, Khunmark said:

The point I am making is you can be critical of a political process regardless of the country in which it occurs. 
Because someone labels the recent elections in Thailand as undemocratic (which they were), it does not follow that they believe the system in their country of birth is perfect. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

You are being "critical" when you assert a wrong, And you emphasis that the Thai election was undemocratic by the (which they were), so please explain to us how forming coalitions and going to court in Thailand is any different from a constitutional monarchy like AUS or CAN..

Is it because they are Asian? and not of European extract? So only European ppl can do that?

The monarchy of Australia is a key component of Australia's form of government,^[1] embodied by the Australian sovereign and head of state. The Australian monarchy is a constitutional one, modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary government, while incorporating features unique to the constitution of Australia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Australia

 

[Thaidup]

The irony about the above discussion is how ppl are so quick to believe political convictions and corruption can happen in Thailand yet their home country would never do that

[Marc26]

29 minutes ago, Thaidup said:

The irony about the above discussion is how ppl are so quick to believe political convictions and corruption can happen in Thailand yet their home country would never do that

I think people jump on corruption in Thailand and places similar is because it is much more rife on lower levels that you can actually see and impacts people they know

 

Wheras the US is the most corrupt country in the world but it's all done at higher levels

Also very much affecting people very much but they don't see it in real time and every day life

[MrStretch]

3 hours ago, Marc26 said:

Whereas, the US is the most corrupt country in the world but it's all done at higher levels

Supposition based on personal opinion.  According to the internationally accepted (by most) reports published by Transparency International, the USA was ranked 24th, among 176 countries, just 4 steps below the UK.

This also depends on whether you are talking about true corruption or influence.  While the latter may be present, it doesn't necessarily indicate the former is.

I'm not defending the US system (or any Western government) because I don't think the true purpose is to always act in the best interest, and impartially at that, of its citizenry.

[TedG]

3 hours ago, Marc26 said:

I think people jump on corruption in Thailand and places similar is because it is much more rife on lower levels that you can actually see and impacts people they know

Wheras the US is the most corrupt country in the world but it's all done at higher levels

Also very much affecting people very much but they don't see it in real time and every day life

https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022

[Khunmark]

5 hours ago, Thaidup said:

You are being "critical" when you assert a wrong, And you emphasis that the Thai election was undemocratic by the (which they were), so please explain to us how forming coalitions and going to court in Thailand is any different from a constitutional monarchy like AUS or CAN..

Is it because they are Asian? and not of European extract? So only European ppl can do that?

The monarchy of Australia is a key component of Australia's form of government,^[1] embodied by the Australian sovereign and head of state. The Australian monarchy is a constitutional one, modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary government, while incorporating features unique to the constitution of Australia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Australia

I won’t be explaining anything to you. You are the one making the comparisons not me. If you want to make this an exercise in whataboutism feel free. Are you being obtuse, or do you genuinely have difficulty following the thread of an argument? It seems like your stock in trade response to a criticism of Thailand is to invoke examples from other countries, which is totally irrelevant to the discussion. How about next time you stick to the point?

[Khunmark]

5 hours ago, Marc26 said:

I think people jump on corruption in Thailand and places similar is because it is much more rife on lower levels that you can actually see and impacts people they know

Wheras the US is the most corrupt country in the world but it's all done at higher levels

Also very much affecting people very much but they don't see it in real time and every day life

To suggest the US is the most corrupt country in world is a stretch.

[Marc26]

4 hours ago, Khunmark said:

To suggest the US is the most corrupt country in world is a stretch.

Why?

 

Most politicians, on both sides are absolutely bought by special interest groups 

 

PAC's are designed to hide dirty money flowing through all sorts of politicial offices

 

Politicians mostly vote for lobbyist, not for the people 

 

And that's why people will be up in arms about the small corruption they can see in Thailand yet ignore the real consequential corruption that goes on at a much higher level, because people don't see it on a ground level

[Marc26]

Lobbyists shouldn't be a thing and it's a multi-multi billion dollar business 

 

There is absolutely not reason for PAC's to exist except to hide corruption and buy favor and it is all done out in the open

 

It's accepted corruption......at a level so far worst than the everyday corruption you see in a place like Thailand..

 

An American expat will complain about police corruption of being banged for 500 baht (bad) meanwhile they lived their whole life with politicians voted against things that are for their own personal health in favor of a company(say tobacco companies)

 

Or the food industry and all the shit politicians allow that are against the population's health in favor of lobbyists and companies 

 

 

 

[Marc26]

5 hours ago, Khunmark said:

To suggest the US is the most corrupt country in world is a stretch.

Clarence Thomas, a Supreme Court Justice, is bought and paid for by right wing billionaire activists that want to shape the country how they see fit

 

That's not an opinion, it's a fact....

 

He's had his Mother's house paid for

He's had his family's education paid for

He's taken loans that weren't made to be paid back

 

He's accepted gifts in the millions of dollars 

 

All of that is possibly illegal and he didn't even get an ethics warning 

 

A Supreme Court Justice, someone who absolutely has a massive impact on people's lives

 

And people just shrugged because there is nothing they can do to stop the corruption 

 

The former President's son got 2 billion dollars from Saudi Arabia with absolutely no experience before managing money, none, zero experience 

And by all accounts, has barely invested the money 

That means he is collecting the 2% fee(40 million dollars a year) to do nothing 

 

 

 

That is corruption on a scale that would make Thailand blush

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/09/22/clarence-thomas-here-are-all-the-ethics-scandals-involving-the-supreme-court-justice-amid-koch-network-revelations/amp/

 

 

[Marc26]

A sitting US senator charged with numerous corruption charges

 

Gold bars hidden all over his house 

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/bob-menendez-indicted-new-charges-corruption-1234981482/amp/

[23RD]

1 hour ago, Marc26 said:

Clarence Thomas, a Supreme Court Justice, is bought and paid for by right wing billionaire activists that want to shape the country how they see fit

That's not an opinion, it's a fact....

He's had his Mother's house paid for

He's had his family's education paid for

He's taken loans that weren't made to be paid back

He's accepted gifts in the millions of dollars 

All of that is possibly illegal and he didn't even get an ethics warning 

A Supreme Court Justice, someone who absolutely has a massive impact on people's lives

And people just shrugged because there is nothing they can do to stop the corruption 

The former President's son got 2 billion dollars from Saudi Arabia with absolutely no experience before managing money, none, zero experience 

And by all accounts, has barely invested the money 

That means he is collecting the 2% fee(40 million dollars a year) to do nothing 

That is corruption on a scale that would make Thailand blush

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/09/22/clarence-thomas-here-are-all-the-ethics-scandals-involving-the-supreme-court-justice-amid-koch-network-revelations/amp/

You were actually making sense a couple of posts back Marc and then you come out with the Clarence Thomas BS racist white liberals can't stand to see an educated Blackman The Democrats founded The KKK and they'll always be the Party of The KKK.

[23RD]

1 hour ago, Marc26 said:

He's taken loans that weren't made to be paid back

He's accepted gifts in the millions of dollars 

All of that is possibly illegal and he didn't even get an ethics warning 

Perhaps he should get together with the Biden crime clan sounds like they've plenty in common given your logic. 

[MrStretch]

3 hours ago, Marc26 said:

Why?

Most politicians, on both sides are absolutely bought by special interest groups 

PAC's are designed to hide dirty money flowing through all sorts of politicial offices

Politicians mostly vote for lobbyist, not for the people 

And that's why people will be up in arms about the small corruption they can see in Thailand yet ignore the real consequential corruption that goes on at a much higher level, because people don't see it on a ground level

While I don't disagree with the outsized influence of lobbyists and special interest groups, that really isn't corruption, in my book.

Improper influence? Okay, but not corruption.

[Marc26]

1 hour ago, MrStretch said:

While I don't disagree with the outsized influence of lobbyists and special interest groups, that really isn't corruption, in my book.

Improper influence? Okay, but not corruption.

Yes it's legal corruption

 

Our system has made it legal

[Marc26]

Let's move on to Insider Trading

 

Congress is full of people who have become millionaires simply because they have a job thay pays them about $150k/yr

 

 

There are so many instances of insider trading

 

So many sit on committees, then buy stocks that are influenced by those committees and by inside info they kkow

 

Before the STOCK ACT they were legally allowed to insider trade

 

Now, they are fined a whopping 200 dollars!

 

And so many of them do it

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/congress-stock-act-violations-senate-house-trading-2021-9%3famp