There is clearly considerable concern within Thailand’s junta about the possibility of a healthy “no” vote in the upcoming referendum. Not content with legal harassment of “no” vote campaigners (including warnings to taxis sporting stickers declaring that “We take passengers but not the draft constitution”), the elite advocates of sufficiency democracy are now reverting to the tried and true bogeyman of vote buying. High profile media stories are laying the groundwork for the claim that “no” votes will be motivated not by politics but by the lure of cash. It is a tired and sorry claim that shows, once again, that sufficiency democracy campaigners have no respect for electoral decisions that don’t accord with elite instruction.
Of course the junta’s voting incentives (discounted/free public transport, a public holiday on 20 August and awards for local officials who secure a good turnout) are sincere attempts to ensure that the road to sufficiency democracy is a smooth one.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Srithanonchai // Aug 10, 2007 at 5:07 pm
“It is a tired and sorry claim that shows, once again, that sufficiency democracy campaigners have no respect for electoral decisions that don’t accord with elite instruction. ” >> On the other hand, I doubt that explaining the existence of hua khanaen and vote-buying away is an empirically sustainable approach.
2 nganadeeleg // Aug 11, 2007 at 11:01 am
Love or money?
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/11/politics/politics_30044646.php
3 Maliwaan // Aug 11, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I love the bogeyman!
4 Fred // Aug 12, 2007 at 3:33 pm
well, lets hope they each take the money and vote with their conscience. in that way the less fortunate amongst us might just get a little bit richer.
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