“As the junta calmly extends its di

“As the junta calmly extends its dictatorial rule, repeatedly breaking deadlines for elections, it is worth looking over the border to Burma where so-called “free and fair” elections are taking place. Of course to any interested observer, it is obvious that the Burmese elections are a sham, a mere ceremony, where the military retains real power under the military constitution whatever the outcome of the elections.
Any Thai elections in the future will be similar. The military’s appointed anti-reform committees are continuing with their attempts to design an electoral system which will give more weight to the military-supporting Democrat Party. The hideous plan is to ensure that no political party, especially any party associated with Taksin, ever wins an overall majority in parliament. For these anti-reformers the ideal government will be a weak and unstable coalition of small fragmented parties, easily manipulated by the military and the conservative elites. This set up would also open the door for an unelected Prime Minister, someone who is not an MP, chosen by the elites.”
Giles Ungpakorn November 2015