Thailand rejects foreign election monitors

[Admin]

Thailand rejects foreign election monitors
-AFP 2011-03-24

Suthep: "I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them"

BANGKOK, March 24, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand on Thursday dismissed suggestions that foreign observers were needed to monitor its upcoming election, with the deputy prime minister saying he does "not respect" Westerners.

It would be "inappropriate" to allow outside involvement in the poll, which is due in June or July and comes after deadly street protests last year, said Suthep Thaugsuban.

"I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them," he said, using the Thai word for "Westerners".

Anti-government "Red Shirts" have recently called for international observers to be present.

"I am surprised that Red Shirts do not respect our country's sovereignty... I don't understand why they constantly call for foreign involvement, it is inappropriate," Suthep told reporters.

Thailand has never officially allowed monitors to operate in polling stations during its elections, but the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has been allowed to work in the country during the last two votes.

"It is true they do not allow the monitors to enter (polling stations) but we observe from outside, it's quite easy," said executive director Somsri Hananuntasuk.

She said she was "surprised" at Suthep's comments, adding that other members of the ruling Democrat party, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva "welcomes international observers".

Thailand is struggling to recover from mass Bangkok rallies by the Reds, in which more than 90 people died in clashes between troops and protesters in April and May last year. It was the worst political violence in decades.

The kingdom has suffered years of political instability, punctuated by unrest and military intervention, seeing 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932 when the country became a constitutional monarchy.

Commentators believe the upcoming poll is likely to highlight the country's divisions.

The elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a hero to many in the Red Shirt movement, was ousted in a coup in 2006, sparking ongoing political turmoil.

Abhisit's government is seen as undemocratic by the Reds as it came to power in an army-backed 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling threw out the previous administration, made up of Thaksin allies who had won an election.

Thailand, known as the "Land of Smiles", is usually regarded as friendly to foreigners.

According to Abhisit the kingdom received 15.8 million overseas tourists last year and the sector generated 585 billion baht ($19 billion), or 7 percent of economic output.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jbskIhRU8pUbIf01qN5DMOgrfgSg?docId=CNG.6027ed157c1ed0f92695446e0790ec77.401

[boloa]

Looks like Koon Suthep Thaugsuban has put his foot in his mouth again,only the other week he said "Protesters died because they ran into bullets ".The Democrats are bound to win with Thaugsuban in their corner 

[nookiebear]

Are you in the least bit surprised they dont want any 'neutral' observers.....Why??? Because the whole lot of the fcukers are corrupt

[dundeemk6]

 
the truth must be said

[boloa]

Army has no involvement in pollwatch: Prayuth
The Army did not set up a centre to monitor the balloting as alleged by the opposition, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday.
"The military's involvement in monitoring the poll is not true and Army Chief of Staff General Dapong Rattanasuwan has not been assigned to check on the balloting," he said.
Prayuth said he saw Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan as having a habit of fabricating stories.

 

[isanbirder]

Are you in the least bit surprised they dont want any 'neutral' observers.....Why??? Because the whole lot of the fcukers are corrupt

Exactly.