Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Politics & Government
Much of the political drama that has unfolded since the 2006 coup involves a long-standing
debate about how to structure Thailand's legislative body and, ultimately, who gets greater
control. The National Assembly (or parliament of Thailand) currently has 630 members di-
vided into two chambers (House of Representatives and the Senate) with a mix of seats be-
ing popularly elected and elected by party vote. The ratio of seats being popularly elected
changes with each replacement constitution. The 1997 constitution, dubbed the People's
Constitution, called for both chambers to be fully elected by popular vote. This power to
the people paved the way for Thaksin and his well-loved Thai Rak Thai party to gain
nearly complete control. The military and the elites have since questioned the benefits of
full democracy in Thailand.
The Democrat Party (Phak Prachathipat) founded in 1946 is now the longest-surviving political party in
Thailand.
When Thai voters go to the polls they cast a ballot for the constituency member of par-
liament (MP) and for their preferred party, the results of which are used to determine indi-
vidual winners and proportional representation outcomes for the positions assigned by
party vote. The prime minister is the head of the government and is elected via legislative
vote by the majority party.
Voting in Thailand is compulsory for all eligible citizens (over the age of 18) but mem-
bers of the clergy are not allowed to vote. Voter turnout for national elections was 75% in
2011, down from 78% in 2007. Charges of vote-buying typically accompany every elec-
tion. Anecdotally, local party leaders make their rounds through the villages handing out
money for the promise of a vote. In some cases, villagers will accept money from compet-
ing parties and report that they have no loyalty at the ballot box.
The ballots include a 'no' vote if the voter wishes to choose 'none of the above' intended
as an option for compulsory voters who dislike all of their options. It is also common to
'spoil' the ballot, or disqualify it, by writing on it or defacing it. During the 2005 general
election a large number of ineligible ballots contained anti-Thaksin messages. In the 2011
election, Yellow Shirts mounted a 'vote no' campaign as a political demonstration against
the current political system that they charged was corrupt. The campaign was unsuccessful
