As Thailand is gearing for its general election on 3 July, a group of political activists asks the public to abstain from voting for any parties, linking its ‘Vote No’ campaign with democracy and political reform.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also known as the Yellow Shirts, has been encouraging voters nationwide to tick the ‘abstention box’ on the ballot cards in order to show their dissatisfaction with the election candidates, whom the group claimed were corrupt.
“Abstention is a democratic right,” said PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul, following criticisms that the ‘Vote No’ campaign would undermine Thailand’s democracy.
Comparing the election to a meal, where each diner was asked to pick one dish, he said diners did not have to choose anything if they knew the food was contaminated. “We want only clean food and it must be hygienically prepared,” he added.
According to Sondhi’s remark, however, it is most likely that Thai ‘diners’ will starve, and probably suffer severe gastritis, as the PAD leader has yet to answer how long this political fast will last and what will be served instead of the ‘contaminated food’.
Should Thais vote ‘No’ and go hungry?
Apparently, there is no clear answer at the time of writing.
“We don’t care what the abstention will cause,” said Sondhi, “We don’t care. We’ll continue our ‘Vote No’ campaign. We have to work hard to encourage the abstention and educate Thai people. This is our only chance to get back at corrupt politicians. Then we will move forward.”
But how could Thailand – or to be more precise, Thai politics – move forward when its people decide to stagnate one of the most important political processes that lead towards democracy more mature?
Speaking metaphorically…
- if this upcoming election was a meal,
- its candidates the items available on the menu,
- and voters the diners,
- then the future of Thai politics was their health.
Regardless of how the food is cooked or how limited the choices are, nobody can survive without eating, as their health will quickly deteriorate.
Similarly, Thai politics needs active public engagement to ensure it progresses towards a better future. Although the choice of candidates is limited, or as some have pointed out, not so satisfactory, Thai people should exercise their voting right to bring about a better change and to ensure their country is on the right track.
No doubt, the journey to fair politics will prove extremely difficult. Still, travellers who wish to reach their destination must not stop walking, as every step, no matter how tiny, means they are moving closer and closer to their very goal.
the worst vote is “Vote No”
Good article, but I think they’re all as bad as each other, no one cares who wins as it’s all fueled by money. Red Shirts will win imo because they are dishing out the most baht for votes. And the military / thai elite will kick up hell when (not if?) Thaksin tries to return. But maybe it’s best if the reds win, the rioting and trouble / violence next week in BKK might not be as bad as if they loose.
I care who wins the election though, because I think it’ll show, at certain extent, where we’re going. I think the Pheu Thai party has a better chance here. No matter how it turns out, I think we need the election to, you know, kinda move forward. Hope there won’t be any coup no matter what happens…