Viagra, getting voters drunk, sending them to vote
Not an option this election
By Jon Fernquest |
In previous elections no alcohol sales for one day was the rule.
This election the prohibition has been extended to two whole weekends.
This prohibition naturally raises two questions:
1. What will the impact be on the tourism and restaurant industry?
2. Why such a rule? What goal is accomplished by the prohibition?
One answer:
The ban is to prevent canvassers entertaining voters at boozy parties before they go off to cast their votes.
A few weeks ago the notorious vote-buying canvassers of Thailand were handing out viagra pills to poor old men.
(See handcuffs on illegal viagra salesman in photo to right)
Maybe vote canvassers do have an endless bag full of tricks and the unelected NLA is justified in acting in a fatherly sort of way. What do you think? :
Older voters 'bribed with Viagra pills'
(30-11-2007)Vote buying is an old practice in Thai politics, but one candidate in the general election has reportedly come up with a new tactic - handing out Viagra instead of cash.
The allegation, made yesterday by a campaign worker against a rival party, comes as rules about handing out favours to voters have become stricter than ever, barring even the distribution of free T-shirts and soft drinks.
Sayan Nopcha, a campaigner for the People Power party (PPP) in Pathum Thani, said the drug used to treat sexual dysfunction in men was being distributed to elderly male voters at social functions.
Viagra is supposed to be used only on a doctor's advice, but can sometimes be bought over the counter.
"The politician is giving out Viagra to gain popularity and votes," said Mr Sayan, a local government official whose elder brother is the PPP candidate. "I think this is a very bad method of vote buying."
He would not identify the candidate who handed out the pills.
Under the tough new election laws, both the supplier and recipient of vote buying can face criminal charges.
Candidates can be disqualified and their party disbanded, as was the case with the old law, while voters who accept money or gifts now face from one to 10 years in prison.
More than 4,200 candidates from 41 parties are competing for 480 lower house seats in the Dec 23 polls. AP
Booze ban till Monday for advance voting
(14-12-07)No alcohol will be on sale or served at any event across the country from 6pm today until midnight on Sunday as voters cast advance ballots this weekend for the general election.
Bar owners have been warned it will be enforced.
The same strict regulation will be applied next week, from 6pm on Dec 22 to midnight the next day, polling day.
The ban is to prevent canvassers entertaining voters at boozy parties before they go off to cast their votes.
Violators risk a fine of up to 10,000 baht or a maximum of six years in jail, under the election law.
Pol Gen Vichien Potphosri said full security will be in place. Advance voting is tomorrow and Sunday.
About 2.8 million people have applied to cast advance votes. (Source: Bangkok Post, General News, 14-12-07, temp-link)
Vocabulary:
prohibition - law making sale of alcohol illegal
ban - law against doing something
canvassers - vote buyers, people in a local area who convince people to vote for a candidate
boozy, booze - (slang) alcohol
cast their votes - vote, select a political candidate to serve in government position
notorious - famous in a bad kind of way
viagra pills - medicine that helps men who can't have sex with their wives
tactic - something you do to achieve a short term goal
sexual dysfunction - when a man is not able to have sex
social functions - parties, meetings of friends and business associates
bought over the counter - bought directly from a drugstore or pharmacy without written permission from doctor (a prescription)
disqualified - not allowed to do something
party disbanded - breaking up a political party so that it no longer exists
