The Election Commission and the 2007 elections
Flawed rule-making procedures?

The Election Commission (EC) has made the news several times recently for incorrect statements and controversial rules that it has issued.

Yesterday's Bangkok Post editorial provided a thorough overview and critique of the flawed rule-making procedures at the EC.

First, the EC wrongly accused the election watchdog P-Net of misusing public funds. In the end, the EC admitted that it was wrong.

(See photo on right of Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayatham, left, admitting to Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, coordinator of the People's Network for Elections (P-Net), right, that she was wrong in alleging P-Net had improperly accounted for 80 million baht allocated by the Election Commission to assist in poll-watching duties at last year's general election.)

Second, the EC placed severe restrictions on the use of the broadcast and print media by political parties. In the end, the EC backed down and rescinded these restrictions.

Third, last week the EC barred ex-TRT officials from all political participation, not just from running as candidates.

The ex-TRT officials who were barred from running in elections earlier this year have been playing an active role in this year's election, appearing at public events and speaking on politics, having their photos appear on election posters and newspapers, and behind the scenes, advising political candidates on how to conduct their campaign. Today's editorial raises several questions:

1. Is the EC truly independent or is it following the lead of the "coup-makers" ?

2. What is the basis for EC rules? Personal interpretation of what went wrong in past elections? Broad interpretations of the constitutional court ruling that banned the TRT from politics? Or are they just making it up as they go along?

3. How will the restrictions on political participation by ex-TRT executives be enforced? Through lawsuits? Criminal laws? Through 'Heavy fines' ? 'Jail terms' ?

4. If ex-TRT executives are forced to leave mid-sized parties by recent restrictions, will the PPP grow stronger?

Vocabulary from above:

mishaps - unfortunate event that happens to someone (but not serious)
a watchdog - an organisation that oversees and makes sure that everyone plays by the rules
backed down - stop pushing for something they hoped to achieve
rescinded - officially withdraw a law, state that it is no longer valid
behind the scenes - day to day operations and plannning, not visible to public view
making it up as they go along - done step-by-step without a master plan

Reading Questions

1. What is required for the Election Commission (EC) to avoid the problems it has been having recently, according to the author?

2. What are some of the problems with the way that the EC has been coming up with elections rules recently?

3. What were ex-TRT officials and Thaksin banned from doing last week?

4. Are these new restrictions justified? (Express your opinion)

5. Were the new restrictions transparent laws or something else?
If so, what was it? (Describe)

6. What were the EC's previous controversial and unpopular decisions?
Why were these decisions unpopular?

7. What were the new rules on political activity of ex-TRT officials likely made in response to?

8. Did the EC ban on political activity probably make the ex-TRT officials more or less popular with the electorate? Why? (Express your opinion)

9. Are ex-TRT officials a unified group?

10. Do ex-TRT officials all work for PPP?

11. How has the scattering of ex-TRT officials among many mid-sized parties helped to undermine PPP's power?

12. Why does the most recent EC rule banning ex-TRT officials from political activity actually undermine what the coup-makers hope to achieve?

Bangkok Post Article November 20, 2007

Stage-managing the election

EC's flawed approach to rule-making

It is both amazing and troubling that the Election Commission (EC) continues to dig itself into deep holes of trouble and then laboriously climb out again. Amazing, because almost any politically aware citizen could foresee the recent high-profile problems and avoid them with nothing more than common sense.

Troubling, on two accounts. First, commission members seem inclined to fire off rules first and consider them later. This is no way to run the most important national election in recent history. The other troubling aspect is that just when it is absolutely vital that the public trusts the polls, the EC appears vacillating, uncertain, and more interested in its own powers than in producing a credible, trustworthy election. This vote is not all about the EC.

stage-managing - carefully organising and controlling, rather than letting happen in a natural way
dig itself into - making a problem more severe
laboriously - taking a lot of time and effort
politically aware - know in a general sense about how politics works, so able to understand and critique complicated political events
high-profile - very visible to the public, very important
common sense - natural ability to make reasonable decisions and actions
on two accounts - for two reasons
fire off - create quickly (like firing a gun)
vital - necessary and very important
vacillating - keeping changing one's mind, can't make one final decision
credible - believable
trustworthy - able to believe and trust

Banning ex-TRT officials from all political activity as well

The latest EC kerfuffle revolves around what might be called "the rule that isn't".

Last week, under rather strange circumstances, the commission issued a list of forbidden actions by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the other 110 former Thai Rak Thai party executives banned from political office for five years. The list seemed to ban a lot of things that many of the 111 men and women had already been doing - speaking on politics, advising political campaigns, appearing at rallies and getting their photos on election posters and in newspapers among other things.

And then it got very strange.

a kerfuffle - commotion, lots of noisy activity and conflict
revolves around - is concerned with, focuses on
circumstances - situation surrounding an event
rallies - large political meetings to build support for a person, a sports team, or political issue

Threatening and ambiguous suggestions rather than rules

The EC did not ban these activities by the ex-Thaksin loyalists. Rather, it suggested that all 111 refrain from such common activities, and further suggested that if any of them refused to stop, the party they were working for could be banned, and a lot of people could face cheating charges that could result in jail terms and heavy fines. That word bears repeating: Could.

In the event, this has become the most talked-about and unpopular political decision since... well, since the last Election Commission decision. That would be the so-called iron rules issued last month that forbade perhaps 80% of all normal political activities. That was so unpopular that the EC had to reverse itself and declare the iron rules null and void. But the iron rules were the most unpopular political decision since the EC fought with the country's only independent election watchdog, pushing the highly experienced People's Network P-Net aside like a mangy cur.

refrain from - stop doing
iron rules - strict inflexible rules
declare rules null and void - rules no longer exist, no longer in effect
a watchdog - an organisation that oversees and makes sure that everyone plays by the rules
a mangy cur - a dog with mange (a fatal skin disease that makes the dog look horrible)

Ban on ex-TRT officials counter-productive?

The new and sudden "suggestions" that ex-Thai Rak Thai loyalists disappear apparently came after military intelligence units discovered what the rest of the country already realised - that Thaksin's proxy party, the People Power party (PPP), might in fact win the election. Those behind the Sept 19, 2006 military coup urged the EC to take action.

This was misguided, because if anything the sudden extended ban on the 111 politicians has won sympathy for them in almost all quarters. Even Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who stands to become prime minister if he can beat the PPP, criticised the new suggestion.

apparently - have heard that it is true, but not sure
military intelligence - soldiers who gather information about enemy movements and preparations
proxy - acting for someone else
misguided - wrong (because it is based on an incorrect idea)
stands to - likely to

Mid-size swing parties dissipate PPP power

The military should be careful what it wishes. Ex-Thai Rak Thai executives had also broken up. Many were working for new parties, which almost guaranteed that the PPP could not gain a majority at the Dec 23 election. Now, effectively fired from their jobs, those men and women may regroup. Puea Pandin founder Surakiart Sathirathai and election coordinator Suranand Vejjajiva yesterday quit their party, cutting its election chances drastically. Matchima group's leader Somsak Thepsuthin said the new rules are barbed wire to keep out all small parties. In a two-party race, the PPP currently holds a wide margin over the Democrats, the ultimate nightmare for the military.

More importantly, the EC has again reduced its own reputation. The Dec 23 election is the single most important event to return Thailand to a democratic track. But polls must win the confidence of all citizens. The EC must stop waffling. It should either ban the 111 politicians, or, much better, admit another lapse in judgment and let them get back on the hustings. Then the commission must stop stage-managing. It must organise the vote, monitor the campaigns, and transparently expose and prosecute cheating. That is the EC's job. Right now, it risks the return to democracy by efforts to micro-manage what should be a free election.

should be careful what it wishes - should be more careful in setting its goals
cutting its chances - making less likely to happen
drastically - changed by a very great amount
barbed wire - wire with sharp points, to keep people and animals off land
holds a wide margin over - would win win by many votes
the ultimate nightmare - the worst situation one could imagine or dream of
return to a democratic track - return to a democratic way of engaging in politics
win the confidence of - make people believe in
waffling - not acting decisively
lapse in judgment - made an unwise decision (when they usually make good decisions)
the hustings - political campaigns and speeches before an election
get back on the hustings - return to election campaigning
stage-managing - managing all the details of what happens on stage during the performance of a play or drama
transparently - acting in a way that is clear and easy to understand
expose - make facts known
micro-manage - manage every detail of some activity (over-manage)

Answer Key:

1. What is required for the Election Commission (EC) to avoid the problems it has been having recently, according to the author?

Common sense.

2. What are some of the problems with the way that the EC has been coming up with elections rules recently?

a. EC members fire off rules first and consider them later.
b. EC undermines public trust by appearing vacillating and uncertain..
c. EC more interested in its own powers than producing a credible election.

3. What were ex-TRT officials and Thaksin banned from doing last week?

a. Speaking on politics
b. Advising political campaigns
c. Appearing at rallies
d. Getting their photos on election posters and in newspapers

4. Are these new restrictions justified? (Express your opinion)

5. Were the new restrictions transparent laws or something else?
If so, what was it? (Describe)

Something else. It was a "threatening suggestion," not a "transparent law." The EC suggested:
a. Refraining from these common activities.
b. If they did not refrain, there might be penalties.
c. Banning their political party might be a penalty.
d. Jail terms might be a penalty.
e. Heavy fines might be a penalty.

[Note: English teachers can use the recent EC "suggestion" to practice modal verbs such as: may, might, will likely, probably will,...etc]

6. What were the EC's previous controversial and unpopular decisions?
Why were these decisions unpopular?

a. Rules forbidding normal political activities such as coverage of candidates in the broadcast and print media.
b. Before that, rejecting the highly experienced and valuable election watchdog organisation P-Net.

7. What were the new rules on political activity of ex-TRT officials likely made in response to?

Apparently:
a. The coup-makers realised that the PPP might win the election.
b. The coup-makers urged the EC to take action.

8. Did the EC ban on political activity probably make the ex-TRT officials more or less popular with the electorate? Why? (Express your opinion)

Probably more popular, because it won sympathy for them among the electorate.

9. Are ex-TRT officials a unified group?

No, they have broken up from their previous grouping udner the TRT.

10. Do ex-TRT officials all work for PPP?

No, they work for new parties nowadays.

11. How has the scattering of ex-TRT officials among many mid-sized parties helped to undermine PPP's power?

If these ex-TRT officials align their mid-sized parties with the Democrat party, for instance, then the PPP will not be able to form a coalition government and will be defeated.

("Ex-Thai Rak Thai executives had also broken up. Many were working for new parties, which almost guaranteed that the PPP could not gain a majority at the Dec 23 election. Now, effectively fired from their jobs, those men and women may regroup...In a two-party race, the PPP currently holds a wide margin over the Democrats, the ultimate nightmare for the military.")

12. Why does the most recent EC rule banning ex-TRT officials from political activity actually undermine what the coup-makers hope to achieve?

If the ex-TRT officials abandon their mid-sized parties and throw their support behind the PPP as they once did with the TRT, the PPP might win.

ISOC and Thailand's Internal Security Act
Danger lurking?

Many are worried that Thailand is on the verge of a return to military dominance in the governance of the country.

Recently, several impassioned articles have argued against the proposed "Internal Security Act" the law that will empower the military and ISOC after the December elections and return to democracy.

We'll look at two of these articles today.

The first article is a translation of an important article from the Thai press. Each week the Bangkok Post's In Print section features important articles written in the Thai language media and translated into English by Bangkok Post journalist Kamol Hengkietisak.

This week's In Print featured an editorial against the Internal Security Act from the Thai language daily Matichon written by Dr. Weng Tochirakarn.

The second article is senator Jon Ungphakorn's discussion of the proposed law in his weekly Straight to the Point column for the Bangkok Post. Extracts from his critical assessment are included below.

Thirdly, Chang Noi's analysis of the original bill also provides essential background information. Read the original bill and the revision to make the bill more palatable.

on the verge of - about to happen, will happen shortly
impassioned - with great emotion
ISOC - Internal Security Operations Command

Jon Ungphakorn's analysis of the ISOC bill

Two weeks ago Jon Ungphakorn discussed the ISOC bill in his weekly "Straight to the Point" column that appears in the Bangkok Post every Wednesday (See Bangkok Post, Opinion and Analysis, 24-10-2007). He pointed out that Thailand already has two very powerful security laws in place. First, there is the martial law that continues to exist months after the coup in many provinces around the country:

"First we have Martial Law, dating back to 1914. At present, 27 of Thailand's 76 provinces are subject to martial law, which gives the military many special powers over the civilian population, such as powers to search homes, detain suspects for up to seven days, ban public gatherings, impose curfews, censor publications and restrict travel. Civilians charged with crimes relating to national security face trial by military court, with no rights of appeal."

"Once we return to some form of democratic rule, however, it is unlikely that martial law will still remain in force on this scale."

Then then there is the security law that Thaksin passed to deal with the southern insurgency:

"In 2005, amid strong opposition from many quarters, including the Lawyers' Association, the Thaksin Shinawatra government introduced the emergency decree on "Public Administration in Emergency Situations" which became permanent after it received parliamentary approval."

"This law which is currently being applied to the three southern border provinces most affected by chronic violence, allows the government to declare a state of emergency in designated areas, thereby giving the prime minister and officials under his/her command wide-ranging special powers to restore order."

"These include powers to detain suspects, ban public gatherings, censor media, intercept communications, impose curfews, restrict travel, ban individuals from entering or leaving designated areas and order individuals to report to officials for interrogation or for mandatory re-education."

"In fact, under this law the prime minister has the power to order officials to carry out any "necessary" action, even the killing of suspects, and officials who carry out such orders in good faith are given immunity from prosecution."

With powerful security laws aleady in place, he raises the next logical question: why is another security law needed now?

"The only logical explanation is that certain sections of the military, particularly those directly involved in last year's coup, want to have control of special powers, similar to those allowed under the martial law and Public Administration in Emergency Situations Act, in order to prevent attempts by pro-Thaksin political groups to regain political power, even by legitimate democratic means.

Under the present draft, while the prime minister will be the nominal director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), the real power will likely reside with the Army chief who will serve as deputy director of Isoc, and have hands-on command of the organisation.

Vocabulary from above:

detain - keep locked up, in jail
suspects - people the police believe might have broken the law
ban public gatherings - people are not allowed to meet in public places for protests
impose curfews - laws requiring people to be in their houses after a certain hour at night
censor media - restricting what newspapers and tv news can say
intercept communications - monitor private phone conversations and email to gather information
chronic - lasting for a long period of time
state of emergency -
designated areas - specified areas
interrogation - when the police ask people questions in their investigation of a crime
mandatory - required
re-education - political education
immunity - protection
immunity from prosecution - cannot be tried for a crime
legitimate - acceptable
hands-on - involved in day to day operations

Reading Questions

1. What laws of western countries does the Internal Secutiry Act seem to be modeled upon?

2. What are the differences between the internal security threats that the US and Britain face and those faced by Thailand? (Compare and express your opinion)

3. Under what conditions can citizen's fundamental rights be trespassed under western security laws?

4. How are politicians held accountable to the public for enforcing the western security laws?

5. Is this the first time a government in Thailand has tried to pass such a security law?

6. What prevented the passage of such a security law in the past?

7. Has the power of ISOC grown or diminished in recent times? How and why?

8. How did the military and ISOC's role change after the 2006 coup?

9. How will the Internal Security Act change the distribution of power in Thailand, according to Dr. Weng?

10. What does Dr. Weng recommend as the most appropriate way to deal with this bill?

Bangkok Post Article November 17, 2007

Internal Security Act for a military state?

The Internal Security Bill passed its first reading in the National Legislative Assembly on November 8 by an overwhelming 101 to 20 vote, noted Dr Weng Tochirakarn, a Matichon writer.

The Internal Security Bill seems to emulate the US' Homeland Security Act and Britain's Internal Security Law, he noted. However, the two countries face different threats than those faced by Thailand. The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center was the catalyst for the act in the US, while the United Kingdom faced subway bombings. The attacks left hundreds of dead and injured. Even right now, both countries are threatened by potential acts of international terrorism practically everyday.

But Thailand has not faced international terrorist attacks nor does it face threats of them. The unrest in the three deep South provinces, the political demonstrations, and divisions in the country are home grown and do not pose grave security threats.

first reading - laws being considered by Thai parliament are read and voted on three times before coming law
by an overwhelming - complete victory, almost everyone voted for it
emulate - use as a model
Homeland Security Act (HSA) - the post-9/11 law to deal with terrorism in US (See Wikipedia)
Internal Security Law (Britain) - the post-9/11 law to deal with terrorism in Great Britain
a catalyst - initiator of change, a chemical that starts a chemical reaction
unrest - public protests (and other expressions of political discontent)
home grown - made at home, originating in the country, not coming from outside
pose a threat - are a threat
grave - very serious
security threats - ways that a place or person lacks safety, is unprotected

Lack of accountability under the new act

Dr Weng noted that in the two Western countries, the security law is enforced only after there is first a terrorist attack or an emergency situation. Only then can citizens' fundamental rights be trespassed upon. Yet, these security law enforcers come from a civilian government, elected by the people directly - and not by any general or group of military brass.

This means that the people can monitor the politicians who enforce the security law. If they think the law is reasonably enforced, the incumbents will not be punished in the next election and will be allowed to return to power. This is not the case with the Thai version of the Internal Security Act. The law's enforcers can abuse power and the people cannot punish them through the ballot box. There have been several attempts by previous governments including the Chuan, Chavalit and Thaksin regimes to submit a similar law to parliament, but each time, the parliament directly elected by the people has not seen the merit of passing a law that must come at the expense of the people's fundamental rights. They have rejected the proposal every time.

trespassed - violated, abused (unwarranted infringement)
military brass - high ranking military officers
monitor - watch and evaluate activity
enforce a law - making sure that people who break the law are punished
incumbents - people who currently hold elected office seeking re-election
x comes at the expense of y - y is the cost of benefit x

Recent resurgence of ISOC

Meanwhile, the successive civilian governments have weakened the political role of the military and the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc). Isoc was nearly dissolved during Thaksin's administration and it could be deemed that Thailand was no longer dominated by the military.

Immediately after the military staged the coup last year, the coup leader used his power to change the Isoc chief from a prime minister, to an army chief instead. Not only were the Isoc's power and personnel expanded tremendously. all 20 ministries were put under Isoc's command.

The military budget was raised from 115 billion baht in the 2007 budget year to 153 billion baht in 2008. Most of the increases are hidden in secret budgets or channelled through Isoc. In short, Isoc again became powerful in Thailand, allowing the military state to again dominate Thai society in just about every conceivable way.

The most glaring example of this was the coup leaders' move to force the Thai people to accept the B.E. 2550 Constitution in the national referendum. This was possible due to the commands from the Council for National Security. However, the CNS' power is temporary and will soon expire with the arrival of a new civilian government next year.

successive - several each following the previous, one after another
civilian - non-military, not soldiers
dissolved - when an organisation is officially ended and broken up
deemed that - could be judged that
channelled through - sent through
glaring example - a very obvious example
referendum - when a government asks the people to vote on policy
expire - end

Resurgence of a military state

To make sure that the "military state" continues to coexist with Thai society, the coup leaders are pushing the NLA to pass the Internal Security Bill. To do so would mean the military state would become a permanent fixture of Thai society.

No matter how many general elections are held or how many constitutions are promulgated in the future, as long as this act exists, the power will rest with the military oligarchy, asserts Dr Weng.

coexist with - exist at the same time
become a permanent ficture of - become a permanent part of (not just temporary)
promulgate a constitution - when a constitution is made official
an oligarchy -

Counting from November 8, when the NLA passed the first reading to the Dec 23 general election date, there are only 45 days. Why didn't the NLA shelve the Internal Security Act and let the coming parliament elected by the people decide the fate of a bill which aims to create a military state and greatly trample upon the people's fundamental rights?

Why did the NLA overwhelmingly pass the bill in the first reading and why is there a likely chance that it will again pass the final reading before the general election as well? The only explanation is that the coup leaders want to create a military state permanently in Thai society and that the appointed NLA is a slave institution serving the military dictatorship, concluded Dr Weng.

shelve - remove from consideration (and possibility of becoming a law)
decide the fate of - decide the future of
trample upon - treat without respect (walk upon)
overwhelmingly - complete victory, almost everyone voted for it
pass the bill - vote to make the bill a law

Answer Key:

1. What laws of western countries does the Internal Secutiry Act seem to be modeled upon?

a. The Homeland Security Act (US)
b. Internal Security Law (Britain)

2. What are the differences between the internal security threats that the US and Britain face and those faced by Thailand? (Compare and express your opinion)

a. The US and Britain face terrorist attacks that leave hundreds dead and injured.
b. Thailand faces unrest restricted to three provinces in the deep south.
c. Thailand faces political demonstrations and divisions after the coup.
d. The security threats that the US and Britain face are severe.
e. The security threats that Thailand faces are not severe.

3. Under what conditions can citizen's fundamental rights be trespassed under western security laws?

When there is a terrorist attack or an emergency situation.

4. How are politicians held accountable to the public for enforcing the western security laws?

Security law enforcers are part of the civilian (non-military) government, so elections can be used to express disatisfaction with the way security laws have been enforced. Enforcers can effectively be punished with the ballot box.

5. Is this the first time a government in Thailand has tried to pass such a security law?

No, there have been several attempts by previous governments (Chuan, Chavalit and Thaksin).

6. What prevented the passage of such a security law in the past?

A parliament elected by the people has always rejected such a law.

("...each time, the parliament directly elected by the people has not seen the merit of passing a law that must come at the expense of the people's fundamental rights. They have rejected the proposal every time.")

7. Has the power of ISOC grown or diminished in recent times? How and why?

Diminished, because successive elected civilian governments expressing the wishes of the people have weakened the political role of the military. ISOC was almost completely eliminated during Thaksin's administration.

8. How did the military and ISOC's role change after the 2006 coup?

Both became more important:
a. The ISOC chief changed from the Prime Minister to the army chief.
b. ISOC's power was expanded.
c. ISOC's personnel was expanded.
d. All 20 ministries were put under ISOC's command.
e. The military budget was increased from 115 to 153 billion.
f. The military budget is hidden in secret budgets or channeled through ISOC.

9. How will the Internal Security Act change the distribution of power in Thailand, according to Dr. Weng?

a. Elections and constitutions will be irrelevant.
b. Real power will reside in the military oligarchy.

10. What does Dr. Weng recommend as the most appropriate way to deal with this bill?

Shelve the bill and let the elected government soon to be in power deal with it.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak on the outlook
for post-coup election 2007

An update on the current political situation during the lead up to Thailand's post-coup elections by Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University is featured in today's article.

The metaphor of a boxing match is used throughout today's article. Samak uses this very metaphor himself in declining Abhisit's invitation to debate in today's Bangkok Post:

"I am not desperate. I know how to speak and think, but the person who challenged me does not know about this fighting business. It would be pointless."

The Democrat party has found it difficult to expand its electoral bases beyond the South and Bangkok. Mid-sized "swing parties" will likely determine whether it is the Democrats or the PPP that forms a coalition government. Formation of a post-election government may well be slowed down by election re-runs. This overview provides rich details about how the elections are progressing as well as many new vocabulary items to learn.

Chachoengsao election case study

The day-to-day details of the election in Chachoengsao are being documented by political scientist Michael Nelson as part of a project covering 14 provinces conducted by King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI).

Michael Nelson's latest post on candidate registration to the New Mandala blog at Australia National Unviersity (ANU) documents the complex family ties and loyalties that generate networks of loyal followers around a politician.

Michael H. Nelson is a visiting scholar at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, and a senior research associate in Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Passau, Germany. (See previous KPI article on draft constitution review).

lead up to - period of time before an event happens
metaphor - creative way of describing something by pointing out its similarities with something else
declining an invitation - not accepting an invitation
desperate - willing to do anything to get out of a bad situation
pointless - useless, a waste of time
swing parties - parties that can determine success or failure by which way they "swing," by which side they side with
coalition - a government combining people from two or more parties
election re-runs - doing the election again, voting again

Reading Questions

1. What event marks the official start of the election campaign?

2. When is the registration period for MP candidates?

3. What are the two types of MPs being elected?

4. What is the difference between the two kinds of MPs?
(Outside research required)

5. How many MP positions are being contested in the election?

6. What two major parties are contending in the election?

7. What are the names of the smaller ("mid-sized") parties that will become important if a likely coalition government needs to be formed?

8. Why are the mid-sized parties important?

9. What is the major party called that, despite garnering large amounts of votes, is not included in the government?

10. Who is likely to become the opposition party after the next election? Why?

11. What regions form the base of the Democrat party?

12. What are the two essential elements of the PPP's campaign strategy?

13. Who is more appealing as a candidate Samak or Abhisit? Why?
(Express your opinion)

14. Which is currently the most promising mid-sized party? Why?

15. Who is Suwit Khunkitti and what makes him promising as a politician?

16. What is the natural ally for the Puea Pandin party? Why?

17. Who was Banharn's Chart Thai allied with during the Thaksin years?

18. What is likely to be more important in the end for mid-sized parties: old TRT ties or being part of a coalition government?

19. Will retired coup-maker Sonthi enter the election as a candidate?

20. Do coup-maker's usually enter elections?

21. What recent actions by the Election Commission seem to be designed to neutralise the strength of the PPP?

22. Why is a quick election and formation of government unlikely after the December 2007 elections?

Bangkok Post Article November 13, 2007

Coalition govt a foregone conclusion?

MP seats being contested in the election

Thailand's election campaign has officially started, with the registration period for party-list and constituency candidates to be completed by Nov 16.

The People Power party (PPP) - successor of the formerly unstoppable but dissolved Thai Rak Thai party of ousted and self-exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - has fielded a strong nationwide line-up for both the 80 party-list and 400 constituency MPs up for grabs on Dec 23.

So has its arch-nemesis, the Democrat party (DP).

The rest of the contestants are dominated by mid-sized parties, featuring Puea Pandin, Ruamjaithai Chart Pattana, Matchimathipataya and Chart Thai.

a foregone conclusion - everyone knows it will happen
dissolved - break up
fielded a line-up - the players of a sports team playing in a game (on the sports "field")
party-list MP seats - seats that are won in proportion to the total votes received by parties
constituency - the area that an MP is elected from and represents
up for grabs - available to be taken
nemesis - person or thing that threatens to harm you
arch-... - an extreme example of...

Electoral fix in the making

The only known outcome thus far is that the DP and PPP are in opposite corners, having declared that they will not form a coalition government together. This means that the mid-sized parties will be king-maker. The PPP's resilience and favourable electoral prospects going forward indicate a looming crisis.

In the event the PPP comes out on top, it will have the right to form a government - an outcome that is unacceptable to the military which staged the coup in September 2006. No matter how the PPP fares on election day, the likelihood is that it will end up on the opposition benches. The military and interim government of Prime Minster Surayud Chulanont will do everything in its power to ensure a non-PPP government.

The other non-PPP parties will likely oblige. An electoral fix thus appears to be in the making in the run-up to polling day.

in opposite corners - the two fighters in opposite corners of a boxing ring
coalition government - a government combining two or more parties
king-maker - person whose support is essential to gain power
resilience - strength, ability to renew fighting after problems
prospects - probability of success
looming - something bad is about to happen
end up on the opposition benches -
oblige - do what someone wants them to do
a fix - an arrangement to guarantee a certain result (for example, the boxing match was fixed by paying one boxer to lose)
in the making - something being planned for the near future
in the run-up to - during the period before the election
polling day - election day

Comparing Samak and Abhisit as candidates

While the DP has been utterly unable to expand its electoral bases beyond the South and Bangkok, with a few pockets in the Central and Northeast regions, the PPP will likely produce a formidable showing in the populous Northeast and the North and respectable results in the Central region and Bangkok.

Mr Samak Sundaravej, the PPP leader, has shrewdly turned the election into a verdict on the coup, campaigning on an anti-coup stance on top of the proven populist platform under Thai Rak Thai.

The PPP's chief drawback is that the 72-year-old, "old-style" Mr Samak is less appealing as a national leader, than the 43-year-old, Oxford-educated Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, the DP's leader.

Leadership appeal in the context of international credibility will be a crucial factor, and will prompt the post-election endgame to favour Mr Abhisit as prime minister.

An implicit fix to keep the PPP out of government is viable because Mr Abhisit is more credible than Mr Samak, even though the PPP may well edge out the DP at the polls.

Apart from his lack of credentials abroad, Mr Samak is also a divisive figure at home, having antagonised the press with his trademark acerbic comments. Moreover, Mr Samak lacks the policy expertise and experience in running a TRT-based populist platform.

pockets - small areas within a much larger area
formidable - very difficult to beat
a showing - a performance in a competition (for example, make a good showing in a horse race)
shrewdly - with cunning and skill
verdict on - when a judge in a court makes a decision on a legfal case
stance - viewpoint, opinion about
chief - main, most important
drawback - problem (that makes it less attractive option)
appealing - attractive
credibility - believability
endgame - the end of a chess game (with special and exacting tactics required)
implicit - not stated, must be inferred or guessed
viable - possible to succeed
edge out - win by a small amount
at the polls - during voting
lack of credentials - lack of formal qualifications
divisive - creating disharmony, disagreement, and arguments
antagonised - make angry
acerbic comments - sharp, critical, direct

Pressure on mid-sized parties to ditch PPP

The mid-sized parties are led by Puea Pandin. Its leader and former Thai Rak Thai stalwart, Suwit Khunkitti, also has a solid policy background. With momentum on its side, Puea Pandin is in position to be the third largest party after the polls and potentially to be the lead king-maker. Its natural partner would be the PPP, as they are cut from the same Thai Rak Thai cloth.

However, the military and interim government, along with related government agencies, will likely exert immense pressure on Puea Pandin to ditch PPP in favour of the DP.

The other mid-sized parties will also face similar pressure. For all of them, especially Chart Thai which used to be part of the opposition with the DP, getting a piece of the pie in the coalition government will likely outweigh old ties with Mr Thaksin and the PPP.

a stalwart - a loyal, steady, and reliable supporter or worker
momentum - energy moving forwards (that keeps one moving forwards)
lead - most important, ranked number one
cut from the same cloth - come from the same place, have the same origins
exert - make great effort
immense - great
pressure - persuasion, force
ditch - abandon, throw away
getting a piece of the pie - getting a share or part of the benefits gained
outweigh - is more important than

Possible techniques for fixing an election

The candidate registration period suggests General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the retired coup-maker and current deputy prime minister in charge of preventing electoral fraud, will not contest the polls, a significant outcome that defies conventional wisdom of his inevitable entry into electoral politics.

With martial law still in place in many North and Northeast provinces that constitute the PPP's voter bases, Gen Sonthi will see to it that the deck is stacked against Mr Samak's party. He will be assisted by the Election Commission, which has come out with petty and intrusive regulations on campaigning, designed to neutralise the PPP's strength.

The Election Commission is likely to issue a host of yellow and red cards in PPP-dominated constituencies, requiring re-runs or dismissing winning candidates altogether on poll fraud charges.")

Apart from an implicit fix in the making, another certain outcome is a messy poll that could drag on for many weeks with constituency re-runs. If these exceed 5% of the total number of 480 MPs, the Lower House cannot convene, as stipulated in the new constitution.

The interim government may still be in office well into the first quarter of 2008.

It is thus advisable not to expect a clean poll and an expeditious formation of a new government.

fraud - the crime of deceiving another for gain
defies conventional wisdom - is the opposite of what most people normally think
martial law - military law enforced by soldiers in military courts
deck is stacked against - failure is likely (like gambling with a "deck" of playing cards that isn't fair)
petty - concerned about small and unimportant things, unkind
intrusive - invades and disturb's the privacy of someone
neutralise -
yellow and red cards - penalty cards in football to warn or throw out of the game
constituencies - well-defined local areas that elect one or two MPs
re-runs - doing the election again
charges - accused of breaking the law
drag on - continue for a long time
convene - start
stipulated - a condition stated clearly, that something must be done is stated
a clean poll - an election that goes smoothly without problems
expeditious - efficient, quick

The writer is Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

Answer Key:

1. What event marks the official start of the election campaign?

The beginning of the registration period for candidates.

2. When is the registration period for MP candidates?

November 12th to 16th.

3. What are the two types of MPs being elected?

a. Constituency.
b. Party list.

4. What is the difference between the two kinds of MPs?
(Outside research required)

5. How many MP positions are being contested in the election?

480 in total.
400 constituency MPs
60 party list MPs.

6. What two major parties are contending in the election?

a. The Democrat Party (DP).
b. The Phalang Prachachon Party [People Power Party] (PPP).

7. What are the names of the smaller ("mid-sized") parties that will become important if a likely coalition government needs to be formed?

a. Puea Pandin
b. Ruamjaithai Chart Pattana
c. Matchimathipataya
d. Chart Thai

8. Why are the mid-sized parties important?

Since the DP and the PPP have announced that they won't form a coalition government together, either the DP or the PPP, whichever party wins, may have to form a coalition government with mid-sized parties, making them "king makers."

9. What is the major party called that, despite garnering large amounts of votes, is not included in the government?

It is called the "opposition party" ("opposition benches"). The Democrat party filled this role during the Thaksin administration.

10. Who is likely to become the opposition party after the next election? Why?

The PPP is likely to become the opposition party after the next election because the military that staged the 2006 coup will find some way to ensure an non-PPP government ("an electoral fix").

11. What regions form the base of the Democrat party?

a. The South.
b. Bangkok.

12. What are the two essential elements of the PPP's campaign strategy?

a. An anti-coup stance.
b. Thai Rak Thai's populist policy platform.

13. Who is more appealing as a candidate Samak or Abhisit? Why?
(Express your opinion)

The article clearly indicates that Abhisit is more appealing listing the following reasons:

a. Samak is old (72) and Abhisit is young (72).
b. Samak is an "old-style" politician and Abhisit is a "new-style" politician.
c. Abhisit is Oxford educated. Samak "lacks credentials" abroad.
d. Abhisit has more leadership appeal.
e. Abhisit would have more international credibility.
f. Samak is a divisive figure domestically.
g. Samak antagonises the press.
h. Samak lacks policy expertise in running TRT populist policies.

14. Which is currently the most promising mid-sized party? Why?

The Puea Pandin party.

15. Who is Suwit Khunkitti and what makes him promising as a politician?

a. Suwit is the head of the Puea Pandin party.
b. He is a promising politician because he has a solid policy background.

16. What is the natural ally for the Puea Pandin party? Why?

Samak's PPP is the natural ally for Puea Pandin because they are both "cut from the same Thai Rak Thai cloth."

17. Who was Banharn's Chart Thai allied with during the Thaksin years?

Chart Thai was allied with the Democrat Party in opposition to the TRT.

18. What is likely to be more important in the end for mid-sized parties: old TRT ties or being part of a coalition government?

Being part of a coalition government with consequent power and resources.

19. Will retired coup-maker Sonthi enter the election as a candidate?

No.

20. Do coup-maker's usually enter elections?

Yes, they usually do.

("General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the retired coup-maker...will not contest the polls, a significant outcome that defies conventional wisdom of his inevitable entry into electoral politics.")

21. What recent actions by the Election Commission seem to be designed to neutralise the strength of the PPP?

The Election Commission has issued "petty and intrusive regulations on campaigning" and these regulations can be used to "issue a host of yellow and red cards in PPP-dominated constituencies, requiring re-runs or dismissing winning candidates altogether on poll fraud charges."

22. Why is a quick election and formation of government unlikely after the December 2007 elections?

a. The election could drag on for weeks with contituency re-runs.
b. If constituency re-runs exceed 5% the Lower House cannot convene.

Samak up close and personal
Is rudeness a vote-getter?

Speaking politely and acting like a gentleman may not be necessary to get votes. Today's article seems to be a case study in how not to deal with the media, or is it?

An article in the Post Today on Friday ran a transcript that caught Samak Sundaravej (party boss of the PPP and Thaksin's proxy in Thailand) in the act of bullying and harassing reporters. Samak avoided the difficult questions that reporters posed to him in a number of ways, none of them polite:

a. I have no duty to explain.
b. Were you hired by somebody?
c. I don't need to answer this question.
d. Don't ask me like I'm in court.
e. Don't pester me.
f. Why do you ask?
g. What people [want to know] ? Show me the list.
h. ...this is not a matter to be talked about.
i. ...anybody who wants to dig into this matter has ill intentions toward the PPP.
j. The matter is over.
k. Why keep pestering me?
l. Which paper you work for? Tell me.

Some natural questions:

1. Why can Samak get away with being rude?
2. Do some voters like rudeness and roughness?
3. Is roughness seen as a sign of strength and manliness by some?
4. Do some voters favour a rough style over Abhisit's more refined, polite, and gentlemanly approach?

"Showing grace under fire" or not "losing your cool" has become increasingly important in public life. Former president Clinton set a new standard in the United States for not losing his cool under pressure. Will politicians ever be held to account for losing their cool and being rude?

Of course, the bigger issue is what contempt for the media could mean after an election victory when the candidate has power and can actively suppress the media and freedom of speech as Thaksin did. This is the issue addressed at the very beginning of today's article.

up close and personal - a phrase commonly used in the title of interviews, indicates that you're going to learn what a person is really like personally
rude - not polite
proxy - acting for someone else
transcript - writing down in words what people say
bullying - pushing people around, forcing them to do what you want
harassing - causing trouble for someone else, attacking verbally or causing problems
pester - annoy, cause trouble for
ill intentions - want to harm
get away with - do without negative consequences
refined - very polite, good manners, good taste
showing grace - behaving in a polite and dignified way, even when they are upset and angry
under fire - being attacked verbally
losing your cool - getting angry suddenly, losing control of your temper
held to account for - accepting criticism and punishment for something you did wrong

Reading Questions

1. What did Thaksin mean in his famous remark: "The UN is not my father!"

2. In what situation did he make this remark?

3. What was Thaksin's attitude towards the media during his administration?

4. How did Thaksin express contempt towards the media?

5. How does Samak compare to Thaksin in his contempt for the media?

6. What are some of the rude ways that Samak avoids media questions? (Make a list)

7. What was Samak's most offensive remark to a reporter during the press conference?

8. Why was the remark offensive?

9. What is a reporter's job?

10. What appropriate response can a politician (or other public figure) make to a tough question that he or she does not want to answer?

Bangkok Post Article Monday November 12, 2007

If questions are too tough, go home

The remark will be long remembered: "The UN is not my father!" It came from the mouth of then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who appeared annoyed by reporters who questioned him persistently about a United Nations report about alleged human rights abuses during his regime.

The ex-prime minister was known not to be on good terms with the media, especially the print media which he often treated with contempt. And when he was pestered with questions not to his liking he sometimes lost his cool and shot back, demanding to know which publications they represented.

It was widely known Thaksin's dislike of the media, in particular media critical of his administration, was not limited to harsh words for reporters. Advertising by long-time clients suddenly disappeared. In serious cases, multi-million-baht defamation lawsuits were lodged against media critics.

a remark - a comment, what someone says about something
persistently - continually, without stopping
contempt - without respect
pestered - annoyed, irritated, troubled, made life difficult
lost his cool - get angry
shot back - answer quickly and a little rudely
defamation - say something that damages another person's reputation
lawsuits - seek legal action against someone
lodged against - make against

Contempt for the media: A Thaksin legacy

But Thaksin's contempt for the media pales when compared to his heir, Samak Sundaravej, leader of the Thai Rak Thai's incarnation, the People Power party (PPP). By design or coincidence, his choice of Samak to pursue his unfinished legacy couldn't be more appropriate.

Both Thaksin and Samak have at least one thing in common - they dislike the media. But while Thaksin is more restrained, Samak does not hesitate to show hostility when a reporter's questions rub him the wrong way.

contempt for - have no respect for, look down on, treat rudely
pales when compared to - from "pales in comparison" which means "is not very good when compared to"
an heir - someone who receives
incarnation - one appearance among many repeated appearances
legacy - what someone leaves behind for others after they die or after they leave a position
restrained - in control (anger inside perhaps, but does not show)
does not hesitate - does quickly without caution
hostility - display of anger
rub him the wrong way - does not like

Samak's Conversation with Reporters

Following are excerpts of a conversation between Samak and several reporters at the PPP head office on Thursday. (The full text was in Post Today's Friday edition.)

Siam Rath reporter: There was a report that Khunying Sudarat [Keyuraphan] and Newin [Chidchob] were involved in preparing the list [of party-list candidates]. Is it true?

Samak: I have no duty to explain. Were you hired by somebody?

Reporter: No sir.

Samak: If no, [I] don't need to answer this question.

Reporter: No answer means you're not denying it, correct?

Samak: Don't ask me like I am in court. Don't pester me. Why do you ask?

Reporter: The people want to know, sir.

Samak: What people? Show me the list. I don't mind if you want to know, but this is not a matter to be talked about. [I] just said anybody who wants to dig into this matter has ill intentions toward the PPP. The matter is over. Why keep pestering me?

Reporter: This is news.

Samak: Which paper you work for? Tell me.

Reporter: Does it matter?

Samak: It does.

excerpts - small parts of a larger text
pester - annoy, cause trouble for
dig into this matter - look and investigate in more detail
ill intentions - do not want to succeed, want to fail

Insulting reporters

Samak's most offensive remark was a question about whether the reporter had immoral sex the previous night.

The above text shows there was nothing the Siam Rath reporter said to offend the PPP leader. Instead, he appeared humble and showed Samak respect by addressing him as "sir".

Samak's conduct was different, especially his intrusion into the reporter's private life. What if the reporter asked Samak if a lack of sex the previous night had led him to vent his frustration on the reporter?

offensive remark - a rude and upsetting comment or statement
humble - not acting like you are better than other people
show respect - expressing politeness and honour towards someone
intrusion - disturbing privacy, entering a private place or conversation
private life - life with family and friends, not to be viewed by other people
vent his frustration on - expressing anger by being rude to an completely innocent and irrelevant person

A reporter's job is to ask tough questions

Samak also ridiculed the other reporters, saying that at their age their experience was no match for his.

To quote Samak: "Again, another one. Do you want to trap me? No way. Count your ages first. How old are the three of you? What is your duty? I have my duty. Is your duty to dig [into the matter] to destroy the party? Answer my question!"

But sir, age alone does not reflect maturity. In this case, I am confident the three reporters are all more mature than Samak even if the latter is over 70 and has gone through many ups and downs in his political career. And imagine, the man aspires to become the next prime minister.

A reporter's job is to ask questions, sometimes tough questions. If Samak does not like the questions, he can simply ignore them or say he doesn't want to answer them. He can just walk away if pestered by reporters. I recommend Samak and the PPP scrap all future press conferences if they cannot stand tough questions. If the going gets too tough, they can pack up and go home.

ridiculed - insult, embarass, shame
no match for - not equal to, not as great as
reflect - show
maturity - completely developed mentally and emotionally, behave in a responsible way
aspires to become - has a desire to become something higher
scrap - eliminate, put an end to
press conferences - a meeting when an important public figure talks to reporters and the media
cannot stand - cannot endure, cannot put up with
going gets too tough - when many problems arise, when a situation becomes difficult to deal with
pack up - put your clothes in your suitcase before you leave the hotel

Veera Prateepchaikul is Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Co Ltd.

Answer Key:

1. What did Thaksin mean in his famous remark: "The UN is not my father!"

It means "the UN will not tell me what to do like my father tells me what to do."

2. In what situation did he make this remark?

When he was being questioned by reporters about human rights abuses.

3. What was Thaksin's attitude towards the media during his administration?

a. Not on good terms with the media.
b. Treated media with contempt.

4. How did Thaksin express contempt towards the media?

a. Lost his cool under intense questioning.
b. Shot back at reporters.
c. Demanded to know which publication reporters worked for.
d. Had harsh words for reporters.
e. Convinced long-term clients to abandon a publication as punishment.
f. Lodged multi-million baht defamation against media critics.

5. How does Samak compare to Thaksin in his contempt for the media?

a. Samak has much more contempt for the media than Thaksin did.
b. Samak does not hesitate to show hostility at questions he does not like.

("But Thaksin's contempt for the media pales when compared to his heir, Samak Sundaravej, leader of the Thai Rak Thai's incarnation, the People Power party (PPP).")

6. What are some of the rude ways that Samak avoids media questions? (Make a list)

a. I have no duty to explain.
b. Were you hired by somebody?
c. I don't need to answer this question.
d. Don't ask me like I'm in court,
e. Don't pester me.
f. Why do you ask?
g. What people [want to know] ? Show me the list.
h. ...this is not a matter to be talked about.
i. ...anybody who wants to dig into this matter has ill intentions toward the PPP.
j. The matter is over.
k. Why keep pestering me?
l. Which paper you work for? Tell me.

7. What was Samak's most offensive remark to a reporter during the press conference?

An irrelevant question about whether they had immoral sex last night.
The only purpose of the question being to insult the reporter.

8. Why was the remark offensive?

It was offensive because it intruded into the reporters private life which was none of Samak's business and had nothing to do with the questions that the reporter was asking.

9. What is a reporter's job?

To ask questions, sometimes tough questions.

10. What appropriate response can a politician (or other public figure) make to a tough question that he or she does not want to answer?

a. Ignore the question.
b. Say he doesn't want to answer the question.
c. Just walk away.

Making the GLBT world of hidden Thailand less hidden:
Gay history and the Bangkok Pride Festival 2007

Thailand is a country known for its tolerance of different sexual orientations including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender orientations. "GLBT" is the acronym used to express both unity and difference in these groups.

The annual Bangkok Pride festival was held last week from November 3-11. The festival included several beauty pageants and culminated in a parade yesterday. Here is the description of the annual event from the official website:

Bangkok Pride Festival strives to engender a sense of community among the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) population in Thailand, and to empower everyone with a stronger sense of pride. The Bangkok Pride Festival is held around the beginning on November every year. (Source)

In perhaps the most important beauty pageant last week, Miss Tanyarat Jirapatpakon was crowned Miss International Queen 2007 yesterday. (See photo on right.)

Despite general tolerance among the Thai people, all has not been smooth sailing for GLBT rights in Thai government and law. Free speech and the gay media has been suppressed and censored, subject to Social Order crackdowns under the Thaksin administration.

The Thai Queer Resource Centre (TQRC) has been set up as a repository of historical source material on gay history in Thailand to combat this suppression. The first article included today discusses this resource center project that is being spearheaded by Australian National University professor Peter Jackson.

The second article is on gays in Thai history and the references to gays that can be found in texts as diverse as the Buddhist Tipitaka itself, ancient religious texts from Northern Thailand (Lanna), and law texts from the early Chakri dynasty. Prempreeda Pramoj na Ayutthaya, a scholar and researcher, provides the overview.

tolerance - allowing other people to say and do as they like, even if you do not agree with it
sexual orientations - different preferences (likes and dislikes) and beliefs about sex and life
transgender - "a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies that diverge from the normative gender role (woman or man) commonly, but not always, assigned at birth, as well as the role traditionally" (Source: Wikipedia)
acronym - a short name for a long title (made from the first letters of the words in the title)
beauty pageants - beauty contests
culminated - the event that finishes a series of events
a queen - besides the most common definition of a "female monarch" this word also means an "especially feminine male gay person," a "drag queen" is one kind of "queen"
smooth sailing - have an easy time, be without problems
suppressed - prevent from continuing by force or by making it illegal
censored - when the government prevents the publication of things it doesn't like
references - taling about or mentioning

Reading Questions

Article: Gay Resource Center

1. What is the TQRC?

2. What kind of resources does the TQRC contain?

3. Who was the TQRC founded by?

4. Why was the TQRC founded?

5. Is any other university or government library in Thailand collecting documenting gay history in Thailand?

6. Is there a lot of interest in researching gay history at Thai universities?

7. How was gay publishing suppressed by the Thaksin administration?

8. Why are historical materials from the past necessary?

9. Who is the co-ordinator of the TQRC?

Article: Gay History

1. What ancient texts was homosexuality mentioned in?

2. What is the evidence that ancient Lanna texts mention homosexuality?

Bangkok Post Article November 05, 2007

Thailand's secret history

Stories by PICHAYA SVASTI

The Thai Queer Resource Centre (TQRC)

About 2,000 books, magazines, photo albums, video tapes, movie and audio CDs relating to homosexuals fill the small room that is the country's only library dedicated to documenting the local gay community.

Called the Thai Queer Resource Centre (TQRC), it was founded by Australian scholar Assoc Prof Peter Jackson with the aim of preventing the history and voice of the Thai GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) community from erosion by the state.

"No official library in Thailand is collecting this material. Also, the police are out to destroy them. It's therefore essential that the Thai GLBT community, and researchers such as myself work together to save these important records of Thai queer history," explained Jackson, senior fellow in Thai history at the Australian National University's Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

There is a lot of interest among Thai university students in conducting research on Thailand's gay, lesbian and transgendered community, he said, but the authorities view material that reflects the lives of the Thai GLBT community as immoral and illegal, which must be destroyed. So there is no place where students or researchers can find such historical records.

Hence his effort to set up the Thai Queer Resources Centre to collect as many publications as possible before the police and ill-informed government policies lead to them being destroyed.

queer - relating to homosexuals (a term preferred by some homosexuals themselves)
photo albums - books to store and view photographs
dedicated to - the only purpose it to
documenting - make a detailed record of (usually in writing)
GLBT - gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
community - a group of people who live together and have something in common (it is not possible to have a community of strangers, and if you do not even talk to your neighbors then you do not live in a community)
erosion - slow destruction and disappearance (like water eroding the soil on a mountain)
out to - planning to do, determined to do

Social Order Campaigns and Misinformed Stereotypes

The Thaksin administration's social order campaigns, for example, severely affected gay publishing in Thailand, with police raiding magazine and book shops, even second-hand bookshops, to confiscate gay magazines.

"If private citizens, academics and Thai gay organisations do not work together now, then the negative attitudes of Thai bureaucrats and the police may mean that vital historical records will disappear forever in this country," he pointed out.

"To understand the real lives and situations of the Thai gay, lesbian and transgendered communities, it is necessary to read what they say about themselves and their own lives," he said.

Prempreeda Pramoj na Ayutthaya, project secretary for the Thai Queer Resources Centre.

"This material forms an excellent record of how Thai gays, lesbians and transgendered people have lived their lives in Thailand over the past few decades amid so many negative and misinformed stereotypes of gays, lesbians and transgender people in the Thai press and media."

Thai GLBT magazines have been written and published by people from these communities, for readers who are gay, lesbian and transgendered. They include short stories and novels, biographies and autobiographies and movie reviews.

social order campaigns - when the government takes very visible (an usually democratically very popular) actions against something they claim is bad for society as a whole
police raiding - when the police enter a building suddenly to look for illegal activities or people suspected of breaking the law
second-hand bookshops - stores that sell used books
confiscate - take away an illegal thing
bureaucrats - government officials (with a stereotype of slowness and inefficiency)
vital - important
amid - surrounded other things
misinformed stereotypes -
biographies - the story of a person's life
autobiographies - a biography written by the person who it is about
movie reviews - an article in a newspaper or a magazine in which someone gives their opinion about a new movie

Jackson's Personal Collection

Jackson himself has his own academic collection in Australia, now kept at the Australian National University. It will eventually be transferred to the National Library of Australia. To him, it is important that a similar collection also be established in Thailand.

He started collecting Thai magazines and books on gay, lesbian and transgender issues in Thailand on his first research visit to Thailand in 1982.

"I now have about 300 Thai-language books, and about 2,000 Thai gay magazines, which have been published since the early 1980s. I think I probably have the largest collection of Thai-language publications on gay, lesbian and transgender issues in the world," he said proudly.

His collection includes the photo of the front cover of the over-50-year-old book Phuey Cheewit Dao Katoey Yod Karee (Revealing the Life of a Queer Prostitute Star), a biography of a katoey who was born in Bangkok about 80 years ago; the Cheewit Gay (Gay Lives) issue of Por Inthalapalit's Pol Nikorn Gimnguan comedy series; and Cheewit Sao (Sad Lives), which is a compilation of questions and answers on homosexual problems from a popular column by Ko Pak Nam in the magazine Plaek (Weird).

academic - for researchers and students in a university
transferred - moved to
compilation of - many different items gathered together into one publication

According to researcher Prempreeda Pramoj na Ayutthaya, co-ordinator of the Thai Queer Resources Centre, the centre was officially opened on June 9, during the Rainbow Book Day Fair at Kanmanee Palace Hotel in Pradiphat.

"The centre aims to collect all forms of media about homosexuals and sexual diversity. We welcome donations of theses, diaries, gay history books, magazine columns, CDs, pamphlets and everything about homosexuals, even movies and photo albums," said Prempreeda.

Apart from buying gay publications at weekend markets and seeking donations from collectors, the centre has also been accumulating free magazines printed for the gay community, a sector that has grown considerably since 2000. These free magazines, including Max, Spice and Variety, deal not only with entertainment, but also issues such as welfare, sexual health, safe sex, HIV/Aids and gay rights.

The centre has also been trying hard to get complete collections of non-pornographic magazines aimed at the GLBT community, such as Hong Ha Liam (Hexagonal Room) and Neon for the historic perspective they give on the local gay community.

These magazines served as forums for well-known members of the GLBT community, such as transsexual showgirl Dechawut Chanthakaro, to talk about themselves and their social activities, which reflected the evolution of the gay movement here. The publication of gay magazines reached its peak in 1982 with more than 12 titles, but many ceased publication in the 1997 economic crisis.

according to... - it is the opinion of (the expert)...
co-ordinator - organise the people and things involved in an activity ("co-ordinator" usualy indicates a more cooperative project than "director" or "chief" which indicate authority)
donations - money or things given for free to an organisation that helps people in need (a charity)
theses - research contributions to knowledge written as part of a masters degree or a PhD degree
diaries - a book where a person records what happens in their day to day life and reflects on these events
magazine columns - a section of the magazine that is written regularly by a person
accumulating - collecting or gathering over a period of time
sector - an separate area of economic activity
considerably - greatly, quite a lot
welfare - living conditions, financial problems, health, comfort, happiness,...
non-pornographic - no having photos of people with no clothes on
perspective - a particular way of thinking about and viewing a topic or situation, influenced by experience and beliefs
showgirl - woman who sings and dances as part of a group in a musical show
reflected - showed
evolution - growth and development
gay movement - the political movement that defends and fights for gay rights
ceased - stopped

News Clippings

The centre also collects news clippings about gay advocacy work as well as chronicling the life stories of homosexuals and the transgendered, especially those who make the headlines, because they often expose the discrimination the gay community faces.

Some topics in the news clipping files: Movies that ridicule transsexuals, a hotel's ban on transsexuals and military draft documents that label transsexuals as "mentally sick".

Still in an embryonic stage, the centre has focussed only on collecting gay publications and media. They have still not been catalogued due to a shortage of personnel and funds. At present, the centre is run by Jackson and Preempreeda, with help from Finnish student Cimo Ojanen.

news clippings - articles cut out of the newspaper
advocacy - public support and promotion of a cause or issue
gay advocacy work - public promotion gay rights
chronicling - writing the history of
make the headlines - become news, be included in a newspaper
expose - uncover something that is hidden so it can be seen
ridicule - make fun of, make people laugh at something
military draft - when people are ordered to serve in the military for a period of time
label - describe as
in an embryonic stage - still not fully developed
catalogued - included and described in an extensive list
shortage - not enough
personnel - employees, staff
funds - money, project financing

Student Research

"The centre provided me with both current and historic information. With the material available, more people will study sexual diversity, I believe," she said.

Knowledge, said Prempreeda, is the most effective way to tackle prejudice.

"When people know more about transgendered people and sexual diversity, they will eventually develop positive attitudes towards us. This is a process of redefining and rethinking gender and sexual diversity issues," she said.

prejudice - an unreasonable dislike of a particular group of people
tackle prejudice - solve the problem of prejudice
positive attitudes towards - hopeful and confident about something, describing good aspects of something

University Library Collection in Thailand is the Goal

The centre's ultimate goal is to find a university library to provide a permanent home for its collection, so that Thai students and researchers can have access to these historical records, said Jackson.

At present, the National Library of Australia, which has one of the largest collections of Thai-language books in the world, is interested in saving all records of the Thai GLBT community.

"It's ironic that while foreign libraries are interested in saving Thai queer history, the Thai authorities and government are more interested in destroying it.

"We need Thai libraries and government officials to support the preservation of historical records of Thailand's gay, lesbian and transgendered communities in the future.

"Without accurate information there is no way to improve public understanding of, and the lives of Thailand's GLBT community," the TQRC founder said.

ironic - something with the opposite meaning than what is commonly thought

To learn more about the Thai Queer Resources Centre or to make donations of media, visit http://www.tqrc.org/ or email thai_queer@yahoo.co.th.

Bangkok Post Article November 05, 2007

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Homosexuality Mentioned in Ancient Religious Texts

According to Prempreeda Pramoj na Ayutthaya, a transgendered researcher, the ancient Lanna texts mention the creation of the Earth and three genders - puri, itthee, and nuppoongsaka, believed to be men, women and homosexuals, respectively.

This corresponds with the Tipitaka, which categorises people who didn't readily fall into traditional male or female stereotypes (bandoh) into five sub-divisions, in accordance with their sexual orientation, one of these being nuppoongsaka.

"This means the Tipitaka recognises sexual diversity," Prempreeda noted.

documentation -
Tipitaka - the Buddhist scriptures of Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka written in the Indian language of Pali
Lanna - northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai)
Tra Sam Duang [Three Seals] legal code - ancient legal code compiled at the beginning of the Bangkok period of Thai history
genders - male, female, transgendered
transgendered - does not have the traditional male or female gender (homosexual, bisexual, asexual, etc)
stereotypes - negative ideas about people that are too simple (harm people because they are often not true)
recognises - accepts its existence (denial of existence being one way used to suppress)
diversity - a variety, many different kinds

Homosexuality in Premodern History

And while homosexuality is nothing new in Thai history, nor is discrimination.

While the mention of homosexuality in the Tipitaka was aimed at warning monks what not to do, the ancient Kod Montien Barn legal code of the Ayutthaya period targeted homosexual members of the court. It imposed such penalties as being hit on the fingernails and neck tattooing for those engaging in homosexual sex, both len peuan and len sawaat.

Despite such discrimination, Assoc Prof Peter A. Jackson, senior fellow in Thai history of the Australian National University, argued that the situation is gradually improving.

According to him, the broader Thai community admires beautiful katoey, and people who are successful in their careers, and there is an increasing number of successful katoey performers and business people.

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dance troupes - a group of artistic dancers who travel around and put on dance performances
lesbian - homosexual women
rumoured to - unofficially people said and believed that
feminine - of woman
discrimination - treating a group differently in a negative way just because they are different
mention of - talking or writing about
the Tipitaka - the Buddhist scriptures of Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka written in the Indian language of Pali
aimed at - had as a goal
targeted - was made to deal with
members of the court - people who were in the royal family of the King, or who held positions serving him
imposed penalties - punished

Prempreeda's Research and Advocacy

To help redress the problem, Prempreeda has written more than 20 research papers on transgender issues and has also been working as a consultant for researchers on the subject. Among her works are Ladyboys in Cabaret Shows, her master's thesis for Chiang Mai University, and The Fluidity of Thai Queer Sexuality and Experiences of Accessing Sexual Health Care, her master's thesis for her degree in health social science from Mahidol University.

"The more I learned, the less I could turn a blind eye to gender inequality," she noted.

sexual orientations - the role that sex plays in a person's life (male, female, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, etc)
redress the problem - correct the problem, make a wrong thing right
fluidity - when things are continually changing and transforming
turn a blind eye to - pretend you don't see something you actually do see
inequality - when people from two groups are not treated equally, discrimination

Recent Discrimination

But due to misconceived stereotypes of transsexuals as untrustworthy, such bans are still the rule at many hotels and nightspots, especially those in tourist destinations such as Pattaya and Phuket, said Sitthiphan Boonyaphisomparn, an advocate for transsexual rights.

Without legal recognition for transsexuals, they also routinely suffer discrimination. When Prempreeda lost her ATM card, for example, her bank refused to cancel the card over the telephone because her feminine voice did not match the "male" designation in her bank documents.

Another big problem for transsexuals in Thailand is the lack of Thai-language information on the pros and cons of gender reassignment surgery to help them with such important decisions.

"Policies relating to rights and laws for the transgendered are still overlooked in Thai society, even though the Thai transgendered culture is richer here than in many foreign cultures," Prempreeda said.

faced discrimination -
brand manager - person managing promotion and advertising of a brand of a product
made headlines - was in the news, was in the newspaper
as a matter of policy - a policy that applies to everyone, not treating on a case by case basis
a campaign - a plan of activities to achieve a goal
pressure - taking action to persuade someone to do something
revocation of - taking away, canceling
ban on - a prohibition on (by law cannot be used, done, or shown)
misconceived - not right for dealing with a problem
stereotypes - negative ideas about people that are too simple (harm people because they are often not true)
untrustworthy - cannot trust, unreliable
nightspots - places where people go for entertainment at night (cafes, bistros, nightclubs, discos, pubs, bars)
advocate - a promoter and defender of
legal recognition - legal acceptance of
routinely - done normally (as a part of a larger job or process)
feminine - qualities that are considered typical of women
designation - the name, title, label, or categorisation given to someone or something
the pros and cons of - the good and bad aspects of
gender reassignment surgery - surgery to change from one gender to another
overlooked - do not notice, do not reaslise how important it is

Answer Key:

Article: Gay Resource Center

1. What is the TQRC?

The TQRC is the "Thai Queer Resource Centre" which contains material documenting the history of gays in Thailand.

2. What kind of resources does the TQRC contain?

Books, magazines, short stories, novels, biographies, autobiographies, movie reviews, newspaper clippings, gay history books, magazine columns, diaries, theses, pamphlets, photo albums, movies, video tapes, movie and audio CDs.

3. Who was the TQRC founded by?

Australian scholar Assoc Prof Peter Jackson who is an associate professor at Australian National University (ANU).

4. Why was the TQRC founded?

To prevent the "history and voice of the Thai GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) community from erosion by the state."

5. Is any other university or government library in Thailand collecting documenting gay history in Thailand?

No, "no official library in Thailand is collecting this material."
In fact, the police are "out to destroy" this material.

("Hence his effort to set up the Thai Queer Resources Centre to collect as many publications as possible before the police and ill-informed government policies lead to them being destroyed.")

6. Is there a lot of interest in researching gay history at Thai universities?

Yes, but resources are not available to do this research.

7. How was gay publishing suppressed by the Thaksin administration?

Police raids during "social order" campaigns confiscated gay magazines and reading material from bookshops and magazine stores.

8. Why are historical materials from the past necessary?

Historical materials from the past are necessary to understand the "real lives and situations of the Thai gay, lesbian and transgendered communities" and what they had to "say about themselves and their own lives." Historical materials give you fact. Without fact, you only have opinions.

("This material forms an excellent record of how Thai gays, lesbians and transgendered people have lived their lives in Thailand over the past few decades amid so many negative and misinformed stereotypes of gays, lesbians and transgender people in the Thai press and media.")

9. Who is the co-ordinator of the TQRC?

Prempreeda Pramoj na Ayutthaya.

Article: Gay History

1. What ancient texts was homosexuality mentioned in?

a. The Tipitaka (the Buddhist scriptures).
b. Lanna religious texts.
c. The Tra Sam Duang [Three Seals] legal code.

2. What is the evidence that ancient Lanna texts mention homosexuality?

In the creation myth three genders are mentioned, one of which appears to a neutral homosexual gender, the nuppoongsaka, which is also mentioned in the Tipitaka buddhist scriptures. (Note: Investigating further the chain of reasoning that supports this thesis would be a good research project.)

The infamous Thai election "canvassers"
What do they actually do?

What goes on at the local village level in Thai politics is largely invisible to city folk (as opposed to rural folk or in Thai "chao baan").

Today's article gives the reader a little peek into this hidden world.

Whether it is more or less frightening than people claim is for you to decide.

canvasser - work in a local area to increase the votes for a political party or candidate
infamous - famous in a bad way (like a famous bank robber)
folk - people
a peek - take a brief look at

Reading Questions

1. Why is so much media attention focussed on canvassers as elections draw near?

2. In which areas of the country of Thailand are vote canvassers most important?

3. What are some of the vote-getting strategies employed by canvassers?

4. What kinds of things do canvassers remind voters about?

5. Where do canvassers get their ideas about how to promote political candidates from?

6. How could "pyramid" or "network" marketing increase a candidate's votes?
(Use inference and your imagination)

7. What sort of proof is used to verify that recruits have actually been made?

8. What contribution to policy can canvassers make?
(Use inference)

9. What opportunities do canvassers use to introduce candidates to the people?

10. Can government officials make a lot of money participating in vote canvassing activities? Why or why not?

11. What kinds of government officials are employed as vote canvassers in the North?

12. What conflicts of interest could result from local government officials doubling as vote canvassers for a political party?
(Express your opinion)

13. Should local government officials be allowed to participate in elections as vote canvassers?
(Express your opinion)

14. How could you enforce a law against vote canvassing by government officials?
(Express your opinion)

Bangkok Post Article October 31, 2007

CANVASSERS USE THEIR CLOUT

Canvassers play a crucial role in mobilising votes, especially among rural voters, and that's why they are always in the spotlight when elections draw near.

Their sole function is to make sure the political party they work for gets as many votes as possible, and they employ diverse, often cunning, strategies to set the local political pulse racing.

clout - impact
diverse - many different kinds, a variety
cunning - using tricks, achieving goals in a clever fashion (often using tricks and deceit)
vote-capturing - getting votes
crucial - very important and essential
a role - a special function or position of a person in a society or an organisation
mobilising votes - getting people to go and vote
in the spotlight - getting public attention (through the media, for instance)
draw near -
- approach, wll happen in a short time
employ -
- use
set the pulse racing - made blood move fast throgh the body from excitement

In Udon Thani province, singing contests have been organised in several villages in the run-up to the Dec 23 general election.

During the intervals in the contests, a canvasser will take the stage and remind the audience of "populist policies" that once contributed to their prosperity and well-being.

"With village funds gone, now you know the economy is in bad shape," a canvasser told the audience during a recent event.

The canvasser, who asked not to be named, said a series of training programmes were also held for community leaders and members of local groups to find out out how capable they were of mobilising support.

"In each training session, they will get free meals and free yellow T-shirts," the canvasser said. Free jaunts are also arranged, taking them on pleasure tours to other parts of the country.

These trips are paid for by local organisations, and by politicians operating through their canvassers.

in the run-up to - in the period before an event happens
intervals - periods of time between other events
prosperity - gaining wealth and a decent income
well-being - life is confortable without many problems
economy is in bad shape - economy activity has slowed down, business is bad, and many people do not have work
mobilising support - getting people to join or vote for the political party
training session - a class where practical skills are taught
jaunts - short fun trips (for pleasure, not work)

The role of the canvassers is vital for politicians standing for election at both local an national levels. Without them, candidates find it difficult to succeed in the political arena.

A former MP for a northern province organises meetings of canvassers every Saturday and Sunday. At each meeting, experts provide tips on how to woo voters.

Direct-sale marketing methods, such as multi-level networking, are also used to recruit members. Each canvasser is rewarded for recruiting 10 other canvassers.

"A cash reward of 5,000-20,000 baht will be paid to those who can produce the name and address on an identity card as proof," a canvasser in the northern province said.

Canvassers also survey the needs of local people so candidates can make use of the information and promise to provide them what they need if elected.

Canvassers are tasked with arranging meetings between new candidates and local people. They also represent those candidates at social functions such as birthday parties, weddings and funeral ceremonies.

a role - a special function or position of a person in a society or an organisation
vital - very important, necessary
standing for election - compete with other candidates to get elected to public office in the government
tips - short helpful advice
woo - try hard to convince a woman to marry you
Direct-sale marketing methods - techniques of promoting and selling a product with direct customer contact (through mail, telephone, email internet, face-to-face on the street or at home, not via newspapers, tv, or other indirect media0
recruit (verb) - selecting and persuading people to join an organisation
survey - ask people in a group to find out how the group feels about some issues

Inwan Bang-ngern, head of a group of tambon and village heads of 17 provinces in the North, said canvassers in northern provinces, particularly Chiang Rai, had developed a closely connected network with the financial support provided by political parties.

Those who work as canvassers in Chiang Rai can make a lot of money and at the same accrue political clout in their areas.

The credentials of canvassers in Chiang Rai are attested to by the large crowd they managed to bring to a recent election rally by the People Power party in the stadium of Rajabhat Chiang Rai University. More than 200 buses were needed to transport them to the venue.

"Villagers were paid 100 baht each while bus drivers received 500 baht for fuel costs," said a village head who also doubles as a canvasser.

For canvassers and locals alike, the run-up to the general election is a great period that can really make their day.

closely connected network - people in different areas who work together and share information
accrue - accumulate, build up, get more of
political clout - political power
credentials - things (especially official documents) that show your qualifications to do a job
attested to - proven by, shown by
a rally - a large public meeting to generate support for a person, organisation, or idea
a venue - a place where an event is held
doubles as... - serves an additional role as..., works in another job as...
run-up to the general election -
make their day - provide them great satisfaction, make them very happy

Prasert Kayachai, who heads a group of heads of tambon administration organisations in Chiang Rai, said many chiefs of the grassroots organisations are wearing two hats, working as government officials and representing politicians.

He does not see this as being good for the country. "Their involvement in politics could hurt the system of local organisations," Mr Prasert said.

Tambon Administration Organisations (TAO) - district level local government in Thailand
wearing two hats - doing two very different jobs at the same time

Answer Key:

1. Why is so much media attention focussed on canvassers as elections draw near?

They play an important (perhaps the most important) role in getting election votes for political parties.

2. In which areas of the country of Thailand are vote canvassers most important?

Rural areas.

3. What are some of the vote-getting strategies employed by canvassers?

a. Singing contests.
b. Training programmes for community leaders
c. Free meals.
d. Free t-shirts
e. Free pleasure trips, not for work ("jaunts")

4. What kinds of things do canvassers remind voters about?

a. No more populist policy goodies.
b. No more village fund money.

5. Where do canvassers get their ideas about how to promote political candidates from?

Techniques from marketing, marketing products made by businesses, especially "direct marketing" techniques
that emphasize direct contact with customers and promoting and selling products directly to customers wither face to face, over the telephone, throught the mail, or over the internet.

6. How could "pyramid" or "network" marketing increase a candidate's votes?
(Use inference and your imagination)

Each canvasser is rewarded for how many new canvassers he or she can recruit. Then each new canvasser is rewarded for their recruits, and so on. So first, you have 10 canvasser recruits, then after each of these new recuits recruits ten, you have 100, then 1000, then 10,000...etc.

7. What sort of proof is used to verify that recruits have actually been made?

The recruit's name and address on their id card [Thai: bat prachachon]. Then the person supervising the recruitment drive can do spot checks to find out if people are faking it or lieing about their recruits.

8. What contribution to policy can canvassers make?
(Use inference)

Canvassers survey the needs of local people so this information can affect what policies polticians choose to pursue.

("They Canvassers also survey the needs of local people so candidates can make use of the information and promise to provide them what they need if elected.")

9. What opportunities do canvassers use to introduce candidates to the people?

Canvassers arrange meetings at social functions such as birthday parties, weddings and funeral ceremonies.
Financial support at these often expensive events is no doubt welcomed.

10. Can government officials make a lot of money participating in vote canvassing activities? Why or why not?

Yes, government officials can make a lot of money by participating in vote canvassing. The local authority they have as a government official allows them access to and control over the people in their locality.

11. What kinds of government officials are employed as vote canvassers in the North?

Village headmen and local Tambon officials.

12. What conflicts of interest could result from local government officials doubling as vote canvassers for a political party?
(Express your opinion)

13. Should local government officials be allowed to participate in elections as vote canvassers?
(Express your opinion)

14. How could you enforce a law against vote canvassing by government officials?
(Express your opinion)

A campaign trail of funerals?
Publicity on the cheap

Before elections people are so focused on the big picture, on strategy and predicting election outcomes, that they forget to look at the details of what is going on.

Today's article looks at the details of one particularly cost-effective form of campaigning, presiding over funerals.

Just as teenagers "crash" parties, politicians "crash" funerals.

As uninvited guests they shake hands and gain valuable "face time" with their constituency for next to nothing.

The only trouble is that the public is getting aware that they can do something about these impositions by politicians on their lives.

They can petition authorities and blow the whole thing up into a big issue.

That's why controversial parties like Samak's PPP are avoiding sponsoring any religious event in Bangkok.

the big picture - an overview, not focusing too much on the details
cost-effective - good results for low cost
presiding over - in charge of an event (make all public announcements, speeches, direct events, etc)
crash a party - attend a party even though you are uninvited
face time - time spent face to face talking to people
constituency - the people living in the area that an elected official serves

Reading Questions

1. What were politicians competing to do at a local temple in Prachuap Khirikhan?

2. What elected offices where they running for?

3. Who usually presides over funeral rites?

4. Do politicians even ask relatives of the deceased before presiding over funeral rights?

5. How do politicians or political canvassers go about presiding over a funeral?

6. Why would the relatives of the deceased want a sponsor for their funeral?
(Express your opinion)

7. How do politicians and political canvassers disrupt funerals?

8. When there's not an election, are polticians so adamant about attending elections?

9. What segment of society is actively approached for funeral sponsorship? Why? (Express your opinion)

10. What effects can sponsorship of a funeral have on the funeral itself?

11. How do undertakers make money from funeral sponsorship?

12. What steps have the PPP party taken to ensure that they don't have any run-ins with the Election Commission over funeral sponsorship?

Bangkok Post Article November 02, 2007

Politicians cashing in at funerals

The election may revive the spirit of democracy when it takes place, but in the run-up some are trying to cash in on those mourning friends and family who have died.

Nithas Thanuwong, a spokesman and coordinator at Wat Thammikaram Woraviharn temple in downtown Prachuap Khiri Khan province, said yesterday that potential candidates for seats on the local municipal council, the provincial administration organisation and the House, as well as political canvassers, were competing to sponsor and preside over funerals at the temple.

revive - being to life again
in the run-up - in the period before the event
cash in on - profit from
spokesman - a person representing an organisation (making all spoken announcements and communications for them)
coordinator - organising the people involved in an activity
potential - possible (have qualifications necessary to become)
local municipal council - the elected group of people who govern a town
political canvassers - people who go around an area trying to persuade voters to vote for a candidate
sponsor - pay for
preside over - in charge of an event (make all public announcements, speeches, direct events, etc)

Intrusive Campaigning

These people want to preside over funeral rites in the place of relatives of the dead without consulting those relatives beforehand, Mr Nithas said.

Local politicians had even asked him to announce their names as the sponsors of funerals and offered bribes in return for doing so without caring about the rights of the relatives or people close to the dead, who had planned to sponsor and preside over such rites, he added.

Some candidates in the national election have even showed up simultaneously to preside over the same funeral rites on the same night, becoming inconvenient guests for the mourning relatives.

While most people at funerals were extending their condolences to family and friends of the deceased, the political candidates took the opportunity to campaign for votes among the crowd.

They were certainly not there to sympathise with the family of the deceased, Mr Nithas said.

intrusive - disturb people's privacy
funeral rites - the ceremonies or religious things that people do at funerals (such as pray or chant)
consulting - before a decision discussing the matter with people who might be affected by it
bribes - illegal money given to someone to do something
simultaneously - happen at the same time
inconvenient - causing problems and difficulties
mourning - showing your sadness that someone has died
relatives - people in your family
extending their condolences -
the deceased - the dead person
sympathise - show or tell someone that you feel sorry about their bad situation

Before Elections, Funerals Important Public Events

An undertaker in downtown Prachuap Khiri Khan said such happenings were not unusual in the run-up to any election. During this period, candidates always show up at funerals, but after the election they send their representatives along.

He said politicians at all levels actively approach poor families to sponsor funerals.

As a consequence, nightly prayer nights for the dead are extended to at least seven days.

In the meantime, undertakers are making easy money by selling used wreaths and informing local politicians of coming funerals.

The People Power party yesterday warned its candidates in Bangkok not to preside over religious events, particularly the annual Tod Kathin ritual festival, because such activities may break Election Commission (EC) regulations and lead to petitions filed against the party by its competitors.

undertaker - person who prepares a dead body for a funeral

y. As a consequence, x - x happens as a result of y

wreaths - decorative flower arranged placed near dead person (to remember them by)

petitions - a document signed by many people asking the government to do something (for example, to punish someone for an election rule violation)

Answer Key:

1. What were politicians competing to do at a local temple in Prachuap Khirikhan?

Politicians and their political canvassers were competing to:
a. sponsor funerals at the temple
b. preside over funerals at the temple

2. What elected offices where they running for?

a. the local administrative council
b. the provincial administration organisation (PAO)
c. the House

3. Who usually presides over funeral rites?

The family of the deceased, of course.

4. Do politicians even ask relatives of the deceased before presiding over funeral rights?

Sometimes no.

("These people want to preside over funeral rites in the place of relatives of the dead without consulting those relatives beforehand, Mr Nithas said.")

5. How do politicians or political canvassers go about presiding over a funeral?

a. They offer bribes to temple officials or to undertakers to get them to announce their names as sponsors of funerals.
b. Sometimes they show up unannounced the night before the funeral to become "inconvenient guests for the mourning relatives."

6. Why would the relatives of the deceased want a sponsor for their funeral?
(Express your opinion)

Because funerals are expensive and the sponsor will pay the costs.

7. How do politicians and political canvassers disrupt funerals?

They campaign among the crowd of mourners as they are offering their condolences to the family of the deceased.

("While most people at funerals were extending their condolences to family and friends of the deceased, the political candidates took the opportunity to campaign for votes among the crowd.")

8. When there's not an election, are polticians so adamant about attending elections?

No, they just send their representatives along.

9. What segment of society is actively approached for funeral sponsorship? Why? (Express your opinion)

Poor families are actively approached by politicians at all levels, because they don't have money to spend on funerals.

10. What effects can sponsorship of a funeral have on the funeral itself?

Sponsorship of a funeral by a politician can make the funeral longer and maybe more fancy and elaborate than if the family of the deceased was paying for it themselves.

("As a consequence, nightly prayer nights for the dead are extended to at least seven days.")

11. How do undertakers make money from funeral sponsorship?

a. By informing polticians of coming funerals.
b. By recycling wreaths and selling them again. ("selling used wreaths")

12. What steps have the PPP party taken to ensure that they don't have any run-ins with the Election Commission over funeral sponsorship?

They've issued orders to candidates in Bangkok not to sponsor religious events, so that PPP competitors can't file a petition in protest.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak looks at leadership
in the run up to Thailand's post-coup elections

Last week Thitinan Phongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University provided a thorough overview