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Thai Opposition Party Will Boycott February Elections as Large Protests Continue Thai Opposition Party Will Boycott February Elections as Large Protests Continue
(about 17 hours later)
BANGKOK — Thailand’s main opposition party said on Saturday that it would boycott national elections scheduled for February, strengthening its alliance with the tens of thousands of anti-government protesters who have rallied on the streets of Bangkok for the past month. BANGKOK — Thailand’s main opposition party said on Saturday that it would boycott national elections scheduled for February, strengthening its alliance with the tens of thousands of antigovernment protesters who have rallied on the streets of Bangkok for the past month.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, which is Thailand’s oldest political party and has its power base in the country’s old moneyed elite, said that politics was at a “failed stage” and that the elections would be the “same old power grab” by the governing party and its allies.Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, which is Thailand’s oldest political party and has its power base in the country’s old moneyed elite, said that politics was at a “failed stage” and that the elections would be the “same old power grab” by the governing party and its allies.
“The election on Feb. 2 is not the solution for the country,” Mr. Abhisit, a former prime minister, said after meeting with party leaders on Saturday. “It will not lead to reform.”“The election on Feb. 2 is not the solution for the country,” Mr. Abhisit, a former prime minister, said after meeting with party leaders on Saturday. “It will not lead to reform.”
The Democrat Party and the protesters are deeply frustrated by the electoral power and influence of Thaksin Shinawatra, a tycoon who founded the country’s most successful political movement and whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is prime minister. They accuse Mr. Thaksin of subverting democracy through corruption and populist policies.The Democrat Party and the protesters are deeply frustrated by the electoral power and influence of Thaksin Shinawatra, a tycoon who founded the country’s most successful political movement and whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is prime minister. They accuse Mr. Thaksin of subverting democracy through corruption and populist policies.
The government counters that the opposition is afraid of elections because it will lose, an electoral calculation supported by many scholars who say the ruling Pheu Thai Party has created a strong base with its policies.The government counters that the opposition is afraid of elections because it will lose, an electoral calculation supported by many scholars who say the ruling Pheu Thai Party has created a strong base with its policies.
Chaturon Chaisang, the education minister and a senior member of the governing party, accused the Democrat Party of “setting conditions for a possible coup d’état.” The last time the Democrats boycotted elections was in 2006, another period of political turmoil, which culminated with a coup against Mr. Thaksin.Chaturon Chaisang, the education minister and a senior member of the governing party, accused the Democrat Party of “setting conditions for a possible coup d’état.” The last time the Democrats boycotted elections was in 2006, another period of political turmoil, which culminated with a coup against Mr. Thaksin.
The current political crisis, which comes during the high season for tourism in Thailand and a fragile time for the Thai economy, has brought the military back to the forefront of politics. Protesters are openly asking for the military’s backing, and military leaders have helped arrange meetings between the government and its detractors.The current political crisis, which comes during the high season for tourism in Thailand and a fragile time for the Thai economy, has brought the military back to the forefront of politics. Protesters are openly asking for the military’s backing, and military leaders have helped arrange meetings between the government and its detractors.
The head of the army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, said on Friday that the crisis “must be solved through political means,” and warned of “battles between people” if political differences are not resolved.The head of the army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, said on Friday that the crisis “must be solved through political means,” and warned of “battles between people” if political differences are not resolved.
The announcement of the election boycott came on the eve of a large demonstration planned for Sunday, the latest in a series of marches that have drawn hundreds of thousands of protesters. At the height of the protests several weeks ago, demonstrators took over some government buildings. They have since ceded control of the buildings, but have not stopped the marches.The announcement of the election boycott came on the eve of a large demonstration planned for Sunday, the latest in a series of marches that have drawn hundreds of thousands of protesters. At the height of the protests several weeks ago, demonstrators took over some government buildings. They have since ceded control of the buildings, but have not stopped the marches.
The boycott builds on the protesters’ call for “reform before elections,” an ambitious plan beyond the scope of the Thai Constitution.The boycott builds on the protesters’ call for “reform before elections,” an ambitious plan beyond the scope of the Thai Constitution.
Suthep Thaugsuban, the charismatic leader of the protests, has called for the creation of an unelected legislature called a People’s Council that would be partly composed of citizens from various professions and partly appointed by Mr. Suthep and other protest leaders.Suthep Thaugsuban, the charismatic leader of the protests, has called for the creation of an unelected legislature called a People’s Council that would be partly composed of citizens from various professions and partly appointed by Mr. Suthep and other protest leaders.
He hopes that such a council would pass new electoral laws, end the longstanding practice of vote buying, overhaul the police force, allow any citizen to bring corruption charges against government ministers and other senior officials, and abolish the populist policies that have made Mr. Thaksin’s political movement so popular in the northern half of the country.He hopes that such a council would pass new electoral laws, end the longstanding practice of vote buying, overhaul the police force, allow any citizen to bring corruption charges against government ministers and other senior officials, and abolish the populist policies that have made Mr. Thaksin’s political movement so popular in the northern half of the country.
“When everything is settled,” Mr. Suthep said last week, “we will go back to elections.”“When everything is settled,” Mr. Suthep said last week, “we will go back to elections.”
The prime minister, who called the February elections this month in an attempt to end the protests, has rejected the demands. Earlier on Saturday, she proposed a “reform assembly,” so far vaguely defined, that would be formulated after the elections.The prime minister, who called the February elections this month in an attempt to end the protests, has rejected the demands. Earlier on Saturday, she proposed a “reform assembly,” so far vaguely defined, that would be formulated after the elections.
Ms. Yingluck has spent most of the past week in election mode, visiting the populous northern and northeastern parts of the country. Many voters, especially the less affluent, are grateful for policies such as universal health care and an increase in the minimum wage.Ms. Yingluck has spent most of the past week in election mode, visiting the populous northern and northeastern parts of the country. Many voters, especially the less affluent, are grateful for policies such as universal health care and an increase in the minimum wage.
While the Democrats are by far the largest opposition party, a number of smaller parties, including a provincial party led by former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, have indicated they are ready to contest the election.While the Democrats are by far the largest opposition party, a number of smaller parties, including a provincial party led by former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, have indicated they are ready to contest the election.
And in a vivid symbol of the mercurial alliances in Thai politics, the man who led the coup in 2006, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, said his party was also ready to participate.And in a vivid symbol of the mercurial alliances in Thai politics, the man who led the coup in 2006, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, said his party was also ready to participate.
The protesters, including many present and former members of the Democrat Party, have said the power of their movement should be judged by the large number of protesters on the streets. Government supporters have scoffed at this logic, saying popularity should be judged in the voting booth.The protesters, including many present and former members of the Democrat Party, have said the power of their movement should be judged by the large number of protesters on the streets. Government supporters have scoffed at this logic, saying popularity should be judged in the voting booth.
“If you really have such huge numbers of people,” said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of a political faction that supports the government, “why are you opposing the election?”“If you really have such huge numbers of people,” said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of a political faction that supports the government, “why are you opposing the election?”