In the bustling capital of Thailand, Bangkok, candidates vying for Senate seats showcased their civic duty at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre. This serene yet significant event on June 16 was captured in a photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb, depicting the subtle excitement in the air as individuals cast their votes in the provincial-level election.
As we approach the final round of the Senate election, anticipation bubbles among major political parties, including the robust Move Forward Party (MFP). Outgoing Senate Speaker, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, confidently predicted on Wednesday that these formidable groups are likely to see an impressive success rate amongst their candidates. The election results, set to be announced on July 2, following the national-level vote next Wednesday, will reveal the future landscape of Thai politics.
“As you know, we don’t really know who will win,” said Wichitcholchai with a twinkle of expectancy in his eyes. “But in my estimation, the large parties, including the MFP, will likely win many seats. There are expected to be quite a number of successful candidates who are independents in this race as well.”
This anticipated diversity within the Senate is being hailed as a step toward a more representative government. However, amidst this optimistic outlook, Wichitcholchai did not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room: the shadow of vote buying. “While lobbying for votes in the final round might not be unusual, vote buying is illegal and needs to be handled by the Election Commission (EC),” he asserted, his tone turning serious.
“Wait and see how free and fair this Senate election will turn out to be. Of course, some signs of irregularities have already been observed, and it’s the EC’s responsibility to deal with them,” Wichitcholchai added, hinting at a real commitment to ensuring integrity in the electoral process.
Bringing a touch of philosophy to the conversation, Wichitcholchai remarked, “It will make more sense to judge these new senators on how they perform, rather than their links to specific parties.” This statement serves as a poignant reminder of the essence of democratic governance – performance over affiliation.
In an intriguing twist, the new Senate will not wield the power to participate in the selection of a new prime minister in parliament as the outgoing Senate did. The outgoing Senate, which served from May 11, 2019, to May 10 this year, was uniquely termed “provisional.” This was attributed to a special provision in the 2017 constitution that bestowed upon its 250 appointed senators the authority to engage in a parliamentary vote for the prime minister’s selection.
This outgoing Senate stands as the twelfth in the country’s history and holds the distinction of being the first established since the 2014 coup, a historical event that saw the caretaker government, appointed after former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal, overthrown.
In a poignant end to their term, the caretaker senators gathered for a final group photograph in front of the parliament complex, overlooking the majestic Chao Phraya River. This image, a testament to their service and a symbolic farewell, marks the end of an era and the dawn of a new one in Thai politics.
I really hope the MFP wins a lot of seats. They are the change Thailand needs!
I agree, Joe! They have some fresh ideas, but let’s hope they can keep away from corruption.
Every party says they will avoid corruption, but actions speak louder than words. Let’s see what they do if elected.
Are you all forgetting the vote buying scandal? The Election Commission needs to take stand against corruption.
Totally agree, Suvit, but sadly scandals seem to be a part of our political scene. Will the EC really act?
Skepticism is justified, Nook. It’s not just about the EC acting; it’s about long-term reforms. But that’s a massive undertaking.
Massive but necessary, right? Change has to start somewhere.
An independent Senate sounds ideal, but do we really believe it will happen? Parties always have a grip on everything.
Yuri, I get your point, but maybe this time it will be different. If people push for transparency, we might see some true independents.
Independents? Seriously? Most of them are just party proxies. We’ve seen this game before.
We need to focus on who’s doing the best job, not just their political connections. Performance matters most.
Easier said than done, Patcha. Politicians are good at making promises but how often do they deliver?
Fair point, Skeptic4Life. They need to be held accountable. Maybe new media can help with that.
Why did the outgoing Senate have the power to select the PM? That seems undemocratic.
It was a special provision from the 2017 constitution after the 2014 coup. It was meant to stabilize the political scene.
But did it really stabilize things? Or just give more power to an unelected group?
I’m worried about the signs of irregularities that Wichitcholchai mentioned. How serious are they?
Good question, Aey. It’s something the EC really needs to address. Transparency is key to trust.
I think it’s a good move to judge senators by their performance rather than their party. Let’s hope they focus on action.
Nice in theory, Nina, but parties influence performance. Hard to separate the two in reality.
The final photograph of the outgoing Senate is symbolic, but will the new Senate actually be any different?
The real change will come from grassroots leadership, not just new faces in the Senate.
Do we even need a Senate, or is it just a way to exert more control over the government?
I’m excited but also worried. Hope the MFP and independents can actually clean up Thai politics.
Technology should be used to ensure election transparency. Blockchain, anyone?
The outgoing Senate’s history is fascinating. Just shows how much Thai politics have changed since Yingluck’s government.
Just another election, nothing is going to change. Same old corruption, same old power games. Sad but true.
We need to stop looking back and start pushing for future reforms. Every vote should count, free from any influence.
Despite the issues, this is a step towards a more democratic Thailand. Let’s give it a shot and support clean politics.