Thai Politics Update July 2011

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Thai Politics Updates – July 2011 Foreign affairs Comments on the Thai General Election This month‟s attention was entirely focused on the general election, held on the 3 rd of July. During the lead-up to the election, calls for free and fair elections voiced by both international and national actors were widely echoed in the media. When it comes to the election outcomes, views and commentaries from foreign embassies and foreign media were unanimously positive. On the Thai scene, except for the tiny minority supporting the no-vote campaign, Pheua Thai‟s victory was accepted by all, including the losing Democrat Party and its former coalition partner the Bhumjaithai party, creating the conditions for political stability after a two-year period of daily street protests and yearly bloodsheds. Whether or not this foreseen stability is going to last enough time to allow the government to build national reconciliation remains unanswered. International organizations like the UN or the European Union stressed the importance of the elections and especially the acceptance of election outcomes vis a vis peace and reconciliation in Thailand. Prior to the election, United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon had indeed called for the election to be conducted peacefully and in a "fair, credible and transparent" and urged all parties to refrain from violence before, during and after Sunday's the election and, especially relevant to the Thai context, "to accept and respect the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box". After the election, he welcomed its outcome, noting "the orderly conduct" of the elections ". “The elections mark an important step towards genuine reconciliation, long-term stability and consolidation of democratic norms in the country" Ban Ki-Moon said. The European Union also welcomed the election process. " I wish to congratulate the Thai people on the orderly way in which the elections on 3 July have been carried out. The EU hopes that the outcome of these elections will provide a solid basis for all political interests to unite in addressing the major political and social issues facing Thailand in the medium term. This, in turn, will help advance Thailand's relations with the European Union and will reinvigorate Thailand's key role in ASEAN and on the world stage " (Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the election in Thailand, 3/7/11, Brussels, A261/11) The United States also congratulated Thai people for their "robust participation" in the July 3 election. "The choice of who will lead Thailand now rests with those representatives elected by the Thai people. Washington looks forward to working with the next Thai government, the opposition, and non-partisan civilians "to broaden and strengthen our alliance, which is based on shared values and mutual respect" (Press Statement, Victoria Nuland, Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson, Washington, DC, July 3, 2011). Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan issued a statement on July 4 congratulating Ms Yingluck on her impressive victory. The overwhelming support and clear mandate should help form a solid foundation for her leadership, Mr Surin said.


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