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Thailand Elects First Female PM; Election Monitoring Body Warns Against Military Intervention
July 19, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On July 3, exit polls from Thailand’s parliamentary election in showed Yingluck Shinawatra's Puea Thai party winning a clear majority of the parliament's 500 seats, paving the way for the 44-year-old business executive to become Thailand's first female prime minister, AFP reported. Shinawatra was congratulated by her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in Dubai to avoid jail for charges that include political corruption.

The vote was seen as a showdown between the Thai elite and military-backed Democrats and the ousted former Prime Minister Shinawatra. With nearly all votes counted, the Election Commission reported that Yingluck's party won a projected 261 seats. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrat Party only won 162 seats. Conceding victory to his rival, outgoing Prime Minister Vejjajiva said, "It is now clear from the election results so far that the Pheu Thai party has won the election. I want to see unity and reconciliation. The Democrats are ready to be in opposition."

The size of Puea Thai's victory could usher in much-needed political stability after six years of sporadic unrest that featured the occupation of Bangkok's two airports, a blockade of parliament, an assassination attempt and protests last year that descended into chaotic clashes with the army. Beginning in March 2010, a prolonged series of political protests occurred in Bangkok against the Democrat Party-led government. The protests were organized by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) (known as "Red-Shirts"). The UDD called for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections, however, both sides repeatedly failed to set an election date. In response, the protests escalated into prolonged violent confrontations between the protesters and the military and several attempts to negotiate a ceasefire failed. More than 80 civilians and 6 soldiers were killed and 2,100 injured by the time the military successfully cracked down on the protesters on May 2010.

According to Voice of America, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) – an election monitoring group – hailed Thailand's nationwide election for being generally peaceful, orderly and allowing the public to express their voice. However, ANFREL also cited some flaws in the polls and warned the Thai military not to intervene in politics. The monitoring group stated that the most substantial problem was the election commission failing to sufficiently inform some voters of the need to re-register for the election. According to the organization, the registration issue prevented up to one million Thais (3 percent of voters) from participating.

BBC News reported that the election commission is investigating allegations of election irregularities and, if serious violations are uncovered, could still disqualify elected officials. ANFREL is recommending Thailand suspend politicians suspected of fraud and other election crimes before voting, rather than after, to prevent tensions from overturned results.
On July 12, in what was one of his final decrees, outgoing Prime Minister Vejjajiva's extended emergency rule. The rule was introduced in 2005, in an area covering most of Thailand's three southernmost provinces for an additional two months. Critics have accused the Thai government of failing to address the grievances of Thailand's Malay Muslim minority, including alleged abuses by the military and a perceived lack of respect for their ethnic identity, language and religion.

The newly elected Shinawatra is widely perceived as a political novice whose popularity has largely rested on the selling her brother's policies. Thaksin Shinawatra has already stated he wants to return to Thailand, but will wait for the right moment. According to the Economist, analysts say his return would potentially destabilizing factor, making it harder for the new government to get on with its task of reuniting this divided nation and healing Thailand's wounded democracy.

For previous news on Thailand, please see:
Red Shirts Mark Coup Anniversary in Thailand

Sources:
BBC News –  Thailand: Yingluck Shinawatra wins key election

Voice of America – Asian Observer Group Commends Thai Election, Cites Minor Flaws

AFP – Thai cabinet extends emergency rule on south

The Economist – A surprising new face