Sunday, February 2, 2014

Thai voters prevented from casting ballot by anti-government protesters

Tens of thousands of Thais couldn’t cast their ballots on the elections after antigovernment protesters blocked roads and took control of several polling booths. The tense political situation will go on.

The Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has a lot of chances to be reelected because her party (or versions of it) has been chosen since 2001 by the Thais. "I would like to invite Thai people to come out and vote to uphold democracy." Said Yingluck, after she casted her vote.

Antigovernment demonstrators will continue with their protests until the Prime Minister steps down voluntarily or by force. They also claim that the nation is still ruled by Thaksin Shinawatra, the brother of Yingluck. Thaksin was ousted as Prime minister in a military coup. He lives nowadays in Dubai in order to avoid the charges of corruption that he has in Thailand.

The elections didn’t bring any calm to the current situation of the country. About 6 of the 49 million voters were affected by the closure of the polling booths. The demonstrators focused their efforts in pro-government districts where they prevent voting. The results of the elections won´t be delivered until all districts have been able to vote.

The political instability will continue in Thailand. The protests began in November and have taken the life of 10 people, and have injured 600 more.

Comment

I believe that the current political situation of Thailand is worrying. The current government is being influenced by Thaksin Shinawatra, (An ex-Prime Minister accused of corruption), and it seems that the current Prime Minister (His younger sister) will be reelected.  

If Yingluck is reelected the country will face a doubtful government, where Thaksin will control the nation through his sister. That´s why antigovernment demonstrators protest, and they are in all the right to remove the influenced government.

However, blocking the streets and taking control of the polling booths, in order to prevent civilians to vote is not the right way to ensure the democracy. The protesters should let people vote, because the vote is our main right and if it´s taken away from us we would lose the way of sharing our opinion.

Although I support the antigovernment demonstrators and the idea of removing Yingluck from the power to eliminate the Thaksin influence in the nation, I also believe that the way to ensure the democracy is voting. In this manner, the Thai people will choose a candidate who defends the country´s interests and the people’s will.  

Bibliography


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/02/thai-voters-prevented-casting-ballot-anti-government-protesters

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