Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK4687
2007-08-30 09:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
THAIS SET DECEMBER 23 ELECTION DATE AMID EU
how-toVZCZCXRO4150 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #4687 2420906 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 300906Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9302 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 9724 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1842 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 7608 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 4777 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 3562 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 004687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAIS SET DECEMBER 23 ELECTION DATE AMID EU
OBSERVER SPAT
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 (
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 004687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAIS SET DECEMBER 23 ELECTION DATE AMID EU
OBSERVER SPAT
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 (
b) and (d).
1. (SBU) On August 27 Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
officially announced a December 23 date for Thailand's
general elections, pending the King's endorsement of a formal
election decree. The government had repeatedly targeted
December 23 as the most suitable date, although election
officials had reportedly considered January 6 and 13 as
alternatives. Barring unexpected developments, however, it
seems clear that elections will be held by the end of the
year.
2. (C) Surayud noted that the election decree would not be
submitted for royal approval until October, when the National
Legislative Assembly (NLA) is expected to complete its review
of three new organic election laws. One Election
Commissioner and a prominent legislator publicly complained
that the December date comes too soon, as they feared the
Election Commission (ECT) and political parties would have
insufficient time to properly prepare. However, some
political party leaders told us on August 30 that the King
supports early elections, and they are confident the December
23 date will remain unchanged.
3. (SBU) ECT officials publicly announced on August 28 they
welcomed European Union election observers for the December
23 poll, despite a public spat when the RTG refused to sign a
memorandum of understanding with the EU over a planned
150-person election observer mission, a proposal that many in
the RTG felt went considerably beyond "observing" to
providing technical assistance which was not needed and which
would restrict the government's freedom to oversee its own
elections. Public comments on August 28 and 29 denouncing
the MOU have had nationalistic overtones, with the Prime
Minister claiming the document infringed on Thai sovereignty
and the NLA Chairman accusing the EU of "interfering in Thai
internal affairs." Other press reports quoted officials
comparing the proposed MOU with documents the EU normally
signed with "failed states."
4. (C) In several conversations with Ministry of Foreign
Affairs officials, we have heard the same complaints over the
proposed MOU, as well as concerns that these "observers"
planned to interject themselves into the election
administration itself. We have been assured by our RTG
contacts, however, that observers of all kinds are welcome.
In addition, we note that the ECT and other Thai
organizations are working productively with IFES, NDI, and
IRI on US-sponsored democracy assistance related to the
elections.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAIS SET DECEMBER 23 ELECTION DATE AMID EU
OBSERVER SPAT
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 (
b) and (d).
1. (SBU) On August 27 Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
officially announced a December 23 date for Thailand's
general elections, pending the King's endorsement of a formal
election decree. The government had repeatedly targeted
December 23 as the most suitable date, although election
officials had reportedly considered January 6 and 13 as
alternatives. Barring unexpected developments, however, it
seems clear that elections will be held by the end of the
year.
2. (C) Surayud noted that the election decree would not be
submitted for royal approval until October, when the National
Legislative Assembly (NLA) is expected to complete its review
of three new organic election laws. One Election
Commissioner and a prominent legislator publicly complained
that the December date comes too soon, as they feared the
Election Commission (ECT) and political parties would have
insufficient time to properly prepare. However, some
political party leaders told us on August 30 that the King
supports early elections, and they are confident the December
23 date will remain unchanged.
3. (SBU) ECT officials publicly announced on August 28 they
welcomed European Union election observers for the December
23 poll, despite a public spat when the RTG refused to sign a
memorandum of understanding with the EU over a planned
150-person election observer mission, a proposal that many in
the RTG felt went considerably beyond "observing" to
providing technical assistance which was not needed and which
would restrict the government's freedom to oversee its own
elections. Public comments on August 28 and 29 denouncing
the MOU have had nationalistic overtones, with the Prime
Minister claiming the document infringed on Thai sovereignty
and the NLA Chairman accusing the EU of "interfering in Thai
internal affairs." Other press reports quoted officials
comparing the proposed MOU with documents the EU normally
signed with "failed states."
4. (C) In several conversations with Ministry of Foreign
Affairs officials, we have heard the same complaints over the
proposed MOU, as well as concerns that these "observers"
planned to interject themselves into the election
administration itself. We have been assured by our RTG
contacts, however, that observers of all kinds are welcome.
In addition, we note that the ECT and other Thai
organizations are working productively with IFES, NDI, and
IRI on US-sponsored democracy assistance related to the
elections.
BOYCE