THAI ELECTION CAMPAIGN RULES EASED BUT TENSIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005667 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TH SUBJECT: THAI ELECTION CAMPAIGN RULES EASED BUT TENSIONS SIMMER REF: A. BANGKOK 5600 (MILITARY ELECTION INTERFERENCE) ¶B. BANGKOK 5578 (THAI ELECTION SEASON) ¶C. BANGKOK 5482 (ELECTION DECREE ADVANCES) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On October 31, the Election Commission of Thailand eased restrictive election campaign rules issued a week earlier following widespread public criticism. While most rules remain unchanged, the amendments, issued over the objections of ONE outspoken election commissioner, loosen restrictions on media election coverage and reduce limitations on public campaign activities by political parties. The ECT plans to investigate allegations of election interference by the military and has met with government and private entities as preparations for the December 23 election continue in earnest. End summary. CAMPAIGN RULES EASED -------------- ¶2. (U) On October 31, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) amended strict campaign regulations that were originally published on October 24 and which sharply restricted permissible campaign activities for political parties and candidates ahead of December 23 elections. The ECT promised to amend the regulations after receiving fierce criticism from political party representatives and the media over the rules, which some called "undemocratic and unfair." The election regulations circumscribed media election campaign coverage, forbade certain public events, and restricted campaign poster sizes, among other restrictions. ¶3. (SBU) The ECT revisions ease the ability of political parties to use vehicles for campaigning, loosen restrictions on erecting stages in public, and permit parties to organize parades and dances (a tradition in Thai election campaigns). The ECT also granted greater discretion to media outlets in covering the campaign and interviewing candidates by eliminating guidelines that originally required that the media grant equal air time to all political parties (Note: approximately 70 parties are currently registered by the ECT. End note). ¶4. (U) The majority of the regulations remain unchanged, however, including October 24 campaign finance rules that limit the amount of money each candidate for electoral district races may spend to $44,200 (1.5 million baht). Additional rules similarly limit the amount of money each political party can spend campaigning for the 80 party list seats in the House of Representatives. The ECT, however, did not amend campaign "advice" included in the regulations that urged parties to train election workers on electoral laws, to use "polite words" while campaigning, and to avoid "exploiting" popular figures by featuring them in their campaigns. ELECTION OFFICIAL PROTESTS RULE CHANGES -------------- ¶5. (SBU) On November 1, the ECT announced that outspoken commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham, who had earlier defended the strict campaign rules and had spoken out against amending them (reftel B),would take 15 days of sick leave "for HEALTH reasons." Sodsri had claimed that there was no legal basis for amending the regulations after their issuance. Media and election observers speculated that Sodsri was not ill, but rather taking leave to protest the ECT's decision to ease the widely-criticized election rules. Sodsri reportedly skipped the ECT meeting that approved the rule changes, as well as subsequent meetings between the ECT and other government agencies. The ECT chairman publicly denied there was a rift within the ECT and insisted commissioners were free to express their own opinions. THE PPP HOT POTATO -------------- BANGKOK 00005667 002 OF 002 ¶6. (SBU) The media have reported on the hesitancy of the ECT to investigate an October 23 accusation by pro-Thaksin People's Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej that the Council for National Security (CNS) plotted to impede his party's election prospects. Samak's accusations were based on allegedly leaked RTG documents that purportedly prove the CNS planned to use the military to limit voter support for the PPP (reftel A). While the election laws empower the ECT to investigate these allegations, the media reported that ECT officials were initially split as to whether the complaints were legitimate and merited an investigation. Under election laws, the ECT can punish those who violate election laws with substantial fines, jail terms, and disenfranchisement, thereby raising the political stakes should the ECT launch an investigation. The ECT has announced it plans to nominate an investigative committee to examine Samak's accusations. LAYING THE BUREAUCRATIC GROUNDWORK -------------- ¶7. (U) During the week of October 30-November 2, the ECT held meetings with other government agencies and private entities to solicit cooperation in administering the December 23 elections. The ECT exacted pledges from the Interior, Foreign Affairs, and other government ministries, as well as the Royal Thai Army and Police to assist in holding a free and fair election. The ECT also reportedly met with companies vying for an ECT contract to print approximately 100 million election ballots. BOYCE