Corruption is the art of deception
Journal of The Thai Statistical Association Executive Editor Surin Khanabsakdi Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Kaew Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50200
Dear Mr. Khanabsakdi,
My name is Brian Barber I am an Australian married to a Thai National, my home is in the Provence of UdonThani.
What I have uncovered is a system of endemic; community organised electoral corruption that stretches from the very bottom to the very top.
What has happened here should be of concern to every 'defender of standards' in Thailand. I would appreciate it greatly if you could send a 'link' to this 'Submission' to your 'Editors' listed at the end of this document and relevant 'Board members'. This 'Submission' to you is published under the 'side menu' heading-Public Campaign Dec 2013/Letters to Editor/12.Journal of The Thai Statistical Assoc. Surin Khanabsakdi Exe Editor
In January of 2013 my stepson ran as a candidate for Mayor in the local elections of Ban That in the province of UdonThani, with my support. This support was meant to be 'above board' and follow the rules of democracy and decency as laid out on the Electoral Commission Thailand's web site for all to see and study. I have spent many years educating my stepson to a high university level, all the time teaching him to appreciate and value the gift of living in a democracy and of his responsibilities to the 'democratic process'.
PART 1 lists the four documents in which I set out and established the 'ground rules' with my stepson and my family for our entry into the 'Mayoral election', including a pre-emptive letter to the ECT, document No 4a 'Democratic process in local Mayoral election' to ECT Chairman Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond (in English and Thai) dated 30th May 2012.
PART 2 gives a summary of the more poignant correspondence I have made to the Government of Thailand and to the non-government 'safeguard' institutions over the last twelve months trying to get a resolution to this 'electoral corruption' event. For a full and complete list of all documents see website http://www.ecesolutions.info (All 'Submissions' and accompanying documents are now published online as of the 12th October 2013 and are available for viewing and download.
PART 1
Document No: - 1. - 'Politics is the art of persuasion' - 12th Feb 2012 (in Thai and English) 2. - 'This is our Platform' - 9th May 2012 (in Thai and English) 3. - 'The Pictorial Plan' (pdf English) 4. - 'Democratic process in local Mayoral election' - 30May 2012 (in Thai and English) To ECT Chairman Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond.
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PART 2
Document No: - 13a. - Submission to ECT Chairman Mr Apichart Sukhagganond 3rd August 2013. 15a. - Submission to NACC President Mr Panthip Klanarongran 11th Sept 2013. 18a. - Submission to Mr Wasan Soypisudh President of the 'Constitutional Court' 16th October 2013. ( see also Document No 18e ) 20a. - Submission to the 'National Assembly of Thailand' 24th October 2013 addressed to: - (1) Mr Somsak Kiatsuranont Speaker of the 'House of Representatives of Thailand'' and President of the' National Assembly of Thailand' (2) Mr Nikom Wairatpanij President of the 'Senate of Thailand'
SUBMISSION TO THE PUBLIC parts - A to Z
A. Public Campaign Because I have had no meaningful response from the Government of Thailand or any of Thailand's non-government 'safeguard' institutions, I am now forced to make my campaign public. I have written to the King to bring His Royal Highness up to date on the progress of events and inform His Royal Highness of my decision to take my campaign for 'honesty and fairness' to the public and to inform him of my reasons for doing so. (see document No 21a - '2nd Correspondence to HRH King of Thailand' sent 6th December 2013 http://www.ecesolutions.info )
I have also written to the Secretary of the 'Election Commission' to also inform the ECT of my decision to take my campaign public and to be up front about the stance that I will be taking in that campaign. (see document No 23a - '2nd Submission to the Election Commission of Thailand' sent 12th December 2013 http://www.ecesolutions.info )
Writing to all the Newspapers and media organisations and to all the Universities and institutes of learning in Thailand is the start of my public campaign to find 'justice' and 'fairness'.
B. No Response
As you can see, all this correspondence to government and all these 'Submissions' to all the non- government 'safeguard' institutions in Thailand have produced not one meaningful response, except for the meeting with the Governor of UdonThani Seni Chittakase on Fri 31st May 2013. See documents No :- 9a. - 'Correspondence to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra' 6th May 2013. 10. - 'Correspondence from Governor UdonThani Seni Chittakase 31st May 2013 after meeting in response to my correspondence to the Prime Minister'. 11a. - 'Reply correspondence to Seni Chittakase Governor UdonThani' 2nd July 2013.
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Registered mail
All correspondence and 'Submissions' have been sent by 'Registered Mail' and all senior officials in each recipient institution received copies of the 'Submission'. (see List of Documents http://www.ecesolutions.info)
In the case of the 'Submission' to the President of the 'Constitutional Court' dated 16th October 2013 (document No 18), copies were sent to all seven (7) Justices.
In all, up to this present point in time, I have sent fifty one (51) registered mail documents to the various government officials and non-government institutions in Thailand (see Registered Post Tracker Table http://www.ecesolutions.info)
C. How does one interpret this non-response
How does one interpret this non-response and avoidance by the Government of Thailand to deal with this most serious of issue of 'Electoral Corruption' in the province of UdonThani.
Remained silent
Every senior official in every one of your 'safeguard' institutions and every politician I have sent a correspondence too has remained silent, including the Speaker of the 'House of Representatives of Thailand and the President of the 'Senate of Thailand'? (See document No 20a - 'Submission to the National Assembly of Thailand' 24th October 2013)
What do you think the outside world thinks of all this? I'll let you be the judge.
Good men cannot win in Thailand
Is the Mayor of BanThat right when he said "Good men cannot win in Thailand" (See Closing Statement, document No 15a - 'Submission to NACC President Mr.Panthip Klanarongran 11th Sept 2013')
Is this what my stepson is to learn from his first encounter with the 'Democratic System' in Thailand, that 'good men just cannot win in Thailand'
My stepson sent me an email
My stepson sent me an Email just prior to the polling date telling me that he had done a 'survey' asking people in the twenty villages of the electorate ''Would they vote for him on 'policy' alone with no money given?" He said that only one in one hundred said that they would.
I wrote back to him saying that I did not believe his figures. "We had many such 'Email points of discussion' in the year long lead up to the election and I assumed the same was happening in the many meetings that my stepson had with the senior official in the UdonThani administration Dr Natthayot Phaguang in UdonThani and at our house in Nakhom, but sadly this was not the case (see document No 15a - Submission to NACC President Mr.Panthip Klanarongran 11th Sept 2013. Part (2) 'My stepson was mentored into electoral corruption'.
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D. Education System in Thailand
How did my stepson whom I have raised and educated to high university standard for 10 years in preparation for his adult life, let himself be drawn to a corrupt mindset in such a complete way. Not only did he blindly follow down this 'dark trail' those who led him to him to his own destruction, but in doing so he took so blatantly and completely from his stepfather.
My stepson was educated in your Thailand University system, he participated in a 'Post Graduate' course in "local government administration' which the government granted and paid for. What values did his university professors impart? What guidance did he receive to evaluate right from wrong?
Not one young person stood up for the principals of democracy or the rule of law
My stepson is not alone in this abyss, not one young person in the villages, many of whom are also university educated, at great sacrifice by their parents, stood up for the 'principles of democracy' or the 'rule of law'. Every one of these young people put their hand out the same as everybody else and sold their vote, and their souls, for a pittance of money. Is this going to be the 'National trait' of Thailand's people that we can except in the future?
Who is responsible for this moral morass?
What reasonability does the 'safeguard' organisation such as the ECT, the NACC and the PACC take unto themselves for this sad state of affairs of 'moral morass'? What role do these 'National organs' of authority play in the 'moral conscience' of the nation? And if these organisation do not have the responsibility, then who does have this responsibility and duty?
Clearly the universities are failing and the international image of Thailand is continually being downgraded as a result.
My family has been destroyed
As a consequence of this deceit and skulduggery the integrity of my family has been destroyed and there can never again be true trust between us, ten years of education gave my stepson no 'strength of character' or 'set of principals' to live by. My family has disintegrated under the pressure of remorse and wrongdoing, resulting in the loss of everything of worth both financially and intellectually.
I built the 'Guest House' to bring Europeans to this wonderful place that I had found, to show them a Buddhist people full of culture and a closeness to each other, and now all that I can show Europeans is a corrupt society full of lies and deceit and ashes.
Debriefing with my wife
I have had long discussions debriefing with my wife as to how they got so caught up that she placed all of our assets and our future in such peril, and it all comes back to community pressure and an accepted way of doing things. Their was no conscious decision to be corrupt, it was the pressure of consensus; of group solidarity. All the advice my wife was receiving was that this is the way it is done in 'local elections'. Former Mayors came to see my wife to give her advice that
Page 4 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception the buying of votes was the only way that the 'Mayorship' could be won and this advise was continually being reinforced and confirmed by the community as they all required payment for their vote, this was just expected and part of the general attitude. The whole electoral environment was all about money and the closer to the polling date the more the pressure increased and more intense it became. It ended up becoming a matter of family pride 'to put up a good showing' and that showing involved the payment for support, it was expected and demanded.
Now with hindsight my wife realises the folly of listening to false promises, but at the time the momentum was just too hard to resist and the demand by the electorate for payment for their vote and promises of loyalty blinded them to the reality of what they were really doing.
E. Local elections
Phen in the province of UdonThani had their local election at a later date than BanThat and my Thai friends in Phen tell me the same process of 'vote buying' and 'election rigging' took place in exactly the same way.
I have surveyed many Thai people
Because of my experience with our local election in BanThat I now know what questions to ask. Thai people freely admit to selling their vote at elections, its such a common and accepted practice that everybody thinks its OK. In the last 12 months I have surveyed as many Thai people as I have had the opportunity to do both within Thailand and outside Thailand and the answer without exception is that 'vote buying' is universally accepted as the norm throughout Thailand at the village level.
11a - Reply correspondence to Seni Chittakase Governor UdonThani 2nd July 2013
The fact that 'vote buying' is universally accepted as the norm throughout Thailand at the village level is why the Governor of UdonThani Seni Chittakase felt he could be so candid on the subject. Governor Chittakase also knew that I would gain no traction from the ECT or any of the other non-government (supposedly safeguard) institutions, as I have, too my detriment, found out.
It is inconceivable that I have had no official response from any of the 'Submissions' made to the Thailand Government or to any of the 'Submissions' made to all of Thailand's non-government (safeguard) institutions (see 'List of documents' http://www.ecesolutions.info)
Beat of a different drum
In Thailand there is a very strong belief that somehow Thai people can all 'march to the beat of a different drum' and that the rules of the 'Constitution of Thailand'; of 'international agreements'; of 'international conventions and treaties', do not apply to them.
It would appear that Thailand's officials seem to think that because so many people are involved in the practice of 'vote buying' that this 'herd mentality' condones the activity and protects them from the charge of 'dereliction of duty' and prosecution.
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F. Many people have died to give you the gift of Democracy
Democracy just did not happen by accident it was forged and beaten out of the chaos of the 'Middle Ages' in Europe. Countless souls have given up their lives and countless more have suffered and struggled under the heel of the 'oppressors' to give you your freedoms. In resent history many of my own countrymen died long lingering death on the 'Burma Railway' in WW2 freeing Thailand from the heel of the Imperial Japanese. I have visitors their graves and it is a very sobering experience.
Once won democracy has to be nurtured and protected from those who would gladly and without hesitation suppress its values and enslave you to their 'will' and their 'greed'. One has to be forever vigilant and on guard against the 'carpetbaggers' of this world who will take away ones possessions and ones freedoms in the blink of an eye.
This is why there are rules
This is why there are rules for elections, so that everything remains 'democratic' and 'fair' and so the 'campaign hype' does not make people do crazy, stupid things. The rules are the most important part of any contest, be it football or be it elections. Without the rules and an 'unbiased impartial umpire' overseeing those rules, there can be no 'fair' result. Without the rules you only have anarchy and in the case of elections a false and corrupt result.
There can be no peace
If there is no confidence in the umpire there can be no confidence in the result and if there is no confidence in the result there can be no agreement and there can be no peace.
G. The troubles you are now experiencing in Thailand
The troubles you are now experiencing in Thailand all stem and can be traced back to this point. The corrupt system of 'vote buying' installs into the fundamental political structure people of low moral character; of low community spirit, people with no community or 'democratic' ethics. Their only concern is of self interest and self gratification.
The people have the power in there hands
You the people, have the power by your 'vote' to put into political office whomever you like, this is the power of 'democracy' and the 'democratic system of government'.
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people".
You can liken it to a garden
That is what democracy is, a Government of the people, but to stay 'of the people' you must nurture and take care of the 'democratic structures' and 'institutions'. You can liken it to a garden that if not tended and tilled and if left neglected, becomes open to invasion and the 'weeds' will take over. Your 'governmental structures' are full of 'weeds' and weeds bear no fruit. Your untended and neglected and uncared for 'government garden' is giving the 'people' no produce.
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The trouble you are now having here with me
Any troubles that befall Thailand are troubles of your own making, as is the trouble you are now having here with me. The people of BanThat district chose to be corrupt, I gave them a choice; I gave my stepson a choice; I gave my family a choice and they all chose, for whatever reason, to go down the road, as you have always done collectively as a community and follow the 'flag of corruption'. (see document 1a 'Politics is the art of persuasion') Once you venture down this corrupt road there can be no turning back, what unfolds cannot be stoped, like an avalanche of events that buries all in its path.
I am now caught in this web I am now caught in this web of 'lies and deceit' and in the web of these 'money lenders' with their 3% per month interest rates, who are trying to suck the very marrow from my bones. Wisdom cannot be imposed it can only be imparted
This is why wise men are old men, they have lived a long time and have seen the folly that stupid greedy people wreak on the fabric of society many times in their life and they know the correct path to harmony and happiness.
But wisdom cannot be imposed it can only be imparted and if the ear cannot hear the heart cannot learn.
You install 'corrupt' 'greedy' people into positions of power over your lives and you wonder why everything goes to 'mush'.
H. Who are the umpires
Who are the umpires, the people responsible for the 'oversee of democracy' in Thailand, for the interpretation of the rules?' and it comes back to the senior public servants and the ECT. They collectively have the responsibility to educate and oversee the process according to 'the rules' as set down in the 'Constitution'. The very people who were meant to oversee the election either went missing or became 'manipulators' or 'profiteers' and my stepson and wife were left trying to make sense of it all.
Everybody has a responsibility under the 'Constitution'
Everybody has to take a share of the blame for this saga, if the people do not ask for and take money for their vote, there can be no 'electoral corruption'. Everybody has a responsibility under the 'Constitution', their are no exceptions, the rules are very clear.
Why am I putting effort into educating more children?
I am educating two more children, one of whom wants to become a doctor. Is the result going to be the same? Is she going to grow into womanhood thinking that 'good men cannot win in Thailand'? Are all the children in Thailand going to grow up with the attitude that 'cheating' and 'lying' and 'corruption' are the only ways to get ahead in life. Page 7 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception
Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network
I draw your attention to the website the 'Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network' Sponsored by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand http://www.weforum.org/node/133552
I quote from the homepage: -
The Problem Addressed by the Campaign
Corruption is a common practice in Thailand, and it is getting worse. Major news media sources recently reported that according to a June 2012 poll, a majority (63.4 percent) of Thai people still hold the view that corruption in government is acceptable as long as they benefit from it. A majority of young people under 20 now hold the same attitude. In response, UNDP in Thailand began the Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network to educate and inform young people about the dangers of corruption in Thai society.
Why honesty is a necessity Somebody has to explain to Thailand and to Thailand's young people why it is best and most essential to be honest and honourable in your dealings throughout your life and it might as well be me here in this document, its a good a time as any. Any competent well educated European could do the job, it's a fairly universal European concept. Our Western 'code of ethics' Our Western 'code of ethics' comes from our long history of 'Christianity' and it has at its core a code of 'chivalrous' conduct of the individual. This 'code' is built around one core principal "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" Not many Westerners follow 'Christianity' in a religious way as once was the case but the 'code' still remains and is the 'moral backbone' of how the West operates. You have copied our 'code' but you do not understand it 'Western Law' is built around the individuals responsibility to society and to the 'code' of 'honourable behaviour' much the same as is written into your 'Constitution' and is displayed on all your government websites. You have copied our 'codes' of 'honourable actions' and 'honourable behaviour' but you do not understand their meaning and you do not have any understanding of why they are necessary for a modern society to function and to hold together and prosper. Europeans can rely on this 'code' Europeans know when they are dealing with other Europeans that they can rely on this 'code' in any transactions they have with each other. An individuals 'honesty history' is his passport to future business and future prosperity. If an individual breaks this 'honesty history' even once in his life, with lies and deceptive behaviour, he loses his right to participate in future business with other Europeans, he is cast aside to the sidelines of the business world and to the sidelines of society. To a European person it just makes good sense to be honest, it is 'good business' if nothing else, because this is how we judge each other. One doesn't have to believe in the 'principles of honesty' to be an honest man, one only has to act honestly to be perceived as honest. Page 8 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception
In Asia it doesn't matter if a person is dishonest
In Asia it seems to us Europeans that it doesn't matter if a person is dishonest in his dealings with others as long as his supporters get a 'cut' of the proceeds. There seems to be no judgement made on the persons 'character' that prevents him from doing business again, all that is required is for him to offer inducement in the form of 'money' or 'intimidation' as a means of participating. Money rules all things in Thailand not 'moral character'. You have presented yourselves as having the some set of 'codes' as the West To carry out business with the West you have presented yourselves as having the some set of 'codes' and the same 'set of standards' as the West, only for the purpose of deception; only for the propose of doing business for the sole intention of getting money. When it comes to honouring 'contracts and agreements' under the rules of the 'democratic system of government', there is no substance to your commitment to any of the agreements. Once a European know this he judges you accordingly and places no value on your 'word' or your 'honour' and once this judgement is made there can be no redemption. No amount of money can redeem your statics in the eyes of the beholder or in the eyes of European society, you are judged on your 'character' and if that 'character' is full of lies and deception, you are a person to be avoided at all cost and the passage of time has no bearing. The greatest value a man has to himself The greatest value a man has to himself is his good name and the honour of his 'word' to others around him and to others he does business with. To be trusted by other men is the highest aim a man has in his life. As it is with the individual as it is with countries. Any European looking at the website www.ecesolutions.info quickly gains an understanding of how Thailand works and will in the future be very sceptical and very wary. This is the power of the Internet and the power of 'social media' technology that you have not caught up with. It is the way the world now works and your 'deception' can now be made very visible and able to be seen by all. In the past it was hidden from everyone except the most experienced but with the advent of the internet, experience can now easily be displayed and shared, warning others. This is why it is imperative for the people of Thailand to change your ways quickly and reject 'corruption' and purge it from your character and from your society, it is just good business to do so. If you don't this new world of 'instant communication' will quickly come to recognize you. My stepson Had my stepson been 'honest' and 'trustworthy' in his dealings with me, we could have recovered and gone on in any other business direction. A loss at the election would have meant nothing if it had been an 'honourable' loss. Now my stepson has been cast adrift from his stepfathers care and is subject to the same investigative measures asked for in this 'Submission' as has been asked for in all the 'Submissions' made to all the 'investigative institutions' in Thailand in my campaign to recover my House and property. Corruption sets you on a path and there can be no turning back.
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If there is any reconciliation to be found in the future depends on my stepson changing his understanding of 'trustworthiness' and of his changing his understanding of 'honourable behaviour'. He must come to understand that being popular and well liked by the 'crowd' is not the same as being 'admirable of character'. The reason I am explaining this here The reason I am explaining this here is because the inner conflict my stepson is having is the same conflict that every young person in Thailand is having with the modern world around them and the 'materialistic values' they have adopted as their 'mantra'. My stepson is only representative of his whole generation. If the young generations of Thailand do not come to grips with the fundamental need to be 'honest' and 'honourable' in their dealings with others, they will drag themselves and their country into the darkness and into oblivion. The other side of the coin The other side of the coin of this 'Western code of 'chivalrous behaviour' is that if broken it requires answering and the higher the belief in the 'code' the more energetic is the response.
I. This is a question of what a whole society is doing to itself
This whole saga is not a question of what my stepson has done or what any individual has done, this is a question of what a whole society is doing to itself. My stepson has been surrounded by this corrupt way of thinking all of his growing years, as have all of Thailand's children, so much so that he just did not respond to the 'values' I was trying to impart to him. (see document 1a 'Politics is the art of persuasion')
The Monks
I have had many conversations with our local Temple monk ('Hi-tec monk' as he is very good at fixing anything electronic) about this very problem and he has the same difficulty. He can say all the right 'teaching words' with all the right emphases but when the people leave his influence and leave the 'Temple' and live their day to day lives, they forget his 'instructional words' and they forget the Buddhist way of self-improvement and of harmonious thinking.
The Universities
The Universities have not changed this attitude of the 'acceptance of corruption' in the general community. By the 'paying of bribes' that is commonplace in the university system, the whole corrupt attitude is only reinforced and graduates leave university 'morally and ethical bankrupt' and enter the position of leadership in the 'community' and within the 'Public Service' and the 'Government' and conduct themselves accordingly.
A corrupt mindset is a millstone that you place around your neck and around your soul and it will drag you beneath the waves of living. At some time in life you always have to pay the price for deceit and that price can be a heavy price indeed.
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J. This electoral corruption has been going on for a very long time
This 'electoral corruption' is a coordinated community based system of very long standing, with leadership and financing coming from within the provincial UdonThani administration. It involves every member of the community in some way, including the university educated young, either by their direct participation or by their silence.
To organize and distribute such large sums of money in a 'barter' system in the last critical hours of an election to determine a winner requires an organisational structure that is very impressive indeed. This was a well oiled machine of very long standing.
The most shocking fact to me as a Westerner is that all 7500 odd voters were involved in the taking of payment for their vote and in the coordinated distribution of the money and not one person stood up for 'democracy' against 'corruption'.
At the village level if you prosecute one you must prosecute all
My stepson and family have to take responsibility for their actions but they are no more guilty than every villager who demanded and took money for their vote. At the village level if you prosecute one you must prosecute all.
The true responsibility for this "electoral corruption' lies with those in positions of authority who let it happen and with those in positions of authority who fostered it and made profit from it.
K. Electoral Commission Thailand (ECT)
Email communication with Ms Chintana Srinukoon Director of the International Affairs Division ECT
On Tuesday 20th August 2013, I received an email from Ms Chintana Srinukoon Director of the International Affairs Division ECT informing me that the ECT had received my submission (document No 13 m). You can read my reply (Document No 13n) which received no answer from Ms Srinukoon. I subsequently sent a follow-up email on 8th October 2013 (Document No 13o). This email was also ignored.
On the 28th October I received an additional email from the 'Division of International Affairs ECT' informing me that my 'Submission' of the 3rd August 2013 is now in the process of investigation. This email was not singed and gave no indication of who the person was who sent it, but I presume that it was Ms Chintana Srinukoon (see document No 13p).
I have had no further contact, of any kind, from the ECT
International deception. The Thailand government has blatantly sat down with other countries government representatives at International conferences at international venues and at conferences hosted in Bangkok, on the very subject of 'electoral fairness' and 'good electoral practice', all the time knowing of and
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ignoring this 'buying and selling' of votes by and to the highest bidder. This deception is mind numbing in the extreme and is beyond comprehension to the Western mind. This is an example of the 'spin and deception' put out on the ECT web site http://www.ect.go.th/english/emb_1_1.htm
EMB's Network
ELECTORAL OFFICIALS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CHONBURI, THAILAND, 11-12 JUNE 2001
“The co-hosts of the conference, the Election Commission of Thailand and the Australian Electoral Commission, announced today that they are extremely pleased with the outcome of the Conference. All participating delegates ( Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Administration) expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to attend the Conference, which provided a forum for them to participate in positive discussions on current issues facing electoral administrators.
Delegates also acknowledged the benefits of such conferences to the development of professional networks in the arena of electoral administration. Delegates focused on the challenges facing electoral management bodies including logistics, the increased role that technology plays in the electoral process and the increasing expectations of voters in relation their participation in the electoral process. Discussion also focused on the importance of the elimination of electoral fraud and malpractice to the conduct of free and fair elections in the region. In this regard, delegates acknowledged the necessity for electoral bodies to be independent and impartial.
The conference identified many similarities, not only in the way the represented countries approach the organization and conduct of national elections, but also in the challenges they face for the future. These discussions were important to the exchange of knowledge and ideas, the quest for continuous improvement and the identification of best practice in electoral administration.
The delegates considered the conference such a success, that they unanimously expressed their hope that this would be the first of many such events, supporting the idea that they be held on a regular basis, perhaps every 12 to 18 months.
All delegates expressed their overwhelming gratitude for the warm hospitality shown by their hosts, the ECT, and for the excellent arrangement that were made more : - http://www.ect.go.th/english/emb.html
L. Questions have to be asked of the ECT
Questions have to be asked of the ECT on how this "electoral corruption' in the local elections of UdonThani was allowed to take place so blatantly and with so much official knowledge, for so long? Page 12 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception
The role that the ECT played in all of this raises these questions: -
Why was my first correspondence, prior to the election, to the ECT Chairman H.E. Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond, document 4a 'Democratic process in local Mayoral election' dated 30th May 2012, not acted upon?
If the ECT had acted and sent observers as I requested none of this would have transpired and we would not be here at this point in time doing what we are now doing.
I know that the Chairman received my correspondence because the first part of the document, the false amount for the cost of registration of my stepson's team, was acted upon and my stepson and the civil servant in question were interviewed and a resolution found, by the intervention of none other than Dr Natthayot Phaguang.
What preparation did the ECT give to the Mayoral candidates prior to the polling date to educate them about their responsibilities to the 'democratic process' and their responsibilities to the 'Thailand Constitution'?
Why is the ECT not proactive in the education of the populace of Thailand in the adherence to 'fair' and 'honest' elections as the ECT is directed to do by its own 'ECT Charter'
Why does the ECT state it is doing so on its ECT website? http://www.ect.go.th/english
My experience on the ground is nothing other than the exact opposite to this being the case. There is absolutely no acknowledgment or fear of the ECT anywhere in UdonThani, from the villages all the way up to the Governor's office, as the meeting with Governor Seni Chittakase on the 31st May 2013 plainly showed. (see document No 11 - Reply correspondence to Seni Chittakase Governor UdonThani 2nd July.2013)
M. On the website of the Senate of Thailand
You cannot say one thing and then do the exact opposite Your own 'Thailand Senate' website http://www.senate.go.th/th_senate/English/ is an inspiration, saying all the right wonderful democratic words about 'truth' and 'justice' and 'fair play' and 'honest ethics', but none of these words are true, as sadly I have found out and I am continuing to find out, as this 'saga' progresses from one of your government institutions to the other. You cannot say one thing in all your propaganda and on all your government web sites and then go about doing the exact opposite.
As the Governor of UdonThani Seni Chittakase said in the meeting of the 31st May 2013, the government websites are only there 'for show', the reality on the ground is very different. The Governor went on to say to my wife that Thailand was not like Europe, he pointed out that Thailand has had corruption for a long time. Governor Chittakase was not saying anything that my wife did not already know, it was only I who was in the dark and expected what was being
Page 13 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception proclaimed by the government and displayed on the government websites to be real. (see document 11a - Reply correspondence to Seni Chittakase Governor UdonThani 2nd July 2013.) My stepson and my wife and family had no chance of fighting these long established corrupt electoral practises, they are just too ingrained into the Northern rural society. Investment in the future In the last stages of the 'Mayoral campaign' in one of our 'email debates' where my stepson was trying to influence me to the advice he was receiving from his 'corrupt team of old men' and from those all around him, my stepson described the buying of votes as an 'investment in the future'. Look at what is now happening to our family and look at what is now happening to Thailand and tell me if you think that the 'buying of votes' and 'electoral corruption' and 'personal corruption' is a good investment in the future?
N. The 'Constitution' Is the 'Constitution of Thailand' and its governing principles that which dictates the 'moral values' that holds the Thailand nation together, or is it 'greed' and 'personal ambition' against the 'rule of law' that is the governing force in Thailand?
Virtue
The care and protection of all citizens is the first duty charged to the members of the 'House of Representatives' and the 'Senate' by the 'Constitution'. The virtue of each member of the 'National Assembly' be it the upper or lower house, is relied upon by every person in Thailand and that includes myself. I am married to Thailand; I have been an active member of your community for eleven years; I am instrumental in the education of many children; I have supported many local projects and I have been an active supporter of the Buddhist culture. I am as Thai as any European can be and I, like everybody else, high and low, depend on the elected and appointed representatives of all levels of government to guard and guide the environment in which I and my family live and do business.
I will not retreat
I am engaged with Thailand and I am committed and I will not retreat from those who will corrupt that commitment. I believe in Thailand and I intend to impart that belief to the children that come under my care and guidance and if that means forcing the individuals within the government and the non-government organisations and institutions to live up to their duties and their responsibilities and make them accountable, then I am up to the task and I will let fate decide the outcome.
I have been severely embarrassed by this electoral corruption
I have been severely embarrassed by this 'electoral corruption' to my European family and my European friends and business associates. I built the 'Guest House' to bring Europeans to Nakhom to see this wonderful place that I had found and I have gathered up a large following of middle class business people who have been observing my progress in my new home in Thailand with
Page 14 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception great interest. Many had planed to visit Nakhom for a holiday when the 'guest house' was finished. My wife has spent a great deal of time in the company of my friends and family in her many stays in Australia. Many of my business associates had committed to helping the villages and the village schools. Can you imagine my 'shame' to now have to tell these people that this is all a cruel hoax and that there is no poverty in the villages only a misallocation of funds redirected into the pockets of corrupt local politicians and officials. The Government of Thailand has permitted this 'election rigging' The Government of Thailand has permitted this 'election rigging' to exist and prosper unhindered in the Northern province of UdonThani for a very long time and the fact that all of my efforts to communicate with the 'powers that be' to find a peaceful resolution to the situation have been falling on "deaf ears" and are being completely ignored, only confirms to me the governments complicity in this affair.
Writing on the wall
What I truly do not understand is why Thailand cannot see the 'writing on the wall'. All Senators in Thailand are required to have a minimum educational level of 'Bachelor Degree'. All are very educated people and this makes the collective 'National Assembly' probably one of the most educated governments in the world. There is just no possible excuse for lack of understanding of the issues involved. There is just no possible excuse for the educated members of society to be corrupted in ones duties and responsibilities under the 'Constitution'.
This is beyond 'shame' and 'dishonour'. "How have you let this state of affairs happen? and more importantly" "What do you intend to do about it ? ? ?"
O. National Assembly of Thailand
On the 24th October I sent a Submission to Mr Somsak Kiatsuranont Speaker of the 'House of Representatives of Thailand' and President of the 'National Assembly of Thailand' and to Mr Nikom Wairatpanij President of the 'Senate of Thailand' Document No 20a - 'Submission to the 'National Assembly of Thailand' 24th Oct 2013'
I had also intended to send a copy of this 'Document No 20a' to all and every Senator listed in the 'Registry of Senators' and to all and every member of the 'House of Representatives' listed in the 'Registry of the House of Representatives'.
To that end I had assembled all 150 letters to each of the Senators and was about to send them via 'bulk Registered Post' to the 'Secretariat of The Senate' for distribution but the current political turmoil erupted in Thailand and the Prime Minster dissolved parliament on 9th December 2013.
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All 150 letters to the Senate are posted on http://www.ecesolutions.info under menu heading 'List of documents'/ No 24 - 'Table of letters' to each member of the 'National Assembly of Thailand' written but not sent because of the political unrest and the dissolution of Parliament on 9th Dec 2013 - Thai and English
Table (A) Letters to each member of the 'Senate of Thailand'-Th & Eng Table (B) Letters to each member of the 'House of Representatives of Thailand'-Th & Eng
If you wish, you can inform each Senator and each MP that this correspondence is waiting for viewing or download and can be found under his or her name in the 'tables A and B'. (th & eng)
P. Corruption always has victims
The people of the electorate of BanThat have stolen my house and property, not directly and maybe not knowingly but the end result of their 'electoral corruption' has produced the same result.
Corruption always has victims and now I am such a victim and as such I now find myself on the opposite side of the political and ethical divide to the very people whom I once so greatly admired.
I now find myself alone, opposing it would seem the whole of Thailand, but that is a situation I cannot control, fate has placed me in this position and from this position I shell make my campaign to find 'fairness' and 'justice' and redeem my house and property.
Redeem my stepson's character
I also intend with all the fervour of my sprite to redeem my stepson's character and show him that indeed 'Good men can win in Thailand'. (See document 20a - Submission to the National Assembly of Thailand 24th October 2013 sub section : - Closing Statement )
Q. Loan Sharks
I refer you to Chapter 111 of the 'Constitution' 'Rights and Liberties of the Thai People' It would seem to any fair minded person that the existence of these 'loan sharks' plying their predatory trade unfretted by government regulation flies in the face of what was intended by the framers of the 'Constitution' when Chapter 111 'Rights and Liberties of the Thai People' was penned.
Constitutional intent The primary duty of every 'representative of the people' is to take care of the welfare of the people under the guidance and guidelines of the 'Constitution' of the land.
Why do Thailand’s law makers allow these 'loan sharks', with their massive interest rates and punitive contracts, to prey on its citizens ?
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I intend to recover all of this vast interest bill from the government Besides the retrieval of my house and my property from these 'money lenders' I intend to recover all of this vast interest bill from the government and I will not stop my quest until this is accomplished. If I lose my house to these ‘Loan Sharks’ which is very possible, this will only compound the situation. Nobody can keep up with this level of 'mammoth' interest payments, month after month, for very long. I gave my family the commitment to pay this interest for the short term to give them the opportunity to try to refinance through the normal conventional banking channels, but refinancing is almost an impossibility given that they can tick none of the obligatory boxes required under the rules of the normal regulated banking system. The Government of Thailand is responsible for this debt
The Government of Thailand is responsible for this debt as it is the result of the criminal activities of the Officers of the UdonThani administration Dr Natthayot Phaguang and Mr Pornchai Ruaikitti tied together with a complete community involvement in this electoral corruption of 'buying' and 'selling' votes. (see document 13 submission to ECT Chairman Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond 3rd August 2013).
Right of redemption I refer you to the one page correspondence from Governor Chittakase - document 10 paragraph 2 and I quote: - “2. The sale contract to which your wife and family have been parties is a contract with right of redemption. The right of redemption can be exercised only within the period fixed by the contract. In your case, it is within six months or by 4th June 2013. Therefore, if the properties used to secure loan are not redeemed within the specified period, the properties will be transferred to the buyer”.
There is no more proof needed There is no more proof needed to the corrupt activities and plans of the perpetrators of this 'electoral corruption event' in the province of UdonThani than this 'right of redemption' clause in this 'loan contract'. (See Document 15a - Submission to NACC President Mr.Panthip Klanarongran 11th Sept 2013 Part (3) - sub section The pay back of these loans was to come from the Mayoral accounts) The only way that this loan agreement can be interoperated is that the full amount of the loan moneys had to be paid back by the 4th June 2013. This amount of money together, with the interest for that period, could only have come from one source, the Mayoral accounts, as I had made it abundantly clear that I would not be party to 'electoral corruption' and the 'buying of votes'' (ref document No1. 'Politics is the art of persuasion'; document No2. 'This is our Platform' and document No3 'The Pictorial Plan'). This false promise was the deception that my wife and family were deluded into participating in by these two corrupt senior officers of the UdonThani administration Dr Natthayot Phaguang and Mr. Pornchai Ruaikitti. See document 15a - Submission to NACC President Mr.Panthip Klanarongran 11th Sept 2013 : - Part (2) My stepson was mentored into electoral corruption
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Part (3) Senior UdonThani officer Mr. Pornchai Ruaikitti This Right of redemption clause now hangs over my head like the 'Sword of Damocles'. Unless I pay these monstrous interest payments every month to this 'money lender' in Bangkok my house and property can be seized, apparently quite legally under Thailand law, according to Governor Chittakase in document No10. This abominable system of 'electoral corruption' and 'vote buying' and 'vote rigging' has done this to me and the collective 'National Assembly of Thailand' has let it happen over successive Governments and I will not rest until it is reversed and remedied.
R. Is there no one in Thailand that understands the slippery slope that is corruption
This situation had to happen eventually, you had to come across someone like me sooner or later. Thailand is breaking all the codes of belief, all the creeds of behaviour, all the tenets of democracy in which we in the West believe in so deeply. Without these fundamental beliefs in the 'democratic process' the West cannot exist, it is what we are, it is who we are.
Thailand has taken all of our Democratic structures and 'cloned' them for the propose of 'deception and dishonesty'. The reason that most Westerners are not wise to the depth of what is going on in Thailand is that a Western person would and could not contemplate, as I did not contemplate, that such a massive, all encompassing, deception could exist. This is corruption on an industrial scale.
We understand that there is corruption in Asia as there is corruption everywhere, all Western countries are in a constant state of battling corruption, but this widespread; all-encompassing corruption in Thailand is on an unimaginable level.
Do not think I was I was naive
Do not think I was I was naive, I knew that corruption existed in Thailand, I have been building in Thailand for 10 years, but I imagined corruption took the form of individuals or groups' of individuals in clandestine pursuits, not whole communities working in the open in conjunction with one another, led by senior officers of government and protected from investigation by the very institutions that are charged by the 'Constitution of Thailand 'to protect the Nation.
Tradition and blatant dishonesty are two entirely different things
I understand the complexities of dealing with 'corruption' in a new democracy of only some 80 odd years, that formally has a long history of 'nepotism' and 'favouritism', but 'tradition' and 'blatant dishonesty' are two entirely different things and any fair minded person can easily tell the difference.
Moral compass
As it is with lying, one lie leads to another, then another and pretty soon you don't know what the truth is anymore. Thailand no longer has a 'moral compass', it has lost it way so completely that you don't recognise what you are doing to yourselves, you have lost sight of your own horizon, you have lost sight of your own future.
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S. All who stay silent
All who stay silent to this situation condemn themselves by their silence. The ECT; NACC; PACC; Ombudsman; the Auditor General; and the Constitutional Court, all have a solemn duty under the 'Constitution of Thailand' to act in accordance with the 'Constitution' and the 'Constitutional intent'.
No one in any of these 'safeguard institutions' has responded to investigate these most serious of events. All are locked down in a state of denial of the undeniable, unable to respond, as there can be no response to the truth other then the acceptance of that truth and of the facts.
All these organisations have been brought face to face with the 'undeniable reality' and there is no mechanism in their souls that can react, they are doing what they have always done, they do nothing, hoping that the 'questions' will just fade away and crumble against the barricade of their collective stonewalling; of their collective silence.
Vision statement from the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
“A society founded on discipline, integrity and ethics with all sectors participating in the prevention and suppression of corruption.”
ถ้อยแถลงวสิ ัยทศั น์จากยทุ ธศาสตร์ต่อต้านการทุจริตแห่งชาติ “สังคมต้งั อยู่บนความมวี นิ ัย ความสุจริต และจริยธรรม ซึ่งทุกภาคส่วนล้วนมสี ่วนร่วม ในการป้ องกนั และปราบปรามการทุจริต”
Do none of these words and their significance mean anything to anyone in Thailand? Are they thought up and published on your most sacred documents of the 'Nation of Thailand' just to 'pull the wool over the eyes' of the rest of the world whilst you all do your 'corrupt business' as usual?
This and many more question have to be answered.
T. There is only one way for this to be resolved
As the recipients of all my correspondences and 'Submissions' have all chosen to burry their collective heads in the sand, there is only one way for this situation to be resolved.
The best solution is a local solution
I have suggested in all my correspondence from the very beginning and I reiterated the suggestion in my Submissions to the ECT; the NACC; the PACC; the Ombudsman; the Auditor General; and the Constitutional Court, that the best solution to this dilemma is a local solution.
For the money to be paid back by all the villages who took it illegally in exchange for their vote and that all those who were involved in the organisation, coordination and distribution of the funds be the ones who become the instruments of its return. Page 19 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception
This is a win-win outcome
This is a win-win outcome for all parties and will do the least harm; it will also serve as a strong warning to all for future elections that the age of electoral corruption in Thailand is coming to an end.
This action would be talked about from one end of Thailand to the other and would set in place a potent precedent for future elections and no one will be hurt in the process. It is also a way for all parties to save 'face'.
U. The interest bill
Read the 'Submissions' to the ECT and the NACC, documents Nos 13 and 15 to gain an understanding of the cost in 'interest' on this 5 million baht borrowed from this 'money lender' in Bangkok. All this interest I have paid up to date has to be paid back and it is repeating at 175,000 baht every month and this goes on month after month until all this is dealt with and finalised.
And if this 'money lender' forecloses on my house and property, it will cost the community of the electorate of BanThat much more to redeem and return my house and property to my possession.
The electorate of BanThat is equally responsible with the government for this debt and it is therefore also equally responsible for the interest at 3% per month. Corruption destroys all whom it touches, its like a vortex that sucks all into its whirlpool.
There is a saying in the West that covers this situation "Sin in haste repent at leisure"
V. I will not stop my agitation
I will not stop my agitation until my house and all my property are returned to me. I am married to Thailand, I have invested 11 years of my life in Thailand and I did this because Thailand presented itself in a certain way and that way was as a democratic country with fair and caring people with Buddhist values and a Buddhist philosophy of self improvement at its heart and centre.
This is what was presented and this is what I expect Thailand to deliver, to deliver the standard of 'values' that Thailand is broadcasting on all of its government and institutional websites for all to see and aspire to.
In this there can be no compromise.
These are the 'values and ethical standards' I want for my step-children and for all those who are under the umbrella of my care. And these 'values' are what all of Thailand's people should want for their children.
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W. A free people fairly governed
Democracy is not a set of rules or a list of laws, it is a philosophy; a way of life; a collection of 'values' and 'ideals' that people agree to live by, cantered on the principles of a free people fairly governed.
What is Democracy? Lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies January 21, 2004 http://www.stanford.edu/~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm
The above web site will give you the reader a good understanding of how Westerners think about democracy and of what we expect the citizens responsibilities to the democratic process to be.
We in the West take these responsibilities very seriously indeed and at times it may not seem to the onlooker that this is the case when one sees the public behaviour displayed on the Western media, but do not be fooled into thinking that the West is as corrupt as it sometimes appears. This is only the 'down side' of the 'freedom of expression' every citizen has and is guaranteed under the democratic system.
Well defined boundaries that cannot be crossed
There are very well defined boundaries that cannot be crossed and these 'boundaries and limitations' are very hotly debated in all the healthy Western democracies. It is a constant process of evolution that adapts to the ever changing world but one thing remains forever constant, no corruption.
Corruption in any form is not tolerated
Anyone in Government or in the Public Service found to be corrupt is harshly dealt with. At times we may not like our governments or their actions but we have confidence that the system more times then not produces a fair and equitable result.
The only way democracy can work is if its citizens believe in it.
X. International Treaties Electoral corruption is not only against the 'Thailand Constitution' which is the 'law of the land', it is against 'International Law'. Thailand is signatory to many 'International Treaties' and 'Conventions' and is bound by there requirements. Thailand has gained all the benefits of being a member of the 'Brotherhood of Democratic Nations' and this comes with responsibilities and obligations to the 'democratic principles' that bind that 'Brotherhood' together.
Thailand is signatory to the United Nations 'International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights' and is bound by its requirements for 'fair and honest' elections.
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Thailand is also a signatory to the 'United Nations Convention against Corruption'. (Multilateral 13/12/2006).
List of References
At the end of all correspondences and 'Submissions' is placed a 'list of References' which contains excerpts from the above 'International Treaties' and excerpts from the 'charters' of the 'Election Commission Thailand '(ECT) and the 'National Anti-Corruption Commission' (NACC). Also included is the second paragraph from the 'Constitution of Thailand'. (see 'References at the end of all correspondences' http://www.ecesolutions.info)
Thailand General Elections February 2nd 2014
You now have a situation in Thailand where the opposition parties will not accept any election result as 'bona fide' and for good reason. The opposition parties have put forward the demand that the country be ruled by a 'tribunal' made up of members from both sides of the political divide.
In "one fowl swoop" members of the 'National Assembly of Thailand' are advocating the abolition of 'democracy' in Thailand. Look up 'world history' and see what happens to a country and its citizens where this has happened. The next step is the insidious appearance of the 'secret police' visiting people in the dead of night, having them disappear never to be heard of again.
By the wide spread practice of 'electoral corrupt', of 'vote buying' and 'electoral rigging', you have made everyone in Thailand mistrust the 'system' and each other to the point where you have given the 'enemies of democracy' the very excuse to take democracy away from you and plunge you back into a world of darkness, and you, the people, have done this to yourselves.
If it does not happen this time around it will happen in the future if you do not change your ways and take your responsibilities to the 'Democratic System' much more seriously.
Give you vote to candidates who treasure it
Make your vote count for something, give your vote to candidates who understand its meaning and its value. Give your vote to people who will not use it against you for their own ends in there own petty squabbles. Give your vote to people who understand that 'Democracy' is bigger in the 'scheme of things' than any individual or any agenda of any political party or faction.
If you don't guard your liberty it will be taken away from you.
Vote for people of good character
In elections vote for people of good character who have good 'policies' and who have the best welfare of the community at heart. Work out a system of payment for these 'representative of the people' that is a fair scale of payment, that does not lead them to corruption.
There is another saying in the West "The people get the government they deserve.".
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If a society bases its foundations on a fraudulent way of thinking then everything in that society becomes fraudulent and untrustworthy.
Do the Thai people not understand Do the Thai people not understand that by their participation in 'electoral manipulation' and 'electoral malpractice' and by the sub-defuse that they present to the world in the 'internet presentations' put out by the government and the non-government institutions, that they mock and dishonour the very foundations of the democratic principals that we in the West so fervently believe in. By this universal 'electoral rigging' and its official condoning, every Western democratically elected government is cheapened and ridiculed. To the Western mind this is an inconceivable concept To the Western mind this is an inconceivable concept for a modern democracy. We in the West think of corruption as a relatively minor problem that sits outside of the main flow of 'social and ethical standards' as practiced by the vast majority of the populace. It is just not in our comprehension to think of it being the mainstay of how a people collectively think and how a country operates. Most Westerners, even the Westerners who have had a long association with Thailand as I have had, do not understand, or could not even ponder, this complete surrender to corrupt thinking by a majority of the populace. We know Asia has corruption, this is common knowledge, but we think of Asian corruption the same way as we think of European corruption, in small pockets away from and against the general attitude. We cannot contemplate a complete society being corrupt with all participating in the deception, presented so blatantly and so 'stage managed' to the outside world. This is the reason I did no see this situation developing as it did (as described in my submission to the ECT document No 13) I just could not and still cannot grasp why a people would put themselves, so willingly and so completely, under such a threat of loosing their freedom for the sake of money, when the rest of the developing world is fighting so hard to get 'democracy' and shake off the 'shackles of tyranny'. Before my involvement in this local election I had no way of knowing the completeness of this corrupt attitude and thinking of the whole local population. I gave credence to the government web sites being the 'official ethical stance' of the Kingdom of Thailand. I did not contemplate for even a moment that all this internet propaganda presented on the government websites could be a 'gigantic deception' meant to mislead and deceive. If this is not the case
If my assessment is wrong and this is not the case, why then has the ECT and the NACC; the PACC; the Ombudsman; the Auditor General; the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly of Thailand, allowed this 'electoral corruption' to go on, year after year after year and not put a stop to it? And why have none of my 'Submissions' been answered when I ask this question?
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This deception cannot be allowed to stand The West has been developing and defending the principals of 'democratic governance' for such a long time, we just assume that democratic governments are democratic or at the very least trying to be democratic. This deception cannot go unanswered and cannot be allowed to stand. It would appear by my own surveys that all of Thailand is participating in the knowledge of this 'electoral corruption' and many local elections are decided in the same 'corrupt' manner. It does not matter how many, it matters that it does happen and the fact that it does happen casts doubt on any 'electoral result' in Thailand. Casino Political System
Now that's ok, you can do what you like in your own country. If this is what you truly believe is the way to elect your government, declare it and none will have a problem with that, but what we in the West do have a problem with is doing it under the 'banner of democracy'. If you believe in the system of 'vote buying and selling' withdraw from the 'Community of democratic Nations' and declare Thailand a 'Casino Political System' and then we will all know the rules going in. But until that time happens you are subject to the rules as laid out in the 'Constitution of Thailand' and the rules of all the 'International Treaties and Agreements' that Thailand is signatory to.
Y. The fourth arm of democracy Separation of Powers Democracy is constructed under the principal of the 'Separation of Powers' and is divided into 'The Three Arms of Government', the Legislative arm, the Executive arm, and the Judiciary. This is the design of the 'democratic system' so that power is not concentrated all in one place and each 'Arm of government' oversees and safeguards the other. I have made 'Submissions' to all three 'Arms' of the Government of Thailand and all three have failed in their duties under the 'Constitution of Thailand'.
Fourth arm of governance The 'Media' of a democratic country is the 'Fourth Arm of Governance'. A 'free press' has the function, when all else fails, to search out and uncover the truth. "All who have ever written on government are unanimous, that among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist". by Edmund Burke Corruption lives in the cracks and crevasses of society Corruption lives in the cracks and crevasses of society and when a bright light is switched on there is nowhere for corruption to hide. The world is now watching Thailand and there can be no brighter light then the 'international press'. If there are any good man left in Thailand now is the time to make your presents felt. There is and will be no better opportunity to counter the corruption that infests your political system.
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You can build a better 'Thailand man'
You have all the 'bones of democracy' in place, at the moment they are covered with the flesh of 'trickery and deceit' but you can build a better 'Thailand man', an honest 'Thailand man'. You can find and vote for men with 'policy' and 'truth' and 'honour' and 'forthrightness' in their hearts. These men exist in every society, you have to seek them out, you have to give them your vote, you have to 'team with them' and take the 'reins of power' over your lives and your future and wrest them from the 'greedy' and the 'insincere' who are heading Thailand into the abyss. You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Z. Closing This is the question This is the question I have and every European has when they view this website http://www.ecesolutions.info How corrupt is Thailand's society and the Thailand government and Thailand's institutions ? ? ? How can one do business in and with a country when there is nowhere to turn when there is a dispute. When someone can come along and strip you of your assets by the use of 'trickery' and 'deceit' and you have no 'right of redress'. Where the 'law of the land' is used against you by 'criminal elements' within the government itself and no one in the highest levels of the 'Judiciary' responds to your pleas for fairness and justice . Every European Every European living and dealing in Thailand must be highly concerned with this situation, it is fundamental to business and to international cooperation. Every news organisation in Thailand Every news organisation in Thailand should also be most seriously concerned about what has happened here. It is not a question of how many are involved in this 'election rigging' it is more the fact that so many are involved in this 'election rigging'. When elections can be 'rigged' so blatantly and so out in the open and are so protected from examination and investigation, this puts into question any and all 'election results' in Thailand. Thailand has installed all the 'organs' of a democratic system, but democracy cannot be brought to life until the officials of those 'organs' execute their sworn duty and produce a fair and unbiased result, under the rules and guidelines as is directed and as is laid down in the 'Constitution of Thailand'. When you start from this point everything else follows. You can, if you are serious, change Thailand's destiny to "Only Good Men can win in Thailand" that's the power of Democracy.
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This Submission to you is published on website http://www.ecesolutions.info under the 'side menu' heading-Public Campaign Dec 2013/Letters to Editor/12. Journal of The Thai Statistical Assoc. Surin Khanabsakdi Exe. Editor ------o------
Yours sincerely,
Brian Barber Email: - [email protected] 158 M3 Ban Nakhom 24 North Street Ban That Phen North Ipswich UdonThani 41150 Queensland 4305 Mob: - 0438100297 AUSTRALIA
This 'Public Submission' is being sent to the 'editor' of every media organisation in Thailand and to the 'chancellor' of every University in Thailand and to prominent community leaders, so that all of Thailand can watch this saga at BanThat unfold and all of Thailand can be eyewitness and share in the end result.
My intention is as it has always been, to give Thailand the chance to fix this situation internally within the jurisdiction and boundaries of Thailand, but I will not stop until my house and property are returned to me.
I do not wish to do harm to Thailand but Thailand is doing harm to me.
------o------
Copies sent (via website link) requested of Editor Surin Khanabsakdi to :-
(1) Executive Associate Editor Watha Minsan : Chiang Mai University, Thailand
(2) Executive Associate Editor Pimpaka Thaninpong : Chiang Mai University, Thailand
(3) Editor-in-Chief Montip Tiensuwan : Mahidol University, Thailand Page 26 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule Corruption is the art of deception
(4) Associate Editor-in-Chief Winai Bodhisuwan : Kasetsart University, Thailand
(5) Associate Editor-in-Chief Wararit Panichkitkosolkul : Thammasat University, Thailand
(6) Assistant Editor-in-Chief Saowanit Sukparungsee : King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.
(7) Assistant Editor-in-Chief Rawee Suwandechochai : Mahidol University, Thailand.
Copies also requested sent to relevant members of the 'Editorial Board'
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Page 27 of 27 Democracy is not about who rules it is about how they rule