Tensions are rising again

[reader]

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN)When Thailand officials hinted that scheduled elections to end military rule would be postponed for the fifth time in almost as many years, anger and frustration rippled through the country.

The hashtag #delaymyass has trended on Thai Twitter in recent weeks, with a series of small but significant protests also taking place -- a poignant show of opposition during a period in which free speech advocates have been prosecuted and face years in prison.

 

A small demonstration took place again Saturday.

 

Elections slated for February 24 could now be postponed until March 24, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who claims the February date would interfere with the new king's coronation ceremony plans.

 

The monarchy is revered in Thailand, but activists have accused the ruling military junta of manufacturing the delay.

 

"The junta are playing a game," Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, a 21-year-old student activist told CNN. "If the election is a trick on the people, Thais will march and not accept it."

While public outrage has not reached levels seen before the coup in 2014, violent street protests between rival political factions have been common in recent years. Mass violent confrontations in 2010 paralyzed the capital Bangkok and an ensuing military crackdown killed 90 people and injured more than 2,000.

 

The military will be keen to quash a repeat of such unrest, and Army chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong, who was put in charge of the country's army in September, warned pro-democracy protesters last Wednesday, "don't step over the line," the Bangkok Post reported.

 

Elections will be the first official poll the country has seen in eight years and are widely considered to be a vote between a form of democracy and legitimized authoritarian rule.

 

Continues with pics and video

 

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/19/asia/thailand-election-prayut-military-intl/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/19/asia/thailand-election-prayut-military-intl/index.html

[witty]

Good news.  The baht will be cheaper during a political crisis. 

[spoon]

35 minutes ago, witty said:

Good news.  The baht will be cheaper during a political crisis. 

If this happens, ill probably stock up onbaht myself haha. Lets hope it didnt escalate until its not safe to travel there

[reader]

Buying the baht during times of political turmoil may be a good idea. It's probably more predicable than trying to pick equity market tops and bottoms.

This is a 20-year chart of the baht vs the euro (you can compare any currency at the same interactive site).

NOTE: The yellow shirts closed BKK airport in 2008.  Other political turmoil occurred in 2006 and 2014.

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/eurofxref-graph-thb.en.html

[vinapu]

I rather have quiet streets and expensive baht than other way around , specially if I'm there

[DivineMadman]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

I rather have quiet streets and expensive baht than other way around , specially if I'm there

+1.   

[ggobkk]

16 hours ago, vinapu said:

I rather have quiet streets and expensive baht than other way around , specially if I'm there

+2

[reader]

From Reuters

Thailand to hold first general election since coup on March 24

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will hold a general election to restore civilian rule on March 24, the election commission said on Wednesday, announcing a new date for the often postponed vote, which will be the first since a 2014 military coup.

The commission said in December the elections would be held on Feb. 24, but the military government expressed concern that election-related events would clash with early preparations for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, scheduled for May 4-6.

The monarchy is revered in Thailand, and this year’s coronation will be the first in living memory for most of the population.

“The Election Commission agreed to set the election date for March 24,” chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong told reporters.

He added the new date “is appropriate based on different factors, including early ballots and candidate registration.”

Political parties will submit lists of parliamentary candidates and up to three candidates for prime minister to the commission between Feb. 4 and 8, he said.

Thai stocks rose by around 1 percent following the announcement and a royal decree, which was published earlier on Wednesday and confirmed the election was imminent.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, has been on the throne since shortly after his father died in 2016 following a 70-year reign, but he has not been officially crowned during a lengthy mourning period.

Hundreds of activists have protested delays in holding the election since early January, the first such gatherings since the government lifted a ban on political activity in December.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics/thailand-to-hold-first-general-election-since-coup-on-march-24-idUSKCN1PH0VN

 

[vinapu]

14 hours ago, reader said:

From Reuters

Thailand to hold first general election since coup on March 24

 

April 1st would be more fitting day for that joke of election

[spoon]

This brings me back to the time when myanmar military "junta" gov shift to democratic and says they are giving back the gov to the people. However, 51% of the parliamentary seats belongs to the military and no laws can change with majority votes. So unless there is a severe lack of order in the military, they still control the "democratic, election-elect gov". Not sure how much hold does the military have in thailand's future gov.