2007 Thai general election

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2007 Thai general election
Flag of Thailand.svg
←  2006 23 December 2007 2011  →
All 480 seats in the House of Representatives
241 seats needed for a majority
Turnout85.38%
PartyLeader%Seats
Democrat Abhisit Vejjajiva 38.65165
People's Power Samak Sundaravej 38.61233
Puea Pandin Suwit Khunkitti 5.4424
Chart Thai Banharn Silpa-archa 4.2437
Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Chettha Thanajaro 2.609
Pracharaj Sanoh Thienthong 2.065
Neutral Democratic Anongwan Thepsuthin 1.457
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
2007 Thai General Election Result.svg
A map presenting the results of the election.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister-designate
Surayud Chulanont
Appointed by CNS 		Samak Sundaravej
People's Power

General elections were held in Thailand on 23 December 2007. They were the first elections after the Council for National Security, a military junta, had overthrown Thailand's elected government and abrogated the constitution on 19 September 2006. [1] The junta had canceled general elections scheduled for October 2006 and promised new elections within 12 months. The Constitutional Tribunal then outlawed the Thai Rak Thai party, the largest political party in Thailand, and banned TRT executives from contesting in the elections for five years. After their political party had been dissolved, the former TRT members regrouped under the band of People's Power Party (PPP) led by Samak Sundaravej, a seasoned politician. Following its formation, the junta issued a classified order to suppress the activities of the PPP and to frame it for lèse majesté. The order was leaked to the public, leading to a complaint towards the Election Commission from the PPP. However, the Election Commission dismissed the complaint on the grounds that the Council for National Security (CNS) had granted itself immunity in the 2007 Constitution of Thailand. [2]

The junta deployed 200,000 soldiers and police officers to maintain security and 1,500 officers to supervise after election fraud. Charnchai Silapauaychai, a popular former Democrat Party member from Phrae who switched to the PPP for the 2008 election, was assassinated. Five men, one of them cousin of a powerful Democrat Party MP were arrested, but all denied involvement. [3]

Despite being the junta's target for suppression, the PPP won 233 out of 480 parliamentary seats, close to controlling the majority in the House of Representatives. The Democrat Party came in a distant second with 165 seats, followed by Chart Thai with 37, For the Motherland with 24, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana with 9, the Neutral Democratic Party with 7, and Pracharaj with 5.

Timing

Although the junta initially scheduled the elections within 12 months after the September 2006 coup, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office Thirapat Serirangsan later announced that the elections might not occur until one year and five months, which would put the election in February or March 2008. [4] On the other hand, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Council, Noranit Sethabutr, said in January that the timetable was to hold a constitutional referendum in August and elections between October and December; any problems in drafting the constitution or ratifying it through the referendum would delay the election date. [5] This timetable was later tightened even further, with elections planned by the end of September 2007. A preliminary date was set in March 2007 for the elections to be held on 16 December 2007 or 23 December 2007. [6] After the constitutional referendum, it was announced that the most likely date would be 23 December, [7] which was formally agreed upon on 27 August 2007. [8]

Electoral system

Map of electoral areas Thailand Electoral Areas 2007.png
Map of electoral areas

With the new constitution the number of MPs was reduced to 480, with 400 elected directly by the 157 constituencies and 80 elected by proportional votes in each of the eight electoral areas. Depending on the size of the population, each constituency may have up to three MPs. [9] [10]

Early voting started on 15 December 2007. [11]

The eight electoral areas were designed such that they contain equal numbers of population.

Constituency ballot Thai general election 2007 15.jpg
Constituency ballot

Competing political parties

Some of the political parties contesting in this election, covering 157 constituencies and 80 party-list seats, are:

Opinion polls

An opinion poll in late August saw the Democrat Party in the lead with 43.0%, followed by the People's Power Party with 20.7% and Thais United with 7.7%. [12] A poll from November 2007 saw the PPP lead with 39%, followed by the Democrat Party with 32%, the Thai Nation Party with 10%, the Neutral Democratic Party with 9% and For the Motherland with 5%. [13] However, another poll from late November saw the Democrat Party lead with 43% to the PPP's 24%. [14]

Results

Two exit polls gave the PPP a clear first place, with either 256 to the Democrats' 162 seats (giving them an absolute majority of the 480 seats) or with 202 to the Democrats' 146. Four smaller parties also took seats. While the Democrats acknowledged their election defeat and stated it was the PPP's right to form the government, it is unclear what the military will do now, as the PPP is based mostly on former TRT supporters. [15] [16]

The preliminary final results gave the PPP 226 seats, the Democrat Party 166 seats and Chart Thai 39 seats. For the Motherland got 26 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 10, the Neutral Democratic Party 7 and Pracharat 4 seats. [17]

According to final results, the PPP won 233 seats, the Democrat Party 165 seats and Chart Thai 37 seats. For the Motherland got 24 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 9, the Neutral Democratic Party 7 and Pracharat 5 seats. [18]

Thailand House of Representatives composition (2007).svg
PartyProportionalConstituencyTotal
seats
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Democrat Party 14,084,26538.653321,745,69629.95132165
People's Power Party 14,071,79938.613426,293,45636.21199233
Puea Pandin Party 1,981,0215.4476,599,4229.091724
Thai Nation Party 1,545,2824.2446,363,4758.763337
Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party 948,5442.6013,395,1974.6889
Pracharaj Party 750,1582.0611,632,7952.2545
Neutral Democratic Party 528,4641.4503,844,6735.3077
Farmer Network of Thailand Party269,1290.740205,5020.2800
Thai Farmer Party240,9130.66037,8240.0500
New Aspiration Party 186,0170.510195,8350.2700
Thai Pen Thai Party 164,3020.450276,9830.3800
Farmer Force Party143,7730.39032,9970.0500
Prachamati Party131,0800.360313,1430.4300
Rakmuangthai Party130,0960.36030,6030.0400
Pattana Prachathippatai Party105,9490.29019,0250.0300
Thai Rum Ruay Party73,6520.200242,8440.3300
Power Ground Party41,8190.11020,9250.0300
Thai Citizen Party 37,8780.100294,1240.4100
Moral Party36,2500.10010,7440.0100
Palang Pandin Thai Party12,4910.03036,0240.0500
Dumrongthai Party9,4800.03022,8210.0300
Chatsamuccee Party7,9130.02010,4010.0100
Thai Law Jurisprudence Party7,1920.0202,6990.0000
Independent Party7,1330.02026,8300.0400
Num Vidhi Party6,3640.02012,6680.0200
Ratsadonrakthai Party6,0700.0200
Labour Party 4,9560.0100
Mahachon Party 1,6150.00011,3150.0200
Sangkomdhibataya Party9230.0000
Yudi Misuk Party7800.0000
Kirs Thai Maankong Party4590.0003,0160.0000
Siam Santi Party27,6120.0400
Voices of the People Party18,5200.0300
Puen Kasetthai Party9,8520.0100
See Siam Party7,0830.0100
Kasikorn Thai Party5,3010.0100
Powthai Party5,1990.0100
Thai Nation Party4,9910.0100
Siam Party3,8490.0100
Utopia Party3,6360.0100
Rak Thai Party3,1920.0000
Social Thai Party1,5310.0000
Social Democratic Front Party8640.0000
Blank votes906,2162.49–834,5891.15––
Total36,441,983100.008072,607,256100.00400480
Valid votes36,441,98393.49
Invalid/blank votes2,539,4296.51
Total votes38,981,412100.00
Registered voters/turnout45,658,17085.38
Source: The Nation

By province

ProvinceTotal
seats		Seats won
PPP Dem TNP PPD RJTCP NDP PRP
Amnat Charoen 211
Ang Thong 22
Bangkok 36927
Buriram 1091
Chachoengsao 431
Chai Nat 22
Chaiyaphum 752
Chanthaburi 33
Chiang Mai 11911
Chiang Rai 88
Chonburi 88
Chumphon 33
Kalasin 66
Kamphaeng Phet 523
Kanchanaburi 532
Khon Kaen 1111
Krabi 33
Lampang 55
Lamphun 33
Loei 44
Lopburi 5311
Mae Hong Son 211
Maha Sarakham 66
Mukdahan 211
Nakhon Nayok 211
Nakhon Pathom 541
Nakhon Phanom 431
Nakhon Ratchasima 16565
Nakhon Sawan 712211
Nakhon Si Thammarat 1010
Nan 33
Narathiwat 51121
Nong Bua Lamphu 33
Nong Khai 66
Nonthaburi 642
Pathum Thani 642
Pattani 422
Phang Nga 22
Phatthalung 33
Phayao 33
Phetchabun 6411
Phetchaburi 33
Phichit 4121
Phitsanulok 523
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 541
Phrae 33
Phuket 22
Prachinburi 321
Prachuap Khiri Khan 33
Ranong 11
Ratchaburi 51211
Rayong 44
Roi Et 871
Sa Kaeo 33
Sakon Nakhon 77
Samut Prakan 77
Samut Sakhon 312
Samut Songkhram 11
Saraburi 422
Satun 22
Sing Buri 11
Sisaket 9711
Songkhla 88
Sukhothai 4211
Suphan Buri 55
Surat Thani 66
Surin 972
Tak 33
Trang 44
Trat 11
Ubon Ratchathani 114331
Udon Thani 1010
Uthai Thani 22
Uttaradit 33
Yala 312
Yasothon 4112
Area 110541
Area 2105311
Area 310721
Area 4106211
Area 51034111
Area 610451
Area 710352
Area 810181
Total4802331653724975
Source: National Assembly

Aftermath

Disqualifications

A number of MPs (mainly those elected for the PPP) were given so-called "red cards" for suspected vote-buying, meaning they will not be able to contest the resulting by-elections, while other MPs issued with "yellow cards" are not banned from contesting such by-elections. [19] By 2008-01-03, the Election Commission had endorsed 397 MPs and was still investigating 83 MPs for fraud. [20]

By-elections were held on 13 January, 17 January, 20 January (the day before the first session of the newly elected parliament) and 27 January 2008. [21] The Electoral Commission was still looking into allegations of fraud by PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyaphairat; if he is given a red card, the PPP faces dissolution. PPP officials have stated that they are not worried over the possible dissolution, and that they would simply find a new party instead; local reports state that a likely candidate for takeover by PPP members would be the Thai Land Power Party (Palang Pandin Thai Party). [22]

Disqualified were:

Government formation

In January 2008, a coalition government was announced bringing together the PPP and the five smallest parties. The Democrat Party became the sole opposition party. [30]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Thai coup leader: No vote for another year". NBC News . Bangkok. 20 September 2006.
  2. ↑ "Poll agency clears CNS for role in issuing classified order". Bangkok Post . 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  3. ↑ IHT, Thailand to deploy 200,000 police and soldiers for post-coup elections Archived 2008-12-08 at the Wayback Machine , 17 December 2007
  4. ↑ The Nation, Drafting new charter 'may take 17 mths' Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine , 18 October 2006
  5. ↑ "Thai elections expected at year end". Television New Zealand . Reuters. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Beth Jinks and Suttinee Yuvejwattana, "Thai Election in December, Referendum by September", Bloomberg.com, 29 March 2007.
  7. ↑ Suttinee Yuvejwattana, "Thai King Approves Constitution, Allowing Election", Bloomberg.com, 24 August 2007.
  8. ↑ "Thailand sets date for election". BBC News. 27 August 2007.
  9. ↑ Michael H. Nelson. "A proportional Election System for Thailand". Archived from the original (DOC) on June 26, 2008.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ↑ "Countdown towards the General Election" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Special Bulletin. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-16.
  11. ↑ "Early voting of Thai general election begins". December 15, 2007.
  12. ↑ "Thais Want Democrats to Form Government" Archived 2007-12-13 at the Wayback Machine , Angus Reid, September 11, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Former Ruling Party Spin-Off First in Thailand". Angusreid Global Monitor. 2007-11-15. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13.
  14. ↑ "Thais Want Former Opposition Leader as PM". Angusreid Global Monitor. 2007-11-27. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13.
  15. ↑ "Polls: Thaksin Allies Win in Thailand". Guardian Unlimited. London. 2007-12-23. Archived from the original on 2007-12-24.
  16. ↑ "Thaksin-linked party claims 'victory for democracy' in Thai polls". Forbes. 2007-12-23. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007.
  17. ↑ "Thaksin ally wins Thai election". BBC News. 2007-12-23.
  18. ↑ "Thai general election results announced". Xinhua News Agency. 2007-12-25. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008.
  19. ↑ "3 elected candidates of winning party "yellow-carded"". People's Daily Online. 2007-12-26.
  20. ↑ Thai election agency endorses 397 candidates winning general election People's Daily Online
  21. ↑ Thai election agency completes filling House seats People's Daily Online
  22. ↑ (in Chinese) Thailand starts by-elections in Northeast_English_Xinhua
  23. ↑ Bangkok Post: Top Stories
  24. ↑ MCOT English News : Nakhon Ratchasima Constituency 3 set to hold by-election Jan 13 Archived 2009-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ↑ Poll agency issues yellow card to fourth PPP elected candidate
  26. 1 2 Thai election agency issues more yellow cards to winning candidates People's Daily Online
  27. ↑ Thai election agency disqualifies poll winner candidate People's Daily Online
  28. 1 2 Thai election agency disqualifies more winning candidates People's Daily Online
  29. ↑ Thailand starts third round by-elections People's Daily Online
  30. ↑ Thailand's Supreme Court clears way for PPP to form coalition gov't Archived 2008-09-25 at the Wayback Machine , Xinhua, 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
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