More than a dozen candidates in the forthcoming Thai elections have changed their names to those of former prime ministers.
More than a dozen candidates in the forthcoming Thai elections have changed their names to those of former prime ministers.
Less than two months before the long-awaited elections, excitement is running high. Almost 6,000 candidates turned up on the first day of registration on Monday, no one wants to miss a chance to win a seat.
Party spokeswoman Ketpreeya Kaewsanmuang said 10 men had legally changed their names to Thaksin, after the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and five women had changed their name to Yingluck, after his sister who also led the nation.
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“We think it is their freedom to so, and it’s not against the law and election rules,” she said. “I cannot explain it on their behalf, but my opinion is that it’s quite normal if someone wants their name to be easy to be remembered by the voters.”
One new “Thaksin” candidate, formerly known as Jiraroj Kiratisakvorakul, told the Bangkok Post that he wanted to change his name to remain memorable for voters, as strict election laws make it difficult to campaign. On the first day of candidate registration, 58 parties put their candidates forward.
In the lead-up to the elections that are scheduled for 24 March, Thailand released strict campaigning laws.
Thaksin held the office until he was ousted by the military in 2006. Yingluck, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2014, has reportedly fled the country following an arrest warrant against her.
But Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor at the Institute of Security and International Studies, said the name-change strategy was unlikely to succeed and could even backfire. “Candidates without a solid patronage base, social recognition would hope that these names can provide a short cut to visibility and contention,” he said in an email.
“But they have to be careful of falling foul of petty restrictions on campaigning. For example, if they start using these two names openly, it could be interpreted as Thaksin and/or Yingluck as non- member outsiders have control and influence over Pheu Thai, a charge which can lead to party dissolution.”
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Less than two months before the long-awaited elections, excitement is running high. Almost 6,000 candidates turned up on the first day of registration on Monday, no one wants to miss a chance to win a seat.
Party spokeswoman Ketpreeya Kaewsanmuang said 10 men had legally changed their names to Thaksin, after the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and five women had changed their name to Yingluck, after his sister who also led the nation.
Thailand's military junta cracks down on social media ahead of election
Read more
“We think it is their freedom to so, and it’s not against the law and election rules,” she said. “I cannot explain it on their behalf, but my opinion is that it’s quite normal if someone wants their name to be easy to be remembered by the voters.”
One new “Thaksin” candidate, formerly known as Jiraroj Kiratisakvorakul, told the Bangkok Post that he wanted to change his name to remain memorable for voters, as strict election laws make it difficult to campaign. On the first day of candidate registration, 58 parties put their candidates forward.
In the lead-up to the elections that are scheduled for 24 March, Thailand released strict campaigning laws.
Thaksin held the office until he was ousted by the military in 2006. Yingluck, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2014, has reportedly fled the country following an arrest warrant against her.
But Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor at the Institute of Security and International Studies, said the name-change strategy was unlikely to succeed and could even backfire. “Candidates without a solid patronage base, social recognition would hope that these names can provide a short cut to visibility and contention,” he said in an email.
“But they have to be careful of falling foul of petty restrictions on campaigning. For example, if they start using these two names openly, it could be interpreted as Thaksin and/or Yingluck as non- member outsiders have control and influence over Pheu Thai, a charge which can lead to party dissolution.”
As 2019 begins…
… we’re asking readers to make a new year contribution in support of The Guardian’s independent journalism. More people are reading and supporting our independent, investigative reporting than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we have chosen an approach that allows us to keep our journalism accessible to all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. But this is only possible thanks to voluntary support from our readers – something we have to maintain and build on for every year to come.
In these critical times, when some try to divide us by building walls and create disorder through false information, The Guardian is committed to keeping access to our journalism open – so everyone, around the world, can be well informed. Readers’ support powers our work, giving our reporting impact and safeguarding our essential editorial independence. This means the responsibility of protecting independent journalism is shared, enabling us all to feel empowered to bring about real change in the world. Your support gives Guardian journalists the time, space and freedom to report with tenacity and rigor, to shed light where others won’t. It emboldens us to challenge authority and question the status quo. And by keeping all of our journalism free and open to all, we can foster inclusivity, diversity, make space for debate, inspire conversation – so more people, across the world, have access to accurate information with integrity at its heart. Every contribution we receive from readers like you, big or small, enables us to keep working as we do.
The Guardian is editorially independent, meaning we set our own agenda. Our journalism is free from commercial bias and not influenced by billionaire owners, politicians or shareholders. No one edits our editor. No one steers our opinion. This is important as it enables us to give a voice to those less heard, challenge the powerful and hold them to account. It’s what makes us different to so many others in the media, at a time when factual, honest reporting is critical.