From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

2007 Thai general election

none

Field	Value
country	Thailand
type	parliamentary
previous_election	2006 Thai general election
previous_year	2006
next_election	2011 Thai general election
next_year	2011
seats_for_election	All 480 seats in the House of Representatives
majority_seats	241
election_date	23 December 2007
registered	44,002,593
turnout	72.40% ( 7.63pp)
1blank	Constituency vote
2blank	% and swing
3blank	Proportional vote
4blank	% and swing
image1
leader1	Samak Sundaravej
party1	People's Power Party (Thailand)
seats1	233
1data1	26,971,230
2data1	36.09%
3data1	12,338,903
4data1	39.84%
image2
leader2	Abhisit Vejjajiva
party2	Democrat Party (Thailand)
seats2	165
1data2	22,128,334
2data2	29.61%
3data2	12,148,504
4data2	39.23%
image3
party3	Thai Nation Party
leader3	Banharn Silpa-archa
seats3	37
1data3	6,486,553
2data3	8.68%
3data3	1,213,532
4data3	3.92%
image4
leader4	Suwit Khunkitti
party4	Puea Pandin
seats4	25
1data4	6,647,193
2data4	8.89%
3data4	1,596,500
4data4	5.16%
image5
leader5	Chettha Thanajaro
party5	Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana
colour5	FFEF00
seats5	9
1data5	3,482,904
2data5	4.66%
3data5	740,461
4data5	2.39%
image6
leader6	Anongwan Thepsuthin
party6	Neutral Democratic Party
seats6	7
1data6	3,912,330
2data6	5.23%
3data6	450,382
4data6	1.45%
map_image	2007 Thai General Election Result.svg
map_caption	A map presenting the results of the election.
title	Prime Minister
posttitle	Prime Minister-designate
before_election	Surayud Chulanont
before_party	Independent (CNS)
after_election	Samak Sundaravej
after_party	People's Power Party (Thailand)

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. 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.

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.

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 in 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. 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. 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. After the constitutional referendum, it was announced that the most likely date would be 23 December, which was formally agreed upon on 27 August 2007.

Electoral system

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.

Early voting started on 15 December 2007.

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

Area 1: 11 provinces with 7,615,610 population - Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, and Kamphaeng Phet
Area 2: 9 provinces with 7,897,563 population - Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Lop Buri, and Uttaradit
Area 3: 10 provinces with 7,959,163 population - Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Bua Lamphu, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, and Amnat Charoen
Area 4: 6 provinces with 7,992,434 population - Roi Et, Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram
Area 5: 10 provinces with 7,818,710 population - Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, and Pathum Thani
Area 6: 3 provinces with 7,802,639 population - Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan
Area 7: 15 provinces with 7,800,965 population - Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram
Area 8: 12 provinces with 7,941,622 population - Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phuket, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala

Competing political parties

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

People's Power Party (Phak Palang Prachachon) led by Samak Sundaravej.
Democrat Party (Phak Prachatipat) led by Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Thai Nation Party (Phak Chart Thai) led by Banharn Silpa-Archa.
For the Motherland (Phak Pua Paendin) led by .
Thais United National Development Party (Phak Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana) led by .
Neutral Democratic Party (Phak Matchima Thippathai) led by Prachai Leophai-ratana.
Royalist People's Party (Phak Pracha Raj) led by Sanoh Thienthong.

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%. 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%. However, another poll from late November saw the Democrat Party lead with 43% to the PPP's 24%.

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.

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.

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.

By province

Province	Total
seats	Seats won	PPP	Dem	TNP	PPD	RJTCP	NDP	PRP	People's Power Party (Thailand)}};"	Democrat Party (Thailand)}};"	Thai Nation Party}};"	Puea Pandin Party}};"	Neutral Democratic Party}};"	Amnat Charoen	2	Ang Thong	2	Bangkok	36	Buriram	10	Chachoengsao	4	Chai Nat	2	Chaiyaphum	7	Chanthaburi	3	Chiang Mai	11	Chiang Rai	8	Chonburi	8	Chumphon	3	Kalasin	6	Kamphaeng Phet	5	Kanchanaburi	5	Khon Kaen	11	Krabi	3	Lampang	5	Lamphun	3	Loei	4	Lopburi	5	Mae Hong Son	2	Maha Sarakham	6	Mukdahan	2	Nakhon Nayok	2	Nakhon Pathom	5	Nakhon Phanom	4	Nakhon Ratchasima	16	Nakhon Sawan	7	Nakhon Si Thammarat	10	Nan	3	Narathiwat	5	Nong Bua Lamphu	3	Nong Khai	6	Nonthaburi	6	Pathum Thani	6	Pattani	4	Phang Nga	2	Phatthalung	3	Phayao	3	Phetchabun	6	Phetchaburi	3	Phichit	4	Phitsanulok	5	Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	5	Phrae	3	Phuket	2	Prachinburi	3	Prachuap Khiri Khan	3	Ranong	1	Ratchaburi	5	Rayong	4	Roi Et	8	Sa Kaeo	3	Sakon Nakhon	7	Samut Prakan	7	Samut Sakhon	3	Samut Songkhram	1	Saraburi	4	Satun	2	Sing Buri	1	Sisaket	9	Songkhla	8	Sukhothai	4	Suphan Buri	5	Surat Thani	6	Surin	9	Tak	3	Trang	4	Trat	1	Ubon Ratchathani	11	Udon Thani	10	Uthai Thani	2	Uttaradit	3	Yala	3	Yasothon	4	Area 1	10	Area 2	10	Area 3	10	Area 4	10	Area 5	10	Area 6	10	Area 7	10	Area 8	10	Total	480	233	165	37	24	9	7	5
1	1
		2
9	27
9		1
3			1
		2
5		2
	3
9			1	1
8
	8
	3
6
2	3
3	2
11
	3
5
3
4
3	1	1
1	1
6
			1	1
1	1
4		1
3			1
5			6	5
1	2	2			1	1
	10
3
1	1	2	1
3
6
4	2
4		2
	2		2
	2
	3
3
4	1	1
	3
	1	2		1
2	3
4		1
3
	2
2					1
	3
	1
1	2	1			1
	4
7			1
						3
7
7
1	2
	1
2	2
	2
		1
7		1			1
	8
	2	1			1
		5
	6
7					2
	3
	4
	1
4	3	3	1
10
		2
3
1	2
1	1		2
5	4		1
5	3	1	1
7	2		1
6	2	1	1
3	4		1	1		1
4	5		1
3	5	2
1	8		1
Source: [National Assembly](https://web.archive.org/web/20100411053223/http://mp.parliament.go.th/biographical/frontweb/Human_Resource/PersonList.aspx)

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. By 2008-01-03, the Election Commission had endorsed 397 MPs and was still investigating 83 MPs for fraud.

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. 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).

Disqualified were:

PPP
- red cards for Prakit Poldej, Pornchai Srisuthiyothin, Rungroj Thongsri – Buri Ram Province Constituency 1
- yellow cards for Boonlert Krudkhunthod, Linda Cherdchai, Prasert Jantararuangtong – Nakhon Ratchasima Province Constituency 3
- yellow card for Thanatorn Losunthorn – Lampang Province Constituency 1
- yellow cards for Surathin Phimarnmekhin, Anan Sriphan, Cherdchai Wichianwan – Udon Thani Province
- yellow cards for Prasop Busarakham and one other MP, with Busarakham's card changed to red later – Udon Thani Province Constituency 3
Thai Nation Party
- red cards for two MPs – Chai Nat Province
Democrat Party
- yellow card for Suthat Jansaengsi – Phetchabun Province
For the Motherland Party
- yellow cards for two MPs

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.

References

(20 September 2006). "Thai coup leader: No vote for another year". [[NBC News]].
(2007-12-13). "Poll agency clears CNS for role in issuing classified order". [[Bangkok Post]].
IHT, [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/17/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Election-Security.php Thailand to deploy 200,000 police and soldiers for post-coup elections] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-12-08 , 17 December 2007)
''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/18/politics/politics_30016453.php Drafting new charter 'may take 17 mths'] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-09-30 , 18 October 2006)
(12 January 2007). "Thai elections expected at year end". [[Television New Zealand]].
Beth Jinks and Suttinee Yuvejwattana, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aB_MTrlVPiO0&refer=asia "Thai Election in December, Referendum by September"], Bloomberg.com, 29 March 2007.
Suttinee Yuvejwattana, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=ajG.Z3G.tgf0&refer=asia "Thai King Approves Constitution, Allowing Election"], Bloomberg.com, 24 August 2007.
(27 August 2007). "Thailand sets date for election". BBC News.
Michael H. Nelson. "A proportional Election System for Thailand". KPI Thai Politics Up-date.
"Countdown towards the General Election". Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Special Bulletin.
(December 15, 2007). "Early voting of Thai general election begins".
{{usurped
(2007-11-15). "Former Ruling Party Spin-Off First in Thailand". Angusreid Global Monitor.
(2007-11-27). "Thais Want Former Opposition Leader as PM". Angusreid Global Monitor.
(2007-12-23). "Polls: Thaksin Allies Win in Thailand". Guardian Unlimited.
(2007-12-23). "Thaksin-linked party claims 'victory for democracy' in Thai polls". Forbes.
(2007-12-23). "Thaksin ally wins Thai election". BBC News.
(2007-12-25). "Thai general election results announced".
(2007-12-26). "3 elected candidates of winning party "yellow-carded"". People's Daily Online.
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6332029.html Thai election agency endorses 397 candidates winning general election] People's Daily Online
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6347241.html Thai election agency completes filling House seats] People's Daily Online
{{in lang. zh [https://web.archive.org/web/20080117190745/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/13/content_7413332.htm Thailand starts by-elections in Northeast_English_Xinhua]
[http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=124778 ''Bangkok Post'': Top Stories]
link. (2009-06-26)
{{usurped
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6333797.html Thai election agency issues more yellow cards to winning candidates] People's Daily Online
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6336121.html Thai election agency disqualifies poll winner candidate] People's Daily Online
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6333842.html Thai election agency disqualifies more winning candidates] People's Daily Online
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6341448.html Thailand starts third round by-elections] People's Daily Online
[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/19/content_7449589.htm Thailand's Supreme Court clears way for PPP to form coalition gov't] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-09-25 , [[Xinhua]], 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2008-01-19.)

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

general-elections-in-thailand 2007-elections-in-asia 2007-in-thailand

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about 2007 Thai general election — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report