| (February 6, 2005/ Bangkok, Thailand) Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) finishes today its three day mission to monitor Thailand’s parliamentary elections. DPP is the current Chairparty of the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD).Headed by legislator Lan Mei-Chin, the delegation visited the Asian Research Center of Chulalongkorn University; The Thai Rak Thai MP, Sukhum Laowansiri, who is also an advisor to the Thai PM, Thaksin Shinawatra; the Campaign Rally organized by the Democrat Party (DP); Dr. Buranaj Smutharaks, MP, Mr. Somphon Wongchanglaw, Mr. Tarradon Piamphongsant, Mr. Chatchai Bhatiasevi, Mr. Somkiat Krongwatanasuk and Ms. Joy Sirinun Senakan from the DP Headquarters; Mr. Somchart Jasrichat, Director-General of Public Participation in Election Process (The Thai National Election Commission); Mr. Uwe Johannen and Mr. Wilfried Herrmann from Friedrich Naumann Foundation Regional Office; Senators Sompong Sakawee, Anuchat Banchongsupmit; and Nipattha Amornratmetha; Vice Minister for Interior, Kwang Robkob; Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong from National Institute of Development Administration; Prof. Dr. Kradse Chanawongse (the Advisor to the PM); and two polling stations.
The delegation consisted of three legislators, four deputy directors from the DPP headquarters, three chairmen from the DPP local branches, two conveners from the Review committees of both Taipei and Kaohsiung City, two Associate Researchers from the Department of International Affairs and CALD Program Officer Andrea Yang.
DPP notes its interests in Thailand’s constitutional and electoral reforms. The 2005 election is only the second Thai elections since the Constitutional Amendment of 1997. DPP observes further that the so-called single district, two votes’ was perceived by the Thai politicians as the most fair and most democratic system for Thailand. This system became a key focus of the delegation.
Despite the short visit, the DPP delegates claim that the mission has been a constructive trip, and they have exchanged many valuable opinions and political ideas with the Thai politicians in Bangkok. The DPP delegation believes the recent democratic achievements in Asia have made more promising the future of regional security and economic prosperity. The DPP asserts that it will remain a close observer of democratic developments in Asia.
The DPP has previously formed two delegations to observe the Philippines’ Presidential Election in May 2004, and the first Indonesian Presidential Election in September 2004. In December, the DPP further sponsored a CALD delegation to watch the parliamentary election in Taiwan. |
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