NDI - Thailand

Thai Parlimentary Election July 2011

vrao — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:52:18 +0000

No NDI election activity planned

Deborah Healy

fgalleto — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:15:09 +0000

Deborah Healy, program director for Thailand, has more than 15 years experience related to political party strengthening and electoral processes. Ms. Healy has been the program director for Thailand since 2007 and was responsible for NDI's program to support citizen participation in political reform processes under Thailand's transition to civilian rule. Currently, she manages the NDI Thailand office and oversees NDI programs that focus on promoting political party strengthening and supporting citizen participation in political processes.

From 2003-2008, Ms. Healy served as senior program manager with NDI in Bangladesh focusing on political party programs. She was in charge of the design and implementation of technical assistance programs for political parties in Bangladesh, working with party leaders on approaches to strengthen political parties, including the development of constituency outreach systems. She led trainings to prepare political party poll agents and conducted campaign trainings for women political leaders. Ms. Healy has coordinated with political parties, key government bodies and program stakeholders on the design and implementation of NDI's programs, and managed relationships with program donors.

Ms. Healy has extensive electoral expertise. She has handled monitoring programs for national and local government elections in Bangladesh and was part of the management team for an international long-term election observation mission for the 2006/2007 national elections. She has also conducted election monitoring missions for previous parliamentary by-elections and local government elections.

A native of Ireland, Ms. Healy has been involved in Irish domestic politics since 1988. She has worked on several presidential, parliamentary and local campaigns. She was the personal administrator for David Andrews, a member of the Irish parliament who held a number of senior ministerial positions including the defense and foreign ministry portfolio. For many years, she managed the parliamentarian's constituency (district) office and served as chief liaison between the minister and government departments. She also directed voter and media relations during electoral campaigns, trained canvassers and organized canvassing operations.

Budget Oversight Discussed at NDI/World Bank Institute Seminar

ggreene — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:31:01 +0000

Parliamentarians and staff members from eight countries on three continents gained new insights into budget oversight in a three-day World Bank Institute (WBI)-NDI seminar that focused, among other things, on the role of parliamentary budget offices in overseeing spending and aiding transparency.

NDI’s director of governance programs, John Johnson, a speaker at the July seminar, discussed the international movement to establish parliamentary budget offices. Such agencies, he said, aid parliaments by reviewing and simplifying executive budget data so members of parliament can more easily use it to influence economic and development policies. The budget analysis also makes budget information more understandable for the public and increases accountability in spending.

To illustrate the benefits and challenges of setting up parliamentary budget offices, Johnson focused on the experience of Uganda in 2001. Initially blocked by the executive, the Uganda Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) was finally pushed through after months of lobbying by supporters. Since its creation, the Uganda PBO has identified ways to maximize tax revenues, developed a simple system for parliamentary committees to monitor expenditures and performed other oversight functions. While a success story, the office’s experiences illustrate that new budget offices need support to overcome both initial and ongoing resistance, Johnson said.

Participants in the seminar were from Thailand, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Morocco, and Lebanon. They discussed the oversight systems in place in their countries, avenues for further reform, and the need to overcome legal and cultural barriers to parliamentary budget oversight A theme that arose repeatedly was the importance of nonpartisanship in budget oversight and the difficulty of maintaining it.

The seminar featured guest presentations by Rasheed Draman of Canada’s Parliamentary Center; Barry Anderson, former acting director of the Congressional Budget Office; and Douglas Criscitello, founder of the New York City Independent Budget Office. The speakers addressed aspects of budget oversight and the role of information in the budget process. Participants concluded the seminar by joining break-out groups to discuss steps toward developing budget offices for their own legislatures.

More information on the seminar, including copies of the presentations, may be found on the World Bank Institute web site.

—

Published on Sept. 18, 2008

Thailand

ggreene — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:44:10 +0000

NDI has promoted democratic development in Thailand since 1994, conducting programs to strengthen civil society, political parties and democratic institutions. From 1998 to 2000, the Institute helped civic groups to monitor elections and conduct provincial campaigns on anti-corruption. From 2001 to 2004, NDI involved Thai political party leaders in a regional program that brought together party leaders and reformers from across Asia to share and develop strategies to combat corruption and support greater accountability and internal democracy within parties. In October 2006, NDI conducted an assessment of the political environment in Thailand. NDI consulted with a broad range of political party members, civil society leaders and members of the military-appointed government. Based on the assessment findings, NDI launched a program in 2007 to support citizen and political party participation in reform processes under Thailand’s interim government.

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Political Situation

In the July 2011 elections, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) won a landslide victory. In August 2011, Thailand’s parliament elected Yingluck Shinawatra, leader of Pheu Thai and younger sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, its first woman prime minister. The PTP was joined by the Chart Thai Pattana and Ruam Jai Chart Pattana parties in forming the government. Although Yingluck proved a popular candidate, many opponents claim Thaksin remains in charge, and many Thaksin allies have been appointed to the cabinet. Despite the challenges faced by the new government, the prime minister has vowed to work independently for all Thai people and to promote reconciliation within society.

These recent events come after extensive political turmoil in Thailand in recent years. In 2006, then-Prime Minister Shinawatra was ousted by a coup. Following the coup, a military junta instituted an interim constitution, outlining a one-year transitional period that included drafting a new constitution, approving the constitution through referendum and holding elections. In August 2007, more than half of the 45 million eligible voters went to the polls to participate in the referendum. Overall, the referendum was administered efficiently and non-violently. Allegations of vote-buying and exerting undue influence on voters in the run-up to the vote were not considered serious enough to have affected the election outcome.

With the passing of the new constitution, parliamentary elections were scheduled for December 2007. Voter turnout was 74.5 percent, the highest in Thailand’s history. The elections were deemed “free” and “fair” by international observers, and the People’s Power Party (PPP), the successor to former Prime Minister Thaksin’s disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, successfully formed a coalition within parliament.

In December 2008, the Constitutional Court disbanded the PPP and two of its coalition parties on electoral fraud charges, allowing the Democrat Party (DP) to secure a coalition within parliament. With the support of the Buriram faction of the former PPP and other parties in parliament, DP leader Abhisit Vejjajiva became prime minister in January 2009.

In a spring 2010 bid to oust the government and demand fresh elections, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship began protesting in Bangkok. An attempt to move the protestors resulted in 10 deaths, and a further crackdown by the army resulted in a violent confrontation that left 81 dead. The government declared a state of emergency after the unrest in Bangkok and in several other provinces. This state of emergency lasted in several provinces for eight months.

Current NDI Programs

Since 2007, the Institute has worked on programs to restore democratic institutions, strengthen and promote political party development and increase dialogue between elected officials and constituents.

NDI’s current National Endowment for Democracy-funded program promotes citizen participation in political processes and strengthens the relationship between citizens and newly elected representatives. Together with the King Prajadhipok Institute and the Political Development Council, constituency dialogues aimed at increasing citizen participation are being coordinated to address concerns in 12 target provinces.

Funding

NDI programming in Thailand is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Bangkok
Deborah Healy, Program Director
+66 89 0669865 or dhealy@ndi.org
Washington, D.C.
Lorri Carrozza, Senior Program Officer
(202) 728-5455

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NDI Reports: A Review of the Activities of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

vrao — Mon, 21 Jul 2003 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2008

Resource Type:

Newsletter

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Spring 2011: Digital Mapping, Women's Participation, Domestic Monitoring	1.2 MB
December 2008: Making Democracy Deliver	2.37 MB
Summer 2008: Kosovo, Pakistan, Sudan	571.9 KB
Summer 2007: Youth, Women, Technology	801.33 KB
Summer 2006: Bosnia, Liberia, West Bank and Gaza	462.92 KB
Fall 2005: Kosovo, Iraq, Kuwait	865.42 KB
Spring 2005: Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan	813.77 KB
Spring 2004: Win With Women, Elections in Eurasia	615.17 KB
Fall 2003: Celebrating 20 Years	808.11 KB
Spring 2003: Women's Leadership in Yemen, Nepal, Senegal	468.06 KB
Fall 2002: Democracy in the Middle East, Cuba	547.6 KB
Spring 2002: Asian Political Parties, Afghanistan	528.32 KB
Winter 2001: Sept. 11, Nicaragua, Belarus	507.47 KB
Summer 2001: Election Monitors in Central & Eastern Europe	683 KB
Spring 2001: Mexico, Peru, Serbia	732.14 KB
Winter 2000: Zimbabwe, Croatia, Thailand	2.52 MB
Winter 1999: Indonesia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan	3.23 MB
Fall 1999: Nigeria, Indonesia, Morocco	1.29 MB
Winter 1998: Kenya, Poland, Northern Ireland	2.26 MB
Summer 1998: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Ghana	2.01 MB
Winter 1997: Nicaragua, South Africa, Ghana	2.93 MB
Summer 1996: Russia, International Leaders Forum	2.98 MB
Spring 1996: West Bank Gaza, Bosnia, Burundi	2.4 MB
Winter 1995: West Bank Gaza, Ukraine, Malawi	3.28 MB
Fall 1995: South Africa, Russia, Yemen	2.22 MB
Summer 1995: Haiti, Peru, Malawi	2.68 MB
Spring 1994: South Africa, Mexico, Ethiopia	3.43 MB
Summer 1993: Russia, Namibia, Nicaragua	3.52 MB
Spring 1993: Cambodia, South Africa, Yemen	3.71 MB
Spring 1992: Romania, South Africa, Bolivia	1.99 MB
Winter 1991: Zambia, Poland, the Baltics	2.05 MB
Summer 1991: Zambia, Mexico, Bangladesh	1.26 MB
Spring 1991: Namibia, Russia, Senegal	1.36 MB
Winter 1990: Poland, Namibia, Bangladesh	1.33 MB
Fall 1990: Former Soviet Republics, Haiti, Bulgaria	2.07 MB
Summer 1990: Eastern Europe, Dominican Republic, Haiti	2.7 MB
Spring 1990: Hungary, Nicaragua, Panama	1.3 MB
Winter 1989: Pakistan, Argentina, Chile	1.59 MB
Fall 1988: Chile, Pakistan, Nicaragua	1.26 MB
Summer 1988: Costa Rica, Panama, Chile	1.61 MB
Spring 1988: Tunisia, Chile, Paraguay	1.28 MB
Winter 1987: Haiti, Chile, Nicaragua	1.84 MB
Fall 1987: Haiti, Uruguay, Nicaragua	1.43 MB
Spring 1987: Argentina, Philippines, Haiti	1.22 MB
Spring 1986: Philippines, Brazil, Northern Ireland	2.26 MB
Summer 1986: Chile, South Korea, Northern Ireland	2.92 MB
Winter 1986: Mondale Assumes Chairmanship, Argentina, Haiti	3.96 MB
Summer 1985: Senegal, Northern Ireland, South America	1.15 MB

Final Report: Political Party Strategies To Combat Corruption Workshop

vrao — Thu, 28 Feb 2002 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

Laura Thornton

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute & CALD

Published Date:

01/14/2002

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	264.42 KB

Opening Speech Of CALD Chairman Sam Rainsy

vrao — Tue, 26 Feb 2002 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

Sam Rainsy

Publisher:

Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD)

Published Date:

01/31/2002

Resource Type:

Speech

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the speech	76.69 KB

Asian Political Parties Commit Themselves to Reform

vrao — Tue, 29 Jan 2002 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD)

Publisher:

Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD)

Published Date:

01/16/2002

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the release	104.13 KB

Political Party Strategies to Combat Corruption, Executive Summary

vrao — Thu, 24 Jan 2002 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

Laura Thornton

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/01/2002

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	140.15 KB

Combating Corruption at the Grassroots: the Thailand Experience, 1999-2000

vrao — Fri, 20 Apr 2001 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/01/2000

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	1.05 MB

Pollwatch Master Trainer Seminar, October 30-November 1, 1998, Pattaya, Thailand

vrao — Mon, 22 Jan 2001 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/01/1999

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the manual	7.09 MB

NDI - Thailand

Thai Parlimentary Election July 2011

Deborah Healy

Budget Oversight Discussed at NDI/World Bank Institute Seminar

Thailand

Read More

Political Situation

Current NDI Programs

Funding

Contact Information

NDI Reports: A Review of the Activities of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

Final Report: Political Party Strategies To Combat Corruption Workshop

Opening Speech Of CALD Chairman Sam Rainsy

Asian Political Parties Commit Themselves to Reform

Political Party Strategies to Combat Corruption, Executive Summary

Combating Corruption at the Grassroots: the Thailand Experience, 1999-2000

Pollwatch Master Trainer Seminar, October 30-November 1, 1998, Pattaya, Thailand