Democrats get the most donations

Published: 20/07/2009 at 12:59 PM
Online news:

Donors gave more money to the ruling Democrat Party, 43 million baht, in the first five months of this year than to any other party, with the opposition Puea Thai Party the recipient of only 12 million baht, election commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham revealed on Monday.

Mrs Sodsri said Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana came third with 7.7 million baht, followed by Bhumjaithai 5 million baht, Chart Thai Pattana 2 million baht, Rassadorn 1.5 million baht, Thammaphiban Sangkhom 200,000 baht, Social Action 80,000 baht and Palang Pandin Thai 34,000 baht.

In the month of May, Puea Thai received 6 million baht in donations, Bhumjaithai 5 million baht, Chart Thai Pattana 1 million baht, Thammaphiban Sangkhom 200,000 baht, Rassadorn 200,000 baht, Social Action 20,000 baht and Palang Pandin Thai 3,000 baht.

Political parties are required to report donations made to them to the Election Commission.

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isan farang

Discussion 5 : 21/07/2009 at 06:21 AM5
We know where the Puea Thai will be getting their money from before the next election.The corrupt,fugitive citizen of Nicaragua will bankroll his chosen zombies, in anticipation of returning to "save" Thailand.We can only hope that this will never happen again.
RicefieldRadio

Discussion 4 : 20/07/2009 at 10:47 PM4
Last month the PTP got the highest donation count and the Bangkok Post printed the names of the individuals who gave those donations. The Post has decided, for reasons you can figure out, not to publish the names of the Democrat donors. The information is easily available from the EC, the EC is not hiding anything here.

And YES - IThai - the EC requires itemized reporting of donations.

You also have to remember that in the North and Northeast the Democrats offer up to 3 times the amount of other parties for votes and they well need lots of cash for the next election as they may have to offer even more.
Piya

Discussion 3 : 20/07/2009 at 03:43 PM3
I am a pro democrat, but I totally agree that we all have the right to know where the big donations come from. But for the people in politics, they would already have some idea which companies would donate to which party. Like....
Steve

Discussion 2 : 20/07/2009 at 03:08 PM2
Independent Thai asks the right question.

Almost certainly, the Democrats didn't receive the "most donations" but instead they got the "biggest donations" - larger amounts from fewer donors compared to other parties.

The more complete truth would be revealed if the sources and amounts of the donations - say, for example, amounts over 5,000 baht - are published.

Will the Democrats publish that information? poot len mai krub......... (translation: "you must be joking").
Independent Thai

Discussion 1 : 20/07/2009 at 01:27 PM1
It is the half of the news,The journalist should report the source of the donation.We can know exactly what groups and company or who donate the money to political party.Then Thai people can know who and what company want to influence the political party.

Do Thailand have the law to itemize the money donation to political party? I think we did.

Democrats get the most donations