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Published on August 30, 2007

The government yesterday reacted strongly to a European Union re-quest to become in-volved in supervising the next general election.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont backed the refusal by the Election Commission to permit the EU to monitor the balloting.

"We have to uphold our principles and work procedures and under Thai law no outsiders can have control over the authorities," he said.

Surayud said Thai authorities were responsible for ensuring a free and fair vote. The EU wanted control beyond a status of observers and this was unacceptable, he added.

"I don't think EU involvement would help us to hold a better election. It is up to Thai people to choose the path we are heading on. If the Thais want a free and fair election, we will have to effect it ourselves," said the premier.

The EU was critical of last September's coup that overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. It also called on Thailand to hold an election to restore democracy as soon as possible.

Surayud went on to defend the December 23 election day as the most suitable date under the circumstances. The date allowed sufficient time for electoral preparations and the completion of the legislative process for three organic laws relating to the elections, he said.

Because of the New Year celebrations, the next possible date was January 13, which might not be as feasible because a long holiday might interrupt preparations and campaigning, he said.

"Besides, should the vote be completed before the year's end, the people will have a new government as a New Year present," he said.

He conceded, however, that the date could be adjusted if deemed necessary any time before the issuing of a royal decree on the matter.

National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan also reacted strongly yesterday to the EU request to demand that Thailand sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to allow election monitoring here under its terms and conditions.

"The EU is interfering in Thailand's internal affairs. Are they the United Nations? Are they going to sign an MoU to allow us to monitor their elections?" he said.

Meechai said that EU officials could observe the Thai elections just like ordinary people do.

The EU's ambassador to Thailand, Friedrich Hamburger, will meet with the Election Commission on September 7 to discuss the terms and conditions for setting up a monitoring mission with or without an MoU, sources said.

The EU has sent missions to monitor elections in Cambodia and Indonesia but this would be the first time it would do so in Thailand.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram yesterday ruled out speculation that Thai-EU relations might deteriorate over the issue.

"I don't think Thailand's decision not to sign a memorandum of understanding on balloting monitors will impact on bilateral relations," he said.

He said it was "unreasonable" for foreigners to teach and check on how Thai voters marked their ballots.

In spite of the botched April 2 vote last year, the country could rectify mistakes by itself, he said.

Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said European observers "were welcome to observe" the balloting under Thai law, although Thailand would not sign an MoU allowing a supervisory role.

 Meanwhile, Prasong Soonsiri, a member of the National Legislative Assembly, said yesterday that the EU "could not force" Thailand to sign an MoU in regard to observing the election.

The EU plans to send some 120 election monitors, but Prasong said: "We have our own election laws and they can't interfere with it."

The Election Commission decided on Tuesday it would not sign the MoU, as requested by the EU.

However, Prasong urged the Election Commission to still allow observers from Europe to monitor the poll.

"We can say no, but it's not good," commented Prasong, who also chairs the special committee reviewing three draft organic bills required before the general elections.

Chatchawan Rakchart, a Thai election observer, said he believed the EU was particularly interested because the election would take place while the junta and its appointed administration was still in power.

"I'm not sure if the EC is impartial. If they are, they shouldn't have participated in drafting the constitution. The military is also interfering with politics and the election, as they can control things through martial law," he said.