The Normal Abnormalities: Elections as an Institution Opposes the Development of Democracy in Thailand

Abstract

This paper aims to study the significant phenomena, the general election in Thailand between 2019-2023. In the understanding of the general public, the general election is a composite image of a democratic regime. In other words, elections are the most important method that leads to a democratic regime. However, some elections in Thailand are different. These events raise impotent questions about how elections, as a democratic practice institution, can be counterproductive to their purpose and function of strengthening democracy.

This paper presents aspects of elections which are counterproductive to democratic development, with the main question being: “Which form of election has a positive effect on the development of democracy, as it seems that any form of election has the opposite effect? Why is that so?” There are three main conceptual frameworks used in the analysis, namely (i) conceptual framework on the basic principles of democratic elections, (ii) conceptual framework on development and consolidation of democracy, and (iii) conceptual framework on the characteristics of democratic development and the concept of authoritarianism and elections. This paper will bring the above conceptual frameworks to analyze the latest two Thai general elections in March 2019 and May 2023.

The findings indicated that an election that lacks two democratic precursors: elections that lack freedom and elections that lack fairness. In elections without freedom, people in society are unable to fully express their opinions, causing a state of tension. On the surface, society may appear to be calm, but the emotions of the masses hidden beneath the surface may lead to more conflict or polarization instead of the development of democracy. Moreover, Elections that create unfair rules give one party an advantage or may lead to a decrease in public trust in the election, instead of encouraging people to feel the need for democracy. The worst thing that can happen when elections do not follow democratic principles is the development of conflict and violence. The collective emotions of those in society who are disappointed with the electoral system can lead, people, who feel that formal politics cannot meet their true democratic needs, to the streets.