Word: lower
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Thus, for the first time in eleven years of martial law and rule by a firm if benevolent military oligarchy, last week Thais voted in a general election. The balloting was to choose 219 deputies for the lower house of Thailand's National Assembly. The election did not change the texture of the government of Premier Thanom Kittikachorn, a field marshal in the Royal Thai Army, nor did it appreciably crimp its powers. But in creating a legal opposition, it heralded a return to more representative and more responsive rule...
...first, cautious step toward political liberalization last June with the proclamation of a new constitution. The document provided for elections within 240 days, but it also safeguarded the Thanom government by stipulating that no-confidence motions could only come from a majority of members of the upper and lower houses. Such a negative vote would be unlikely, to say the least, since the upper house is entirely appointed by the regime. Said Opposition Leader Seni Pramoj, an articulate and outspoken lawyer who was Premier in 1945-46: "The constitution of 1968 almost achieves immortality for the Thai government...
Coping with Questions. To compete in the lower house elections, Thanom and the regime's strongman, Interior Minister Praphas Charusathien, who is also Deputy Premier and army commander, constructed their own political organization, the United Thai People's Party. Seni's Democrat Party, attractive to urban and educated Thais, formed the main opposition. Also opposing the government were a dozen smaller groups with little nationwide appeal. Despite long years of political apathy and a lack of distinctive platforms, the campaign was fairly spirited. In Bangkok, a Democrat Party stronghold, U.T.P.P. rallies were interrupted by hecklers. Moreover...
...been better: of 15 million registered voters, less than half went to the polls. As expected, the government party won a plurality, seating 76 deputies. In addition, Thanom can count on the backing of many of the 71 independents elected, thus assuring him of a working majority in the lower house. Seni's Democrats elected 57 representatives, including a sweep of all 21 seats in Bangkok and its sister city, Thonburi. The remaining 15 seats went to five of the smaller parties. Although some regime critics dismissed the election as little more than a public-relations exercise, the Thanom...
...last week, Federal Reserve Board Governor Andrew F. Brimmer predicted that the economy's real growth, which reached 5% last year, would slow to a rate of 3% or less by the end of this year. But many other economists and corporate policymakers predict an appreciably higher-or lower-rate of growth. When opinions divide and uncertainty becomes widespread, decision makers begin to act with caution, holding back buying plans. That tends to retard economic growth and inflation...