The idea is very simple. The competition for พานแว่นฟ้า prizes is about promoting 'democracy'. But entries are judged 'behind closed doors' -- not in a democratic process!

It would be far better to have a 'democratic' public voting for the winners or at least to set up another category of prizes determined by public voting. After all promoting democracy should also be done in democratic manners -- not behind closed doors.

I think the next national election is near perhaps just before the พานแว่นฟ้า winners are announced. Public attention to the national election can be effectively drawn by publishing entries and collecting public votes. Some prizes for public votes can provide strong incentives for public participation in both the competition and the national election. The combined effects can result in better understanding of democracy processes and better result in the national election at very minimal cost. We can save hundred of millions Baht that will be spent in advertising the next national election by changing the rule for this competition.

A small change in the competition rules can realise greater effects from this promotional exercise.

Sure, public voting is not without issues. But there is no need to treat the voting for พานแว่นฟ้า prizes as the voting in the national election. And we know that election voting has many issues too. All come with 'democracy'.