With pro- and anti-government protesters on the streets of Bangkok, airports closed and tourists stranded, it is difficult for the casual observer to make any sense of it all. The Thai government, police and army all seem either unable or unwilling to solve the crisis. In a further twist it is possible that Thailand’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) led by prime minister Somchai could be dissolved by a ruling this week from the Constitution Court. The ruling relates to issues of electoral fraud that were allegedly carried out by a PPP politician during the last election. If the allegations are upheld, then under Thai law the PPP could have to disband.
The PPP were formed after Thaksin’s Thai Rak Thai was forced to dissolve. If the PPP go the same way as Thai Rak Thai then another pro-Thaksin party is ready to replace them; Pheu Thai. And so the saga will go on. Most analysts agree that if fresh elections were to be held, a pro-Thaksin party would again be re-elected. This would not satisfy the PAD group who are campaigning for a change to Thailand’s one man one vote system arguing that votes can be bought too easily by politicians offering money and bribes to the influential village heads. The village headman, or phu yai, is very influential and well respected in Thailand’s rural communities and if he says vote for a particular party most villagers will follow his advice.
This Friday is a public holiday in Thailand for King Bhumibol’s birthday. Out of respect for Thailand’s king, military leaders are calling for all sides in the political dispute to resolve the crisis before December 5th. Local reports suggest that Prime Minister Somchai may be happy to accept guidance from the king over the crisis although, officially at least, Thailand’s monarch doesn’t get involved in politics.
