Thaksin angling for power via sister in approaching polls

[buksida]

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has raised hopes that early elections will reconcile bitterly opposed political camps and steer the country's protest-plagued politics towards more stability. Despite a six-month period of relative political calm, it's not clear yet that powerful players - including the armed forces, royal palace and self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - will honor a democratic result that goes against their interests.

Abhisit is expected to dissolve parliament in early May, paving the way for polls by either late June or early July. Preliminary opinion polls show a neck-and-neck race, though no party is expected to win an outright majority and would likely require smaller coalition partners to form a government. A national unity government consisting of Abhisit's Democrats and the opposition Puea Thai is viewed as the most unlikely of electoral outcomes.

Full Story: Asia Times Online

Thoughts: There are a lot of new and old players in the race for Thailand's hot seat, very few would be considered desirable though. We have a vengeful megalomaniac that has proved increasing the wealth of his family is his only motive. We have a group of hardline neo-fascists that want war with their neighbours and anyone else who isn't Thai and we have the current lot the have little support and seem hell bent on clamping down on everything.

[E-Dork]

I'm not clued up at all with the ins and outs of politics. For decades I never cared, followed, listened to or acknowledged politics so this question might seem a dumb one.

Why does Abhisit need to dissolve parliament? The country has enjoyed a decent period of time following the intitial suicide killings of the Super Dumb, Uneducated folk of the North (generalization) when they decided to have a flash mob protest in the aftermath of Abhisits election in the hope that they would recieve (more) money from the Thaksin army in order to fight HIS war.

The country has enjoyed some stability. Why dissolve parliament and risk having an upset group again? Why not keep it as it is?

[buksida]

I guess they're chasing this elusive concept called "democracy" which isn't going to happen with unelected military appointed governments, coalitions, coups, mass vote buying in the northeast, poll rigging, or extreme nationalists taking over airports!

As far as Thai politics goes I fear we're in for more of the same.

[sandman67]

gotta admit Buksi that has me stumped as well. As you say, stability peace and quiet and a comfortable majority in parliament via a stable coalition. Why he cant serve out his term is beyond me....

The fact that Pue Thai have cynically turned the prime ministership of Thailand into some nepotistic family seat passed from one to another, like every other shabby SE Asian dictatorship, and the Thai public are happy with that just sums up one of the major problems here. Thais just dont get the democracy thing at all. In less than 100 years they have managed to turn democracy back into feudal serfism and robber baron land.

Ah well.... as the song goes: I Predict A Riot



Actually there is a potential get out: Under Thai political law a party can not receive funding from overseas sources..... so whos up for a bet that should the PT win there will be an EC case brought around Unkle Takkys overseas warchest funding his puppet sisters election?

[STEVE G]

Why does Abhisit need to dissolve parliament?

Basically they need to have an election for the House before the end of the year due to it being a four year term from the 2007 election.
Actually Abhisit promised an election before the end of last year but he has forgotten about that.

[johnnyk]

Issan and the north will outvote BKK again. The BKK elites will not go gently from the trough so then what?
A stalemate until the big earthquake and then all bets are off!