Thai Political Crisis Deepens after Boycotted Election

Thailand has had a history of angry demonstrations, violent repression of the same and the odd military takeover of the government. Yesterday, it broke new ground with an election boycotted by the opposition, and the ruling party lost in some constituencies even though its candidate was running unopposed. The future in Thailand looks equally confusing.

Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatram, has claimed victory for his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party despite the chaos. He says he got more than 50% of the votes cast. However, in all but two Bangkok districts, abstentions outnumbered votes for Thai Rak Thai in 27 of the capital’s 36 constituencies with 70+% of all ballots counted, The Nation newspaper reported Monday on its Web site, and it was citing the Election Commission. And in one constituency, Thai Rak Thai was running unopposed, except its candidate was disqualified for not voting in the previous election -- so there was a ballot without a legitimate candidate on it there.

Under Thai election law, the people may choose to vote essentially for “none of the above,” and idea that should be exported. Since 20% of the vote is needed to win election, Thai Rak Thai may not carry the day even when its candidate is alone on the ballot. It appears that this is the case in 38 constituencies thus far, all in the south of the country where the opposition is strongest. The constitution says that if all 500 seats aren’t filled, no government gets formed. A huge impasse looms.

Mr. Thaksin is enormously popular in the countryside, where he has provided cheap healthcare (perhaps he could come to America if the Thais don’t want him anymore), restructured farmers’ loans and brought new, cheap capital to the villages. On the other side of the scales, his opponents say he has walked on human rights and the free press, enriched himself and his friends with his office and reduced the checks on the executive.

Right after he cast his own ballot, he said, “I would like to congratulate all Thais that we have successfully maintained democracy. I would like to call on all sectors in society to respect the rules and respect the people's decision.” Fair enough, one might think. However, in case anyone was thinking he might put up with any more resistance, he added, “It’s now time to bring law and order.” That’s a threat in any language.

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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