Many ordinary Thais appear hopeful for improvements in Thai politics next year, even though the country will be under a military-installed government for most of 2007.

And they don't seem too concerned whether there will be a general election held late next year - or not - as promised by the generals who staged the September 19 coup.

Vendor Patcharapha Palachai, 39, said she expected better politics next year, with no chaos or violent confrontations similar to when Thaksin Shinawatra was in power. She also believed the military-backed government would be able to keep things under control, adding that the coup has had no impact on provincial residents like herself.

Patcharapha said she didn't expect the interim government to solve the economic problems during its one-year tenure. And she didn't expect the government to restore democracy by holding the next general election. "I don't care much if the country is still under the junta government next year".

Supornchai Srithongsuk, a 46-year-old orchard owner, said he was unsure if the election would be held next year. However, he wants to see a government leader who is decisive and vigorous.

"A weak prime minister can lead to weak politics," he said.

Supornchai admired Thaksin despite the allegations against the deposed premier. He said Thaksin could solve problems quickly, especially those of grassroots people.

In his view, Thai politics next year would be the same as usual because there was no functional check-and-balance on politicians. "Perhaps it is a weak point of our political system," Supornchai said.

He hoped to see the return of democracy soon. "They [the interim government] promised they would restore democracy and I hope they keep their promise."

Company worker Wanitha Saengbun said if the conflict in the country could be minimised, Thai politics would improve next year.

She said the government was appointed, and not elected, so she expected minimal corruption in this administration. However, she was still concerned that large public protests against the government or the Council for National Security could have negative repercussions for the political environment.

"If the rallies get out of control, we'll see a lot of trouble next year," she said.

A civil servant who declined to be named, said Thai politics would be more transparent because the interim government was honest and had experienced people in it.

"Although most of them [the Cabinet members] are old and have a background in bureaucracy, their collective experience has a benefit for the country," he said.

He said that even though politics was generally peaceful now, there would be protests especially by people unhappy with the new government and those supporting Thaksin and his cohorts.

"The government should not stop people protesting because they must act under the democratic principles. However, I believe many of those people who rally don't care about democracy - but are employed to do it by someone," he said.

A teacher who declined to disclose her name said she believed the Thaksin regime would fade away, adding she was hopeful the interim administration would be able to solve the corruption problem.

"If the prime minister is honest, he can solve the country's problems," she said. "I think politics will be positive next year. We will see progress in the government's work next year too. I understand the government has a lot of things to do. So we should give them time to do it."

She urged the government to urgently address problems inherited from the last administration, especially ones cited for the coup.

Seksan Sukprasert, a 38-year-old company employee, said it was difficult for him to predict Thai politics next year because the new constitution had not been finished. He also believed there would be no general election next year.

"I don't like the junta government - so I place no hope in them. I don't care if there will be a general election because I won't go to the ballots anyway," he said.

Vendor Amnuay Kwangpala, 43, said her only hope was that the government took care of living standards of people like herself.

"I want the government to curb the rising prices of commodities and oil because they have a real impact on people," she said.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation