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Published on December 25, 2007

Although the Democrat Party is one of the country's oldest, it does not have the potential to organise a single-party government like the Thai Rak Thai in 2001 and 2005. The Democrats have remained "a major party" in Thai politics, because it used to be organised with coalitions of smaller parties forming governments.

Now the party has 165 seats, including 33 proportionate MPs, which is actually only one seat behind PPP.

While Thai Rak Thai expanded its power by continuous mergers with other parties with Thaksin's huge financial resources, the Democrats remained the same and thus completely lost their opportunity to develop their popularity especially in the North and Northeast.

Since the PPP was starting with a very strong base developed under Thai Rak Thai domination in the 2001 and 2005 elections, it was quite unrealistic to expect the Democrats to win a majority in the race this time.

While Samak kept on shouting "vote for us if you want Thaksin back in Thailand", the Democrats impressively increased their votes in zones one and two, which were supposed to be PPP strongholds.

Under present circumstances, it is quite clear that the next government will face a difficult task, especially on economic issues, which are of great interest to people who voted this time.

I doubt Samak can handle this, together with keeping his promise to save Thaksin and other Thai Rak Thai heavyweights from political bans.

If they perform poorly, people's disapproval will meet them right away, as happened to the present military government.

So it is very important for Abhisit to seriously think about increasing his popularity in the North and Northeast by keeping his party in the opposition block. I do not think he would be able to accomplish this if his party formed the core of a weak coalition government.

If he wants his party to take part in a political future in which there are two major parties on the Thai political stage, then it is a good chance for him to start working toward this goal, by talking with the Chart Thai and other parties.

Anyhow, what is most important is that he must move quickly and aggressively soon after next government is formed.

KT

Bangkok

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Thai public responds to a year of junta misrule

It is clear, after the results of Sunday's election, that the Thai people have made a statement to the leaders of the junta: "Go home, never show your faces again. We have had enough of you, and your inability to do anything right." The junta came into power as a result of Thaksin's greed, corruption, and his inability to grasp the need to show the Thai people sufficient respect, and consideration.

Had he simply paid his taxes on the Shin sale, more than likely none of this would have happened. I was no fan of Thaksin.

But, after 15 months of stunning incompetence and the astonishing inability to wage a good public-relations campaign, they have succeeded in making Thaksin into a sympathetic figure. Virtually all of the promises that General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont made to the Thai people have gone unfulfilled. They never made a dent into the problems in the South, or the corruption eating away at this country. They also never had success in bringing charges against Thaksin, which was the primary promise they made when justifying the coup in the first place.

In addition, they have succeeded in dampening the desires of non-Thais to invest in this country, and weakening tourism. Furthermore, the misguided policies pertaining to the revised Foreign Business Act, and the blunders of the Bank of Thailand, have placed additional difficulties on foreigners looking to do business here, have further weakened the economy, and has given Thailand a bad name throughout the world.

There is much damage to be undone, after the last 15 months of very bad governance. The junta and the coup leaders should be held accountable for the great damage they have done to this wonderful and proud nation, and its people.

Mark Snyder

Bangkok

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Abhisit could use a lesson in good sportsmanship

I dreamt on Sunday night Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva sent a letter to the People Power Party (PPP) saying, "I and the Democrats would like to congratulate Samak and the PPP for winning the most seats in the election. I hope the PPP and the Democrats can work together under the parliamentary system to move the country ahead economically and politically. I also hope we can join our hands and efforts to strengthen our democracy for the better future of Thailand. Again congratulations!"

In reality I heard Abhisit grumble on TV that the PPP had failed to win a decisive majority, which showed the voters didn't trust it to run the country. He also said that money politics still dominates Thailand, but that all of his party's votes were clean - all 10 million, which he also mentioned was a record best. He said he wouldn't be ashamed to cut in front and form the next government. The party that came first and might unable to form the government should be ashamed, not him.

This is Thai sportsmanlike conduct in Thai politics. Good luck folks! 

Somsak Pola

Samut Prakan

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Samak's victory now may ultimately sink PPP

The results of Sunday's general election that put the People Power Party (PPP) just about 10 seats short of being able to form a single-party government may turn out to be a defeat in the long run for Thaksin Shinawatra and Thailand.

Both the former premier and his self-confessed political nominee, Samak Sundaravej, are alleged to have pitted rural voters, who form a large majority in the country, against the urban middle classes. As a result, while the PPP gained overwhelming support in the provinces, its popularity in urban areas, especially in Bangkok, dropped precipitously.

To make matters worse, Samak Sundaravej is sure to emulate the former leader's abrasive and arrogant style of leadership that will put Thailand in turmoil and on the path of democratic strife yet again. This rerun of an old movie is not only boring - but frustrating. And since Thaksin has been driven out by a coup in September of 2006 for his unbearable behaviour, how can Samak survive with his?

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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A feared and expected result in Sunday's polls

So now the people have spoken and the result everyone feared and most of us expected has occurred. Former prime minister Thaksin's surrogate party, the People Power Party (PPP) has been voted in. Was the election corrupt? Yes, but no more corrupt than any other in recent Thai history. The plain fact is the well financed PPP, like the Thai Rak Thai before them, rallied their strongholds and disputed the marginals. At times I hate democracy, but it is the least worst system. I just hope the Thai military feel the same way.

An English University Lecturer

Bangkok

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Thaksin and cronies may ride again after PPP win

What a sad day for the Kingdom when a party that is self-serving, and by and for Thaksin can be given the chance to govern our country. No good will come from this. Stability and growth will take second place to retribution against opponents and legislation to overturn the charges and investigations against Thaksin, his cronies, and supporters.

Their sins, graft, corruption, and crimes can begin all over again as though the coup never happened. This is a very sorry state of affairs when money can buy redemption. But we still have 30 days and many yellow and red cards before it's official. The vote was actually rather close based on the percentage of votes cast for the People Power Party and the Democrat Party. Proportionate seats were evenly given to each party. However, Bangkok showed its rejection of all things Thaksin. The social rift and divisions will get worse before they get better.

Not Disappointed

Bangkok

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A democratic disaster and the worst is yet to come

I've been in this country for 25 years and I have seen my share of good and bad things happen, but somehow I've the feeling that the worst is still to come and will arrive soon. Is seems like a textbook case on why democracy doesn't work. It did not work in the past, it is not working now, and just because the people in charge of making democracy work (voters) can see no further than the Bt100 they put in their pockets on election day. In general, it seems like we are at square one. A year wasted. Good luck to everyone in this country, Thais and foreigners alike. Hold on tight, we are in for a rough ride.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Bangkok

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