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The survey released yesterday said that the loosening of military rule and the holding of elections on 23 December were widely judged to be free and competitive "despite efforts by the military to skew the results."

The annual indicator said Thailand's changing from "Not Free" to "Partly Free" was a positive development in the global context which witnesses deterioration of democracy in Russia, Georgia and Keny.

Thailand's rating has deteriorated ever since Thaksin's term beginning in 2001, according to the survey, but the polls results last month also suggests possible future problems for Thai democracy.

Before Thaksin came to power, the democratic condition was given good rankings in the top thirties.(more details go to www.freedomhouse.org)