Voters to Democrats: For God's sake get it right this time

On Monday, the day after over 900,000 Bangkokians voted M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra as the new city governor, and by-elections in 22 provinces added 20 more seats in the House for the coalition government (against 9 for the opposition parties), the new question from newsmen to the prime minister was: "Will this new boost in the number of government MPs make you arrogant [read: power-intoxicated]?"

The fact is less dramatic, however. And even with the new balance of 257 against 209 MPs in favour of the government, there is no guarantee that Abhisit and his new Cabinet won't stumble and fall in the next few months if the administration can't deliver badly-needed goods.

As Thaksin Shinawatra proved beyond any doubt, even a staggering majority in Parliament couldn't save a cocky premier whose misplaced over-confidence managed to alienate him from the real need for transparency and avoidance of conflict of interest.

Abhisit told reporters that the additional number of government MPs was not large enough to prevent the opposition from playing the crucial role of keeping a close watch on the government's every move.

"No, the government won't be power-drunk. In fact, the whole Cabinet has pledged to be open to scrutiny by the opposition," he said, perhaps realising how - despite the reporters' new twist in their daily questioning - vulnerable his position is.

Abhisit obviously doesn't have to be reminded that with the perception of new support from voters, the public's expectations take a big leap as well.

The voters in the Bangkok gubernatorial election and in the by-elections in 22 provinces on Sunday have spoken - and the message is deafeningly clear: the people want to put an end to confrontational politics.

By giving the new, more decisive mandate to the Abhisit administration, these voters were giving the new premier a blunt instruction to end all the conflicts that have dragged the country into the political abyss for too long.

Along with that message came the additional subtext that the country wants to give the Democrats a chance to take charge, to move the country forward, not to play politics, not to take revenge against old enemies or settle scores with political rivals.

In other words, the voters want Abhisit to show he can be the nation's chief executive, not just the country's best political orator.

The assignment for Abhisit then is to prove that populism - if that's what all grass-roots stimulus packages are branded as - doesn't necessarily have to be the harbinger of corrupt politics and a personality cult.

The Democrats can't say they haven't been given a chance to prove Thaksinomics is a dangerous trap.

Now it's time for "Abhisitonomics" (something along the lines of "Obamanomics in the United States?) to demonstrate how it can really make a difference to the life of the average Thai.

And make sure that the symbolism doesn't deteriorate into "Abhisitism" (reminding one of "Bushism").

To put it in a nutshell, the clear, direct, no-nonsense message delivered by the voters on Sunday was simply this:

You the Democrats, here is your chance. Don't screw up again. For God's sake, get it right this time.

 (Share your views at my blogs: http://blog/nationmultimedia.com/|ThaiTalk or www.suthichaiyoon.|blogspot.com.)