Is Thailand back in business?
Bangkok, Thailand – Thousands of red-shirt people surrounded the office of the Prime Minister demanding the new government to dissolve the parliament and call for new election, a fresh challenge to a two-month old Abhisit’s government.
An estimated 20,000 supporters of the Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gathered here three days ahead of the 14th ASEAN Summit hosted by Thailand.
According to Jakrapob Penkair, one of the leaders of protesters, this rally was staged to show to Thailand’s South East Asian neighbors that the new-coalition government led by Abhisit has no right to rule the country.
Observers here are becoming more worried of the effect of this changing of colors on the street. Thailand was shaken by last year's political turmoil highlighted by the eight-day siege by the yellow-shirt PAD of the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports and a three-month control of the government seat -- actions that were condemned by the international community. The stand-off ended when the coalition government identified as allies of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, then headed by his brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, was unseated by the Supreme Court's decision disqualifying the party for election fraud.
With this new massive movement to oust the new government, many questions are tickling not only the minds of the intellectuals and businessmen but the majority of the populace. The trauma of the previous political crisis triggers the people to question the possible new nightmare in this country. We can’t avoid that some are even anxious and worried of the extent of this recent showdown as the protesters are showing muscles in response to their idol Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent declaration to come back to Thai politics.
Of what is happening in Thailand, political scientists might be challenged to review their political theories and principles to understand further the behavior of Thai politics noting these important events: one of the most numbers of Prime Ministers in a period of months and changing of colors on the street calling for the removal of their respective enemies.
Since the last year’s plague, questions remain unanswered. How and who can break the deadlock. When can we start seeing back Thailand on the rise like how it was after the 1997 economic crisis. When in the early 2000’s the massive development through infrastructures dominate the country; when the living was so easy and pockets have always enough. Can we see once more Thailand in its glory and pride?
(Francis Basco is a former reporter of MBC-dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo who now works as a teacher in Thailand.)