Election: A Coup For Nothing

Bangkok’s coup of September 19, 2006, is far away. Thailand’s political carousel with the old wheeling and dealing behind closed doors is once again back in full swing.

Not two months before the general election Thai politicians have taken up again their old, mastered craft: Trading loyalties. Everyone becomes a possible bedfellow of everyone.

Take former Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbarangsi. He just told Sanoh Thienthong he’ll leave his post as deputy leader of the Citizen (Pracharaj) party for Banharn Silpa-Archa’s Chart Thai.

“Time for me to come home,”, said Korn. Leaving his home at Pracharaj.

Whereas the political future of colorful deputy Chart Thai party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit, Bangkok’s former king of brothels, is all but certain after a hefty falling out with party boss Banharn.

On another political front Southern Bangkokian patriarch Chalerm Yoobamrung ended his political hibernation and threatens to leave the People Power Party PPP, the remnants of Thaksin’s old empire, if the party refuses to field his two sons as candidates in the December 23 election.

Doubts about the political qualifications of the infamous Wan and Duang are not only lingering within the PPP. Who would follow a H.E. Duang Yoobamrung, Minister of Trouble and Nightlife.

We all know though of the massive benefit of the doubt. Those beatings and that elimination of that cop had actually never occurred.

We all know: Duang didn’t flee to Cambodia. He was there on an extended holiday.

If daddy’s wish comes true, Duang may soon enjoy Privilege of Parliament: Immunity.

Then there is the heartrending political saga of the Democrat’s former party executive Kriengsak Charoenwongsak, whose father and mother once sat in the provincial council of Buri Ram, the stronghold of Newin Chidchob.

At a hastily arranged press conference Kriengsak handed in his resignation. The party kicked him out. Details are fishy, Kriengsak wanted to contest in Bangkok with his roots though in Buri Ram – where an ugly fight is looming.

Newin will send in his proxy – we don’t know yet whom.

Kriengsak is one of the many homeless Thai politicians searching for a refuge with a party.

Ideology and convictions are of lesser meaning in that search. After all it’s a business decision to become a politician. You talk about venture capital. Investments. Profits. Losses.

What brings us to businessman Prachai Leophairatana, the founder of Thai Petrochemical Industry TPI, who oversaw Thailand’s biggest corporate bankruptcy.

After lurking behind the scenes Prachai starts to take a more open role as the leader of Matchimatipatai (Middle Path Democracy), one of the four splinter parties of former lawmakers of Thaksin Shinawatra’s old Thai Rak Thai party.

Prachai senses payback-time. Prachai wants it all back. And therefore enters politics. As a neo-welfarian.

The tycoon is spending billions of baht to lure influence.

Writes the Asia Sentinel: “Prachai is borrowing a page from the playbook of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by promising the world to the poor. He is spreading a message of compassion and government welfare that will take care of people from the cradle to the grave.”

The current desolate state of Thai politics is indeed an ideal breeding ground for a fighter such as Prachai. Who has Thaksin’s purse. But not the brains of the great old demagogue.

With at least stricter election campaigning laws the junta tries to force politicians to offer more substance than rather free food, drinks and coyote dancers.

But the kingmakers will again be bags of rice and bottles of nam plaa.

According to a recently published poll about half of Thailand’s people are even unaware that elections are about to take place.

Are unaware, that political dinosaur Samak Sundaravej will – if elected – soon again shout against the very motorcycle taxis and street sellers that just voted for him.

Because the people love the way Samak talks. Actually, if you ever happen to join an event where Samak talks: Have your iPod fully loaded. It’s gonna be your longest wait.

And ultraconservative Samak is a leader in waiting. A leader who had belittled Burma’s grand lady Aung San Suu Kyi as “Auntie Suu”.

Welcome back, politics of the old and of the tribal factionalism that will bleed dry every serious attempt of governing.

A coup for nothing?

Blame the Democrat’s leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for not being more outspoken, for not fight with the weapons of the foes.

But it’s the Democrats after all. Their former leader Chuan Leekpai had handed in his resignation after a tiny little land scandal became known. Much larger scandals are daily routine in every other Thai government.

The Democrats at least to this day stand for integrity – jing jai. What hardly translates into power.

Because: Will the masses care?

Probably not.

Not because they don’t care, but because ignorance is epidemic.

Not the ignorance of not knowing, but of the impossibility of getting a chance to know.

Ever watched TV in the provinces? You won’t find a single news item explaining the state of affairs. It’s all soap operas and commercial shows.

A first duty of a credible government would be a master plan to inform and educate the masses.

The government though says: We already print books explaining our aims and achievements.

None of these books get read.

“Thai people do not like to read,” a well known official, whom we shall call A., tells absolutelyBangkok.com. “Because back at school,” says A., “they were stuffed with so many unreadable books, the first thing they do after leaving school is to not touch a book anymore.”

Make use of that. And become the country’s next leader.