Haunted Abhisit? Who Was Not In Bed With Each Other

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most haunted of them all? Over the past few weeks, Bangkok’s non-Thai blogging world was focused on due political process and rule of law. Thai politics though are a twistable pragmatism, a customizable dictation of a few only reminding themselves of the broader masses once the needs of the few are sated.

The embarrassing airport blockades may have effectively killed tourism for some time to come. But Thai minds forget too easily. Thais are used and accustomed to the strife. The one big constant in Thai politics is the political instability. Given this axiom we’re rather fortunate with a Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Thaksin was the exception. Before and most likely after Thaksin we always had and will most likely always have coalition governments preoccupied with internal power struggles. Politicians keep on bargaining for their own good, while continuous cabinet reshuffles lessen the need for new elections.

Now we’re accusing the Democrats of political treason. But who hasn’t been in bed with each other in Thai politics. Sanan, Newin, Chalerm, Banharn, Sanoh, Sondhi and Chamlong, even Thaksin, at a certain point in time they were all friends, then foes, intertwined by a dire net of interdependencies.

At least some of the Democrats managed to stay clear of this destructive mêlée. But they’re also known to throw in the towel too easily. Chuan Leekpai back in 1995 resigned as prime minister because of a comparably minor land scandal – a scandal that’s daily business in our usual administrations.

Most recently, Bangkok’s re-elected governor Apirak Kosayothin refused to fight. Democrats are not known to be fighters. They’re soon forced to?

So far, with his sub-mediocre Halloween coalition, Abhisit embraces old-style politics, a shackle he can’t just shake of.

Not just talking the talk, but walking the walk would be a helpful starter. If Abhisit wants to restore confidence in Thailand, he must end a culture of impunity for protest leaders & their followers and go for their proper prosecution.

He promised to do so, but it’s unlikely to happen, as this would upset the very powers that carried him into power.

Let’s give Abhisit four months. If the neo-populist fails to produce concrete political and economical betterment by then, he’ll face substantially strengthened opposition.

But then again, with any sane state of mind, if you would have had the choice at last week’s duel for prime minister, whom would you have chosen? Frog King or …?