Unity Government? Dream On

There is new talk of a unity government in Thailand. The PAD, reduced to a traffic block, seems to drown slowly. Its leaders can’t spark that old flame of rage, while we have seen tentative signs of bipartisanship. But remember what a “national government” by definition is:

A broad coalition government consisting of all major parties in the legislature and often formed during times of war or national emergency. No surprise, Thailand faces emergencies. But anything new ’bout that? Participation in a PPP government would furthermore come with a big price tag attached.

All that the Democrats are pursuing right now is the defusing of a potentially escalating crisis, while opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva uses the confrontation to impress with political tact and sure instinct. Without promoting himself, but the agenda of the good for the nation.

While, in realpolitik, policymaking is again on hold in Thailand. The ruling coalition is strained, if not about to break apart – at a time of out-of-hand inflation when visionary leadership is more urgent than ever.

Away from the public eye a silent crisis of ruins and bankruptcies has seized the kingdom. While, in the public eye, the country is again held hostage by factionalism and petty struggles for individual political survivals.

As we all know, reasoning is not an abounding commodity in Thailand. You can fantasize and ask the PPP to change its aggressive stance against political rivals and you can ask anti-government protesters to use reason and avoid confrontation.

It will never happen. Thailand for some mysterious reason has to always first slide towards the abyss before a change for the better. Only to slide back.

As written here earlier, the Democrats play a clever waiting game. They’re allowing the government to be slowly pushed towards the abyss. For they know unforced change would be a novelty in Thai politics. Without a humiliation of the Thaksin shadow government there’s not one bit of a chance for change.

Only a dramatic humiliation can turn the election-deciding North and Northeast away from the old buying of power.

Can you blame the Democrats for not offering their clean slate for the sake of national unity?

Abhisit rejected that option right after the elections in refusing to talk about a coalition with the PPP.

The Democrats have gained in credibility and reputation since. While Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej doesn’t even seem to be his own master anymore.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, he of all people, advances as the grand puppet master’s trusted man.

Chalerm’s a man for the dirtier jobs. With the humiliation approaching, expect Chalerm to be the man of choice.