Thai ruling may trigger political shift
Wednesday's decision to dissolve former ruling party may ensure the military's political dominance.
from the June 1, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
While the judgment was ostensibly directed at Thai Rak Thai's campaign tactics, the judges blasted the party as a threat to democracy that existed only to benefit its charismatic leader.
"Thai Rak Thai took our Constitution and politicized it and exercised power for every purpose," says Kaewsan Atibhodi, secretary-general of a committee charged with investigating Thaksin. "So the judges have some justification to say that you are dangerous, you have to go and we don't want to see you again."
By breaking up Thailand's dominant party, the court has created the conditions for a political realignment.
However, few expect a smooth ride to the next election. Thai Rak Thai rose to power in 2001 with policies that appealed to poor, rural voters like cheap healthcare, microcredit, and repression of drug traffickers and local mafia. In 2005, Thaksin's party cemented its success by winning three-quarters of Thailand's parliament – the first party ever to gain legislative majority – by exploiting Thailand's stark class divisions.
Many analysts doubt Wednesday's ruling will heal those socioeconomic rifts, and fear more turmoil is around the corner.
In television interviews Thursday, Thaksin urged Thai Rak Thai's 14 million or so supporters to respect the verdict. Acting party leader Chaturon Chaiseng was less conciliatory, though. After the verdict was read, he retorted that, "This is what you get in a dictatorship" before TV cameras abruptly cut away.
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