Colour-Coded Politics trailer

The Rain Retreat

This month is the start of the rains retreat in Thailand. In accordance with Buddhist tradition, monks will stay inside their temples for the next 3 months to allow the countryside to peacefully rejuvenate in the life giving rain. Farmers use this time to plant rice, spending whole days leg deep in water going from paddies to paddies. Cattle are herded along dirt roads often slippery with reddish mud and puddles.

Isaan is a realm of forests and plantations full of spirits, of ancient dialects alluding to the people's diverse ethnic origins and of unchanging traditions from a world far simpler than ours today. That's not to say modernity has not made an impact. Motorcycles replace horses, a satellite dish is mounted over the temple roof and the Red radio accompanies the hard working farmers in their field.

Life in a Red village is almost exactly as I expected to be. They adorn their houses with Red flags, their only source of information on the outside are the Red Radio and Red TV channels. They did not trust anything else and did do not listen to anything else, and they are proud to do so.

Not completely without reason. The rural farmers may be the backbone of the nation but they are constantly exploited and underrepresented in the country's government. They don't care much for foreign policy or encomium growth, why should they when they are the last to receive any benefits, if any at all. What does matters is a fair price for their crops, a generous healthcare policy and a sense of empowerment and these are all things that Thaksin has delivered to them in the past and what they are hoping Yingluck with provide for them now.

Despite winning the election it is still uncertain if the Peau Thai Party will come to power. Understandably the Reds are getting restless. I have not been allowed in to their meetings or told of any plans but I get the sense that these people, many of whom have been protesting and fighting for years, will not hesitate to do so again.

Isaan or Bust!

We are back in business! Tomorrow I am going to bus it to Khon Kaen, a gateway city to the Isaan region of Thailand and then onwards to the notorious ' Red villages' of Isaan.

Isaan is one of the poorest region of Thailand and it is the heartland of the Red Shirts. The Red Villages are a recent development, I don't know the exact details but I think they started popping up after the bloody clashes in Bangkok last year and many Red Shirts were fearful of further violence. The first Red village sprung up when their leader decided that they needed to show people that they were not afraid to be Red and so they hung red flags all over the village.

That understandably caused much concern in Bangkok, many people still have memories of the Communist days and rumors began flying of Red Shirt militant camps and weapon caches.

I don't know what to expect but I doubt I would see anything like that. If not the least because I had to tell them I was coming. Still, it is extremely unlikely that the Reds would be arming themselves in any large scale fashion.

What I do expect is a sense of cautious optimism. They've won the election and are now waiting to see what sort of government will appear from all the wheeling and dealing that is going right now. Experts are predicting mid August before the new government comes into power.

Day 7 – Seeing Red

No doubt by now anyone interested in this topic would know the big news. Puea Thai (Red Shirts) has surprisingly won a indisputably decisive victory, claiming 261 out of 500 seats. Yingluck now looks to become the first female Prime Minister of Thailand. I was at the PT headquarters yesterday, sandwiched amongst journalists, camera operators, bloggers and red shirts supporters. The excitement kicked off at about 3pm when the results of the Exit Poll showed that Peau had over 300 seats. Though not accurate, the writing was on the wall for the Democrats and the Red shirts started gathering in force to celebrate. Many of them had been supporting the reds since Thaksin was ousted in the 2006 army coup.

When the lady herself arrived in her car outside the OAI Tower (the Party HQ) the crowd and the press went into a frenzy, immediately mobbing her and her entourage as they exited their vehicles and shoved their way towards the building. At times it looked like the crowd would descend into chaos, especially going up the stairs with many of the top-heavy camera operators swayed like they were about to topple over backwards. After 5 excruciating minutes Yingluck’s entourage made it into the elevator taking them up and away from the trigger-happy crowd.

Their champion safe upstairs, the red shirts gathered around the various flat screen TVs set up for the occasion. The atmosphere grew increasingly festive as the official results started rolling in and by evening hundreds of Red Shirts were gathered outside cheering and chanting ‘Yingluck! Nai Yok!’, Yingluck! Prime Minister! Many of the supporters came from the rural Issan province and they started playing traditional music and dancing. It was infectious; a few of the foreign journalists were even pulled reluctantly into the mix.

Yingluck is not only the first female Prime Minister, but also the youngest and probably the least experienced, never having held a public office prior to the election. This was made clear to me yesterday at about 10pm when she came out to address her adoring fans. Before her were 3 veteran members of her party who worked the crowd and spoke at length about their policies and intent. Each spoke for about 20 minutes, constantly assuring the crowd and the foreign press that Yingluck was held up by interviews and would come down as soon as she can. The hours wore on but it didn’t curb the people’s enthusiasm and when she finally came down she was baptized by a firestorm of camera flashes, turning her into an incandescent angelic figure with hands held together to wai the crowd.

Yes, she is beautiful, yes, she is friendly but when she spoke she lacked the commanding presence that one would expect of a future PM and it was very, very brief. The crowd didn’t seem to care though and they hung on her every word and roared with approval at every syllable.

Yingluck’s appointment was a stroke of genius. Whatever her brother had done, however inexperience she is, the Thai people wanted change and nothing can be more different than this woman with her brilliant smile and perfect skin.

Perhaps another point to consider is that the Army would be far more hesitant to take down a public figure who has endeared herself to the masses and the world media so quickly. Certainly any move to oust her now would be PR disaster for Thailand and would provoke some serious reaction from the people.

Make no mistake though, she is a puppet for her brother whose image was depicted on flags and badges worn proudly by many of the red shirt supports. The democrats have already vowed to oppose any move to grant Thaksin amnesty, but they are a minority and stopping Thaksin democratically may not be an option.

Day 6 - Countdown

I shot the prime minister today. Obviously with the video camera otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this blog. I was in Siam getting some interviews when there was a huge commotions and lots of people shouting out ‘Democrats!’. I ran over to see the fuss and lo and behold the man himself Abhisit Vejjajiva, surrounded by his entourage and dozens of democrat supporters in full campaign mood. Infants were held, autograph signed, elderly woman spoken to, the public responded positively, people flocked over to see him, armed with phones and cameras held high in the air taking pictures. Girls were giggling just being near him and many seemed truly star-struck at the sight of the incumbent Prime Minster. I took the opportunity to get close as well, filming all the way and getting an autograph. Ahbisit projected and air of calm and control, things have been looking up the last 24 hours. Most of the minor parties are more willing to form a coalition with the Democrats than Peau Thai so unless the Reds can score over 251 seats then it would likely mean a second term for him.

The fate of the nation will be decided tomorrow. Polls close at 3pm and the official announcement is expected to be tomorrow night at around 9pm. However the exit poll results will come out much earlier.

I’m planning on basing myself at the Peau Thai headquarters tomorrow. Win or lose it should be where the action is. The Reds losing the election could see Bangkok erupting in mass protest, but on other hand winning might provoke the army to step in. Those are worst case scenarios, both parties are promising to respect the outcome of the election. We can only wait and see.

Day 5 - Lights! Camera! Monsoon!

It is probably my own bad karma for insulting the rain spirits in my last post but yesterday was wet. I’m talking vengeful, relentless, change-my-underwear-when-I-got home wet. But more about the state of my underwear later..

Yesterday was the last day for campaigning and both parties had ordered massive rallies for their constituents. Peau Thai at Rajamangala Stadium and the Democrats at the Royal Plaza. Because of ease of travel I decided to check out the Democrats’ final push for votes.

Traffic was so dense around the rally that no Taxis or tuks tuks was willing to take me in there. The only way to get through the traffic was literally, on the backseat of a motorcycle weaving in and out of cars and buses. Even then the direct road was completely blockaded by hundreds of smiling but determined Yellow shirts waving and shouting ‘Vote No’ at the oncoming traffic.

The final 500 metres was on foot, and in the pouring rain. The heavens opened up, sending thousands of democrats supporters scrambling for shelter and grabbing whatever improvised cover they can. I saw cardboard, straw mats, jackets, banners, even plastic bags worn over the head in a vain attempt to stay dry. Hundreds of supporters turned back but the faithful stayed on, brandishing umbrellas or squeezed in together under cover. I found myself underneath one of the big screens hiding out with the technical crews giving the politicians on stage the rock star treatment.

Despite the downpour the vibe at the rally was positive, fanatical even. Cries of ‘Ahbisit!’ and ‘Number 10’ echoed across the plaza. Especially during the awkward 5 minutes when the main stage sound went out just as Abhisit himself was about to speak and the tech crews around me rushed out into the soaking rain to fix the technical hiccup. Ahbisit was soon back onstage outlining his party’s policies to help the poor and working class, as well as reminding the audience of the evils of Thaksin. The way he was going on, it felt like he was campaigning against Thaksin himself and not his younger sister, which is perhaps not far from the truth.

Eventually it was time to head off and in the confusion of the mass exodus I ended up heading in the opposite direction of where I should have going. By the time I came to my senses I found myself in inner city Bangkok which was still lively despite the torrential rain. Cold and starving I was relieved to find some food vendors (not that they are rare) and bought myself the best barbecue pork skewers and sticky rice I’ve ever had, though being soaked for 3 hours probably effected my judgment, now that I think about it the skewers weren't even warm.

I stumbled along for a few more blocks before running into a high school student getting rejected by a taxi. I had been looking for a taxi myself and so I ran up to wave the taxi but the driver didn’t see me. I then turned to the boy and asked him why the taxi wouldn’t let him on and apparently the traffic was so bad heading to the BTS (monorail) station that it wasn’t worth his time. I was also trying to find the BTS station myself and so Kane and I joined forces. Just then Kane’s mobile phone rang, his ring tone was Mario’s theme song. Kane had 3 friends waiting undercover for him to get them a taxi but apparently a bus had come that would take them to the station. Kane and I started running but we just missed it, Kane slapped the side of the bus in frustration as it rolled out. Mario’s theme song came on again, Kane’s friends was on that bus. Kane then he had an idea. He told me to follow and we started running down a dark alley that commonly crisscrossed inner city blocks in Thailand. These alleys are narrow and only meant for shop keepers to access the back of their shops, where they also lived, and certainly not meant sprinting through. Dodging mangy dogs and amused locals eating dinner, Kane told me that we were going to try to cut the bus off as it rounded the block. I was glad I’ve been keeping up my cardio as it was a good 300 meters of puddles and slippery concrete before we reached the other side and leapt onto the bus. Home bound at last we relaxed and chatted about his schools and laughed about the rain, which stopped the moment we got on the bus. Lousy night of shooting but at least I made a friend.

Day 4 - Stormy Skies

It’s the wet season in Thailand. So far it’s been rain and lightning for the last 3 days here in Bangkok. Not that it has been torrential pouring, more like frequent but brief spells. The real storm of course is the political one that is going to reach a climax within the next few days. I spoke with Mr. Chavarong Limpattamapanee, the President of the Thai Journalists Association to discuss a few possible post-election scenarios. Essentially it comes down whether the populist Peua Thai Party lead by the photogenic Yingluck will get enough support to have a majority government, that is, winning more than 250 of the possible 500 seats. Peua Thai is already expected to win the most seats, but that’s out of 40 (that’s right 40) political parties, and many of the minor parties are more likely to form a coalition government with Abhisit’s democrats.

Being the most popular party doesn’t necessarily mean Yingluck will be Prime Minister, it would more likely mean a hung parliament and some serious negotiations in which the minor parties will play a vital role.

Peau Thai getting the majority would mean the smoothest road to government, unless of course the army decides otherwise and throws another one of their world famous coups – or the Yellow shirts rising up in mass protest like the last time the Reds won.

The latter scenario is unlikely as the Yellow shirts have fragmented into near irrelevance this time round. Their ‘No Vote’ campaign (pictured) is amusing but is seen as unhelpful by most of the population. Rightly so, the yellows asking people to vote 'No' (as opposed to not voting at all) to express their anger at the government is not going to solve Thailand's problems.

The army though remains the real threat to Yingluck and the Reds. So far they have said they will do nothing and respect the law. The problem is that the law and the interpretations of it is a point of contention it itself.

Bangkok Post : PM refuses challenge by Hun Sen

Bangkok Post : PM refuses challenge by Hun Sen
Just more political grandstanding by the PM. When is he going to take the high road in this election instead of trying to appeal to a fringe element that will not support him anyway.

Bangkok Post : The real meaning of reconciliation

Bangkok Post : The real meaning of reconciliation
At last a real discussion on what it will take to move forward.  Let us hope that those that are running for office are listening. 

How to interpret the ‘no vote’ in the Thai election? | Asian Correspondent

How to interpret the ‘no vote’ in the Thai election? | Asian Correspondent
This campaign by PAD is more evidence that they have migrated to the fringe of the political discourse.  How can they be taken seriously?  They have even abandoned their own political party, reasoning that anyone involved in the political process in corrupt.  

PM blames Thaksin, Hun Sen for conflict

PM blames Thaksin, Hun Sen for conflict
Is the PM so fearful of losing and desperate that he needs to resort to such tactics. This is such a wildly ridiculous accusation that it will be surprising if anyone takes him seriously.

Move to quit UN panel stalled

Move to quit UN panel stalled

This hasty decision has a way of being rectified. Further proof that this is part of a larger political debate not a cultural issue like it should be.

Govt urged to delist World Heritage site

Govt urged to delist World Heritage site

Cooler heads need to prevail on this situation. This is not about money or tourism but the cultural preservation of heritage sites. It is also not a political situation and has no effect on the border dispute which is being handled by the International Court. Besides as it turns out, the WHC and UNESCO never agree to any management plan and where willing to hold off on any decision.

NYT op-ed: Election is about Thailand’s failure to agree on what constitutes democracy | Asian Correspondent

NYT op-ed: Election is about Thailand’s failure to agree on what constitutes democracy | Asian Correspondent
As a follow up to the links in the last two posts here is an editorial from the New York Times on a similar subject.

Middle Class, Inequality, and Democracy – Part II | Asian Correspondent

Middle Class, Inequality, and Democracy – Part II | Asian Correspondent
This article is in two parts and gives a very accurate representation of the state of Thai politics.

Middle Class, Inequality, and Democracy | Asian Correspondent

Middle Class, Inequality, and Democracy | Asian Correspondent

Election outlook in the deep South

Election outlook in the deep South

What is more interesting is what happens after the election and on a grassroots level, what can they expect from their representatives.

Day 2 - City of Angels

Perspective is a funny thing. From the 21^st floor of my father’s apartment, Bangkok is calm, perhaps almost serene. Traffic is a distant hum and the smell and the smog barely registers as I look out across the vista of gleaming skyscrapers and rusting slums. Nothing remarkable about this, Asia is a continent of dramatic contrasts and inequality. What foreigners do always remark upon is how happy the Thai people are, Thailand, land of smiles, land of the free.

And no doubt the Thai people have a lot to smile about, our borders are secure, our economy is in recovery and our food is friggin’ fantastic.

There is a profound sense of order in Thai society, a strict hierarchy that keeps people in their place but with just enough wiggle room for the talented and determined to rise above their class. Still, the richest 20% of the population owns 70 times more wealth than the bottom 20%.

The crisis with Red and Yellow is a class struggle. What many of the Yellow shirts don’t seem to understand or acknowledge is that the Reds are a symptom, not the cause of the country’s unrest. Thaksin the exiled may have lit the fire but the fuel has been building up for a long time.

From where I am standing, high above the city looking down, I can see how many of Elites can forget this. I can’t help but think of the Thai Buddhist’s idea of heaven. In traditional Thai culture, enough good karma will cause you to be born in heaven as a Deva (angel), to be a Deva is to live in paradise and have all your desires fulfilled. Being a Deva is better than being human in every single way, except angels can’t reach enlightenment. Never suffering means remaining in blissful state of ignorance and never having to understand the reality of the human condition. The Thai name for Bangkok is ‘Krung Thep’, literally,‘City of Angels’.

So what now? I am certainly not naïve enough to think that every Elite is a heartless snob and every red shirt a simple poor honest farmer from upcountry. Many understand that for Thailand to move forward we must move towards greater equality and Thaksin and his followers have certainly inspired (if not directly ordered) some pretty atrocious actions that have increased the divide, not close them. Bridges aren't completely burnt though, the main vibe I'm getting from the population is simply a calm anticipation. There are talks of talking, it's not much, but it's enough for most people to cling on to.

Siam Voices by Siam Voices | Asian Correspondent

Siam Voices by Siam Voices | Asian Correspondent

It is clear that not much is being done and accusations are being thrown about by both sides. It could be the findings could well destroy lives on both sides and that maybe to seek justice may not be in the best interest in reconciliation but only if it is about moving forward and healing the divide rather than protecting the guilty.

Lucas in transit

My associate on this exploration of Thailand and democracy, Lucas, is on his way to Thailand.  While he was enduring a long layover in KL, he sent me a few of the thoughts he was having about this journey to post on our blog:

Day 0 – in transit

A quick math has revealed that I am going to be spending twice as long waiting in airports as I am going to be in flight.  I am now pointlessly debating whether an extra couple of hundred dollars was really worth losing a day to transit. Ever the optimist though I’m convincing myself that an overnight stop in Kuala Lumpur might just be what I need before taking on Bangkok in the full swing of yet another controversial election.

To pass the time I guess I’d like to give you little background about myself and the situation. I was born in Thailand but have spent the last 20 years of my life in Australia. I’m on a tourist visa, my Thai vocabulary is the equivalent of a seven year old’s, same goes for my tolerance for chillies and right now I’m trying to remember all the customs and traditions taken very seriously by all true Thais.

Foremost amongst the faux pas foreigners are prone to making is to insult the king or the royal institution. Stepping on Money, showing the bottom of your feet to his image and speaking ill of him could land you 15 years behind bars. Heck, just me writing about it could get me in trouble.

So let me just clarify my position that I love the King and what he represents, and right now, just as it has been for all my life, he is the stabilising factors in Thailand. Foreigners have a hard time understanding why Thais revered his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. They are more accustom to the tabloid scandals of the British royal family and the constant barrage of jokes directed at them. Things are different in Thailand though, a combination of propaganda, punitive laws  and the fact that he is actually a good guy (he even played the sax with Bill Clinton once) means that he is practically a living saint.

For all his popularity though, it is fair to questions just how much power he actually has to influence the squabbling politicians and there remains the issue of his age and health. Few Thais are willing to contemplate a country without him, but as Buddhist we must be prepared to face this inescapable eventuality.

Like me, Thailand is in transit. Change is coming and no matter how strongly the old institutions will strive to stem it, it is inevitable. For the gloss and postcard images, Thailand is a developing country, and right now we are reaching a crucial turning point.  The exploited masses are rising up, they need a voice, maybe they’ll find it in the exiled Prime Minister, or his younger sister who is currently the favourite to win the election. Maybe the current ruling government will stay in power by winning them over. No matter what happens, it would be interesting to see if they would really be listened to this time.

Temple to remain time bomb

Temple to remain time bomb
Another issue that will complicate any move taken by the new government.

Bangkok Post : Government to pull out of WHC

Bangkok Post : Government to pull out of WHC
It seems as though Thailand could have gotten the delay it was asking for if their representatives were not hung up on semantics of the WHC proposal. Their ultimatum forced the hand of the WHC into excepting the Cambodian proposal. This decision to pull out of the WHC will ultimately have a detrimental affect on the preservation of Thailand's own history and culture.

Bangkok Post : PAD supports Suwit's decision

Bangkok Post : PAD supports Suwit's decision
Any decision that gains the support of PAD has got to be suspect. Given their history of xenophobia and extreme nationalism, this move could ultimately hurt moves to preserve heritage sites within Thailand. The border dispute not withstanding, this political and provocative move was one that required more diplomacy and being less reactive.

Bangkok Post : Democrats offer amnesty plan

Bangkok Post : Democrats offer amnesty plan
Another party jumps on the amnesty bandwagon but this should do little to heal the on-going divisions in Thai society given the provocative nature of the rest of their campaign.

Bangkok Post : Bombs, gunmen kill and maim in South

Bangkok Post : Bombs, gunmen kill and maim in South
So far other than a cursory trip to campaign in the South, none of the parties have address the recent violence in this region.

Abhisit's 'special treatment' at forum upsets other participants

Abhisit's 'special treatment' at forum upsets other participants
This was a good opportunity to address issues and discern the differences among the parties but because of arrogance and lack of respect that the Democrats show for other parties, coupled with the petty bickering and whinging displayed by the other parties in response, here was another fail attempt at open political discussion.

'No policy to give Thaksin amnesty'

'No policy to give Thaksin amnesty'
Maybe Thaksin doesn't have such a firm handle on his sister.

Bangkok Post : Parties dismiss Democrat 'revelations'

Bangkok Post : Parties dismiss Democrat 'revelations'
This hardly constitutes a move toward reconciliation.  Just more political grandstanding and provocations by the major parties.

Helping the South doesn't help those in power

Helping the South doesn't help those in power
There are many good points raised in this article and maybe a key to finding a solution, but are the politicians willing to take the necessary steps to addressing the real issues here.

Pheu Thai not to sling mud at Democrats: Natthawut

Pheu Thai not to sling mud at Democrats: Natthawut
It is good that this does not end up being a war of words but pursuing legal action is more or less the same thing. Better to move on and focus on the issues.

Thailand’s Democrat Party rally: Reclaiming (the truth about) Rajaprasong | Asian Correspondent

Thailand’s Democrat Party rally: Reclaiming (the truth about) Rajaprasong | Asian Correspondent
There was little evidence of reconciliation at this rally, just politics as usual and more finger pointing.

Don't rule out possibility of a third candidate for Thai PM

Don't rule out possibility of a third candidate for Thai PM: "The probability isn't that high, but the possibility of a third candidate for the premiership after the July 3 Thailand election can't be totally ruled out. Pheu Thai is poised to beat the Democrats. .....

"
Even though the Pheu Thai is poised to take the majority of seats it still does not give them a clear mandate to rule.  Will the solution come from a third party?

What will the U.S. Reaction Be to Thailand’s Election?

What will the U.S. Reaction Be to Thailand’s Election?
As is always the case this is the elephant in the room and given how much this region counts on a stable Thailand, everyone is watching these elections with some amount of trepidation.

Avoid Ratchaprasong, reds told

Avoid Ratchaprasong, reds told
Let's hope they take this to heart, even though this rally seems like a provocation, I am hoping that they listen to their leaders and stay away. 

Rally 'not just to woo voters'

Rally 'not just to woo voters'
Let's hope that there is some sincerity in this obviously political stunt.  If this is the case then it should not have been advertised as a political rally but an open forum with invitations to the other party to participate.  I know they want to look like they are taking the high road but from all the political rhetoric of late, this appears to be more of the same.  I will try and keep an open mind and hope for the best. 

Bangkok Post : Rally incenses relatives of Ratchaprasong dead

Bangkok Post : Rally incenses relatives of Ratchaprasong dead
This could be incredibly insensitive or a sincere attempt to heal old wounds, either way I don't think it will achieve the desired results.  It has all the earmarks of politics as usual and it is not surprising that it is view as being provocative.  There could have been a better way of handling this. 

PAD to petition for Pheu Thai disbandment

PAD to petition for Pheu Thai disbandment
As the time draws closer to the election, we should be seeing more statements like this. It remains to be seen when the 'Yellow Shirts' will hit the street with any significant numbers and if they will be able to rally any support.

Politics only part of the problem in the deep South

Politics only part of the problem in the deep South: "If Thailand's modern political history proves anything, it is that no one party has ever single-handedly captured the hearts and souls of the Malay Muslims in the three southernmost provinces of Patta .....

"
This is an in-depth analysis on the problems that face the political parties in bring peace to the south. It is a difficult task and no one has come up with a workable solution.

Thaksin and me | Journalist Profile | Reuters.com

Thaksin and me | Journalist Profile | Reuters.com
A fascinating essay on the state of Thailand democratic woes and the Thaksin puppet-master's broken strings. His sense of irony aptly sums up the complex nature of what is driving this political crisis that Thailand is embroiled in.

'Invisible hand' throttles our democracy

'Invisible hand' throttles our democracy
This is a chilling indictment of the Thai democratic process. It also makes us wonder if the results of the election will be allowed to stand.

New York Times on Yingluck and Thai election | Asian Correspondent

New York Times on Yingluck and Thai election | Asian Correspondent
I enjoy reading what BP has to say. He come across as a very astute but impartial observer.

Bangkok Post : In slamming the general, PAD helps Pheu Thai

Bangkok Post : In slamming the general, PAD helps Pheu Thai
There is no question that the comments by the general where out of place but it is also not surprising, given the general's obvious loyalties, that PAD would choose to criticize him. They have made is clear that they are opposed to many of the policies of the current government but see how these comments and their 'No vote' campaign put them in league with the Phue Thai.

Pheu Thai's risky one-upmanship

Pheu Thai's risky one-upmanship
This may be a time to re-think some of the wilder promises. I don't see them as resonating with their core constituency and any attempt to buy votes should be a bit more pragmatic. It is doubtful they will be able to deliver on half these promises.

Bangkok Post : Yingluck hopes Dems constructive

Bangkok Post : Yingluck hopes Dems constructive
Yingluck seems to be taking the high road. This tact may help sway some of the undecided voters who are not impressed by the more provocative campaign that the Democrats are running.

Democrats go for broke

Democrats go for broke
It seems a bit underhanded and may end up working against them, considering that they did not come away so clean after the events of last May. It would be better to focus on reconciliation.

Bangkok Post : Election campaigns point to a different Thailand

Bangkok Post : Election campaigns point to a different Thailand
Thailand has definitely entered the modern state of democracy with politicians making wild promises they can never hope to deliver on.  

Bangkok Post : Sonthi offers to boost lives of Muslims

Bangkok Post : Sonthi offers to boost lives of Muslims
At least some of the minor parties are taking this issue seriously.  It would be good to hear something from the Democrats instead of just PTP bashing.

Bangkok Post : 'Red shirt villages' in Isan face crackdown

Bangkok Post : 'Red shirt villages' in Isan face crackdown
Where is the illegality in this?

Bangkok Post : PAD wants P. Vihear delisted

Bangkok Post : PAD wants P. Vihear delisted
This is nationalism at its ugliest. The cultural heritage of the temple is as much about recognizing Thai as well as Cambodian heritage and it should not matter which side of the border it is on.

Four soldiers killed in Pattani attack

Four soldiers killed in Pattani attack
Insurgent attacks are getting more brazen. It is an issue that needs to be addressed by both parties in the run-up to the election. Violence and the presence of soldiers is not a solution even though they have taken a more community-minded approach.

Bangkok Post : Dems to 'win 9 of 11 seats' in far South

Bangkok Post : Dems to 'win 9 of 11 seats' in far South
This has been a stronghold for the Democrats in previous elections mainly because of the bad blood generated by Thaksin when he was in power.  There has been an increase in the insurgent attacks recently which could mean that the bloom is off the rose for the Democrats as well.  

Yingluck promises peace in South

Yingluck promises peace in South
Yingluck and the PTP are eager to make a good impression in the south and this could be a key decider for them if they are able to make any inroads in the area.  There has be an increase in insurgency of late and this has been a sore point for many previous governments.  Thaksin had a particularly heavy handed approach which could work against Yingluck unless she is able to heal old wounds.

Thailands Election: Meltdown Coming?

Thailands Election: Meltdown Coming?: "Thailand will hold a long-awaited federal election on July 3, pitting the governing Democrat Party against the opposition Puea Thai party, as well as a group of smaller parties. For some Thai politicians, this poll will be the culmination of a process of national reconciliation that began in the wake of bloody riots in Bangkok [...]"

This post in the AIT  News was an excerpt from the Council on Foreign Relations' expert brief and is indicative of the skepticism by many of the analysts that the hope for reconciliation is a bit far-reaching.   

Hangover 2: The Coup

Hangover 2: The Coup: "


From thaiwhitepapers.com.
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The Divorce is final

It has been evident for quite some time that there is no love lost between the Democrats and PAD.  The events that brought the Democrats to power, although they were instigated by the 'Yellow Shirt' protests, it was more a marriage of convenience rather  than a blooming love affair.  Almost from the beginning the Democrats incurred the wrath of the PAD leadership and seen some a number of 'Yellow Shirt' protests against some of there policies and as a result, PAD has formed their own New Politics Party to contest the election (There has since been a schism between PAD and its own party but more about that later).  More recently there has been a war of words being batted back and forth amongst the party leaders in the press with the Democrats claiming the PAD 'No Vote' campaign is the result of collusion between PAD and the exiled Thaksin.

Other minor parties

The Bhumjaithai Party was part of the coalition government as the Neutral Democratic Party with the People's Power Party and the Thai Nation Party.  With the dissolution of the Neutral Democratic Party, the newly formed BJT, defected to a Democrat Party led coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.  The BJT is considered to have a populist platform.

The Puea Pandin Party or Motherland Party is currently in opposition and made of some former members of the banned Thai Rak Thai Party.  They have a platform of progressive economic policies.

The New Politics Party is the political party of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD or Yellow Shirts) and shares many of it same principle and ideas. 

The Pheu Thai Party

The Pheu Thai Party or For Thais Party would be described as the third incarnation of Thakin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party.  That party and the seceding People's Power Party were both dissolved by the Constitutional Court.  Pracha Promnok has been in opposition to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajaiva's coalition government until May, when Jarupong Ruangsuwan was named Secretary general of the party.  Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger sister was nominated head of the party's national list and will contend for the role of Prime Minister. One of the main issues of her campaign is national reconciliation.

The Democrat Party

As Thailand's oldest party, the Democrat Party is known for it more conservative position and a champion of the constitutional monarchy.  Their support is mainly centred in the more affluent constituencies in Bangkok and Southern Thailand.  They are currently the main coalition government party and their current leader is Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.  A few of their key members were also at one time members of the People's Alliance for Democracy.  Since the 2007 parliamentary election, the Democrat Party adopted a more populist platform to win more support in the North and North-east regions but could not gain any significant advantage over the People's Power Party.  After the PPP was banned by the Constitutional Court, the Democrat Party was able to form a coalition when a number of PPP coalition MPs crossed the floor and back a Democrat-led coalition government.

Red Shirts

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship or UDD are commonly referred to as 'Red Shirts'.  As a political pressure group they are diametrically opposed to the People's Alliance for Democracy and their actions.  There have been many open clashes between the two groups.  The UDD was originally formed to protest the military coup and subsequent military government, which overthrew the Thaksin government in 2006.  Their protest stopped after the 2007 general election won by the People's Power Party.  The UDD organized a number of  counter demonstrations during the 2008 crisis.  After Abhisit Vejjajiva became Prime Minister, the UDD organized major anti-government for the next two years, insisting that the Democrat led coalition was not legitimate and calling for new elections.  The UDD protested led to several violent clashes with the army where more than 80 civilians were killed and 1378 were injured.  In the final military crackdown, UDD leader surrender to prevent further bloodshed, while the famous shopping district of Ratchaprasong was set on fire. 

Yellow Shirts

The People's Alliance for Democracy is also known as the National Liberation Alliance but are more commonly referred to as PAD or 'Yellow Shirts'.  At one time their leaders included the media tycoon, Sondhi Limthongkul and General Chamlong Srimuang.  Originally formed as a coalition of protesters against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, they were a major player in the Thai political crisis of 2005-2006, the 2008 crisis and the Cambodian-Thai border dispute surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple.  After the Thaksin government was overthrown, they announced that their goals had been achieved and they voluntarily dissolved.  The PAD protest resurfaced following the 2007 election of the People's Power Party, who were perceived as affiliated with the former Thaksin's parties and their policies.  PAD mobilized support around the country and caused major disruptions in transportation services including seizing a number of regional airports in the south.  Eventually the protests escalated to a blockade of the Parliament house, taking control of government offices at Don Muang Airport and finally taking control of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.  The sieges and protest came to an end when the Constitutional court dissolved the PPP and banned its leaders from politics. 

Can't watch a game without a scorecard

Over the next series of posts I will attempt to go into the background of Thailand's political crisis with a hope of creating some understanding as to what has developed.

Birth of an Idea

A number of years ago, I was in Vientiane, Laos preparing to take the train that evening to Bangkok.  I was traveling with a friend, Lucas Li, who was also a film maker and neither of us knew what would greet us when we arrived back in Bangkok in the morning.  The events the past several weeks had thrown the whole region into turmoil.  Protests by the 'yellow shirts' had moved from the parliament house to the airports and no flights were coming in or out of Thailand.  It didn't really matter too much to either of us, Lucas was meeting family in Bangkok and I didn't have anywhere I had to be for a few weeks.  Before we left to go our separate ways the next morning, I mentioned to Lucas that he should think about developing a film about what was happening here.  A few months later, Lucas and I met up back in Australia, while in Thailand a new government was in power and protest against that government was being lead by the 'red shirts'.  With these new developments, I brought up the subject of a film again and we talked about different ways we could approach this.

Fast forward to this years Australian International Documentary Conference and again we were talking seriously about developing a film on the Thai political landscape.  This time we felt we had a pretty good handle on how to approach this type of film.  The idea was to make the film more about the people rather than the groups or political ideology.  We would want to include families from various socio-economic strata and political leanings in Thai society and investigate how the political machinations have affected them and where they think the solutions lie.