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.

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.

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 : 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.

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. .....

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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?

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. 

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 : 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.  

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.

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.