Monday, December 24, 2007



Overturning a coup at the ballot box

Thailand went to the polls today in general elections aimed at restoring democracy in the wake of last year's military coup, and from exit polls and preliminary results, it seems that supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are leading. One exit poll has the People's Power Party (an electoral vehicle established to replace Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party) holding an absolute majority, while another predicts 202 out of 480 seats. Either way, the PPP will be in a very strong position to form a government - which poses something of a problem for the Thai military, who face having their coup overturned at the ballot box. The question now is whether they will accept the results, or stage another coup until the people vote the "right" way.

Update: 228 seats. Not an outright majority, but a very strong position. All eyes are now on the military to see whether they will yield power...