Introduction to International Politics

Foreign Event Analysis

Locale[]
Thailand
Title
Thailand’s Best Protesters Resign their campaign
Summary
Leaders of one of the major Thai protests groups against the current government have surrendered to police. The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had been protesting the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who they claim as linked to the corrupted government under former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been exiled to Britain.
Analysis
The People’s Alliance for Democracy has long protested the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, as he his the brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In recent in recent months Shinawarta has had charges of corruption brought up against him. The PAD was the strongest and loudest protesting group against Wongsawat and his government. They are calling for a reevaluation of voting systems, as they claim the current system is flawed and the rural base that has elected Wongsawat is uneducated and unable to vote effectively.
The PAD is calling for a true, democratic election in Thailand to elect a true democratically elected leader. The dissolution of Thai Parliament has done little to change or reform the government because the chances are high that Wongsawat’s party will win due to its large rural base.
The King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, usually would intervene in a political crisis much like this one in Thailand. But at 80 years old, he seems uninterested in getting involved to help solve the to problem. This is another blow to the efforts or restoring the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Thai government. With the largest protest group now resigning, there seems to be little chance any change will come to Thailand anytime soon.
Perspectivei
Identity
In-Region URL
http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/topstories/topstories.php?id=131305
Out-of-Region URL
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7662548.stm
Submitted
October 10, 2008 at 11:22 am