This
old adage fits just right for the opponents of Thai Prime
Minis-ter, Thaksin Shinawatra, who got much of what they wished
for when he stepped aside from his position after an embarrassing
and undecided victory in the snap elections, held on April
2, 2006. But, having boycotted the snap elections that ultimately
forced Thaksin to step down, they have triggered a constitutional
mess that threatens the very democracy they claim to be fighting
to preserve. By deciding to quit (for the good of the nation,
as he claims), Thaksin has created a power vacuum in the country.
Ironically, the man who leads the party with the largest majority
(Thai Rak Thai), put the responsibility on his opponents (mainly
the Democrats, Peoples Alliance for Democracy) to sort out
the political limbo. And it is important that the opposition
sorted it out soon, else the country's democracy could be
in jeopardy. It can even hamper the country's economic growth.
The Bangkok's bourse jumped to 3%, its highest in two years,
on the first day after Thaksin's resignation came on hopes
that a peaceful solution to months of political unrest would
be achieved soon. However, the initial euphoria did not last
long.
A
former policeman, Thaksin has been a bold leader ever since
he came to office five years ago. Before joining politics,
he was a successful telecommunications entrepreneur and was
counted among Asia's richest people. During his election campaigns,
he promised to better the life of an average Thai and pledged
ample funds and debt relief to the rural masses. Thus, winning
enormous support from these communities, Thaksin's party,
Thai Rak Thai (meaning Thai love Thai), came to power and
he became the Prime Minister. After coming to office, he delivered
all that he promised. His agenda dubbed as "Thaksinomics"
included investing heavily in infrastructure programs, defending
big businesses from bankruptcy and providing cheap national
healthcare. |
