The political crisis in Thailand appears set to drag on as vote disruptions in Sunday's general election means that at least several months will be needed before a new parliament can be put in place. While the deep-rooted schism between supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra may not be quickly resolved, the nation's political leaders should realize that nothing will move forward in a democracy if the electoral process is not honored.
The opposition boycotted the election that Yingluck had called in a bid to end the paralysis that had been triggered by her party's failed attempt last September to enact an amnesty bill that would benefit her exiled brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Anti-government protesters urged people not to vote, blocked the distribution of ballot boxes and occupied district offices to obstruct voting, preventing many polling stations from opening. As a result, voting could not take place in 69 of the country's 375 constituencies. As 95 percent of parliamentary seats must be filled before a new government can be formed, by-elections must now be held in those 69 districts — a process that could take months.
In the three-month crisis that has split the nation, anti-government protesters have blocked or occupied some government institutions, disrupting the state's administration. The opposition vows to continue the street demonstrations as they call for the prime minister to step down. Behind the split is the polarized structure of Thai politics. Opponents see Yingluck's government as a puppet regime of her brother, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup and fled the country after being convicted of corruption and other charges. Even after being ousted, Thaksin continues to claim dominant support among the rural poor, who account for more than 60 percent of the population. The country's urban power elite, meanwhile, accuse Thaksin of being a populist leader who gained power through money politics.