It is tempting to call Thai politics a comedy, but to be more accurate, it has descended into farce — if not tragedy. The machinations that have paralyzed the country has undermined a once thriving and vibrant democracy. The Bangkok elites' determination to disregard the will of the Thai majority shows a contempt for Parliament and the rule of law. Thailand deserves better.
The most recent act in the drama occurred this week when Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigned after the Constitutional Court dissolved three of the parties in the ruling six-party coalition. It found them guilty of electoral fraud and banned the prime minister and 59 others (party executives) from politics for five years. His resignation delighted demonstrators who have opposed the government and prompted them to call off their siege, which had shut down two airports.
The demonstrators are from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which alleges that the prime minister's People's Power Party (PPP) is corrupt and a cover for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra — who happens to be Mr. Somchai's brother-in-law. Mr. Thaksin was driven from office by a military coup in September 2006. The Constitutional Court ruled in May 2007 that the prime minister and 110 other senior party members committed electoral fraud, banned them from politics for five years and broke up their party. Fearing prosecution on corruption charges, Mr. Thaksin fled.