The February 02 national election in Thailand looks uncertain after the country's constitutional court ruled that the polls could be delayed because of lingering political crisis. However, the government of embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has so far shown no clear indication to call off the election. This makes the political scenario complicated. Protestors clamouring for postponement of the voting, say they want drastic reforms in the system of governance. They demand formation of a 'People's Council' that would rule in the country for the time being. The demonstrators, who are creating big headache for the government, say Thailand must get rid of 'unjust and corrupt' politicians. However, their leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who earlier, threatened to 'close every route' to the polling stations in an effort to stop the balloting, now says that he would not obstruct the polling. Main opposition Democrat Party is boycotting the election, which the prime minister has called much ahead of the expiry of her term.
As the political crisis in Thailand shows no sign of a resolution, speculations are rife in capital Bangkok and elsewhere in the country that the army may intervene. Such a possibility surfaced after the army indicated that nothing is ruled out if the instability continues, causing myriad problems for the nation. The army staged coup earlier against the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra, the self-exiled former prime minister and elder brother of present premier Yingluck Shinawatra. Now after seven years, if the same action from the army follows against Yingluck Shinawatra, it would not come as a surprise since many feel that development of such a nature appears to be somewhat inevitable in Thailand. However, the army appears to be cautious in taking any action that may be debatable.
The South East Asian nation is in the grip of a severe political crisis as the protestors demanding the ouster of Yingluck Shinawatra are showing increasing toughness in implementing their demand. The prime minister has vowed not to resign and called mid-term polls on February 02, which the opposition said it would boycott. The election is now at the centre of the controversy and the stand-off is unlikely to be resolved as the two sides have adopted diametrically opposite positions on the issue.
Thailand, known for tourist attraction, is facing one of the most volatile conditions in last several years. As the unrest is escalating and a tense situation prevails, the country is in the focus of the international media. Analysts have kept their fingers crossed about the shape of things to come in the days ahead as many were speculating an army take-over or some kind of stern actions. Emergency has already been declared in many parts of the country to contain the unrest threatening the polls. The King, who is highly revered, may also intervene.
Yingluck Shinawatra made history by becoming the first woman prime minister of the country after a resounding victory by her political party in the last elections. A relatively stranger in politics, she owes the success largely on the coattail of her elder brother Thaksin, who lives abroad. Thaksin was quite popular in parts of the rural areas in Thailand and also with segments of the middle class. But the billionaire businessman-turned-politician was ousted by a military coup and was also sentenced to prison terms on allegation of corruption. He has been living abroad for the last few years and did not return to Thailand even after the political party, led by her sister, won the polls and formed the government. Evidently, he did not want to embarrass the government although an impression is there that it is he who is calling the shots on important issues. Recently, the government pardoned him, facilitating his comeback to country. But this has infuriated a large number of people, who are thronging the streets in capital Bangkok demanding that the government must go.
Initially in small numbers, the protestors grew in strength and the authorities were grappling to contain with the snowballing condition. Demonstrators had cut off power supply to the police headquarters and also gathered in great number before the army headquarters. The protestors seeking to take over the prime minister's office, clashed with the riot police in a clear defiance of the authority of the government. They clashed with the 'Red Shirts' demonstrators, who are pro-government and mainly supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra. Several deaths were reported in the clashes and the situation was turning explosive with the tourists keeping themselves off Thailand and foreign missions asking their nationals to take greater care of their security.
The prime minister offered olive branch by curbing her tenure and announcing fresh polls. But protestors, led by former opposition MP Suthep Thaugusaban, asked the prime minister to quit and set up a 'National Council' to run the country. Yingluck is refusing to step down while the demonstrators are hell-bent on this demand.
The protestors are pursuing a quixotic goal of ridding the country of the influence of Thaksin Shinawatra. They say they are frustrated with his dominance and also disillusioned with the current democratic practice. An alternative to democracy has also been coined with a 'people's council' with leading figures of different professions. The government, not surprisingly, has poured cold water on the proposal.
There is now a fluid condition in Thailand and the situation could go either way - favouring the government or otherwise. All depends on the strength of the protestors as to how long they can continue the agitation and how much crowd they can garner in support of their demand. For Prime Minister Yingluck, she has hardly any choice but to resort to strict measures to confront the challenge. But the situation suggests a clear stand-off and this raises speculations of some kind of development that may not help either side.
Thailand is not known for stable democracy as the nascent system of pluralistic pattern of government has been afflicted mainly because of politician's mistakes or actions that have not been compatible with hopes and aspirations of the people. Yingluck should not have showed unnecessary leniency to her brother Thaksin, who is otherwise quite powerful even if he is not physically present in the country because of problems related to his sentence.
The prime minister has lately invited the opposition for talks on reforming the pattern of rule, but the other side has rejected the overture. Earlier, the opposition resigned en masse from parliament which was later dissolved. Now, the focus is on whether next Sunday's polls will be held on schedule and if they take place, what the situation could be centring the voting. Protestors said they would surround the polling stations from the morning, but would not obstruct the voting. But, their position opposing the elections is enough to make the polls highly controversial. What is going to happen in Thailand? This is a big question lurking in Thailand and beyond.
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