| This week was very hard on Thai people. Several | | | | ago the Prime Minister Samak was found guilty of |
| Thais died during a police action to control the | | | | accepting money from a second job as a TV |
| people protesting the current government. We | | | | host of a cook show. He couldn't remain Prime |
| can ask the question "does the PAD have the | | | | Minister but could be elected back into office by |
| right to protest". I guess the question is kind of | | | | parliament. It even looked for a short time that |
| mute because the government, namely the | | | | parliament was going to do just that, but they |
| military and the police have allowed to hold | | | | didn't and since then Samak has had other |
| protest these last few months. As a US citizen | | | | charges levied on him. He will not be getting back |
| living in Bangkok the fact that the protestors | | | | into politics any time soon. Samak was supported |
| have been allowed to control the government | | | | by Taksin but made huge political blunders such as |
| house seems absurd. This truly would never be | | | | bringing Thailand close to fighting with Cambodia |
| allowed to occur in the US. But Thailand has a | | | | over the border line surrounding the Preah Vihear |
| different type of government, a democratic | | | | temple which was settled in 1962 by the World |
| democracy, with many parties and a king. This is | | | | Court. The Thai People always felt cheated about |
| a huge difference in American politics that only | | | | this and PM Samak had "solved" the problem in a |
| really has two parties and people vote on one | | | | one day meeting with the Cambodian leader |
| president every 4 years. | | | | about six months ago. There has been a military |
| To add to the complicated situation in Thailand, | | | | build up on the border near this temple in the last |
| the ousted prime minister, Taksin and his wife | | | | few months... |
| (and Family) still retain huge political power even | | | | The current Prime Minister, Somchai, is a much |
| though they are living in exile in the UK. Their | | | | different person than Samak in that he seems |
| power seems to come purely from money. | | | | meek and mild and thoughtful. The only problem is |
| Ex-PM Taskin used his political power and turned it | | | | his ties to Taksin are undeniable. |
| into wealth for him and his friends. His political | | | | This past week two important things happened. |
| power came from his campaign promises to the | | | | 1. Former Prime Minister Taksin and his wife |
| people outside of Bangkok which led to his | | | | formally ask for asylum in the UK. To grant them |
| election. So, while he was PM he had to make it | | | | asylum the UK the Taksin's must prove that the |
| seem that the people living in these areas | | | | charges currently levied on them by the Thai |
| benefited. Yes, they benefited directly by | | | | Courts are politically motivated and it is dangerous |
| decreased taxes or a new blanket or other some | | | | for the Taksin's to return Thailand. |
| such item. However, the amount of wealth | | | | 2. The second thing was people died on the |
| distributed to the people was very small | | | | streets of Bangkok. Protestors, protesting the |
| compared the amount of enormous wealth which | | | | government for the things I mentioned above and |
| went to his friends and family instead of making | | | | more. The protestors were trying to prevent PM |
| its way by unimpeded economic forces. | | | | Somchai from addressing his newly formed |
| Money, while is a huge influence everywhere in | | | | cabnet. An official ceremony that could have been |
| the world, is an even bigger power base in | | | | given elsewhere. The current government has |
| developing countries such as Thailand. Taksin has | | | | been governing from temporary offices in the old |
| so much power that the newly chosen Prime | | | | airport for the last several months anyway. |
| Minister is his brother-in-law, being married to his | | | | Are the two related? Probably, but I really do not |
| sister. I also understand that this sister of Taksin's | | | | know. The sad thing is to the outside world |
| is also the currently in power party leader, which | | | | Thailand seems like it might be unsafe to visit to |
| was elected by the majority of the people of | | | | their long earned vacation and the people of |
| Thailand and happens to be Taksin's old party | | | | Thailand no longer seem to be smiling as nearly |
| renamed. However, the election is also in question, | | | | much which has turned the "Land of Smiles" into |
| where the former party leader was found guilty | | | | the "Land of Concern". |
| of voter fraud, or buying votes. About a month | | | | |