HOW TO GET AROUND THAT LITTLE INCONVENIENCE OF DEMOCRACY-- THAI STYLE

It looks like the Thai military, the royalist politicians and the rest of the anti-Thakson coalition have figured out how to get around the huge PPP victory Thaksin's allies won at the polls last week. Their Election Commission is disqualifying more and more of the winning PPP members for cheating and vote buying. The minor parties, which the PPP (or the Democrats) need to form a government, say they are waiting to see how many PPP winners get disqualified before deciding which way to jump. So far 6 have been barred from participating in Parliament, shrinking the PPP's seats down to 227.

Yesterday I saw Bush on TV talking about how the terrorists are trying to undermine Pakistan's "democracy." I think if he ever comes to trial some prosecutor needs to ask him to define democracy or ask him to explain how military juntas allied with his government qualify as democracies. Another rigged election this last week: Kenya.

Anyway, according to this morning's Bangkok Post, the head of the Election Commission, Sutthipol Thaweechaikan said three more PPP winners-- Pornchai Srisuthiyothin, Rungroj Thongsri and Prakit Poldej-- are also "banned from political activities for one year and were subject to criminal charges along with their canvassers for making financial promises to those who cast their ballots for them." They were found guilty of having promised incentives to eligible voters in Buri Ram. A new election will be held there January 13 and the 3 will have to pay the costs of the election while not be allowed to be on the ballot.

There is speculation in Bangkok that the Election Commission may be able to disqualify enough PPP winners to throw the election towards a Democratic Party-led coalition, a sure premise for political instability, especially up north where Thaksin is still immensely popular.


MORE NASTINESS THE THAIS MAY HAVE LEARNED FROM BUSHCO

Both the U.S. and hailand rate among the worst countries in the world when it comes to the government spying on its own ciizens.