Anything can happen in Thai politics

Sutichai Yoon’s contention that the Democrats may well be doomed as an electable party in Thailand is timely. But it is also true that governments often lose elections rather than opposition parties winning them. In Britain in 1979 the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher came to power thanks to the dire unpopularity of the Labour administration, following street violence, strikes, inflation and the like.

While the cards are stacked against the Democrats winning the next general election, the result is not a foregone conclusion. Many ordinary Thais complain about the rising cost of living and questionable, backfiring schemes such as the rice subsidy. If you add to all that possible government mistakes in handling constitutional change, so-called national reconciliation and the Bt2-trillion loan, then all bets are off. 

It’s also true that Pheu Thai needs a unified red-shirt movement to shore up its support in northern and central Thailand. But, in Thailand, nothing is for sure.

Barry Kenyon

Pattaya