Flogging a dead horse
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Now we have a new excuse to absolve the Democrat Party of responsibility for its second-best standing. Apparently it's partly down to funding, with a claim that donations to the Pheu Thai Party far exceed those to the Democrats, even though the latter par
With wearying inevitability, the finger of accusation is pointed at Thaksin and his deep pockets. This despite the fact that, for decades, the Democrats have enjoyed the support of the richest, most influential members of the business elite. Donations from these sources could easily match those from Thaksin, so, if the Democrats’ backers are really keeping a tighter hold on their wallets, it is pertinent to ask why.
The fact is that the Democrats have consistently been out-thought and outmanoeuvred by a populist political operator who is wily, energetic and imaginative, but by no means infallible. During the last election campaign, the Democrats tried to match Pheu Thai’s populist agenda, but the electorate was not convinced. It might well be that the hard-headed capitalists of Bangkok have decided not to throw more good money after bad in ceasing to back a horse that seems incapable of winning a race, at least until it perks up and recaptures the desire to run a lot faster.
Robin Grant
Bangkok
