Abhisit’s problem was never a lack of boldness

I fear Prasan Stianrapapongs has lost his grasp on reality. John Kennedy was president of the United States, with all of the authority that comes with that position. He was from a wealthy background. He had powerful backing from his Cabinet.

In contrast Abhisit Vejjajiva had strictly limited authority as prime minister. Put in place after the military’s intervention and as part of a marriage of convenience with a hungry former ally of Thaksin Shinawatra, Abhisit was always treading on eggshells. Meanwhile the Army was more in charge of him than he was of the Army. The police left no doubt as to whom they were backing when they made little attempt to clear the red shirts off the streets.

The Constitution drafters are now working to decrease the Democrat Party’s influence by limiting its parliamentary presence to about 25 per cent of its previous number of MPs. In this circumstance, Democrat leader Abhisit will find it difficult to muster the boldness required to reform his party.

Ironically, the charter drafters are acting thus in a bid to counter the Demagogue, who in recent times bought a government and had the police force in his pocket. He was also a bold man of action.

Richard Bowler

Bangkok