On rate of PM turnover, Thais have Aussies beat
“Could Australia have its sixth prime minister in six years?” CNN’s news headline asked yesterday. Australians go to the polls on Saturday.
According to CNN, the government led by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is slightly ahead of Bill Shorten’s opposition, but if Shorten wins he would be Australia’s sixth premier since 2010. That’s nothing compared to the Land of Smiles.
Thailand has had four prime ministers in a single calendar year.
We started 2008 with Surayud Chulanont at the helm, then had election by which Samak Sundaravej was installed. Samak lasted 224 days, disqualified as a result of “Cooking-gate”.
Somchai Wongsawat took over and lasted only 84 days, disqualified because his People’s Power Party was dissolved. With a little help from the Army, Abhisit Vejjajiva capped the year as PM.
That should go down in Thai history as the very special year.
Somsak Pola
Samut Prakan
