Reports in Thai newspapers that a group of former MPs from the Northeast paid a visit to three of their party’s “respected elders” should be a cause for concern for democratic-minded Thais.

The front pages of Thai newspapers are a nightmare in layout terms – but a dream for people who only have time to read headlines. Besides cramming in a dozen domestic and overseas reports, the “faces” of the dailies have another thing in common – they are splashed with negativity. The only relief from gore and gloom comes when a Thai athlete or beauty queen captures an international crown.