Opinions | Editorials

Bangkok airport protesters lose momentum as government regains nerve

The opposition protestors in Thailand from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have closed down Bangkok Airport want the elected Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign.

  • Gulf News
  • Published: 23:24 November 28, 2008
  • Gulf News

The opposition protestors in Thailand from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have closed down Bangkok Airport want the elected Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign.

The PAD represents an alliance of businessmen and urban middle class interests oppose the government which is supported by the rural masses, and the PAD claims is fronting for ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The airport protestors seem to be losing their supporters as their action is hurting Thailand's vital tourism industry. The government seems to have recovered it confidence and yesterday the prime minister dismissed the police chief for failing to keep control.

Ever since 2006 when Thaksin was dismissed by the army, Thailand has been in confusion as the frustrated urban elite have sought a way to regain control, yet the power of the rural vote unleashed by Thaksin has not gone away and continues to allow the government to win elections.

Somchai refused to call a snap election as a way out of the impasse, pointing out he is the democratically elected leader of parliament. Thailand deserves a period of calm, and if the elections keep going the way of the government, the opposition have to be prepared to accept the result.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from Editorials

  1. Muslims are not to blame

  2. Investment ensures growth

  3. Dubai acts to boost trust in property sector

  4. Healthy lifestyles prevent disease

All articles in Editorials

More from Opinions

Gulf News
Popular in Opinions
Focus: Halloween
Speak Your Mind

Focus: Halloween

Paranormal holds an insatiable appeal for our imagination, but do you believe in them

Opinion Editor's choice