absolutelyBangkok archive · On our own
Originally published May 25, 2009
Finally. What we doubters have all been longing for, will happen. Thailand’s political purists, standard bearers of their so-called new politics, will form an own party and dare to lower themselves into the lowlands of politics by going for political positions.
Thereby allowing themselves to retract earlier declarations of seeking no political position. “Slap my face with your shoes if one day I take any political position,” the yellows’ core leader and firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul once said. But founding the party is the fun part.
The PAD
‘ political wing would be the first one in the world’s history of politics to sooner or later not become the victim of infighting and heresy. The human nature finally prevails in every human group, be it within the Vatican, in a volleyball club — or in politics. Hey, it’s just natural. Even more so in transient Thailand.
Our yellows, who are adding green to a combo to reflect newness, are promising the exact opposite of human nature. Accountable, honest, responsible governance under the leadership of almost-martyr Sondhi, originally a strong supporter of his later archrival Thaksin, who himself is not an unknown to scandals and bankruptcies.
See? Again. That tricky human element.
The new party will be dominated by alpha leaders whose ego will soon be put to many tests. Such as an election. Will they accept the will of the people. Or does it turn out that they indeed represent the silent majority. And the very basis of Thai politics: compromise.
The emergence of a yellow party is a good sign for Thailand. Outside the grid it was easy for the yellows to circumvent law and order under the pretext of some überimportant calling.
Now there will at least be some more checks — just to mention the disclosure of the party’s funding.
From the absolutelyBangkok archive. Back to all stories