Originally Posted by
GAMBLE-BOT
1. Would they get elected today?
2. If not, is there a process for replacing them or what?
3. This intrigues me, any other examples of this in other countries?
1. The military handed power back to the National Assembly, who promptly elected a new PM who was Thaksin's stooge. lolz. So the High Court had to get involved, and they banned Thaksin's political party, allowing Abisit's party to rise to power.
Abisit is god. He's just amazing. He would totally get elected in a landslide if they held an election today [with Thaksin's party banned]. He's extremely popular and he's probably single-handedly owned the Red Shirts with his cool, calm demeanor and refusal to allow the Army to hurt any of them when they protest.
Would Thaksin have a chance if allowed to run in fresh elections? It's complicated. Maybe. But these elections are very complex and have a great deal to do with propaganda and splashing cash around. Thailand's political and cultural elite all reside in Bangkok and support the King [and the current government]. But there are tens of millions of very simple peasants who will kinda vote for whomever gives them a few baht - which Thaksin did very effectively [if indirectly] leading up to his election victory.
Everyone was kind of okay with Thaksin initially. But he had delusions of grandeur. When he started running propaganda campaigns to rival the King's, he signed his own gg warrant. You can't fuck with the Royal Family in Thailand - literally. You'll likely be sent to prison for lese majeste - unless you flee [as Thaksin has]. Funny story kinda: When the Crown Prince wanted to divorce his first wife, she refused to give him one so he took her to court. In court he accused her of being 100% to blame for the breakdown of the marriage. She couldn't say a word otherwise she'd be guilty of lese majeste - so she was forced to stay silent, divorce was granted, skatz.
2. As above. The military is very power-hungry in Thailand [as in all SE Asian countries]. But Thailand has a surprisingly advanced political IQ - in that even poor people are very interested in politics and a military government would be heckled out of office quickly. It's really only Abisit's genius that has chilled out the nation - he wasn't elected democratically and I think if it were any other major player, Thaksin would have mass support and the country would either be in Civil War or on the brink of it [pending developments in the King's state of health].
3. Examples of coups? Philippines has a coup every few years. Fiji and co are usually good for some fun coups where some joke Lieutenant and his buddies take over government just cause they can. Excellent drama when stuff like that happens. Australia usually jumps in and spoils the fun. Fucking narcs...
Attn: Sonatine. Political dramaz unfolding....
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