Election Fever in Thailand (Part 2)

I guess by now everybody knows the news. It was a decisive victory for the Pheu Thai party, who garnered 265 seats , while the Democrats got only 159 seats, out of a total of 500 seats. And this morning, we heard that the Pheu Thai party would lead a 5-part coalition to form the next government for Thailand. The coalition now has 299 seats.

"I think 299 is a beautiful number" said the party's top candidate Yingluck Shinawatra - who is set to become Thailand's first woman Prime Minister. Yingluck is the youngest sister of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Here are some victory pictures ...

And on the side of the losing Democrat party, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vajjejiva concedes defeat.  I am actually impressed by him as an individual, and he wore the mantle of premiership quite well. However in a real democracy, the will of the majority must prevail. I think Abhisit was mature and gentlemanly to call and congratulate the winner.

Some people still think that if a partnership between Pheu Thai and the Democrats could somehow be engineered, it would result in a great-looking Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister pair ... hmmmm

and no, I don't know who's that spooky looking guy in the window.

Jokes aside, my congratulations to my Thai friends on their peaceful and decisive General Election. Let's hope this begins the process of national reconciliation and continued socio-economic success for the country.

Election Fever in Thailand

This is certainly a year of elections ...  I was in Bangkok for work this past week and witnessed political campaigning in full swing on the streets of the capital city. The Thais go to the polls on Sunday 3rd July 2011, and I think it'll be another exciting one to watch. We've all heard about the shenanigans of the red shirts and the yellow shirts, the huge protests in the heart of Bangkok, as well as the forced closures of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. One wonders what will happen after the election results are known this time.

The two key parties are the Democratic party, led by Abhisit Vejjajiva, the sitting Prime Minister, who some ladies think is handsome, and the Pheu Thai party, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who some guys think is hot (I'm referring to Yingluck, not Thaksin!)

Anyway, here's a sample of the posters I saw on the streets.

Pheu Thai party's poster with Yingluck Shinawatra on the right

Democratic party, with Abhisit Vejjajiva on the right

 Can't remember the name of this smaller party ... will check later

Sometimes it is quite easy to spot which politician some people don't like ...

Horny politicians take on a different meaning here

This is your Political Jaga, signing off from the streets of Bangkok ...

Actually not really, I'm back home as of last evening :-)