BANGKOK — In what news analysts are calling a major political statement , the working-class majority of Thailand took control of their own destiny in this weekend’s parliamentary elections, re-affirming their commitment to the populist revolution through the selection of a known fascist and unapologetic right-wing strongman as premier.
Unofficial results show the People’s Power Party winning 228 seats, just 13 short of an outright majority. Party leader Samak Sundaravej, who was Interior Minister during the violent suppression of unarmed student protesters in October 1976, as well as Deputy Prime Minister during the violent suppression of unarmed student protesters in 1992, has stated that he will “certainly be the next PM.”
“Now I have the power. Me. All the power. Me me me me me. You’re all little people,” said Samak at a press conference, wearing victory garlands around his neck and holding up two fingers in a “victory” sign. When asked how his hardliner past might be incompatible with the populist policies of the PPP, which was created from the remnants of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s party after the September 2006 coup, Samak replied “Who the hell are you to ask me that? Did your mother have sex with a river iguana? How old are you? You’re an unripe fruit with no rights to ask questions of a man like me.”
The main opposition, Thailand’s Democratic party, swept Bangkok but only secured 163 seats. Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed confidence that his party would still play an important role in governing the country and promoting transparency. He also expressed some disappointment that the poor rural voters of Thailand failed to exactly follow the example set by the wealthy, educated classes of Bangkok. “We stressed empathy and compassion in our campaign materials too,” said the British-born, Eton- and Oxford-educated Abhisit. “I’m shocked that it didn’t work.”
Voters who chose the PPP generally cited their belief in Samak’s great love for the poor as their reason. “It’s a great day for the little guy,” said Wichit Prongsawan, a taxi driver in Bangkok. “Samak will bring power to the people, just like Thaksin.”
Speaking at a post-election victory celebration, Samak began outlining his new policies, including re-instatement of the banned 111 Thai Rak Thai executives, reversal of the TRT dissolution order, legal acquittal of Thaksin Shinawatra and his family for all charges past and future, appointment of his mistress as Finance Minister and BOT president, the immediate arrest and extra-judicial conviction of the leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy on charges of treason, and the suspension of the free press including this newspaper.
Samak was apaprently unaware of the details of the Internal Security Bill quietly passed by the lame-duck National Legislative Assembly two days before the election, which already transferred the power to do all of the above from the premier to the army.
