Duncan McCargo: Compromise is needed in this polarised country
Comment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Yesterday's much-anticipated verdict marks the culmination of a long process that began with Thaksin Shinawatra's ouster from power more than three years ago.
The flamboyant former Manchester City owner aroused and divided a Buddhist kingdom more associated with opportunism, fudging and a revolving door of leaders. Judicialisation of politics has been the major response of the royalist elite to the Thaksin "threat". But without a tradition of judicial activism, many judges are ill prepared for – and often uneasy with – their newly assigned mission. Constant recourse to the courts has undermined state legitimacy and infuriated Thaksin's supporters.
Judges have abolished a number of Thaksin-aligned political parties, banned most senior Thaksinite politicians from public life for five-year terms, and even ousted prime minister Samak Sundaravej for illegally hosting a television cookery show.
Thailand is now deeply polarised, organised around two rival networks: the pro-Thaksin forces versus the monarchists, which include the palace, the present Democrat government, and the military. As they squabble over power and spoils, Thailand has become increasingly ungovernable. A political compromise – a big dodgy deal, in short – is badly needed.
Thaksin remains a criminal in Thailand, and there is no obvious road open for his return; but returning around 40 per cent of his money is a significant concession by the establishment. Thaksin and his Red Shirts have two choices: to see the glass half-empty, or the glass half-full.
The writer is professor of South-East Asian politics at the University of Leeds
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments