After fear and loathing

COMMENTARY

Published: 5 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

There is a bitter reality in Sukhumbhand Paribatra's sweet, historic win in Sunday's Bangkok governor election.

The reality is it has become glaringly evident that the Democrat Party did not win because of itself. It won because many voters _ hundreds of thousands of voters _ did not want the other side to rule and viewed the Democrat candidate as a "lesser evil", a mere vehicle that could carry them to a short-term destination.

The reality is reflected in thank-you notes sent out by Democrat executives a day after their victory. Deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij said he appreciated all the votes that went the party's way "even though you might not be overly fond of our candidate". He promised to listen to the electorate more.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

ploydonut
Post : 308
Send message

Discussion 12 : 05 Mar 2013 at 16.1512
Post this to my Facebook
Sukhumbhand is educate from the Oxford University and speak the English also, so can benefit the tourist and Thai people well.
Like dislike 2 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
Eric
Post : 1,150
Send message

Discussion 11 : 05 Mar 2013 at 14.0711
Post this to my Facebook
Drsmith dis#7, pretty much an utopian thought. Unfortunately there really is no leader in the world even democratically elected is not doing for himself whether it's for wealth or power. Much used line 'democracy is not perfect but still the best system' and we will have to content with that and accept the process of people choice and mandate.
Like dislike 3 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
pquinlan
Post : 908
Send message

Discussion 10 : 05 Mar 2013 at 13.0410
Post this to my Facebook
D4: No need to ask Mitt, just look at the photo of YS sitting next to her failed candidate while he conceded defeat.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
bkposter
Post : 1,314
Send message

Discussion 9 : 05 Mar 2013 at 12.279
Post this to my Facebook
If you look at the original expectations for the PT 3 months ago, it looked like they did not even stand a chance, and should not even try. So in that regards I do not think it was a big defeat.In fact it was a very good showing and a big scare for the DP to come so close to loosing their crown jewel and main income source.
Like dislike 4 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
majority
Post : 357
Send message

Discussion 8 : 05 Mar 2013 at 11.148
Post this to my Facebook
Good analysis. Divide and conquer, and the fear platform still work and still can fool many people in Bangkok.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 7 people disliked this comment
drsmith
Post : 1,573
Send message

Discussion 7 : 05 Mar 2013 at 11.007
Post this to my Facebook
No matter who won, Bangkok still loses. Until Thai people can vote for candidates that will help the people and the nation, instead of themselves, Bangkok still loses.
Like dislike 21 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
bangmodken
Post : 1,305
Send message

Discussion 6 : 05 Mar 2013 at 09.046
Post this to my Facebook
D4 : LOL! Spot on!
Like dislike 25 people liked / 9 people disliked this comment
pjt
Post : 899
Send message

Discussion 5 : 05 Mar 2013 at 08.595
Post this to my Facebook
I do hope that the Democrat party higher uppers - such as Khun Korn who contributes to and hence presumably reads this newspaper - internalise the above and more important act on it. It is so obvious how you could re-make your party to stand for many positives which would attract a lot of votes, that it truly amazing how you still fail to take the opportunity. It is essential to the health of the country and its people that you do. Landslide governments are rarely good for the people and certainly not a good sign of democracy in action but that is what we will get if the Democrats continue to fail to reform
Like dislike 37 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
jacksprat
Post : 2,445
Send message

Discussion 4 : 05 Mar 2013 at 08.404
Post this to my Facebook
"How exactly is making more gains than your main opponent a 'humiliating defeat'?" If all the polls show you winning and instead you lose, it is humiliating. Ask Mitt Romney.
Like dislike 49 people liked / 10 people disliked this comment
johnb
Post : 459
Send message

Discussion 3 : 05 Mar 2013 at 06.533
Post this to my Facebook
#1; How exactly is making more gains than your main opponent a 'humiliating defeat'?
Like dislike 23 people liked / 29 people disliked this comment

1 2 Next Last

After fear and loathing | Bangkok Post: opinion