Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Democrat Abhisit Vejjajiva finds himself as Thailand’s 27th prime minister. The 44-year-old Abhisit has only been party leader for three years, but his limited political experience seems to be offset by education and a personal proclivity toward good manners and sincerity, something Thailand has needed for some time.
The youngest prime minister to serve since fellow Democrat Khuang Abhaiwongse became premier in 1944 at age 42 before going on to co-found the Democrat Party in 1946, Abhisit has been widely hailed as a Thai Obama.
Indeed, there are already parallels. After his election on Nov. 4, 2008, Obama spoke to the American public about elderly Sister Cecilia Gaudette, aged 106, an American nun living in Rome whose last vote was for Eisenhower in 1952 before she voted for Obama in 2008.
Abhisit had his own tale to tell, of an 82-year-old lady living in the northeastern province of Ubol who had met him during an election campaign and had given him a ring she considered sacred, saying, “This will help you become prime minister.” Apparently it worked, and Abhisit swore on television that he would never forget the trust put in him by this woman.
Both new national leaders also come from the former opposition parties in their respective countries, face huge challenges to governing and have offered a great deal of hope to their constituents.
Thailand seems to be a land devoid of trust these days. But there have been plenty of appeals for what the Thais are calling unity – unity being defined as thinking the same, doing the same and appearing the same. Abhisit may be able to bring about some semblance of unity, but it will be a rocky road, with many unhappy as the new government takes form. Some anti-Democrat forces in the country are already throwing accusations involving prostitution against members of Parliament from non-Democrat factions that supported the new coalition government.
Also, the Democrats’ choice for foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, who has served as Thailand’s ambassador to Germany, Japan and the United States, is under fire. He has spoken several times for the People’s Alliance for Democracy platform for reform in government and, because of his outspoken manner, has affronted those who consider frank speech offensive. Kasit’s background and experience, and his education and strong backing by the Democrats, are likely to overcome any real objections to his appointment as foreign minister.
Abhisit himself gave an excellent acceptance speech after his election, promising to work for everyone whether they supported him or not. Unlike his predecessors, Abhisit spoke meaningfully and from memory, citing how important it was to work for the people instead of for oneself. Whether he is able to carry out that ethic remains open to debate.
Opposition forces are gathering and vowing to call for a no-confidence motion even though the Cabinet has only just been announced. Most of the opposition comes from supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who remains abroad, a wanted criminal in his own country. That his continued popularity and immense fortune remain a threat to the country’s social and political stability is clearly evident in the unease most Thais feel about their country’s immediate future.
The aging king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has increasingly become the center of attention, given the recent illness that prevented him from giving his birthday address and then kept him from being able to accept the credentials of the new premier in person. Talk of succession is rife but muted, partly out of respect, but mostly out of fear of prosecution under Article 112 of the kingdom’s “lèse majesté” law, which inherently prohibits open discussion of the role of the monarchy or merits of its family. But still, gossip persists as to whether the current crown prince will take over the throne.
At the apex of all this instability is a young new premier who has an Obama-scale set of problems of his own to address. Thailand’s unemployment is growing, its exports falling, its reputation in tatters … and yet the country’s cash cow, tourism, continues to flourish.
If Abhisit’s choice for foreign minister performs as well in government as he has in the diplomatic service, Thailand stands to regain some of its international reputation in terms of commerce and trade, military cooperation and political finesse. We can hope that the rest of the new Cabinet proves as effective.
