Nation must come first

General News : Monday December 10, 2007

DATELINE BANGKOK

Nation must come first

Daily News editorial _ Political parties are already trying to realign themselves with the hope of being in the next government. Various opinion polls have gauged the popularity of these parties among the electorate in all parts of the country. With these polls, we may see the likely formation of the next administration, and who will emerge as a strong candidate for prime minister.

Polls conducted by state security agencies have suggested the People Power party (PPP), which supports former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would gain the most votes in the Dec 23 general election. The PPP wants Mr Thaksin to return home from his self-imposed exile in London, and will push for an amnesty for 111 former executive members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party who face a five-year political ban.

For the above-mentioned reasons, the PPP is likely to face stiff opposition if it tries to form the next government with other political parties. Its sworn opponent, the Democrat party, will also find it hard to form a government if it fails to get a clear majority.

Political analysts, meanwhile, have pinpointed key issues that must be addressed by the next government.

Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayakorn of Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty said the next government would face three critical issues: the expected chaos after the election, unrest in the deep South, and an economic slowdown.

Other people, including investors, are worried about the country's political future and the election's impact on the economy and investment climate.

The Surayud government, the military and all political parties must come together and find ways to bring about reconciliation for the sake of the country.

Politicians must be ready to make sacrifices for the greater good. And we should all stop talking about issues which are best left for the judiciary to decide.

By : Bangkok Post