Tens of thousands of Thaksin’s red-shirt supporters have descended on Bangkok in an effort to overthrow the present government of Prime Minister Abhisit. The numbers fall far short of the million predicted by the UDD. Funds are short for the Thaksinites. The Thai Supreme Court seized a billion dollars last month. According the reports the rally has been jovial, although several pro-Thaksin leaders have called for a siege to the 11th Army HQ and threatened to stay in Bangkok until a new vote dignifies the democratic process trashed by the 2006 military coup organized by the old power elite. The poor showing of demonstrators is a marked reversal to last year’s tumultuous mobs violently opposing the police and army. Mr. Thaksin has yet to address the crowds. He has been exiled from Dubai and is now in transit to Switzerland, where he might be presented with extradition papers. His options are limited for flights from there. Only Cambodia is offering refuge and Thais would view that choice as the act of a traitor.
The magic or ‘red-rhum’ is fading from the great leader.
Sometimes it’s best to know when to quit for good.
He still has a billion dollars.
And a billion dollars can always buy another chance at success because nothing is going to happen in the next month. Songkran is never the time for revolution. It’s party time.