Thailand's timetable

Thailand's interim government has set up an ambitious timetable to achieve both full restoration of democracy and public approval of a redrafted constitution within one year of the military coup that toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The coup, which ousted the prime minister while he was at the United Nations in September, elicited a warranted condemnation from Washington. The onus will remain on Thailand's appointed government to faithfully follow the timeline, which outlines the path back from military rule to liberal democracy. The coup arose out of a "political stalemate," claimed Ambassador Virasakdi Futrakul during a meeting with editors and reporters at The Washington Times yesterday. Opposition to the divisive Mr. Thaksin had increased and become more unified. The prime minster's party, one of three major political parties in Thailand, was the first in the country's modern history to win total control in both houses of the legislature, enabling it to rule without a coalition.

Coup costs Thailand some US military aid
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5472385

Thailand may make major gesture to Muslim south
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BKK72636.htm

While many watch in fear and awe as Vietnam grows, the Thai ambassador views its evolution differently
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/28Oct2006_biz014.php

Vietnam, Thailand pledge full ties
http://www.saigontimes.com.vn/daily/detail.asp?muc=2&Sobao=2806&SoTT=1

All the Thailand? and John Carr jokes aside, Thailand's interim government has a real interest playing many sides and keeping quite a few balls in the air at one time.

One important ball being its military and intelligence ties with the US for obvious reasons, which can’t happen under continued Marshal Law and without some sort of Democratic Government.

Second, Thailand has been an ally of the US on the WOT and with it’s predominately Buddhist population, it doesn’t want to see take over by the Muslims in the South.

The Tai’s need to somehow keeping its Muslim population in the South at bay whether by force or negotiation (that probably being a bad idea)

The third ball being it’s continued growth and importance as a rising force in the South Asian economy.

Militarily and economically, the Tai’s will have to play nice with the US, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and figure out how to deal with the Muslim problem.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

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