The urban middle-class, however, charges him with “wasting” taxes they paid.
In effect, the Thai election is turning out to be a contest between the power of the people and the might of the state. Can people’s power put up a challenge to the might of the state? That has happened quite often in established democracies, but is yet to be witnessed in Thailand. Only the results will tell us what proves stronger — people power or the might of the state.
(The writer is a fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi, and is travelling in Thailand as a member of a team of international observers monitoring the forthcoming election there.)
sanjay@csds.in
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