Thailand’s political turmoil
Will anti-government protests plunge the country into a constitutional crisis?
Having shut down Thailand’s airports, anti-government protestors aligned with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) say they will only consider ending their blockade if Somchai Wongsawat, Thailand’s prime minister, resigns.
The protestors fear that Somchai is too close to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is his brother-in-law. They accuse both men of trying to change Thailand from a constitutional monarchy to a republic.
The problem for the anti-government protestors is that Somchai’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) is immensely popular among Thailand’s poor and won the last election overwhelmingly.
The constitutional court is expected to meet this week to look at the crisis. Somchai’s supporters argue that any dismissal of the current government would be a ‘coup by the gowns’ or judicial coup.
On Tuesday, the Riz Khan show will look at political turmoil in Thailand, where the country goes from here and whether or not it will be plunged into a constitutional crisis.
Joining our debate will be PPP spokesman Chaturon Chaisang and PAD advisor Kasit Piromya.
This episode of the Riz Khan show aired from Tuesday, December 02, 2008.
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