Thailand: No peace through polls

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Thailand: No peace through polls

By Nelson Rand and Chandler Vandergrift

 

UDON THANI and BANGKOK - Campaigning has begun in earnest for Thailand's general elections scheduled for July 3. Few observers believe the democratic vote will act to reconcile a prolonged political crisis and rising social divisions.

 

The polls will be the second since a military coup ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006. Thaksin remains a significant and polarizing factor in Thai politics despite living in self-imposed exile since 2008 to avoid a two-year jail sentence for a corruption conviction.

 

Full Article: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/ME28Ae02.html