ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA

The civil sector yesterday vowed to press ahead with the task of monitoring the government as the system of checks and balances would be weakened after its parliamentary majority increased.

After Suan Dusit exit polls predicted a landslide victory for Thai Rak Thai party, scholars and pro-democracy activists said the people's sector would emerge as a key player, replacing the feeble opposition in examining the government's policies and performance.

``After this election, the role of monitoring the government will pass to the public,'' said Somkiat Pongpaiboon, an academic at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University.

If the official poll result did not differ from that of the exit poll, it showed that Thais had decided to entrust their future to Thai Rak Thai, allowing the party to form a single-party government, for the first time in Thai history since 1932. However, that would mean increased pressure on the ruling party to work harder to meet people's demands and expectations.

``TRT's campaign platform to eradicate poverty is a major pledge. How it will help those two million landless families in the country is what we would like to know,'' said Mr Somkiat.

He predicted the incoming government to be more decisive. However, the ruling party should be reminded that it must be responsible for any success or failures that result.

``And if the government becomes dictatorlike, that could upset the middle-class and that might lead to a revival of civil politics in a short time, possibly in a year,''said Mr Somkiat.

Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general to the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said the civil sector must work closer with the Senate, which is more dependable, and groups of scholars to provide straight and useful information to the public.

Scholar Nithi Eawsriwong of Midnight University in Chiang Mai said the people's sector was ready for the new challenge.

``In fact, the people's sector gained more importance over the past four years amid the decline of the opposition. Several issues that the people's sector raised were picked up by the media and, even the opposition politicians.''