After fear and loathing

COMMENTARY

Published: 5 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

There is a bitter reality in Sukhumbhand Paribatra's sweet, historic win in Sunday's Bangkok governor election.

The reality is it has become glaringly evident that the Democrat Party did not win because of itself. It won because many voters _ hundreds of thousands of voters _ did not want the other side to rule and viewed the Democrat candidate as a "lesser evil", a mere vehicle that could carry them to a short-term destination.

The reality is reflected in thank-you notes sent out by Democrat executives a day after their victory. Deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij said he appreciated all the votes that went the party's way "even though you might not be overly fond of our candidate". He promised to listen to the electorate more.

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ploydonut
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Discussion 12 : 05 Mar 2013 at 16.1512
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Sukhumbhand is educate from the Oxford University and speak the English also, so can benefit the tourist and Thai people well.
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Eric
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Discussion 11 : 05 Mar 2013 at 14.0711
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Drsmith dis#7, pretty much an utopian thought. Unfortunately there really is no leader in the world even democratically elected is not doing for himself whether it's for wealth or power. Much used line 'democracy is not perfect but still the best system' and we will have to content with that and accept the process of people choice and mandate.
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pquinlan
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Discussion 10 : 05 Mar 2013 at 13.0410
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D4: No need to ask Mitt, just look at the photo of YS sitting next to her failed candidate while he conceded defeat.
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bkposter
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Discussion 9 : 05 Mar 2013 at 12.279
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If you look at the original expectations for the PT 3 months ago, it looked like they did not even stand a chance, and should not even try. So in that regards I do not think it was a big defeat.In fact it was a very good showing and a big scare for the DP to come so close to loosing their crown jewel and main income source.
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majority
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Discussion 8 : 05 Mar 2013 at 11.148
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Good analysis. Divide and conquer, and the fear platform still work and still can fool many people in Bangkok.
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drsmith
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Discussion 7 : 05 Mar 2013 at 11.007
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No matter who won, Bangkok still loses. Until Thai people can vote for candidates that will help the people and the nation, instead of themselves, Bangkok still loses.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 6 : 05 Mar 2013 at 09.046
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D4 : LOL! Spot on!
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pjt
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Discussion 5 : 05 Mar 2013 at 08.595
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I do hope that the Democrat party higher uppers - such as Khun Korn who contributes to and hence presumably reads this newspaper - internalise the above and more important act on it. It is so obvious how you could re-make your party to stand for many positives which would attract a lot of votes, that it truly amazing how you still fail to take the opportunity. It is essential to the health of the country and its people that you do. Landslide governments are rarely good for the people and certainly not a good sign of democracy in action but that is what we will get if the Democrats continue to fail to reform
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jacksprat
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Discussion 4 : 05 Mar 2013 at 08.404
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"How exactly is making more gains than your main opponent a 'humiliating defeat'?" If all the polls show you winning and instead you lose, it is humiliating. Ask Mitt Romney.
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johnb
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Discussion 3 : 05 Mar 2013 at 06.533
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#1; How exactly is making more gains than your main opponent a 'humiliating defeat'?
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After fear and loathing | Bangkok Post: opinion