Thailand's election threw up a surprise. Yingluck Shinawatra, smart business woman and sister to Thaksin, came storming home. Thailand has experienced loads of political turmoil in recent years including a military coup in 2006. In fact it has a history of serial government change until recently - mainly military. There's also a monarchy which is strongly protected against criticism. Thaksin was hugely popular in his time especially outside of the urban elite and his sister has capitalised on his reputation. This raises the possibility that he may return from exile and escape fraud charges - in particular the huge tax-free profit his family made from the sale of Shin Corp. His return would not please a large section of the Thai community and could cause the ongoing friction between Yellows and Reds to continue. But Yingluck's win was comprehensive and it may this time lead to greater stability. The stock market liked the news jumping sharply on the day. See my article on Thailand here: http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=148042 The QSL is from Radio Thailand heard on 31mb in London in 1996. I'd heard them many times before, going back to the 1960s but really struggled to get a reply. Thai AM stations are audible here in Cape Town from time to time.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Yingluck lucks in
Thailand's election threw up a surprise. Yingluck Shinawatra, smart business woman and sister to Thaksin, came storming home. Thailand has experienced loads of political turmoil in recent years including a military coup in 2006. In fact it has a history of serial government change until recently - mainly military. There's also a monarchy which is strongly protected against criticism. Thaksin was hugely popular in his time especially outside of the urban elite and his sister has capitalised on his reputation. This raises the possibility that he may return from exile and escape fraud charges - in particular the huge tax-free profit his family made from the sale of Shin Corp. His return would not please a large section of the Thai community and could cause the ongoing friction between Yellows and Reds to continue. But Yingluck's win was comprehensive and it may this time lead to greater stability. The stock market liked the news jumping sharply on the day. See my article on Thailand here: http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=148042 The QSL is from Radio Thailand heard on 31mb in London in 1996. I'd heard them many times before, going back to the 1960s but really struggled to get a reply. Thai AM stations are audible here in Cape Town from time to time.
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