Worrisome Situation

Worrisome situation - translated and summarized from Krungtep Turakit, Column: Political Developments, April 30, 2008
This government is currently facing not only political problems, but also economic problems. Indeed, these economic problems actually appear to be steadily worsening. It seems that this government is paying far too much attention to its plans to amend the 2007 Constitution, while the more worrisome issue of steeply-rising prices is being largely ignored. Since both oil and rice prices are also on the rise, this government will soon have to decide whether to increase fares for Bangkok’s Skytrain and MRT systems. Similar decisions will also be necessary over the annual National Minimum Wage adjustments, the annual salary adjustments for civil servants and the current factory prices of sugar. To add to this government’s woes, many ordinary people are now keeping a very close eye on the performance of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej - who is considered by some to be the political nominee of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. If this government fails to solve these economic problems, unexpected challenges might soon arise to its power. These challenges could take the form of either the dissolution of Parliament or another coup d’etat.