BANGKOK: The IHT has the story on Thailand’s pending election, scheduled this Sunday. While it is certainly encouraging to see an election taking place, hold no illusions: deposed Prime Minister Thaksin’s party is still effectively banned in many parts of the country. Thailand has been controlled by a military junta since a September 2006 coup d’etat, exiling Thaksin.

Soon to be released data in the 2007 round of the Global Integrity Report suggests that the new government will have its work cut out for it, as the junta has cut a broad swath through the country’s accountability mechanisms. First order of business: end martial law.

International Herald Tribune:
Thai election signals return of a new political power

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