A Political Party Banned in Thailand

Thailand's Constitutional Tribunal on Wednesday announced the landmark dissolution of the country's former ruling party, further unsettling a nation that has suffered more than a year of political chaos that culminated in last September's military coup. The Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) — formed by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in last fall's putsch — was found guilty of electoral fraud stemming from annulled elections last spring. The Tribunal barred more than 100 executives from the party leadership from engaging in political activity for five years after finding that TRT had illegally bankrolled smaller parties in order to make the April 2006 elections appear legitimate. (Separate charges against the main opposition Democrat Party were dismissed, strengthening upcoming electoral hopes for the country's oldest political party.) "This is very important as a step in curing Thailand's chronic political illness: electoral fraud," says Sunai Phasuk, the Thai representative for Human Rights Watch. "But it doesn't mean it's the end of Thailand's political crisis."

Thailand's ruling military junta has promised fresh elections by the end of this year. But TRT, a party that made history by capturing the biggest-ever mandate in a Thai election, will not appear on the ballot. Although lower-level TRT figures are free to form a new party, TRT's leadership coterie appears to have been sidelined from politics by the five-year ban. Even before Wednesday's ruling, Thaksin, from his overseas exile, had vowed to quit politics. Many Thais, however, believed he might attempt a political comeback. Last month, the former Prime Minister was awarded his first leadership position since the coup, being named head of Thailand's Professional Golf Association — hardly a position of great importance. But even that token presence in Thai society was read by some as evidence that Thaksin wanted to keep himself in the political mix. "It remains to be seen what Thaksin will do," said Sunai, after the TRT ban was announced. "The mood at TRT was defiant and still showed clear spirit to fight."

Anticipating possibly violent demonstrations following a guilty verdict against TRT, the military junta had ramped up security on Wednesday, putting 10,000-plus soldiers and police on alert. Earlier in the week, websites loyal to Thaksin were shut down by Thailand's Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. In addition, many pro-TRT radio stations have been barred from the airwaves. On Wednesday, several schools in Bangkok were shuttered for fear of bloodshed on the streets.

In a rare public statement last week, Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej expressed concern over potential violence ensuing from the tribunal's verdict, counseling the country's judges "to make the right interpretation, otherwise the country will be doomed." The King added that no matter what decision the judges made, they would be criticized for their ruling.

For the moment, however, the tribunal appears to have avoided major demonstrations, largely by unveiling the announcement of TRT's demise just before midnight on Wednesday — too late for protestors to convene. Clever timing, though, may not be enough to thwart future protests. Thailand's political crisis isn't over yet.