Thaksin's Troubles

Six months ago, thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seemed indestructible. His approval rating soared to nearly 80% and his party clinched a landslide victory in February's parliamentary election. But in the past few weeks, Thaksin has started to look more vulnerable. Violence by Muslim separatists in the country's south has continued to escalate, and the economy has been bruised by December's tsunami as well as surging oil prices: GDP is now expected to grow 4.5% in 2005down sharply from last year's 6.1%. A corruption scandal involving his Transport Minister has also hurt. A poll by Assumption University released last week reported...