Thailand Votes For 'First Female PM'

Sky News ^ | 7/3/11

[markomalley]

Thailand's prime minister has conceded defeat to the opposition party in national elections, paving the way for the country to have its first female leader.

Yingluck Shinawatra, who is the younger sister of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is set to become PM, in what is seen a victory for a red-shirted political movement.

Television footage showed Ms Yingluck swarmed by flashing cameras and journalists after exit polls showed her Puea Thai (For Thais) party winning a clear majority of the 500 seats in parliament.

The election comes five years after a military coup divided Thailand and saw violent clashes on the streets.

[markomalley]

[Vendome]

I’d hit it.

IBL

[Enterprise]

Has that Kristi Noem look. And that’s a GOOD thing.

[ASA Vet]

Thai Ping

[ASA Vet]

Laz ping

[Cringing Negativism Network]

She’s beautiful.

Hope she won’t get jealous when we elect Palin. :D

[expat1000]

How do I get on the Thai ping list?

[ASA Vet]

I’ll add you.

[Larry Lucido]

By “Thai ping” your name in the box.

[Larry Lucido]

I see she’s a businessman. Is this party left or right of center?

[SeeSharp]

Is this party left or right of center?

The red shirts are the commies. The conservatives are the yellow shirts.

[ASA Vet]

สมาร์ทตูด

[Cringing Negativism Network]

It’s kind of hard to say actually.

IMHO there’s not a simple left / right in Thailand. The single most important consideration there is His Majesty the King.

Thais (deeply) revere him. His photo is all over the place, not because it’s required, but because Thais actually hold him in reverence.

China is also a growing factor.

[Larry Lucido]

Thanks.

(I always preferred the yellow curry myself).

[Larry Lucido]

Are you saying Laz might get Ying-lucky?

[cashless]

We will know how this all plays out after she brings back her brother from exile. If they start redistributing the wealth from the military, expect another coup. If they redistribute wealth from the wealthy land and business owners, kiss the current free market economy goodbye since there will be no incentive to make a profit that will confiscated (sound familiar?).

[A_Former_Democrat]

Hotter than Yum Woon Sen

[USMCPOP]

“Hotter than Yum Woon Sen”

No limp noodles here.

[JimSEA]

A Hugo in Southeast Asia seems most likely. People in the North fully expect their cut of the wealthy Bangkok business’ assets. That plus their kids are waiting for their free iPad. Another coup however would be a very bloody mess. Thaksin runs a cult of personality and his cronies want back in. It will likely just have to play out and then build again from the Marxist ashes.

[Isara]

Watch your language!