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Thailand: New Prime Minister Brings Hope, Possible Political Demonstrations

By Larry Habegger and Andrew Davis | Permalink |

No Comments | July 12th, 2011 | Trackback

Yingluck Shinawatra was officially elected as the first female prime minister of Thailand, with the Pheu Thai party set to assume power. The election was partially a referendum on how the voters feel their country has changed since the 2006 military coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the new prime minister’s older brother. Since the coup, “red shirt” protesters, supporters of Thaksin, have been difficult to handle for the military-backed government. Large demonstrations between “red shirts” and “yellow shirts,” an anti-Thaksin, nationalist portion of the population, have taken a heavy toll on Thailand at various times over the last five years. Now, the military has said that it will allow politicians to handle the change. Travelers should avoid demonstrations here, as violence can occur spontaneously due to groups’ strong political allegiances.