The reform agenda laid out in the Constitution is on the brink of failure

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Will Thai democracy be able to survive next week?

In seven days, we will find out if Thai democracy will survive with the same form and substance that we have fought for with blood, sweats and tears in the 73 years since 1932. Or will it mutate into a different type of political system, with user-friendly coined labels chosen by the powers that be?

Newin: The lion of Songkhla

In a tape transcript claimed to have been recorded in Songkhla, someone addressed as “minister” proposes “we buy everything everywhere” to overtake poll rivals. He concedes that “sometimes our own relatives cannot be bought”, but urges them to be bold. He will leave Bt100,000 with the governors, and they can pick it up one day after the poll “if we win”. He adds: “We’ll worry about the yellow and red cards later,” and rounds off: “Get the winning votes then come to collect the money from the governors and go celebrate.”