And to think politicians only

Published on September 10, 2007

The Thai Is Thai party's unbeatable campaign promise is to enact a law to have the government pay off every single Thai citizen's debts up to Bt500,000.

"It's so easy to become a debt-free person!" enthuses the Thai Pen Thai advertisement. "You only need a pen in your hand to vote for our party … When our party gets a majority vote and has the right to form a government, our party leader, Chuchart Prathantham, will become the prime minister. He can then pioneer the law to pay off all the debts for Thais."

That is so nice!

 This is one bandwagon you're going to want to get on board. Apply for membership now! Or become a candidate yourself under the party's embarrassingly generous banner. All you need is a Grade 4 education, your citizenship papers and a wheelbarrow full of patriotism and you're on your way to becoming a Member of Parliament - maybe even a Cabinet minister! Imagine being in charge of handing out all that dough!

If you're worried that you don't have what it takes to be a successful candidate, start practising by doing something good today. Pat a street dog on the head. Feed a bum. Kiss a baby. And, for God's sake, make sure everyone you meet has a pen!