Word: kukrit
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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More ominously, the fragile detente that Thai democracy had evolved with its Communist neighbors in Indochina seems to have been derailed. Broadcasts from Hanoi and Vientiane have been sharply hostile to Tanin's government. Still, former Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj dismisses the possibility that Thai opposition groups-even aided by the Vietnamese-can wage real guerrilla war. Instead, he predicts, those who have gone underground or into exile "will be back on bended knees to ask forgiveness so they can go back to the baths, massage parlors and nightclubs. The jungle is not for them...
...Kukrit called a new election in hopes that he could form a more workable coalition. The witty and energetic Prime Minister was an odds-on favorite to win again; he is widely respected as Thailand's most skillful politician...
...urbane, silver-haired Seni has been Prime Minister twice before-briefly. He appeared as surprised as anyone by Kukrit's unexpected defeat. "The people felt my brother's government just wasn't firm enough," he told TIME Cor respondent William McWhirter last week, "but to be fair, they did the best they could." Kukrit had trouble governing the country almost from the time he took office in March 1975 as successor to Seni, whose government had lasted only eight days before losing a vote of confidence. Kukrit's Social Action coalition included 17 parties, a bloc...
Alarming Tales. Kukrit, however, was overwhelmed by public concern over law, order and security. Terrorism is on the rise, and there were 34 political murders during the two-month election campaign. More important, Communist insurgents are operating in border provinces, where refugees fleeing Cambodia (see following story) tell alarming tales of Communist brutalities...
Seni Pramoj announced last week that he intends to "review" the American position in Thailand. But that will not solve all his problems. Students and labor unionists who overthrew an entrenched military regime in 1973 and later backed Kukrit may stage new protests unless the government takes steps to solve the country's economic problems. If the army intervenes to put down demonstrations, more trouble will follow. Many Thais fear that the aristocratic Seni, an Oxford-educated lawyer who dabbles in poetry, music and sculpture, is too passive and ethereal to cope with the country's troubles...