Fresh rioting is still going on in Thailand and it has caused the cancellation of the Asian Summit. Many analysts fear that the continued protests by the "red shirts" could prompt the pro-loyalist "yellow shirts" to return to the streets.

If this happens, it will just be a replay of the street battles that happened last year. But, we must criticize why it has happened again and appears to be more brutal. Last year's protesters, who were dubbed the "yellow shirts" for the color of the clothing they sported during their round-the-clock rallies that lasted months, withdrew after the pro-Thaksin government collapsed following a controversial court ruling in December.

What is the core problem in Thailand? As I just read the newspapers and watch the TV programs where the recent situation in Thailand is frequently shown, I guess that most of the people (the protesters) want what they call "a functioning democracy", as Warapol Promigabutur, a sociologist at Bangkok's Thammasat University says. The people want a new, fresh government that can really change Thailand for the better and improve the wealth of the people and the nation. In short, the people do not want the oligarchy system; they want to establish a real democratic nation.

Most of the protesters have learned about and now believe in democratic ideology. If the Thai government (under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajivai) wants to get back to normal it has to respond to the real and actual needs of the nation. We just hope the protests will soon end and a better future will be created for Thailand.

Baltasar

Yogyakarta

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