The demographics of proportional voting has once again seen Thailand take a step to the rural vote.
The democrats were more representive of the middle class and would of seen more investment in Thailand and long term this is better in fighting the problems in the south of the country.
The fundamental issue facing Thailand is as a country I feel it wants to retain its uniqueness and not move towards western values given its strong buddhist culture and history.
The Thais are proud nationalistic people and respect there king so in summary I feel the king would of also had a major influence in the election outcome.
When Thaskin was in power the press suddenly become highly regulated and we had the repolitication of the military but he paid back the IMF debt from1997 in2003 way earlier than required.
Thailand is a complex country politically the challenges facing it are can it get its growth levels up to over 6%. being a major importer of oil and given the situation at the moment I can not see any economic leap forward for Thailand another constitition will be written so I see it as a country just biding time and very exposed to a US recession in 2008/2009.