(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-23 09:32

Whoever wins Sunday's election, many observers predicted it would be short-lived.

Khopporn Achalaga, a retired teacher living in Bangkok, told Xinhua that she was not optimistic about the post-coup situation in the country. "Since the coup, many problems remain unsolved, such as the conflict between the lower class and the middle-class people, and the conflict between political parties who are rivals rather than partners. I believed what many analysts said, that it could be very difficult for the new elected government to survive through the four-year term."

However, she still hoped that everyone including herself would come out to exercise their right to vote, whichever party or candidate they favor. "In that way in order to let the election really reflect the will of the people."

She also said she believed no matter which party wins the election to form the new government, it would do its utmost to bring benefits to the country.

However, optimists are hoping that the election will at least return the country, which has experienced 18 coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, to democratic rule after last year's Sept. 19 military coup, despite skepticism on post-election political stability.

The Thai News Agency quoted Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, as saying, "We will see some instability but at least the election will get rid of the coup period. We had the coup in September 2006. It's been almost 15 months now, the post-coup period. This coup period will be put behind. It's a good sign."

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