Things can go terribly wrong even in places with many inherent advantages – think of Burma, Argentina and Sri Lanka. With the government’s withdrawal of an offer to hold new elections, the extension of curfew and state of emergency, the filing of terrorism charges against Mr. Thaksin and the insurrection’s spread, Thailand is entering uncharted territory. The state and its leadership are facing a full-blown crisis of legitimacy.

– Extracted from Daryl Copeland, “Dark shadow over the Thai smile”, The Globe and Mail, 28 May 2010.