Thailand is dreading the Supreme Court’s verdict on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s frozen $2.3 billion in assets, scheduled for tomorrow. No matter how his wealth is disposed, given Thailand’s political polarization the only certainty is that no one will be satisfied. In fact, the conflict will likely intensify as pro- and anti-Thaksin protagonists hunker down for a long battle of attrition. In these waning years of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 63-year reign, both sides are desperate to put their stamp on the political system that will emerge in the new era.

– Extracted from Thitinan Pongsudhirak, “Moving beyond Thaksin”, The Wall Street Journal, 24 February 2010.