Is los a democracy?

Will, you're starting to tread on v. dicey ground there.

Thailand IS a democracy in the most general sense of the word, and actually is a shining example for all its neighbours. You have to go as far as the Philippines before finding some where comparable and then a whole lot further after that. But, and it's a big BUT, it is not an automatic or given state of affairs, as all Thais who turned out on the streets in May 92 realise, and must be nurtured and valued, esp. the current freedom of the press (viz a viz the TV and mass media). They know well not to take it for granted and so at the moment are being v. jai yen, with Toxin's "excentricities".