ONE STEP FORWARD, BUT HOW MANY BACK?

If you want detailed and analytical coverage of Thailand's election then look elsewhere. My own feelings are mixed following the PPP's (People Power Party) better-than-expected results. While it's certainly a slap in the face for those who masterminded the coup to oust former PM Thaksin Shinawatra (and a victory for democracy), the question has to be is this a good result for the future of Thailand? BBC reporter Jonathan Head was quite pessimistic in this reports yesterday and again this morning, and I fear that's the impression the election results are likely to have outside the Kingdom - if the PPP can form a coalition and take power.
One interesting fact to note is the fact that Democrats won 26 of the 36 Bangkok seats up for grabs, but I think the main thing right now is that it's still not clear who will form the next government and who will be the next Prime Minister.