Based on the results of the by-elections reported thus far, it looks like the alliance of Peua Thai/Pracharaj came well short. These results are bad news for Thaksin. That’s not because the Democrats have any chance to become a dominant political party, but rather because it looks like local politicians and faction leaders may be re-asserting their dominance over the unprecedentedly cohesive, centralized party organization Thaksin built. Just like the man in the picture wanted. More in-depth analysis tomorrow.