Washington should throw its weight behind the Southeast Asian nation's democracy. Abraham Lincoln politely declined. Sadly, few are surprised that such a triviality could bring down a government voted in by a landslide that year.The billionaire telecom mogul is reviled by royalists and the urban middle classes for perceived venality and overshadowing beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej.These previously overlooked voters have returned Thaksin backed parties in every election since 2001,and would surely do so again should fresh ballots slated for July 20 proceed unhindered.They claim Thaksin buys votes and that the rural poor cannot be trusted to choose their own leader.Thailand is a key trade and defense partner-the first Asian nation to have formal diplomatic ties with the U.S.,back in 1833,before even imperial China or Japan.While Thailand’s political system is hardly perfect(many of its institutions are weak),Yingluck’s removal undermines democracy not just at home but throughout Southeast Asia.Absolute rule ended in 1932,and elections have been taking place for more than half a century,notwith-standing periodic military interventions.Washington should insist that results of new elections be honored and that political reforms-mostly to decentralize power away from Bangkok-be implemented’.As before, a troop of war elephants won’t do.