When I moved to Bangkok early in 1995 the events of 1992, in which some of Thailand's brightest and best youngsters had given their blood in the cause of democracy, were the great unmentionable that hung in the air. Yet there as hope. There was a decent man as prime minister — Chuan Leekpai — and if he'd made the necessary accommodations to the voters in appointing some members of his cabinet, well nostalgia for the technocrat government of Anand Panyarachun was tinged with acceptance that this was the price of democracy. Regarding military rule the attitude was clear: Never again!
Gradually, however, over the five years I lived in Thailand, the mood soured. It was not that there was any longing for military rule. But there was increasing cynicism and despair as a succession of elections (more or less annual — forced by political manouevring) produced a depressing run of prime ministers, from the ex-road contractor Banharn Silpa-acha to the thuggish former general Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to the final one of this democratic round, the just deposed Thaksin Shinawatra. (Chuan had another go before Thaksin.) As The Economist commented in 1996 (November 23), “Elections … often produce the best government money can buy, rather than a good one.”
Thaksin was, for Thailand, a new sort of prime minister –- very much from and of the Bangkok super-wealthy commercial class. But experience elsewhere suggests that even successful businesspeople find the transition to dealing with the slippery uncertainties, the necessary horse-trading, of politics, difficult. I was at the Foreign Correspondent Club on the night Thaksin addressed it as “likely next PM.” It wasn’t a success. He speaks excellent English, but had been given a poorly written speech full of multisyllables. The club members are an anarchic lot, and quickly bored; many soon migrated to the back of the room and started playing pool and chatting. Thaksin was visibly angry. That’s not culturally usual in Thailand, and it wasn’t a good sign of a flexible, democratic character.
Yet Thailand’s troubles in trying to maintain a democratic regime cannot be blamed on any one man — even one as rich as Thaksin, who recently sold his family firm, tax-free, for $1.9bn. After all, this is the 18th coup since 1932 — there is something institutional about the Thai polity that allows, perhaps even forces, the military to step in at regular intervals — and it is not solely for the obvious reason of protecting their own interests.
The country is deeply, fundamentally split between city and country, educated and uneducated, in ways that make selecting a reasonable parliament a tremendous challenge. Bangkok isn’t the problem. It has a tremendously sophisticated, aware populace, led by an elite that is strongly attached to democratic ideals. I watched the city during the election campaign of 1995, when it voted with astonishing solidarity to keep the Chuan government of “angels,” as the press had, not entirely accurately, dubbed it. But it mattered not a jot.
Article comments
1 - pammy
Thai Political "Update : Today and Future:
Posted : 2006-06-26 12:05:30
Thai Political "Update : Today and Future:
BANGKOK : 26 TH JUNE 2006 : The Cloudy atmosphere had been covered Thailand since the end of 2005,continued to the early of 2006,the crucial causes of the group of people came out to drive the Thaksin administration, and against his Thaksinomic Theory, are from the loosed political parties that thought that the Thaksin administration will rule the country for decade because the majority of up-country votes , mostly from the poor sides support Thaksin ,and if the continuing of ruling will cause the dictatorship in the Parliament. And the other points which became cleared after there were the Judges, and Lecturers in the University, ex-senators, especially those who graduated from Thammasat University, Law Academy which was established by the late Pridi Bhanomyong, one of the hard core in the group of the political style change from absolute monarchy in 1932 to the Democracy (King under Constitution Law), but Pridi was drove out from the country and later died in France, and the country was ruled by the Military regimes, which there are changed with bloodshed three times, until the latest Constitutions was built-up in 1997,which is the absolutely democracy and proud by the academic on that times.
But today, when Thaksin can did and showed his capabilities to lead the country on his second period by democracy way under the constitution , then there were more jealousy from many ,which they feel unsatisfied to various kind of things, the most jealousy causes was from the sale of his families hold shares of Shin Corporation to Temasek Group of Singapore in the stock market at about USD 1.9 Billion, without paying taxes[ as legally per the stock exchange rules] but they cannot use the parliament to solve their problems in their ways, because there are no enough votes of representatives of opposition parties ,by the Constitution Law, then they tried to make the violence outside the parliament, used the street and road sides, making more trouble in day to day traffic and spent their lives at the front of Government House for more than a month, and demonstrated at other government office to drive out Thaksin ,and Thaksin administration out from the country .
The aimed to push out Thaksin were cooperate by the opposition parties lead by the Democracy Party,( Prachathipat party - head by Apisit Vechacheeva [Oxford], and Chuan Leekpai-ex-prime minister[Thammsat] is sitting behind, but with a group of judges(of all courts [ Court of Judgetice, Constition Court, Administration Court] , mostly from Thammasat) and the ex-cadre of Pridi from Thammasat University, Law Faculty ) these group ,are also backed up by the People Relation Group comprising with tycoon Sonthi Limthongkul the journalist ( The Manger), who failed in Business, and Prachai Leopirat the business man ( Thai Petrochemical Industry)TPI’s founder , but failed in the management with high debts, and now the government had to survive of all TPI businesses, Prachai is angry ,and built up their broadcasting stations ,by cooperate of ASTV [cable TV] belonging by Sonthi to make the propaganda country wide and now trying to have the membership in all provinces. The sources also believed that the major Drug trafficker, and the underground Lottery Totes are behind for funding of these turbulence, including the leader in Union Labour, and the Silence Group of Monkshood Santi Asoke lead by Jumlong Srimuang. The main demand of these parties was to ask the King to present the brand new “Prime Minister” to rule the country by the suitable from the King, which they thought that the King can did as in the past when there were a bloodshed in 1971,1973 and latest in 1992 . But this requested was rejected by the King on 25 March 2006,by the King said that the said practice would be not follow the present Thai Constitution, which do not allow the King to do so.
For,Thaksin ( Pre-Military School- Police Academy), himself , and by the power that the government he can used the law in hand to suppress the above violation , but there will be the honorable ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the King’s Ruling the Country on the 9th June 2006, so that the only things that Thaksin can do, not only to compromise and employing more police forces to prevention of the face to face fighting of the two group in Bangkok area and all major cities, and these are the caused of more drug penetrated again the all area but also he had to leave the office of more than seven week to make the political calming down.
He had to dissolve the parliament in February and declare for the election on 2nd April 2006 for returning the power of choice to the Thai citizens, who will be choosing of what side to ruling of country , by announcing that if the people want him then marking for TRT party, and if do not want him ,can marking in “no-vote” , but is was boycott by the opposition parties by did not send any candidates ,and try to apply the rule of 20% to be won if there was only one candidate with there are no other participated, and the election was interfered by the Administration Courts on March 28 ,2006 to stop the election proceeding by the Commission of Election, who are doing in line with the Constitution Law, after the King has given his speech to the senior judges on 25th March 2006. And later by The Constitution Court also ruled the voices eight to six votes to the wrong doing of election made by the Thaksin government, and only by what the judges said as two serious points there are: firstly the eight judges saw that the false ballot of about 1.5 million plus the 9 million of non-votes ballot is more than Half of the good ballot of 15 million votes for Thai Rak Thai Party(Thaksin) and another three million votes for another small parties, and secondly the eight judges saw that the places for conducting votes by the face in is out of order, and show no “ secrecy” enough. And these two serious points is still in vain for the clarifications , because by the constitution the reasons of all Constitution Court Judged must be recorded in the Royal Gazette. The other six judges in the whole panel of 14 judges have seen that the election is in line with the Thai Constitution 1997. The new election date to be declared, but the former proposal on 22 October 2006, may be postponed. But so far,up to this date or 40 days, after the announcement of the Decision Wording , are still there are no both the Summary of Decision and the Individual of each judge’s wording in the Royal Gazette yet , and without any comment ,or suitable reasons from the court.
And there were a couple of meeting between the judges and the opposition, academic asked the Committee of Election to resign ,and did not select any judges quota to join the remaining of three committee . But the meeting tried to press the current Committee for Election by said that they will select the whole group of five (full) committee if these formwer committee agreeing to resign, but one committee said that he will not resign ,even he will be remained alone, because they are doing any wrong.
By the sacarifice of Thaksin,and he had showed his capabilities of the ceremony for the King’s 60 years in the very good and safe conditions. And now it was un "confirm that the election will be on 15 th October 2006,or not, and there are two persons resigned from the cabinet,one is Mr.Bavornsak Huvanno,the cabinet secretary to entered the monkhood he is the core-person to draw this constitution) and Mr.Visnu Kruengarm the Deputy Prime-Minister who is non-Thai Rak Thai party member, by his own accords, and want to rest, and return to be the lecturer in the Universities.
By the sources, and the coming up of next era of fighting to gain the power of controlling the country and the propaganda ,including the wider gap between the poor at the countryside which backed up Thaksin and other group of academic, judges, and looser political parties ,the student and other hard core from labors unions and the silence team of Mr.”Clean” Jumlong Srimuuang who lead the monkshood and women. It was predicted that the bloodshed for power in Thailand after the King’s ceremony is hardly be avoided. The withdrawn of investment in the stock market by the foreigners day by days were shown, and there are more indications of the hard way and also the trouble ahead of political and economic issues which have to face. And it would be effected to the foreign trade investment , that would go to the other Asean nations that they are in the better stability status of both politics and economics.
Thaksin, now backed to office to welcome Coffi Anan UN Secretary ,today and he will take him to visit the King for the honorable ceremony of the Highest Classed presented to the King of Thailand from UN. at Hua Hin, Kari Kangwol Palace. Thaksin will stay in the office as an acting Prime Minister, until the new prime minister and government replacing him after the coming general election could be performed. So that all MEGA projects would be automatically stopped, and will see more clear when the time of election been taken place.
Thaksin will remain in office, and the new election will be ,or not is the matter of times and situation, the opposition are starting again for violation ,and trying to operate all turbulence in the Bangkok area, the last example there were the motorcycle ran ,and thowing the bombs at Thai-Rak-Thai parties ,but no one hurt.
This is the fact of Thailand Today.
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IP : Hide
Posted : 2006-06-26 13:15:41 IP : Hide
THAKSIN DECLARED "NOT SAYO NA RA", BUT READY TO GO BACK AND LEAD THAI-RAK-THAI PARTY"
Comment : 1
Posted : 2006-06-26 13:17:48 IP : Hide
Thaksin
Comment : 2
Posted : 2006-07-27 13:19:33 IP : Hide
Factual Political Turmoil in Thailand--- Update"27-July-2006
Bangkok-Thailand: After the successful of the 60 anniversary ceremony of the King’s ruling regime , and mostly calm situation again when the amended Royal Declaration for General Election will be held on 15 October 2006 was in sight.
But on 25 July 2006, the three remaining commissioners of National Election Commission were held of 4 years in jail, by the initial Criminal court of justice ,and did not allow for freedom, also from also the Appeal Court and Supreme Court in the days after ,even if all of the three commissioner had submitted their resignation letters to the Acting Chairman of Senate Parliament , that by the reason that the case was the most seriously dangerous to the Thai Democracy which have the King under the Constitution Law .
The three commissioner are: Pol Gen Wasana Permlarp, Prinya Nak Chatree and Veerachai Neawboonnien
The commissioners were convicted on Tuesday of malfeasance for their handling of the April 23 re-elections. They allowed candidates to switch constituencies, change application dates and use old identity numbers for the benefit of the Thai Rak Thai party., and in fact there are no other candidates from other parties to compete, but only for votes of 20%,amongst the rallies of the opposition parties to recommend for “No Vote”.
They were sentenced to four years in jail, stripped of their election rights and barred from political activities for 10 years. And not allow for bail out, in the period of times to decision by Appeal and Supreme Court, which made strange and deep regret to the majority of the Thais who are looking for Fair and Reasonable practice.
The resignation of the commissioners renewed hopes for a clean and fair election as political parties launched preparations for the race. But the supreme court was not listen.
By the fact , the general election which took place on 2 April 2006,and was boycotted by the opposite parties mainly Democrat Party, which wanted the King to presented the new prime minister, and drive out Thaksin, but the King said on 25 April 2006 that the King cannot present the Prime Minister, because it was against the Constitution.
But the opposition party had did all necessities ,and dirty tricks, by their good relationship with the judges who are friends of their Chuan Leekpai, that graduated from Thammasat University
The Dirty tricks was just not allow for bailout, then the status of the three commissioners would be unqualified automatically by one of a hiding ruling clause in the complicated Thai Constitutions of 338 clauses need only “the order from any court to jail”, even the case is not reach to the end ,normally at supreme court, the complicated Thai constitution Law which is the longest Constitution in the world, and it was done after the bloodshed in 1992 , and was forced to declare by the parliament votes, other than the votes to be done by all citizens, with the strong violent in the street with Green shirt on that times.
The new Election Commission will be selected by the Constitution Rules, and no one can guarantee that the new general election will be held on 15 October 2006.
And this is the step that only the Judges only become the full legally power, in Thailand now.
End.
Comment : 3
Posted : 2006-08-12 11:06:49 IP : Hide
Bangkok : August 10 ,2006: The JUdges at Supreme Court had selected 8 Judges,one attorney-general ,and a university lecturer who rallied in street for drive out Thaksin,as the selected of the Commission for Election to the Senate paliament,for selected again by secret votes to the last 5 names,and then be submit to the King for appointment.
THe Royal decree for open sessiuon of senate was declared,to open the seante paliament on August 15 ,2006 ,and suspected that the general election will be held on October 15, 2006.
Thaksin told the newsmen that he will declare of his intention for continueing of the position as Prime Minister ,on 6th September 2006.
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Comment : 4
Posted : 2006-10-04 00:31:12 IP : Hide
Bangkok : 3rd October 2006 : after months from the 60th aniversary of the King's ruling the country,and beatuful succeeded by THaksin Administration,and no one know,that this most important job was the large job for the King.
19 SEptember 2006,while Thaksin in New York for speech at UN General Assebly,but not in times,in Bangkok the MIlitary Chief armforces had made the badly coup d'tat,and took over with bloddless ,by the leader General Sonthi Boonyakalin ,the same first name as the activists media tycoon Sonthi Limtongkul,who tried to oiutstead Thaksin since the end of last year. The Coup was cleared by the support from the old Army General who in high Ranking in Privy Council,and last weeked, Gen .Surayut Chulanond ,one of the Gen. who served with the Privy Council .He promised to form the cabinet of 35 persond, and will have general election next November 2007.
Thaksin was in London now,and he resigned from the head of THai Rak Thai Party,but he is still a member of Thai Rak Thai . The board of investigation of corruption were established from the most of acdemic and governent officers who had anti-Thaksin mind. THe Military junta will remain as the Security Council for the Country,parallel to the Dictator Government lead by General Surayut.
THere are no criticized of political be allowed,but there are some anti-dictatorship used the "internet" worldwide, to comment and fighting with the blockade of IP made by the junta government.
Comment : 5
Posted : 2006-10-12 17:51:27 IP : Hide
242 members of Thai assembly were appointed by the King
Bangkok 12th October 2006
On 11th October the King had appointed 242 member of Thai Assemply for legislation Laws , the member were introduced by the Coup committee Commission,who still have full power behide the Dictator Government, the full membership was proposed at 250 ,but only 242 were announced.
This include , a shippingman Sumate Tanthuvanit the boss of RCL (Region Container Line),the largest container operator in Thailand, and Sutham Chittranukroh, of Unithai Group who helped the Frank Tsao family to take over all Unithai asset ,beginning from the Thai Government which also the right of long-term controlled of a shipyard Unithai at Leamchabang and the Container wharf at Samutprakarn province,Sutham had worked with Tsao family since the time that Frank Tsao came to Thailand ,and asked for Thai citizen to his son Federick, , Sutham at that time when he served as an academic in Chulalongkorn University, and acted in the position in the United Thai Shipping.
Unithai Line had been listed in the Thai Stock Exchange market for a long period,but at last ,the company was total hold by Tsao family based with IMC in Singapore.
The other group that were appointed are those were rallied in the street to drive out”Thaksin” days by days , months by months and make violent to the democracy government under Thaksin before.And now it is quite clear that the Dictator Military Thai Government are forming by those who are in the side street before, and now they are come up to make the Law for the country.
The Dictator Thai Government will not lift off the “ Martial Law”yet , because ,now there are more confusion, and many factual were openned, that the dictatorship by the military will hold the power longer , and the faces of the ministers are not satisfied or acceptance, or in respective by the majority of the whole Thais, mostly in the provincial.
The policy to negotiate with the Pulau in the South,that wanted to separate three provinces in the South out of to be done, and this would pave the way to allow the new territory of Muslim be separated out from Thailand, the negotiation was backed by Maha Thir Mohammad,ex-Malaysian Prime Minister at Langavi Island soon.
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2 - Richard Dillon
Like the Cheshire cat would say: “All this talk of blood and death has put me off my tea.” There is no need to study and understand the political intricacies of Thailand. Instead, try to understand how the minds of the people work and solve problems, and perhaps things can start to unravel a little more clearly.
I don’t mean to clear the whole table with a sweep of my arm on this well written piece of editorial, but democracy in Thailand? Compared to the neighbouring countries Thailand is probably one of the most democratic and liberal country there is. It is just a purely dog-eat-dog world here, although you can say that about Singapore and Hong Kong, but at least the so-called rural/peasants/poor keep out of politics and want no trouble.
Here everyone wants a piece of the cake, they want a piece of the action, and then casually pointing fingers accusing someone else of eating the cake and causing trouble... Who is it then? K. Taksin? The Thai Chinese? Temasek Holdings? The Chinese overlogging in Burma? The Cambodians who can’t read maps? The yellow shirts? The rural reds? The white skinned? The list goes on...
3 - lek
yeah, thank god thailand has a humble peasant leader like thaksin to lead the move towards democracy against the wealthy elites (lol)