Abhisit warns against 'Thai-ism democracy’ notion being excuse to neglect universal democratic values

[webfact]

Abhisit warns against 'Thai-ism democracy’ notion being excuse to neglect universal democratic values

By The Nation

 

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva

 

Ex-prime minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday that he understood the need to localise democracy, but stressed that “Thai-ism democracy” – a term used on Saturday by PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha in reference to what he said would be “Thai-styled democracy” – should not be an excuse to neglect universal democratic values.

 

After the general election, if MPs were able to select a prime minister as stipulated in the 2017 charter, the Senate should not exploit its power to reverse such a resolution, Abhisit insisted.

 

The term ‘Thai-ism democracy’ should not be a justification for “such an undemocratic act”, he said during his TV show “Tong Tam” (Must Ask).

 

“We’ll have to ask him [Prayut] how the Senate is more Thai than the election [wishes] of the Thai people,” he said. “If they refer to the Constitution, then I have to say that the canon and democracy are different stories. Undemocratic countries also have a constitution.”

 

The former premier’s remarks came after junta head and prime minister Prayut had said on National Children’s Day that the country would have democracy but it must be “Thai-ism”, or a Thai-styled democracy.

 

Abhisit said he had no idea what Thai-ism democracy was, and cautioned the PM to be careful that it might end up generating a common recognition.

 

“Be careful about where the Thainess in this Thai-ism democracy is. What exactly constitutes Thainess?” he said during the TV show. “Now, there’s probably one way to explain it; anything that is not international is Thai.”

 

Abhisit also said he understood the necessity for the adaptation of a political system to fit a society and culture, but it should not be an excuse to neglect its very foundation while maintaining the term ‘democracy’, which sounds fit for the international norm.

 

The Democrat politician also referred back to the era when General Prem Tinsulanonda was prime minister.

 

Thailand was then under a so-called ‘semi-democratic regime’, but Abhisit said that at least it was straightforward.

 

“They accepted it was half democracy and half not,” he said. “You can’t say it is fully democratic when it isn’t.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30336354

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-16

[coulson]

Thainess.....a mystery to many

[Darcula]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

Abhisit said he had no idea

 

Should have just stopped there.

[Eric Loh]

19 minutes ago, coulson said:

Thainess.....a mystery to many

Mystery to him too but it does sound so political and made him so looks so democratic. I guess it is like plasticine and can be anything the person want it to be...to suit his agenda.  

[Ceruhe]

I'll give him a brownie point anyway simply for stating the obvious mess a thai-style democrazy would be.

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Abhisit said he had no idea what Thai-ism democracy was,

Join the club. 

[monkfish]

You started this mate!
But it was ok right when you were selected to be PM?
Forget about democracy under the current constitution it's not going to happen.

[scorecard]

27 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Mystery to him too but it does sound so political and made him so looks so democratic. I guess it is like plasticine and can be anything the person want it to be...to suit his agenda.  

 

At least give him some small credit for being honest, aligned to the fact that many many folks don't know what it really means.

 

On the other hand honesty not a strong point with the immoral mob you adore.

[Eric Loh]

12 minutes ago, scorecard said:

On the other hand honesty not a strong point with the immoral mob you adore.

How so my friend. PTP has been honest about participating in ALL elections. Can't say for the Dem and the biggest immoral yellow and green mob who don't even bother with election. T 

[ChrisY1]

Thai style democracy, a new slogan developed by a junta and whatever that may be,  it needs to be accepted by the international community.

Having a general in charge and being the unelected PM, will simply be regarded by most as similar to what is now in charge.....loaded with dopey soldiers and puppet politicians of the military' choosing.

 

[scorecard]

13 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

How so my friend. PTP has been honest about participating in ALL elections. Can't say for the Dem and the biggest immoral yellow and green mob who don't even bother with election. T 

 

Does participating in all elections mean honesty? No.

 

Conceptually surely it's democratic to refuse to participate if any party sees an election as an organized immoral sham. 

[Eric Loh]

24 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Does participating in all elections mean honesty? No.

 

Conceptually surely it's democratic to refuse to participate if any party sees an election as an organized immoral sham. 

PTP don't organize election. They only take part. Still confused? 

[baboon]

47 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Does participating in all elections mean honesty? No.

 

Conceptually surely it's democratic to refuse to participate if any party sees an election as an organized immoral sham. 

Like the constitution they wrote and then ignored?

[jayboy]

42 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

 

 

Conceptually surely it's democratic to refuse to participate if any party sees an election as an organized immoral sham. 

In referring to Abhisit's disgraceful boycott of elections in 2013, this person taints the forum (again) with dishonesty.

 

For those unfamiliar background, the New York Times sets out the position.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/world/asia/thai-opposition-party-will-boycott-february-elections-as-large-protests-continue.html

 

If any election can be described as an organized sham it surely must be the forthcoming one based on the Junta's rigged constitution with the prospect of nominated stooges, military interference and possibly an outside Prime Minister.Is Abhisit going to boycott this one? No, because the little weasel thinks he can exploit the situation (wrongly in my view)

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

PTP don't organize election. They only take part. Still confused? 

 

You need to do better than that as a response, wake up your supervisor el.

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

PTP don't organize election. They only take part. Still confused? 

 

Where did I say that PTP organized an election?

[Ricardo]

1 hour ago, jayboy said:

In referring to Abhisit's disgraceful boycott of elections in 2013, this person taints the forum (again) with dishonesty.

 

I think you mean the election in February-2014, in 2013 the country was still being guided & advised by Skype from Dubai, or 'Thai democracy' as some liked to call it ?

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Abhisit said he had no idea what Thai-ism democracy was

It's whatever the PM wants it to be to get him back in power

[seminomadic]

Is Abhisit actually politically starting to grow a pair of nuts?

[Hayduke]

Despite his high dollar education, Mr. Abhisit seems to have completely missed the myriad democratic achievements made in Thailand. Achievements that Uncle clearly understands...that 'Thai-ism' democracy has arrived.

 

It’s a triumph of social and economic engineering that virtually every Thai citizen enjoys democratic rights. This is demonstrated by the fact that virtually everyone has the means and opportunity to bribe some representative of the government. Furthermore, a vast majority of Thai people have, at one time or another actually bribed someone. From a hundred Baht to negotiate a police roadblock to a million Baht to dump toxic waste into the river. This is not corruption…this is true, meaningful, democracy in action. An open system where everyone participates. One man, one bribe.

 

Compare this to the fact that millions upon millions of people (in the so-called democratic West) live their entire bleak lives without…ever bribing anyone! Unbelievable, but true. Because in order to bribe a government official in the West you need a…lot…of money. Suitcases of the stuff. Therefore, bribery is only an option for the very wealthy. Ordinary people are left with no day-to-day ability to control their interactions with the government. This sad fact indicates a real absence of real democracy. What kind of so-called modern society denies this basic human right to its citizens?

 

So, once again Thailand leads the way and there is no need to debate the essence of democracy. Under Uncle’s wise, benevolent guidance, the country has already proven that 'Thai-ism' democracy...is true democracy.

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2018 by Hayduke

[micmichd]

6 hours ago, coulson said:

Thainess.....a mystery to many

Look at Germany to find out how sustainability is not compatible with short-time politics based on elections. 

[Katipo]

You don't have to like Abhisit, but that doesn't mean he's wrong.

[jayboy]

2 hours ago, Ricardo said:

 

I think you mean the election in February-2014, in 2013 the country was still being guided & advised by Skype from Dubai, or 'Thai democracy' as some liked to call it ?

Yes you're right - at least on the election date!

[Eric Loh]

14 minutes ago, Katipo said:

You don't have to like Abhisit, but that doesn't mean he's wrong.

Not a matter of like but just how trust worthy and genuine are his words. He did sold out democracy quite cheaply. 

[Darcula]

6 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

He did sold out democracy quite cheaply. 

[Srikcir]

27 minutes ago, micmichd said:

Look at Germany to find out how sustainability is not compatible with short-time politics based on elections. 

Can you clarify?

Angela Merkel has been serving as Chancellor of Germany since 2005 and likely going to continue doing so this year.

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Abhisit warns against 'Thai-ism democracy’ notion being excuse to neglect universal democratic values

It just seems Abhisit can't find any system of governance that he can't lead on his own without outside help. He should consider a different profession or a different country.

[Chris Lawrence]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Ex-prime minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday that he understood the need to localise democracy, but stressed that “Thai-ism democracy” – a term used on Saturday by PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha in reference to what he said would be “Thai-styled democracy” – should not be an excuse to neglect universal democratic values.

This is the guy that gave orders to shoot into crowds, took down an elected Government; so what type of Democracy is he advocating.

 

He got his name in the paper so he got what he wanted.

 

I would be careful of "Knife in the Back Abhisit", as he will always get you when you are not looking.

[Chris Lawrence]

2 hours ago, seminomadic said:

Is Abhisit actually politically starting to grow a pair of nuts?

He had them surgically removed a long time ago.

[brd]

the fundamental problem everyone seems to ignore is that the Thai People have to be educated prior talking about  possible democracy and that is done by informing them on a very regular basis what its meaning is.

PM Prayuth is doing an excellent job we can witness each day in actuation the past four years and in the Thai History He is the first one leading the Nation rather than looking after his own interests grabbing.

Thai Nation should start quickly to acknowledge it and being grateful to his dedication.

The Thai press is partly responsible for missing the above two issues looking so busy criticizing for a scoop often wrong and biased.