Battle for democracy

[webfact]

Battle for democracy

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

file photo

 

Junta's ambition to stay on in power has given rise to a unique scenario marked by a distinct ideological divide Experts believe Prayut can be defeated in the election but consensus will be needed to end a culture of coups

 

WILL THE junta stay or go? This question seems to be uppermost in voters’ minds, pushing to the rear bread-and-butter issues popular in previous election campaigns like price guarantees for agricultural products, free schooling, healthcare etc.

 

In less than two weeks, Thailand will be voting for the first time since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) seized power in 2014, in an election many see as an ideological battle between the democratic and authoritarian camps.

 

Hence, as politicians campaign for votes, make speeches and participate in debates, their stance on the junta has become important. The two camps began taking shape after the 2006 coup, but this phenomenon was not seen in the post-coup election in 2007. So, why now?

 

 

The power of democracy is the answer, political scientist Suraphot Thaweesak said. Though the red-shirt movement was huge 12 years ago, he explained its pro-democracy position was nothing like it is today.

 

“Most of the time, they were called ‘champions of [former PM Thaksin] Shinawatra’s interests’ – wanting an election as a means to support Thaksin.

 

Nothing about them was seen as contributing to democracy,” he said. “Also, the Shinawatra camp was cautious when it came to democracy. They didn’t want to take risks, so they made compromises with the right wing.”

 

However, through political turbulence and debates, the pro-democracy camp has grown and developed, he explained. The pro-democracy camp, which had been tied to the Shinawatra bloc, appears to have found its independence, he said.

 

In this election though, the war between the liberals and conservatives has been accentuated, mainly thanks to the emergence of Future Forward Party (FWP), he said.

 

“I give FWP credit for giving momentum and emphasising the ideology of democracy beyond just paying it lip service,” he said. “This has given birth to a so-called pro-democracy bloc, which has given rise to a battle between democracy and authoritarianism.”

 

As for the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai Party, Suraphot said he has also seen a change in them that backs his idea of this ballot being a battle between the two ideologies. He said that after all these years, Pheu Thai has finally realised that it cannot make compromises with the right wing, and hence has decided to focus more on its beliefs and economic policies.

 

Apart from the deep-rooted conflicts plaguing the Kingdom for over a decade, other political observers are seeing other angles that make this election unique.

 

Pro-democracy activist Nuttaa Mahuttana’s said the NCPO regime and its political ambitions make this election very different.

 

“Previous coupmakers did not show any signs of wanting to cling to power, unlike this junta,” the activist said. “This time, the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party – which shares the same name as the government’s cash-handout programme – is so obviously working for the junta. In fact, it was founded by the junta’s Cabinet members.”

 

Nuttaa said she believes the party’s every move is planned for General Prayut Chan-o-cha to retake power. For instance, she said, the party has headhunted an unprecedented number of former MPs.

 

“And now Prayut is their PM candidate,” she said. “It will become even easier for him to take over thanks to the 250 senators he has appointed. So, this plan to have Prayut stay on has given rise to this ideological battle.”

 

The battle can also be blamed on the NCPO’s legacy, such as the 2017 Constitution and its 20-year national strategy, Nuttaa added.

 

These strategies will dictate the direction of the country for the next two decades, yet there has been very little public participation in their creation.

 

“So, this election is significant. If Prayut does return, he will have all this apparatus,” the activist said, implying the junta chief may be unstoppable if he does win the election. “It is important that we support the pro-democracy camp, so that after the election all these NCPO-created strategies can be removed.”

 

FWP deputy leader Chamnan Chanruang, however, believes politicians are still focusing on bread and butter issues.

 

In fact, he said, the anti-junta sentiment largely stemmed from the NCPO’s poor performance. So, when people vote against Prayut, it will only show that they want the military to be out of politics and want professional politicians to do the job and put money in their pockets, he said.

 

But where will this battle take the country?

 

All three observers responded differently.

 

Chamnan believes the junta will be easily defeated, as it will not win any support from the House of Representatives.

 

“Prayut will never survive the censure motions,” he said. “The 250 senators won’t be able to carry him, and he will just have to give in when the sentiment against him is strong enough.”

 

However, he admitted this triumph will not necessarily guarantee an end to coups. The only way coups can be stopped is if there is a common consensus, he added.

 

The two other observers, however, see only a dim hope for democracy.

 

Nuttaa said that with the dissolution of the Thai Raksa Chart Party, the anti-junta bloc has only a slim chance of winning.

 

Similarly, Suphot said new regulations have put the pro-democracy camps at a disadvantage, but maybe defeat is a necessary process for the development of democracy.

 

“Each time they are defeated, injustice is exposed,” Suphot said. “In the process, the conservative camp is destroying its credibility and legitimacy. So, though it will be a long, tough fight, it will have to continue until democracy triumphs or until the elite yield to liberal democracy.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30365701

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-13

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

so that after the election all these NCPO-created strategies can be removed.”

words that the new idiot army chief, already having shown his colors, loves to hear, doubtless already loosely plotting the next coup; imagine that guy as the next unelected PM

[Laughing Gravy]

Lets be honest it is selective democracy or Thai democracy as it is often refereed too. I won't comment anymore.

[neeray]

Many interesting, and some encouraging, comments in the OP. But on the side of safety, I've decided to go "chicken shit" and refrain from commenting.

 

But look forward to comments by others.

[ocddave]

Nothing short of a Civil War is going to unseat the powers that be, Thai's however lack the will to act. They've been pre-programmed since birth to be serfs.

Edited March 13, 2019 by ocddave

[yellowboat]

23 minutes ago, ocddave said:

Nothing short of a Civil War is going to unseat the powers that be, Thai's however lack the will to act. They've been pre-programmed since birth to be serfs.

Not sure about that .    The serfs I talk to are fed up with the army, and the elites only really care about money.  So if the serfs were to do what the Indians did to get rid of the British, the elites will cave.  If people just stopped working for a week, the elites will embrace participatory government over night. 

 

Cha Cha and his little troll have really made the army look childish and stupid.  They may have diminished its power.   Ceasing a country at gun point and then claiming to be heroes.  Words fail me as to how to describe such empty headed thinking.   

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Similarly, Suphot said new regulations have put the pro-democracy camps at a disadvantage, but maybe defeat is a necessary process for the development of democracy.

 

Very interesting indeed. Lose the battle but win the war. Intersting times lie ahead for this country. A country that has well and truly had enough of military rule.???? 

[Lupatria]

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

words that the new idiot army chief, already having shown his colors, loves to hear, doubtless already loosely plotting the next coup; imagine that guy as the next unelected PM

It would not be the first and probably not the last time that the tanks decide a battle. If you are not sure about it, you may ask the new army chief about it.

I can only recommend to all voters to consider the words of a philosopher, who was far from being always wise but in this case...
“Anyone who turns himself into a worm cannot complain afterwards, if he is trampled.“ (Immanuel Kant)
 

[Saladin]

i am constantly dismayed at the lack of knowledge amongst Thais of what's happening in the world, or even in Thailand. We farangs can't do anything about the outcome of the elections except to urge any Thais we know who want a return to democracy to quickly faniliarise themselves with the issues and make their vote count.

[neeray]

6 minutes ago, Saladin said:

i am constantly dismayed at the lack of knowledge amongst Thais of what's happening in the world, or even in Thailand. We farangs can't do anything about the outcome of the elections except to urge any Thais we know who want a return to democracy to quickly faniliarise themselves with the issues and make their vote count.

It saddens me to say, "you are right". Most Thais whom I know have no idea what is going on in the outside world. Many do not know what is going on inside Thailand.

But I do find that "some" are keenly interested to see the end of the junta "government". I wish there were more.

[Burma Bill]

As a retiree (and guest) in Thailand it is not for me to comment in any way on Thai politics. However for all Thais who are eligible to vote in the coming election I recommend you make the effort to cast your vote and do not waste it. 

[Eric Loh]

13 minutes ago, Saladin said:

i am constantly dismayed at the lack of knowledge amongst Thais of what's happening in the world, or even in Thailand. We farangs can't do anything about the outcome of the elections except to urge any Thais we know who want a return to democracy to quickly faniliarise themselves with the issues and make their vote count.

Point taken. There also seem a lack of knowledge among few farangs here that try link corruption as a key requisite for democracy. Perhaps an inscrutable attempt to justify the coup. 

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“It is important that we support the pro-democracy camp, so that after the election all these NCPO-created strategies can be removed.”

I appreciate this spirit but not the ignorance.

 

The so-called NCPO-created strategies have been memorialized into the 2017 Constitution as the  20-year National Reform Plan and by various organic laws that required the approval of the Constitutional Court as id they were part of the consuitution.

Removing any part of such strategies requires an amendment to the Constitution. That amendment requires the approval of the NCPO-created pro-military Senate that will remain in place for at least five years after the 2019 election. Such time span might cover the next two elections.

 

Any pro-democracy camp cannot and must not make such erroneous and simplistic expectations. The strong deep state that Prayut has installed into all branches of government cannot be underestimated in its difficulty.

[Srikcir]

 

A more honest set of Numbers might be:

  0 years of Real Democracy

49 years of under direct military rule

37 years of under indirect military control as Thai-Styled Democracy

 

[neeray]

8 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

I appreciate this spirit but not the ignorance.

 

The so-called NCPO-created strategies have been memorialized into the 2017 Constitution as the  20-year National Reform Plan and by various organic laws that required the approval of the Constitutional Court as id they were part of the consuitution.

Removing any part of such strategies requires an amendment to the Constitution. That amendment requires the approval of the NCPO-created pro-military Senate that will remain in place for at least five years after the 2019 election. Such time span might cover the next two elections.

 

Any pro-democracy camp cannot and must not make such erroneous and simplistic expectations. The strong deep state that Prayut has installed into all branches of government cannot be underestimated in its difficulty.

In other words, a bunch of political trickery has been implemented to assure a certain group's longevity and rule.

Throw the bums out. Rip up the new constitution and start over. This is not a democracy.

[Eric Loh]

17 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

A more honest set of Numbers might be:

  0 years of Real Democracy

49 years of under direct military rule

37 years of under indirect military control as Thai-Styled Democracy

 

Numbers that will delight junta sympathizers. 

[Chrisswe]

8 hours ago, YetAnother said:

words that the new idiot army chief, already having shown his colors, loves to hear, doubtless already loosely plotting the next coup; imagine that guy as the next unelected PM

Everyone must be aware of the realty, military/Army will allvays have the main power in this country , democracy is only a word they use to satisfied the demokratic world !! If you study and read the constitution than you understand, is some non-military political party try to change this existing constitution than the ris of an new coup is great !!! 

[madmen]

5 hours ago, Saladin said:

i am constantly dismayed at the lack of knowledge amongst Thais of what's happening in the world, or even in Thailand. We farangs can't do anything about the outcome of the elections except to urge any Thais we know who want a return to democracy to quickly faniliarise themselves with the issues and make their vote count.

"constantly dismayed at the lack of knowledge among Thais of what's happening in the world"

Get out of your village and only then will you see that its clearly not the case. The GF is middle class , highly paid and educated as are her friends here in Bangkok and I can assure you she knows whats going on. 

 

Now if your thai "friends" are farmers then it totally understandable.

[JAG]

 

Astonishing, so young and yet so many medals! They all seem to have fought in the same campaigns too!

And now they stride into a brave new future, each one savouring the certain fact that he will have his turn at the trough.

 

On second thoughts, maybe this is "fake news", after all, only the lance jack out front has para wings...

Edited March 13, 2019 by JAG

[seahorse]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

when people vote against Prayut, it will only show that they want the military to be out of politics and want professional politicians to do the job and put money in their pockets

Politicians always put money in their pockets. That's why they become politicians.

[tomta]

Plato wrote his Socratic dialogues to memorialize his mentor's ethical investigations and ideas that the unexamined life is not worth living.

 

Galileo wrote his great dialogue on the two world systems and even with that little bit of subterfuge got himself banged up by the catholic church for heresy.

 

Montaigne expanded the form and wrote dialogues posing himself as one interlocutor against other aspects of himself as the other.

 

And the inheritor of this honoured form is .... Tulsathit Taptim.

 

Jesus wept.