The long, arduous journey towards democracy

[webfact]

The long, arduous journey towards democracy

By JINTANA PANYAARVUDH 
THE NATION 

 

 

Since 1971, when The Nation was born, Thailand has mostly been under dictatorship or authoritarian rule. Political analysts still see a silver lining

 

Though Thailand's road to democracy over the past five decades has hit a series of diversions and dead ends, political scientists believe there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

However, they say, any further progress depends on the new generation, who must play a vital role if the dream of full democracy is to come true.

 

In the 48 years of this newspaper’s existence, Thailand has never been a “fully democratic” state in which a government is truly accountable to its people via elections and a robust system of independent checks and balances.

 

For most of that time, it has been under military control, backed by a small conservative elite who believe democracy is unnecessary, said Titipol Phakdeewanich, political science dean at Ubon Ratchathani University.

 

Even after the latest general election, he added, the coup-makers’ National Council for Peace and Order has managed to extend its control over a nominally democratic Parliament.

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha arrives at Kansai airport in Izumisano city, Osaka prefecture, on June 27, 2019 ahead of the G20 Osaka Summit. /AFP

 

Not only has junta leader, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, retained his power as prime |minister, but the junta-appointed Senate will stay in place for five years, playing a decisive role in voting for the next PM.

 

In fact, Thailand has been “undemocratic” since the 1932 revolution, which saw the abolition of absolute monarchy, Titipol said.

Anti-democratic rhetoric is still a part of everyday life nearly nine decades after the change from rule by royalty to rule by the |people.

 

People like to say “we’re not ready or it’s too early” for democracy, or that democracy “doesn’t fit in Thai society”, Titipol said.

Indeed, Thai democracy has been blocked since birth by a series of elitist powerplays, according to Yuthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist from the Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

 

“First there were strong dictatorships, then plutocracy or money politics [under Thaksin Shinawatra], then military coups and now we’re under a ‘neo-bureaucratic polity’,” he said.

 

This picture taken on March 25, 2019, shows exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra being interviewed by Agence France-presse in Hong Kong. /AFP

 

Yet, amid the dead ends and despotism, Thailand experienced a brief flourishing of democracy with the 1997 Constitution.

 

Under what was dubbed the “People’s Constitution”, the country’s rules and legal mechanisms were liberalised and the charter played a crucial role in motivating public awareness and political participation, said Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist from King Prajadhipok’s Institute.

 

However, he blames resistance to the progressive charter among the administration and voters for weakening its defences against authoritarianism.

 

The people’s charter was finally torn up after the military coup of 2006, to be replaced with one “less than half as progressive”, Stithorn said. This was in turn scrapped and replaced by our current and even “more regressive” Constitution of 2017.

 

Seeking reasons why Thailand has not yet achieved full democracy, analysts identify several culprits. Chief among them is the support given by the Thai elite to the military so they can protect their interests, the entrenched conservative bureaucratic polity, and rulers’ obsession with institutional structures that |regulate the direction of democracy.

 

“The rulers want people to blindly believe in the rules they design. But this no longer works. The public can no longer be as easily controlled as they think,” Stithorn said.

 

In the modern world, we have to create a “shared democracy”, in which the designers of the rules have to allow the voters – who are supposed to follow these rules – to participate in designing these rules, he added.

 

Thai electoral officials count ballots after voting closed in the general election, at a polling station during a general elections at a temple in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, 24 March 2019. /EPA-EFE

 

Hope for a better democracy

 

Is there any hope that Thailand will ever become an open, liberal democracy?

 

Yes, say the academics, because Thailand |cannot avoid the global trend towards freedom and accountable rulers. However, they admit this will be a difficult task and may take at least another two decades, as the key to a fully |liberal democracy lies with the younger generation. 

 

It will be difficult to see true democracy before that because the current generation doesn’t truly believe in government accountable to the “demos”, or people, and doesn’t think it would good for the country, so keeps letting the military take control, Titipol said.

 

He believes society should stop talking about whether we, as Thais, are ready for |democracy, and instead understand that democracy evolves on its own.

 

“We have to progress and move forward. We cannot stop. We have to continue moving towards becoming a fully democratic country,” he added.

 

And despite the dark clouds hanging over Thai democracy, analysts still see a silver lining.

 

Yuthaporn said Thai politics will continue developing in a positive direction for the next 50 years even though the current version of governance is seen only as quasi-democracy.

 

“Social dynamics and disruptive technology will disrupt Thai politics too. Positive changes will soon be visible,” he said, adding that these days many people – regardless of their age – are actively interested in politics.

 

This, he added, is especially true among the new generation.

 

The younger generation offers strong hope for the survival of democracy or at the very least social change that creates a better form of democracy, academics say.

 

Titipol cited recent signs of such hope, including the high-school students who designed pedestal trays on Teacher’s Day to mock the current state of politics, and a school parade in Trang province where students held up placards satirising the junta-led government.

 

Students place pedestal trays decorated with hand-made items to mock the current state of politics.

 

He said these and other similar actions show that despite its five years in power, the military-led government has failed to control the new generation’s thoughts.

 

“The new generation’s thought process represents a change [in society],” Yuthaporn said.

 

No white knight to the rescue 

 

However, he said, the public should not place their hopes on a white knight showing up to “present” the country with full democracy. They will be disappointed again, as they were in the past, he cautioned.

 

He cited the 1997 charter, which was widely hailed as a landmark in democratic |constitutional reforms that was meant to deliver a strong democracy and strong government.

 

But though Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration at the time was powerful, democratic accountability failed because checks and balances were undermined.

 

The current 2017 Constitution was also created with the promise of deep and wide-ranging reforms, but it became a |political nightmare when drafters overlooked the significance of democracy and instead placed politics under the control of what Yuthaporn calls a neo-bureaucratic polity.

 

 

“The hope for a full democracy lies in the hands of Thai citizens. Democracy can only be created by the public, not by rules and mechanisms. They need to learn to build a new culture that facilitates democracy,” Yuthaporn said.

 

“Thais must adopt ‘fraternity’, or the concept of living together as brothers and |sisters, instead of being divided. We have to learn to listen to different voices and opinions. That is fundamental for creating a democracy,” he added.

 

Stithorn identified another key problem of politics that leads to social divisions as the “winner-takes-all” concept, which has existed in Thailand for a very long time.

 

“A key factor in becoming a full democracy is finding a way to balance power and also to share power so it benefits everybody and gives each person their own turf to work from,” he added.

 

Each player has to wait for his turn, and though a winner can take all sometimes, they must realise that they too will lose one day and that the loser will one day become a winner, he said. Similarly, the majority can become the minority and vice versa.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30371936

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-07-01

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[Swedenlars]

In fact, Thailand has been “undemocratic” since the 1932 

says it all. And I don't see any signs they want to change it. For me personally there is only one amazing thing about the Land of fake smiles: Why millions of tourists love to come here ? Furthermore over 2 millions of foreigners live permanently in this country. Is it food, climate, the welcoming attitude of the Thais and their honesty, because it is very cheap, it is safe, generous visa regulations, beautiful and loyal Ladies, can buy land in my name, good justice system, safe roads, well organized public transport, no corruption ?? I don't know. Never mind, make your choice. Like the above or leave. I didn't and left. But still a tourist. Why, ? Good question.[emoji12]

 

Gesendet von meinem SM-N950F mit Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

 

[Thaiwrath]

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

Similarly, the majority can become the minority and vice versa.

Not when you make the rules up, to suit yourself, as you goes along.

When you get people to vote, THEN decide how to allocate seats (after handpicking your own senate as back up), democracy will never happen here. 

[Enoon]

Yet another fantasy of Democracy the "easy" way, the omelette made from unbroken eggs.

 

The absolutists remain and flourish amidst such passive, dreamy rhetoric.

 

They piss on you Mr Jintana.

 

Get real.

 

 

Edited June 30, 2019 by Enoon

[Chazar]

There is NO democracy because the Thai people are SPINELESS, they need to physically get out on the streets and throw the army out, cut them down to 25% of what they are then do the same to the police. All those at the top should be made  accountable.

[faraday]

4 minutes ago, Chazar said:

There is NO democracy because the Thai people are SPINELESS, they need to physically get out on the streets and throw the army out, cut them down to 25% of what they are then do the same to the police. All those at the top should be made  accountable.

No Chadar, Thai people are not spineless, just afraid of the guns.

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has never been a “fully democratic” state in which a government is truly accountable to its people via elections and a robust system of independent checks and balances.

wont happen in my lifetime; thailand and democracy dont go together

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

if the dream of full democracy is to come true.

i suppose dreams can be important, nothing of substance tho

[Chazar]

29 minutes ago, faraday said:

No Chadar, Thai people are not spineless, just afraid of the guns.

If they came out en masse there would be little  death, but death is inevitable for that change to occur, how many are they already  killing secretly anyway? how many disappear?

[rvaviator]

In fact, Thailand has been “undemocratic” since the 1932 
says it all. And I don't see any signs they want to change it. For me personally there is only one amazing thing about the Land of fake smiles: Why millions of tourists love to come here ? Furthermore over 2 millions of foreigners live permanently in this country. Is it food, climate, the welcoming attitude of the Thais and their honesty, because it is very cheap, it is safe, generous visa regulations, beautiful and loyal Ladies, can buy land in my name, good justice system, safe roads, well organized public transport, no corruption ?? I don't know. Never mind, make your choice. Like the above or leave. I didn't and left. But still a tourist. Why, ? Good question.[emoji12]
 
Gesendet von meinem SM-N950F mit Tapatalk
 
 
 
 
 

Hi - You find all that in Scandinavia ... :-) .. I assume you are from Sweden ... ? But it’s a bit boring ... right ... so you come back ... just like a smoker who knows smoking is no good .. but still enjoy the puff of his last smoke ... :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Prairieboy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The long, arduous journey towards democracy

As with any journey it begins with the first step!  We're still waiting.

[Lungstib]

You cant have democracy until people are equal. When all men (and women) are equal and are allowed to have a say on their constitution, sit in parliament without some bogus university diploma and are allowed free speech on whatever subject they desire, then you can proceed with democracy.

 

[Skallywag]

3 hours ago, Swedenlars said:

Furthermore over 2 millions of foreigners live permanently in this country.

Most "foreigners" living permanently in Thailand are from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. 

About 8% of the foreigners are from Europe, GB, USA, or Australia = 145,000  FYI

 

[Denim]

Thailand's journey to democracy is analguous to someone wanting to travel from Bangkok to Thonburi.

 

Instead of just crossing the river they have journeyed through Cambodia and Vietnam, swum the Pacific, traversed America , swum the Atlantic and are currently crossing Europe to get to Thonburi the slow way.

 

All of which would be fine except these days some of them think they have lost something and want to go back for it.

[robblok]

1 hour ago, faraday said:

No Chadar, Thai people are not spineless, just afraid of the guns.

Plus if they want to depose of one government then they will get a other one full with crooks. Its not as if there are many honest alternatives besides FFW. IMHO only the faces change but they are all in it for themselves.

[Cadbury]

2 hours ago, Chazar said:

There is NO democracy because the Thai people are SPINELESS, they need to physically get out on the streets and throw the army out, cut them down to 25% of what they are then do the same to the police. All those at the top should be made  accountable.

Brave words from someone who won't be leading the charge. 

These Thai people don't look so SPINELESS as you so nicely put it. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/03/thailand.protests/index.html

[chainarong]

Until you remove the military from interfering with state and remove the generals as heads of departments, Thailand will never move forward and Democracy will always be a dirty word..

[Lenny Jones]

"Democracy" is an irrelevant and miss-used word in Thailand.

 

An example of REAL democracy:

 

Australia had elections the same time as Thailand.  The overal votes resulted in a winner being announced THE NEXT DAY.

A new government was in place just over a week later.

 

The people spoke.  Were listened to.  It happened.  The winners rejoiced.  The losers complained but it was SORTED BASE ON THE PEOPLE'S WISHES

 

THAT is democracy - Not the Cardboard replica being peddled by a military dictatorship.

[Lenny Jones]

2 hours ago, Chazar said:

There is NO democracy because the Thai people are SPINELESS, they need to physically get out on the streets and throw the army out, cut them down to 25% of what they are then do the same to the police. All those at the top should be made  accountable.

It's not "spineless".  It's the knowledge of men on motorbikes with no plates and matching helmets.  The knowledge of many people missing.  The sheer size of an army and the corrupt power's stranglehold on the nation with oppressive laws and the power to apply them.

 

And that magic number - - - - 44

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, Chazar said:

If they came out en masse there would be little  death, but death is inevitable for that change to occur, how many are they already  killing secretly anyway? how many disappear?

Lead the way!Too many greedy kents in politics and too many greedy kents with guns in Thai politics. 

[Lupatria]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The long, arduous journey towards democracy

Where I come from they say: the longest journey requires a first step.

However, Thais seem to wait for someone promising them a lift in a limo.

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, Cadbury said:

Brave words from someone who won't be leading the charge.

As a  non Thai citizen I have zero say despite employing their countrymen/women buying plenty of their condos and vehicles.............its up to them.

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, Cadbury said:

Brave words from someone who won't be leading the charge. 

These Thai people don't look so SPINELESS as you so nicely put it. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/03/thailand.protests/index.html

Yeah out of 60  million whats that? 100k? 

[Chazar]

44 minutes ago, Lenny Jones said:

It's not "spineless".  It's the knowledge of men on motorbikes with no plates and matching helmets.  The knowledge of many people missing.  The sheer size of an army and the corrupt power's stranglehold on the nation with oppressive laws and the power to apply them.

 

And that magic number - - - - 44

Theres  way more Thais not in the army than in it.

[NCC1701A]

make sure your VPN is on.

[Eric Loh]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Hope for a better democracy

 

Better chance if Thailand can charge and jail those coup generals and reform the military. In that process, re-write the constitution to a fully elected bicameral system. This constitution is a stranglehold for a better democracy and the military is a disease that need to be surgically removed. 

[BEngBKK]

Can a Buddhist country be democratic?

 

Everybody is born unequally because of karma...

[lvr181]

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

wont happen in my lifetime; thailand and democracy dont go together

And Feudalism doesn't even recognise/understand the word "democracy".

[Krataiboy]

5 hours ago, Chazar said:

There is NO democracy because the Thai people are SPINELESS, they need to physically get out on the streets and throw the army out, cut them down to 25% of what they are then do the same to the police. All those at the top should be made  accountable.

One picture worth a thousand words to explain why Thais think twice before getting out on the streets to protest against the ruling junta.  This was the aftermath one of two brutal attacks on the political activist which left him requiring surgery for a broken eye socket.

 

In the end, the only way to bring democracy is via the ballot box. Last time around, the Thai people blew it. It seems they prefer the illusion of peace and security over democratic freedoms with which they are historically unfamiliar.

 

Edited July 1, 2019 by Krataiboy

[Chelseafan]

6 hours ago, Lungstib said:

You cant have democracy until people are equal. When all men (and women) are equal and are allowed to have a say on their constitution, sit in parliament without some bogus university diploma and are allowed free speech on whatever subject they desire, then you can proceed with democracy.

 

But all people in Thailand ARE equal....It's just some are more equal than others.