March 1, 2022: Nepotism is a political demon that lurks in all kinds of ideological environments, and while it is prevalent in a dictatorship, it can also weaken democracy considerably.

 

Worse still, this demon feeds off rivalry of ideologies.

 

The latest plight of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is an Exhibit A of that. On the one hand, the case of Thawil Pliensri took place while Thailand was supposedly more democratic than now. On the other hand, action is only being taken against her when the country is “less democratic”, raising the question whether it was a conspiracy to twist the knife in the wound of a fallen rival rather than a sincere effort to get rid of one of the biggest scourges haunting the political system.

 

To cut a long story short, Thawil was removed as head of the National Security Council while Yingluck was in power, so that then police chief Wichean Poteposree, who was at the time having to give the helm of the national police to political favourite Priewphan Damapong, allegedly could have a graceful exit.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/one-of-thailands-biggest-scourges-revels-in-great-polarity/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-01

 

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8 minutes ago, webfact said:

On the other hand, action is only being taken against her when the country is “less democratic”,

I think the correct terminology for this government is UNDEMOCRATIC, not less democratic !

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

Nepotism is a political demon that lurks in all kinds of ideological environments, and while it is prevalent in a dictatorship, it can also weaken democracy considerably.

 

Which 'democracy' being 'weakened' are we talking about here?

 

 

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

 Nepotism is a political demon that lurks in all kinds of ideological environments, and while it is prevalent in a dictatorship, it can also weaken democracy considerably.

Remind me again how monarchs are chosen.

 

 

8 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Remind me again how monarchs are chosen.

The lady of the lake ...... her arm clad in purest shimmering samite ......... etc.

 

Nepotism is baked into the thai Social Contract. Rarely is a position filled without consideration of family, friends. 

 

And if you don't like the relative maybe don't overthrow titular head of the family.

 

 

3 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

I think the correct terminology for this government is UNDEMOCRATIC, not less democratic !

Authoritarian?

5 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

I think the correct terminology for this government is UNDEMOCRATIC, not less democratic !

One might, firstly, define what democracy is and where it's practiced in truer form. 

Today's definition of democracy as seen the world over might be: Oligarchical Corporatism. 

19 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

One might, firstly, define what democracy is and where it's practiced in truer form. 

Today's definition of democracy as seen the world over might be: Oligarchical Corporatism. 

As usual, your post is Right on the Money