The “October spirit” and Thailand’s slow democratic transition

[snoop1130]

 

Every October in Thailand, public events are held to remember the two massacres of anti-dictatorship protesters by state forces that took place half a century ago.

 

Experts say that, while the spirit of the “October Movement” remains strong, it has not succeeded in changing social and political structures that led to the bloody events of October 14th, 1973, and October 6th, 1976.

 

“I have hardly seen any change in Thailand’s political structure … The military still wields strong political influence. It also seems ready to intervene in politics at any time,” said Somchai Homlaor, advisor to the Cross-Cultural Foundation, which seeks justice for victims of human rights abuses at the hands of authorities.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-12

 

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[nobodysfriend]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“I have hardly seen any change in Thailand’s political structure … The military still wields strong political influence. It also seems ready to intervene in politics at any time,” said Somchai Homlaor

Right he is .

Not much has changed .

Thailand is still the same Autocracy it has always been .

The elections held from time to time are just a farce , it seems ...

[carlyai]

I've been thru two coups in Thailand. 

It gets dangerous when all the police disappear off the streets. 

The last coup we decided to get out of Bangkok and driving nearly deserted streets, where the motorbike taxi mobs were destroying police boxes and traffic lights. 

Like in Manilla when Marcos reign ended, when all the police go hiding, time to worry.

[brommers]

This government is no more democratic than the junta that came before. Things might appear calm right now but the intransigence of the military & the power elite, yes I am looking at you Thaksin, is creating a build up of resentment that will result in violence eventually. Maybe not this year or next but those who have been disenfranchised number many millions and will carry their anger forward. It is going to take bloodshed to effect true change here and it is not yet time. But it will come.

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

Right he is .

Not much has changed .

Thailand is still the same Autocracy it has always been .

The elections held from time to time are just a farce , it seems ...

The military dominance even effects daily conversation in the public arena.

 

Frowned upon for juniors in the society to respond to a comment etc., from a senior except for just YES or NO.

 

I recall well the time I did in national service (not T'land) when junior soldiers were not allowed to give more than YES or NO answers to anybody who outranked them. 

 

 

Edited October 13, 2023 by scorecard