Thailand's Army, The Silent Political Actor

[david96]

In a functioning democracy the Army (Defence forces) are under control of Parlament, and a Minister is responsible. The Defence forces do as they are told.

In Thailand it is the other way around.

[mark45y]

My red shirt TV (satellite) went off the air for the first time during this movement just now. I think the army took the broadcasting equipment. Is this true?

[wayfarer108]

In a functioning democracy the Army (Defence forces) are under control of Parlament, and a Minister is responsible. The Defence forces do as they are told.

In Thailand it is the other way around.

Exactly. A functioning democracy needs an educated population who have too much national and personal pride to sell their vote en masseIn a functioning democracy it's illegal to buy candidates and parties the way the TRT did, hence the changes to the 1997 constitution. Thailand has had a handful of elected PMs and national assmblys (no, Thaksin was not the first) but that doesn't make it a functioning democracy. Look carefully at the events of 1932.

[321niti123]

Not really genie in the bottle...more like Pandora's box

[321niti123]

Not really genie in the bottle...more like Pandora's box

[mark45y]

In a functioning democracy the Army (Defence forces) are under control of Parlament, and a Minister is responsible. The Defence forces do as they are told.

In Thailand it is the other way around.

Exactly. A functioning democracy needs an educated population who have too much national and personal pride to sell their vote en masseIn a functioning democracy it's illegal to buy candidates and parties the way the TRT did, hence the changes to the 1997 constitution. Thailand has had a handful of elected PMs and national assmblys (no, Thaksin was not the first) but that doesn't make it a functioning democracy. Look carefully at the events of 1932.

There have been democracies all through history that did not have an educated populace. Honesty does not go hand and hand with education. Some of the biggest crooks in the world are very well educated. Matter of fact one might make the case that the worst crooks are well educated.

[david96]

In a functioning democracy the Judicial system, the Parlament and the Administration (public/civil servants) operate individually from each other without interference.

Back benchers, and ministers are free to debate, discuss or ask questions in Parlament

with out interference from vested interests and "persons of influence."

And one can contact ones local MP in person and be treated equally irrespective of ones political colour.

And in a functioning democracy every citizen is treated equally, and one vote is between the

individual and the ballot box, no one else.

If Thailand wants to understand what democracy is all about one only has to look to Australia

and New Zealand.

An Thailand needs to rid itself of the "les majeste" law, so constructive criticism can be made concerning the M*******.

Edited April 9, 2010 by david96

[JRinger]

^most of the army is from the North. (heart of thailand)

exactly, offspring of the hi-so's & elite have an honorary "get out of the army" card.