Thai editorial: Not enough belief in the government's sincerity

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Not enough belief in the government's sincerity
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In the 1990s, during Thailand's last serious political upheaval, the people were united against dictatorship; this time, a deeply divided society will find it almost impossible to compromise on proposed reform and reconciliation

It was almost picture-perfect at Government House on Saturday. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra inaugurated the new political-reform forum. She received cooperation from veteran politicians, current players, a former coup leader, legal experts and academics, who agreed to join hands to build a roadmap for the country in the coming decades. It was indeed inspiring public-relations work for the government. Everything looked just right - except for one big question: Can the reform council possibly succeed in coming up with concrete solutions?

There is no denying that Thailand needs political reform. However, the timing is not right. The administration should have planned more carefully and launched the initiative at a better time. The political atmosphere is not encouraging after a week of acrimonious battles in Parliament over charter amendments and the budget. And the night before the reform council met, rubber farmers clashed with police in the South while demanding guaranteed prices for their produce. Adding to the unpleasant backdrop is the ongoing anti-government protest in Bangkok's Lumpini Park. There was also protest in front of the British Embassy against plans to have former prime minister Tony Blair address the reconciliation talks in Thailand.

Yingluck is right that the reform effort requires the participation of all parties. Such an effort would bear no fruit without the people's input. Thailand's political problems are more aggravated and complicated than those of the early 1990s, when Thailand last went through upheaval. Citizens were pitted against military dictatorship, united in a fight for rights and freedom, which led to Thailand's first "people's charter". Things are different now - the public is divided, while a vicious circle of corruption dominates our politics and further splits the country.

The government can claim some satisfaction in getting the support of veteran politician Banharn Silapa-archa, former House speaker Bhichai Rattakul, former coup-leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin and chair of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship Thida Thavornsaet Tojirakarn. But there were no representatives from the opposition Democrats at Saturday's event.

Yingluck invited them but they refused to join, questioning the government's sincerity in seeking genuine reform. The Democrats were slammed in reply for lacking the spirit to help the country. Regardless, it is the government's obligation to involve them if it really wants reform. After all, the Democrats represent 12 million voters.

The government's reform agenda depends on the participation of the people, and especially those who are not government supporters. Their absence means the government can only put on a staged show. Of the 65 people invited to the first event, no one represented the opposition.

At present there seems little hope of getting these voices into the equation. We have common enemies in corruption, inequality and injustice, but, unlike in the 1990s, we can't come together as one. Most people now define themselves according to "colour-coded" politics and fight the assigned battles. How can the government bridge such a gap?

The reform council expects to have a roadmap within three months, but it will only carry weight if all voices have had a say in it.

-- The Nation 2013-08-28

[Robby nz]

Once again.

There is no sincerity as long as the Govt insist on pushing through the amnesty and constitution change bills.

They are the only roadblocks in stopping full participation in reform.

Drop them and let the reform group decide if they are needed for the good of the country as a whole.

At present the only ones who can benefit from the 2 bills are the Govt and their supporters.

[NongKhaiKid]

Is there any wonder there's a lack of belief in sincerity as this government hasn't done much to inspire confidence ?

To date they have done almost all that's need to keep the reds and other supporters on side in order to achieve their ultimate aim but they are boxing themselves into a corner and now find it hard to change destructive policies as the red tail is wagging the dog.

[theblether]

The government is only sincere about pleasing itself. Everything and everyone else is an unwelcome inconvenience.

[worgeordie]

The great divide in Thailand brought about by one man !

regards Worgeordie

[chainarong]

Sincerity is built on trust, this current government had no intention of being sincere, what's in it for them, not what's good for Thailand , should be their motto, their track record is a guide to future problems with the economy and the electorate, they want to rule with a steel fisted approach and any dissent they try to bulldoze their way through, most members of the PTP administration ,if asked to describe democracy would be hard pressed to come up with any suitable reply , on current form, whatever happens in Thailand, they have only themselves to blame and to compound that effect, also blame that bandit in Dubai for not facing the court of the people. The PTP in any other decent country, would be hard pressed to pass the registration test for a political party.

[MaxLee]

Is there any wonder there's a lack of belief in sincerity as this government hasn't done much to inspire confidence ?

To date they have done almost all that's need to keep the reds and other supporters on side in order to achieve their ultimate aim but they are boxing themselves into a corner and now find it hard to change destructive policies as the red tail is wagging the dog.

But the same people fall for the same old slimy greasy populist policies again and again, as if "next time everything will be better" when in reality the nation's voters are screwed again. And it continues and continues like propaganda brainless cycle. Unfortunately people all around the world elect what they believe that political parties promised, and get screwed economically

[NongKhaiKid]

Is there any wonder there's a lack of belief in sincerity as this government hasn't done much to inspire confidence ?

To date they have done almost all that's need to keep the reds and other supporters on side in order to achieve their ultimate aim but they are boxing themselves into a corner and now find it hard to change destructive policies as the red tail is wagging the dog.

But the same people fall for the same old slimy greasy populist policies again and again, as if "next time everything will be better" when in reality the nation's voters are screwed again. And it continues and continues like propaganda brainless cycle. Unfortunately people all around the world elect what they believe that political parties promised, and get screwed economically

and when Mr. T was elected for the first time so many people said they voted for him since he was so rich already he wouldn't need to be corrupt. Ouch !

[RickeyParkany]

Unfortunately people all around the world elect what they believe that political parties promised, and get screwed economically

I seriously disagree w/you, MaxLee. My life experience has demonstrated to me, without fail, that people vote not for the politicians who will do for them what they want or need--I give people more credit for instincts, if not for intelligence, for they /know/ from the get-go that politicians NEVER fulfill promises and that they are, intrinsically very much the same as themselves--they have learned to vote for the politicians whom they think will kick the @ss of those with whom they disagree or hate...it's really a matter of displaced aggression, not greed, in the human condition that perpetuates this system. IMHO. ;-} rap.

[edwinchester]

"In the 1990's, during Thailands last political upheaval".

I wonder what the 2006 coup and subsequent events are if not political upheaval.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[klauskunkel]

Not enough belief in the government's sincerity

, but plenty belief in the government's ineptitude, cover-ups, lies and corruption.

[hawker9000]

What a shocker.

[selftaopath]

Before the "reds" got into power they wanted to burn Thailand down. Isn't it interesting, funny, or maybe sad that ONLY now they want cooperation. LOL

[Thai at Heart]

Sincerity is built on trust, this current government had no intention of being sincere, what's in it for them, not what's good for Thailand , should be their motto, their track record is a guide to future problems with the economy and the electorate, they want to rule with a steel fisted approach and any dissent they try to bulldoze their way through, most members of the PTP administration ,if asked to describe democracy would be hard pressed to come up with any suitable reply , on current form, whatever happens in Thailand, they have only themselves to blame and to compound that effect, also blame that bandit in Dubai for not facing the court of the people. The PTP in any other decent country, would be hard pressed to pass the registration test for a political party.

Since the coup would anyone trust any of the politicians?

The army are the key power brokers not the politicians.

[khunken]

It was easy if there was any sincerity there. Just delay any divisive amnesty or constitutional change until the various reform groups had completed their findings. Who knows, maybe amnesty would be a part of the findings.

But no - reform, reconciliation or else is the PTP way unfortunately.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Unfortunately people all around the world elect what they believe that political parties promised, and get screwed economically

I seriously disagree w/you, MaxLee. My life experience has demonstrated to me, without fail, that people vote not for the politicians who will do for them what they want or need--I give people more credit for instincts, if not for intelligence, for they /know/ from the get-go that politicians NEVER fulfill promises and that they are, intrinsically very much the same as themselves--they have learned to vote for the politicians whom they think will kick the @ss of those with whom they disagree or hate...it's really a matter of displaced aggression, not greed, in the human condition that perpetuates this system. IMHO. ;-} rap.

In Thailand, unfortunately, a lot of folks vote for whomever pays them money come election time.

Hard to know whether they're the larger group overall compared to the ideological true believers...

But really, the solution is very simple: Just give Thaksin and the PTP whatever they want, and there won't be any more discord or arguing.

I love democracy in action!

[hellodolly]

The great divide in Thailand brought about by one man !

regards Worgeordie

and he dosen't even live in Thailand.

If the PTPredshirt government wants believability they will drop all pretenses of reconciliation with their phony white wash bills and take a good look at the one presented by relatives of people who were killed in the failed coup attempt by the redshirtPTP.

They would issue an arrest warrant or what ever it is you issue to get some one arrested for a crime when they live in another country. The charge would be conspiring to over throw illegally with weapons a legally elected government and financing it.

Then pursue it that would show their seriousness. Not going to happen it is an impossibility when no one in the position to do it wants it.

[Maybole]

This id not confined to Thailand. All governments are elected with hope and soon turn to their own selfish ends. PT is typical every party in power all over the world. I am a cynic.

[Baerboxer]

This id not confined to Thailand. All governments are elected with hope and soon turn to their own selfish ends. PT is typical every party in power all over the world. I am a cynic.

You may be a cynic - but the behavior of most governments over the last several decades would justify that. Not just Thailand. Would you believe in the sincerity of Obama; Cameron / Clegg / Hague; Gillard / Ruud; Sarkozy / Hollande; Putin; or even the drab Mrs, Merkel? Go back over the decades and see how many sincere governments you can find.

[hawker9000]

This id not confined to Thailand. All governments are elected with hope and soon turn to their own selfish ends. PT is typical every party in power all over the world. I am a cynic.

You may be a cynic - but the behavior of most governments over the last several decades would justify that. Not just Thailand. Would you believe in the sincerity of Obama; Cameron / Clegg / Hague; Gillard / Ruud; Sarkozy / Hollande; Putin; or even the drab Mrs, Merkel? Go back over the decades and see how many sincere governments you can find.

So maybe strict - really strict - term limits are the answer. And no revolving doors either (no jumping from one elected office to another to another to another, OR from elected office to appointed office, at least not at the executive level). Voters should be electing from among their peers (people that've actually WORKED for a living and preferably succeeded at something), not an elite, closed class of uberbureaucrats. Politics should not be a career option; or at least not be a very desirable career option. Term limits, AND turn off the pensions & perks - every elected official subject to the same social programs (social security, medicare, etc.) he's imposing on the people. Salary more of a token or minimum compensation than an incentive. Make it "hurt" to hold elected office - sort of like being called up by the reserves for active duty - enough so that nobody'd really even WANT to do it more than once! Severely restrict politician access to and ability to feed at the public trough, and maybe we can do something about those "selfish ends".

[MaiChai]

The government is sincere about lining their own pockets?

I can't think of anything good to say about the government. Everyone knows what is wrong, but no one is prepared or even motivated to do anything about it. I recon the military don't want to have another coup and instead are waiting for PT to screw things up so badly that the people loose confidence in the government and demand a change.