Don't let the game blur the reality: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Don't let the game blur the reality
The Nation

Political charades must not overshadow the significance of "people power"

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's political stability is teetering once again. The political temperature is rising, with both pro- and anti-government protesters gathering in the capital. Both are aiming for nothing less than "victory" and both are focused on today's Constitutional Court ruling on the legitimacy of the bill the that would bring a fully elected Senate. Whatever the court rules, one side will be left displeased.

With the rally by anti-government protesters continuing, pro-government red shirts yesterday called their own mass demonstration at Rajamangala National Stadium ahead of the Constitutional Court ruling. Their rally could ber a prolonged one if the court rules against the Senate-changing bill. Meanwhile, the ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday announced it would not accept the court's decision.

At first glance, the protests might seem an unhealthy development for the country as a whole. But we miss the bigger picture if we allow ourselves to get distracted by the various political manoeuvrings.

The red shirts' rally, the anti-Thaksin protests and the charter court's verdict have blurred the significance of the greater development - that "people power" has blocked key legislation pushed by a party that holds a strong majority in the lower House. This phenomenon is unprecedented in Thai political history.

Veteran social critic Dr Prawase Wasi has long emphasised the importance of the power of civic society in political reform but had not witnessed it until now. The country, he pointed out, has gained "social capital" with the people's triumph in killing the amnesty bill.

The crowd that came out to oppose the bill was unprecedented, spreading across the capital to dwarf protests organised to topple previous Thaksin governments, or those of his proxies. The masses took to the streets voluntarily to protest against a government that had crossed the line in passing a bill against the public will. The government claimed it had the democratic mandate to do so, but that was soon torpedoed by its own U-turn in cancelling the bill.

Prawase called the phenomenon a "tipping point" in favour of the ordinary members of Thai society. To him, the "November whistles" offer strong hope that Thailand is moving closer to democratic political reform. A civil society strengthened by informed and politically active citizens has finally found its voice.

The success of the "whistle-blowers" should send a clear warning to this and all future governments that they cannot ignore the public will.

The successful campaign against the blanket-amnesty bill has set an unprecedented example. Thais will no longer tolerate any kind of dictatorship, whether by the military or by parliament. It also signals that the public no longer have to wait in vain for conscientious politicians to fight for them. On the contrary, civic-minded members of the public now have the power to suppress self-serving politicians and promote the good ones.

Thailand's political stability might be hostage to different sides each seeking victory right now. But the real victory may already have been achieved. At a time when Thailand is once again facing political storms, civil society has stood up to help keep her from foundering on the rocks of self-serving political agendas.


-- The Nation 2013-11-20

[Robby nz]

Fair enough.

But where is the way forward from here?

Navigating through all the distortions, corruption, self serving policies and outright lies will not be easy.

Honesty may be the best policy but it may not pay the best in cash terms.

[LomSak27]

The success of the "whistle-blowers" should send a clear warning to this and all future governments that they cannot ignore the public will.

Ahh The Nation ... public will can be ignored if it is not the right color, like red. Elections too

[NongKhaiKid]

Fair enough.

But where is the way forward from here?

Navigating through all the distortions, corruption, self serving policies and outright lies will not be easy.

Honesty may be the best policy but it may not pay the best in cash terms.

The other newspaper is carrying a report that suggests two of the biggest mouths in the business are about to go at it.

Suthep has now decided he will bring the government down on 29 Nov as he claims Chalerm has been tasked to deal with anti-government protests and he has supposedly promised YL it will all be over by 30 Nov ! Note the massive discount she's getting from his usual 90 days.

Suthep v Chalerm, the biggest mouths and smallest brains going.

Stop the world I want to get off.

[Thainy Tim]

Fair enough.

But where is the way forward from here?

Navigating through all the distortions, corruption, self serving policies and outright lies will not be easy.

Honesty may be the best policy but it may not pay the best in cash terms.

The way forward is to irradiate all forms of corruption involving vote buying and graft.

The systems are already in place, they just are not utilised, with over 25,000 corruption and graft cases already on the books, it's time to start processing them and build a few more prisons while they are at it. Getting the message out to all those so inclined.

Reform the election commission to get off it's arse and start presiding over fair elections in a democratic way, not a pay per vote system with stupid populist manifestos. The EC has to say what is and what isn't acceptable and all campaign material screened to only include what is in the best interests of Thailand as a whole. Unlike, targeting rice farmers and offering free tablets.

Finally they need to take out the puppet master once and for all and draw a line under all of this as a bad mistake that has been an embarrassment to Thailand.

Like I said. Get rid of this vote buying scam and hit corruption hard, and you will see a true government emerge over time with no self interests, they should then make their first job to do everything they can to secure the capture of the man in the sand. Only then can Thailand move forward.

[Bakseeda]

Fair enough.

But where is the way forward from here?

Navigating through all the distortions, corruption, self serving policies and outright lies will not be easy.

Honesty may be the best policy but it may not pay the best in cash terms.

The way forward is to irradiate all forms of corruption involving vote buying and graft.

The systems are already in place, they just are not utilised, with over 25,000 corruption and graft cases already on the books, it's time to start processing them and build a few more prisons while they are at it. Getting the message out to all those so inclined.

Reform the election commission to get off it's arse and start presiding over fair elections in a democratic way, not a pay per vote system with stupid populist manifestos. The EC has to say what is and what isn't acceptable and all campaign material screened to only include what is in the best interests of Thailand as a whole. Unlike, targeting rice farmers and offering free tablets.

Finally they need to take out the puppet master once and for all and draw a line under all of this as a bad mistake that has been an embarrassment to Thailand.

Like I said. Get rid of this vote buying scam and hit corruption hard, and you will see a true government emerge over time with no self interests, they should then make their first job to do everything they can to secure the capture of the man in the sand. Only then can Thailand move forward.

Lovely thoughts....But, this is Thailand and that is the Impossible Dream...

[drdoom6996]

When has this government or the UDD/Reds ever listened to the ALL people . And they don't just buy votes. They buy rice, improve infrastructure and on and on. All the PTP money that they don't pocket goes north, where the votes are.