Time for Thai politicians to re-examine their oaths of office

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Time for politicians to re-examine their oaths of office
Supon Thanukrid
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The current political crisis offers no way out in the near future, as both conflicting sides remain firm on their standpoints.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), headed by veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban, demands that political reform must be implemented before the next general election, while the government and the ruling Pheu Thai Party insist the election, scheduled for February 2, should come first. Both sides back their stances with arguments that sound convincing to their supporters.

Thailand's political conflict, which has continued for almost a decade, has involved different groups of people at all levels of society - from within families and villages to organisations and national institutions. Although many of those people have become involved willingly, others have been dragged into the conflict against their wishes.

Judging from the number of people who have joined the PDRC's more-than-six-week-long rally, many Thais appear to agree that it is time to reform the country's politics. It is clear many elements in society want to see changes for the better. Suthep, the group's secretary-general, resigned as an MP of the opposition Democrat Party and announced he would not return to politics for the rest of his life. His new role as a protest leader has won much support from people looking for political reform.

Over the past decade, Thai politics has been stuck in a deep-rooted rift that threatens to divide the country severely.

Nobody can tell for sure whether the long-awaited reform will take place before or after the election, as the government and the PDRC have been firm on their standpoints. The PDRC has accused the government of buying time and not wanting political reform to take place in Thailand.

Both sides are also mobilising support from different groups of people in a bid to back their claim of legitimacy for what they are doing. However, at the same time, they have denied the legitimacy of the other side.

The PDRC leaders have pointed to a political system rife with corruption, favouritism and abuse of power.

Undoubtedly, a large-scale reform involving the country's politics and other areas is needed. But something that must be done first and can be implemented immediately is the reforming of politicians.

Politicians have been mostly involved in the country's conflicts over the past decade, while other groups have just taken a supporting role. As the key players, politicians need to take part in this reform effort and begin by reforming themselves.

Before contesting the next election, politicians should try soul-searching, deciding for themselves if they have kept their swearing-in promises to serve the country to the best of their ability. Did they value the national interest over the benefit to themselves or their group?

If their sincere answer is "yes", they deserve to act as representatives of the people. But if they are aware that the answer is "no", it is recommended they should find a new job that has nothing to do with the public interest. This would be a great contribution for Thailand, which has been badly bruised by politicians who have done it damage one way or another.


-- The Nation 2013-12-20

[Tatsujin]

Before contesting the next election, politicians should try soul-searching, deciding for themselves if they have kept their swearing-in promises to serve the country to the best of their ability. Did they value the national interest over the benefit to themselves or their group?

Slim hope. The Politicians do very little that is NOT self-serving from what I've seen here over the years. And getting them to "look within themselves" is never going to happen, Thai's are incapable of doing so.

[NongKhaiKid]

I have seen so many swearing in ceremonies over the years and then what happens ?

Isn't there an old song " It's only words " ?

[Thai at Heart]

Every cabinet reshuffle involves an oath etc.

I wish I had the contract for the picture taking.

[chainarong]

This problem has been created by Thaskin Shinawatra and no-body else , until this person of interest is out of the picture, Thailand will still battle with the numbers, while the PTP and its members exist the problem will remain, all because of Thaskin Shinawatra , its a pox on Thailand that's going to take decades to remove.

[mca]

This problem has been created by Thaskin Shinawatra and no-body else , until this person of interest is out of the picture, Thailand will still battle with the numbers, while the PTP and its members exist the problem will remain, all because of Thaskin Shinawatra , its a pox on Thailand that's going to take decades to remove.

Yeah Thai politicians were all straight as dies before he came on the scene

[Samaaw]

Do they even know the meaning of the word "oath"

[WitawatWatawit]

The oath of allegiance is to the Constitution, but is it to the king as well? Or do politicians, officials, military and police only swear to protect the king? But still, they must be guilty of some form of lese majeste, surely? Wouldn't it be delicious if any of these people found guilty of an offence like vote buying were charged with LM and be given the max of 15 years (because they lied to the king, the toads), cumulative of course.

[ginjag]

"On my honour I will do my best, to do my duty to god and the --" the scouts law has far more meaning than these __HAND PICKED nutters vows.

[toybits]

A deluded person can always say He/She did his/her best to serve the country - even if his/her actions are doing exactly the opposite!

[falangadang]

"Re-examine" their oaths? Did they ever even bother to look at them in the first place?

[JRSoul]

I can understand why rural PTP MP's actions seem contrary to their promises to "serve the country to the best of their ability". Think in terms of stud farms.

[indyuk]

This problem has been created by Thaskin Shinawatra and no-body else , until this person of interest is out of the picture, Thailand will still battle with the numbers, while the PTP and its members exist the problem will remain, all because of Thaskin Shinawatra , its a pox on Thailand that's going to take decades to remove.

You are so wrong. It is the military coups de terre that removed Thaksin that has caused all of the current problems.. If Thaksin had been impeached the Thai Rak Thai party would still be the government of Thailand and Thaksin would be history.

The problem is entire driven by elite families that seem to think they can condemn working Thai people to a miniskule share of the nation's wealth while they continue to take most of it and plunder the rest.

The Democrats think they are clever in creating so much animosity, yet in fact they are driving themselves into obscurity.

It is they the Dems, that have to reform.