Thai ballot will not end the need for dialogue, peace expert says

[webfact]

Ballot will not end the need for dialogue, peace expert says
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The need for genuine dialogue leading to national reform will be even greater after tomorrow's election, no matter what happens, said well-known peace expert Gothom Arya.

He said the fact that the election is going ahead as scheduled did not mean caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would "win", or that the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) would "lose", as both sides still needed to talk.

Gothom dismissed the idea that there is no impartial person left in the Kingdom capable of brokering dialogue and negotiation. He said that if both sides truly recognised the need to talk, then it would not be difficult.

He suggested that each party to the conflict nominate one person to represent the group and engage in dialogue. The person chosen, he said, must be acceptable to the other side. Then the two representatives will together choose another person, making it a total of three, to mediate or facilitate the talks and break any deadlocks.

"If they don't really want to talk, even 10 impartial persons can't make them talk." Gothom added that PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban was a veteran politician with 30 years of experience who should understand the need to negotiate.

Someone from the South from the government's side, such as former red-shirt co-leader Veerakarn Musikapong, who for a long time was a co-member of the Democrat Party with Suthep, should be able to talk with the PDRC chief, Gothom said.

The topic of the dialogue should be focused on how to go about launching the national reform process, and not about the reform goals. If both sides are unwilling to come to the negotiating table, the general public will have to pile more pressure onto both sides, Gothom said.

He expects tomorrow's election to be peaceful. He said the 99,000 polling units in the country will be beyond the ability of the PDRC to block and he believes the group will not try to block voters from exercising their electoral rights as it did during advance polls last weekend, except in some areas with hard-core members.

As a former election commissioner, Gothom added that the Election Commission need not take months to finish holding new rounds of voting in affected areas.


-- The Nation 2014-02-01

[noitom]

The majority will win the Thai election. Peace will break out if there are two honest men in Thailand willing to "talk."

[pipkins]

What is also needed is new media.

Disgusting lack or news on the Repect my vote.

They have already occupied Polling stations in Bangkok to keep the Mob out.

But any news that people are standing aginst the Nations Man of the Moment... just don't cut it.

Voting day came early in Sai Mai and Don Muang. People are lined up ready to vote and ready to defend the station from the fascists

Edited February 1, 2014 by pipkins

[millwall_fan]

'Well known peace activist Gotham Arya' the latest to be wheeled out to support The Nations crusade. By advocating 'national reform' he has pinned his colours to the mast. Thailand was doing fine. The economy was booming, there were real rises in standards of living and politicians were raking of their cut as ever - and as happens more or less everywhere in ASEAN - indeed in Asia as a whole -and possibly the wider world (MP's expense scandal in UK?) A narrow band of the Ruling Bangkok Elite feel sidelined and have had their snouts removed form the trough so now the country needs 'National Reform'.

[blackman]

What is also needed is new media.

Disgusting lack or news on the Repect my vote.

They have already occupied Polling stations in Bangkok to keep the Mob out.

But any news that people are standing aginst the Nations Man of the Moment... just don't cut it.

Voting day came early in Sai Mai and Don Muang. People are lined up ready to vote and ready to defend the station from the fascists

if you want people to respect your vote

then don't sell it to the highest bidder

[blackman]

'Well known peace activist Gotham Arya' the latest to be wheeled out to support The Nations crusade. By advocating 'national reform' he has pinned his colours to the mast. Thailand was doing fine. The economy was booming, there were real rises in standards of living and politicians were raking of their cut as ever - and as happens more or less everywhere in ASEAN - indeed in Asia as a whole -and possibly the wider world (MP's expense scandal in UK?) A narrow band of the Ruling Bangkok Elite feel sidelined and have had their snouts removed form the trough so now the country needs 'National Reform'.

thaksin had an agreement with the Bangkok Elite

he broke it by trying to come back via the amnesty bill

hence the problems we have

[Emptyset]

'Well known peace activist Gotham Arya' the latest to be wheeled out to support The Nations crusade. By advocating 'national reform' he has pinned his colours to the mast. Thailand was doing fine. The economy was booming, there were real rises in standards of living and politicians were raking of their cut as ever - and as happens more or less everywhere in ASEAN - indeed in Asia as a whole -and possibly the wider world (MP's expense scandal in UK?) A narrow band of the Ruling Bangkok Elite feel sidelined and have had their snouts removed form the trough so now the country needs 'National Reform'.

Ironically, Gotham has been described as a red shirt by his detractors, as has the author of this article. I would say there definitely could be positive reforms, but it depends what those reforms are. And they should be put in place by an elected government. Few would disagree with reforms that would diminish corruption, alleviate poverty, narrow the gap between the top and the bottom, empower communities and expand democratic and human rights.

The question is how exactly is it to be done? What laws and mechanisms should be put in place? None of this will happen overnight, but it'd be good if concrete steps were set out in order to set the country along the path towards these goals.

However, I see where you're coming from. As McCargo notes:

"Since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, the discourse of reform has been an invaluable cloak for power-struggles at the élite level, particularly between military officers and senior bureaucrats, and more recently between permanent officials and elected representatives. Processes of political reform have generated [multiple] constitutions since 1932, many of them implemented to legitimate new regimes which had recently gained power as the result of military coups. Each successive new regime sought to shore up its power by initiating a reform process, changing constitutional and often electoral arrangements. But political reform was much more often about shoring up a new version of the status quo than about ushering in a genuinely changed political order" — "Populism and Reformism in contemporary Thailand", South East Asia Research, 2001

That's why it's important that everyone has a say. There's little chance of progressive reforms if the reforms are entrusted to people selected by the PDRC. Apart from the unjust aspects of that - disenfranchisement - they'll be far too busy fighting a red shirt insurgency and cracking down on dissidents to implement any positive and effective reforms. There are both moral and pragmatic reasons to reject Suthep's "People's Council".

[Scamper]

" As a former election commissioner, Gothom added that the Election Commission need not take months to finish holding new rounds of voting in affected areas. "

As well-intentioned as this is - it doesn't recognize the real historical uniqueness of this situation. This is not - nor has it ever been - a question of election-planning logistics. The conflict that has arisen in Thailand over the last dozen years goes well and beyond the ability of any election to resolve. The monolithic hold of the Shinawatra family on the whole political system has tilted it in favour of an unassailable result - cementing the very corruption that has become the focus of such widespread outrage and distrust. Gothom is indeed correct, though, when he states that dialogue between all factions will be the key factor towards peace. But the Yingluck administration has only been willing to operate such a format under their own terms and using a stacked deck. All their efforts at " reform " have all been about Thaksin. Therefore, they have lost all credibility that they are interested in any reform that does not include him and his grip on power. Talks will indeed bring about peace - or a greater chance of it - but for the talks to succeed, there must be a vested interest in their success. Pheu Thai - with another election behind them - would be sorely lacking that vested interest. By engaging in such talks now - before an election - ensures a greater chance of inclusiveness and in reaching a consensus that satisfies all. Compromise is the key to any endeavour. For peace to occur in this country two enormous sacrifices must be made each by Pheu Thai and the Democratic party. If Pheu Thai can drop Thaksin, and the Democratic party can concede the realities of the electoral map, we will have peace in Thailand, because neither party will get completely what it wants. This was never a feud between two competing parties, both of whom command huge constituencies. This was about a united Thailand that was not divided down the middle. And for that to happen, both parties will have to make a great sacrifice. Reform will begin there.

[sawadee1947]

you don't need to be an EXPERT to come to this statement. Thais are not used to democracy and don't know what it means. Nobody learned to talk and to discuss any issues. Ask them how to spell COMPROMISE...nobody wants to lose his face.

I'm afraid of a blood shed on Sunday.....

[soalbundy]

'Well known peace activist Gotham Arya' the latest to be wheeled out to support The Nations crusade. By advocating 'national reform' he has pinned his colours to the mast. Thailand was doing fine. The economy was booming, there were real rises in standards of living and politicians were raking of their cut as ever - and as happens more or less everywhere in ASEAN - indeed in Asia as a whole -and possibly the wider world (MP's expense scandal in UK?) A narrow band of the Ruling Bangkok Elite feel sidelined and have had their snouts removed form the trough so now the country needs 'National Reform'.

thaksin had an agreement with the Bangkok Elite

he broke it by trying to come back via the amnesty bill

hence the problems we have

"We" don't have any problems, "they" do, "we" have a falling Baht.

[ginjag]

'Well known peace activist Gotham Arya' the latest to be wheeled out to support The Nations crusade. By advocating 'national reform' he has pinned his colours to the mast. Thailand was doing fine. The economy was booming, there were real rises in standards of living and politicians were raking of their cut as ever - and as happens more or less everywhere in ASEAN - indeed in Asia as a whole -and possibly the wider world (MP's expense scandal in UK?) A narrow band of the Ruling Bangkok Elite feel sidelined and have had their snouts removed form the trough so now the country needs 'National Reform'.

thaksin had an agreement with the Bangkok Elite

he broke it by trying to come back via the amnesty bill

hence the problems we have

Give the farmers -the reds the vote they deserve, I agree --BUT FIRST let them see the maggots are jailed first--The family are out the picture, the PTP is banned for illegalities ------Reform and let them vote, let the masses in Issan vote in uninterrupted peace.

[focus27]

you don't need to be an EXPERT to come to this statement. Thais are not used to democracy and don't know what it means. Nobody learned to talk and to discuss any issues. Ask them how to spell COMPROMISE...nobody wants to lose his face.

I'm afraid of a blood shed on Sunday.....

From my experience, COMPROMISE is precisely about both sides SAVING FACE, however, there is no RESOLUTION and both sides also walk away with festering grudges.

[tezzainoz]

Today there are many blind fools who are demanding their right to vote

But what are they voting for ?

How can you vote for democracy. When their is only 1 party to vote for

Todays vote is for democracy or dictatorship

If today you vote in a government that has no opposition only one party in power it is a dictatorship not democracy

The protestors have learnt

you can good some Thais all of the time

But you can no fool all Thais all of the time

[wprime]

Needed a peace expert to determine that aye...

[robblok]

'Well known peace activist Gotham Arya' the latest to be wheeled out to support The Nations crusade. By advocating 'national reform' he has pinned his colours to the mast. Thailand was doing fine. The economy was booming, there were real rises in standards of living and politicians were raking of their cut as ever - and as happens more or less everywhere in ASEAN - indeed in Asia as a whole -and possibly the wider world (MP's expense scandal in UK?) A narrow band of the Ruling Bangkok Elite feel sidelined and have had their snouts removed form the trough so now the country needs 'National Reform'.

Ow god double face palm.

Its ok that my party is corrupt everyone is corrupt please don't go after them and please don't change the rules so they cant steal anymore. That would be unfair.

YL is in the hot seat now for the rice scam. She was the chair woman, it is now known that G2G deals were fake and that rice was sold cheaper and then resold int he program. Effectively the PTP ws stealing from the farmers and bleeding the program. Result farmers hanging themselves and the PTP blaming everyone from banks to suthep to the EC while payment was due long before the problems started.

Then the ministers say please stop investigating our fictional deals as the Chinese might stop other fictional deals.

Only people without brains would believe this..... guess who still believe it ....

[Rooo]

If you don't have the courtesy of addressing someone by their real name, then don't post. Post & replies quoting it deleted.

[fab4]

Today there are many blind fools who are demanding their right to vote

But what are they voting for ?

How can you vote for democracy. When their is only 1 party to vote for

Todays vote is for democracy or dictatorship

If today you vote in a government that has no opposition only one party in power it is a dictatorship not democracy

The protestors have learnt

you can good some Thais all of the time

But you can no fool all Thais all of the time

There are 53 parties contesting the election.

Do you think the " blind fools " do not deserve a vote? If that is your opinion I really would like you to explain why.

In the meantime please allow me to point out that I find your viewpoint offensive in the extreme.

[wprime]

Today there are many blind fools who are demanding their right to vote

But what are they voting for ?

How can you vote for democracy. When their is only 1 party to vote for

Todays vote is for democracy or dictatorship

If today you vote in a government that has no opposition only one party in power it is a dictatorship not democracy

The protestors have learnt

you can good some Thais all of the time

But you can no fool all Thais all of the time

There are 53 parties contesting the election.

Do you think the " blind fools " do not deserve a vote? If that is your opinion I really would like you to explain why.

In the meantime please allow me to point out that I find your viewpoint offensive in the extreme.

The Thai electoral system under-represents smaller parties; with only one major party, small parties are at an extreme disadvantage. This is of course entirely the fault of the Democrats, for not running in this election and for supporting reforms that put small parties at a disadvantage. That being said, it is neither fair nor democratic for a quarter of the population to be unrepresented because of their mistakes.