Latest measure won't teach us to solve political conflict: Thai politics

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Latest measure won't teach us to solve political conflict
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- When you develop acute diarrhoea while travelling, you can resort to taking a pill that will quickly ease the illness - although all the rotten faeces is still in your system and it won't solve your problem in the long run. The medicine simply controls the diarrhoea and stops you from running to the washroom every 10 minutes - but it doesn't heal the infection inside your stomach.

If Thailand is like a human body, then Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has done just that to Thailand by imposing martial law at the odd hour of 3 o'clock yesterday morning.

Martial law as a drug to suppress political diarrhoea won't solve anything in the long run, however. As this article is being written, it's not even clear how long this draconian law, which significantly curtailed civil liberties - including allowing detention without court order for a week - will last.

I do not recall having voted for General Prayuth, nor handing him my consent to rule over me and the rest of us like a dictator. And unlike in the United States, where only the elected president and elected governors can declare martial law, in Thailand the main beneficiary of the law, the Army chief, is the one who decides. This places Thailand in the league of "democratic" nations like Pakistan where the army chief decides.

So far, 11 TV channels, mostly those identified clearly as being politically partisan, have been ordered off the air, and all community radio stations have been told to stop broadcasting. Six book titles in English have already been removed from shelves at a local bookstore, according to human-rights researcher Benjamin Zawacki. We are instead being fed instructions from the Army chief, who is the self-appointed head of the newly created Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC).

Newspapers and the rest of the print media have been instructed to refrain from printing anything that could affect "peace and order". This could be interpreted as anything deemed as inappropriate by Prayuth.

Let us take a deep breath and consider what it will do for us, a Thailand under martial law. The baht has already plunged, the stock market nosedived and one man wields sweeping power, indefinitely.

Martial law teaches us we are too immature to deal with real political differences, so censorship is needed. Martial law reminds us we're incapable of deciding the fate of Thai politics by ourselves and have to rely on armed soldiers whose power rests on the brute force of machine-guns and armoured vehicles.

What martial law can never teach us is how to solve political conflicts in a lasting manner.

Neither democracy nor lasting peace and order can be achieved by coercion. By trying to maintain peace and order indefinitely, Prayuth may have to rely on martial law indefinitely. But by trying to maintain martial law forever, Thailand will end up becoming a dictatorship.

Let us for once rise above the occasion and remind General Prayuth that we do not want to place Thailand on the path of military dictatorship once again.

The cycle of military intervention with 18 coups in eight decades has to end for Thais to grow up and learn to take responsibility for themselves.

You may mean well, General Prayuth. And I hope this is the case. But what you are doing now is a disservice to Thailand.


-- The Nation 2014-05-21

[MaxLee]

The opposition leaders couldn't care less, every greedy politician wants money and power. As simple as that.

In shortcuts of Thai society's brainwashed minds, Thailand will go down deeper

[bangkokheat]

pfft, who gives a flying fornication, regardless of who cracks the whip we are being controlled more and more everyday, politicians and armies have been eroding our freedoms, wouldnt at all be surprised if thai visa gets shut down

[virtualtraveller]

Martial law is quite necessary for censoring media like this article that calls Prayuth a dictator for declaring necessary martial law. Under our 'elected' govt we were heading for civil war due to their lack of answers or commitment to the country, seeking only selfish gains under a true dictator in Dubai. Part of the problem is this sort of unhelpful rubbish spewed out in our national papers. Naive rubbish that thinks democracy is as simple as an election, and 'let the people decide'.

[tim armstrong]

I think the Army is handling it well. No shots, no blood, and a pause in the conflict for all to reflect.

[millwall_fan]

So The Nation for 7 months has been supporting Suthep and his cronies who want to destroy democracy, and install an unelected peoples council. Now they, all of a sudden, are born again democrats wanting a government that represents them wanting, in fact, 'democracy'. General Prayuth is 'self-appointed' 'acting like a dictator'.....as opposed to Suthep???

Following their own analogy - The Nation is full of sh1t.

[EnzoRippo]

"Martial law teaches us we are too immature to deal with real political differences, so censorship is needed. Martial law reminds us we're incapable of deciding the fate of Thai politics by ourselves and have to rely on armed soldiers whose power rests on the brute force of machine-guns and armoured vehicles."

NO! THAIS ARE NOT IMMATURE, they will be able to show it when the country will be a full free democracy.

[Chris Lawrence]

Martial law teaches us we are too immature to deal with real political differences, so censorship is needed. Martial law reminds us we're incapable of deciding the fate of Thai politics by ourselves and have to rely on armed soldiers whose power rests on the brute force of machine-guns and armoured vehicles. This is a view of the Nation? Very demenaing to anyone that has passed year one at school.

What martial law can never teach us is how to solve political conflicts in a lasting manner. Pigs do fly.

What hangs over the head of any Thai Government is that the armed forces have the power to walk in and take control. The other thread to this is the position of the elite and cashed up middle class holding strategic positions as civil servants, courts, and on boards of Thai companies. Until this process is dismantled ultimate power remains with the Thai elite. its not that one can't understand the political process, your hands are tied around your back.

Nepotisim comes from both sides of politics. Its a race when in power to get like minded people into positions of absolute power to protect ones backside. The other problem is that when the courts are stacked against you, its the elites way or the highway.

Don't these muffins know they are transparent in what they are doing.

I find many of the reports from the Nation to be utter dribble, not reflecting the character of Thai society. They appear to want to project a Thailand in a mythical land.

But it would be very hard to report much under the current circumstance, so the Nation really doesn't need to change its style.

[bkkbarbara]

Seems you are still allowed to publish, and thank goodness I'm still allowed to dismiss you.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[love1012]

A corrupt Government has had to be removed and the Army has had to step in and take over its reponsibilities while new arrangements are made. Just think how good would it be if the rice farmers got paid while the martial law was in operation... Pheu Thai have let down the country with their arrogant corrupt incompetence. Shame on August 3rd voters cant have a FAIR election to get rid of them once and for all and their paymaster but we all know the bribes and the threats will flow in the North and North East

[winstonc]

"Martial law teaches us we are too immature to deal with real political differences, so censorship is needed. Martial law reminds us we're incapable of deciding the fate of Thai politics by ourselves and have to rely on armed soldiers whose power rests on the brute force of machine-guns and armoured vehicles."

NO! THAIS ARE NOT IMMATURE, they will be able to show it when the country will be a full free democracy.

thais are not immature im sorry mate they are like children ..playing games on the phone and facebook ..but they could in fact try and educate themselves...but no thats sooooo boring when you can take a picture of your latest meal and post it online..now thats super immature to me..im not digging at you.i know its global

[ezzra]

The acute diarrhea analogy is wrong, whereby diarrhea, after a while leaves your

system and to come back for long time, where the current situating akin to a non-stop

symptoms of aliments, non stop shit, day after day, month after month... even running

out of toilet tissues didn't help until the master plumber, the army, has to be called in to

unclog the sewers...

[noitom]

Where do these Thai writers get their skills? To build an entire lead paragraph or two with this analogy reflects a lack of journalistic skills.

[pookiki]

I have seen several articles that point out that the Thai Constitution requires a Royal Decree to impose martial law. If martial law lacks a legal basis, how is it different than a coup?

[chainarong]

Un-less you en-compass the full democracy , Thailand, with it's watered down version, last up-dated by the Thaskin TLT party, in the true democracy the army just can not walk in and take any action that it wants , religion and the military are separate from the government , undoubtedly Thailand has a issue with this happening, entrenched into Thai life both these two bastions of society walk hand in hand with politics, the culture dictates that nothing will change , reform rules can be altered to make sure that they are separate , generals need to be removed from all forms of administration except the military , reforms in the education base needs to be lifted to the standards of Malaysia, for therein lies your current problems and your future. I rest my case.

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have seen several articles that point out that the Thai Constitution requires a Royal Decree to impose martial law. If martial law lacks a legal basis, how is it different than a coup?

The Marshal law has a legal status , I will say no more than that.

[sjjmmi]

Bunch of Kids all of them

[love1012]

"Martial law teaches us we are too immature to deal with real political differences, so censorship is needed. Martial law reminds us we're incapable of deciding the fate of Thai politics by ourselves and have to rely on armed soldiers whose power rests on the brute force of machine-guns and armoured vehicles."

NO! THAIS ARE NOT IMMATURE, they will be able to show it when the country will be a full free democracy.

But maybe instead of being a dreamer you might like to consider which side and on whos orders the machine guns have been used. Ideology is fine if not manipulated to suit someones ends. Democracy does not mean winning an election by direct threats and bribes!! OR buying your way to intimidating people not to stand where it suitesyou - until THIS is sorted out there will be NO democracy - I can only blame one man far away for that!

[luk AJ]

I would at least expect from the army to inform the PM before installing the martial law no?

[Cnxforever]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have seen several articles that point out that the Thai Constitution requires a Royal Decree to impose martial law. If martial law lacks a legal basis, how is it different than a coup?

The Marshal law has a legal status , I will say no more than that.

No it does not!

Read again - not all over the country!

In Bangkok it might be justified - what he did was illegal and amounts to a coup!

Section 188 of the Constitution:

The King has the prerogative to declare and lift the martial law in accordance with the conditions and manner under the Martial Law.

In the case where it is necessary to declare the martial law in a certain locality as a matter of urgency, the military authority may do so under the Martial Law.

The militarys declaration of martial law was for all localities of the country which is not allowed under the Constitution!

[toybits]

Whatever way you cut it - it still is a coup, has been a coup. Only now you have added more players into the field. First it was those "Independent Agencies" and Courts. Now you have the brass to play along with. Ha ha.... Pathetic Really.

[pookiki]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have seen several articles that point out that the Thai Constitution requires a Royal Decree to impose martial law. If martial law lacks a legal basis, how is it different than a coup?

The Marshal law has a legal status , I will say no more than that.

You might want to look at Section 222 of the Thai Constitution. I will say no more than that. I will leave it up to each person to draw their own conclusions. Sorry -- someone already noted the Section is 188 - not sure which is correct but the wording is the same.

Edited May 21, 2014 by pookiki

[Roadman]

Triple posts deleted from tablet entry

Edited May 21, 2014 by Roadman

[Roadman]

Edited May 21, 2014 by Roadman

[Roadman]

Edited May 21, 2014 by Roadman

[Roadman]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have seen several articles that point out that the Thai Constitution requires a Royal Decree to impose martial law. If martial law lacks a legal basis, how is it different than a coup?

The Marshal law has a legal status , I will say no more than that.

No it does not!

Read again - not all over the country!

In Bangkok it might be justified - what he did was illegal and amounts to a coup!

Section 188 of the Constitution:

The King has the prerogative to declare and lift the martial law in accordance with the conditions and manner under the Martial Law.

In the case where it is necessary to declare the martial law in a certain locality as a matter of urgency, the military authority may do so under the Martial Law.

The militarys declaration of martial law was for all localities of the country which is not allowed under the Constitution!

You are assuming that the one who has the authority has not been asked. Until you know that for certain your comment has no validation.

[Zolt]

Section 188 of the Constitution:

The King has the prerogative to declare and lift the martial law in accordance with the conditions and manner under the Martial Law.

In the case where it is necessary to declare the martial law in a certain locality as a matter of urgency, the military authority may do so under the Martial Law.

The militarys declaration of martial law was for all localities of the country which is not allowed under the Constitution!

That is the correct text of the constitution. Furthermore, the 1914 law detailing Martial Law states it may only be imposed in times of war or insurrection. While it is true that charges have been filed on protest leaders for insurrection, it's hard to argue that things are more chaotic in Bangkok now than they were in January or March. In fact things have been fairly quiet since PDRC stopped the "shutdown"

[Roadman]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have seen several articles that point out that the Thai Constitution requires a Royal Decree to impose martial law. If martial law lacks a legal basis, how is it different than a coup?

The Marshal law has a legal status , I will say no more than that.

No it does not!

Read again - not all over the country!

In Bangkok it might be justified - what he did was illegal and amounts to a coup!

Section 188 of the Constitution:

The King has the prerogative to declare and lift the martial law in accordance with the conditions and manner under the Martial Law.

In the case where it is necessary to declare the martial law in a certain locality as a matter of urgency, the military authority may do so under the Martial Law.

The militarys declaration of martial law was for all localities of the country which is not allowed under the Constitution!

You are assuming that the one who has the authority has not been asked. Unless you can validate that then your comment is fantasy.

[jpeg]

The baht has already plunged,

No it hasn't.

[myluckythai]

not being a fan of either sides sollutions. Didnt you have enough time to learn and proven you can't/won't?

Edited May 21, 2014 by myluckythai