BURNING ISSUE
What makes 'Thai-style democracy' globally palatable?
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- JUNTA CHIEF General Prayuth Chan-ocha mentioned at least twice during his hour-long speech to launch the national reform process on Saturday that what the country needs is "Thai-style democracy".

This leads to two questions: What is Thai-style democracy - and what is so Thai and democratic about it?

While Prayuth did not elaborate on the differences between Thai-style democracy and the so-called Western democracies, the fact that he used the words "Thai-style democracy", and even added at one point that Asean needed its own form of democracy, has led some to suspect that what he meant was a new form of limited democracy and Asian values.

Is Thai-style democracy about accepting a military coup as legitimate and as an integral part of Thai politics?

Is Thai-style democracy about giving free reign to unelected "good people" to rule without checks and balances?

Is Thai-style democracy about limiting the sovereign power of the electorate and about limiting the power and role of elected politicians?

As the junta-sponsored reform process has just begun, I don't wish to go into the details by trying to predict what Prayuth means by "Thai-style democracy".

However, it can be reasonably stated that Thai-style democracy will deviate from what we expect from Western democracies.

"Thai-style democracy" is more about making semi-dictatorship seem more natural and palatable to Thais and the world.

There's nothing essentially "Thai" about Thai-style democracy because we Thais in essence do not have a social consensus about the preferred form of government.

There are Thais who prefer a limited democracy, like in Singapore, which is ruled by supposedly "good and enlightened" people with a very weak opposition.

At the same time, there are Thais who prefer to see Thailand solving all its problems through an electoral and democratic process without the intervention of the Army every now and then - and with a perseverance fuelled by the knowledge that whatever experiment with parliamentary democracy we try here, it is only eight decades old. It is very young when compared with Western nations that went through much conflict before they became the imperfect democratic societies of today.

These are just two archetypal Thai opinions, and I am sure there are other groups who have starkly differing preferences as to the form of government, ranging from returning Thailand to absolute monarchy to turning Thailand into a republic. Thus there is nothing essentially "Thai" about Thai-style democracy.

Calling it "Thai" makes Thai-style democracy sound more natural and suitable for us, however.

If Thai-style democracy is in fact a form of limited and semi-democracy, one might call it semi-dictatorship instead. Calling Thailand a semi-dictatorship doesn't sound good to the international community, however, and so instead of calling a glass half empty, they refer to it as half full.

Like the famous Thai smile - smiling doesn't always connote happiness. A Thai smile could hide frustration, disagreement, or even displeasure.

The notion of "Thai-style democracy" should be treated with the same caution. Sometimes what you see or hear is not what you get.

Let us not fool ourselves that we have a consensus on what democracy or dictatorship in Thailand should be called and look like.

If Prayuth and his men are sincere in wanting to see reform, we can start by calling a spade a spade and learning to agree to disagree - without fear of being persecuted.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/What-makes-Thai-style-democracy-globally-palatable-30240809.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-13

how can what is basically a dictatorship be called democracy/

The electorate don't have sovereign power in the vast majority of so called democracies. Limiting the power of politicians is not necessarily undemocratic either,.

Thai style democracy means reversing all the political reforms and human rights of the common people and giving complete power back to the ruling elites.

Simple really

Military rule is hardly democracy, people have been appointed by coup leaders and not elected. people don't have a voice so you can hardly call that democracy.

"This leads to two questions: What is Thai-style democracy - and what is so Thai and democratic about it?"

Aren't they the same question?

Thai style democracy means reversing all the political reforms and human rights of the common people and giving complete power back to the ruling elites.Simple really

Does it include taking produce from farmers and then not paying for it? Does it include amnestying criminals because they control and fund the party of government? Does it include controlling street militias to threaten and intimidate opponents and the judiciary? Does it include ignoring the parliamentary rules and procedures whenever it suits your needs? Does it include passing bills after the opposition has left, because they were told business for the day was over? Does it include voting for your absent colleagues?

Thai style democracy means reversing all the political reforms and human rights of the common people and giving complete power back to the ruling elites.Simple really

So are you describing thai style democracy before the coup or after the coup? Your description could fit both periods.

My idea of "Thai style Democracy" is what we who live here saw from November to May.

M-79 rounds being fired into crowds of people, hand grenades being thrown at groups of people you didn't like, and violence in the streets. Crowds of people screaming, shooting at each other; that's what represented "Thai style Democracy" for 6 months.

All started by self-serving politicians for the own self-gratification and profit.

That went on daily until the Junta came in and stopped all that "Thai style Democracy" nonsense.

As far as I am concerned I much prefer the Junta than the "Thai style Democracy" I saw for those 6 months.

Sorry General I much prefer the order of the Junta than the disorder of those 6 months.

That's just my opinion, but I prefer the military rule than "Thai style Democracy: as we saw it then.

Edited August 13, 201411 yr by IMA_FARANG

Nice word play by the general "Thai style democracy".

The answer is fairly simple as to what it is.

It's a style of democracy foreigners don't understand (thus foreigners should keep their noses out of Thai business).

Thai style democracy means reversing all the political reforms and human rights of the common people and giving complete power back to the ruling elites. Simple really

Most probably after the next elections the Shins will do exactly that.

Military rule is hardly democracy, people have been appointed by coup leaders and not elected. people don't have a voice so you can hardly call that democracy.

no can't be called democracy, but does it matter if it is democracy or not? Other countries don't have democracy and do well. China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam....a lot more are on the edge with just a 2 party system....

even them, they dont know what is a thai style democraty: that sum it all

Crazy headline....is Thai style democracy actually "palatable" globally........???

The rest of the world are not as stupid as some here think......a military dictatorship is in power here in Thailand.....the "new" government....with Prayuth as head no doubt, is loaded with military personnel..........! Cronies???...probably a little harsh, but no doubt some close allies amongst the makeup.

My idea of "Thai style Democracy" is what we who live here saw from November to May.

M-79 rounds being fired into crowds of people, hand grenades being thrown at groups of people you didn't like, and violence in the streets. Crowds of people screaming, shooting at each other; that's what represented "Thai style Democracy" for 6 months.

All started by self-serving politicians for the own self-gratification and profit.

That went on daily until the Junta came in and stopped all that "Thai style Democracy" nonsense.

As far as I am concerned I much prefer the Junta than the "Thai style Democracy" I saw for those 6 months.

Sorry General I much prefer the order of the Junta than the disorder of those 6 months.

That's just my opinion, but I prefer the military rule than "Thai style Democracy: as we saw it then.

As my Thai wife said; "See I told you, it's always better when the army comes out"

Military rule is hardly democracy, people have been appointed by coup leaders and not elected. people don't have a voice so you can hardly call that democracy.

no can't be called democracy, but does it matter if it is democracy or not? Other countries don't have democracy and do well. China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam....a lot more are on the edge with just a 2 party system....

You are seriously using china and saudi arabia as examples of govts that do well? speechless..

Thai style democracy = democracy without accountability = what Thailand has already had for 80+ years = no democracy at all.

Silly article- Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, has been for donkey's ages, was never a democracy. C'mon editor, don't even know what system you live in?!

"What makes 'Thai-style democracy' globally palatable?"

Election Collections,... or military bust...

Edited August 13, 201411 yr by MaxLee

I am not sure what I read, is it an easy explanation from the Junta that things at the end of the day will remain the same, this Thai Democracy is a Democracy that can be manipulated, ever need proof look at the Thaskin and Yingluck administration and to a lesser degree the democrat party, the former all ended up with a coup, all I am saying is either improve Thailand's lot or stop wasting peoples time General Prayuth , the country is looking for leadership not same same, same , I rest my case.

how can what is basically a dictatorship be called democracy/

Well, same argument can be made with the "Thai Democracy" being anything but democratic....

K. Pravit Rojanaphruk, What are you smoking dude???

Thai style democracy = dictatorship

Only those approved by the military will be able to compete for any kind of election. Any person that has any kind of "different thinking" will be banned from politics. Yes, this is political reform; yes, this is Thai democracy.

Military rule is hardly democracy, people have been appointed by coup leaders and not elected. people don't have a voice so you can hardly call that democracy.

You're getting confused.

True, military rule is not democracy, however appointments should be based on qualifications and ability, not popular choice. The junta is correct in making appointments in this way.

We should all keep in mind, too, that the word "democracy" carries a magical connotation that if it is not democratic, it's wrong. That is not always the case.

Edited August 13, 201411 yr by Seastallion

Silly article- Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, has been for donkey's ages, was never a democracy. C'mon editor, don't even know what system you live in?!

You don't know what a constitutional monarchy is do you?

how can what is basically a dictatorship be called democracy/

And what country agrees that it's 'palatable'?

(apart from North Korea)

Edited August 13, 201411 yr by AnotherOneAmerican

"Thai-style democracy" is more about making semi-dictatorship seem more natural and palatable to Thais and the world."

interesting that he feels like he can say that under these conditions...

Nice word play by the general "Thai style democracy".

The answer is fairly simple as to what it is.

It's a style of democracy foreigners don't understand (thus foreigners should keep their noses out of Thai business).

'They' can call it what they like - but if other countries call it what it is, Thailand can enjoy being more and more isolated. The rich will get richer and the poor will........well you know.

History has a strange way of repeating itself. People should try and learn from it.

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Now tell me, does anyone think the US is a "democracy"? Hmm, dead silence....

The same can be said for most Democracy's if you like to pick the eye's out of it , just be thankful you are not under Chinese or Nth Korea or Syria Democracy and just remember that if you step outside the law in Thailand where there is a Thai involved, you're not going to get far, the Thai will always come first.

"Thai Democracy" ? Isn't that an oxymoron? I mean it, thus no smilie.