Poll has shown why reform will be tough

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Poll has shown why reform will be tough
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Little appears to have changed in terms of the huge political division within the country

A recent opinion poll simply confirms the main problems facing interim Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha or, in fact, Thailand. Bangkok Poll has shown that the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties have switched places in terms of popularity, yet they remain the country's most and second-most popular political camps.

Despite months-long street protests in Bangkok, Pheu Thai still enjoys a high popularity, although its approval rating has fallen behind the Democrats in the latest Bangkok Poll. And despite its association with "illegitimate" anti-government protests before Prayut staged the coup in May, the Democrat Party was found by Bangkok Poll to be voters' top choice.

There is no doubt which parties remain Thailand's biggest. And there is no doubt that the Democrat-Pheu Thai rivalry played a big part in the country's political crisis, although other issues figured significantly as well. While the Democrats have been blamed for some "unparliamentary" activities that undermined "legitimate" governments of their rivals, the political forces of Thaksin Shinawatra were responsible for some controversial moves that stretched their mandate to the limits.

But it is probably irrelevant now to say who was more wrong. The question is how Thailand can achieve genuine political peace when Abhisit Vejjajiva and Yingluck Shinawatra remain virtually neck and neck as the country's most popular prime ministerial candidates.

Thailand's much-talked-about "reform", therefore, will boil down to the question of how to make election winners and losers truly accountable to the democratic system. This means the reform must focus on the politicians themselves. They must be made aware of ethics, respect and observe them by themselves. So far, it's been their supporters who said what is right and what is wrong, and they did so on blockaded streets in the middle of the capital.

Pheu Thai supporters have decried "mob rules". The Democrats' followers have condemned "tyranny of the majority" or abuse of mandate. Prayut's coup just temporarily halted a showdown that would rear its ugly head again immediately once it has a new chance. But things simply can't go on like that.

Thailand's biggest political parties must stop sending their combative followers to the streets and have them say what is right and what is wrong. Our politicians need to know what is right and what is wrong by themselves. It is as simple as that.

Democracy is not about judging right or wrong by numbers. Political rallies have been an important part of democracy, of course, but they have crossed the line completely in Thailand.

And the obsession with numbers has subjected results of the ballot boxes to wrong ideas. Elections are meant to settle, say, differences over sizes of taxation or the question of how big a welfare fund should be, but in Thailand, the purposes of elections have been badly stretched.

Ethics must be shoved down our politicians' throats if need be. Unless they are strictly ethical, the same problems will occur once Prayut ends his "interim job". Political rallies can be volatile enough being held for good causes. When vested interests are involved, or when they are held to defend things that are unethical, the situation can become truly dangerous.

We can only hope that the latest Bangkok Poll tells everyone involved in the reform process that has not even started what should be done. Changing electoral zones won't help, nor will making the Senate fully elected or partially elected. Thailand badly needs an ethical revamp in order to achieve true peace, and if anyone still harbours any doubt, he or she must re-read the Bangkok Poll results.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Poll-has-shown-why-reform-will-be-tough-30244286.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[NongKhaiKid]

i agree reform must be focused on politicians but look at what's suggested as needed.

Politicians have to be made aware of ethics, respect, not sending mobs onto the streets to say what is right and wrong etc.

Have to be made aware ? ?

Are politicians not aware of the basics of office already or they do but have decided they don't apply to them because of who they are and nothing gets between them and their personal agendas ?

The EC has drawn up a ' Democracy ' curriculum to be introduced into studies in November and that's going to be quite a document.

I wonder if Hans Christian Andersson and the Brothers Grimm were consultants ?

[chainarong]

Nothing like a divided nation , anyone who thought the situation would change just because the military took over and says it will are wa!!ers, Thaksin Shinawatra is the only person who can be identified as the one responsible for this , others in the picture are only soap actors, Thaksin has not been brought to task on any of the charges that were laid or charges pending, values of the Thai nation need to be questioned when you see what damage Thaksin did, yet he can command such a large following, perhaps the situation would have been reversed if the establishment spent more time with the country people instead of Bangkok.

[Mango Bob]

These reforms will never work as long as the members are so one sided in the General's corner. You leave off a group of people so there views are never brought up so the boss doesn't get upset. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Unless you have people from both groups truely representing their concerns you will not have peace in this country. Look for more riots and protest after the Generals leave office.

[rubl]

These reforms will never work as long as the members are so one sided in the General's corner. You leave off a group of people so there views are never brought up so the boss doesn't get upset. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Unless you have people from both groups truely representing their concerns you will not have peace in this country. Look for more riots and protest after the Generals leave office.

No reforms will work if there no will to cooperate in reforms.

[selftaopath]

Make it impossible for politicians, and family members, to accumulate wealth while "employed" by the government and see change. This in itself will bring "reform." Greed and corruption run this country. Ethics, responsibility, discipline are hard pressed to see. Many view Thai people like undisciplined children want what they want when they want it and have a FIT if they don't get it. Grow up Thailand.

[Roadman]

One can jam politicial correctness down the throats of thai politicians until the cow jumps over the moon and it is not going to change sweet f all. Clearly seperate the spheres of governance so thai politicians cannot get their filthy hands on the judiciary and law, strenghten the likes of the NACC and make the police accountable, and most importantly dismantle the biggest obstacle to thai progress being patronage.

The issue is not whether it is Pheau Thai, Dems or Dogs can bark party that wins

the Junta's first election but that the checks and balances are there free of political interference to hold them to account. And on the day they offend not months or years later.

[h90]

accountable?

At least half of the Thai politicians should be in jail for corruption. But the General try to play it nice and don't hurt anyone which is the guarantee that nothing will change.

[robblok]

Make it impossible for politicians, and family members, to accumulate wealth while "employed" by the government and see change. This in itself will bring "reform." Greed and corruption run this country. Ethics, responsibility, discipline are hard pressed to see. Many view Thai people like undisciplined children want what they want when they want it and have a FIT if they don't get it. Grow up Thailand.

Correct as long as politicians can get rich they will do anything to come and stay in power. This means paying off people to vote threatening people and such.

[SaintLouisBlues]

Look for more riots and protest after the Generals leave office.

That long?

[Upset]

Reforms! Lol! Only see suppressions!

[emilymat]

Look for more riots and protest after the Generals leave office.

That long?

I suspect he will be in 'office' for some considerable time yet. Not just 13 months.

[ggt]

You spend a great deal of time referring to a poll...and never show us the question or the answers...I personally do not trust what you have to say...

[Eric Loh]

Election. That will be a reliable poll.

[Alwyn]

Nothing like a divided nation , anyone who thought the situation would change just because the military took over and says it will are wa!!ers, Thaksin Shinawatra is the only person who can be identified as the one responsible for this , others in the picture are only soap actors, Thaksin has not been brought to task on any of the charges that were laid or charges pending, values of the Thai nation need to be questioned when you see what damage Thaksin did, yet he can command such a large following, perhaps the situation would have been reversed if the establishment spent more time with the country people instead of Bangkok.

As I understand Thaksin was found guilty a crime related to purchase of state land by his wife? No doubt other stuff too, a case pending over abuse of power in a lottery scheme? Nothing exceptional and a lot of his defenders would say the charges were politically motivated. I don't think there's anybody can doubt he was corrupt but to harp on about the damage Thaksin did to the country? Are you of the opinion he is/was the only PM who was corrupt? He didn't start corruption, it's been here since way before he was at the helm. The military has been in power more than civilians over the years in Thailand. Since 1932, when the absolute monarchy was abolished, Thailand has had 25 general elections and 19 coups d'état, 12 of them successful. You need to look deeper than Thaksin to get to the root of the problem of corruption in Thailand my friend.

[fobuff]

The only reform the great leader wants is him in power till death.... like north korea, burma and a few others...

Let democracy decide ....

[Baerboxer]

Nothing like a divided nation , anyone who thought the situation would change just because the military took over and says it will are wa!!ers, Thaksin Shinawatra is the only person who can be identified as the one responsible for this , others in the picture are only soap actors, Thaksin has not been brought to task on any of the charges that were laid or charges pending, values of the Thai nation need to be questioned when you see what damage Thaksin did, yet he can command such a large following, perhaps the situation would have been reversed if the establishment spent more time with the country people instead of Bangkok.

As I understand Thaksin was found guilty a crime related to purchase of state land by his wife? No doubt other stuff too, a case pending over abuse of power in a lottery scheme? Nothing exceptional and a lot of his defenders would say the charges were politically motivated. I don't think there's anybody can doubt he was corrupt but to harp on about the damage Thaksin did to the country? Are you of the opinion he is/was the only PM who was corrupt? He didn't start corruption, it's been here since way before he was at the helm. The military has been in power more than civilians over the years in Thailand. Since 1932, when the absolute monarchy was abolished, Thailand has had 25 general elections and 19 coups d'état, 12 of them successful. You need to look deeper than Thaksin to get to the root of the problem of corruption in Thailand my friend.

You are right, the roots are much deeper and the cure, should it be taken, will be very hard for those currently benefiting to swallow. And some have benefited for generations.

Don't sell Thaksin short. He has one conviction, and whether you agree with that law or not, he broke it. He also has 15 serious charges outstanding and I believe court warrants have been issued for his non attendance.

No he wasn't the first, or possibly the worst. But he certainly is one of the worst, and his opponents had a habit of disappearing or dying in mysterious never solved circumstances.

However, unless some real social, cultural and educational changes start and are progressed through successive generations, nothing will change. Same game but different faces.

[tonypace02]

Make it impossible for politicians, and family members, to accumulate wealth while "employed" by the government and see change. This in itself will bring "reform." Greed and corruption run this country. Ethics, responsibility, discipline are hard pressed to see. Many view Thai people like undisciplined children want what they want when they want it and have a FIT if they don't get it. Grow up Thailand.

Ineffectual. No need to punish a man for being in government. Simply have him put his wealth into a blind trust where it will remain during his term of office. He may still gain from his wealth but have no knowledge nor authority in determining its management.