Thai editorial: Time the military eased its iron grip

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Time the military eased its iron grip
The Nation

Maintaining martial law across the whole country is damaging Thailand's image as a tourist paradise

BANGKOK: -- The government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been firm in its stance of maintaining martial law, which has been in place for almost five months, despite calls from the tourism industry to lift the measure.

General Prayut said on Tuesday that martial law would remain, to ensure security, until sweeping national reforms are in place. A step-by-step easing of the law or lifting it in certain areas would be considered when the situation improves, he added.

Prayut cited political "undercurrents" that have continued to exist since the last government was ousted on May 22.

Martial law was declared two days before the military seized power in a bloodless coup led by General Prayut, then Army chief. The power seizure came after months of street protests and political violence.

Martial law has caused serious concern among the business community, notably the tourism sector, where it is viewed as a deterrent for visitors.

Tourism industry executives have called for it to be lifted - or at least eased in popular destinations - so as to restore visitor confidence and boost arrivals. "Martial law should be lifted soon. If it continues, the tourism sector will continue to face difficulties," said Supawan Tanomkieatipume, vice president for marketing at Thai Hotels Association. She added that hotels, especially in Bangkok, would continue to suffer through the imminent high season. The Tourism Council of Thailand's Pornthip Hirunkate said that, with military law maintained, the entire sector could lose huge amounts of business over the next three or four months as the country enters its busiest tourism period. "During the high season the country gets about 10 million visitors, who make up 40 per cent of all annual arrivals. But this year we may not see that number," she said. Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, suggested that the law be lifted in areas with no security concerns in order to make it easier for tourists to acquire travel insurance.

However, the fact is that, although tourism is important to Thailand, the priority in this case should be the safety of the public.

Despite the coup and martial law, several million foreign tourists have visited Thailand this year, though the original target of 26.2 million might not be met. The Tourism and Sports Ministry now estimates 25.5 million tourists by the year-end. Tourism revenue is expected to decline from last year's Bt2 trillion to Bt1.8 trillion this year.

Political violence has subsided since martial law was declared, with militants seemingly discouraged by the measure and the military's tough stance against troublemakers.

The country has been peaceful for more than four months now, in stark contrast to the situation before the coup, when political violence targeted mostly at anti-government protests occurred almost daily.

However, Thailand simply cannot afford to maintain martial law forever. Aside from the losses to the economy, the draconian security measure damages the image of both the government and the country as a whole.

The government must begin lifting martial law in areas where there is no threat of political violence, and particularly in provinces that are popular tourist destinations.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Time-the-military-eased-its-iron-grip-30245063.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-09

[Mango Bob]

The Generals doesn't want anyone to protest or criticized him or his so called military controlled government. As long as there are people who will speak out against them there will be martial law

[Suriya4]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

[ClutchClark]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

Koh Tao had 90% occupancy last night and that is ground zero of negative publicity so I would say this author has been exposed as making false assumptions.

[ramrod711]

Martial law has caused serious concern among the business community, notably the tourism sector, where it is viewed as a deterrent for visitors.

Political violence has subsided since martial law was declared, with militants seemingly discouraged by the measure and the military's tough stance against troublemakers.

The country has been peaceful for more than four months now, in stark contrast to the situation before the coup, when political violence targeted mostly at anti-government protests occurred almost daily.

Priorities, the number one job for any government should be the safety of its people and maintenance of law and order. Tourists are not enamored with armed terrorists attacking public markets with grenades and automatic weapons, so I can't see how the coup is a deterrent to business.

[chainarong]

What these situations create is a period of quiet , only because you can be shot if you disobey Martial Law, so it is in reality, law at the point of the gun , I for one believed the coup was an important step to clear the decks and for Thailand to move forward and besides some other side issues (LM) this has been achieved , my critical assessment is what happens 2 to 5 years from now, the hate is still there, so in real time nothing has changed , the deck chairs are in the same position, what I have seen of late doesn't bode well for Thailand , from a great promise Prayuth and gang have now become more of the same ,the momentum has stalled and it is not a good look General.

[The stuttering parrot]

Wow seeing they took the country via the barrel of a gun and silenced the media and keep bringing out all these lovey dovey polls on how much people like them I am very surprised to see articles like this appearing more frequently.

Don't normally agree with the nation and I wondering if they will get a smack over the wrists for the story?

[baboon]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

Koh Tao had 90% occupancy last night and that is ground zero of negative publicity so I would say this author has been exposed as making false assumptions.

Occupancy figures for the whole island are available within 24 hours?

If they are TAT figures they would be worthless anyway.

[Chris Lawrence]

The General should get some pointers from Putin?

This new Government needs to be critiqued by a opposition.

What have they done for the economy? Cleaned up a beach and got involved with a high level murder? The 1000 baht they were going to give to farmers is being asked not to be collected for fear of am impending drought. Meanwhile over 70% of expenditure is being spent on Bangkok?

All the right people have been put into the right seats of power, with an absence of representation of the majority of Thais in places of power. Nothing negative can be reported in the Thai press, because everyone should have smiles on their dials?

I can't see them dropping martial law in the coming months, as there has not been anything of significance accomplished by this regime. They don't need anyone to criticise them.

The spin doctors are working overtime to cover up what is not happening.

[casindonet]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

But that would take forever....like in infinity.

[wirat69]

Martial Law didn't/doesn't seem to affect tourists to Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Cuba, China.....

[BestBitterPhuket]

If only Thailand had been more progressive and pragmatic a few decades ago, and was a knowledge society like Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and they would have to worry what tourists think.

[rickirs]

Gen. (retired) Prayuth is discovering that while he believes that he can make other countries" fear" Thailand through a strong and modern military force, he cannot cower Thai citizens into fear from that same military force. And soon when the ASEAN Community comes to Thailand in 2015, those peoples too will not cower to the Junta but relish in the exercise of their own greater freedoms in Thailand. Time is not on Gen. Prayuth's side in maintaining martial law until all opposition is checked unless he carries it even further to a complete national lockdown a la North Korea-style - nobody gets in and nobody gets out.

[kriswillems]

I think we all know there's a reason why Thailand at this moment and probably for a few years to come can not return to become a democracy with associated freedoms and rights.

Having a dictatorship is important for the stability of the country when the "expected unexpected" transition will happen. Around the time of that transition Thailand will need stability.

Edited October 9, 2014 by kriswillems

[condor001]

There is more to be gained under marshall law. Crying we are losing tourists is shortsighted. Has draconion methods hurt Singapore or taken it to new hights that are the envy of democratic nations? There will be a time to let up, but right now this country needs strong autocratic leadership. Keep the hammer down.

[slapout]

The poeple who are complaining about military rule/ martial law do not appear to be the same who have been complaing for several years about the RTP/BIB who ran the country as a ''police state'';

The present situation seems a lot more agreeable to many, maybe even a majority of those who make a honest living and capable of making honest apprisals of the life style in Thailand, past, present and what the future may hold.for them and their children.

[pisico]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

Koh Tao had 90% occupancy last night and that is ground zero of negative publicity so I would say this author has been exposed as making false assumptions.

That is right: Koh Tao is Thailand the same way that Bangkok IS Thailand.

[pisico]

The poeple who are complaining about military rule/ martial law do not appear to be the same who have been complaing for several years about the RTP/BIB who ran the country as a ''police state'';

The present situation seems a lot more agreeable to many, maybe even a majority of those who make a honest living and capable of making honest apprisals of the life style in Thailand, past, present and what the future may hold.for them and their children.

Yes, most people are as agreeable as those were when the Japanese occupied Thailand for 2 years without a fight...

Remember who was at the helm of the country at the time?

[DennisF]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

Koh Tao had 90% occupancy last night and that is ground zero of negative publicity so I would say this author has been exposed as making false assumptions.

Occupancy figures for the whole island are available within 24 hours?

Post from an islander on another thread (sorry lost the link) stated it was complete propaganda, bars empty and few people around.

Just saying

[Krataiboy]

It is about more than tourism.

http://truth-out.org/news/item/26689-martial-law-and-the-criminalization-of-thought-in-thailand

[bumpkin]

Little of the "bad press" or negativity that Thai tourism receives in the world Press is caused by their being Martial Law.

The headline events involving tourists and other foreigners in Thailand are often caused by situations which would make headlines if they occurred in their home countries. Drunkeness, drugs, bad driving, lack of consideration for others, lack of sensitivity over cultural differences, etc.

Of course, there are other incidents where there are no contributory factors from the victims, but none of these incidents are of an exclusively Thai nature.

Having said that, in reality, there are very few headlines in the world press about Thailand, for good or bad.

Many would suggest that those in power now, have more work to do before returning power to the usual run of disappointing politicians.

[ratcatcher]

The interesting thing is that the tourist destinations, The Islands, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc, are where most of the scams against tourists occur. Tourists in small town Thailand seem to be welcomed by the natives with little hassle. Perhaps residents of these smaller towns who have seen tourists being scammed or abused may wish to comment?

[mutha289]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

But that would take forever....like in infinity.

Hey you stole my line!!!

[tbthailand]

funny how they mentioned all these reasons to lift it without mentioning human rights once.

[spidermike007]

Give some time for PM general prayuth to solve his problem on corruption too much before we can ease the iron grip. As long as thai people still corrupt, thais should allows prayuth to work on the problem. Don't disturb him.

Koh Tao had 90% occupancy last night and that is ground zero of negative publicity so I would say this author has been exposed as making false assumptions.

What is the source of those figures? Are you saying Island wide? Every resort? That would make it the highest level of occupancy in the country. It is low season. Nobody has 90% right now. We are skeptical, at best.

[srchino]

It's not necessarily a bad thing for tourism to be down in Thailand.