Thai politics: 'reforms' may herald a return to older ways

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Junta's 'reforms' may herald a return to older ways
Supalak Ganjanakhundee

BANGKOK: -- Reform, by its definition, is a set of changes and improvements to institutions such as the law, or political and social systems. In Thai, "patiloup" also means doing something better or improving it.

In the political sphere, the term 'reform' is widely used among progressive figures to champion changes in the system. Generally speaking, it is expected the reform would achieve progress in the political, economic and social spheres.

The real objective for any reform in this world is to improve a system for people, or bring about something in the public interest. Public interest is the core and key to reform - but the style being conducted by General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his junta seems to have everything backward, working for the benefit of the elite only.

Thailand has gone through so-called reform processes many times. In recent memory, reform took place during 1995-1997 after the bloody 1992 uprising against a military-backed regime and gave birth to the 1997 "People's constitution", which offered many positive changes to suit the public.

It was a product of the Thai elite and they were proud of it at the beginning - that they could empower people and create effective checks and balances in a political system. Among reformers who drew up the 1997 charter were people like Anand Panyarachun, Prawase Wasi, Wissanu Krea-ngam, Bowornsak Uwanno, Chai-Anan Samudavanija and many other NGO elites now active again in the latest reform body.

The previous reforms empowered strong government and strong premiership. Unfortunately for the elite who created the system, a politician called Thaksin Shinawatra emerged with powerful popular support.

Initially, Thaksin was perfect for the elite, as he was a visionary billionaire who had experience in both bureaucracy and business. He bypassed the red tape bureaucracy to revive the economy after the 1997 financial crisis.

Corruption seemed not to be a serious problem as the Thai elite disregarded any concealing of his wealth. The then Constitutional Court, which Chai-Anan was a member of, allowed Thaksin to continue his administration until the end of his term.

But things became problematic as Thaksin emerged as a dangerous figure in Thai politics. But he was popular among the poor and his political base became stronger. For the elite, Thaksin had become a maverick.

The coup in 2006 took threw out of office but the 2007 Constitution, written intentionally to prohibit him from returning, failed to get rid of Thaksin or those like him. He created a crowd of political clones and surrogates. People, notably the poor, loved his political creativity and policies. They asked for a universal healthcare service, high prices for farm products and capital to make their entrepreneurship become true. The poor could not be blamed as this was the nature of politics in a democratic system. People will elect leaders who bring them benefits.

General Prayut, who staged a military coup in May to oust Thaksin's sister Yingluck from office, and run the country, is also undertaking so-called reform to prevent the return of Thaksin. It's confusing. But there has not been great difference to Thaksin's political style and a democratic political system.

Prayut has commissioned Thaksin's enemies and the conservative elite in the bureaucracy to undertake "reform". Unable to bar Thaksin from politics, they have instead prohibited "his people" from participating in the system.

The junta's blueprint for reform, as proposed by the Defence Ministry days ago, is not about improving the Thai political system but a return to a bureaucratic polity.

Chai-Anan's idea to have an unelected figure as the next prime minister is nothing but a form of government that rejects people participation. His idea is as simple as creating a way for Prayut's administration to last longer.

But, what is the point of having an election when the government is led by people outside the electoral regime?

Most of the intellectual elite in the reform council never had a political dream or imagination far beyond a quasi-democracy and a quasi-authoritarian regime.

Throughout modern history, Thailand's reform has gone back and forth between an authoritarian elite and democracy. The more reforming it does, the less democratic it gets.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Juntas-reforms-may-herald-a-return-to-older-ways-30245494.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-15

[Fred Flinstone]

Whatever your political observations , clearly apprehension is in the air with Thais themselves .

Just after months of military rule the representation to the world is in free fall- along with tourist numbers.

Thais are now reconsidering the benefits (if any) of having a controlling government .

That was born from a gun barrel threat.

[visionchaser45]

Wow, I can't believe this is an article from The Nation. Well done!

[ChrisY1]

Off to the Gulag for K.Supalak!!

[noitom]

The stirring of concern and uncertainty about the roadmap.

[Rob8891]

This article reminds me of the fable "The Emperor's New Clothes".

Plus ça change, 'n' all that......

[chainarong]

Not only have they lost momentum , they are all from the same mould, when you look at who is actually doing all the ground work and organizing the reforms it is the same again, the ruling elite , you don't see many from the workforce sitting at the table , one could only assume the good intentions are only directed at one particular area of the establishment and I don't expect to see , anyone with a criminal record cannot be a member of a political party , be a member of parliament or local council or be an employee of government or local council. Surprise me P.M. Prayuth..

[Seastallion]

Patience is a virtue, Khun Ganja nakhundee. (I wonder if that is a made-up pen name?)

[craigt3365]

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[MrJohnson]

Old men with old ideas longing for the good old days when the populace was compliant and knew place. Sorry chaps, that ship has sailed.

[Saan]

A good and, perhaps, a brave piece of journalism.

[mrtoad]

I think it looks more like a feudal system the way it is going

[halloween]

The author seems to be under the sad delusion that the Shin regimes were democratic because they won elections. The only major difference I see is who is giving the orders, a general or a career criminal. In fact, any person red/green colour blind might even fail to notice that distinction, the intimidation having only varying levels of violence.

The corollary to that is the amount the criminal needs to divert from state funds to buy those votes and to line his own pockets, and the political violence he is prepared to generate and fund to maintain his position. The PTP was as democratic as the UDD, where the only votes counted are from the chosen leaders, who all take their orders, with their cheques, from one person.

The author accuses the NRC of failing to see have "imagination far beyond a quasi-democracy and a quasi-authoritarian regime" while giving the impression that he found that quite acceptable in the near past.

Edited October 15, 2014 by halloween

[jayboy]

The stirring of concern and uncertainty about the roadmap.

I think the Nation piece touches on an excellent point regarding the tension in the Thai elite between those who favour bureaucratic polity (reliance on public servants rather than politicians, the Yes Minister approach if you like) and those who prefer a more open democratic system, nothing new in this which has persisted for decades.Personally I think the Thai tradition of excellence in the upper civil service (particularly in the agencies and ministries with financial responsibility) has served Thailand well - preserving an independence in fiscal and monetary policy.But equally it's not perfect as we saw in the late 1990's, and I also believe bureaucratic polity requires elected oversight.

As to the reform programme now and choosing words carefully it's really necessary to have a long perspective.All coups mean well and promise reform.All are initially popular.Day by day however the task of unelected governments tends to become more difficult as popular enthusiam fades.The military mindset isn't good at herding cats and that's an entirely appropriate metaphor for Thailand.

[bangon04]

I think it looks more like a feudal system the way it is going

and logically they should seriously consider an Absolute M supported by army bureaucracy. Lots of popular support for that....

[Fat Haggis]

Why is TFV posting such volatile topics only to also post a reminder that detractors face military courts?

You're inviting debate by posting such topics, and then make them one sided, if TVF are that concerned they'd stop posting such debatable topics, that way everyone is protected from any potential repurcussions

[Fred Flinstone]

Why is TFV posting such volatile topics only to also post a reminder that detractors face military courts?

You're inviting debate by posting such topics, and then make them one sided, if TVF are that concerned they'd stop posting such debatable topics, that way everyone is protected from any potential repurcussions

If you post them lawfully in say Australia or England ?

Who the hell do they think they are threatening us?

And i agree , Ko towing to Juntas i understand for commercial reasons is one thing-

But its seemingly silly to expect silence on lines like ""the military came to power because of the peoples dreams of a better life"

Really?

We are not permitted to say "no its because you have guns and tanks?"

Look we get it these guys are threatening but like i said you are not breaking Thai laws if what you are saying is in another country and lawful-

Your under That countries laws.

If you continue to say it in their country well thats different.

If you prosecute westerners for being concerned about court evidence in a trial in Thailand - watch what happens to your international Status.

Not that you seem to have one left

[VINCENT2012]

with such an archaic politic system for sure the economy is going down slowly but surely.....in thailand their basic income is tourism....and when this is going to be in a bad shape, lots of people will cry then.

i dont think asean is going to help anyway, putting all the lions together wont bring anything good, because the elite is actualy not looking for the well being of the rest of the population but for the well being and continuation of their own status and bank account health.

perhaps one day the poor will wake up, but today they are so incredibly passive, they just follow the master, so it seems they like it like this way.

a bit of masochisme perhaps.

for the farang, i think it is time to leave.

[AGareth2]

Old men with old ideas longing for the good old days when the populace was compliant and knew place. Sorry chaps, that ship has sailed.

recalled to port methinks

[Thailand]

The not so old days not looking so bad with each passing day?

[toybits]

This is the most scathing article so far. Is the honeymoon over?

Edited October 15, 2014 by toybits

[Eric Loh]

The author seems to be under the sad delusion that the Shin regimes were democratic because they won elections. The only major difference I see is who is giving the orders, a general or a career criminal. In fact, any person red/green colour blind might even fail to notice that distinction, the intimidation having only varying levels of violence.

The corollary to that is the amount the criminal needs to divert from state funds to buy those votes and to line his own pockets, and the political violence he is prepared to generate and fund to maintain his position. The PTP was as democratic as the UDD, where the only votes counted are from the chosen leaders, who all take their orders, with their cheques, from one person.

The author accuses the NRC of failing to see have "imagination far beyond a quasi-democracy and a quasi-authoritarian regime" while giving the impression that he found that quite acceptable in the near past.

Not at all convincing due to excessive hyperbolizing. Easy to understand article and not at all contradicting that it's still the same old struggle between the military back establishment who refused to relinquish power wants status quo.

[jacky54]

'but the style being conducted by General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his junta seems to have everything backward, working for the benefit of the elite only'

Really who would have thought it, the elite right to the very top were the people that put him their for their own interests after all

[Alwyn]

The article kind of says it like it is - I hope the author doesn't get taken for "education"

[GinBoy2]

This was from The Nation!

Holy Cr*p Batman, now I know things we're in trouble LOL

[halloween]

The author seems to be under the sad delusion that the Shin regimes were democratic because they won elections. The only major difference I see is who is giving the orders, a general or a career criminal. In fact, any person red/green colour blind might even fail to notice that distinction, the intimidation having only varying levels of violence.

The corollary to that is the amount the criminal needs to divert from state funds to buy those votes and to line his own pockets, and the political violence he is prepared to generate and fund to maintain his position. The PTP was as democratic as the UDD, where the only votes counted are from the chosen leaders, who all take their orders, with their cheques, from one person.

The author accuses the NRC of failing to see have "imagination far beyond a quasi-democracy and a quasi-authoritarian regime" while giving the impression that he found that quite acceptable in the near past.

Not at all convincing due to excessive hyperbolizing. Easy to understand article and not at all contradicting that it's still the same old struggle between the military back establishment who refused to relinquish power wants status quo.

Of course it was easy to understand, it was written for red Kool-aid drinkers like you. Difficult is when you have to discuss the authoritarian nature of Shin democracy, along with its political violence.

[KhnomKhnom]

While I am sick of all the "arm chair freedom fighters" typing on Internet, I see the deeply endemic cultural accepted practice of patronage. The royal model (before constitutional monarchy) governs in any nation via patronage. That practice is very old here. The slight change from that model to Machine Politics patronage is easily accomplished. This was the Thaksins genius, to see that the adoption of a political machine within a fledgling democracy would be easy given patronage being already the Thai way. Political machines operate on "gifts" of money and plum govt jobs to their cronies. Soon, the cronies get cronies and the machine power grows and democracy slides away.

In Thailand, the Thaksins' political machine, almost as good as Richard Daley's in Chicago, was very near to full control--with tentacles in police, Ministries, and public works bureaucracies--that insured continued flow of money and plum jobs to the cronies. The Thaksins took off the top at a new extreme level and passed the crumbs to the cronies. The Thaksins invented schemes that made it look good to the poor and those also were mostly designed for maximum skimming or return to their machine. An example is the loan of Thai tax money to Burma and then Burma bought stuff from Thaksins' companies with that money. Unfortunately, many of those invented schemes were not thought through to their longer term consequences (attempt to corner rice market via only Thailand is good example of dumb thinking). The schemes did produce short term popularity.

The Thaksins were reported to be on the brink of filling the place of an expiring royal personage or, if that did not develop, could have had a personal cadre of a paid, armed goon army that could move to destabilize the nation. This situation, if reported correctly, could have had very dire results for all of us in Thailand, citizen and guest alike. Then, thanks to the Army for stopping that reported possibility.

Reform--toward democracy-- after the demise of the Thaksins Political Machine, now being dismantled, is very difficult in Thailand because it sorely lacks a well-paid, well-educated, honest and dedicated bureaucrats corp. A student of modern America knows that politicians come and go of both Parties, but the govt keeps running much like a democracy because of on-the-line bureaucrats continuing to turn the govt wheels deep inside the govt. Good bureaucrats mean that an American can go to a govt office (like SS), get professional courteous and correct service, and no Black Labels change hands. Sure, there is corruption and patronage in USA, too, but there is a difference and that difference is the USA bureaucrats.

Given a Thailand where the ACCEPTED AND EXPECTED system is patronage, from cookies to the postman to billions to PMs, exists, it is probably impossible to do anything except corral in the exaggerated political skimmer levels and get a lid on the size of political machines. That effort will not please "arm chair self-appointed foreign 'freedom fighters'" here and abroad, but it looks like the only choice. If the ruling families here can keep that lid on, Thailand will lurch along for twenty more years....... until the effects of AESAN become very real and very clear to everyone. Then, who knows!!??!!

[Emster23]

"Prayut has commissioned Thaksin's enemies and the conservative elite in the bureaucracy to undertake "reform"."

Was that ever in doubt? I think of the crowd that swallowed Suthep et al supposedly wanting "real democracy" in Thailand as if he meant it. Like Ann Richard's once said "Ya dance with the one what brung ya".

[DrTuner]

Some of the stuff falling from the ivory towers do have an eerie echo of Phibun, yes.

[jesimps]

"Prayut has commissioned Thaksin's enemies and the conservative elite in the bureaucracy to undertake "reform"."

Was that ever in doubt? I think of the crowd that swallowed Suthep et al supposedly wanting "real democracy" in Thailand as if he meant it. Like Ann Richard's once said "Ya dance with the one what brung ya".

Like.