Thai editorial: Keep away from hatred, detach from politicians

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Keep away from hatred, detach from politicians
The Nation

This year, Thais will have to confront some of the serious issues dividing the country, hopefully with maturity

BANGKOK: -- Last week, there was talk about banning "hate speech". The constitution-drafters may have identified a major problem, but it is questionable if they were proposing the right cure. In making people hate their opponents, politicians make the public hate one another. That is the case in Thailand, where family ties and friendships have been severely affected by political differences.

As the new year brings hopes for reform, a new constitution and a return to democracy, there is little light at the end of the tunnel regarding what matters the most - the real strife that has cut through not only the political spectrum but the once unique national harmony.

The real casualties of Thailand's political war are the Thai people. So far, there have been few signs the parties involved are doing something about it. The "reform" being planned following last year's coup will focus on political rules rather than genuine reconciliation. The country's biggest political parties, sidelined since the military takeover, will be preoccupied with plotting a return to power. The media will, knowingly or unwittingly, keep contributing to the national divide in search of a political model that suits Thailand.

The year will be scattered with minefields, which, if triggered, will make true reconciliation even harder. The interim legislature's impeachment proceedings against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont and former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanij will not help restore national harmony. Neither will the writing of the new charter, whose clauses or provisions will almost certainly be interpreted as biased one way or another. A criminal case is also likely to be built against Yingluck.

All of the sensitive political developments will be closely watched and heatedly commented on by the social media, which has replaced key Bangkok avenues as Thais' ideological battlefields. If 2014 saw divided Thais pulled back from the brink of a very nasty showdown, 2015 will at best struggle to keep the lid on simmering hatred, mistrust and anger.

Is it possible for the people to have extreme political differences but not hate each other? The answer is "Yes", but unfortunately it has never been the case in Thailand over the past few years.

Political wars were not only fought in Parliament but they spilled over into the streets, resulting in violence that left deep scars. Mobilisation of the masses became a must-do strategy if one wanted to destroy one's political enemies and take power. Political rallies, as it turned out, reflected not just the spirit of democracy, but also hate propaganda that warmongers wanted to disseminate.

How can we truly see the "return of the beautiful land", as pledged in the post-coup song - although, ironically, the song itself is disdained by one half of the country?

The key players of the political warfare hold the answer to that. It’s not very promising so far, but, sooner or later, there will come a day when the politicians realise that spreading hatred may work for the short-term but will come back to haunt them forever.

As for ordinary Thais, 2015 will be a truly testing year. What is democracy? How much do political power ballot boxes entail? Should corruption be dealt with in Parliament or should an entirely separate entity, an unelected one perhaps, be empowered to tackle it? These questions and more have caused national strife but there is no avoiding them this year. If the country is to have an election within the timeframe, or early next year, the issues will have to be confronted, albeit with different mindsets.

This is the year Thais will have to keep a sensible distance from the key political players and search their own souls. Having differences in thoughts, ideas or ideologies is part of growing up. To be able to embrace extremely different ideologies and yet co-exist peacefully is called maturity.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Keep-away-from-hatred-detach-from-politicians-30252151.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-19

[NongKhaiKid]

Thais will have to confront some of the serious issues hopefully with maturity.

Keep away from hatred.

Keep a sensible distance from key political players so does that include those currently in control and those in the wings waiting to get their hands back on the reins and noses in the trough ? Eh, please sir can I ask how people are to be involved in the running of the country if they have to keep away from the present and future leaders ?

[chainarong]

There is nothing as good as an old political hatred of the opposing side , this happens in all countries , the nature of the beast and how much redneck juice and ideology is consumed into the bloodstream will tell the story at most gatherings , most people have very little interest in politics it is only the few that are the die hards for the cause , however in some instances where the people start to understand that maybe they have been hoodwinked by one party over a long period of time there maybe a groundswell of resentment from all sections of the public , this has happened in Thailand and the finger of suspicion points to one area, so called political hatred in Thailand is in for the long haul and nothing will change that until the rules and representation are changed, need I say more.

[hmficc]

One person one vote that might work

[Snig27]

Dear Thailand, you can't legislate for this stuff. You have to let political maturity grow.

This includes allowing elected governments to last their full term whether or not you agree with them, allowing people to frankly and openly discuss things without fear of prosecution, no show trials of deposed leaders by self-anointed juntas or their stooges, no coups, allowing the full electorate a valid and equal voice, having a fully elected house and senate - but of all those, arguably the first is the key: let elected governments last their full term. You have matured when you've worked out that the best and absolutely only way to replace a government is by voting it out.

All the charters and editorials in the world won't change that.

And can people stop making idiotic statements like: democracy is not just about the ballot box. It is exactly and precisely about that. Anything else is just making vapid excuses and attempts to justify actions that are detrimental to the long term stability of this country.

[Robby nz]

The year will be scattered with minefields, which, if triggered, will make true reconciliation even harder. The interim legislature's impeachment proceedings against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont and former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanij will not help restore national harmony. Neither will the writing of the new charter, whose clauses or provisions will almost certainly be interpreted as biased one way or another. A criminal case is also likely to be built against Yingluck.

Does that mean there has to be a choice between justice and reconciliation ?

And justice for who, reconciliation for who ?

Should we forget about corruption, let the corrupt keep their ill gotten for the sake of making them and their supporters happy ?

Should we bow down to those who refuse to accept the judgment of the courts to make them happy ?

I may not agree with a courts decision and keep that as my right, but I will accept and respect that decision.

Reconciliation should not come with conditions such as ; 'if someone from our side is found guilty of crime or corruption we will not take part'.

I say let justice come first and if there are those who cant accept the decisions of the judicial bodies then they are not ready for reconciliation.

Edited January 19, 2015 by Robby nz

[seajae]

once again face becomes more important than the truth, lets just drop all the corruption charges so the reds dont go ape sh*t when told to by their boss and the hi-so mp's dont get embarrassed. Until such time as the courts actually punish these people with real verdicts, jail time and massive fines we will never see an end to the corruption and family politics that ruins this country. The last thing Thailand needs are all those that have done the wrong thing while in govt to be let off, they need to face the courts and the truth needs to come out, not the "he said, she said" crap we have seen in the past & are seeing now. Reconciliation is not about letting all the wrong doers off, it is about making them face the courts & people of the country and accepting their guilt as well,as their punishment as well as their supporters accepting it. Using paid terrorists to cause mayhem when you dont get your own way is against the law, all those involved in this(leaders and followers) should be given lengthy jail terms and have their finances seized by the country as restitution for the damage caused.

[chotthee]

I hate Thaksin.

But I cannot help loving Yingluck; she is so fair.