Thai politics: A high price is necessary to prevent military takeovers

[heybruce]

The staff of The Nation, or some of them, have grown a pair and are testing the limits. I hope they get away with it, but even if they don't and are made to pay the price, they will have exposed the junta to the world for what it is. That's journalism at it's best..

[mango66]

I would graft the new constitution like this:

The military is only allowed a coup,

when the gvt is not able to stop ony corruption,

when gvt is not able to stopp all corruption by thai police,

or GVT continou with private sector corruption like did the Shinawattras,

The Thai military should have the right to coup

without any consequences !!

TRhis should be a top article in the new constitution !!

[MiclB]

I really do think that many people actually have no idea about reality, and whenever this subject (Junta) is raised they automatically oppose the military takeover. If they gave some logical argument why the takeover was bad for Thailand - instead of being an ignorant teenager and saying : "it isn't right" "I dont like it" - then maybe they would have a different attitude to this and many other things about their life.

They way I see it, the best thing about the Military takeover was that they probably stopped a civil war (of sorts) between yellows and reds. They are also the only Thai Govt that ever tells people what they are doing and why - as stated by others above. And they are addressing issues on a weekly basis, and as a result so are the local authorities. I could name many issues, but I will just state that whenever the subject of one of their changes causes concerns (like blocked footpaths, or squatters in floodways), or when one of their flow-ons causes concerns (beach chairs), the idiots and vested interests automatically are automatically against it. Let me tell you what you are. Does this ring a bell?

All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

You claim to be speaking on behalf of everyone else, but just like the Judean Perople's Front, you are just a malcontented bunch with no real ideas on how to run things.

Let me explain 'flow-ons'. Because local authorities are no longer 100% focussed on themselves and their vested interests (whichever side they are on) they can, and actually now are, starting to address issues. The reason is simple, they are either being specifically directed to do so, or they are doing something because they have (all) been told to get their act together or they will be replaced (and some have been). This is exactly what this country needs, the local authorities to be forced into addressing issues by a Govt that can and will get rid of them if they dont. The previous Govts could never take such harsh actions, because they are also subject to their own vested interests, and also subject to the pressure of 'democracy'. The military government is the only one that can force the authorities and their vested interests to 'tow the line' or else - and mean it.

There are principles and then there are practicalities - good Governance is finding a balance between the two, and then adjusting to the ever changing economic and social issues. If any country lets one of those factors over-run the other, the inevitable result is either economic catastrophy and social decay (Sth Africa/Zimbabwe), or a police-state with social unrest followed by economic ruin (Germany/Russia). Right now, Thailand needs to take a heavy dose of 'practicality' to get itself back on a more even keel - economically and socially. Personally it is clear to me that the upsides of the military takeover far outway the negatives. However, having said that, I believe that my view is only valid as long as the military eventually step aside and let an elected Govt take over when it is appropriate. When, I am yet to decide, as are many others. But for now, things are starting to be adddressed and the dose of practicality should be allowed to run its course for a while longer.

Very good post; and, actually you had it nailed until the fourth to the last sentence.

The coup could have been avoided--maybe some good folks would have died. But most successful governments that come close to representing the voice of a voting citizenry have had to at one time or another confront tyranny with force or even rebellion. Not my fortune to tell, but maybe that's one way to make the "coup habit" a historical term versus being as frequent at a severe storm or drought. Not my country, not my proposal by any means, I just wish Thailand a better outcome next time.

Edited March 4, 2015 by MiclB