Thai politics: PM's achievements report fails in some critical tests

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PM's achievements report fails in some critical tests
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE MILITARY regime's presentation of its six-month progress report - as if it were business as usual - can either be seen as them being considerate or plainly pretentious. After all, no matter whether you like this government or not, we don't really have any choice on how long it wields absolute power - this decision rests with Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha alone.

Though it was called the six-month "achievements" report when presented on Friday, the reality is that this junta has been in power for nearly 11 months.

So, I thought I'd take this opportunity to come up with my report on Prayut the junta leader, Prayut the PM in three significant areas:

ROADMAP TO ELECTION

Prayut was vague and non-committal when he said last Friday that his government's ability to stay within the set timeframe would depend largely on security and order in society. The timeframe for the country's return to democracy has tentatively been set for early next year.

It is Prayut who will decide whether Thailand is secure and orderly enough by next year, otherwise the chance of seeing an election held by early 2016 may be too optimistic and unrealistic.

This, combined with the fact that there's no certainty as to whether the junta-sponsored draft charter will go through a referendum or not does not bode well for the so-called roadmap.

The premier's unwillingness to announce whether or not a public referendum will be held at this late stage when the first draft of the charter is already completed possibly reflects the lack of confidence the powers-that-be have in Prayut's popularity and the acceptability of the charter itself.

 NATIONAL RECONCILIATION

One must not be misled by the facade of calm and order engineered by restricting civil rights, such as the banning of public assembly or forbidding more than five people to get together as a sign of national reconciliation. If one looks at the nasty accusations and counter-accusations as to who was behind the recent car bomb in Koh Samui or the hate speech prevalent on social media by different political sides, one can recognise that reconciliation is still as great a phantom as it was 11 months ago.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Prayut regime has so far failed to bring about national reconciliation - what we have is an ersatz facade of something made to look like reconciliation.

 THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY

Remember the NCPO slogan promising to foster and return full-fledged democracy to Thailand?

Last Friday, Prayut implied that it was too late for people to push for full-fledged democratic principles and that society should focus instead on reconciliation and reform.

If anything, 11 months under this military regime has encouraged more and more Thais to rely on dictatorship as a means of solving problems and regulating people's coexistence. If you consider the suggestions made for the use of absolute power as per the interim charter's Article 44, one will realise that people are indeed addicted to dictatorship.

There are no signs of Thailand moving towards democracy. In fact, the Kingdom's political and cultural grounds are actually being prepared for a long-term dictatorship disguised as a limited, quasi or "Thai-version" of democracy.

Prayut's only accomplishment by default, however, is teaching young Thais that freedom and democracy cannot be taken for granted no matter how good the promises sound.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PMs-achievements-report-fails-in-some-critical-tes-30258473.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-22

[WhizBang]

Prayut's only accomplishment by default, however, is teaching young Thais that freedom and democracy cannot be taken for granted no matter how good the promises sound.

Indeed.

Edited April 21, 2015 by WhizBang

[halloween]

Would it be a shame if the return to democracy was delayed until those who abused it were prosecuted?

[Toscano]

There is no prospect of democracy in the foreseeable future , better to continue the present military dictatorship .

The proposed Charter is clearly not a pathway to democracy ; while we are under an administration which advocates honesty , let's not pretend .

[Lupatria]

I guess with this article The Nation just climbed up a few notches on the list of media facing a shut down.

[No Apologist]

Would it be a shame if the return to democracy was delayed until those who abused it were prosecuted?

When the whole premise of who abused it or not is compleltely hypocritical and self-serving for a self-elected leader at the moment, then yes; it would be more than a shame.

[quandow]

"Last Friday, Prayut implied that it was too late for people to push for full-fledged democratic principles and that society should focus instead on reconciliation and reform."

Is THAT what the majority of Thai citizens said?

[Eric Loh]

Easy to see that Prayuth just don't have the distinct expertise to be a PM and he is struggling to adapt. In fact non of his cabinet ministers have the range of skills to achieve anything of significance. It will be a loss year before an elected government clean up the mess left behind by the coup.

[Laughing Gravy]

"Last Friday, Prayut implied that it was too late for people to push for full-fledged democratic principles and that society should focus instead on reconciliation and reform."

Is THAT what the majority of Thai citizens said?

90% of Thai people want that. or if you believe those on here who seem to be constantly pushing the agenda for those in power. I believe it will all go "Pete Tong"

[Suffinator]

I wonder how long it will take Prayut to issued an arrest order for PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK so that his attitude can be adjusted. Yeah the truth hurts and the pen is mightier than the sword.

[DM07]

Would it be a shame if the return to democracy was delayed until those who abused it were prosecuted?

a) yeah...you can not do both at the same time! Absolutely impossible!

b ) if you prosecute everybody, who abused democracy in Thailand, return to democracy will be approximately in the year 2132!

[Godders]

Observing the current leadership busily tying up the loose ends of their operation to bring "Thai-style" democracy to the supine masses is like watching a Gulliver in reverse, with the giant seeking to tie down a potentially uppity bunch of Lilliputians.

Like it or not (and most of the Thais and falangs I have asked seem to), the generals' iron-first-in-velvet-glove approach to governing a nation notorious for its political volatility is as popular with the domestic audience as it is unpopular with human rights groups and much of the international community. Only the most recent poll shows any falling off in support for the personalities and policies in the political spotlight.

After eleven months at the helm, the junta has encountered few potholes in pursuing its much-vaunted road-map to "Thai-style" democracy. However, as the implications of some of the new Charter's more controversial measures become apparent, the going could get a little bumpier.

Somewhat surprisingly, critics have started crawling out of the woodwork of the bureaucratic edifice erected in lieu of an elected parliament to publicly cast doubt rather than praise on some of the Charter's key proposals. How long will it be, one wonders, before others outside this charmed circle pluck up the courage to join the chorus of dissent?

While the junta's crack-downs on corrupt police and venal politicians - as well as "ordinary" Thais such as street vendors and jet-ski operators - have won plaudits, they have also spawned enemies, including some in powerful places. Most formidable opponents of the regime are following the lead of the deposed Thaksins and their supporters, keeping their heads down and playing a waiting game.

Sooner or later, they reason, the generals will do something really stupid and unpopular, the moribund electorate will wake up to where the road to reform is really leading - and with the subsequent backlash will come the chance to re-enter the fray and take on the enemy.

Can the military - armed with the ultimate weapon of opposition destruction, Article 44 - manage to keep their show on the road long enough to impose a political system which no future government will have the power to fundamentally change?

Or can the the Lilliputians be persuaded to rise up against the restraints of "Thai-style" democracy in time to throw " the Kingdom's political future back into the melting pot?

In soccer parlance, the game is nicely poised.

[Alwyn]

Would it be a shame if the return to democracy was delayed until those who abused it were prosecuted?

But how many years do you go back? Every government has been corrupt.

[rubl]

Easy to see that Prayuth just don't have the distinct expertise to be a PM and he is struggling to adapt. In fact non of his cabinet ministers have the range of skills to achieve anything of significance. It will be a loss year before an elected government clean up the mess left behind by the coup.

Whenever someone says "it's easy to see" or "obviously" it tends to imply "under the right assumptions".

So, pray tell, dear Eric, what is this "distinct expertise to be a PM" ? What is the 'range of skills' non of the cabinet ministers have?

[Baerboxer]

Easy to see that Prayuth just don't have the distinct expertise to be a PM and he is struggling to adapt. In fact non of his cabinet ministers have the range of skills to achieve anything of significance. It will be a loss year before an elected government clean up the mess left behind by the coup.

No experience but the previous regime wasn't exactly high achieving. Cabinet reshuffles every 5 minutes, no transparency or accountability so no one really knows how they did in their almost 3 years in office as they kept contradicting one another and were self admitted liars. Was it one report to parliament they managed, which was the usual waffle?

The former PM/DM had no experience in either role, skills for either role or a background in politics. She only worked for her big brother and did what he said before and after being appointed. Suppose he was experienced even he wasn't elected and a criminal fugitive.

They left behind an almighty mess of corruption, lies and information gaps.