Thai editorial: Signs are not good for serious reform

[webfact]

Signs are not good for serious reform
By The Nation

 

Two years on, the junta’s nobler goals still seem beyond reach

 

BANGKOK: -- Two years after seizing power, the ruling junta – the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) – has come full circle to once again address the subject of government, economic and social reform. “Reform” was the buzzword in the wake of the May 2014 coup, but it soon disappeared from the generals’ vocabulary as the focus shifted to establishing their legitimacy to rule.

 

A great deal of resources and energy went into drafting a new constitution aimed at securing the military’s role in politics for years to come. Ensuring that voters would approve the draft in a referendum became the name of the game since the generals believed public endorsement would prove to the world that the coup had been justified.

 

That mission accomplished more or less, the junta began talking about reform again. It’s truly dismaying that so much time was spent on pushing through a constitution that allows little leeway for criticism, but what this means is there is little time left for crying over spilled milk. We need to make the best of the existing situation and push forward needed changes in the most meaningful way possible.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/today_editorial/30308230

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-08

[debate101]

A country cannot be reformed at gunpoint. It requires free and willing participation.

 

The "talk of reform" prior to the coup was coded language for re-establishing a pseudo-fascist military-authoritarian centralized government that falsely claims a monopoly on morality and culture. Stop pretending otherwise.

[BigBadGeordie]

"Criticism, such as it is, has come up against a wall of military might backed by the police, all the trappings of totalitarian rule in place to make sure orders and regulations are obeyed."

 

Has the Thai media suddenly developed a backbone?

[Laughing Gravy]

Did anyone really expect anything less. Pessimism went out the window years ago. No way are the ruling elite going to relinquish power. It will be Thai style democracy whatever that is.

[darksidedog]

The headline on this story is accurate for once. Signs are definitely not good for reform.

[cms22]

Oh where are all those TV members pleading for a military government? It makes me sick but I can remember them all now stating the need for this government when Yingluck was in power. These people didn't realise then that "corruption" was the word that was used by the military to brainwash people into believing the need for "reform" and "reconciliation". The truth is it was never about "corruption", never about "reform" and never about "reconciliation". It was all about sections of society ensuring that "the people" never get a chance to rise. That's all.

[JAG]

"Criticism, such as it is, has come up against a wall of military might backed by the police, all the trappings of totalitarian rule in place to make sure orders and regulations are obeyed."
 
Has the Thai media suddenly developed a backbone?

If they have it will soon be removed.
Sorry, I meant to say licenced...

[AGareth2]

reforms?

what reforms

the coup was not about reform

[sharecropper]

I remember the now 'PM' saying the military could take on difficult reforms that civilian governments could not take on - like the police.

Pathetic, dissembling cowards. Jail the lot of them.

[yellowboat]

The good general's shtick is getting very old now.  It was pretty obvious things were going to go nowhere when a military strong man creates his own television show and then starts singing songs he made up.    He has done almost nothing to improve the nation, and has ruined its reputation. If the autocratic army remains as the watch dog of government, as opposed to its servant, Thailand's potential will be stymied, which seems to have been the plan from the beginning. 

[yellowboat]

21 minutes ago, AGareth2 said:

reforms?

what reforms

the coup was not about reform

Correct, it was about marginalizing the Shinawatras and restoring power to the elites, nothing more nobler than that and nothing noble accomplished. 

[AGareth2]

Just now, yellowboat said:

Correct, it was about marginalizing the Shinawatras and restoring power to the elites, nothing more nobler than that and nothing noble accomplished. 

and, and, and..............

[darksidedog]

2 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

"Criticism, such as it is, has come up against a wall of military might backed by the police, all the trappings of totalitarian rule in place to make sure orders and regulations are obeyed."

 

Has the Thai media suddenly developed a backbone?

It is interesting that The Nation has run two stories in 2 days, being very critical, given the normal bland fodder we are subjected to.

Now we just need the sheep to understand the message. The people at the top have zero interest in the welfare of the common man.

[JAG]

The good general's shtick is getting very old now.  It was pretty obvious things were going to go nowhere when a military strong man creates his own television show and then starts singing songs he made up.    He has done almost nothing to improve the nation, and has ruined its reputation. If the autocratic army remains as the watch dog of government, as opposed to its servant, Thailand's potential will be stymied, which seems to have been the plan from the beginning. 

Realising this countries potential would mean opening up opportunities to a much wider swathe of its people, who would inevitably take a greater share of its benefits.
Better to let those opportunities go elsewhere, and keep control of the existing benefits.
One day the wider swathe of its people are finally going to have had enough of missing out. Twenty years ago they simply didn't know. Now they are better informed.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

Has the Thai media suddenly developed a backbone?

If it never had one, I'd say somewhat.

But The Nation bailed on its own introspection:

4 hours ago, webfact said:

We need to make the best of the existing situation and push forward needed changes in the most meaningful way possible.

That says JOIN the junta's efforts and COOPERATE!

Spineless once again.

[BigBadGeordie]

1 minute ago, Srikcir said:

If it never had one, I'd say somewhat.

But The Nation bailed on its own introspection:

That says JOIN the junta's efforts and COOPERATE!

Spineless once again.

Good point, should have removed my rose tinted glasses before reading the OP.

 

Maybe I am just over optimistic. 

[chainarong]

I'm glad someone is home, it was doomed from the start , the intention or intent was  there however you are talking about the Thai military , who have to be blunt , no compassion nor moral status and would shoot the mother in law to survive, the introduction of section 44 is a fine example of stupid military thinking, the continued harassment of students, the increased intake of conscripts just to get the young one's off campus and out of the dangerous environment of revolution , the continued attacks on particular sections of the community, one doesn't hold much hope for any reconciliation, Thailand under Prayut has not advanced one inch, business are now relocating to other countries , a fine example of Prayut's thinking is the latest  fiasco of the Submarine purchase being a government to government contract , no questions asked , who would deal with a leader of a country like that, only China and a few other despots , the continual lies , press freedom, control of the internet, human rights ,  media control ,  immigration, poor education, labor laws, almost all levels of the Thai administration is a failure or in trouble , but don't listen to me , listen to that doyen of honesty General Pawtwit..................    

[AGareth2]

10 minutes ago, chainarong said:

I'm glad someone is home, it was doomed from the start , the intention or intent was  there however you are talking about the Thai military , who have to be blunt , no compassion nor moral status and would shoot the mother in law to survive, the introduction of section 44 is a fine example of stupid military thinking, the continued harassment of students, the increased intake of conscripts just to get the young one's off campus and out of the dangerous environment of revolution , the continued attacks on particular sections of the community, one doesn't hold much hope for any reconciliation, Thailand under Prayut has not advanced one inch, business are now relocating to other countries , a fine example of Prayut's thinking is the latest  fiasco of the Submarine purchase being a government to government contract , no questions asked , who would deal with a leader of a country like that, only China and a few other despots , the continual lies , press freedom, control of the internet, human rights ,  media control ,  immigration, poor education, labor laws, almost all levels of the Thai administration is a failure or in trouble , but don't listen to me , listen to that doyen of honesty General Pawtwit..................    

so he is working according to plan then

(roadmap)

[Lupatria]

Signs are not good for reform.

 

The life of another fortune teller seems in danger...

[spidermike007]

5 hours ago, JAG said:

Realising this countries potential would mean opening up opportunities to a much wider swathe of its people, who would inevitably take a greater share of its benefits.
Better to let those opportunities go elsewhere, and keep control of the existing benefits.
One day the wider swathe of its people are finally going to have had enough of missing out. Twenty years ago they simply didn't know. Now they are better informed.

 

If that is their logic, it is beyond nonsensical, and locked into a middle age serf mentality. There is plenty to go around. As is demonstrated in many other more productive nations, the rich benefit by the prosperity of the poor and middle class. It creates a satisfied working class, and the wealth is shared. Maybe some of the multi billionaires would earn a little less. So what? In a society obsessed with making merit, one might presume that the merit involved in taking care of your own people, your employees, and those not in your direct family, being a fair person, and treating people well would be considered a good thing. 

[AGareth2]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

If that is their logic, it is beyond nonsensical, and locked into a middle age serf mentality. There is plenty to go around. As is demonstrated in many other more productive nations, the rich benefit by the prosperity of the poor and middle class. It creates a satisfied working class, and the wealth is shared. Maybe some of the multi billionaires would earn a little less. So what? In a society obsessed with making merit, one might presume that the merit involved in taking care of your own people, your employees, and those not in your direct family, being a fair person, and treating people well would be considered a good thing. 

sadly no

but they can always be born into a better life next time

[heybruce]

7 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Did anyone really expect anything less. Pessimism went out the window years ago. No way are the ruling elite going to relinquish power. It will be Thai style democracy whatever that is.

"Did anyone really expect anything less."

 

Don't you remember all the posters who cheered the coup and kept repeating "Prayuth is a good man" and "give the general a chance"?  There are still a few out there, expect them to show up soon with the standard Thaksin deflections.

[elgordo38]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

vocabulary as the focus shifted to establishing their legitimacy to rule.

Every fri***n politician in the world it always boils down to legacy or legitimacy which this government will never have. Get your time in build a monument to your "success" called a  presidential library what a joke. 

[Ron19]

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[metisdead]

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