‘Flawed’ approaches behind the Kingdom’s failure in democracy

[rooster59]

‘Flawed’ approaches behind the Kingdom’s failure in democracy

By THE NATION

 

Academics Parinya Thewanaruemitkun, left, Chartchai na Chiangmai, and Siripan Noksuan Sawasdee share perspectives on current politics and democracy in a seminar “85th Anniversary of Democracy: Where should we go?”.

 

Experts see slim chance of elections happening next year and power returning to the people.

 

DEMOCRACY HAS not been successful in becoming a true and sustainable system in Thailand because the approaches have strayed from democratic principles, a public seminar on “85th Anniversary of Democracy: Where should we go?” heard yesterday.

 

The “four questions” recently posed to the people by the prime minister concerning future elections and good governance once again suggested that the military-installed government will be here to stay and there is no guarantee the country will see democratic elections next year, the experts said.

 

The remarks were echoed by noted political science and law professors Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee and Parinya Thewanaruemitkun, who said coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha’s current sentiments, expressed through the four questions, suggested that the election promised for next year might not happen.

 

Prayut had posed the questions in his weekly programme a few weeks ago, asking whether the next election would lead to good politics and politicians and if it did not, what people would do about it.

 

Siripan, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, pointed out that some years back the trend had been for power to be quickly returned to the people after political disruption. However, this time, it has been more than three years since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took power and the chance of another election remained remote.

 

“Considering his four questions and the use of the Article 44, I would say there is a slim chance that there will be an election next year,” Siripan said.

 

The academic said that Thai democracy had been dubbed by foreign scholars as “a failed transition to democracy” due to approaches that always strayed from true democratic practices.

 

Parinya, a law professor from Thammasat University, also saw Prayut implying through his questions that a future elected government would not offer good governance and hence the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) should continue to keep control.

 

But governance was not about the means to power, Parinya said. Both the junta and civilian governments were equally vulnerable to abusing power, the professor explained. Good governance could only be secured by checks and balances and transparency, he said. But those mechanisms could not function under absolute rule, he added. 

 

Charter drafter Chartchai na Chiangmai, on the other hand, said that the political culture had been centralised via the bureaucratic state, which had power over the people. Despite several reform attempts, the people had not been fully empowered because of political parties, which were weak and failed to balance the bureaucrats’ power, Chartchai said.

 

So, when writing the charter, which is the first and foremost requirement to lay a solid political foundation, the charter drafters ensured there was a compromise between conflicting desires of people in society. It could be called “restorative”, which may not be a full form of democracy but aimed to strengthen it in the long run, he explained.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30318956

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-24

[Reigntax]

"Thai democracy" is on par with "odourless dog turds". Both just dont exist and never will.

[trogers]

The answer lies in studying the relationship between Democracy, Corruption, and the recipients of bribes...

[Smarter Than You]

The 1997 constitution was a perfectly fine starting point from which to evolve a perfectly acceptable democracy.

The only missing ingredient - barring military interference in the developing process.

 

[candide]

In the "other" journal, there is an article in which a General claims that consultations about the four questions show that People in the North-East massively want the current PM to remain in power. 

 

No need to be a political expert to deduce from this kind of assertions that he will not leave power soon.

[williamgeorgeallen]

what was the point of the referendum if the general is not going to allow elections? thanks to the referendum he can run them and still retain overall control. is he that scared there will be civil unrest if elections are held? are they going to keep delaying until yingluck flees the country or is in jail? would be interesting to really know what the general is thinking. asking those 4 questions certainly made it look like he was gauging public opinion on not running elections at all.

[eddie61]

1 hour ago, Smarter Than You said:

The 1997 constitution was a perfectly fine starting point from which to evolve a perfectly acceptable democracy.

The only missing ingredient - barring military interference in the developing process.

 

I would like this if I were not scared of being charged under the computer crimes act

[Cadbury]

1 hour ago, Smarter Than You said:

The 1997 constitution was a perfectly fine starting point from which to evolve a perfectly acceptable democracy.

The only missing ingredient - barring military interference in the developing process.

 

The process by the military government in creating their version of the path to democracy has been a shambles to say the least. An intended shambles I suspect.

Creating democracies is not the sort of work military people are noted for. Military are more tuned to fighting battles against the enemy. Although Thailand's history over the last 80 years tends to show they are more inclined to roll-over.

As every day goes by there is usually a media statement with an obscure message written into it that an election won't be happening any time soon.

In any event, when and if an election does happen the people "elected" to run the new "democratic" government will be the same ones who are running it now. Be assured the status quo will be preserved.

 

 

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, Smarter Than You said:

The 1997 constitution was a perfectly fine starting point from which to evolve a perfectly acceptable democracy.

The only missing ingredient - barring military interference in the developing process.

 

The 1997 constitution came about due to the Black May public uprising against the military dominated government who gained power from the 1991 constitution. Sound familiar? Will history repeat itself???

[Smarter Than You]

5 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

The 1997 constitution came about due to the Black May public uprising against the military dominated government who gained power from the 1991 constitution. Sound familiar? Will history repeat itself???

Change is inevitable.

 

Thanks to the internet and social media - the younger generations won't accept what the brainwashed older generations accepted.

 

The Juntas efforts are best illustrated below.

 

                                         

[jesimps]

3 minutes ago, Smarter Than You said:

Change is inevitable.

 

Thanks to the internet and social media - the younger generations won't accept what the brainwashed older generations accepted.

 

The Juntas efforts are best illustrated below.

 

                                         

The junta will soon have the internet sewn up. They've dropped enough hints.

[midas]

So the economic situation is not likely to improve anytime soon  

[WhizBang]

15 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

The 1997 constitution came about due to the Black May public uprising against the military dominated government who gained power from the 1991 constitution. Sound familiar? Will history repeat itself???

Yes, without question.

[Smarter Than You]

8 minutes ago, jesimps said:

The junta will soon have the internet sewn up. They've dropped enough hints.

The Junta recently threatened Facebook and ended up fleeing with their tail between their legs.

In the past, the government controlled all media making it easy to brainwash and indoctrinate the nation.

Today, there is social media, censorship is near on impossible and the truth cannot be so easily hidden.

Social media will be the end of the Junta and there is nothing they can do about it.

[wakeupplease]

I look forward to the day he appears in a certain world court, but fear he will not make it that far

[metisdead]

A post containing comments in violation of the UPDATED NOTICE TO MEMBERS POSTING IN THAILAND NEWS has been removed. 

[phantomfiddler]

Proper democracy has become so flawed due to abuse by the unscrupulous that it is no longer the ideal type of government. Go go Singapore !

[wakeupplease]

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

The junta will soon have the internet sewn up. They've dropped enough hints.

In their and your dreams, they can shut it in your neck of the woods and that is it, do that and tourism and business will leave for ever. They cannot even get a website taken down in another country if its telling the truth, why do you think they block so many in this neck of the woods?

 

They do not even realise a blocked website local is still seen all over the free world by millions of locals who live overseas and others and then its word of mouth and that is even a worse promotion.

 

What was it 1385 websites blocked in just one week not so long ago.

 

Someone is Sh>> scared of the web today and it will be their undoing

[Cadbury]

13 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

In their and your dreams, they can shut it in your neck of the woods and that is it, do that and tourism and business will leave for ever. They cannot even get a website taken down in another country if its telling the truth, why do you think they block so many in this neck of the woods?

 

They do not even realise a blocked website local is still seen all over the free world by millions of locals who live overseas and others and then its word of mouth and that is even a worse promotion.

 

What was it 1385 websites blocked in just one week not so long ago.

 

Someone is Sh>> scared of the web today and it will be their undoing

All that is very well but PM Prayut's mind cant seem to go beyond twerking, the lottery, footpaths and bicycle lanes. The poor man is delusional.

[wakeupplease]

Just now, Cadbury said:

All that is very well but PM Prayut's mind cant seem to go beyond twerking, the lottery, footpaths and bicycle lanes. The poor man is delusional.

Are you sure I thought it was just Twerking that captivated him

[tbthailand]

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

‘Flawed’ approaches behind the Kingdom’s failure in democracy

 

ok, "coup before elections" is already a failure for democracy... 

 

and then there is ... 

 

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Experts see slim chance of elections happening next year and power returning to the people.

with the constitution, such as it is, elections are guaranteed to NOT return power to the people... 

 

But then this IS an article from "The Lapdog", ... 

 

[Maggusoil]

Was it the bible or the old bard Willie S that coined the Truth will Out. I think both. The net is the one place that's leaking truths like a sieve. So I agree. The sooner the military get out of politics the better. 

Freedom of Speech, free elections and I know their are detractors, but juries in courts, saw the English create the greatest empire known to modern history. That court system has done well in North America, Canada, Australia, in particular the United States, even India. Even if the people don't use it to full advantage its there and it is a bastion for accountability and transparency. 

Power to the people is a great idea, but do the people have the nous, or the time, or even the interest to actually use the power to think for themselves? The answer is no. Elect some other mug to do their best or their worst and keep drinking. Its all really too hard. Isn't it? The reason Thailand keeps working under a clod of military neanderthals is that the people know how to work the till themselves, or toil the sod, or whatever it is and local officials and village heads are good at what they do. Everyone know its nearly always corrupt at the top, no matter who's steering the boat.

[Thongkorn]

9 hours ago, Reigntax said:

"Thai democracy" is on par with "odourless dog turds". Both just dont exist and never will.

But i have seen more life in dog turds, than some Thai government officials.

[Redline]

8 hours ago, candide said:

In the "other" journal, there is an article in which a General claims that consultations about the four questions show that People in the North-East massively want the current PM to remain in power. 

 

No need to be a political expert to deduce from this kind of assertions that he will not leave power soon.

I guess Trump will be opening a golf course/resort here soon

[gk10002000]

i personally agree with the assessment in the article that the military is here to stay.  Actually, they never left and were always behind the scenes.  The Thai Haves are never going to be so altruistic so to give things to the Thai Have Nots. It is a tough place over there and opportunities are limited.  Those with resources and wealth have no desire to give things up to the masses.  They want status quo and things maintained.

[anon4546543]

Russia, UK, US, AUS, Zimbabwe, Sth Africa and so on all claim to be democratic. So does Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Israel, Egypt and more.

Democracy is a word and it has been used and abused by all the above mentioned countries. Of course I failed to mention China and Nth Korea.

So who are we kidding. If democracy is the US system where you need to be a multi million dollar player to contest, you are bulls..ing me. 

So lets not crap on about democracy in Thailand, you are boers, pun intended.  

[pattayadgw]

After 20 years of living in this beautiful land the day is fast drawing nearer to call it quits.  I can't see elections / democratic process returning for the foreseeable future.  Another issue i can see is the 1 year retirement visa disappearing and all retirees made to either go on the new 10 year or get out... even though they say they are going to keep the 1 year... mnnnnn... i don't believe!!  

[Yann55]

13 hours ago, Smarter Than You said:

Change is inevitable.

 

Thanks to the internet and social media - the younger generations won't accept what the brainwashed older generations accepted.

 

The Juntas efforts are best illustrated below.

 

                                         

LOL ... as if Internet and social media were not the ultimate form of brainwashing ...

 

Look around you, Smarter, look at 90% of the people now, with their eyes glued to their phone screen, folding up 24/7 into their very own little world, losing contact with their real  fellow human beings while 'communicating' only with their e-'friends' ...

 

Look around you and tell me if you see a world where people, especially  the younger ones, still have the means, desire and energy to build up any kind of political awareness and collectively demand anything from anyone ...

[Srikcir]

19 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Despite several reform attempts, the people had not been fully empowered because of political parties, which were weak and failed to balance the bureaucrats’ power

The inability of political parties to balance bureaucrats' power has been deliberate by the Deep State since it emerged with the military's1932 revolution and subsequent 85-year military occupation of the nation.

 

There has never been any check & balance that political parties could rely upon to protect against intrusion by the Deep State. Reason - the Deep State has insured that the so-called Independent (now aka Constitutional) Organizations will protect any degradation of its unwritten sovereignty over the Thai people and by its seemingly legal right as "good people" to overthrow the Thai People's sovereignty at will. Even now the so-called People's 2017 Constitution enshrines the Deep State's check & balance against an open and free democratic political system. So let's not blame political parties as weak and failed.

[Smarter Than You]

4 hours ago, spiderorchid said:

Russia, UK, US, AUS, Zimbabwe, Sth Africa and so on all claim to be democratic. So does Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Israel, Egypt and more.

Democracy is a word and it has been used and abused by all the above mentioned countries. Of course I failed to mention China and Nth Korea.

So who are we kidding. If democracy is the US system where you need to be a multi million dollar player to contest, you are bulls..ing me. 

So lets not crap on about democracy in Thailand, you are boers, pun intended.  

And what did the world look like before democracy?

 

This is a perfect example of pro-Junta nonsense.

Criticise and reject something for being imperfect whilst ignoring the fact that the alternative is a thousand times worse.

 

Stop worrying about the twig in my eye until you've dealt with the log in yours.