ThailandтАЩs Titanic Struggle...an insight

[travelerjim]

ThailandтАЩs Titanic Struggle

Thaivisa.com has posted a thought provocative article discussing the struggle for political power in Thailand...a good read and interesting insight and discussion follow:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php ... pic=104647 (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=104647) .

A bit over the TOP, I'd say. I really think that Thailand will ultimately be able to solve its own problems without the major graces of Thaksin. Just go with the plan of constitution reform and elections by a year! Or why do so many people (outside Thailand) seem to be in such a hurry?

[Hmmm]

The original source:

http://www.irrawaddy.org/aviewer.asp?a=6640&z=105

A bit over the TOP, I'd say. I really think that Thailand will ultimately be able to solve its own problems without the major graces of Thaksin. Just go with the plan of constitution reform and elections by a year! Or why do so many people (outside Thailand) seem to be in such a hurry?
Well, because Thailand's "democracy" has been so undeveloped and fragile, the more time with a military dictatorship and no constitution, the better chance Thailand will completely lose any momentum towards democracy.

The sooner the new elections, the better. And I don't know why they just don't put Taksin in jail and be done with it.

[Hmmm]

Well, because Thailand's "democracy" has been so undeveloped and fragile, the more time with a military dictatorship and no constitution, the better chance Thailand will completely lose any momentum towards democracy.

This is the crux of the dilemma for those currently in power. They realize that free elections could easily see Thaksin (or someone similar) back in power. How do they avoid this while 'appearing' to the world to be moving towards democracy again ?

It is hard to see how they can achieve these two aims. If they hold free elections and Thaksin is returned to power, the coup will have been for nothing.

The 'dangers' of democracy have long been recognized by the powers-that-be in Thailand. HMK has said that a western-style democracy is not appropriate for Thailand, and coup leaders recently said much the same thing ...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10 ... 017169.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/26/politics/politics_30017169.php)

This position is essentially that:
1. The Thai people (read 'upcountry' people) do not understand democracy (read ' they are too stupid')
2. They are corrupt and dishonest, and hence subject to bribes by politicians
3. They prefer to be told what to do.

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