Asia Sentinel

Normal doesn't necessarily mean democratic

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has recently jetted to Hong Kong and South Korea, assuring investors that Thailand's politics are back to normal.
But in Abhisit's Thailand, normality means a depressing slide back to the past political configurations that can be called Thai-style democracy. This is a system where politicians, parties and parliament are made weak and where real power resides with traditional, repressive and hierarchical institutions.
Abhisit's assurances follow several years of political turmoil that began in 2005 with a protest movement to oust then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and was punctuated by the 2006 putsch that sent Thaksin packing, increasing street violence, the occupation of Bangkok's airports by the royalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the army's mid-April crackdown on anti-government protests in Bangkok.

These institutions have provided Thailand's "political stability" in the past: the monarchy, military and the bureaucracy. Each of these institutions came under pressure from a developing parliamentary system.

With Thaksin as premier, the concentration of political and economic power in his hands and his obvious appeal to the poorest and weakest classes challenged the conservative consensus that concentrated political power with the conservative elite.

There is now ample evidence that the conservatives who have long considered themselves the country's rightful rulers are now back in charge. Prime Minister Abhisit and his Democrat Party-led coalition are merely stage-managing this comeback for the conservatives.

The most recent confirmation is last Friday's clearing of all officials involved in the October 25, 2004 Tak Bai incident in the restive South. Ruling that the military and police had acted according to the law and had used sound judgment, the court has approved of the army's suppression of protestors that saw 85 die. Seventy-eight of the dead died in custody after they were piled into military trucks and driven away.

This tragic event occurred during Thaksin's premiership, and he was roundly and rightfully criticized for it. But in the court's decision, what mattered was not Thaksin's role but the protection of the officials and military figures involved.  

There are many similar cases. For example, the 2004 massacre at Pattani's Kru Se mosque has never been adequately investigated. The mistreatment of Rohingya refugees by officials, caught on film just a few weeks ago, has been forgotten, with Prime Minister Abhisit claiming misdeeds by security forces. The execution-style murder of two men found floating in the river following April's Bangkok uprising has also been neglected.

Getting back to normal means that the conservative establishment protects its own. Officials continue to operate outside the law, especially those who are part and parcel of the apparatus that protects the establishment and maintains its rule.

Letting the military operate with impunity is not just rewarding it for its service in shoring up the establishment's rule but reflects its burgeoning political power. When Abhisit's  government was spawned in December 2008, it had three midwives: the People's Alliance for Democracy, palace-aligned conservatives, and the military.

The PAD street demonstrations destabilized two governments that owed allegiance to Thaksin. The palace-aligned conservatives managed legal cases against Thaksin and those parties. General Anupong Paojinda, the army commander and a member of the 2006 coup junta, allowed PAD demonstrators free reign, and directed or approved the Democrat's coalition that saw several pro-Thaksin politicians suddenly swapping loyalties.

Comments (15)

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written by k2h , June 24, 2009

If "normal" means everything is under the control of "you - know - who" as it has always been, then for Thais it is still a long and winding path towards democracy.

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No air, No air
written by pregnancy , June 19, 2009

It could be nice, hope Asian country would understand that Thailand can be safe for investment again. Talking about thai politics is never be an end...

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it doesn't matter
written by Shan , June 07, 2009

In these days of globalization you get the government you deserve. Almighty democracy doesn't change anything . Look at the sad tossers in Italy
Contrary to previously - democratically elected administrations - at least Abhisit TRIES. But he's already doomed - he made a pact with the Newin Chidchob group (to call them a party is to ridicule the term "political party"). It's all a sad joke.
But the Thais are used to it.

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written by Poor Poor yellow shirt , June 05, 2009

Poor ...Poor a Thai ... This is a forums political opinions. You must feel so tipsy and thinking this is an english classroom. Everybody read and understand it except you.... I guess that you're a yellow shirt...? ei ei ...!! ++

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Facts for Thais
written by kevin roaders , June 05, 2009

Again, Asia Sentinel deserves a big hand for this article. What surpirsed me most is people around the world seem to know what is going on in this land except for the Thais. Many Bangkokians were born without any brains. They were fed with propaganda days and nights. Those elites would rather put them in slum rather than houses. They were taught to obey to everything thier teachers taught. They were taught to love and hate not by reasoning but by propaganda. This is Thailand. The land of small which has changed to be the land of lies.

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really tragedy for Democracy
written by Thai layman , June 04, 2009

Thai people can not help ourselves due to the power monopoly of the extremely right wing for quite a long time. Almost 200 unarmed people were killed cold blooded by the military loyalist and collected the bodies. So sad the U.S. government choosed to take the loyalist side.

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Conservative Royalists
written by Sirikit , June 04, 2009

So long there is a Sirikit, the Royalist military business elites would not allowed any politician with their country-bumpkin constituent to change the political landscape of the country. The stupid folks should keep sending their produces to Bangkok for comsumption and exports. These bumpkims should continue letting their wives and daughters to spice up the important tourist trade to earn some money for themselves.

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written by rayn , June 04, 2009

Spy, Just like Hitler's strategy

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interesting to see what's called journalism these days
written by commons , June 03, 2009

well, title says it all, doesn't it?

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written by a Thai , June 03, 2009

You really know Thai politics inside out. This is reality that many Thais probably realise but are afraid to touch.

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A glitch in the system
written by Kevin Hewison , June 03, 2009

There seems to have been a glitch in the system going from the final article to publication. I have asked for the article to be re-posted without the errors.

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written by Annynomo , June 03, 2009

Sadly, I reckon that less than 10% of the Thai population can read the Democrat's games exactly like what's being percieved here.
Thailand is doomed for sure.

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written by a Thai , June 03, 2009

Some sentences are not even complete!

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written by a Thai , June 03, 2009

There are a few other typos.. pls help correct...better to have it edited first..

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written by Annynomo , June 03, 2009

Typo reporting .....
1st sentense ... "Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has recently jetted to Hong Kong and South Korea, assuring investors that Thailand's politics are But in Abhisit's Thailand, normality means a depressing slide back to the past political configurations that can be called Thai-style democracy."

..... assuring investors that Thailand's politics are ....... (normal?)

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