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Editorial: Uncertain Thais
Not long after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from office in 2006, a long-standing Thai "pro-democracy" commentator who defended the political upheaval was asked whether he really thought the coup was a necessary evil
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Not long after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from office in 2006, a long-standing Thai "pro-democracy" commentator who defended the political upheaval was asked whether he really thought the coup was a necessary evil.
"It was a necessary coup!" he replied.
The circumstances of the day may have warranted frustration but as the whole world is witnessing today, desperate acts only lead to even more desperate solutions and uncertain outcomes.
Yes, Thaksin may have been a less than exemplary politician, and perhaps claims of corruptive practices may prove warranted.
Nevertheless, as a legitimately elected leader the act of forcibly removing him from office violates constitutional measures and was unacceptable.
We are by no means admirers or supporters of Thaksin. On the contrary, we abhor the influence big business has on the status quo.
However, the plain fact remains that evil begets evil. Coups beget further upheaval.
The Thais have a wonderful history of democracy.
Unfortunately, they also have a regrettable record of coup d'etats. Since 1932 there have been no less than 18 coup d'etats in the constitutional monarchy.
It is ironic that one of Southeast Asia's democratic stalwarts is so accepting of a school of thought in which the end justifies any means. The only golden rule is that the monarchy remains divine.
One of the world's most vibrant cities is now under a state of emergency -- a regrettable situation.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's decision to restore order by use of military coercion is a sad testament to the fact that democratic processes in our region remain more a rhetorical whim than a cultural habit.
Even if Samak is merely a pawn of Thaksin's political ambitions, we cannot support chaos as a means of removing an elected government.
Only legal and parliamentary procedures should be used to remove the incumbent.
We urge patience from all parties involved -- the government, protesters and the military -- in resolving this impasse.
Thailand's Election Commission has already decreed that the Samak's People's Power Party be disbanded under suspicion of vote-buying.
This is a sign that legal proceedings can bear upon a sitting prime minister.
The process will likely take months, but it is a long journey worth taking. There can be no long-term stability if "necessary coups" remain an option.
Perhaps one aspect which our pro-democracy colleagues in Thailand have neglected over the past years is a measure to limit the influence and role of the military in politics.
Coup d'etats cannot occur without military intervention. No myth of national history justifies military incursion into a domain in which the ultimate arsenal is the ballot.
The Thai people must face this reality and begin the long road of ensuring that elections, no matter how dubious the victor, are not so easily overturned by the barrel of a gun.
Thailand is not only our neighbor and a partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- Thailand is our friend. And as friends it is our duty to tell them their culture of coups is unnecessary.
We look forward to a stable Thailand joining us in the forefront of Asia's democratic wave.
