Acadamics see little hope of reconciliation

At a seminar at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science, Assoc Prof Surachart Bamrungsuk also said polarisation would continue and there was no sign of reconciliation in sight.

 

Normally, reconciliation takes place either in the event that one side completely beats the other, or the two opposing sides maintain a dialogue and negotiation until they reach the point at which they agree to compromise, Surachart said. Neither of these cases had happened.

 

Prof Anusorn Limmanee said two principles of democracy – the rule of the majority and checks-and-balances – must be respected.

 

“The problems occurred because each side tries to push only the principle that will give itself an advantage,” he said. “Each side takes one of the two legs and fights against the other.”

 

Unless the two legs of democracy work together, Thailand cannot develop democracy, the professor said.

 

Anusorn said that while the administrative branch and the legislative branch are tied to each other, the parliamentary scrutiny mechanism rarely worked. The clearest examination mechanism is the judicial mechanism.

 

Former Thai Rak Thai Party caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang said the judicial branch – the Constitution Court in particular – was interfering in the mandate of the legislative branch. It could lead to crisis as its obstruction of constitutional amendment might lead to Pheu Thai’s dissolution, suspension of government work and ultimately a political vacuum, while establishing a precedent prohibiting a new charter rewrite.

 

Meanwhile, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said the opposing sides are the “parliamentary dictatorship” and those who oppose it. Parliamentary dictatorship can be an excuse for a new military coup, leading to a vicious cycle, Jurin said. 

 

In another seminar at the same event, where many academics also agreed the political conflict in Thailand would not end soon, head of Government Department Assoc Prof Chantana Banpasirichote Wungaeo said only with peaceful ways and tolerance will Thailand be able to get out of the crisis.

 

Tolerance means allowing people with different opinions to speak, she said. While it requires trust to promote tolerance, the sense of being threatened would damage it.