Tanasak tells UN why Army took control of the country
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THE THAI MILITARY junta has explained for the first time to the United Nations members its reasons for seizing power, the roadmap towards democracy as well as its commitment to cooperate with the UN.
Thai Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn was speaking last Saturday at the general debate of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The UNGA’s theme this year is: “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda”.
Tanasak said that for Thailand, development was not just about gross domestic product.
“To be sustainable, development must go hand in hand with democracy, human rights and peace and security – the pillars of the United Nations. And it must be allowed to grow in an environment that is free from conflict,” he told the UN chamber.
As in many countries, Thailand has learned the lesson that democracy is more than having elections.
“Demo-cracy must be based on respect for the rule of law.
“And it must be about good governance, transparency, accountability and equal access to justice. This was not the case in my country before May 22,” the foreign minister said.
Fears of bloodshed
Before that day, Thailand was at a political impasse and had a dysfunctional democracy as well as the danger of more turmoil, Tanasak said, adding there was a very real possibility of bloodshed.
“The opposing political parties were given the chance to save democracy, but they failed because they were unwilling to compromise for the sake of the country. This chain of unfortunate events made the military intervention necessary.
“We all wished that things did not have to turn out that way. But if the situation was allowed to continue, Thailand’s democracy would have been torn apart,” he said.
This is Tanasak’s first official overseas trip since he was appointed deputy premier and foreign minister in the General Prayut Chan-o-cha government that is dominated by military generals.
He said the Kingdom was now going through a period of transition and it remained fully committed to democracy and human rights.
“And we know that we cannot go against the tide of democracy.
Thailand needs a real and |functioning democracy, one that delivers on the aspirations of the people.”
Development must transform people’s lives and open the door to a better future for all.
Thailand believes that development must empower individual, communities and societies, which is the heart of the sufficiency economy philosophy of HM the King of Thailand. This philosophy had guided development efforts in the country for decades.
Thailand was committed to playing an active role with Asean members to build an Asean |community of peace and prosperity.
Also, it was obligated to working with partners in the international community to address the many global challenges we face, such as climate change; transnational crime; pandemics; and human trafficking.
“So whether it is democracy, development or peace, we all must assume our responsibilities because we are, after all, a |family of united nations,” he concluded.
