Views from both sides of the divide on the military seizure of power
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ONE year after the coup, four high-profile individuals share their views on how they view the process to transform society under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The following are excerpts from interviews:
Tankhun Jitt-itsara, a former Democrat MP and key member of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC):
“I think people are happy with the country’s security. However, people are anxious about the new charter.
The junta needs to communicate with the public better because it is the key to their public relations success.
For example, there was a car bomb in Samui, yet to this day there’s still no clear answer as to who was behind it. This can create doubt and distrust of the junta.
On reconciliation, finding out the truth has been slow:
There are slow cases that attract public interest such as the six deaths at the Wat Pathum Wanaram temple [during the May 2010 crackdown]. I believe the truth should have been revealed by now.
My life has changed a lot. I am now unemployed with a very low income. I feel very concerned about the country and feel I should be given the opportunity to contribute more.
At times, I go into my constituency, meet people, and try to help them. I am still unsure whether to go back into politics.
If the situation remains the same as the pre-coup period than I won’t [re-enter politics] because if I feel I can’t contribute, why bother.”
Akanat Promphan, spokesman of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee:
“Charter drafting is the key factor in shaping national reform. Some areas of reform have been too quiet. For example, anti-corruption, decentralisation of power and police reform.
“At the moment, no one is fighting, there is nothing worrying – the junta has created a good reconciliation atmosphere so far.
“The social response to the leader [Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha] has been positive. People can see great efforts made by the leader.
“If the charter is accepted by people of all sides, it will reduce conflicts.
“I feel a little lost after spending over 200 days with PDRC protestors. It ended and I feel something missing in life.
“I am officially unemployed. However, I have been very busy. I am hosting a TV programme [at Fah Wan Mai TV]. There’s also a reform-monitoring panel established by the PDRC. “I have no plan to enter politics. I can be anywhere as long as I can contribute.”
Anon Nampa, red-shirt human rights lawyer:
“The junta has made no real efforts to foster reconciliation. They managed to stop large-scale protests that occurred during the pre-coup period but that’s about it.
“In fact the junta has made the conflict worse because many freedoms and rights have been suppressed. Absolute power is used to close down the media – recently the Peace TV station. And political prisoners, mainly red shirts, are still being arrested and prosecuted.
“A key to reconciliation is finding the truth. However, the junta has ordered the replacement of the Department of Special Investigation officials in charge of the May 2010 military crackdown on red-shirt protestors. Key leaders in the NCPO and current government played a big part in that crackdown.
“I believe that one of the main purposes of this coup was to ensure they retained power during this time of uncertainty.
“My work has moved to the military courts, which has made things more difficult because military court judges are under the direct chain of command of the NCPO leader [Prayut]. This means one political group is being adjudicated by their opponents.
“I am very concerned about the country’s future because I believe that conflicts are merely waiting to erupt again. The draft charter seems to have been rejected by big political parties.
Weng Tojirakarn, red-shirt leader:
“This coup has caused severe damage to democracy and strengthened the bureaucratic regime under the military.
“People’s freedoms have been greatly suppressed. Students who eat sandwiches [in protest] were arrested and brought to a military barracks for attitude adjustment. Many purely academics activities were banned and suppressed.
“Impeaching Pheu Thai politicians showed their intention is to destroy rival political factions.
“These are all part of the plan to ensure this coup ‘does not go to waste’.
“The new charter is being drafted to ensure bureaucratic rule with outsiders as prime minister. It will lead to a crisis as we have seen many times before. The new charter will be one of the main causes of future conflicts.
“The junta has deepened conflicts because under martial law and Article 44, people are afraid to express their opinion. Reconciliation cannot be achieved under these laws.
“People will call for a charter that is more democratic.
“If the electoral rules are still the same as it appeared in the draft charter, then I won’t stand for election. It would be like walking into a tiger’s den in order to be eaten.”
