Well-intended support for coup not in society's best interest

Thus, the struggle is not just to overcome military dictatorship, but to win back the hearts and minds of the millions who reportedly support authoritarianism over democracy.

The millions of these authoritarian-minded citizens, the junta-supporters, want to be ruled in a climate of ersatz peace. They have mistaken the rule by law for the rule of law. They, in effect, forfeit their citizenship to be subjects of a military ruler – and this is not the first, second, third, or even fourth time in the history of Thailand that they have done this.

These people express intolerance in ways that one would not even expect the junta leaders to do.

On May 22, Poomrat Raengsiwit, one of the students who protested against the first year under military rule in front of the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre, was arrested. He later wrote on prachatai.com online newspaper that one pro-junta bystander shouted to police: “Officers! You have guns. Why don’t you use it to shoot them?”

On Twitter, another junta-supporter under the account @Rang70 tweeted yesterday against anti-coup pro-Thaksin Shinawatra red shirts saying: “…red buffaloes should be destroyed, made to be extinct” because they are a disgrace to Thailand.

After being heavily criticised, the Twitter user later defended himself by saying he was not calling for a genocide but wanted to change the minds of red shirts, who are “stupid”.

Long after junta leader cum Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is gone, these people will continue to demand dictatorship over democratic government because they have little tolerance, perseverance and have lost faith in democratic processes, and hold little regard for the majority of the people, who they regard as stupid, less educated and less moral than they are.

The path to true democracy in Thailand lies not in trying to eradicate authoritarian-minded people, but in engaging them in debate and dialogue in the hope that they become more open-minded and democratic.

Meanwhile, those who support democracy must not be arrogant or adhere to the narrow belief that the majority can do whatever it likes without listening to the voices of the minority.

Given such a predicament, it is clear that we must not sprint to oust a dictator - but endure a long-term struggle to convert millions from being “fodder” for future military interventions, as well as those who subscribe to a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes democracy.

This requires perseverance, tolerance and a deep well of optimism that people will be able to recognise that supporting authoritarianism, no matter how well-intended, is not in the best long-term interest of society.

It is hoped that those Thais can eventually become masters of their own destiny, freed from the bondage they choose to impose upon themselves and others.

There is a limit to what heroic acts can achieve. Democracy cannot be sustained by a few brave individuals while the majority choose to demote themselves into mere political spectators or cannon fodder for military rule. There is a time and place for heroic acts of defiance, but Thai society itself cannot keep democracy afloat without the true participation, tolerance and contribution from the majority of its people.

 

The article was adapted from part of a speech given by the writer at the Oslo Freedom Forum on May 26, in Oslo, Norway.