PM speech on Thai democracy inappropriate

It looks like Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra is trying to entice foreign countries to put pressure on Thailand to make changes in its Constitution, which she claims contains “mechanisms to restrict democracy”.

The truth of the matter is that the PM’s brother, Thaksin, is using every means to change the country’s basic law, so that not only those who were involved in the 2010 political violence (mostly his red-shirt supporters) will be forgiven, but also politicians who have been proved guilty, and/or are being tried for malfeasance committed during his heyday as well (and that includes himself).

It was audacious of the PM to speak out in such a way about her country. Any change in the Constitution could happen if it was properly put forward through a public referendum first and foremost. Yet her party chooses to forgo such a course of action. Why?

Thus, even though it is true that democracy in Thailand needs improvement, it doesn’t mean what PM Yingluck said in her speech on Monday was entirely correct.

Vint Chavala

Lamphun