Democrats should take the high road

At Rajdamnoen on November 16, Trirong Suwankiri rightfully took the Yingluck government to task for avoiding accountability and muzzling freedom of expression. But his speech was wasted on those who think, because the Democrats themselves also regularly evaded accountability and muzzled freedom of speech when in power. For example, the party declined to hold then-deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban, in charge of security, accountable for the fiasco at the 2009 Asean Summit in Pattaya that saw heads of state fleeing for their lives before an onslaught of unarmed red shirts. And the Democrats used the lese majeste laws with gusto to silence free speech, even though our sage King has clearly said that charges against those accused of lese majeste should be dropped, and those held in jail for lese majeste should be released.

Thus, Trirong’s speech was just a case of the kettle calling the pot black. His stance as a reformer fooled few thinking people.

Instead, the Democrats should admit their past shortcomings, since they too are merely human. Then they can go on to advocate what is morally right, do what they can to undo the damage, and let their every act from then on show they can walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Take the high road, and be credible.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok