Thailand can learn lessons in democracy from Scottish vote

Like many Scots back home and around the world I am happy with my Scottish/British identity and thus welcome the rejection of independence by a decisive, albeit not massive, majority in the recent referendum.

I do agree that the Scots have shown others the way, but not for the same reasons as put forward by Thanong Khanthong. Indeed, the list of “mandates” quoted by the writer from a video blogger are pure “pie in the sky” and none I think feature in the Scottish National Party’s policy programme, thank goodness.

In fact, the real positive example set by the Scots is how to debate, and vote upon, such a huge, sensitive and controversial national issue without resorting to violent conflict. In so many other countries, secessionist movements have resulted in warfare, with death and destruction on a massive scale, because the will, and democratic rights, of the people have been suppressed.

Apparently, a team from Thailand’s Election Commission travelled to Scotland to observe the voting process, and I hope they learn some useful lessons. The team leader, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, was quoted as saying that “People who support the independence of Scotland and those who oppose it are friendly to each other. Each side fought with reasons. There was no violence”. He also praised the organisers of the referendum for their “strict impartiality”. Well, these are all factors which exist in a mature, democratic society, and I do hope that the EC team will impart that message on their return, and will play a part in moving Thailand along the road to a similarly open, tolerant and corruption-free democratic system.

Robin Grant

Bangkok