When even academics don't understand democracy, what hope for ordinary citizens?

The writer is casually dismissive of the current regime, saying “the adventure will turn sour”.

Thitinan Pongudhirak teaches international political economy at Chulalongkorn University and yet he refers to “Thai democracy”.

Thai democracy has not been suspended. Thais have had the right to vote but there has never been a democratic system of government in Thailand. The last eight decades provide a clear illustration of this. Democracy is a form of government controlled by laws. It is not simply having the right to vote.

Academics continue to refer to “Thai democracy” and “returning to Thai democracy” as if the military forcefully overthrew a democratic government. The fact is that the military took control of a country which was close to civil war and facing self-destruction simply because it was not a democracy.

Had Thailand been a democracy, neither the most recent coup nor the 18 that came before it could have taken place. Before being deposed the government had ignored even the paramount law, the constitution, whenever it threatened their political and monetary ambitions. And the law was not upheld by either the police force or the judiciary. Is that the democracy the writer says was suspended and to which the country must return? 

A seven-month, non-violent campaign on the streets of Bangkok and other areas to establish democracy was met with military-style weapons resulting in the loss of many innocent lives. Positive action was essential. The military took it. This action was not an “adventure” which “will turn sour”. Such comments are irresponsible, particularly coming from someone who teaches others about international political economy.

I sincerely hope, having written many times on this subject and having been raised and educated in a true democracy, that my letter may be published. Until democracy is understood at the highest level there is little hope that the populace as a whole will understand it. Without understanding, democracy will never be established as Thailand’s form of government.

JC Wilcox