Instant democracy is a recipe for war

Another imploring comment from a Western official, UK Ambassador Mark Kent, that, if only Thailand would go democratic and respect human rights, everything would be for the best.

Over the course of Thailand’s efforts at democratic government, which has now spanned almost 100 years, political stability has arguably been at its lowest in the last decade, notwithstanding the many well-meaning constitutional rewrites and elections. 

But let’s not be too critical of Thailand: it took England, the ambassador’s homeland, the best part of a millennium to achieve a stable democracy that respects human rights for all.

Indeed, if the Thai military government has decided democracy should be suspended for as long as it takes for this generation’s colour-coded combatants to pass on to their next incarnation, it may well be the most effective way of resolving the current impasse. 

Or, to put it another way, is anyone really looking forward to a resumption of the democratic “war” that has been taking place since Thaksinism emerged? 

I am just another interfering Westerner, but I do hope the prime minister takes his time before restoring an elected parliament.

Simon Wood