Sometimes a coup is the lesser evil

I feel somewhat shameful after reading Kemadist Chiaracharuwat’s uncompromised commitment to democracy.

However, between being a pure democrat and accepting an unpalatable enactment of freeing an escaped convict of any political affiliation made by a majority party, I would opt to be tainted in accepting a coup.

Khun Kemadist quoted India as having “an uninterrupted democracy since her independence”. Unfortunately, the Constitution of India was suspended once starting in 1975 for a 21-month period by Indira Gandhi. Granted that Indians are justifiably proud of their democracy but she is also well-known for facing the challenges of poverty, illiteracy, corruption and inadequate public health. Normally, only 40 per cent of the electorate in India have participated in an election. Thailand has 70 per cent but this is flawed by money and pressurised politics.

Why is India’s military so docile with no coup ambition? India’s military defence is divided in commands for East, West, North, South and Central with the President as the supreme commander only in name. Separation of powers and check and balance is the natural hurdle in India to any thought of a coup which cannot be taken lightly in her background.

True, the US never had a coup but Britain, the mother of democracy, had one coup made by one military leader, Oliver Cromwell (1653 – 1658).

Who will check the coup-makers? Easy! History has taught Thai military men not ever to linger on with that temporary power which is meant to be stopgap. They were put to shame many times. Social networking resulted in the Arab Spring; democracy can return more quickly than before. Public opinion cannot be easily suppressed in this digital world.

Khun Kemadist’s steadfast opinion reminded me of my younger day and an old saying that if one is not a socialist before the age of 30, then one has no heart but, when over 30, if one is still a socialist, then one has no head.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok