Democrats resort to desperate tactics

First, the interference of the judiciary in the legislative branch bedazzles me. The charter amendment and reconciliation bills should be debated in Parliament. Second, since the Pheu Thai government was properly elected by the people, it should have the right to amend the Constitution within limits. After all, the current Constitution was drafted by a military-appointed council following the coup in 2006. It was not drafted by the people for the people.

Third, these were the judges who disbanded the Thai Rak Thai Party and its successor the People Power Party and banned 111 Thai Rak Thai politicians from politics for five years. The judges also froze Thaksin’s assets and sentenced him. Fourth, many allegations were brought against the Democrat Party when it was in power, and yet it has not been disbanded. This raises the question of who has the real power.

It seems that some groups are trying to wipe out Thaksin’s network and reign. One prominent group is the Democrats. Since a coup is no longer possible, the Democrats are using as their last resort the courts to destabilise Pheu Thai. Whether it is a military or judicial coup, it amounts to the same thing. As I’ve written elsewhere, the Democrats are attempting to link Pheu Thai’s charter-amendment bill with overthrowing the constitutional monarchy. This is a serious charge: it reflects the Democrats’ desperate attempt to seize power. It is a shame that the oldest political party in Thailand is now resorting to these tactics. The Democrats simply cannot defeat Thaksin’s party and his red-shirt supporters in general elections.

Commentators have offered multiple scenarios on Friday’s verdict. In the worst-case scenario, Pheu Thai is dissolved and some of its members banned, reminiscent of Thai Rak Thai’s fate. This will lead to an uprising of the red shirts, and with it many lives lost. Despite what many Bangkokians think of the red shirts, they are not uneducated or ill informed. If you perceive them that way, you are showing contempt – a fatal mistake. On the contrary, many of them are well informed, protest of their own free will, and appreciate what Thaksin has done for them. This is not to dismiss Thaksin’s abuse of his position when in power, which his critics rightly stress.

It remains to be seen what fate awaits Pheu Thai on Friday. But one thing I do know is that, as with our overseas counterparts, real democracy begins at the grassroots level, not in the hands of a small elite group.

Edward Kitlertsirivatana

Bangkok