Democrats should focus on substance

For starters, take the high road and stress accountability, which is at the core of the rule of law. Demand that the generals guilty of Krue Se, Tak Bai, Nong Chik, etc, be court-martialed, which, besides being just, would greatly facilitate reconciliation. A law that “could be used to justify murder”, as UN Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial Killing Ashton puts it, has no place on the books, so amend the Emergency Decree.

All parties bewail the ramshackle state of our education system, yet each party focuses mainly on superficial fixes, whether tablets or school fees. Rather, teach teachers and students how to think, not what to think.

Parties vie to out-praise our beloved King, but take great care to ignore his teachings, even though he has graciously noted that he could be wrong. Instead of using the lese-majeste law to muzzle people, either inform His Majesty why he should not oppose the law as it is implemented or comply with his wish that “charges against those accused of lese-majeste should be dropped, and those held in jail for lese-majeste should be released”.

Promote the citizenry at all levels to be thoughtfully involved in the issues of the day, for “Politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians” (Charles de Gaulle). 

Encourage civil society, for example, schools, universities, media and professional associations, to analyse and debate local issues, be always open to opposing views and take stands.

Lastly, learn from Thaksin on how to market yourself – but be credible by presenting only what is true. Report to us how you would spend our taxes to get more value, for example, in the rice scheme or infrastructure construction.

By all means, Abhisit, reform your party – but focus on substance, please.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok