Flawed democracy

I do not believe the mass demonstrations should continue. They will only get the protestors branded as hooligans. The prime minister is already milking the sympathy vote. If Thailand had democracy I would agree with the letter writer, but when the demagogue strikes, the ballot box route is blocked. 

Thaksin, on his path to power, has scored a couple of own goals that have brought about the current situation. The hate campaign against the “amart” and Abhisit in particular has led to a split in the red ranks between the hired leaders and the rank and file regarding the blanket amnesty. Prolonging the red-shirt rallies beyond the offer of an earlier election led to the deaths which brought about this revolt. The whitewash amnesty bill has been exposed as a benefit show for one man. The “populist policies” have started to drift. Rising food prices have eroded the minimum wage. The rice pledging bonuses for non-farmers have reduced the benefits for the alleged beneficiaries. In a democracy this would wipe him out. In a democracy he would already be banged up.

That Nattawut et al worked out that voting for an amnesty for themselves would put them in trouble, does not mean they will desert their paymaster at the ballot box – and their “loyalty to their followers” will pay off for him.

Richard Bowler

Bangkok