To be, or not to be, that is the question
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The most famous soliloquy from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" says it all about Thailand at this most critical juncture.
On one side, Suthep Thaugsuban has made it clear that the PM’s resignation or House dissolution is not enough. A total reform of the system through a “people’s parliament” is what he’s aiming for. But how he’s going to achieve that remains to be seen.
On the other side, PM Yingluck insists that everything must follow the letter of the law, and vigorously opposes any extra-parliamentary means aimed at toppling the government. Her government has the majority of the people’s votes.
To follow Suthep means to step into “the undiscover’d country” and confront the fear of the unknown or what the unknown might bring.
Or should the anti-government crowd stick with the terrible present and continue to be dissatisfied and tormented?
The protesters have expressed their discontent with the status quo and want to see real changes. They believe our democracy is not truly representative and has become a “tyranny of the majority” that ignores the legitimate voice of the minority. They will not tolerate the status quo and prefer the uncertainty of the unknown under Suthep.
To be, or not to be. The choice is clear on both sides.
The problem is that there’s no way such divergent views of the world can be reconciled.
Anan Pakvasa
Bangkok
