Informed electorate requires freedom of speech
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In ML Pridiyathorn and Dr Narongchai Akarasanee, Prime Minister and NCPO chief General Prayuth has a capable economics team and appears ready to at least give them a fair hearing, which is highly laudable. But by squashing non-provocative public discussio
No single person, or even group, knows everything about a given topic. Remember Aesop’s fable of the blind men and the elephant? Reasonable men can, and often do, disagree – it was only recently that doctors agreed on the dangers of smoking. As Thomas Jefferson noted, “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.”
For example, whether or not energy policy should be reformed, and, if so, how, is a key issue that significantly affects us all, and thus you, dear reader, and I need to be educated on its complex issues. By banning the Partnership for Energy Reform from peacefully marching or making non-provocative speeches, the NCPO is fostering an electorate ignorant of the main issues of the day, for how shall future voters choose between, say, a party that is pro-energy reform and one that is anti-reform? Furthermore, by forcing the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand to cancel a peaceful discussion on “Access to Justice in Thailand: A presentation on human rights 100 days after the coup”, General Prayuth missed an excellent opportunity to present the junta’s side of the issue – and he all the while calls for leading Western media, governments and the UN to understand his actions.
General Prayuth should encourage us to heed Lord Buddha: “Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books ... Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.” Encourage non-provocative, calm discussion of the issues of the day by universities, professional associations, etc, with both sides given equal opportunity to present their points. Promote political tolerance, and understanding that, as in Aesop’s fable, each side has valid points worthy of consideration. In short, general, don’t undermine your own work.
Burin Kantabutra
