Give young protesters credit for knowing the difference

I agree with JC Wilcox that “the great failing is the lack of understanding of democracy and making judgements based on evidence”. However, he claims to know that (a) the students are supporters of a former prime minister and (b), this makes them supporters of dictatorship, which is nonsensical. That prime minister was elected by a majority in a democratic election. If JC Wilcox believes what happened before was undemocratic, but what is happening now is democratic, I suggest it is he who has a problem understanding democracy.

He says the military is acting in the interests of Thailand. That might be so, and many of the things the junta is trying to achieve, particularly in regard to corruption, are admirable, but some opponents have argued that it is acting in the interests of the rich and powerful elite, who always get their way in the end. If democracy doesn’t do it for them, then the military will. 

Further, he needs to understand that any regime that forbids freedom of speech and peaceful assembly will invoke protest, within and without its borders. There do happen to be universal human rights, and if these are denied, protest in some form will inevitably ensue. 

Finally, how condescending of him to assume that intelligent young people can’t arrive at these conclusions themselves.

Keith Barlow

Udon Thani