FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Do we want junta rule in the name of reform?

Do we want junta rule in the name of reform?

Former PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban wanting the junta to finish its reforms before elections - no matter how long the process takes - means that the junta, either directly or indirectly, must control us for many more years.

While we fix what was wrong before the coup, the world is changing. In corruption, for example, if we really do completely eliminate Thaksin’s influence by then, others will have replaced him – and ditto for the other areas needing reform, eg, education.
Also, after 14 months in power, Prayut explicitly said that he won’t reform the police. How can we cleanse ourselves of corruption without cleansing the police? Military purchasing is still totally opaque, as shown by the proposal to buy subs even though they can dive less than 20 metres in the Gulf of Thailand, and Prayut has shown no signs of bringing the generals of Tak Bai, Krue Se, and Nong Chik to account for their killings. So when will the needed reforms be completed? In education, we’re still muzzled, and students who silently protest are “invited” for “attitude adjustments” or called mentally ill. 
Instead, we should look on reform as a continuous process to promote synergy from all Thais, enabling us to achieve overarching goals. All Thais, of whatever colour, should engage in vigorous, reasoned discussion as to what we want our society to be like 10, 20 years from now, to reach a consensus to which we are all committed.
Burin Kantabutra 
nationthailand