In defence of the coup

Almost immediately after the worst-ever terror attack in Thailand, Eric Bahrt taunted junta sympathisers to explain their justification for the coup in the interests of law and order. Here goes my defence: 

First, Thailand hit a stalemate in early 2014 when conflicts could have become violent and some even claimed there was the possibility of a civil war. The coup was not deliberate but forced by circumstances. 

Second, having gone through many coups in life, most Thais are used to bad elected governments being chased out by the military. Also, immediately after each coup, foreigners like Bahrt would come out daily with a holier-than-thou attitude, condemning each coup and denouncing coup sympathisers for being dumb in not regarding an election as almighty.

Third, historically, a coup does not have long-term life in Thailand and is a necessary evil in order to leave us breathing space to rewrite our constitution. One day, there will be an ideal one giving permanency to Thailand for a change.

Coincidentally an excellent letter from Dusit Thammaraks, referring to the late Lee Kuan Yew, immediately before Bahrt’s cynicism should enlighten many fair-minded foreigners. However, I still like foreigners to come and mind our businesses because many observations are wake-up calls but mostly they are good for laughs. 

Songdej Praditsmanont