Nostalgia for imaginary golden age misguided
Judging by the tone of his letter ("The familiar signs of autocracy", December 27), I can only assume that Lung Kip is suffering from an overwrought imagination.
Conjuring up images of the Nazi Brown Shirts and the Ku Klux Klan to highlight what he sees as a possible future for Thailand is just ludicrous, not to mention tasteless and irresponsible.
He harks back to an imaginary golden age when there were ample supplies of fish and rice for all, and citizens of different classes lived in peace and harmony. There was indeed, until recently, a sort of consensus whereby everyone knew their place, and there was an understanding that, so long as you showed due deference to your betters, then you would be left in peace. Well, people are better informed now about their rights and freedoms, and are increasingly challenging the status quo.
Sure, it’s a messy and sometimes frightening business. Those who are demanding a fairer deal are not always sure how to go about it, and those who have traditionally held the reins of power feel threatened. As a very well educated and well connected Thai friend of mine recently observed, history teaches us that entrenched and privileged elites seldom give up their power and influence without a struggle. That’s where Thailand is now. I am sure that there will be plenty more political and social turbulence ahead before a new, more democratic consensus is achieved, but Lung Kip needs to take a few deep breaths and perhaps a cup of tea. This isn’t the Weimar Republic!
Robin Grant
Bangkok
