Electing Prayut is the only safe choice for Thailand
General Prayut Chan-o-cha may not be a magician, and he is certainly not without his faults, but during the past four years, he has done many things for the benefit of the nation.
He has achieved more in many fields than any previous elected government. These include tackling corruption, informal debts, forestry, fishing, aviation, tourism, transportation, social welfare, law enforcement and security.
In short, Prayut has brought back dignity and sovereignty to a Kingdom that was on the brink of a failed state. No civilised country has suffered the international humiliation of having its capital city blocked and set ablaze, and its international airport invaded and closed down. Looking back, it is hard to believe that these two terrible events were created by hoodlums upholding their own selfish versions of “democracy” and fully prepared to kill fellow Thais to achieve their political goals. The frightening term “civil war” was on everybody’s lips, and splashed across the international press.
The plain truth is that Thailand is not ready for “full” democracy. Beyond the millions of decent, good, and honest law-abiding Thais, there are many evil, influential and unscrupulous figures addicted to positions of money, power and control. Greed prevails. Unselfishly serving their nation does not enter their heads. This flaw is unfortunately embedded in the political psyche of Thailand. And it is unlikely to go away any time soon.
We will soon reach another important crossroads in our history. If we turn the wrong way we risk suffering a repeat of autocratic “democracy” with rampant corruption, conflict and a return to the brink of civil war. Unless we stop to think now, chaos may be just around the corner.
I call therefore on all Thais to support General Prayut. No, he is not perfect, but he is genuine and he is sincere. He is capable of steering us safely through the dangers that lie ahead.
When it comes to extreme political divisions, we have already witnessed the unthinkable things that Thais can do to fellow Thais.
We must not risk letting this happen again.
Dusit Thammaraks
