Saving Thailand from political apocalypse

It is now clear for all to see that she has not followed her longstanding pledges. The revised amnesty bill revealed her lack of leadership and judgement. She has subjected her government to the whims of her brother, Thaksin, who cares only to save his own skin at the expense of all others. 

Ironically, the revised bill has united all conflicting parties regardless of their affinities and political colour, because they all want justice for their supporters. The current transitional justice designed by Thaksin and his collaborators is centred on him and his future alone – while others are being treated as political auxiliaries. Doubtless, leading Thaksin supporters do not see eye to eye with their boss. The experiences of several countries that have overcome past political traumas – such as South Africa, Chile and South Korea – have shown that a sense of fairness as well as public acceptance were the main ingredients to lasting national reconciliation.

Whitewashing all crimes in one proposed piece of legislation – as the government plans to do – pushed through by a majority in the Parliament, will only perpetuate the political crisis. Thailand needs proper closure, not renewed turmoil. We must not repeat the past political expediency and folly. 

Since his exile began in 2006, Thaksin has had many opportunities to use his political charisma and influence to heal the political divide. But he has not done it, insisting that any political breakthrough back home must follow his wishes. Working together with teams of highly paid political consultants, he has mapped out myriad political strategies to camouflage his real political motive – to clear himself of all wrongdoings, real or imaginary.

Looking back over the past 12 months, Thailand has become the most spun and highly manipulated nation. The Thai media community has been sucked into this political labyrinth on a daily basis, with business interests in mind. 

Thai journalists today have difficulties – some have actually lost the ability to distinguish between what is real and what is artificially generated information and news. They are now accustomed to mingle the two and further generate so-called “added news value”. Some have gone further, becoming well-known political soothsayers. 

Thaksin could have put his reputation and wealth to constructive use for Thailand’s betterment. Instead, he has chosen a different path of self-aggrandisement. Whether he realises it or not, it will essentially lead to his demise, and perhaps bring Thailand down along with him.

The time has come for the international community to speak out regarding Thaksin’s tendency to manipulate. Throughout his exile, for one reason or another, many foreign leaders have strongly supported him and some are even fascinated by his rise and popularity, despite his tarnished record. In the world today, he is perhaps the only leader with the power to conduct business and run a normal government without actually staying in his country. He travels the world in his private jet and “Skypes” the Yingluck government. Thaksin must be ranked as the world’s most innovative and versatile developing-world politician. Just look at the number of tweets and public relations campaigns he has done and commissioned – a Guinness world record, surely.

In particular, Western countries should come clean and urge the Yingluck government to stop pretending that her government is democratic. They should also be frank in commenting on the political situation in Thailand, as they have done with other countries, if they genuinely care about real democratic development, not just form or style as some do.

So far, the West has been muted over the controversy, even though it is a strong case of human-rights violation. The European Union and the US – the great promoters of democracy – are probably stunned by the audacity of Thaksin and his Pheu Thai Party. After all, they have backed the Yingluck government since her party won the election. They have even credited her for bringing political stability, which remains superficial. It would be hard to make a U-turn.

Watching Thailand from the outside, one has a strong feeling that Thais are their own worst enemies. 

Neighbouring countries, which share a common history of fighting against foreign domination and winning independence, know their enemies well. They have found it easier to heal their political differences and reconcile among their own peoples. Thaksin’s singular false hope has forced the whole nation to walk to the edge of the precipice.