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the People Against Democracy
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8 July 2008
Well, we’ve always known what the PAD was against; they’ve always been opposed to the government of the day if it was elected (but it did not oppose the government of Surayud which was appointed by the military).
It has always been difficult, though, to know quite what they stood for. IN 2006, prior to the military coup, they formed a political party, but said that they would not have any politicians running for office. WTF?! That’s not a political party, its a Tupperware party.
In 2008 the PAD has been back to it’s old tricks… protesting against the government, calling for resignations, dissolutions and re-writes, but refusing to say what system they wanted to use to replace the flawed democracy that keeps electing the ‘wrong’ people.
My criticisms of the PAD in an earlier post focused on this failing: happy to scream about what’s wrong, but not willing to do anything to make things better.
Well, two things have happened this week. First, the Thai Supreme Court has upheld the EC red-card issued against the former Speaker of the House, K. Yongyuth. This creates the potential for the ruling PPP party to be dissolved and the current government to be toppled by a constitutional process; not something I think is a great idea, but an occurrence that should be applauded by anyone who believes that the current Thai government is not legitimate because the elections were not free & fair.
The systems set out in the constitution seem to be working as intended.
The second important thing that happened this week was that the PAD (the People’s Alliance for Democracy) has finally — after 3 years — outlined it’s ideas for Thailand’s government. Basically, the People’s Alliance for Democracy has proposed that Thailand do away with a representational democratic system, and move towards a legislature controlled by appointed representatives.
It seems that the proposal would also institutionalize the military’s involvement in and control of the government of the country. THE PAD has also suggested that the military no longer be controlled by the civilian government, but by the King.
If you are interested in a detailed analysis of the PADs new position, you may want to read the very well written analysis by Michael Conners at http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/topstories/topstories.php?id=128765
Here’s an excerpt from this much longer detailed analytical piece which was originally printed in the Asian Sentinel:
The rationale for wanting to dismantle Thailand’s electoral system is evident: pro-Thaksin forces keep winning elections. And as Mr Thaksin is said to represent everything bad about Thai politics, he cannot be allowed to wield power directly or indirectly. Thus, for Mr Sondhi - and it would seem the PAD leadership as a whole - there is now a need to bring about a revolution in political representation.
New Politics turns out to be a startlingly reactionary proposal to move Thailand’s parliamentary system towards a form of appointed corporatism, or what might be called a selectoral democracy: 30% of MPs would come from elections, perhaps one per province, and the rest of the MPs would derive from various occupations and associations.
“New Politics” is unashamedly pro-military and even codifies the conditions under which military intervention may occur. Mr Sondhi has spoken of four conditions for military intervention: when charges of lese majeste are not acted on; when a government is incompetent; when corruption is rife; when a government betrays national sovereignty.
It is not clear if permissible military intervention according to the PAD’s envisaged system of selectocracy is to be in the form of a coup d’etat or the exercise of some new administrative power to compel government agencies to rectify a wrong.
But what is clear is that the PAD has explicitly sanctioned ongoing military intervention in politics.
An important feature of Mr Sondhi’s speech that went unreported in the press was the proposal to take the Ministry of Defence out of government control and place it under the Crown. At a time when Thailand is urgently facing the need to institutionalise its politics around public rules, the PAD is proposing to formally enhance the power of the monarchy.
I congratulate the PAD for finally outlining their program for the future of Thailand. Obviously they have been reading my comments on this site and have responded.
I have said before that I don’t believe democracy is for everyone, so I am not really offended by the PADs suggestions; in fact I understand their reasoning. Anyone who believes that democracy is they best way forward for Thailand, however, may want to take a close look at these proposals.
It would seem appropriate for the PAD to now change it’s name to the People AGAINST Democracy.
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