Thailand grapples with the politics of prejudice
Outlook
Thailand grapples with the politics of prejudice
by Vu Thu Ha
The ruling by Thailand’s Constitu-tional Court on Tuesday that forced Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign has added to rather than resolved the country’s protracted political turmoil.
Samak was forced to resign after being found guilty of violating the constitution by receiving payment to host a TV cooking series while in office. His cabinet was also dissolved and now acts as a caretaker government while a new administration is formed, the makeup of which is expected to be announced today.
The court’s decision has given both sides a temporary respite, but the struggle rages on. The government, led by Samak’s People Power Party (PPP), and his opponents from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), will regroup, but are continuing to accuse the PPP of being a proxy of deposed former prime minister Thaksin Sinawatra.
Samak can legally resume office as the court did not strip him of political rights, and there are no laws banning him from becoming premier once again.
And the PPP, which holds the majority of seats in the House of Representatives, yesterday defiantly re-nominated Samak to head the government.
PAD’s spokesman, Suriyasai Katasila, told the Associated Press that PAD would continue its occupation of Government House if Samak, or anyone seen as having close links with Thaksin, comes to power.
But even if Samak is re-elected,which is a virtual certainty, he could still face corruption charges relating to his time as Bangkok governor. If the National Counter Corruption Commission is successful, Samak could be forced to resign once more, or even go to jail. In that eventuality, the ruling PPP would again slide into turmoil while it seeks a replacement.
Over the past two days a number of possible successors to Samak have been mentioned, such as the former education minister Somchai Wongsawat (the brother-in-law of ex-premier Thaksin) and Somphong Amornwiwat, the justice minister in the outgoing Cabinet.
Whoever the PPP nominates, it seems unlikely the protesters, who have occupied Government House since August 26, will call it a day as the PAD’s gripe is not with Samak so much as the PPP party as a whole.
There seems no end in sight to the deadlock as a non-PPP led government is a virtual impossibiltiy as the party itself still holds strong support nationally, particularly among the rural poor. This was clearly demonstrated on Wednesday when opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s bid to form a national unity government was greeted with stony silence across the board.
On the other hand, if the PAD succeeds in toppling the PPP, it is doubtful whether it would have enough power or support to lead the country.
The PAD’s ultimate goal, as expressed by its leaders, is to impose a new electoral policy in which 70 per cent of the new parliament is appointed. It says this so-called “New Politics” would bring to an end the vicious circle of money politics, where the votes of the poor and uneducated are easily bought.
But many are questioning the democratic value of this model in which the majority of the population is only allowed to elect 30 per cent of the parliament, while the upper class minority is granted the right to decide what is best for the country.
There is also the question of the Supreme Court disbanding the PPP for vote-buying – as charged by the Election Commission.
But even if disbanded, former PPP members could regroup, as the “shell” party Puea Thai (For Thais). The public meanwhile, especially rural Thais who benefited from Thaksin’s policies of cheap health care and credit, would almost certainly give their support to Puea Thai. PAD would oppose the party, and Thailand would be back in the situation it is now.
There is also the possibility of royal intervention a last resort, and an undemocratic one as the king is a constitutional monarch and is supposed to be above politics. That said, King Bhumibol Adulyadej carries huge informal political clout, and during his six decades on the throne has successfully intervened in several disputes.
In a nutshell, Thailand’s political future is being held hostage by various interest groups as they scramble for power and influence. And while the uncertainty continues, it is the nation and its people who continue to suffer. Meanwhile, it should also be borne in mind that Thailand has only three months to go before it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. — VNS
By : http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
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Tags: Amorn, Caretaker Government, Corruption Charges, Education Minister, Eventuality, Former Prime Minister, Government House, House Of Representatives, Makeup, New Administration, Political Turmoil, Possible Successors, Ppp, Prejudice, Rages, Respite, Samak, Somchai, Thailand, Tional, Virtual Certainty