Our international image at stake
Written by Writer on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
News THINK
Our international image at stake
ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
Bangkok Post
Thursday October 23, 2008
The drawn out political stalemate has not only ravaged international confidence in Thailand and the nation’s economic competitiveness, it has shaken the very foundations of Thailand’s image as a peaceful, stable and democratic nation.
Europe’s alarm over events here was apparent on my recent visit to the capital of the European Union, Brussels.
France, which currently holds the EU presidency, has echoed the concerns of many sectors in Thailand, asking when and where this foolishness will end.
Diplomats, businessmen and academics in Europe wonder what went wrong - why a democratically elected government is under pressure from a the movement called the People’s Alliance for Democracy; why Thai people tolerate the continuing provocation by this anti-government group, leading to violent clashes between their supporters and pro-government groups.
Are we heading for a civil war, they wonder? Or simply nearing the climax of a long period of soul-searching for a uniquely Thai type of democracy?
But it’s not only foreigners who are bewildered by these political zealots.
In Thai society, things seem to be breaking apart. More and more activists and academics are calling for a true review of the attitudes of those who are siding with the PAD.
They are encouraging people to think twice before attending a political rally, to stop blindly supporting the PAD, to put an end to the mobs and to prevent another coup at all costs.
Gradually, critics of the ideology and approach of the PAD core leaders are making their voices heard.
They are spreading the message that any change must be made through democratic and constitutional means; that neither side should be allowed to continue waging violence and setting the scene for military intervention and an undemocratic regime change.
Thai society cannot afford to remain indifferent to what’s going on, or to wait in a safe corner until the dust and gloom has settled.
This is difficult, as the polarising of society has encouraged many middle-class people to remain ignorant and passive. A clear and deep fatigue has settled over Thai democracy.
From the viewpoint of people outside the country, anything beyond normal law and order, including emergency decrees, martial law and the occupation of Government House, is frightening.
But French foreign ministry officials remain optimistic there must still be some sane people left in Thai society.
France and the EU support the rule of democratic institutions and hope events in Thailand will not take a truly drastic turn for the worse.
There is no appreciation of the PAD, since they are pushing for government by nominated political office holders, rather than by elected representatives.
Fortunately, as the French media points out, the global financial crisis is occupying the spotlight, drawing attention away the ambiguous and ignoble drive for change in Thailand.
If there were to be another coup here, it would have huge consequences for Thailand’s international relationships.
Another coup would be bad for Thai-EU and Thai-US relations. In fact, it would benefit no one at all.
