InMedia
Why can't politicians settle their problems inside parliament?
In the past, government and opposition parties mainly engaged in heated and often lengthy debate in parliament, and problems were settled there. Now the war of words is being fought outside parliament, with new players from the so-called movement for people's politics.
The ongoing anti-government protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have drawn mixed reactions from both sides of the political divide. The PAD says it will not leave the streets until Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet ministers step down.
One of the PAD leaders is Somkiat Pongpaiboon, a party-list MP for the opposition Democrat party. Mr Somkiat says he has the legitimate right to join the street protests. But as a member of the House of Representatives, shouldn't he exercise that freedom of speech in parliament?
Those who seek political office must have confidence in the parliamentary system. Political issues or problems should be discussed and debated in parliament, not on the streets.
Not to be outdone, MPs from the ruling People Power party (PPP) and their supporters have also taken to the streets to counter the PAD campaign against the government.
Former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair and senior PPP members have revived the cable station PTV to counter-attack the PAD's hard-hitting ASTV station.
This tit-for-tat does not augur well for our parliamentary system. The Thai public is now forced to take sides. The danger is that they will lose confidence in the parliamentary system.
Elected politicians must take a look at themselves and consider whether they have performed their duties righteously. If they do not have faith in the parliamentary system, they should step down.
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