COMMENTARY
THONGBAI THONGPAO
Grumpy friends complain to me in exasperation these days about the current state of our country. They wonder when peace will ever prevail again and say it is bad enough that everything is so expensive, but our fellow countrymen are adding more headaches by staging protests and causing unrest.
No doubt they are talking about the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has occupied the streets for more than a month already, demanding that the government resign. Despite its good intentions, the rally has caused inconveniences for commuters. Small vendors and merchants bemoan their loss of business and children in the area cannot go to school. Those that do can hardly hear anything because of the amplifiers used by the demonstrators.
Oil prices are so exorbitant drivers almost cry while filling their tanks. Meanwhile, refineries make hefty profits each year but never lend a helping hand to people, particularly those who cannot afford cars and have to commute by bus, taxi or motorcycle for hire. Taxi drivers are seeking to raise their fares and the government will surely allow them to do so.
Motorcycles for hire, on the other hand, did not have to wait for the government's nod. Most have already raised their fares from five baht to 10 for rides down the sois. Commuters must pay whatever they are asked or walk.
During my short stay in an upcountry province last week, I found that the bus fare there had been raised to six baht. Yet a few days later it was raised again, this time to 13 baht. I was perplexed at the speed of the rise, but the operators insisted they had to do it because oil was so expensive. Rather than walk in the scorching midday sun, I paid.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok politicians debated almost non-stop for three days to decide whether a number of ministers, including the prime minister, deserved to stay in office. The debate culminated in a vote of full confidence for the team on Friday, without any accidents or surprises.
In fact, whether this particular bunch stays or goes does not make much difference, because our politicians are a privileged class, immune to the sufferings faced by the common people. They are all rich and all have high salaries. They commute for free because taxpayers pay for their oil bills and air fares. After the heated debates, everything ended up exactly the same as it has always been, with the same people holding onto the same chairs and the poor people still struggling.
While responsible politicians might resign if they see they cannot solve the country's problems, it's a sure thing this group will stay on to the bitter end. The PAD's calls do nothing to shake the stability of the government, which is insulated by its overwhelming majority in Parliament. It is high time the PAD reviewed its strategies. To continue like this only weakens them.
The government has not used force to dissolve the protests because it knows that would spell its doom. Many members of the government are former activists, and street fights are something they know by heart.
The fact that the government made an about-turn to allow the opposition to launch a censure debate against it is a clever way to reduce the pressure. This is because during the debates, not only did the opposition have a chance to speak, cabinet members also had an opportunity to defend themselves. Besides, the debates stole the limelight from the PAD.
The debates are also democratic and allow MPs to check and balance the cabinet.
Attempts to block them or close the eyes and ears of the people will give rise to street protests and ignoring the calls of the people will only result in disaster.
Thus, no-confidence debates are the best strategy for dealing with protests and do the government more good than harm. Barring those silly protests by low-ranking MPs during the just-concluded debates, they opened up the eyes and ears of the people and gave the street protests no ammunition to continue. It would be even better if the government accepts the proposals of the opposition in correcting their mistakes and flaws.
Above all, the government must prove that it is honest and transparent, and that it exists to serve the country and its people, and not run by a single man as charged.
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