Trample on democracy and it will trample on you

COMMENTARY

Trample on democracy and it will trample on you

Published: 20/11/2011 at 10:34 PM
Newspaper section: News

The cabinet is drafting a royal decree proposal to seek pardons for convicts on His Majesty the King's birthday next month. There are 26,000 convicts eligible for a royal pardon this year, but only one is controversial, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Democrat-led cabinet sponsored a 2010 royal decree. According to reports, the one being drafted by the Pheu Thai-led cabinet contains one difference: While the 2010 decree would reduce the jail terms of those convicted of corruption, the 2011 version says they can be freed.

Let's look at the issue legally, constitutionally and democratically.

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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android
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Discussion 36 : 22/11/2011 at 05:03 AM36
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It is constitutionally legal that for the sake of public interest, a retrial of Thaksin's convicted case is required to ease the present dilemma in Thailand.
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loong Phet
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Discussion 35 : 22/11/2011 at 01:02 AM35
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It's probably lost on most non-Thais why there was a rush for a Royal Pardon during these difficult times. Well, the Royal Pardon is a Thai tradition in connection with Royal events. HM King Bhumibol's 84th birthday is coming up on Dec 5th and the 7 times 12 year cycles are of special significance. Thus, according to tradition Royal Pardons are actually expected and no Thai should pretend to be appalled and baffled. However, I'd much rather see a re-trial than clemency in Thaksin's case. The principal issue of guilt should be established by a court that wasn't handpicked by the coup makers.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 34 : 21/11/2011 at 06:51 AM34
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@Gwats #32: Who gave you that idea that Yingluck, Chalerm & Co would ever do anything in the “the best interests of the Thai People?”
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Aussie John
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Discussion 33 : 21/11/2011 at 05:06 AM33
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When will the Thai populace actually see their leaders for who they really are. The Thai elite have hijacked not only the economy but the political and social spheres over the decades to such an extent that it will be virtually impossible to reform unless you have a revolution. Nearly everyone within the social and economic structures in the kingdom are on the take in some form or another to the point it has became a social norm to accept the elites illegal rule and corrupt methods. This small percent of the population refuse to allow a real democracy to exist in the kingdom as long as they see themselves as the pseudo rulers. Thousands have died trying to expose them for who they really are!!
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mrscersei
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Discussion 32 : 20/11/2011 at 11:22 PM32
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@d20 Actually the Philippines Supreme court is as bad if not worse than Thailand. It allowed Arroyo to travel to Singapore even though she was charged with vote rigging.
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gwats
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Discussion 31 : 20/11/2011 at 10:50 PM31
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It's a slippery slope here. The Government does have the legal right to present this pardon decree to HRM the King, but perhaps, they should ask themselves if a pardon for Thaksin is truly in the best interests of the Thai People? Do they truly want this man roaming the Country, free to stick his nose into every matter, great or small?
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howie
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Discussion 30 : 20/11/2011 at 10:22 PM30
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"Trample on demcoracy and it will trample on you" - Is it just me,even my spell checker has spotted it.A brilliant article with a wrongly spelt headline.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 29 : 20/11/2011 at 05:48 PM29
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Oh I'm so bored and contemptuous of those who continually insist in their postings that democracy = 'we win power and gets to make all the rules, or twist them to our advantage and the rest should just accept this since it's the will/choice of the people'. Furthermore, according to their logic, 'Thaksin isn't guilty and can never be so long as the judiciary wasn't appointed by his own 'democratically" elected govt.' I just can't see this argument ever going anywhere, it's disingenuous, the whole pardon uproar isn't entirely about shutting Thaksin out, it's about the future moral precedent of the country.
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fungus
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Discussion 28 : 20/11/2011 at 03:51 PM28
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Spot on Khun Voranai.

After 5 long years, let's hope we can move beyond the colored, divisive politics and let the country go forward.
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wiseyeti
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Discussion 27 : 20/11/2011 at 03:39 PM27
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—-- "Every appeal for a royal pardon runs counter to court rulings."

Not quite: a royal pardon reduces (with terminal effect) the punishment but does not overturn, or run counter to the court ruling. Even if freed, the one found guilty stays guilty. In other words, a royal pardon is not a rehabilitation. It only is an act of mercy.
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