Hard ball hovers

COMMENTARY

Published: 12 Feb 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

There's democracy and then there's Thai-style democracy. The former involves, at least in theory, human rights, freedom, equality and the rule of law. The latter means we like all that wonderful stuff well enough, but there are more important matters that define who we are.

Here's an example: In a democracy, the government and the military swear an oath to first and foremost uphold and defend the constitution. In Thai-style democracy, priorities are a bit different. The constitution can be rewritten again and again and again (17 times since 1932 and still counting) to serve the political agenda of whoever is in charge at the time.

Democracy is a term often misused and ill-defined. So if an observer wonders at how both the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) could use the term in their names, my answer would be that they just forgot to add ''Thai-style'' in front.

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bula
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Discussion 19 : 12 Feb 2012 at 15.3919
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Khun spiceman #17
Thaksin fled the country because of political persecution. I do not have a figure on Thaksin's wealth after only a few years in office. Do you have? I read according to Fortune reports that Thaksin's wealth increase by 60% after his asset was robbed.
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spiceman
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Discussion 18 : 12 Feb 2012 at 15.3818
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Khun Bula #16, if I am not mistaken, Winston Churchill graduated 8th out of a class of 150 at Royal Military College, Sandburst, was a highly decorated combat veteran, a Noble Prize winner, and regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century.

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs dropped out of college because the subject of their interest (personal computer) was yet to be invented by them. However, I hope that one day, Thaksin will follow Bill Gates' footstep by giving away 3/4 of his vast personal fortune.
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spiceman
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Discussion 17 : 12 Feb 2012 at 15.1117
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Khun Bula #15, and after only a few years in office, do you know what happened to Thaksin's wealth, or why do you think he fled the country? Did George W Bush, John Majors, or Tony Blair nearly double their personal fortune or having to flee the country upon leaving office like Thaksin?
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bula
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Discussion 16 : 12 Feb 2012 at 15.0816
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Khun dao #10
I am not sure what experience you are talking. I do agree with your comment on corruption. Democracy, freedom, and equality in society have allowed people like Winston Churchill who was a high school dropout to become PM of UK, Steven Job, Bill Gate, and others who were also high school dropout to make great contribution to humanity. You will discover that many successful businesspersons also do not have academic successes. Many leaders are visionary, committed to the task, dedicated to the mission, loyal to his/her team, dogged determination, compassionate, clear in reward (gratitude) and punishment,not afriad of making mistake. Leaders who have these attributes and characters are often regarded as dominating, dictatorial, obstinate by people who have negative, loser and defeatist mind-sets.
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bula
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Discussion 15 : 12 Feb 2012 at 14.3215
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Khun spiceman #15
U are another Thaksin obssession. Where is your evidence that Thaksin has made politics their (highly lucrative) business? Thaksin was already a billionarie when he was invited to join politic.
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jwatch
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Discussion 14 : 12 Feb 2012 at 14.1714
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The government should just do its job well then in a few years everyone that didn't vote for them will and they can bring in their big boss to run for office and we can finally stop bickering over which pile of garbage (Democrats) is better than the other pile of garbage (Phuea Thai).

What a waste of time - our neighbors are zooming ahead and we're fighting over which government is least worst.
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spiceman
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Discussion 13 : 12 Feb 2012 at 12.3313
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Khun Bula #13, how so? Yes, there are many "wealthy rich" in Thailand, but none of them have made politics their (highly lucrative) business, OK?
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prommar
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Discussion 12 : 12 Feb 2012 at 12.3112
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We need to try some new dramatic options to improve Thailand. South Korea and Japan are Asian nations that have democracies that work, why can’t Thailand? It is because the people who keep rising to the leadership roles only care about themselves and their friends. They don’t really care about the country.
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bula
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Discussion 11 : 12 Feb 2012 at 12.1511
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Khun spiceman #9
You are obsessed with Thaksin. They are many other wealthy rich in Thailand.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 10 : 12 Feb 2012 at 12.1310
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I think that a coup will happen again one day. Not yet though. Why? 1. Because corruption will become unbearable again. 2. Because Thaksin will force himself back as a free man and then there will be continuous Yellow vs Reds demonstrations, which will turn violent at some stage. The Army will restore order; Thaksin will be kicked back to Dubai; he'll use his money to win the next election and become the government again; and then we will start all over again. This cycle will continue until the people stop buying votes and voting for corrupt politicians. Remember that Thaksin is only about 62 years old, so this cycle can go on for a long time still.
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