Thais led astray by 'dictatorship of majority'

IN PRINT

Thais led astray by 'dictatorship of majority'

Constitution Court president outlines why the people themselves contribute to the country's flawed politics

Published: 15 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

'I cannot see the future for the country unless it can develop much further than at present. Thai people mostly don't understand their own duties, don't respect other people's opinions. Democracy must be engaged with rational discussion, not the dictatorship of the majority," Constitution Court president Wasan Soipisudh said in an interview with Post Today.

Wasan Soipisudh says while Thais are patriotic, many fail to grasp the bigger picture and just ‘love the country’ without much thought.

"In the United States, sometimes the president appoints people from the opposition party to important cabinet posts. But in Thailand, people from the opposition party are all bad, none are good. Whatever the opposition says is all wrong, while we are all correct," Mr Wasan said.

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cpkinnally
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Discussion 35 : 16 Dec 2012 at 14.3635
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D.32 Snap - You're spot on.
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Modin
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Discussion 34 : 16 Dec 2012 at 03.4134
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I agree with practically every point made. It is time people use logic and sensabillity rather then emotions and self interest
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cpkinnally
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Discussion 33 : 15 Dec 2012 at 23.4833
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"If Thai people could think for themselves . . ." There's your problem.
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snap
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Discussion 32 : 15 Dec 2012 at 22.2332
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Most of this is sinister and clever hogwash. Some of it makes sense. But not a lot. The root to all thailand's problems lies in the fact that the very very rich minority control absolutely everything and the vast majority are treated as feckless and stupid. Which they are not. Of course some people have not had a decent education, but his claims are dangerous and ludicrous. The sort of claptrap espoused 150 years ago in europe and america. There's some good thinking in there, but then also a lot of ignorant propaganda as well.
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WALSTIB
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Discussion 31 : 15 Dec 2012 at 22.2331
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Is this guy a comedian? Dictatorship of the majority? If you don't like it, then secede! Whining is so lame.
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boontong
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Discussion 30 : 15 Dec 2012 at 19.4830
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There is no 'dictatorship of majority'. People are sicked and tired of the 'dictatorship of the minority' and decided to vote overwhelmingly for the party that respect them amd looks after their interests and well being.
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englishbob
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Discussion 29 : 15 Dec 2012 at 19.4329
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Genii - "the majority have been in temporary control of government"
I know what you are trying to say here... But during the past decade TRT/PT have been in power for 80% - And what has improved? You bandy terms like 'democracy' and 'election' about, without giving thought to performance, honesty or accountability. Not a single policy has succeeded or been without massive graft.

One family has dominated the scene to such an extent that it is amazing to find a powerful person WITHOUT a connection to this family. And still you cheer them on as though they are saviours.
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elvis
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Discussion 28 : 15 Dec 2012 at 18.0128
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It really makes my day to read these words of wisdom. Thank you, Khun Wasan.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 27 : 15 Dec 2012 at 17.5127
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This is one of the most sensible set of comments I've yet heard on this democracy discord and its a pity it has to come from the CC president, since it sounds like he has a set opinion and many of his criticisms here are leveled at Peua Thai, so they make him sound like the courts are bias, but he is after all far more knowledgeable, qualified and educated on the matter than the combined intelligence of the masses who might disagree.
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genii
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Discussion 26 : 15 Dec 2012 at 16.3126
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My opinion is Thais have always been led away by those not wanting to allow democracy take root. Democracy could have been here a long time ago if education had been allowed and those in power had wanted democracy as the governmental system. From time to time the majority have been in temporary control of government and attempting to push forward demcoracy only to have it snatched away. You have to want democracy and then you have to educate the public.
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