Thailand is currently at a critical juncture. Since the creation of a constitutional monarchy, more than 15 constitutions have been drafted and adopted, each aiming to build an environment where Thai people can live together in peace and harmony.
All countries want to reach that objective. The question is how?
Reform is indeed crucial. It means learning from past experience; taking a critical look at failures and identifying and building on good practices. It also means having the courage to implement strong new measures to address errors of the past and prevent them from recurring.
Reform is difficult. It is not only about changing institutions and laws, but about changing mentalities and ways of working and living together. It can be a powerful tool for progress but it will only work if it is given sufficient time and thought and if it is done in an inclusive and consultative manner.
Reform will only be positive if it takes place in a climate in which all people can speak their mind and be heard, without fear of reprisal. Only then will reform respond to the aspirations of all segments of society and provide sustainable answers.
The road map adopted in Thailand is an encouraging first step. We are glad to note developments thus far in implementing the set objectives as it is important to honour promises, expectations and timelines. But the hardest part is still ahead: laying the foundations of truly democratic governance.
Democracy is about respecting the rules of the game, which must be based on respect for human rights, be clear and implemented impartially. Democracy is therefore about accepting alternation of power, listening to different opinions and interests and exercising power for the good of society as a whole.
Democracy requires strong institutions. Their role is to mediate tensions and maintain equilibrium between competing interests to enhance social cohesion and solidarity. Parliament is perhaps the institution par excellence in this regard. It is at the heart of democratic governance and lasting peace. The place of parliament in the new constitutional architecture should be a central part of the reform process in Thailand.
A strong parliament is one that embodies key democratic values in its work. These key values are to be representative of social and political diversity, to be open and transparent in its working methods, to be accessible and accountable to the people and to be effective in its legislative and oversight roles.
Ultimately, perhaps, the key factor in the development of strong institutions is the political will to make them so. It is important that the current process results in the creation of a strong parliament that has the power to effectively represent and defend the interests of the Thai people.
One important function of state institutions is to promote a system of checks and balances which prevent any single institution from exercising excessive power. Public accountability has to apply to all those who hold public authority, whether elected or not, and to all public bodies.
Overseeing the government and holding it to account on behalf of the people is one of the key functions of parliament. Parliament needs to have the autonomy, institutional capacity and political will to play its role effectively. It will be important for Thailand's constitution to provide an adequate framework for these objectives to be met.
Democracy is based on the fundamental rights of the individual. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, including the right to organise political activities, are part and parcel of this set of fundamental rights.
One of the greatest challenges to democracy today is the gap between citizens and their representatives. In all regions of the world, levels of trust are low, and participation in elections is falling, especially among young people. An active civil society is an essential component of democracy. New efforts need to be deployed to engage citizens in the political process at local and national levels.
I believe that the reform process under way in Thailand has to give people opportunities to have a say in how their country is run, and give them hope that sustainable solutions can be found.
Democracy also presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in conducting the affairs of society. Globally, only 21% of parliamentarians are women. Among some of the countries that have taken the biggest steps towards gender equality is Rwanda, which used the window of opportunity that followed a political transition to adopt measures in favour of more equal representation of men and women in politics.
I note that only 6% of the members of the National Legislative Assembly are women. I put it to you that one of the most important questions that you will have to address is how you will ensure greater equality between men and women in politics, as a step towards gender equality in society as a whole.
I would like to refer to what is, in my view, one of the most significant markers of democracy: the level of tolerance in society, where the existence of different political views is accepted as a normal expression of citizens' diverse opinions.
Government and politicians have a key responsibility to display political tolerance towards their opponents. Political tolerance creates the conditions in which dialogue can take place. It also sends a powerful message to citizens that politics based on hatred or rejection of the other cannot provide solutions, whereas politics based on openness, dialogue and compromise is most likely to serve the interests of the whole of society.
This culture of democracy needs to be nurtured, starting with young people, for example through an extensive programme of civic education in schools.
I would like to highlight the examples of three countries whose political transitions are still ongoing and where the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has been active in supporting reform.
Under the guidance of a National Constitutional Assembly, Tunisia's extensive constitution-drafting process involved many rounds of public information and consultation, as well as an understanding among the major political forces that they would abide by the rules of the constitutional process. At one stage, when it looked as if the process might be derailed, politicians agreed to form a government of technocrats to oversee the affairs of the nation. The constitution was adopted by a large majority in January, 2014.
The key lesson from Tunisia is the inclusive nature of its constitution-drafting process that set the foundations for long-term stability.
The second example is Egypt. Elections took place in 2012, but the new government did not use its power to promote inclusiveness. The result was a second political transition that is still under way, as the country struggles to modernise its political culture while providing the stability and economic development that its people so desperately need.
A valuable lesson from the Egyptian experience is the importance of building unity and consensus to represent the interests of all components of society, listening to both the ruling party and the opposition. Any recourse to limiting opportunities for dialogue and compromise will only serve to entrench problems rather than resolve them.
The third example is the transitional process under way in Myanmar. The lesson is the need for the constitutional process to be owned by the entire population. The constitution has to be seen as a document that will set the rules of the game over a long period and should not be used for short-term political gain.
Every country has its own political, historical and cultural context. The situation in Thailand is unique, even if some of the questions that you are grappling with today are similar to those that have arisen in other transitional situations.
One thing of which we can be certain is that the solutions to the challenges facing Thailand can only come from the people of Thailand themselves. The path to long-term stability can only be the result of an inclusive process that takes into account the needs and aspirations of all citizens. The IPU stands ready to provide its support, in particular for the establishment of a parliament that embodies key democratic values.
Martin Chungong is secretary-general of Inter-Parliamentary Union. This article is excerpts from his speech at a Bangkok seminar, 'On the Path to Reform' on Dec 3, 2014.