This week marks eight months since the National Council for Peace and Order toppled the Yingluck government. Armed with martial law, the military moved swiftly to ban political gatherings and imposed restrictions on the media to curb opposition to the coup and statements that would further deepen the political divide.
The current government was set up, followed by the roadmap to reform and the drafting of a new charter. Policies and action was initiated on many fronts, some of which are still ongoing. For example, apart from putting an end to rolling street protests, a clean-up campaign ensued on our beaches, the city’s footpaths, land encroachment and gambling. The ongoing crackdown on the network of former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan does not count.
In a manner similar to previous governments, it sought cooperation from the private sector to lower the price of goods, only temporarily, through discount sales. It moved to put in place an infrastructure and system for a digital economy aimed at boosting the efficiency and competition of Thai business and to make Thailand the trading centre of the region.
Indeed, there are many more examples. Overall businesses — foreign and domestic — like what’s going on. Peace and stability is good for business. Chaos, shootings and bombings mean a loss of profits. Many expatriates — including a number who have lived in Thailand a long time — like this as well. Of course, many others don’t like what’s going on, in particular how change occurred through the barrel of the gun. No matter what this government does, it’s not right.
I often ask myself what would be achieved once the military returns to the barracks. No doubt, the shadow of the military will remain. That’s always been the case for decades. How long that shadow stretches depends on the time and situation. Like many, I wish this were not the case, but this is a political reality.
Putting aside the role of the military, the current top-down approach does get things done. Our rail system, for example, is clearly out of date. The government has pinned down a dual-track rail system from the Northeast to Bangkok and the East with the Chinese. And it appears other key infrastructure projects will be hammered out with the Japanese and South Koreans. One could argue that revamping our rail system was a key project of the Yingluck administration and that, eventually, this would have been implemented. But the fact remains that we will have a new rail system sooner than expected.
The top-down approach has also meant action on changing laws with regards to human trafficking, especially in the fishing industry. Last week Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave government agencies and police a swift kick up the proverbial. He not only demanded monthly reports on implementing the new laws, but also updates from police regarding human trafficking cases.
Of course, doubts remain about the motivation. Have we suddenly realised that the human dignity of Thais and migrant workers must be protected and nurtured? The fact is that action was taken because we needed to clean up our tarnished image and to avoid red or yellow cards from the United States, European Union and international agencies about the way we fish and how the industry operates.
New laws will not solve the problem. Laws we have and new laws we will get, but the key to change is unbiased and fair enforcement. Under the new fishing laws, for example, various agencies are charged with enforcement and one wonders how they will coordinate effectively. Corruption remains embedded and ingrained.
This year, as we move forward to change the charter, the political process as well as reforms in various areas, we will have new laws in place. Key government initiatives towards a digital economy, the rail systems, and I’m certain other projects will be put in place and implemented.
We will have new hardware. But I wonder what will happen to the much-publicised crackdowns and clean-up campaigns when only the shadow of the military remains. Our attitude and behaviour on corruption, transparency, accountability and fairness will not alter. Sadly, our software remains unchanged.
Pichai Chuensuksawadi is Editor of the Bangkok Post.