Modern-day democracy started with the United States. Today the US government is shut down by those very people who were elected to make the government function - people employing a political tactic, in the midst of a political squabble, motivated by the goal of political power.
Thailand is but a struggling democracy, tumbling and stumbling ever since we changed from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 1932. If "fat man" can get shut down, it is no wonder that "little boy" can barely stand up.
It is no accident this analogy - code names for the two atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima, "little boy" on Aug 6 1945, and Nagasaki, "fat man" on Aug 9 1945 - is used here to describe the two democracies.
Fat man, little boy; US, Thailand.
On Wednesday the Constitution Court refused to issue an injunction halting a draft amendment to the constitution – the amendment that would get rid of the system of some senators being appointed, in favour of an all elected Senate. Those eligible to stand for senatorial election would include families of members of parliament, as well as former MPs.
Perhaps the prime minister may now be confident enough to submit the proposal for royal endorsement. The King has 90 days to approve it. However, the court may still decide later to issue an injunction, or to declare the proposed amendment unconstitutional. So it’s not over yet.
This amendment is one of a number of proposals the Pheu Thai government wants to push through, including the various amnesty bills and the two-trillion-baht borrowing scheme. Standing in their way is the opposition Democrat Party, who have been petitioning the Constitution Court to step in.
We don’t know how the situation will play out, but one thing is for certain. Over the past 80 years Thai democracy has been shut down time and time again; over the past eight years successive Thai governments have been shut down – whether by a military coup, by a court decision, or by chaos and anarchy in the streets.
But even when not shut down, the government, whether it’s Pheu Thai or Democrat, has not be able to function effectively. This is because of the persistent socio-political climate that prevails over and above common sense and grounded sensibilities.
Those in an elected government are but the reflection of the people who voted for them. Over the past eight years, major street protests have all been colour-coded or masked, whether upfront or in disguise. All may have had good intentions, but all have unwittingly contributed to the present socio-political climate of hate and distrust. All use political tactics, in the midst of a political squabble, motivated by the goal of political power.
It’s no wonder then that the politicians of both political parties behave the way they do. No government or country can function effectively in an atmosphere of hate and distrust. There needs to be a change of mindset, a refocus of purpose.
Don’t wait for politicians to lead by example, the 80 years of so-called Thai democracy should have taught us that by now. Instead, the people can shape this country and its politics. Take a look at the protests against the Mae Wong Dam project over the last month.
A Mae Wong protester wears a tiger mask during the rally against the new dam in Bangkok (Bangkok Post file photo)
Yes, it’s a protest against a Pheu Thai policy. True, there were government supporters who took to the streets to support the policy. Certainly, there have been colour-coded elements exploiting the protests. But at least, it seems to this writer, the protests have not been dominated by colour-coded politics.
Rather, the protesters are Thais genuinely concerned over an environmental issue. Ahead of and during the protests, there was a recurring message passed around social media. That message cautioned anti-government groups not to join the protest if they were intending to politicise it.
The message said anyone who wanted to join the movement should leave their colour shirt or political mask at home. The message insisted that this movement was not about Pheu Thai or the Democrats, but a protest by Thai people who were genuinely concerned for our environment and our future.
Again, surely there were colour-coded elements exploiting the issue, but at the core was the intention, the refusal, to let the issue be dragged down into colour-coded politics. It’s an early victory for the protesters. The Mae Wong Dam controversy has taken a break, though it might not yet be over. Hopefully they will be able to keep the issue free of colours. At least, in this, there’s hope.
To minimise the hate and ease the distrust, we need to learn to come together and stand up for a cause that is not blinded by colour-coded politics and brainwashed by tribal allegiances.
There are differing opinions whether Mae Wong Dam would be beneficial for Thailand, but all sides should take the essence of this movement into consideration, and in this we may possibly find the solution.
In this, we may defuse any political atomic bomb threatening to blow up. In this, rather than in shutting down we would be standing up.