Suthep, govt stuck at the crossroads

Suthep, govt stuck at the crossroads

Ratchaprasong has always been a sticky, slow-moving, messy junction, traffic-wise. Politically, it's an infamous connection, the scene of deadly clashes between people who uphold different political values, a symbolic seat of unresolved discontent that is haunting Thailand to this day.

Sadly, we are back at this impossible intersection again as Suthep Thaugsuban has led his supporters to occupy it and several others sites in downtown Bangkok.

The anti-government protest leader vows not to leave these intersections until they get what they want _ the resignation of the caretaker government and the creation of a "people's council" and interim government, both of which the protesters say they will appoint.

It seems Mr Suthep intends to put Yingluck Shinawatra where he and his then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva were in 2010.

As deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, Mr Suthep took as his responsibility the handling of the occupation of Ratchaprasong intersection by red-shirt supporters demanding Mr Abhisit dissolve the House.

The red shirts refused to leave the intersection. Armed clashes and attacks occurred sporadically, causing casualties on both sides. The government invoked the emergency decree. Eventually, the crowd was dispered and the result was almost 100 deaths and a few thousand injuries.

Do we want to go down that road again?

Considering the hardline approach of both the caretaker government headed by Yingluck Shinawatra and opposition leader Mr Suthep, it seems Thailand is caught again in a dangerous game of political brinksmanship. Both sides seem to believe they can win. Both sides seem to believe they have enough to cause massive damage to the other. Both sides are deadlocked in their mindsets and predetermined positions. Both sides refuse to back down.

Sadly, the country and its people _ be they pro-government, pro-Suthep, or so-called "third-way" members of moderate groups _ are being held hostage as the drama plays on.

The situation is similar to the two-boats-with-bombs dilemma in the Batman film, The Dark Knight.

In the 2008 movie, the criminal Joker wires two ferries with bombs. He then gives each ship a detonator for the other. If one ship decides to blow up the other, it is saved. If either one of them fails to destroy the other, the Joker will destroy both.

But as the film shows, we don't have to play by destructive rules and we can back away from such deadly brinksmanship. It's quite simple. One ferry decides to throw away the detonator. Once the other witnesses that act, its passengers resolve to save their counterparts too.

Both caretaker PM Yingluck and Mr Suthep can back away from the dangerous game they are playing now. Ms Yingluck is considering postponing the election.

This need not mean she is bowing to Mr Suthep's demand. It means that as the country's leader, she has to find a way to avert violence when it is looming. And truth be told, judging from everything that is going on, the chances are high of clashes between people who think differently, who even hate one another.

Ms Yingluck noted early on that she would rather abide by democratic procedure and continue with the Feb 2 election than delay the poll, which for her is uncharted territory.

The problem is the situation is far from normal and if she keeps playing by the same old rules that apply in a normal situation, she will see some devastating effects from people who are dead against the option.

Ms Yingluck may believe she has the right-of-way to drive through the intersection. But if people are standing in her way, it does make sense for her to stop and not run them over.

In agreeing to delay the poll _ an option the Election Commission has already supported _ Ms Yingluck would gain the higher ground. She and her party should be able to win an election again quite easily no matter when it is held.

As for Mr Suthep and his supporters, the poll delay is the most they will ever get from this game.

They should stop the brinksmanship and extricate the country from its spiralling lawlessness. The road ahead should be one towards political reform, not an abyss.


Atiya Achakulwisut is Contributing Editor, Bangkok Post.

Atiya Achakulwisut

Columnist for the Bangkok Post

Atiya Achakulwisut is a columnist for the Bangkok Post.

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