Coup regime turns four

Coup regime turns four

Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of the military coup d'etat by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. It is no cause for celebration. Indeed, protesters will be active today, demanding that Gen Prayut live up to his promise for a return to democratic principles, starting with a free and fair general election. Now the prime minister, Gen Prayut has promised elections every year since he seized control of government, yet he still refuses to set a date.

As the military regime enters its fifth year, it is sending its messengers out to claim a long list of supposed achievements. The chief spokesman and official controller of information, Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, has spoken informally of a long list of economic and political successes, "so many it could fill 20 notebooks". Almost all the supposed achievements are a matter of opinion, and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva says the list is illusory.

The cold facts, short of opinion, show that the military regime has unquestionably ended the strife on the nation's streets. Since May 22, 2014, there has not been a public clash between rival political groups. The competing political rallies -- especially the Bangkok Shutdown group versus the red shirts -- sapped economic resources and brought little or no political advantage. Whether the military has actually ended this divisive activity, however, or merely paused it at gunpoint, remains to be seen.

Just as clearly, all Thais for the past four years up until today have been forced to give up most of their basic rights guaranteed by the constitution. Today's special orders from the regime and police specifically bar freedom of speech and freedom of movement, even more than the usual restrictions. International ratings of press freedom put Thailand at its lowest since the bad old days of blatant military dictators.

Arguably worse is that under the military regime, Thailand has become the worst performing economy in the region. While the regime cheerily assures the country that it is striving to reach GDP growth of 4% this year or next, every surrounding country is growing at rates of 6%, 7% or more. The achievements of the nation and successive governments of the past 30 years are being slowly eroded as neighbours catch up and credibly threaten to pass the once vibrant Thai economy.

The way out is clear enough. Prime Minister Prayut must set an election date, and revoke all orders that restrict political activity by parties and citizens. That will allow people to choose their government instead of having to accept one at gunpoint. There is much more to democracy than elections, but democracy is impossible without voting. Military rule, by whatever name, is unacceptable. The nation has rejected military dictatorship for the past 45 years, too often at the cost of martyrdom by true patriots.

Some timid people fear the power of the ballot box. They argue, including on this very page, that a popular government could be flawed. Indeed it could. But the current regime, while assuring public peace via the barrel of a gun, certainly has flaws. The difference is that elected governments are accountable. Accountability is the obvious antidote to government flaws. To democrats and those who truly love the country, a properly elected government is always superior to one established and maintained with military firepower.

The right to vote contains the responsibility to accept the outcome. Prime Minister Prayut appears to be angling to both hold an election and to try to remain as head of government. While he was wrong to seize power in 2014, he certainly has the right to compete at the polls and attempt to get support in parliament to become prime minister again. If he succeeds, everyone must respect this process.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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