Suthep is not a lone advocate of reform

Suthep is not a lone advocate of reform

It’s no surprise that all eyes focused on Suthep Thaugsuban at the launch of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation last week. Mr Suthep says he will not return to politics. He says the foundation will not stage street protests or storm anyone’s offices.

Look who's back: Suthep Thaugsuban.

So what’s the difference? What has changed?

Despite his stint in the monkhood, his role as leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee remains vivid in everyone’s minds. If Mr Suthep is true to his word, then the fact we will not see throngs of protesters marching along Bangkok streets and disrupting people’s lives is welcome.

We now have new laws governing protests. Similar laws exist in many countries and the onus rests with police to ensure freedom of expression is not curtailed. Setting aside the law, we hope that protests like those of the yellow shirts at Suvarnabhumi and the red shirts of Ratchaprasong should be a thing of the past. 

But three words — reform before elections (no matter how long it takes) — is the key mission linking Mr Suthep of the past and Mr Suthep of the present. He may not enter politics by contesting the polls, but there’s no doubt he will be involved in political activities.

Here, essentially, there is no change and we can expect the foundation to make its views known and act as a political pressure group. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the foundation speaking out and expressing views on issues that matter. But one cannot deny that its leader enjoyed — some would say still enjoys — a special relationship with the current military leaders.

As deputy prime minister, Mr Suthep had a working relationship with Gen Anupong Paojinda and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Both played key roles, especially leading up to and after the crackdown on the red shirts in the Ratchaprasong area in 2010. This is a fact that cannot be denied. And no matter how many times the military and the government say they are not linked to Mr Suthep and his foundation, the perception of close ties cannot be erased.

The government can only dilute this perception if it ensures fair treatment. It can avoid accusations of double standards if it allows other political parties — especially protagonists Pheu Thai and the Democrats — to do the same. The argument that the foundation is not a political party when its members are former politicians does not hold water.

There are many issues and areas where reform is necessary, and they are political. And if Mr Suthep’s foundation continues to comment on reform issues, then these statements are clearly political. We have long argued that views and comments on reform and the charter should be inclusive and opposing views do not necessarily mean causing division within the country. It is time for the military to ease, if not lift, restrictions on political comment.

No doubt many in Bangkok still believe in reform before elections and support for this position is expected to get louder as the time draws near for the passing of the charter. It should be clear to all by now that many of the reforms people hope and wish for will not occur in the immediate future. Genuine reform can take years and it is also uncertain how it will be implemented once the military returns to the barracks.

Even so, Prime Minister Prayut must resist any temptation to remain in power longer than necessary. He should stick to his political roadmap. Gen Prayut, and especially his brothers in arms, should resist entertaining Mr Suthep’s mission of reform before elections, no matter how long it takes.


Pichai Chuensuksawadi is editor-in-chief of Post Publishing. Contact him at pichai@bangkokpost.co.th.

Pichai Chuensuksawadi

Editor-in-Chief & Bangkok Post Editor

He is an Editor-in-Chief at Post Publishing Public. He also served as Editor at The Post Publishing Plc from 1994 to 2002 and Special Assistant to the ASEAN Secretary General Dato'Ajit Singh from 1993 to 1994. He serves as the Chairman of The Bangkok Post Provident Fund. He is Chairman of The Bangkok Post Foundation and Phud Hong Leper Foundation. He is a Member of The Press Council of Thailand. He is a Board Member of IFRA. He is Chairman of the Organising Committee, IFRA Asia Pacific. He has BA in Journalism from Queensland University, Australia in 1979 and BA. Political Science from James Cook University of North Queensland University, Australia in 1976.

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