- By Ranger, Thai Intel’s political journalist
Just a quick note, but absolute power corrupts absolutely, so they say. And as always, the road to absolute power is the path of the far extreme right.
- Thai Tradition of Absolute Power:
With that danger of absolute power and absolute corruption in mind, there is off course the other side of the equation, and that is democracy, liberty, justice and human rights.
Recently, in responding to the UN, USA, EU and every global level human rights and freedom body concerns over Thailand‘s lese majeste laws, Yingluck‘s government responded with a letter, headed by the words: “Sustainable Democracy.”
- Yingluck Invokes “Sustainable Democracy:”
Below that “Sustainable Democracy” head, Yingluck’s government called the UN, USA, EU and every global rights and freedom body, quote: “Some Quarters.”
There is no doubt, Yingluck’s government is drifting towards the “Far Extreme Right.” Putting people in jail for 20 years for insults, is a clear indication of a corrupt non-democratic society.
Earlier, the UN made calls for Thailand to amend the lese majeste laws, and Yingluck responded, quote: “Thailand needed more time to study lese majeste laws usage in Thailand.” So there was hope.
Then it was the “Sustainable Democracy” and the “Some Quarters” statement. And the hope dimmed.
And the latest, is an outright rejection to amend the lese majeste laws, with members of her cabinet attacking those who wants to amend the lese majeste laws. And now there is no hope.
- Plenty of Theories to Explain Yingluck’s Behavior:
There are several theories, floating about, in explaining Yingluck’s position.
First, it is that Yiongluck actually believes in putting human beings to 20 years jail term for a mear insulting the Thai royalty. Then second, it is just for political survival against a threatening Thai military establishment. Then another theory, is that taking Thailand along the far extreme right wing path, is just the quickest way to bring her brother Thaksin back to Thailand, a free person. And there are many other theories, to explain this drift of Yingluck-with many saying Yingluck has no courage, to Yingluck not wanting to make the same mistake as her brother, Thaksin.
But Thai Intel’s finds the explanation of “Sustainable Democracy” interesting.
- On the Positive Side:
What Sustainable Democracy means, is the acceptance that in Thailand, there are many, even media such as the Nation Group that rejects democracy. And there is little need to mention here, that when ones reject democracy, automatically, one rejects liberty, justice and human rights. And this segment of the Thais who rejects democracy, are backed by a powerful Thai military, that as always, is so ready to take control of Thailand. So the Thai environment is not conducive to democracy.
Here, Thai Intel agrees with Yingluck, that Thailand’s progress towards democracy, is rocked with danger. The fact is, given Thailand’s political and social fundamentals, democracy has never been sustainable in Thailand. So here, Thai Intel agrees, that Yingluck must be cautious.
And perhaps, additionally, the real explanation of why Yingluck is taking Thailand towrds the far extreme right, is to gain some leverage for some power for the constitutional re-draw. And with a new constitution, perhaps, Thailand’s democracy can be sustained.
- On The Negative Side:
Yet Thai Intel disagrees with Yingluck. To sustain Thailand’s democracy, what does that has to do with Thailand turning into a far extreme right “dictatorship state?” To sustain democracy, there needs to be democracy, not the absent of it.
The fact is, there is less and less left about Thailand, with this drift, that is about “Sustainable Democracy.”
Instead, since coming to office, Yingluck has taken Thailand further away from democracy, with one compromise after another being made with the Thai establishment. It is to the point, that one must ask, “Can Yingluck deliver a democratic constitution.” Especially, when Thailand, is so close in the grips of a “dictatorship state.”
- Yingluck Going Over Board:
Furthermore, Thai Intel just wonders, what is Yingluck’s objective, when her government came out and attack those who wants to reform lese majeste? Does Yingluck needs reminding, that lese majeste, by all accounts, is the primary tool used to destroy democracy in Thailand?
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