Thailand's Junta chief has ruled out elections in the country for, at least, a year to allow time for "political reforms" and defended the recent military coup to fend off criticisms at home and abroad. This makes it abundantly clear that the south east Asian nation is unlikely to see the restoration of the elected government unless any other development -- endogenous or exogenous, forces the junta to reverse its decision. Sadly, the country is now in the midst of an uncertain journey as it seems a fait accompli for a nation, whose history of democracy has intermittently been scuttled by undemocratic authorities.
 The army took over the reins of Thailand on May 22 against the backdrop of a political crisis. Initially, the military declared martial law without taking over power, but they hardly took much time to stage a real coup. The development has come as another twist in the topsy-turvy politics of the south East Asian country, where a fresh election was scheduled for August 3. Now, the military is supreme, with the constitution being in limbo; the junta received a shot in its arm as the revered King of the nation has given a "green signal" to the new rulers. But the army faces rising criticism at home and more particularly so in the international arena.
The crisis in Thailand triggered by the dismissal of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine other ministers by a court sharply deteriorated and the ruling party appointed a person as the interim prime minister. But that government was toppled by the army in the coup.
The constitutional court ordered for removal of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from the office for "abuse" of power and Thailand, already in political troubles for last several months, got itself clearly embroiled in a deeper crisis. The development came as a big setback for the prime minister, who was catapulted to the top position in the power matrix within a short time on the coattail of her brother former prime minister Taksin Shinawatra. The anti-government agitators, who had been clamouring for the ouster of Yingluck and her government over the last six months, greeted the court order.
The court ruled that the prime minister abused her power when she transferred a civil servant to another post more than three years ago. It ordered her to step down immediately along with her cabinet colleagues who were in the office at the time of the transfer of the civil servant. The leaders of Yinluck's party called the development a "new form of coup" and announced that the deputy prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsingpaisan would be the next prime minister. But the opposition refused to accept anyone of the ruling "Peu Thai Party" and wanted a new "People's Council", being composed of the professionals.
The country staged elections on February 02 last; the polls were then boycotted by the main opposition and the protestors demanded the exit of the government. Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra appeared to have weathered the storm to some extent. But it was the legitimacy of the government that haunted her authority with fresh polls becoming a inevitable and later the government announced a fresh election schedule.
Protestors clamoured for formation of a "People's Council" that would govern country. The demonstrators, who created a big headache for the government, felt that Thailand would need to get itself rid of "unjust and corrupt" politicians. Their leader Suthep Thaugsuban said "anti-people" government must go. Main opposition Democratic Party boycotted the elections, which the prime minister called much ahead of the expiry of her term, but distanced itself from the demand of "People's Council". Â
 Thailand, known for its tourist attractions, has been facing the most volatile conditions in last several years. As the unrest was escalating and a tense situation was prevailing, the country has been in focus of the international world. .
Yingluck Shinawatra made history by becoming the first woman prime minister of the country following a resounding victory by her political party in the elections that were followed by the recent debatable polls. A relatively stranger in politics, she owed the success largely to her elder brother and former prime minister Thaksin Shinewatra, who lives abroad. Thaksin has been quite popular in the parts of the rural areas in Thailand and also with segments of the middle class. But the billionaire businessman-turned-into-politician was ousted by a military coup in 2007 and was also sentenced to prison terms on allegation of corruption. He has been living abroad for last few years and did not return to Thailand even after his political party, led by her sister, won the polls and formed the government. Clearly, he did not want to embarrass the government although impression gained in the country that it was he who was calling the shots on important issues. A few months ago, the government sought to pardon him, facilitating his comeback to the country, but the attempt failed. Â
The protestors pursued a quixotic goal of ridding the country of the influence of Thaksin Shinawatra. They say they are frustrated with his dominance and also disillusioned with the current democratic practice. An alternative to democracy had also been coined with a "People's Council", formed by leading figures of different professions. Yingluck government, not surprisingly, had poured cold water on the proposal.
Thailand is not known for having a stable democratic system; its parliamentary form of government has been afflicted mainly because of politicians' mistakes or actions that have not been compatible with hopes and aspirations of the people. Yingluck should not have shown unnecessary leniency forwards her brother Thaksin, who is otherwise quite influential even if he is not physically present in the country, because of problems related to his sentence.
True, elections had not changed the government even when they were highly unrepresentative. But in the interest of the second largest economy of the South-East Asia, analysts felt that Thailand needed to reach some kind of understanding between the government and the opponents. After their failure to do that, the country is now witnessing democracy in a state of derailment or facing a further phase of instability. But the army rule can not be the answer to the crisis. Several countries including the US have expressed the hope that the army rule will be short-lived and Thailand would remain on a democratic track.
Authorities have abrogated the constitution, curtailed civil liberties under martial law and imposed night curfew. The US has once again reiterated its call for a swift return to democratic rule while the European Union (EU) has also voiced its "extreme concern". Will the military heed to such call or seek to cling itself to power in the name of "political reform"?
(zaglulchowdhury@yahoo.com)
Thai scene: No election for at least a year!
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury | Published: June 01, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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