Activists, with their mouths taped up as a form of protest against the ongoing military rule in Thailand, gesture during a protest in front of the Thai embassy in Manila June 05, 2014. –Reuters photo Thailand's military junta has asked people to provide it with anti-government information in exchange of financial benefits. It has outlawed all kinds of demonstrations and protests against its rule. The authorities are hell bent on stifling the voices of people with a view to perpetuating its tough rule.
Earlier, the military ruled out elections in the country at least for a year to allow it time for introducing 'political reforms'. This makes it abundantly clear that the south-east Asian country is unlikely to see restoration of an elected government shortly unless any development forces the junta to reverse its decision.
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 Thailand, where a fresh election was scheduled for August 03. Now, the military is supreme with the Constitution being in limbo and the junta received a shot in the arm as the revered King, who is known to be unwell, has given 'green signal' to the new rulers. But the army faces rising criticism at home and in the international arena.
Earlier, 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 even when it was preparing for fresh polls.
The constitutional court ordered Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra removed from the office for 'abuse' of power and Thailand, already in political trouble for last several months, clearly plunged into a deeper crisis. The development came as a big setback for the Prime Minister, who was catapulted to the zenith of success in a short time on the coattail of her brother former Prime Minister Thaksin 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. The court 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. Leaders of Yinluck's party called the development a 'new form of coup' and announced that 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 made up by the professionals to run the statecraft.
The February 02 polls that were boycotted by the main opposition and also by the protestors calling for exit of the government. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had appeared to have weathered the storm to some extent. But, it is the legitimacy of the government that haunted her authority with fresh polls becoming inevitable and later the government announced a fresh election.
Protestors clamoured for formation of a People's Council that would govern country. The demonstrators, who created big headache for the government, felt that Thailand needs to get 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.
Thailand, known for tourist attractions, has faced most volatile conditions in last several years. As unrest escalated and a tense situation prevailed, the country is in the focus of the world. Then came the military rule.
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 Shinawatra, who lives abroad. Thaksin was quite popular in parts of rural areas in Thailand and also with segments of the middle class. But the billionaire businessman-turned-politician was ousted by a military coup in 2007and was also sentenced to prison terms on charges of corruption. He has been living abroad for the 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 has gained in the country that it is 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 and Yingluck faced severe criticisms.
The Thai protestors said they are frustrated with the `dominance of the Shinawatra family and disillusioned with the current democratic practice. An alternative to democracy had also been coined with a People's Council with leading figures of different professions. The Yingluck government, not surprisingly, had poured cold water on the proposal.
Thailand is not known for stable democracy as the system of parliamentary pattern 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 showed unnecessary leniency to 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 these are highly unrepresentative. But for the sake of the interest of the second largest economy of the south-east Asia, analysts felt that Thailand needs to reach some kind of understanding between the government and the opponents. Due to such a failure, the country is now witnessing a debacle for democracy or further instability. But army rule is not 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 democratic track. But such pleas seem to be falling on deaf ears.
The authorities have abrogated the Constitution and curtailed civil liberties under martial law although curfew has lately been withdrawn. The US has once again reiterated its call for a swift return to democratic rule while the EU also voiced 'extreme concern'. Both the erstwhile ruling and the opposition parties are calling for a return to democratic rule. But the military turns a blind eye to such calls and on the contrary, it gives no room for any dissent. Several steps only underline toughening of the rule while the country looks apparently normal. When the 'political reforms' would be completed and polls would take place is now a big question. The authorities said they are mulling the idea of an 'interim government'. One thing, however, looks certain: no return of civilian rule in the near future.
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