Thai scene - will martial law resolve political crisis?

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury | Published: May 22, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

The army of Thailand has declared martial law without taking over power in the country against a backdrop of a long-running political crisis. The development has come as another twist in the topsy-turvy politics of the south-east Asian nation, where a fresh election is scheduled for August 03, but the anti-government protestors are against any new polls.
The army insists that it is not a coup and the interim government remains in power. But the army made it clear that there can be no loss of life or damage of property and urged warring political parties for dialogue to resolve the differences.
BACKGROUND: Earlier, the crisis in Thailand triggered by the dismissal of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine other ministers by a court deteriorated further as the supporters of the axed prime minister came out with programmes to counter the opposition seeking to install a new government. The Red Shirts - who are the supporters of Yingluck and her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra who is living abroad but is believed to be the main force behind the government, warned that the nation is lurching towards "civil war" as the opposition is trying to dictate terms. They endorsed the interim prime minister who took over following the ouster of Yingluck and other ministers after the verdict of the constitutional court.
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 short time on the coattail of her brother former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The anti-government agitators, who have been clamouring for the ouster of Yingluck and her government over the last six months, greeted the court order and asking for a new government.
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 Yingluck'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 want a new People's Council made up by the professionals.
Thailand staged elections on February 02 that were boycotted by the main opposition. Yingluck 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 lately the government announced a fresh election.
Protestors clamoured for formation of a People's Council that would govern the country. The demonstrators, who are creating big headache for the government, feel 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 February elections but distanced itself from the demand of People's Council.  
 Thailand, known for tourist attraction, has been facing the most volatile conditions in last several years. As the unrest is escalating and a tense situation prevailing, the country is in the focus of the international world.
Yingluck Shinawatra made history by becoming the first women 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 the parts of the 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 2006 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 is he who was calling the shots on important issues. Recently, the government sought to pardon him, facilitating his come back to country, but the attempt failed. But this has infuriated a large number of people, who thronged the streets in capital Bangkok demanding that the government must go.
Thailand is not known for stable democracy as the system of parliamentary pattern of government has been afflicted mainly because of politician's mistakes or actions that have not been compatible with hopes and aspirations of the people.
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