In Thailand ever since the democrats took power, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) has been throwing everything they have at the democrats to unseat them so the PTP could come back to power. Every time the PTP cites the new Constitution, they simply prove the new Constitution is doing what it was designed to do.
Trying to take out the squeaky clean democrats with a Constitution that is designed to root out bad politicians is certainly showcasing the wisdom that went into the drafting of this document. Because all attempts thus far have seemed to bounce off the democrats, it proves politicians can govern inside the restrictions of the 2007 Constitution. This will most certainly will support the do not change vote if and when the time comes.
This is exactly what happened when the PTP tried to censure the democrats, they gave the democrats the chance to showcase their projects. As a result the PTP went down and the democrats went up in the public opinion poll.
Politically speaking the PTP is the best advertizing the democrats could ever want, and to top it off it is free. Very regularly you hear Prime Minister Abhsit Vejjajiva encouraging the PTP to keep up being to opposition party. When the PTP act, they continue to show the contrast between good and bad that boosts the democrats popularity immensely. Seeing as many of the charges the PTP are claiming against the democrats are fabrications, it further shows the huge contrast that is reflected in Thai society. People associated with Thaksin are not people you want around or in power if you want Thailand to move forward. Frequent distortions and lies do not fly well if people listen to what their mother taught them.
Even the pro convicted fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra’s red shirt army tends to showcase the democrats ans also the Constitution. Every time the red shirts come out, they prove that democracy is in place and working, and again give the democrats a chance to shine. It is abundantly clear to everyone that has been paying attention what the red shirts are all about. They prefer criminals in power, and that alone makes peoples eyes roll.
So as the PTP, and other Thaksin supporters continue to forego the carrot and use the stick, they simply continue to prove the 2007 Constitution is a true piece of work. It provided the necessary short leash for out of control corrupt politicians, as well as allow them to hold peaceful demonstrations as a true sign of democracy.
If the PTP every want to move ahead they must stop being negative as being negative goes against the grain in so many ways in Thailand. The more negative they are, the more they prove the Constitution as being a brilliant document that both restricts and provides freedom and democracy at the same time.
I beg to differ. The Democrat would be the last party I would describe as ‘squeaky clean’. They might have won the hearts and mind of most of the urban middle class and, with Newin’s help, are also creeping into the rural territory. But it still remains very likely that corruption problems will eventually bring down this government, especially when they are cooperating with someone like Newin. That, of course, also depends on whether or not the justice system in this country really works in an unbiased manner…
And don’t get me started on the constitution. Why must the efforts to combat bad politicians be made by limiting the government’s power and granting substantial power to unelected agencies? The appointed Senators, in particular, have used every opportunity to derail the elected governments of Samak, Somchai and even this one (Mr Ruangkrai has been very active in this regard). The fact that the constitution was designed to produce a weak government rather than a strong one, is favourable to no one except the elites who prefer to pull the strings in the background and are never brave enough to face the judgement of the electorate.
Also, your portrayal of the Democrats as the ‘good guy’ in Thai politics is sickening to say the least. What kind of good guys collaborate with ultra conservative thugs who closed down two airports, seized the government house, stormed a TV station and broke the law at will? Worse, what kind of good guys would let a leader of those thugs sit proudly as the country’s Foreign Minister? What kind of good guy boycotted an election but went on to shamelessly give a speech on democracy at his alma mater?
I have no sympathy for the Thaksin side, but Thai people deserve a government and a constitution that truly recognise their dignity as human beings and their ability to think for themselves.