Thaksin is proving beyond any doubt that the 2006 coup that ousted him was not and infringement on democracy, it was an attempt to save it. Thaksin’s psychotic driven desire for power is way beyond what other past Prime Ministers have displayed.
It is very unfortunate yet again that the lesser educated Thaksin supporting Thais do not know what they are doing, and for that they can be forgiven. However they may never be able to forgive themselves once they figure it all out.
The very simple fact that the dots surrounding the September 2006 coup could be connected in a few different ways to show different things. But in the past few weeks Thaksin has added new dots that allow only one way they can be connected. Prior to what will possibly be called ‘Red April’ there was food for debate on the 2006 coup being an infringement on democracy. The word Junta has always been seen as synonymous with the word dictator. However in 2006, although the word Junta was still tied to dictator, it was in the opposite way.
Based on Thaksin’s actions after the coup, and that virtually all attacks on the coup makers past and today are from Thaksin. Even people that were viewed by Thaksin as tied to the coup are still under attack whether they were or not. There was some out of the book hard responses to the coup by various governments around the world including the United States, but that response has long sense softened once they had a look at the real picture.
The need to extrapolate what would have happened if there was no coup has now come to an end. Thaksin’s actions today are clearly adding dots beyond September 19, 2006 that are showing what would have happened. The violence today by red shirt protestors would have been the same violence being perpetrated by people in uniform as in Burma. Meaning that the red shirts are Thaksin’s army, and if he was still in power the military and police would be out there doing what the red shirts are doing today.
Thaksin encouraging his now former red shirt protesters and presently attacking red shirt army have most likely earned him the charge of treason if not high treason. That no doubt will come with the death penalty attached. The same charges will no doubt be leveed against the red shirt leaders, particularly the ones with the bigger mouths. Although this is fuzzy logic at best, it still points to the coup being the right medicine for democracy in Thailand although admittedly it does not have a good taste. The guessing and debate as to what would have happened is now replaced with the reality of the Red April new dots. Thailand would be Burma’s twin next door.
The only point of debate remaining is if Thaksin would have forcefully dethroned the King and the royal family. Based on Thaksin’s actions, there is a better chance than not he would.
Great post Richard. I can see you do have a talent for putting things together. You are so right that the coup was the right call. Before I had my doubts and was open to debate to see if I was thinking the right thing. But this simply locks it up in that Thaksin was and still is looking to be Thailand’s dictator. I wonder if this was the first coup anywhere that moved a country closer to democracy.
A coup that concentrates the power into a minority is never a good thing and certainly does not move the country closer to democracy.
I have not once heard of a country softening it’s stance on Thai politics since 2006. Everyone knew Thaksin was an overly corrupt individual. That was a no-brainer that everyone was aware of. Since the coup, his actions have caused doors to be closed on him from various countries since the 2006 coup.
However, let’s not confuse Thaksins actions with Thailands actions. Again, I am not aware of a single country that has softened it’s stance on how Thai politics have played out. Actually, quite the opposite is true as more and more countries are losing patience with Thailand, either moving business out of the country, not considering Thailand cutting edge (like they did with the baht devaluation and the ’97 constitution), and not really bothering with any input the country may have. Instead, they recognize it for what it is – a playground to enjoy your time in, but not take seriously.
A coup d’état is like fast food: quick, convenient, but unhealthy.
The end does not justify the means.
The 2006 coup was undemocratic in anyones dictionary – except the very blind.
Thaksin WAS good for Thailand at one time – he just became arrogant and selfcentered when confronted with legitimate concerns.