Thailand's dilemma

11 ธันวาคม 2556

In her commentary today, Bangkok Post editorial editor is not happy with the choices available to the Thai people at the moment. Read a simplified version here and then check out the full column

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Photos by Pattanapong Hirunard, (Yingluck) and Seksan Rojjanametakul (Suthep)

Thailand's dilemma

In her commentary today, Bangkok Post editorial editor Sanitsuda Ekachai is clearly not happy with the choices available to the Thai people at the moment.

"On one side is a power-hungry government that has lost its sense of decency. On the other side is a power-hungry rebel leader who seems to have lost his mind."

Yes, there is a lot to dislike about the Yingluck government, she says.

"Here's a government which is not shy about breaking ethical standards or using majority rule to do whatever it wants despite the public outcry. The environmentally destructive water management programme, the corruption-plagued rice-pledging scheme, the blanket amnesty bill, you name it."

But, the other side, she writes, has problems of its own. In fact, what the protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban is proposing seems undemocratic and even scary.

"For starters, Mr Suthep makes it sound as if the only way to effect reform is through throwing democracy away. Also, the methods he has said he would use to bring about change are despotic and scary.

If you watched him announcing his "people's coup" on Monday night, you will understand what I mean. His military-coup-like statement; his intimidation of government officials to take sides with him, or his green light for his supporters to organise "security volunteers" when the police can still not be trusted.

This doesn't look good at all."

What we need, she concludes, is some common sense:

"Given the vast political divide, both the government and Mr Suthep must realise that any political proposals they make must be acceptable to the other side."

You can read the full commentary here. Notice that her column was prompted by a good friend who has joined in the anti-government demonstrations. http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/384177/drums-of-war-imperil-good-people-rally