RED IN USA

Election is not an option but a necessity

http://www.pchannel.org/index.php?name=pitaya&file=readknowledge&id=31 By Pithaya Pookaman Former Thai ambassador           Since the military coup d’etat of 2006, political situation in Thailand has greatly deteriorated to the extent that no political formula now will suffice in defusing the problem.  The coup had set in motion a series of developments which do not bode well for the country and the Thai people.  They are:       - A setback for democratic process in favor of a semi-oligarchic or pseudo-democratic form of governance.       - A distortion in political, administrative and judicial systems.       - A formation of Abhisit Government in the army barrack against the expressed will of the majority of the people.       - An application of a double standard of justice.       - Corruption and mismanagement of the country by the Abhisit Government.       - Government interference of the media and application of a double standard for the media.       - Constitutional amendments not comprehensive but done in a piecemeal fashion to suit the coalition parties.       - Government road map to reconciliation is only a mere mirage as no concrete actions have been taken to defuse political conflict.  Furthermore, genuine reconciliation fails because the government is a party to the conflict.       - Using Pra Viharn Temple issue by the Yellow Shirt fanatics to incite border tension and to destabilize governments and proper conduct of foreign policy.       - Government’s brutal crackdown of pro-democracy protesters in 2009 and 2010, violation of fundamental freedom, liberty, and human rights.  The government is still unable to ensure accountability for the murder of more than 91 Thais and foreigners by the government troops. Considering all of the above, the prospects for resolving political conflict appear dim and there is no other recourse but to give the power back to the people.  The Thai oligarchy that wields arbitrary and extra-constitutional powers should now realize that its stranglehold on power is untenable.  Dire predictions now abound.  One is afraid even to contemplate on the worst case scenarios in Thailand.          Election is not a cure-for-all prescription for resolving political conflicts.  Be that as it may, the Thai citizens deserve to be given the opportunity to choose the government and a political party that they can trust.  They should be able to exercise their rights at the polls to reject the government that they deem as corrupt and incompetent.  Therefore, election should not be derailed, either by the military or by any political groups of any color affiliations which shun democracy or entertain a distorted view of democracy.  A free and fair election should be a good starting point that would put Thailand back on track on the road to democracy, peace, and progress.  Any manipulation of the polls or dishonoring of the election result could again trigger mass protest by the democracy-loving people on a scale that not even the military can handle. http://www.pchannel.org

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