ID :
24274
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24274
The shortlink copeid
THAI POLITICAL CRISIS PROLONGS, COUP REMAINS IN THE AIR By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Doctors refusing to treat injured policemen, pilot literally throwing out passengers who happened to be lawmakers not of his liking, a prime minister booted out of office for cooking and his successor running the country from the airport.
These are not scenes from a movie or a political soap opera but true drama
unfolding in the ever-exciting and unpredictable Thai politics.
In a space of little more than two years, the Kingdom has seen four prime
ministers, beginning with Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular premier with the
grassroots but hated by elites until he was ousted by the military on Sept 2006,
followed by military-appointed ex-army chief Surayud Chulanont who handed over
power to celebrity chef Samak Sundaravej and now, Somchai Wongsawat.
The Kingdom has seen 18 coups since World War II, and rumours of a 19th is
getting stronger by day, with even deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
calling for military intervention several days after he quit to take
responsibility for the Sept 7 clash between the police and the People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which left two dead and over 480 injured.
But Army chief Anupong Paochinda, one of the key players in the 2006 coup,
remains defiant and shrugged off a call to intervene as demanded by PAD which is
bent on introducing a new political system in the country, with more appointed
lawmakers, and just 30 per cent elected.
"This is Thai politics...everything is possible," is what Thais will often
tell their farang (foreigner) friends. In fact, many Thais are more keen to know
the political situation in neighbouring Malaysia as they felt it was something
unusual for oppositions to try to bring down the elected government, unlike
here.
PAD came to mainstream politics after they held massive demonstrations in
the capital in 2006 to force Thaksin's departure. The movement, led by media
tycoon and one-time business ally of Thaksin, Sondhi Limthongkul, surfaced
again in May, claiming that the Samak Sundaravej's government was a proxy of
Thaksin, who faces numerous corruption charges but is seeking asylum in Britain.
The Visit Thailand 2009, launched in the presence of over 900 tour
operators
and media from throughout the globe, a day after the deadly Sept 7 clash, is
unlikely to include the daily and almost round-the-clock speeches by PAD leaders
in its itinerary, or the Government House that they had seized and continued to
occupy since Aug 26.
In fact, the uninterrupted protests since May 25 when PAD first hit the
streets could well feature in the World Book of Records as probably the longest
anti-government demonstrations in the world.
It has a well-organised structure, complete with stage, cooking facilities,
free food, guards, coverage on satellite television, concert, talk shows,
volunteers and thousands of supporters who braved heat, cold and even rival
groups, and sleeping on tents or just on the floor.
"It is an expensive affair, with costs running into millions. They are
getting funds from well-wishers and those coming to the protest site, although
there were many rumours of big corporations and elite society behind them," said
a local reporter who had been covering the protest since May.
While rumours of protesters being paid to appear at the protest site
persist, many insist they are there on their own free will.
Thanawan Anantarat, a former senior official with the Agriculture Ministry,
said she and her husband have been coming almost daily to the PAD rallies since
May 25, but return at night to their home in Nonthaburi on the outskirts of
Bangkok.
"We came here because we hate the Thaksin regime...I resigned from the
government because I could not stand their corrupt practices which I personally
saw in my ministry. They have no respect for the royal family, too," said
53-year-old Thanawan who is running a car rental business now.
Another woman who wanted to be known only as Noi, said she came to Bangkok
with her two-year-old daughter to support the PAD, especially its leader,
Chamlong Srimuang.
Lertsat Sengthan, a worker with a logistics company in the capital, said he
was fed-up with the current government which he claimed was a proxy of Thaksin.
"This is a nominee government, they are repeating all the bad policies of
Thaksin," he said.
While the current situation has not claimed many lives as compared to the
1973 or 1992 bloodsheds, already three people have died.
They were a pro-government supporter who died on Oct 1 when PAD supporters
tried to storm the Government House, and two casualities on Sept 7 during
day-long street battles between police and PAD supporters at parliament.
The latest incidents have already caused a stir in the capital although
life
goes on as normal. Fear of another violent clash surfaced as the pro-government
Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) gathered at Sanam Luang, several
kilometers from the Goverment House.
The planned rally in front of the police headquarters in the heart of the
city Monday was postponed, a decision made minutes after Somchai appeared on a
live address last night to appeal to PAD and Thai people to look at the bigger
picture - the impact of the financial crisis in the United States and Europe
that could hit the country anytime.
A Thai banker attached to a foreign bank said while there seemed to be no
solution in sight, both sides should set aside their differences and focus more
on the impending economic crisis that could spill over into Thailand and the
region in the first quarter of 2009.
"I don't blame politicians for fighting to keep their posts...power brings
wealth. But the economic crisis will affect everyone as the people with
spending power in the US and Europe will spend less...and that will affect our
export," he said.
In fact, the battered Thai image on the international scene is affecting
its preparation for the Asean Summit from Dec 15 to 18, and with some quarters
calling on the Government to postpone the event.
The Nation Daily's assistant group editor Kavi Chongkittavorn said the Thai
Government was no longer in a position to play host, based on the current
political situation, especially after the Sept 7 tragedy.
"With blood in his hands, Somchai simply does not have the political and
moral authority to fulfil such a noble function. If he persists, it would
further jeopardise the country's already unsalvageable reputation and further
damage Asean as a whole," he said.
Last week, Sompong Amornvivat, a deputy prime minister and foreign
minister,
assured visiting Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, a former Thai foreign
minister himself, that Thailand was ready to host the summit.
With all the conflicts and endless political manoeuvring, the likelihood of
parliament being dissolved is also gaining strength, especially with the ruling
People's Power Party led by Somchai facing dissolution for an election fraud
case.
There is speculation that Somchai will dissolve parliament a few days after
the Asean Summit, and just before the Constitutional Court could decide on the
party's fate.
These are not scenes from a movie or a political soap opera but true drama
unfolding in the ever-exciting and unpredictable Thai politics.
In a space of little more than two years, the Kingdom has seen four prime
ministers, beginning with Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular premier with the
grassroots but hated by elites until he was ousted by the military on Sept 2006,
followed by military-appointed ex-army chief Surayud Chulanont who handed over
power to celebrity chef Samak Sundaravej and now, Somchai Wongsawat.
The Kingdom has seen 18 coups since World War II, and rumours of a 19th is
getting stronger by day, with even deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
calling for military intervention several days after he quit to take
responsibility for the Sept 7 clash between the police and the People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which left two dead and over 480 injured.
But Army chief Anupong Paochinda, one of the key players in the 2006 coup,
remains defiant and shrugged off a call to intervene as demanded by PAD which is
bent on introducing a new political system in the country, with more appointed
lawmakers, and just 30 per cent elected.
"This is Thai politics...everything is possible," is what Thais will often
tell their farang (foreigner) friends. In fact, many Thais are more keen to know
the political situation in neighbouring Malaysia as they felt it was something
unusual for oppositions to try to bring down the elected government, unlike
here.
PAD came to mainstream politics after they held massive demonstrations in
the capital in 2006 to force Thaksin's departure. The movement, led by media
tycoon and one-time business ally of Thaksin, Sondhi Limthongkul, surfaced
again in May, claiming that the Samak Sundaravej's government was a proxy of
Thaksin, who faces numerous corruption charges but is seeking asylum in Britain.
The Visit Thailand 2009, launched in the presence of over 900 tour
operators
and media from throughout the globe, a day after the deadly Sept 7 clash, is
unlikely to include the daily and almost round-the-clock speeches by PAD leaders
in its itinerary, or the Government House that they had seized and continued to
occupy since Aug 26.
In fact, the uninterrupted protests since May 25 when PAD first hit the
streets could well feature in the World Book of Records as probably the longest
anti-government demonstrations in the world.
It has a well-organised structure, complete with stage, cooking facilities,
free food, guards, coverage on satellite television, concert, talk shows,
volunteers and thousands of supporters who braved heat, cold and even rival
groups, and sleeping on tents or just on the floor.
"It is an expensive affair, with costs running into millions. They are
getting funds from well-wishers and those coming to the protest site, although
there were many rumours of big corporations and elite society behind them," said
a local reporter who had been covering the protest since May.
While rumours of protesters being paid to appear at the protest site
persist, many insist they are there on their own free will.
Thanawan Anantarat, a former senior official with the Agriculture Ministry,
said she and her husband have been coming almost daily to the PAD rallies since
May 25, but return at night to their home in Nonthaburi on the outskirts of
Bangkok.
"We came here because we hate the Thaksin regime...I resigned from the
government because I could not stand their corrupt practices which I personally
saw in my ministry. They have no respect for the royal family, too," said
53-year-old Thanawan who is running a car rental business now.
Another woman who wanted to be known only as Noi, said she came to Bangkok
with her two-year-old daughter to support the PAD, especially its leader,
Chamlong Srimuang.
Lertsat Sengthan, a worker with a logistics company in the capital, said he
was fed-up with the current government which he claimed was a proxy of Thaksin.
"This is a nominee government, they are repeating all the bad policies of
Thaksin," he said.
While the current situation has not claimed many lives as compared to the
1973 or 1992 bloodsheds, already three people have died.
They were a pro-government supporter who died on Oct 1 when PAD supporters
tried to storm the Government House, and two casualities on Sept 7 during
day-long street battles between police and PAD supporters at parliament.
The latest incidents have already caused a stir in the capital although
life
goes on as normal. Fear of another violent clash surfaced as the pro-government
Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) gathered at Sanam Luang, several
kilometers from the Goverment House.
The planned rally in front of the police headquarters in the heart of the
city Monday was postponed, a decision made minutes after Somchai appeared on a
live address last night to appeal to PAD and Thai people to look at the bigger
picture - the impact of the financial crisis in the United States and Europe
that could hit the country anytime.
A Thai banker attached to a foreign bank said while there seemed to be no
solution in sight, both sides should set aside their differences and focus more
on the impending economic crisis that could spill over into Thailand and the
region in the first quarter of 2009.
"I don't blame politicians for fighting to keep their posts...power brings
wealth. But the economic crisis will affect everyone as the people with
spending power in the US and Europe will spend less...and that will affect our
export," he said.
In fact, the battered Thai image on the international scene is affecting
its preparation for the Asean Summit from Dec 15 to 18, and with some quarters
calling on the Government to postpone the event.
The Nation Daily's assistant group editor Kavi Chongkittavorn said the Thai
Government was no longer in a position to play host, based on the current
political situation, especially after the Sept 7 tragedy.
"With blood in his hands, Somchai simply does not have the political and
moral authority to fulfil such a noble function. If he persists, it would
further jeopardise the country's already unsalvageable reputation and further
damage Asean as a whole," he said.
Last week, Sompong Amornvivat, a deputy prime minister and foreign
minister,
assured visiting Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, a former Thai foreign
minister himself, that Thailand was ready to host the summit.
With all the conflicts and endless political manoeuvring, the likelihood of
parliament being dissolved is also gaining strength, especially with the ruling
People's Power Party led by Somchai facing dissolution for an election fraud
case.
There is speculation that Somchai will dissolve parliament a few days after
the Asean Summit, and just before the Constitutional Court could decide on the
party's fate.
