Opinion: Vote 'No' in referendum to reject future coups

[buksida]

The Aug 19 constitutional referendum is the first of its kind in Thailand. It informally pits the 2007 "military-designed" draft against the 1997 "people-designed" constitution - for we all know that the Council for National Security will have no legitimacy in resorting to any other drafts but that of 1997 to replace the 2007 version if the referendum fails.

While it is certainly worth taking the time to debate the details of the two pieces, much has already been said and written on the arguments, including this Anchorman's editorial of July 12, 2007. Our time can be used more preciously to describe to every Thai citizen paying attention the kind of opportunity that this Sunday presents.

This is not a choice of whether one supports Thaksin Shinawatra or not. This is not a referendum on how one feels personally about the vices and virtues of all players involved in this epic battle. It is meaningless to ponder the influence that any of these individuals have on society - ranging from Thaksin Shinawatra to Gen Surayud Chulanont to Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin to Sondhi Limthongkul to Saprang Kalayanamitr to Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka to Meechai Ruchupan to Prasong Soonsiri, or to Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

They are merely players within our democracy. For none of these influentials have a non-conflicted and self interest-free claim in advising us on what to do with this Sunday's decision.

This Sunday is the first time in history that Thais from all walks of life will have the opportunity to reverse the claimed legitimacy of a coup d'etat. For the past 11 months the democratic citizens of this country have had to face the onslaught of propagandist claims to force us to accept what is simply unacceptable and unjustifiable.

The armed forces claimed the following four reasons as being the rationale for the coup:

- Corruption by the Thaksin government;

- Certain actions by Mr Thaksin constituting lese-majeste;

- Intervention in independent public organisations; and

- The administration engendering divisiveness in society.

Even if these violations are true, they by no means present a case for military intervention, which abrogated the 1997 Constitution.

The 1997 Constitution was framed to drive out corruption practices of politicians and bureaucrats. It protected the royal institutions from lese-majeste while paving way for the very creation of popular-based independent organisations.

Further, the 1997 Constitution itself, we can all say, did not contribute to divisiveness within society. Therefore, even if the reasons behind the coup were true, they would at a very limited stretch justify just that - the coup. The reasons were never, and not even at this moment, justifiable in the action of the abrogation of the constitution. For the CNS to have abrogated the 1997 charter was, for them, to protect themselves from prosecution once the country returns to democracy.

The abrogation also brought about the creation of a new legal platform that has become of the 2007 Constitution. The platform paints a picture of independent organisations selected by judges, elected administrations run rather by government officials, politicians seeing their powers curbed by NGO-filed complaints to the ever-more powerful judiciary branch, military-dominated coalitions using the divide-and-rule concept whereby parties are kept small so as to be easily manipulated. Political parties and elected officers become the governed while armed forces leaders and aristocrats run the real operation.

Many have asked me, why write such a piece if it is my desire to be involved in future political endeavours? The honest answer is that every single young adult and child out there must know that in the running of this kingdom from now on, a coup d'etat must never again become acceptable.

Extra-constitutional practices of such magnitude backtracks Thailand to a place that only goes to prove to the world the outdated kind of political tradition the populace is willing to swallow. A "No" in the upcoming referendum is the equivalent of full rejection of the Sept 19, 2006 coup and a theoretical rejection of any future coups in this country. A "No" this Sunday symbolises each and every one of us yelling aloud, once and all for all, that we have seen the last military intervention in the history and future of our country.

Ever since the inception of democracy in the kingdom, she has been disrupted by an embarrassingly too many coups d'etat. While these disruptions have occurred with the excuse of being anti-corruption crusades and other unmentionable but mostly self-praising and enemy-discrediting reasons, they merely reflect the tussle at the core of the country's most epic struggle.

Real politics, Thai style, is not a matter of which political party ends up governing the country. Real politics is not whether one of us is able to root out the age-old cancer of systemic corruption. Real politics is also not whether you are actually able to find a government that does not intervene in the operations of independent agencies. Rather, real politics here is a matter of whether you have political parties that curry favours with military officers and sakdina, or you have political parties that stand up against such. It is about which side becomes victorious in the struggle. Of course, one side will claim itself to be virtuous while the other will claim itself to be in favour of change and development.

In the end, it is an ongoing struggle for power. It is a battle we have seen since 1932 and will likely continue to see, at least in the current form, for the next 15 to 20 years. The powerless masses normally do not have a say in this epic struggle. The exception, however, will come this Sunday when everyone - from jailed prisoners to landless labourers, from lowly unemployed citizens to the poorest farmers, from the richest entrepreneurs to most noble technocrats - can symbolically put a stop to the vicious cycle that is this run-and-reverse democracy. The successful evolution of Thai democracy hinges on a "No" vote that is three days away. The choice is not just yours. It is ours.

M L Nattakorn Devakula is a news analyst.

Source : Bangkok Post

Thought: While I agree in principle with most of that I actually predict a majority yes vote. Thais I have spoken with are tired of it all and want to advance to the elections, passing this is a step closer. If it is rejected the elections may not happen this year ... or even next. I think the Thai mentality of "worry about now but not tomorrow" will prevail. Those that haven't or can't read it will probably vote for whoever pays them the most.

[lomuamart]

It's a big one for the Thais.
We were invited to go away this weekend, but my wife wants to vote on Sunday. Quite right as well and she's registered in HH.
We don't talk about it much as she has her views and seeing as I have no influence, voting wise, it's probably better that she makes her own mind up.
However, she is spending a lot of time in temples. Some of that will probably be for the "good numbers" today on the lottery, but I hope she's also praying for some direction in this country.
Anyway, I can't change things, nor do I want to.
So, up to you Thailand.

[STEVE G]

From what I’ve read elsewhere it seems that the CNS have stated that if the new version of the constitution is rejected they will amend the 1997 version and go ahead with the elections anyway. This effectively means that voting against the change is nothing more than a protest vote.

[lomuamart]

From what I’ve read elsewhere it seems that the CNS have stated that if the new version of the constitution is rejected they will amend the 1997 version and go ahead with the elections anyway. This effectively means that voting against the change is nothing more than a protest vote.

That's pretty much my reading of the situation as well. I think the general feeling is that the old constitution is preferred. Mind you, that's from a totally reliable opinion poll, consisting of my wife and her family.

[STEVE G]

I think my partner could be swayed towards the negative if the 200 bt handout mentioned elsewhere came about; she doesn’t particularly need the money, but I understand in Issan it’s the way one traditionally behaves in elections.

[STEVE G]

An article from Asia Times:http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_ ... 8Ae01.html

[Vital Spark]

Talking to both students and (allegedly) educated Ajarns, the general reply is that most of them haven't even read the new constitution. They have no idea how it differs from the old one. Their parents will tell them whether to put a cross or a tick.

They're not voting for or against the constitution, they're voting for or against the present 'government'. As Steve states - an election will be held regardless whether or not the new constitution is accepted by the people.

It's a waste of time and money voting, I've got a Monday off (again), students are missing classes, and people are spending what little money they have to return to their province to vote.

Is it me? Why is an 'interim' government changing something so important as the constitution. Shouldn't it be left to a democratically elected government to make such changes?

VS

[webmaster]

From what I’ve read elsewhere it seems that the CNS have stated that if the new version of

the constitution is rejected they will amend the 1997 version and go ahead with the elections anyway. This

effectively means that voting against the change is nothing more than a protest vote.

You are 100% right Steve G.

This is the ongoing struggle of the army to permanently embed themselves in the following governments, as they (political parties) come and go, the army will still stay where they are now, which won't make the system real democratic at all.

Nonetheless this nothing new in Thai politics, when you look at the names of Directors, Managers, Ministers, Prime Ministers of the past and the future, they usually have some sort of rank before their names Police Col,
General, etc. In the last seven years here in Thailand I still yet to see a politician's picture, on their billboard/newspaper/TV or even flier adverts, wearing a civil clothes. They all seem to wear some sort of police or Army/Navy/Air Force uniform, including all the women politicians. The army was always involved in Thai politics but not as much as now.

For me the decision is already made, this coup has proven that, the army is more xenophobic than Toxin by changing/amending the business, investment, management, partnership, ownership and immigration laws and regulations against the foreigners.

Unfortunately this Sunday is the permanent approval of the latest changes against foreigners living and doing business in Thailand. As a foreigner, I can't see things getting better in a new future either.

So, instead of waiting things to get better I made some decisions and just in the process of taking charge of my own future.

I am sorry if this all sounds negative, but this is how I see it from what I can gather from my own business and social relations as well as the ever muted local media here in Thailand.

[lomuamart]

I reckon you're about right there, VS.
Maybe a week or so ago I asked my wife how she'd vote. The answer was simple - "I'll go and ask my eldest sister and my Mum".
Well again, I'm lucky to be alive. Don't discuss politics with a Thai person, no matter who they are.
I just give up
Webmaster,
I've just seen your post. Difficult, isn't it?

[webmaster]

Is it me? Why is an 'interim' government changing something so important as the constitution. Shouldn't it be left to a democratically elected government to make such changes?

VS

No, it definitely isn't you Vital Spark, they shouldn't change anything which will have permanent and serious consequences for the feature of this country and its people, but they have and they are and they will.

Starting tens of new mega projects worth billions of British Pounds, changing immigration, business, investment laws isn't what an interim government is supposed to do either. This is just to prove some of the points in my previous post. This army and their interim government people are here to stay for a long long time to see the return of those changes in £££$$$ as well as more power and security for themselves.

[The understudy]

[quote="webmaster"][quote="STEVE G"]From what I’ve read elsewhere it seems that the CNS have stated that if the new version of

the constitution is rejected they will amend the 1997 version and go ahead with the elections anyway. This

effectively means that voting against the change is nothing more than a protest vote.[/quote]

You are 100% right Steve G.

This is the ongoing struggle of the army to permanently embed themselves in the following governments, as they (political parties) come and go, the army will still stay where they are now, which won't make the system real democratic at all.

Nonetheless this nothing new in Thai politics, when you look at the names of Directors, Managers, Ministers, Prime Ministers of the past and the future, they usually have some sort of rank before their names Police Col,
General, etc. In the last seven years here in Thailand I still yet to see a politician's picture, on their billboard/newspaper/TV or even flier adverts, wearing a civil clothes. They all seem to wear some sort of police or Army/Navy/Air Force uniform, including all the women politicians. The army was always involved in Thai politics but not as much as now.

For me the decision is already made, this coup has proven that, the army is more xenophobic than Toxin by changing/amending the business, investment, management, partnership, ownership and immigration laws and regulations against the foreigners.

Unfortunately this Sunday is the permanent approval of the latest changes against foreigners living and doing business in Thailand. As a foreigner, I can't see things getting better in a new future either.

So, instead of waiting things to get better I made some decisions and just in the process of taking charge of my own future.

I am sorry if this all sounds negative, but this is how I see it from what I can gather from my own business and social relations as well as the ever muted local media here in Thailand.[/quote]

Hella there Webmaster

i had spoken on the phone with a friend of mine in Bangkok who works as an interpreter/Translator for a News Agency in Bangkok and he's says he's going to vote and voting against the New Constitiution. He feels that the new Constitution will severly cut our civil rights and liberties for each Thai (and foreigners) living here.
Thats also my take on this story. I can't see things getting better either. I agree with you last post. The military is really to be there for a long long time. This Sunday will be deytrymantal for hailands future.

Your's somehow concerned The understudy!

[STEVE G]

In an attempt to answer a question that VS made earlier as to why the interim government is bothering to mess about with the constitution; basically this is something you have to do after gaining power in a coup, for the simple reason that a constitution normally outlines the democratic process of government and so makes having a coup illegal. This means you then have to come up with a new constitution that legitimizes your actions. The difficult part is to come up with something that makes your coup legal, but protects you from everybody else having a go. Of course, what you can't guarantee, is that at some future point someone is not going to get into power and then declare that everything you did had no validity because you circumvented the existing constitution and then putting you in jail, or shot against a wall if local traditions allow.
What this means is that if the new constitution is rejected and they go for an election with the 1997 version, an amendment will be made so that after the bit that explains how government is formed, it will say something like: "(except on Sept 19th, 2006)".

[tigger]

Most Thai's I have spoken to do not understand their own current governments legislation or constitution. They do not know what they are voting for or about. Brings back memory's of the Thatcher government in a so called first world country where people knew what they wanted and why they would vote. I ask this question... Why, in a smaller country do civilised British subjects put up with a government ( Labour or Conservative )that is more corrupt than the Thai's could ever be??? Answer ........ Who in their right mind wants to take on the British Military?