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Heeding demands of pro-democracy protesters 'only way out of current political impasse'


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Heeding demands of pro-democracy protesters 'only way out of current political impasse'

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

 

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Pro-democracy protests hold a flash mob in shopping areas of Bangkok downtown on Saturday (August 8). Stepping up their campaign for dissolving Parliament, rewriting the Constitution and demanding that the government stop intimidating people, they plan to hold a big rally on August 16 at Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

 

Academics and opposition politicians have warned the Thai political establishments to embrace pro-democracy protesters’ demands and reform themselves to prevent aggravation of the current conflict.

 

The arrest and release of key protest leaders is a tactic of intimidation adopted by the military-sponsored government, aimed at slowing down the momentum of the pro-democracy protests, Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the faculty of political science at Ubon Rathchathani University, told the Nation on Sunday (August 9).

 

He made a comment in response to the release on bail of Anon Nampha, a prominent activist and lawyer, and Phanuphong Chatnok, a key leader of the Free Youth movement, on Saturday. 

 

Anon himself on Saturday had thanked the Criminal Court,  saying that he had confidence in the court, which did not toe the line of excessive measures imposed by police against protesters.

 

Titipol said that there may not be any significant political change immediately. Political establishments had not seen  any reform since the military coup in 2014, they just run the country for their own vested interest, he argued.

 

He warned that the current on-going protests gives food for thought for reforms.

 

“Political establishments could no longer use political propaganda as an effective tool to silence dissident voices, as people could access more information,“ he pointed out.

 

To avoid confrontation, they have to embrace the protesters’ demands and to reform themselves,” he warned the military and its allies.

 

Youth-led protesters are demanding that the government dissolve Parliament, stop intimidating people and rewrite the Constitution. Following a flash mob in downtown Bangkok on Saturday evening and political gatherings in other provinces, protesters plan to hold a big rally on August 16 at Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

 

Some outspoken pro-democracy academics,  including Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai associate professor at Kyoto University in exile in Japan, and Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a prominent historian in exile in France, via Facebook posts have blamed politicians and other institutions for not making enough efforts in response to the protesters’ demands.

 

In response to criticism by these academics, Teerajchai Phunthumas, the MP of Move Forward Party, told the Nation that his party often highlights the many flaws in the Constitution during Parliament debates, pointing to the lack of citizens' participation in the drafting process in the first place.

 

“Regarding the current protest, we want to let the student protests unravel themselves naturally,” he said.

 

The current protest bears similarity with the first student uprising in 1973 than the protest in May uprising in 1992 or the later protests led by the red and yellow-shirt movements which had a high degree of well-planned involvement by political groups, not by students themselves, he explained.

 

Politicians on the government side, such as Suporn Atthawong, vice minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, have expressed their opposition to the planned big rally on August 16. He argued that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha had already promised to amend the Constitution. But Teerajchai countered Suporn’s claim, saying that the government's promise was just a time-buying manoeuvre.

 

“The government can rewrite the Constitution right away, as there is a consensus that the current Constitution has many flaws; for example the system of 250 military-appointed senators is undemocratic and a tool for the military to continue their authoritarian power,” he lamented.

 

Meanwhile, Chaturon Chaisang, a prominent opposition politician, posted on his Facebook page on Sunday that to get out of the current political crisis, there must be first a partial rewriting of the Constitution, abolishing of the senators, followed by the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament and the holding of general elections.

 

Chaturon, a former member of Pheu Thai Party and the disbanded Thai Raksa Chart Party, said on the next election day people should be invited to vote on a referendum for fully rewriting the Constitution, then proceed to draft the full Constitution. When the draft is finished, the referendum on the new constitution should be held again, he suggested. This will ensure the people's full participation in the rewriting, owning the highest law, and making the new Constitution lasting, he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392708

 

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-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-10
 
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Since the experience of 2014 I have felt that this country considered as its "people" is ungovernable. Certainly not self-governable. Anything resembling an attempt at pure democracy would soon devolve again into chaos and anarchy, and I suggest this as one who has the greatest respect for the aims and intentions the pro-democracy leaders. 

I don't believe there is a "political crisis" going on, except in the minds of academics, and news agencies looking for copy. Someone show me evidence that the majority of Thais think there is a present political crisis. 

At the same time there is so much room for improving the status quo and the attitudes and behavior at the top that I would hardly know where to begin in detailing it.

To me the quick release of the protest leaders is a sign that the last thing the government wants is a repeat of Hong Kong. Someone may actually be listening, and I honestly think the signs are improving. 

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6 hours ago, Hayduke said:

 

The so-called yellow “out of control hate” uprising was planned, engineered and carried out by both Suthep and his partner-in-crime…Prayut.

 

 

The singular purpose of the ‘rioting’ was to give Prayut an excuse to stage a coup and hijack the government. That’s what the whole thing was about….and the army was thoroughly and actively involved from day one.

 

 

Co-conspirator Prayut likes to pretend he was just an innocent bystander…forced by his deep patriotism to step in and save the country.

 

 

But it’s just not true.

The yellow shirts were active a long time before Prayut's coup.

The yellow shirts helped to get rid of the criminal Thaksin. We should thank them.

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The arrest of these two on Saturday was a spectacle to behold and made a mockery of this authoritarian government state its a both hands three fingers from me I hope millions will start to turn up to future rallys ????

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1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Unfortunately there are too many rich and powerful people in Thailand who finance demonstrators to push their own agenda.

The red-shirts were the prime example. Officially they pretended to be peaceful demonstrators for democracy but in reality it seems most of them were financed by the criminal fugitive.

...Are these individuals who want democracy? ...

I don't know and I hope they are the real thing. But with all those rich and influential people in the background it's hard to know what to believe.

As you said "too many rich and powerful people in Thailand who finance demonstrators", but you left off the and elections. They can call them democratic elections, but it's still well 'purchased' but those r&p people.

 

The r&p people want their power back and they are not willing to wait. Easy to fund demonstrators, especially now. (IMO) ????  (and get the media support)

Edited by AgMech Cowboy
added: (and get the media support)
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19 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

I don't know why you always try to rewrite this regime's history by trying to make people think that Big P is the one to come up with infrastructure ideas and helping the poor.

 

Maybe it really is Prayuth lurking behind that avatar ! ( with a lot of help from google translate )

 

It certainly would explain his contrary posts. Why not. Trump uses twitter etc. Could be Prayuth trying his hand at influencing. I can think of no other plausible explanation .

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1 hour ago, Hayduke said:

 

And the 'yellow shirts' formed an alliance with Prayut...an alliance which planned the turmoil...an alliance which planned the resultant coup...and an alliance which planned this repressive, authoritarian government. Once the yellows had obeyed their masters and served their purpose...the army took it from there.

 

So if you believe all of Prayut's lies, advocate dictatorial military rule, and agree that people using the word 'Democracy' should be jailed..... then, by all means, go right ahead and thank him.

 

He'll no doubt appreciate your support.

Were you here when the yellow-<deleted>s demonstrated (almost always peacefully) against Thaksin?

They helped to expose many of Thaksin's crimes.

And they had a lot of support from lots of people in Bangkok.

I was here and saw them march through Sukhumvit and the street was lines with people who supported their peaceful protest against Thaksin.

stock-photo-bangkok-thailand-december-th

 

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Some of those in power seem to think that 'attitude adjustment' is the way out.  Khaosod reports that in Phitsanulok a few protestors were detained by the authorities, taken to the jungle for a little talk and a warning. The police denies this but these Thailand has a long history of citizens being taken for a 'friendly' chat, warning and some didn't return...

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It hardly matters, democracy is dying all over the world. Big money is pulling the levers wherever you look. Playing both sides, keeping people polarized. But it is a lot of work. Those who have real power, admire Thailand's ability to keep the reigns from the people with the same simple tricks, decade after decade. 

 

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12 hours ago, Gee Ku said:

It is a surprising shock if true that Prayut and Suthep engineered the circumstance that enabled the military coup of 2014. Please do not defame both these two patriotic men by glib utterance unsubstantiated by proof.

Shocked?  Really?  The fact that the demonstrations were dying of apathy when the 2014 coup was initiated doesn't suggest anything to you?

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