Latrobe University political scientist Michael Connors has an opinion piece over at Asia Sentinel that will be relevant to the many NM readers who are closely following the political jousting in Thailand. He writes:
The rationale for wanting to dismantle Thailand’s electoral system is evident: pro-Thaksin forces keep winning elections. And as Thaksin is said to represent everything bad about Thai politics, he can not be allowed to wield power directly or indirectly. Thus, for Sondhi, and it would seem the PAD leadership as whole, there is now a need to bring about a revolution in political representation.
Readers looking for more analysis and impressions from Connors can find them on his very useful blog.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Srithanonchai // Jul 8, 2008 at 3:52 pm
It seems to me that there is a broader dislike of elected politicians in some quarters, i.e. one that is not limited to anti-Thaksin feelings in the PAD alone. The Nation’s various writers have been in the business of bashing them for quite some time. If elected politicians do not subscribe to the moral guidelines issued by these quarters, what else logically remains than to limit the politicians’ role? Interestingly, Thailand’s first constitutions provided for a mixed system of selected and elected MPs. The ratio was 50:50. Now, Thai voters being a lot better educated than at those times, they should be allowed even less–30%? On Monday, I think, Nithi Eosriwonge had an article in Matichon in which he dealt with the depoliticization of politics aimed for by broad sectors of the middle class.
2 jonfernquest // Jul 8, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Certainly the most insightful and historical background filled article that I’ve read for a long time. Featured in the Bangkok Post today, also:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/080708_News/08Jul2008_news24.php
3 jonfernquest // Jul 9, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Also thanks for pointing to Michael Connors blog.
Straightaway, in the very first article, one finds a well-balanced article full of background and history on the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC).
I’m surprised New Mandala hasn’t covered Chang Noi’s recent column on the Thai legal system, which many people find insightful:
When elephants fight, the law books get trampled underfoot
23 june 2008
http://www.geocities.com/changnoi2/trampled.htm
4 Sidh S. // Jul 9, 2008 at 8:26 pm
For PAD’s vision to be realized, a coup is needed. Fortunately the army is not up for it (it could be different if GenSaprang was army chief and not GenAnupong - is this by chance or through cold calculation?).
Anyway, here’s a link to a Manager article on the intellectual rationale behind the ideas:
‘การเมืองใหม่’ = พหุนิยม + อัจตวานุภาพ ?! in
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000079693
This in turn has links to:
พลวัตของการเมืองไทย (Dynamics of Thai Politics)
http://www.kpi2.org/kpith/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=9
and:
ประชาธิปไตยพหุอำนาจ ไปให้พ้นระบบการเมืองแบบกินรวบ- ประเวศ วะสี
http://www.midnightuniv.org/forum/index.php?topic=6211.0
5 fall // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:43 am
And Thailand can take the example of Burma in successful interdiction of military in politic and appointed representative.
With the new system, the military would never, ever interfere with politic a tad more than necessary. Never have an influence and nephotism in appointing successor, nor abuse their power for personal benefit.
The appointed representative would do an enlighten job of managing the country. No single family or clan would benefit from monopoly tie to any industry. Any problem to the glorious road of development are cause by evil foreigner, and any so-call “educated people” with any view deviate from the enlighten manifesto would be righteously correct in camp S-21.
Thailand could have a new beginning of Year Zero!
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