The coup now looks like merely a sabbatical for Thaksin. We are back to square one, back to the pre-coup period when Thaksin and his cronies were in power. We are witnessing one of the most bizarre episodes in Thai political history.
- Extracted from the conclusion to Thanong Khanthong’s “Thailand takes a step back to square one“, The Nation, 1 February 2008.
3 responses so far ↓
1 jonfernquest // Feb 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm
“The coup now looks like merely a sabbatical for Thaksin. We are back to square one, back to the pre-coup period when Thaksin and his cronies were in power.”
That’s certainly one opinion. That’s things never change and evolve dynamically becoming fundamentally different and better for all, more than a little pessimistic.
Does Thanong honestly think that Thaksin’s next drug war is going to be like the last one complete with vigilante ravings, death lists, no trials, bodies, no rich powerful drug figures arrested, and then some lame excuse like, it was all the mafia cleaning house, with no police involvement at all.
The pessimistic side says nothing ever changes, that we’re condemned to some infernal merry go round, but there’s another more optimistic side that says things might get better. It’s not likeThai society has suddenly depolarized itself. The tale of two democracies has been going on for decades and could continue if people start to step on other’s peoples’ feet. I think the powers that be realize this, but for how long, has the tale of two democracies ended for good?
2 jonfernquest // Feb 1, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I think Thanong is too pessimistic. Things can change for the better. People can cooperate. We’ll have to wait and see. [Longer post rejected]
3 farang // Feb 2, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I disagree with this affirmation of’ “back to square one”.
Thanong Khanthong just refers to the fact superficially in his conclusion.
Actually things have changed in a subtle way. I would say that despite the coup Thailand is strengthening its democracy: would-be coup makers have to abide by some democratic rules from now on or if they would not they would suffer from a sure backlash.
Besides like often said on this blog we are watching the rise of the “low-so” people: Bangkok welathy and wel-thinking gentry won’t have the lead for ever. There is a shift of power.
All in all it’s not back to square one. Maybe square one plus one fifth of a square (not much more, because those damned makers have given a hard time to the Thai Economy and freedom of speech in Thailand).
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