Editorial
Thai government dissolved
But is this any way to practice politics?
THE on-going drama in Thailand has taken a new twist with a constitutional court stripping the prime minister of his post, outlawing the ruling party, and disbanding the government, prompting triumphant anti-government protesters to end their siege of the country's main airport.
However, while it is undoubtedly good news that the siege is over, it would be premature to conclude that the crisis has been brought to an end, as the ruling party has vowed to re-form under a new name and continue to administer the country.
More to the point, we are saddened by the events of the last week in Thailand. It seems to us that taking to the streets and occupying the airport, causing untold damage to the nation, is no way to go about registering one's political grievances. In addition, one cannot help but strongly suspect that the decision of the constitutional court was influenced by the siege, which would certainly be regrettable.
Thailand has remained unstable ever since the army moved against ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra two years ago. Since then, two more prime ministers have now been relieved of office, ostensibly on grounds of corruption and voter fraud, but in reality it seems to be because they were seen as proxies for Thaksin and his banned Thai Rak Thai party, which was unacceptable to his political opponents.
What we are thus seeing in Thailand is a complete break down of the democratic process, with large numbers apparently unwilling to abide by the decision of the people. The fact that Thaksin's power base is rural and poor and that the movement against him is an urban middle class and elite affair is significant.
While the corruption and vote fraud allegations leveled against Thaksin have earned him a conviction, what we find regrettable is the undemocratic means that his opponents are using to get their way.
The prognosis for Thailand is thus not good. When a large section of the electorate is unwilling to accept the will of the people and willing to go to extreme lengths in order to bring down a democratically elected government, the democratic compact, if you will, has been broken. Democracy can only work when those who lose elections are willing to abide by the result.
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