Column – The Thai Tug of War: Democracy on the Elastic Band
Behind the smiling facades of temples and beaches lies a political game full of intrigue. Generals, politicians and powerful businessmen dominate a play in which democracy seems to be an illusion. The call for change is getting louder, but is repeatedly stifled by a powerful establishment. Thailand remains a country of contrasts: enchanting and frustrating at the same time.
'A silent struggle for freedom in the streets of Bangkok'
Fon, a young student, is about to cross a border. As sirens come her way, she feels fear and anger boiling inside her, a burning desire to defy the system that has silenced her for generations. For the first time, she realizes that her ideals are stronger than the threat hanging over her.
The influence of the military on Thai society
Thailand's parliamentary elections will be held on May 14. The reign of General Prayut, who came to power in a coup d'état in 2014, may then come to an end. On social media, it can be read that the Thai people will not tolerate another coup against a democratically elected government. Nevertheless, the chance of a new coup by the military is considerable. In this article we therefore look at the influence of the army and the military on Thai society.
On August 16, the organization 'Thai Lawyers for Human Rights' published an interview with a 13-year-old girl, nicknamed 'Pink', who campaigns for an equal and just society and is therefore seen as a threat to the 'national safety'.
My view of a positive Thailand (readers' submission)
My view of Thailand begins in this century and a decade or so in the last century. The men who can book twice that amount in years, I suspect, often have a different insight, or get stuck too much in their overall picture.
Election related agencies need to be reviewed
In 1997 Thailand got a new Constitution that is still seen as the best ever. A number of organizations were set up to supervise the proper functioning of the democratic process. In an op-ed in the Bangkok Post, Thitinan Pongsudhirak describes how the coups d'état of 2006 and 2014 with new Constitutions also placed other individuals in these organizations, individuals loyal only to the powers that be the ruling authorities, thus damaging democracy .
Chadchart Sittipunt's landslide victory in Bangkok's gubernatorial election was the result of strategic voting by pro-democracy supporters, and will be repeated in the next national election, according to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
How a wreath-laying was seen as an illegal act of resistance
The day after the 1947 coup, a teacher made the front page of a newspaper. It was December 10, 1947, Constitution Day, when this man came to lay a wreath at the Democracy Monument. That led to his arrest and made the front page of the Siam Nikorn (สยามนิกร, Sà-yǎam Níe-kon) newspaper. The headline read: “Man arrested for laying wreath”. Here is a short translation of this event.
Let love conquer every form of dictatorship
In what ways can you be separated from your loved one? Death? The prison? Or by disappearing without a trace? Min Thalufa's partner was deprived of his freedom by the authorities at the end of September, without the right to bail. This letter is a rallying cry she sent to her sweetheart in Bangkok Remand Prison. She hopes he will have the opportunity to read it.
Asia is said by many to have unique cultural values of which authoritarian leadership is a natural part. However, democracy is not something introduced to Thailand by the West. No, it is the result of a complex interplay of local traditions in Thai village society as well as foreign influences. Let's take a closer look at why democracy is not specifically Western.
Dangerous children's books, ministry "concerned"
At the end of September, the Ministry of Education announced that they had launched an investigation into children's books about pro-democracy groups. In October, the ministry said at least 5 of the 8 booklets "may incite violence". Prachatai English spoke to primary school teacher Srisamorn (ศรีสมร), the woman behind the books.
In Thailand, once the best boy in the class, things are now, in my opinion, very wrong. In the 2014s, Thailand was the country in Southeast Asia that underwent the most profound democratic reforms. But after the military coup in May XNUMX, censorship and repression followed.
At a demonstration in Bangkok on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road against the Prayut government yesterday, 33 people were injured and 22 demonstrators were arrested. Police used a water cannon and containers had been placed to prevent pro-democracy protesters from marching to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha's residence on Sunday evening.
Protesters continue as Prayut ignores deadline to leave
Anti-government protesters say they are continuing to demonstrate after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ignored the deadline to resign.
Thailand's future is at stake
When General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his allies seized power in 2014, they promised to bring about national reconciliation, but the divisions in society have worsened.
Tens of thousands of Thai protest against the government in Bangkok
Yesterday there was another massive anti-government demonstration in the Thai capital. In recent months, tens of thousands of Thais have regularly taken to the streets to demand reforms. They want a new constitution, demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut and advocate reform of the royal family.
Has Prayut been reprimanded?
Are there changes afoot in Thailand? I myself am not well versed in Thai politics and my main sources of information are Thailandblog and Bangkok Post, so I cannot answer the question myself. But something has happened in the past few months that surprised me.
Thousands of Thais demand democracy and monarchy reform
An estimated 20.000 protesters gathered in Bangkok yesterday. This made this protest one of the largest ever held in Thailand. The protesters will continue their actions today. They demand a new constitution and an end to the military-dominated government. There was also a call for a reform of the monarchy, a loaded subject in the country.
Despite the government's attempts to obscure it as much as possible, you could hardly miss it, especially in recent weeks and days: the ever-widening wave of protests for more democracy in Thailand.
Demonstrations at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok
This month there were several demonstrations, mainly by students, at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. The largest meeting was on August 16.
Strange that there is so much news about Belarus at the moment, while the same is happening in Thailand. Demonstrations for democracy.
What would be the reason? Interests far away?
Open letter to Prime Minister Prayut
First of all, I hope that someone can translate this letter to you into Thai. The reason I stand in solidarity with the youth demonstrators is that, unlike politics, human rights is something that cannot be discussed. Regardless of political views, whether conservative or liberal, moral and ethical obligations cannot be denied to your compatriots.