Commentary: Rama 9’s ends justify the means to stall democracy

2005 PM Thaksin once Sondhi's best PM in Thailand was seated on the usual seat for royalty on occassion at Wat Keo ,which Sondhi's PADSY mouth accused him of wanting to unseat monarchy. Libelous effort was to imcrimnate Thaksin in whim of hatred lese majeste laws.

By Kok Sap- 29 November 2008

Likely Rama 9 was used by Prem Tinsulanonda to undermine people power and mandates. It was known that Thaksin did not get along with General Prem who is usually over reaching in politics. Prem is King Privy Council President and intimate confidant.

 

May be that’s why Prem is convincing the King to endorse PAD in toppling current government. That way he whitewashes his dangerous plot against populist Thaksin Shinawatra. Other hand Thaksin and family are banished from Thailand forever.

From 2007 election, the winning People Power Party and its coalition had never been given opportunity to govern the country without obstacles. Two prime ministers and three foreign ministers in less than 6 months. Now the economy is depressed. People are in fear. Thailand enters the war with Cambodia. The serious troubles are imminent for country and monarchy.

In early September 2006, Thai police arrested five army officers, all members of Thailand’s counter-insurgency command, after intercepting one of the officers with a bomb in a car allegedly targeting the prime minister’s residence. Three of the suspects were released after the coup.

 In Thailand recent history under Thaksin government, the rural seemed enjoying the equality, political, and welfare rights. They have confidence in themselves and take stance against the extremists and right wing clingers. They are angry at the coup plotters who infringed their rights and government. The rural supports for Thaksin and current government threaten the monarchy institution and its beneficiaries greatly.

Prem, 2006 Coup d’Etat Mastermind

Many causes of 2006 coup were identified, both by the junta as well as by independent observers. Initial reasons stated by the junta were the Thaksin government’s alleged creation of an “unprecedented rift in society”, corruption, nepotism, interference in independent agencies, and insults to the King. Later reasons stated by junta leaders included Thaksin’s alleged vote buying, plans to provoke violence, and weakening of the military.

From the independent analysts, the coup was otherwise due to personal conflicts between Thaksin and King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The coup (masterminds Prem, Surayud, Sonthi) did not want Thaksin in a position to exert influence on the passing of the Chakri Dynasty mantle to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. The coup was due to class conflicts between the rural poor and the urban elites. Also the coup hedged unpatriotic of Thaksin conciliatory policy toward Pattani insurgency. 

 

Royal endorsement is critical to establishing legitimacy for military rebellions – every successful coup over the past 60 years have been endorsed by Bhumibol. The only two in 1981 and 1985 against his friend,Prem, government were unendorsed by him.

The new rulers after September 19, 2006 were King personal friends,General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and General Surayud Chulanont.Under the junta rule, there were rampant corruptions and internal manipulations. In early 2008, the military and their special investigation team comprising of political opponents of Thaksin could not find any evidence supporting the corruption accusation.

To date with royal palace green light, PAD –Democrat are insistent on Thaksin being a traitor and a corruptive official. The understanding was that Sondhi Limthongkul was once Thaksin Protégé then turned personal enemy over sour business deals. With the royal signal, Sondhi is ever more belligerent in endangering Thailand.

The current parliament and government offices are held hostage by PAD-Democrat’s doing since August. In appearance, their actions are grounded for treason and incitation of anarchy. Heraclitus said,” day by day what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny.”

In Thailand drama, King Rama 9 may end up paying for his doings to infringe democracy and people rights. After all he’s a man first. By all means men and women are created equal and endowed with alienable rights to pursue life, liberty and happiness. It has been 76 years, Thailand has not been granted full human rights yet. People are getting weary of elitism and special interests. The outside world is pity for Thailand cry for true democracy.