Thai shows peaceful demonstrations can get results

Categories: Wormie Says

Mr Thaksin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, had finally stepped down. What had prompted him to do so is still unclear. What will happen next is also unclear as there are hints that the second largest political party, The Democrat Party, had said that they will boycott the upcoming by-election to fill the 30-odd parlimentary seats, without which the Parliment cannot convene because the constitution dictates that all seats must be filled before a new Parliment can convene.

Whatever the outcome of this saga the Thai people had shown the world in general and Asia in particular that streets demonstrations need not always ends with violence. For the few months after the sales of Thaksin-owned Shin Corp was sold off to Temasek of Singapore, there had been constant streets demonstrations and protests regarding the sales. Charges against Thaksin ranges from betrayal of the Thai people (because Shin Corp controls major telecommunications, satellite and the national airline of Thailand) to corruption (because the two billion dollar deal is tax-exampt) and nepotism. Despite the large turn out, the was hardly any violence. Although the full police force were reported to be on alert, thankfully they do not have to do battle running the streets to control the crowd. This is in marked contrast to the dispute in France where street battles between the police and demonstrators are common. This non-violence demonstrations is a good example for the world to see that peaceful street protests is as, if not more, effective than violent demonstrations.

Secondly, Thai people had shown how common sense can help in time of political crises. At the peak of the crisis, Mr Thaksin called for a snap election hoping to put his position to a 'referendum' of sorts to the Thai people. When the opposition boycotted the snap election, he vowed that he will not be the Prime Minister if he gets less that half of the votes. However come election day, when the results were announced, he won 58% of popular votes. However the city of Bangkok was split down the middle with him 'losing' in the restive south. Probably feeling the sting, he chose to step down (whether the revered Thai King has a hand in the decision is subject to speculations) and appoint an acting interim Prime Minister. By doing so, Mr Thaksin has effectively silenced the opposition who wants to remove him from power and at the same time paved the way for negotiations on Parlimentary changes. His action is in sharp contrast with most countries where elected leaders who refuses to step down even when it is far too clear that the electorates do not support them anymore. Although critics may say this is just a tactical move, at least he took a step back to defuse tensions and reduce the confrontation atmosphere so that condusive dialogues can be held.

Whatever the outcome of this crisis, the Thais had shown the world that peaceful demonstrations can also achieve results. Hopefully, the media will highlight this fact so that the world can learn from the Thais. This episode in the Thai history will only make Thai democracy stronger and put more mature democracies to shame!