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The Nation, March 27, 2012 1:00 am
The unqualified faith in democratic principles and the confidence in our police and public prosecutor in taking the Ratchadapisek land deal to court without the necessity of a coup is admirable but somewhat too optimistic.
In textbooks, democracy has always been emphasised as the best form of government. However, democracy can be manipulated and become dictatorial.
A parliamentary dictatorship or "elective dictatorship" as coined by Lord Hailsham reflects our 2006 situation well, since the opposition under the then constitution could not call for a no-confidence vote on the prime minister because of his command of a super-majority in Parliament. Challenges were not viewed kindly then.
Henceforth, the threat of a coup can be an effective check on the thought of any Thai government in forcing measures that are despicable and unpalatable down the throats of Thai citizens. Only when Thai politicians know their limits, then the Army will not have just cause to move tanks to an intersection, and tanks would not be surrounded by jubilant crowds.
Songdej Praditsmanont
The unqualified faith in democratic principles and the confidence in our police and public prosecutor in taking the Ratchadapisek land deal to court without the necessity of a coup is admirable but somewhat too optimistic.
In textbooks, democracy has always been emphasised as the best form of government. However, democracy can be manipulated and become dictatorial.
A parliamentary dictatorship or "elective dictatorship" as coined by Lord Hailsham reflects our 2006 situation well, since the opposition under the then constitution could not call for a no-confidence vote on the prime minister because of his command of a super-majority in Parliament. Challenges were not viewed kindly then.
Henceforth, the threat of a coup can be an effective check on the thought of any Thai government in forcing measures that are despicable and unpalatable down the throats of Thai citizens. Only when Thai politicians know their limits, then the Army will not have just cause to move tanks to an intersection, and tanks would not be surrounded by jubilant crowds.
Songdej Praditsmanont