Political Crisis in Thailand

1. Political Crisis in Thailand

2. Background • Thaksin was born July 26th, 1949 in Thailand's Chiang Mai province. • His father was involved in national politics until the late 1970's. • Began his career in the police force and briefly dabbled in the arts, marketing a popular romantic drama "Baan Sai Thong."

3. Thaksin’s personal life • Married to PojamanDamapong. The couple has three children: a son, Parnthongtae, and two daughters, Praethongtarn and Pinthongta. • Amassed his multi-billion dollar fortune through telecommunications ventures and through his holdings in Internet, television and mobile phone networks.

4. Become a Politician • Founded the Thai Rak Thai (Thais love Thais) party in 1998, with a populist platform that appealed to rural villagers and farmers. • Elected Prime Minister in 2001 and re-elected by a landslide in 2005. • Joined President George W. Bush's coalition during the invasion of Iraq.

5. It was during his premiership that the Universal Healthcare Program was introduced (30 Baht for all treatments). • He embarked on a massive program of infrastructure investment, including roads, public transit, and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

6. He introduced a highly popular campaign to eliminate rural poverty called “Village Fund” (1 mil. Baht each)”. This campaign was good at the beginning but caused unnecessary debt in long-term.

7. War against Drug • He declared war against drug. It was effective at first but later he was accused of crime against humanity as he ordered to kill more than 3,000 people that may or may not involve in drug business. • This act called “KahTud Torn” literally means “kill to cut off the link”.

8. Abuse of Power • He did not accept the democratic rules of the game, but rather tried to narrow down the public political space, infiltrate the constitutional checks-and-balances system, and control the public access to information regarding the government's performance.

9. This was accompanied by the implementation of a multitude of 'populist' policies that accrued tangible benefits to the great majority of voters. • They repaid Thaksin’s performance at the helm of government with an overwhelming election triumph.

10. Corruption and Cronyism • Thaksin's and the government's credibility has suffered substantially. Whatever big projects the government undertakes, many professional observers would automatically assume that 'conflicts of interest' will lead to benefits for cabinet members and their wide circles of family members and friends at the national, provincial, and local levels.

11. The Bangkok Post (23 December 2005) reflected a widespread impression when it stated that 'cronyism and corruption has been allowed to flourish under this government.'

12. Medias under threat • Thaksin was gaining control over two influential newspapers (Bangkok Post and Matichon) that had often been critical of him and his government. • He finally manipulated some TV and radio, and the intimidation of the Thai-language press, including the buying of shares of the company that owns The Nation, KrungthepThurakit, and Khom Chat Luek, papers that have been very critical of Thaksin.

13. Coup d’etat in 2006 • While Thaksin was in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly meeting on September 19th, 2006, the army entered Bangkok, took control of the government buildings and state radio and television stations.

14. Bloodless Coup: how come? • There is a saying in Thai politics that “Rural people elect government, city people topple them” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9FZ5_9nPjo

15. Still powerful • Despite having his party dissolved and being barred from Thai politics for five years following the coup, Thaksin remains a powerful force in his home country. • Both ex-PM SamakSundaravej and SomchaiWongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law were believed as Thaksin’s puppets.

16. The lengthy political crisis in Thailand, which has continued since 2005, escalated into unconventional protests and sporadic violence in the past several years.

17. Protests have begun since 2008 • In 2008, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or the yellow-shirt protestors stormed into several government offices, including state television station and the Ministry of Finance. • In October 2008, they were dispersed in front of the House Parliament with tear gas caused many injuries and casualties. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KScGC2WO7oQ

18. Government reversed • After PAD seized Bangkok airports for few days, Somchai’s government was deposted by Court’s order for vote-buying committed by his party member. • Although Democrat party was second in order, AbhisitVejjajiva was able to form a government with support of some military figures and the public who anti-Thaksin.

19. The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or pro-Thaksin people pressured PM Abhisit to step down, the Red Shirts intimidated him by surrounding and smashing his cars with sticks and stones in two separate incidents. Police officers reportedly stood by and failed to act. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jk2tFh1jrk • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk2L3TeDuv0

20. In April 2009, the Red Shirts stormed into the Royal Cliff Hotel in Pattaya, the venue for a series of scheduled summits linked to the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). Again, thousands of police and soldiers guarding the hotel failed to prevent the mass invasion. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tBRZMUJApQ&feature=fvsr

21. The incident was immediately followed by a series of violent riots in downtown Bangkok, when Red Shirt extremists blocked many roads, burned public buses, and threatened to blow up propane-loaded trucks. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEVzl3vQm0Y

22. Thaksin’s Strategy • Similarly to Communism, Thaksin has • 1) Political party • 2) Mass people • 3) Armed force

23. The Red Shirts came back to step up their pressures on the anti-Thaksin government in early 2010, demanding immediate parliament dissolution so that a general election could be convened. The Reds believed that the pro-Thaksin party would win a swift election and would resume state power.

24. They then occupied some parts of Rajdamnoen Avenue as their stage, while mobile groups went to protest and to intimidate key government politicians at various government agencies.

25. Importantly, groups of red protestors threateningly poured liters of blood at the Prime Minister Office and also at his private house. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNlAtuFY6ns

26. After months of stand-off, the first clash broke out in April between the red protestors and the military at Rajdamnoen Avenue, resulting in many casualties, including the death of a high-rank military officer and a Japanese news reporter. • It became clear that some armed groups, dubbed as black warriors, were involved in the clash especially targeting at high-rank military officers. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF3YfnPiV-Y

27. Burn the Country! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hzHFg_DryA • Now NuttawutSaikuer is an Assistant Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation • In short, the Red shirt emulated the Yellow shirt but more aggressiveness and violence.

28. After the red leaders surrendered themselves to the police and called off the protests, some furious and unyielding protestors went on rampant and set fire that greatly damaged shopping malls nearby, particularly the Central World Shopping Center. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuCLcjRIbJc&feature=related

29. Over all, the incidents of April and May 2010 consummated in 91 deaths (both civilians, officers, and foreign news reporters) and more than 2,000 people injured. • These dead people were worshipped as heroes and their families got compensation at 7.5 mil. baht from Puer Thai government. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BHrWTyHukk&feature=relmfu

30. Several city halls in provinces were also burned in protest by local reds. It took several days until the situations subsided with the military control. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x3qQ612HY0

31. National Election in 2011 • AbhisitVejjajiva dissolved the parliament in June 2011. • Puer Thai Party (of Thaksin) won the national election and returned to position of power. • This time, Thaksin has his sister YingluckShinawatra to be Prime Minister, which is believed another puppet of him.

32. Unhealthy Socio-Political Culture • 1. The Hierarchical Culture and the Inconsistent Rule of Law • 2. The Lack of Social Sanctions

33. 1) Hierarchical Culture and the Inconsistent Rule of Law • Thaksin’s asset concealment verdict • Right after Thaksin’s landslide election victory in 2001, his assets were not properly declared; some substantial amounts of corporate shares had been notoriously transferred to his maids and drivers. But because of the enormous public supports for Thaksin and hierarchical culture, the Constitutional Court was under pressure in tendering the verdict. This case reveals how the rule of law can be inconsistently applied.

34. Rule of man, not rule of law • Thai society tends to be governed by the rule of man, rather than by the rule of law. • Law enforcement depends much on who you are and who you know. • The higher hierarchical status you are, the more chance you can avoid being subjected to law enforcement.

35. Protect the Monarchy • Thaksin has been believed of overthrowing the Monarch thus created resentment among Thais especially the royalists (yellow shirts). • Some law violation should be allowed, if that action was to protect the monarchy, the highest figure in the hierarchical structure in Thai society.

36. Class System in Thailand

37. Amendment of Article 112 • Article 112 • “Whoever, defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.” • This law is considered as against human rights and freedom of expression. • Anyone can bring the charge of this law(not by the monarch).

38. The King allows criticism • However, the King once said “Actually I must also be criticized. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the King cannot be criticized, it means that the King is not human.”(4 December 2005) • He also said “Anybody bringing the charge of lesemajeste is harming me personally and undermining the monarchy”

39. Police state • As a former police officer, Thaksin has considerably spoiled police and made them to be his fan. In return, police took good care of the Red during their protests. • While the Reds, who tend to come from the lower class, demanded justice in the society, they joined hand with the police who generally hurt them in daily life through arbitrary and discriminate law enforcement against the poor.

40. 2) Lack of Social Sanctions • Without substantial social sanctions among the public, it became easy for corrupt politicians to maintain power and respect. • Criticism or condemnation toward Thai politicians does not pose a big problem for them, because as long as they hold some office or remain in some positions with authority, people will pay them respect any way.

41. Two cultural characteristics • The lack of social sanctions is attributable to a combination of two cultural characteristics, namely authoritarianism and the culture of kreng jai (deterrence and reservedness). • First, authoritarianism in Thailand is very much of the top-down type. • Second, the culture of kreng jai arguably plays a role here.

42. Kreng jai (Deterrence&Reservedness) • For the Japanese, enryomeans refraining themselves not to cause trouble to other people. • For the Thai, it means just minding your own business. • Thus Thais tend to be bystander and keep quiet when someone makes trouble to other persons or to the general public, probably fearing that their interventions may unnecessarily bring them some negative consequences.

43. Misunderstanding in Law of Karma • With misunderstanding in law of karma, Buddhist Thais tend to think those who are suffering caused by their own bad karma. Therefore people should not intervene. • Buddhist Thai believe the corrupt politician will be punished by law of karma, if not by law of the state.

44. Additional Causes • There has always been a temptation among some upper segments in the society to call for extra-parliamentary power to intervene. • Lack of reading habit contributed to low reading rate, which therefore subjected many Thais to manipulated information. • As they did not find information from various sources for themselves, they are vulnerable to one-sided information.

45. Conclusion • Some cultural characteristics of the Thais are detrimental to democracy and political stability; namely hierarchical culture and the lack of social sanctions. • Sadly to say many social sanctions in Thailand (including the Yellow) came in form of protests and often ended up with deaths and injuries.

46. Thaksin: Idol for the Poor • Thaksin became the idol of the poor as he treated them with favor instead of duty. • As a result, many poor people feel indebted to him or greatly appreciated his assistance. • From Thai culture perspective, he made use of the Patronage System.

47. He always said he has never committed anything illegal. This is because he amended the law every time he started doing something for his own or his people benefits. (i.e. sold a state’s satellites(Thai Kom) to a Singapore company)

48. While Thaksin has tried to portray himself through medias as peace-lover, he is well-known as “ man takes revenge”. He once said “If I can’t live in this country, others can’t live either!”

49. Thaksin Reform

50. Ongoing Political Crisis… • Conflicts among Thais: Yellows & Reds: • While the Yellows protect (unstable) monarchy, the Reds protect Thaksin under the name of (unscrupulous) democracy.