Slide back into Thai-style democracy would be disastrous

Khun Achara states, “It is beyond my imagination how this rift can be mended when all Thais are eager to proclaim love of their country yet do not know how to love their countrymen.”

They may consider themselves patriotic, but the fact is that they are causing great harm to all Thais and to Thailand itself. The majority believe they are struggling for democracy, when in fact their energies have been spent fighting for the return of what was actually a dictatorship. The country was controlled by one man, his family and their cronies, who floated their self-serving regime on populist policies.

The one system of government that could foster national unity would be true democracy. Thailand claims to be a democracy, but it has never been established here. It is not a perfect system of government, but it does extend the same rights under the law to all citizens regardless of financial or social status. Above all, its system of accountability controls corruption.

Germany and Thailand are two totally different countries. Germany, despite its idiosyncrasies, is an advanced country where discipline is strong. It would take generations for Thailand to emulate this and it would not be in the country’s interest in any event. Immaturity is the main barrier to enlightenment on the road to democracy.

The only way forward, surely, is for the present junta to remain in power for the foreseeable future to ensure peace and stability and continue with the reformation. This at least prevents the country regressing as it otherwise would. 

JC Wilcox