We need to be BETTER PREPARED for democracy

Socially and economically, Thailand has come a long way since then. It is now a middle-income country with a large middle-class sector. But, on the political front, we continue to witness dramatic ups and downs. In those 83 years there have been 13 military coups and – since the first constitution was promulgated on December 10, 1932 – 18 more of them. We remain mired in an often-vicious cycle of elections, corruption, protests and clampdowns.

The most recent coups, in 2006 and last year, were staged after elected governments were accused of corruption and abusing their power, both times triggering street protests that ended in mayhem as supporters and detractors of the politicians in power pursued strategies of confrontation. In both cases the coup-makers cited as their rationale the need to prevent further violence and restore peace.

Western countries – notably the big powers Britain, France, the United States, Germany and Italy – took centuries to become “fully democratic”. For many idealists, Western-style democracy should be Thailand’s ultimate goal. Others caution against strictly following in the West’s footsteps, since developing countries like Thailand can instead mould democracy to better suit their historical and cultural traits.

The question remains, however, as to whether Thai society has the political and social culture that can nurture democracy in any form. Perhaps the revolution of 1932 was premature, coming at a time when few Siamese even knew what democracy entailed. Even today, more than eight decades later, our society retains traits that run 

 counter to democratic principles.

Decision-making at the national level is still a top-down affair. The public at large has limited involvement in the process and, even when it does, when elections are held, its choices are often influenced by promises of fast cash or longer-term benefits.

Nor do we have a large segment of the populace that’s fully prepared to live in a democracy. Most people are aware that they have specific rights and liberties guaranteed by law, but too often they forget that they also have responsibilities under the law, such as respecting the rights of their fellow citizens.

It’s to be hoped that the current state of affairs – rule by a military-led government, even as drawn-out as it’s become – is just a hiccough on the road to fully liberal democracy. Political rights and liberties have been restricted under the National Council for Peace and Order, but this is expected to be only temporary. With reforms in place and improved rules in the new constitution, we hope that Thailand’s political development will soon be surging forward like never before, with no fresh roadblocks appearing on the horizon.

In addition to changes to the political structure and system, the “people factor” is crucial to improving our chances. What should also be undertaken are the education of the young as to the benefits and responsibilities of democracy and the encouraging of every citizen to demonstrate democratic traits. The country needs to be better prepared when it returns to the democratic path.

Educating the public and making society more democratically minded might help end the vicious cycle in politics and pave the way forward. It might take several more decades to achieve this goal, but the earlier we start, the closer we are to our destination.