White knights in Bangkok

: Many erratic moves have been orchestrated under the pretence of democracy, and the current political crisis in Thailand is a case in point. The elected Government of Samak has been overturned, and a new prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, has been appointed. In 75 years of independence, Thailand has seen 18 constitutions, with several brief democratically elected governments and corresponding interregnums of military rule. The current political crisis is an extension of the previous policies of the People’s

Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra’s government.

There were claims that Thaksin’s government was corrupt; allegations were made and charges levelled against Thaksin and his wife, Potjaman. Paramount among these allegations was the nature of the sale of the Shinawatra family’s shares of Shin Corporation (a Thai telecommunication conglomerate) to Singapore-based Temasek Holdings. Allegations included tax evasion and exemption; however, due to the nature and changes of the Thai constitution, their legality can be questioned. This sale rubbed up against the preferred policies of the hyper-nationalists — the “old elites” — of Bangkok society, who viewed Thaksin’s populist economic policies and attempts at decentralising power as a threat to their traditional leadership role, a challenge to the status quo. They arranged for a consortium of cronies to take to the streets — the PAD. The result was another military government, a new constitution, which replaced the 1997 constitution, which had been generally heralded as the most democratic constitution thus far. However, what is often not mentioned is the deep support from rural Thailand for Thaksin’s policies, support based on results — World Bank estimates are that during Thaksin’s tenure poverty fell from 21.3 per cent in 2001 to 11.3 per cent in 2004, and farming incomes rose by around 40 per cent.

Following the collapse of military rule further elections were held, and a “proxy” to Thaksin under the People Power Party (PPP) took office. The PAD, which abandoned activities after Thaksin’s fall, once again took to the streets. The PAD is a group of royalist businessmen, intellectuals, academics, and activists from Bangkok who want to maintain the current status quo. Opposed to foreign investment and trade-led development in Thailand, they have consistently challenged economic policies that would improve public welfare. The demands of the PAD under the “new politics” are undemocratic and regressive, arguing for “reform” of the electoral system which would restrict national suffrage to those who are “educated and...