Military must heed voice of Thai people
Thailand's ruling generals promised that a return to democratic government would begin with Sunday's legislative elections. With that initial pledge fulfilled and the choice of Thais now known, the military must prepare to return to barracks so that the nation's people can again govern themselves.
This may be a bitter pill for the military to swallow. The leader they overthrew in their coup and sent into exile, Thaksin Shinawatra, has triumphed by proxy through the People Power Party (PPP), the political group set up by his allies after his Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved in May. Thais gave overwhelming support to the party, assuring it of several dozen more seats in the new parliament than the Democrats, the grouping that had won the generals' backing. The PPP did not win a majority of seats, however, so bargaining has begun to form a coalition government. Efforts to woo smaller parties are under way and either side could take power. Weeks could pass before the new government takes office.
The process has to be allowed to take its natural course. Thais have been promised democracy and this can only come about through the military and other interest groups taking a back seat. Crucial to ensuring that this happens is the clean and fair oversight of the Electoral Commission. Through its even-handed and transparent settling of electoral disputes, the right tone can be set for the return of civilian rule.
Only with Thais governing themselves through leaders dedicated to their welfare can inroads be made into the problems the nation faces. High on that list is the Muslim insurgency in the country's southern provinces, but there are also nationwide issues such as the growing gap between the rich and poor, equitable health care and a slowing economy. There is also the divide between the people of Bangkok and those in rural areas, a split clearly defined at the ballot box by the latter's staunch support for the PPP and Thaksin. This is the reason for the political atmosphere being so heavily charged and why politicians and the military have to exhibit the same calm and responsibility shown by Thais through months of uncertainty.
To put self-interest or favour ahead of the people of Thailand can easily lead to the political in-fighting and gridlock that preceded the coup in September last year. The protests that brought life in Bangkok to a standstill prompted the military to sack the government, impose emergency rule, charge Thaksin with corruption and throw out and rewrite the constitution. While the coup was illegal, there was good reason for some Thais to be disenchanted with Thaksin's prime ministership. His policies eroded civil and human rights and freedoms, putting the country's young democracy in jeopardy. He and his supporters should, in such circumstances, give careful forethought to his return to Thailand from exile in Britain.
The most pressing matter, though, is for the Election Commission to deal fairly with the allegations before it of electoral fraud and corruption. When these have been settled and a parliament has been created, the way will be clear for formation of a government. Throughout, there has to be calm and level-headedness by all concerned.
Democracy is the only way ahead for Thailand and the restoration process has to be given solid foundations. The Thai people have shown their longing for this right through a high election turnout. They have chosen their representatives. Their desires and aspirations must now be respected through the road to democracy being faithfully followed.
