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Published on December 3, 2007

Thailand has come to a very strange and delicate juncture. While we condemn the developments regarding a "secret" Council for National Security (CNS) order allegedly targeting the People Power Party (PPP), we don't want the likes of Chaturon Chaisang to make too much noise about their political plight, which is the consequence of the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai party. The reason is simple: the return to democracy requires the strong, independent presence of the PPP, and to achieve that requires a great balancing act.

The CNS has told the Election Commission (EC) that its "order" describing the PPP as part of the old power clique was an action protected under the interim charter. This means that the EC cannot investigate the issue unless its commissioners decide to be defiant, which is unlikely. The development has further clouded the pre-election atmosphere after the PPP's outcry raised doubts as to whether all political parties would be competing on a level playing field.

The CNS must keep a lower profile and not even try to interfere with the coming election. After all the clampdowns on Thaksin Shinawatra and his close associates, as well as his old political party, the PPP has emerged as an absolutely legitimate political force, albeit one comprising, or being supported by, many people who still admire the ousted leader. The CNS' pledge to return Thailand to a "better" democracy will be betrayed if it fails to recognise this truth.

Meanwhile, maybe it's time Chaturon and a few other former Thai Rak Thai veterans cut their losses and moved on. Stung by the prohibition from engaging in campaign activities, the formerly articulate Chaturon has been raising a hue and cry about the ruling against the 111 banned party executives, himself included. While he has looked like someone advancing a crusade for political freedom, there's also the strong impression that he's doing it for himself, and because of the personal vendettas involved. The debate spearheaded by Chaturon has degenerated into a side show of the December 23 election.

When personal bitterness clouds one's judgement, any noble agenda can be muddied. Worse, it can be exploited by opportunists out there waiting to zero in on the PPP. It is not that surprising, therefore, that even the PPP appears to be distancing itself from this battle. For his own sake, and for that of the country's smooth transition back to democracy, Chaturon should grit his teeth and carry on instead of trying to make his own personal pain a national issue.

The Election Commission did not hand down its legal opinions concerning the election law as a reprisal against Chaturon or the "111". The gist of its ruling simply stated that the 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives were penalised and banned from holding a party executive position for five years. The punishment was part of the Constitution Tribunal's sentencing after their party was convicted of electoral fraud and dissolved.

The five-year ban was prescribed by the suspended 1997 constitution and its organic laws. Chaturon and other political reformers had been in agreement on such a punishment. The EC cited the ban, warning that if the 111 were to make campaign speeches under the pretext of acting in advisory positions, rival candidates and parties might find cause to dispute the ballot results, thus creating fresh uncertainty in Thai politics and resulting in the bumpy road back to democracy becoming even longer.

There are two very subtle issues to consider here. The first is the question of whether it is fair for the 111 to be subject to such a ban. The second is the need to immunise the PPP against legal actions or clampdowns that would put Thailand's return to democracy in a bad light. In other words, and although this sounds rather harsh for Chaturon, Thai democracy needs the PPP more than it needs him. The December 23 election is the path back to democratic rule. The crucial issue is how to move the country forward following two years of turmoil. The fate of one man, or the plight of 111, is worthy of sympathy and should receive due attention, but should not be blown out of proportion so as to put the electoral process in jeopardy.

To get the CNS out of the way, the likes of Chaturon and the outspoken PPP leader Samak Sundaravej need to help. As for the CNS, it's more crucial than ever before that it stay out of the democratic process. It's their moment of truth, as simple as that.