21 September, 2006
Khaleej Times
THE dramatic political changes in Thailand have understandably come as a huge surprise to Thai people as well as the rest of the world. Yet it is not possible to view the bloodless military coup as entirely unexpected. Given the systemic chaos the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had unleashed on his country, a change had become inevitable.
Without doubt, Thaksin was one of the most successful and popular politicians in Thailand’s recent history. Under his leadership, the Southeast Asian country made huge strides in developing itself as one of Asia’s most formidable economies. Unfortunately, this success and political popularity went to Thaksin’s head. He began to see himself as larger than his country and his job. And he saw people’s mandate in successive elections as the licence to abuse his power.
The casual ruthlessness with which he dealt with the Muslim unrest in the country’s South is a case in point. Nearly 600 young Muslims died in the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the restive south two years ago. Over 1700 people have died over the past two years as part of Thaksin’s attempts to rein in the south.
But Thaksin faced his people’s wrath when he tried against them the tactics he had employed vis-a-vis the minority Muslim community. How unprecedented and relentless countrywide popular protests over huge financial irregularities involving his billion dollar family fortune last year forced the Thai leader to call early elections, and then step down is part of history now. Cleverly though, even after announcing his decision to quit power, Thaksin continued to call the shots.
This is what led to nationwide political unrest and chaos, forcing widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej to intervene and call for restraint and reason. Which is why many see the monarch’s silent blessings behind the army’s overnight coup. This is again why people have greeted the change with ostensible calm and relief. In the end, Thaksin’s series of mistakes and missteps brought on his fall.
Where will Thailand go from here? The Army would do well to stick to its brief: restoration of peace and stability. It should specially reach out to the alienated Muslim south and heal the wounds inflicted by Thaksin. But once an interim government is in place and fresh elections are held, the army will have to return to the barracks sooner than later. This is in the army’s own interest as well as the country’s long term interest and stability. As experience elsewhere in Asia would prove, military intervention can at best be an emergency measure. It can never be a permanent solution.
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