Op-Ed Contributors

Thailand under pressure to end chaos

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-20 07:45

Never has Thailand been so scrutinized under the global microscope. The country is being seen as a failed state by the international community, especially because of the government's inability to enforce law and order over the past two months. With the 24-hour TV networks and online media constantly focused on the street violence, Thailand is no longer just dealing with the Thai public but the whole world. Whatever happens in Thailand is instantaneously transmitted around the world. In most cases, no reports or echoes outside Thailand has been positive to the country's image and international standing.

Indeed, after the violence on April 10 that left 25 people dead, there has been an outcry from the international community, especially regional and international human rights organizations, on the use of force against anti-government (red-shirt) protesters. Since then, the government has been on the defensive.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been very clear that his government will not fire at its own people, and has repeatedly assured everyone that strict rules of engagement will be enforced throughout the campaign to dislodge the protesters from key positions in the capital. But in the conflict zones, confusion has reigned and all hell has broken loose.

Militant elements among the protesters have de-linked from the main encampment easily because of well-coordinated and detailed strategies. If one goes through the interviews given by the red-shirt leaders and key politicians supporting them earlier this year, one would find their comments very revealing because they predicted that bloodshed and guerrilla tactics would be used to bring the whole country to a halt. The aim is clear: To destroy the current administration. This is done not for the sake of democratic development.

It is understandable why the international community and human rights organizations are so concerned with the political crisis in Thailand - which used to be a poster child for democracy some two decades ago. Obviously, this country has serious social problems, especially the widening of the income gap between the haves and have-nots and other issues. But the government in power must be able to get an opportunity to deal with these issues.

Thailand is not a failed state. The UN Development Programme and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security recently released a report on the progress toward human security in Thailand. It was a good report. A failed state would not have a comprehensive human security agenda for its citizens. One of the most important items on the national agenda is to improve the quality of the political system so that it can address the ongoing political conflict. At the moment, Thai democracy lacks a dispute settlement procedure that would address the social problem of inequity.

The next few days will be pivotal in demonstrating whether Thailand is a country that is in need of international assistance. Several international mediators have shown interest in helping break the impasse. They must allow the government to do its job first. So far, it has shown a good sense of responsibility in trying to protect and avoid further bloodshed. Indeed, it is due to this overcautious approach that it has been perceived as weak and ineffective.

The Nation (Thailand) / Asia News Network

(China Daily 05/20/2010 page9)