Respect democracy, avoid violence, say scholars

Respect democracy, avoid violence, say scholars

An alliance of senior scholars and activists has emerged to press for an election as well as reforms, saying the country is at risk of civil war.

Ten civil society organisations and 70 individuals from different backgrounds outlined their concerns about the political impasse at a news conference on Friday at Thammasat University.

The group, which calls itself "Two Yes, Two No", opposes a coup and violence and supports abiding by the constitution, electoral rights and reform according to democratic means.

Kasian Tejapira, a Thammasat University political scientist, said he had three messages:

For Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC): stop blowing the whistle and respect the people's rights to vote.

For army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha: speak less, and in particular don't make ambiguous comments about the prospect of a coup.

For caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin: be ready to embark on reform through proper democratic channels since the current government's reform proposal is not a participatory format.

Mr Kasian has proposed the Civic Reform Forum as a marketplace to provide and gather ideas for participatory reform.

"This forum should minimise the need to get out into the streets (to press) for things we want and should commit the politicians to adopt those proposals for the election," said Mr Kasian.

Such an approach, he said, should help address the issues of all concerned. "As long as no more people die, we can still have election and reform alongside and side by side."

Seksan Prasertkul, a former dean of political science at Thammasat University, said no one could guarantee there would be no more coups, but the lesson of the recent past is that a long civil war in as many as 50 provinces has left wounds that have still not healed.

"As an ageing member of society, I don't want Thailand to fall into the trap of loss again," said Mr Seksan. "We still have time, opportunity, and conscience to avoid and avert the conditions that lead up to civil war."

The former student leader from the 1970s said the present violence was more dangerous than before; if there was another military intervention, the scars would be more difficult to heal as diverse groups of people would unleash furious opposition.

"Reform is simply to get a balance within the society. And we can't think [about it] only by looking at the objectives without the means. Democracy itself is a result of reforms from the past," said the retired scholar.

He passionately noted that election was a key component of democracy and Thailand has fought bloodily throughout its history.

"It's a cost that we've already invested. This time we need democracy more than ever as diversity in both interests and ideas has led and will still lead to so many conflicts and at so many levels."

To reconstruct and reform society, everyone needs to be very careful since undemocratic means would not work, he said. The reason is that a consensus would not be possible and any potential clashes would not be worth for the losses.

Without mentioning the Feb 2 election date, he said casting ballots was the starting point to reach a consensus in society.

"But those who organise the election should also listen to the views of others," said Mr Seksan.

Reform, he concluded, needs a democratic framework that is not disturbed by threats of violence and unwarranted power interference.

Srisompob Jitpiromsri, founder of the Center for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity, said the deep South experiences have shown that a safe, neutral public space could help minimise the violence.

"Rights and liberties as well as political reforms could be expedited within the legal and constitutional framework and an election is already the lowest denominator to guarantee the rights of both the majority and the minority," said Mr Srisompob.

Thailand needs democracy, justice and peace, added Mr Srisompob, also the director of Deep South Watch at the Pattani campus of Prince of Songkla University.

Krisakorn Silaraksa, coordinator of the People's Movement for Just Society (P-Move), called on all sides to be tolerant and accommodative.

He observed that the people across Thailand for whom all sides claim to care have already been very patient without benefiting from the ruling Bangkok-based class conflicts.

"We do not believe a fair and sustainable democracy for all can be derived from unconstitutional, violent and bloodthirsty means," said Mr Krisakorn.

Dr Somsak Chunharas of the Thai National Health Foundation, said reform was important, but so was democracy.

"But we must not be complacent and must work toward such a mechanism that is really supportive and inclusive with people's participation," said Dr Somsak.

He said the two reform bodies set up under the Abhisit administration after the violence of 2010 had spent some 70 million baht and came up with a number of great reform proposals.

"What we need now is an executing body to oversee and ensure that the state mechanisms undertake those reform priorities," said Dr Somsak, himself a member of one of the two panels.

He said he would like to see such a council or body set up first to chart tangible steps within half a year before an election later this year.

Chaiwat Satha-Anand, director of the Peace Information Centre at Thammasat University, said he did not think the election could be postponed but the ballots should reflect the voices of those who did not agree with the designated election date or choice of the political parties.

"Thai people should not lose hope about peaceful ways to resolve the crisis. We are humbly proposing a channel to avert violence now," said Mr Chaiwat.

Somkiat Tangkitvanij, president of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), said that whatever the crisis, Thai people still had to live together.

"We cannot just get rid of the other side from the arena. Elections alone cannot reduce violence. Democracy does not mean majority rule only, but the respect of minority voices," said Mr Somkiat.

He called for the current protesters to understand the red-shirt group's grievances about injustice, and for the latter to understand the Bangkok protesters' views on the government's "abuse of power".

Jon Ungphakorn, president of Internet Law for the People president, said he felt now was the most fearful time due to the confrontation between those not wanting an election and those who believe rules need to be respected.

Mr Jon said members of Two Yes, Two No had diverse opinions but shared a common goal of respecting democratic rules to avoid bloodshed.

"Protesters from all colour codes are patriotic and care for society, so why should we not join in the common task of reforming the nation, such as when they came out not agreeing with wholesale amnesty?" he said.

"Why would we walk away from the present rules, which of course are not perfect? Why not help move democracy together," said the former elected Bangkok senator.

The Two Yes, Two No group comprises the Assembly for the Defence of Democracy, Deep South Watch, the Justice for Peace Foundation, P-Move and Midnight University, among others.

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