The final struggle is yet
to come - translated and summarized from Krungtep Turakit; Column: ‘Kluenwai’ article;
Author: Pracha Burapawithee, April 25, 2008
A new round has just begun in the long-running fight between the
People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the current government as led
by the People Power Party. This fight reminds me of the sentiments
expressed in the patriotic anthem called ‘L’Internationale’, which was
sung by the French proletariat during its fight for the Commune of
Paris in 1871.
A recent column in Krungthep Turakit [date unspecified] stated,
“Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the final struggle to fend off the
ascendancy of the ‘internationale’ in our country”. The columnist was
discussing the PAD’s recent moves to begin a new round of mass protests
- in its attempt to encourage some sectors of Thai society to oppose
the PPP-led government’s proposed constitutional revisions. PAD is also
attempting to thwart the possible return of ‘Thaksinism’ to the
political arena - a movement that it believes runs contrary to this
country’s development of a democratic system. The ‘Special Thailand
Watch’ seminar, recently organized by the PAD, marks the beginning of
another round of mass action in its stubborn fight to resist the
increasing power of the current government.
The PPP-led government is now pushing ahead with its agenda to rewrite
the entire 2007 Constitution, in the hope that it will assist former
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - and his wife Potjaman - to counter
lawsuits that have been filed against them with allegations of
corruption.
Thaksin is currently busy with his merit-making activities, with a PR
campaign that includes a personal pilgrimage to a large number of
Buddhist temples in Northern Thailand. He has also established the
House No. 111 Foundation, in addition to the ‘good deeds’ he continues
to perform for his long-established Thai Com Foundation. The House No.
111 Foundation is likely to become a new home for some banned
politicians of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party - including
Sudarat Keyurapan, Pongthep Thepkanjana and
Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn.
Meanwhile, there are other pro-Thaksin groups beginning to stir. Among
the most prominent of these groups is the movement that was formerly
known as the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD). Another
significant group contains a number of former TRT Party members under
the leadership of Thaksin’s close aide Newin Chidchob. Both groups are
already well-prepared to demonstrate their support for the deposed PM,
if any major political showdown comes to pass. The pro-Thaksin group
led by Pracha Sobdee seems unlikely to play such a strong role as the
DAAD and the ‘Newin’ groups.
As for the possibility of another coup, I wish to comment that the real
power is still very much in the hands of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) -
which will play the final card in any major dispute that arises between
the two current political factions. A confidential source has recently
provided information that suggests that another coup might possibly
occur - but that the decision to run such a coup would depend on the
sentiments of two powerful cliques in the Royal Thai Police and the
RTA. One of these cliques supports former PM Thaksin, and is in favor
of destroying the 2007 Constitution. The other clique has fallen into
disfavor as a result of a widespread public sentiment that the
September 19 Coup (of 2006) failed in its objectives. The latter group
might possibly wish to stage another coup along the same lines as the
abortive 1951 Manhattan Coup (staged by some elements of the Royal Thai
Navy), the (aforementioned) September 19 Coup, or the Kabot Senathikarn
Rebellion (as attempted by certain elements in the RTA’s General Staff).
Some political pundits are warning the public to keep a very close eye
on the current political situation. They see possible connections
between recent attempts to disgrace the Privy Council President (and
Statesman) Gen. Prem Tinasulanonda and last week’s initiation of a
‘lèse majesté’ case against a young man alleged to have
refused to stand to attention - as a sign of respect to HM the King -
during the playing of the Royal Anthem at a movie theater. Nobody would
seriously doubt Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s loyalty to the Thai
monarchy. Indeed, it is said that PM Samak has already issued orders
that this case should be handled discreetly. I would say, however, that
a Democrat Party-led government would have undoubtedly handled this
case in a much more sensible manner.
The final struggle is yet to come
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