generalspeaking

Thailand's Anguish

Thailand's problems seem to be raging over a wider geographic area than simply the capital Bangkok alone. The unrest and discontent and downright resolve to bring down the government appears to be spreading. Which is likely why the government is now adamant that it will brook no further attempts by the 'red shirts' to offer a pause in the violent proceedings, so that the matter could be discussed in a more civil manner.

Since the government knows that its opponents will not be satisfied until they achieve some measure of accommodation toward their grievances, and the government is decidedly unwilling to relent in its determination to utterly squash the protests, it does not really look as though the country will come out of this situation with the government appearing to be one dedicated to human rights and entitlements of all its citizens.

With the government giving permission to the military to consider an area of the national capital a "live fire zone", to enable troops to gain control of the situation, it looks as though government really does no longer care how their actions look to the international community, let alone their own citizens. And the current government has no wish to permit any kind of foreign intervention.

Since the protests began in March over 1,6000 civilians have been wounded, well over 60 demonstrators killed.

The anti-government 'red shirts' are determined to have another, free and fair election. One that the ruling government forces will not convert into an opportunity for them to resume business as usual, by disallowing competing political candidates to stand for office, as was done previously.

In the current violent melees, police officers themselves have turned against the military, in support of the protesters. It has even been reported that the army might be resisting its government's insistence on a full-bore assault on its opposition. Does that not bode ill for the government?

Which claims it governs in a fully democratic manner? Despite coming to power through a coup in 2006? Throwing Thaksin Shinawatra out of office, a head of state who brought the country to prosperity, paying off its debts. He was charged with corruption, and his opponents took undemocratic steps to unseat him.

There's something fundamentally, dramatically wrong with a nation where the urban elite and the rural poor are at a deeply divided crossroads.

And the divided loyalties seen between the security services should signal something important to the government.

Labels: Human Relations, Human Rights, Political Realities, World News

posted by Pieface @ Monday, May 17, 2010