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Insight, on 2012-02-13 12:32:59, said:
whybother, on 2012-02-13 12:03:03, said:
NxaiPan, on 2012-02-13 10:39:17, said:
two thoughts spring to mind...
Firstly if Thaksin did not exist would posters on this topic still be so keen on the military's existing legal right top stage a coup whenever it suits? Is this just Thai-style flawed democracy?
<snip>
Firstly if Thaksin did not exist would posters on this topic still be so keen on the military's existing legal right top stage a coup whenever it suits? Is this just Thai-style flawed democracy?
<snip>
What "military's existing legal right to stage a coup"?
The interim constitution made the actions of 2006 coup legal (after the fact). It says nothing about future coups.
But realistically, it's irrelevant if coups were legal or not. That wouldn't stop them. Would you really expect someone to perform a coup and then say "Arrest me, I broke the law"?
Let's not forget the only reason the tanks rolled was because of the complete disrespect law and order shown by the ruling, and then caretaker party - Thai Rak Thai.
The military where again required in the streets during the red shirt riots of 2009 and 2010, when the police force tasked with enforcing the law were completely unwilling to perform their duties effectively. 2010 was made all the more tragic by the presence of an armed militia, clearly tasked with assisting the red shirts.
Bottom line is to strengthen the judicial system and apply it fairly across the board, otherwise military intervention will likely be a key facet in Thai politics going forward. Can we trust Phua Thai to strengthen the judicial system as required?
Of course we can't.
Quote
A History of Thailand 2nd Edition pg 270
... Although coups seem common in Thailand, this was the first time in almost 50 years that a coup carried out by driving tanks into the capital had been a success. Although the operation went smoothly, there had been struggles in advance. The coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, had become army chief in 2005 after the king had refused to confirm Thaksin's candidate for the post. in the three months before the coup, Sonthi transferred over a hundred unit commanders in order to reduce the influence of Thaksin's allies. The tanks were not there as decoration.
... Although coups seem common in Thailand, this was the first time in almost 50 years that a coup carried out by driving tanks into the capital had been a success. Although the operation went smoothly, there had been struggles in advance. The coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, had become army chief in 2005 after the king had refused to confirm Thaksin's candidate for the post. in the three months before the coup, Sonthi transferred over a hundred unit commanders in order to reduce the influence of Thaksin's allies. The tanks were not there as decoration.
This account points to a different reason to have the tanks in BKK for the coup.
