This writer knows next to nothing about Thai politics. His knowledge of the country is also limited. Apart from Bangkok, he has seen Chiang Mai in the north together with the 'Golden Triangle', and Hajai in the south, and practically nothing more.
What is taking place in that country at present, however, drives me to produce something on it. Because it is bound to have some impact upon the other Asian countries. We are particularly concerned if the people of Thailand are paying, and are going to pay, respect to the principles of democracy. The country has a long history of military rule. Between 1973 and 76 there was a short break when citizens and students bought democracy with their blood. A sociologist from Bangkok who came to Japan in '73 to attend the Asian Sociological Conference requested us to stand up and to mourn the dead students. He later became the General Secretary of the Socialist Party, but was assassinated in the broad day-light in a few years' time.
It is beyond our comprehension why both the Government and the opposition seem to be leaning on the shoulders of the military, even now. And why the opposition refuses to take part in the General Elections already announced? If they have demanded democratization of some sort, and the Government has announced Elections in their discretion, they should co-operate with them. All this is none of my business? But yes. Whether there is going to be a military take-over in Thailand in the near future, as there was in Egypt last July, or whether the basic rules of democracy are to be followed, is a matter of vital importance to us and all of Thailand's neighbours. The present situation is as if the opposition is requesting the military to come to their help. Of course the parliamentary democracy may not be omnipotent. But what is the democratic and non-violent alternative they can possibly choose? If the opposition does not want to take part in the Elections because they are not likely to win, what is there to demarcate them from the mere mobs? I hope I am terribly wrong and ignorant.
What is taking place in that country at present, however, drives me to produce something on it. Because it is bound to have some impact upon the other Asian countries. We are particularly concerned if the people of Thailand are paying, and are going to pay, respect to the principles of democracy. The country has a long history of military rule. Between 1973 and 76 there was a short break when citizens and students bought democracy with their blood. A sociologist from Bangkok who came to Japan in '73 to attend the Asian Sociological Conference requested us to stand up and to mourn the dead students. He later became the General Secretary of the Socialist Party, but was assassinated in the broad day-light in a few years' time.
It is beyond our comprehension why both the Government and the opposition seem to be leaning on the shoulders of the military, even now. And why the opposition refuses to take part in the General Elections already announced? If they have demanded democratization of some sort, and the Government has announced Elections in their discretion, they should co-operate with them. All this is none of my business? But yes. Whether there is going to be a military take-over in Thailand in the near future, as there was in Egypt last July, or whether the basic rules of democracy are to be followed, is a matter of vital importance to us and all of Thailand's neighbours. The present situation is as if the opposition is requesting the military to come to their help. Of course the parliamentary democracy may not be omnipotent. But what is the democratic and non-violent alternative they can possibly choose? If the opposition does not want to take part in the Elections because they are not likely to win, what is there to demarcate them from the mere mobs? I hope I am terribly wrong and ignorant.
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