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THAILAND: HOW TO MAKE IT FIT FOR DEMOCRACY
- By: vonnes voranaiv
- Published: 21/06/2009 at 09:17 AM
On May 21, a woman barged into Government House and confronted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as he was giving an interview to the press. The woman, Anusakorn Coksherval, 43, charged the prime minister with neglecting the people in favour of playing politics.
The startled prime minister denied the charges, saying he had always put the people first. To which, she retorted: ``Not true!''
She angrily continued her barrage on self-serving political culture, politicians bickering over the constitution and personal/party interests. She added that her five-year-old daughter had been getting a poor education from a state school. Free schooling or not, a bad education is a bad education. So bad that she had taken her daughter out of school and attempted to enroll her in a private school. However, she lacks the funds for private school tuition, and bank loans have too many restrictions. She said she contacted the prime minister's office for assistance earlier that day, but was told to submit a written plea and return in 60 days to follow up _ which she could not accept.
Mrs Anusakorn also made the accusation that all of Thailand's governments were alike _ conniving, self-serving and never caring for the people. She said a few years back hospitals would not accept her 30-baht medical care card. She pleaded with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but was ignored.
Following last week's ``Thailand, unfit for Democracy?'' commentary, many readers _ especially Thais _ have written to ask: ``What then can be done?''
Last week's column examined the subservient aspects of Thai culture (kowtowing, accepting, never questioning) and how it works against the concept of democracy that requires the populace to be vigilant, to stand up and to speak out, which is culturally considered rude and inappropriate. It concluded that ``old dogs'' will one day fade away and ``new pups'' will rise _ that come what may, culture evolves and change is possible.
But how are we to ensure that new pups won't turn out like old dogs? If a 170cm, 100kg man cannot fit into a pair of size 32 trousers, what does he do? Adopt a strict dieting and exercising regiment so that one day he'll fit into the trousers. Likewise, for Thai culture to be conducive to democracy, we have to take measures to make it ``fit''. Here's a suggestion for the first step to getting fit.
Regarding Mrs Anusakorn, the old culture might cry: ``How could she talk to the prime minister like that?'' ``So rude!'' ``So inappropriate!''
Such a cultural attitude is detrimental to democratic development. We need to instill in new pups, the new generation's culture, and even nature, that Mrs Anusakorn's action at Government House was heroic. Here's a woman brave enough, who cares enough, to stand up and speak out _ on behalf of the Thai people in general and her daughter in particular.
She stood up and spoke out in front of everyone _ the prime minister, the press, the cameras, the security _ everyone! Barring an angry mob, how many of us have the guts, the resolve, to confront the PM, politicians, or men in tight uniforms, in such a way?
The answer is very few, unless daddy has a feared surname. Why? Because of our subservient culture, we have a misconception about the government-people role. We actually think the government is our boss, our lord and master, to be feared and blindly obeyed. Not true.
Here's a question: What does the prime minister and the Burmese girl who cooks, does laundry and cleans the average Thai household have in common? That's right _ they both work for us. They're both our employees. They both are our servants. In a democracy, the government is the ``servant of the people''. For Thailand to get fit and strong for democracy, this is what the average Thai must learn and appreciate.
We don't need to bend over for a member of parliament any more than we do for the person who cleans our toilet. It is ridiculous to treat people who take a salary from us (through taxes) as our lord and master. We, the people, are the boss, while those in expensive suits and tight uniforms work for us.
In an office meeting that is full of bickering and self-serving connivance, the (good) manager would put the ``smack-down'' on everyone. Likewise, if anyone has been watching the circus they call the government loan bill debate on TV, then you should march into your local MP's office, pound your fist on his/her desk and ask: ``Is this what I'm paying you for? I might as well pay to watch a monkey do a striptease!'' Well okay, that may be a little too drastic.
What should we do? In any dealings with politicians, civil servants or men in tight uniforms, we have to be firm, yet polite and respectful (after all, there are wonderful aspects to the Thai culture). But above all else, assert our role as the boss, as well as our rights as citizens. Behave like we are the ones who own the country, which is as it should be in a democracy.
No doubt there are naysayers who will cry: ``This is Thailand! This can never be done!'' Well, they can sit in a corner, suck their thumbs and whine among themselves or on internet forums. They are of no consequence to society _ but those of us who are willing to make changes are.
Mrs Anusakorn is only one ordinary citizen, not to mention poor. Yet she has the courage. Just think of what democratic dreams may come if a few million more of us are demanding and vigilant with our employees.
Here are some examples of how an average citizen can behave like the boss in a democracy and assert his/her rights:
Example A: A police checkpoint flags down a car at midnight.
Policeman: Please step out of your car to take a breathalyser test.
Citizen: Sorry sir, but no. I know my rights. You can't submit me to the test without first having my permission. If you insist on this course, I shall have to take it up with a lawyer and my local MP. Now sir, I thank you for looking after the welfare of us, the people. But as your boss, may I suggest that you patrol those dark sois where crimes are rampant instead. I bid you good night and good luck.
Example B: Increasing the military's budget.
Military: We need a gazillion more baht to fight our enemies!
Citizen: Sir, respectfully, we have already given you 40 billion baht to buy an aircraft carrier, the Chakri Narubet, to sail the vast ocean, protecting Thailand's far-flung empire that stretches from the Isle of Man to the Cape of Good Hope. But dear sir, since we don't actually have a far-flung empire, the ship only floats in Sattahip like a museum. Also, we have given you nearly 200 million baht to buy armoured cars to combat protestors carrying sticks and sling shots. Sir, the military has done a wonderful and courageous job of protecting Thailand. But at this moment, there are tens of thousands who have lost their jobs and homes; many don't even have enough food to eat. Dear sir, as your boss, let's take care of them first.
Example C: Political mission.
Prime Minister: Let's have an Asean summit in Phuket!
Citizen: Dear sir, perish the thought. You're borrowing 800 billion baht just to keep the entire country afloat. Hosting an Asean summit is expensive, and it has already cost the people nearly 200 million baht in armoured cars to protect Asean leaders. Respectfully sir, you have done a wonderful job for Thailand. But please, as your boss, open the Bangkok Post and look at the advertisements. Airlines are slashing ticket prices. Let someone else host it _ you and your cabinet can fly THAI _ it's a win-win situation!
Democracy, it's about having an attitude! Spread the word ...
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