absolutelyBangkok archive · News & Media
Originally published Jan. 14, 2010
As if no year has passed our dear prime minister took the stage at this year’s annual address to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand FCCT. The road ahead continues to be tough, Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said in the Intercontinental’s Grand Ballroom. But — speaking of himself — “last year’s determination and promises continue to be in place,” thereby laying the foundation for economical, social and political progress.
Well, leaving much of this government leader’s obligatory and not undeserved self-promotion and -praise aside, there were many laughs and even applause in the audience. Wit is clearly a strength of the charmer. Listening to Abhisit makes me feel good living in this beautiful, well organized place. But reality kicks in quickly when being reminded by Khun Mark’s enchanting Oxford accent that this very grandness sounds as artificial in Thailand as his promises of the rule of law.
“What might be called reconciliation” the premier mentioned twice. He’s not gonna sacrifice the rule of law just to please his opponents. Fair enough. And he offers early elections, but the three conditions he’s laying down for a general election are bubble gum conditions. He demands 1) a stable economy, 2) all parties must adhere to the rules of an election and exclude fraud, and 3) all sides must prove that they’re “committed to the spirit of true democracy.” Textbook honesty from all sides.
Abhisit’s more confident, more comfortable than a year ago. But not sure if we heard a leader at the FCCT event. What we heard was a well versed orator insisting again and again that he’s on the side of the people, nation, law and the courts. He’s confident that his Democrats will do better in elections than last time, but there’s a possibility of a hung parliament again, Abhisit says. Whatever side wins, he will accept the results.
Still, he “can’t say he’s satisfied with everything his government has done. But politics shall not get in the way of us working for the people”… Well isn’t governing all about politics, by definition a process by which groups of people make decisions?
And leave the king alone, Abhisit was basically saying. Don’t rely on HM to intervene in times of difficulty. Well, who again politicized the crown?
And his government will press ahead with the construction of roads, rail and 3G networks… roads maybe.
Still, he knows his trade. Confronted in the Q&A with the absurdity of Thailand’s prohibitive, if not ridiculous alcohol laws he said in disarming clarity state authorities have to uphold the law. Wether to change the law is a different issue.
And he won’t rule out violence leading up to the Thaksin asset seizure verdict. “We do anticipate” violence. Sounded like an acknowledgement Thaksin’s already found guilty.
Ah, and the lèse majesté cases. There’s “progress and change,” assures Abhisit. The law may have been too liberally interpreted and abused. But none of last year’s cases was yet forwarded to a court. And some argue that the law’s still interpreted far too relaxed. His government is waiting for clear guidance to be issued soon. A lot of cases will soon be cleared, we’re told.
A year into his office still of the same candor, patience and tolerance as when opposition leader… Chapeau premier, nice presentation. Wish you well and luck.
But something, dear Mr. Prime Minister, something just does not sound right. Some things don’t add up. You’re a Thai anomaly.
Don’t forget, if you’d truly respect the ideals of democracy and the rule of law you’re always preaching, if you’d truly respect those you wouldn’t be in power.
Sore loser? Your opponent?
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