10-10-2008
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation (Thailand)
Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is clearly in denial, pretending everything is fine and orderly. On Wednesday, he and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat tried to impress to the 80-member Bangkok-based diplomatic corps that his government had the current crisis under control.
He reiterated that Thailand would continue to abide by democratic principles and the rule of law. However, he and his entourage had to call off the luncheon after the briefing. They were rushing off fearing the supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy who would rally and maybe surround the Foreign Ministry on Sri Ayutthya Road. But the PAD plan was not realised.
A similar thing happened on Tuesday. Following the violent confrontation between the police and PAD at the Parliament. Somchai and his Cabinet, along with coalition partners, managed to announce his government's policies and programmes without anytime for questionings. The main opposition, Democrat Party, boycotted the meeting, while Somchai left the Parliament building in a helicopter because the place was surrounded by PAD supporters.
The sloppiness with which he dealt with both these incidents only shows how Somchai has failed to understand the current political crisis and its severity. After all, when he assumed leadership, he pledged to use democratic means, the rule of law as well as reconciliatory tools to end the ongoing stand-off at Government House - the very same promises he made to the diplomats on Wednesday. But somehow, he has not been able to honour his own words.
Former deputy prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, who was given the responsibility of maintaining national security five hours before the clash, resigned after nearly 500 people ended up being injured. It was clear that Chavalit, who was bypassed, did not agree with the way Somchai handled the conflict. A few days before his resignation, he was also heard complaining about the government's policy on dealing with conflicts in the South, Thai-Cambodia ties as well as the dispute over Preah Vihear Temple.
It is interesting to see that like his predecessor Samak Sundraravej, Somchai also decided to start his leadership with visits to neighbouring countries, despite the political turmoil. Samak visited Asean members soon as he took the helm - an action that often times backfired. Like the time when Samak visited Burma and came back full of praise for the junta leaders, saying they were true Buddhists who meditated and kept their country peaceful. He has been the butt of many a joke since then.
Somchai has justified these trips by telling reporters that every new leader needed to go on familiarisation tours to other Asean countries. Familiarisation trips are a diplomatic must-do. But trips overseas should only come after the government has properly managed domestic crises. Apparently, Somchai wanted to make these trips so badly that he had a team of Foreign Ministry officials brief him on the travel plans at Parliament on Tuesday despite the ongoing quagmire.
Now, how can a leader successfully create a good impression overseas by ignoring such serious problems at home? Somchai is also keen on attending a series of summits, including the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing later this month and the Apec summit in Peru.
Ironically, Samak also made the same pledge to the diplomats during a gaterhing at the Foreign Ministry early last month. He boasted about how he would use his friendship with the junta to help ease access to Burma. Less than five hours later, he was disqualified as PM over an "unconstitutional" TV show.
Indeed, it is absurd for Somchai to think his government could garner much-needed support and legitimacy from abroad. The unexpected large numbers of injuries on Tuesday have caused great concerns among the international community, with international human rights organisations and campaigners condemning the government's use of force and calling for an investigation of the incident. Police's excessive uses of forces and the nature of Somchai's order will be the bone of contention. The prime minister also failed to consult the ad hoc Committee to Monitor Unrest, set up during the imposition of emergency decree in early September.
For the time being though, Somchai should stay at home and concentrate on healing the wounds, building trust and looking for ways to end the current stand-off.
He should postpone his visit to Cambodia next week for now, because the ties are far too delicate and complicated to be handled by a familiarisation tour. Indeed, he should put off all Asean visits because he will be meeting these very same leaders at the different summits he wants to attend over next few weeks, if he so desires.
He reiterated that Thailand would continue to abide by democratic principles and the rule of law. However, he and his entourage had to call off the luncheon after the briefing. They were rushing off fearing the supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy who would rally and maybe surround the Foreign Ministry on Sri Ayutthya Road. But the PAD plan was not realised.
A similar thing happened on Tuesday. Following the violent confrontation between the police and PAD at the Parliament. Somchai and his Cabinet, along with coalition partners, managed to announce his government's policies and programmes without anytime for questionings. The main opposition, Democrat Party, boycotted the meeting, while Somchai left the Parliament building in a helicopter because the place was surrounded by PAD supporters.
The sloppiness with which he dealt with both these incidents only shows how Somchai has failed to understand the current political crisis and its severity. After all, when he assumed leadership, he pledged to use democratic means, the rule of law as well as reconciliatory tools to end the ongoing stand-off at Government House - the very same promises he made to the diplomats on Wednesday. But somehow, he has not been able to honour his own words.
Former deputy prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, who was given the responsibility of maintaining national security five hours before the clash, resigned after nearly 500 people ended up being injured. It was clear that Chavalit, who was bypassed, did not agree with the way Somchai handled the conflict. A few days before his resignation, he was also heard complaining about the government's policy on dealing with conflicts in the South, Thai-Cambodia ties as well as the dispute over Preah Vihear Temple.
It is interesting to see that like his predecessor Samak Sundraravej, Somchai also decided to start his leadership with visits to neighbouring countries, despite the political turmoil. Samak visited Asean members soon as he took the helm - an action that often times backfired. Like the time when Samak visited Burma and came back full of praise for the junta leaders, saying they were true Buddhists who meditated and kept their country peaceful. He has been the butt of many a joke since then.
Somchai has justified these trips by telling reporters that every new leader needed to go on familiarisation tours to other Asean countries. Familiarisation trips are a diplomatic must-do. But trips overseas should only come after the government has properly managed domestic crises. Apparently, Somchai wanted to make these trips so badly that he had a team of Foreign Ministry officials brief him on the travel plans at Parliament on Tuesday despite the ongoing quagmire.
Now, how can a leader successfully create a good impression overseas by ignoring such serious problems at home? Somchai is also keen on attending a series of summits, including the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing later this month and the Apec summit in Peru.
Ironically, Samak also made the same pledge to the diplomats during a gaterhing at the Foreign Ministry early last month. He boasted about how he would use his friendship with the junta to help ease access to Burma. Less than five hours later, he was disqualified as PM over an "unconstitutional" TV show.
Indeed, it is absurd for Somchai to think his government could garner much-needed support and legitimacy from abroad. The unexpected large numbers of injuries on Tuesday have caused great concerns among the international community, with international human rights organisations and campaigners condemning the government's use of force and calling for an investigation of the incident. Police's excessive uses of forces and the nature of Somchai's order will be the bone of contention. The prime minister also failed to consult the ad hoc Committee to Monitor Unrest, set up during the imposition of emergency decree in early September.
For the time being though, Somchai should stay at home and concentrate on healing the wounds, building trust and looking for ways to end the current stand-off.
He should postpone his visit to Cambodia next week for now, because the ties are far too delicate and complicated to be handled by a familiarisation tour. Indeed, he should put off all Asean visits because he will be meeting these very same leaders at the different summits he wants to attend over next few weeks, if he so desires.
