Political Crisis in the Kingdom Won’t Benefit Anyone

By THE IRRAWADDY

What has gone wrong in the Land of Smiles? That seems to be the question on the lips of the perplexed tourists who are stranded at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Even those in the know—the political observers and players—do not appear to know what’s happening. How will this political mess end? All bets are off as political chaos unfolds in Thailand.

According to Abac Poll Research Center, some 76.5 percent of the Thai population said they felt ashamed of the political turbulence and the negative perceptions that the images portrayed to foreigners.

Interestingly, in the same poll, 92.3 percent believed the political stalemate could be resolved through the justice system and 58.4 percent said they would not take sides in the standoff.

Tuesday marks the fifth day that the yellow-shirted anti-government protesters have control of the Thai capitals’ two main airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.

It’s somewhat sad, but true to say that Thailand is shooting itself in the foot.

Where are Thailand’s famous krengchai and sabai-sabai attitudes? Now all we see is street violence, grenade attacks and political backstabbing. We all miss Thailand’s sense of tolerance and compromise.

Exiled Burmese taking refuge in the kingdom often study the subtle Thai way of solving political crises and the art of negotiation. We may even have suggested that the incompetent generals in Burma should learn from Thailand on how to reconcile with the opposition.

Indeed, if there is a Burmese version of the Abac poll, it would be safe to say that many Burmese would likewise feel ashamed about their country’s ongoing political conflict. It has been going on for decades. They are not proud to play a part in a failed state. However, they are proud to say that despite the despotic rulers in the country, they will continue fighting back.

Thai-based Burmese are hoping for a quick and peaceful solution in to the standoff in Thailand. Why? Because they believe that instability in Thailand will not benefit anyone in the region.

They don’t want to see Thais killing each other and they fear the country is being torn apart by self-serving leaders. Instead of bloodshed, they want to see political progress and a genuine compromise.

We all know that Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his clique are quietly content to see Thailand knee-deep in a crisis. Now they can warn their citizens about the importance of “law and order” and the need for “disciplined democracy.” They can point at it and say to the Burmese population: “I told you so!”

Than Shwe last weekend told members of the Union Solidarity Development Association about the need for disciplined democracy and a smooth transition. The irony is Than Shwe and his cronies have engineered mob rule and hired thugs to create anarchy by attacking monks, activists and peaceful demonstrators.

Than Shwe monitors the unfolding situation in Thailand from his throne in Naypyidaw—the same place where he wined and dined former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, arguably the instigator of the entire fiasco.

But while Than Shwe wants to see dividends, the ordinary person in Burma simply wants to see Thailand restore stability and democracy through peaceful means. By doing that, it will restore its high international image.