The Thailand example

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Perhaps it was only coincidence, but there is something significant in the fact that the coup d'etat in Thailand took place on the very day that we Filipinos were marking the 34th anniversary of the infamous declaration of Martial Law. That was when our own country was stifled for more than a decade under the rule of a man who not only did not want to let go of the powers allowed him for a fixed period by law, but also wielded it to the fullest.

The people of Thailand had not even been under the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra for long, but his own method of governance, and his grant of special privileges to himself and his family-owned businesses, soon angered his constituents to the point that protests were being staged very early into his first term. Shinawatra got through very narrowly the first time, and probably only because the King of Thailand, who held the complete trust as well as affection and respect of his people, called for sobriety and adherence to their democratic standards.

But now, with their Prime Minister out of the country, and the simmering anger and disappointment of the people continuing to rise, it did not take much convincing for them to rally behind a leader - but this time a military man - to seize the reins of government, declare Martial Law, and oust him.

There have been denunciations and calls from other countries around the world for the return of democratic rules, and from some, even veiled threats about withdrawal of support and assistance, as the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines had hinted. The lady envoy, making no bones about her government's position, called the development "an absolute debacle."

But the King of Thailand, whose word is apparently more than law, has made a very eloquent response to the situation. He has not declared full support for General Sondhi Boonyarathin, but he has appointed him head of the council that has been formed, and for him to act as such for the next two weeks.

Well, the Thais will solve their problem in their own way, but what has happened to them is now being regarded by many Filipino government watchers as a big blow to our leaders' own plans to set up a new form of government that, like Thailand's, will be parliamentary.*