Old Soldiers Should Just Fade Away

24 Nov
2009

Bangkok Post’s Atiya Achakulwisut is on form again. Below are key excerpts of her op-ed in response to Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the 2006 coup leader, assuming the leadership of the Matubhum Party:

I am sure Gen Sonthi has his reasons for coming out of retirement and making a U-turn to join the process of democracy he toppled. I am also sure other people have their reasons why he shouldn’t have. I myself have many reasons why the old soldier should just fade away. No matter what good or bad intentions he has, Gen Sonthi should stay in his retirement and stop bothering with our state of politics. His presence in “democracy” will likely achieve nothing but disgrace – for him, for us, for the “motherland” he has adopted as the name of his party.

[...]

The plain truth, which surprisingly the daring general has failed to grasp, is there is no room in democracy for a coup-maker. The two things are antithetical. If you believe in democracy, then you don’t stage a coup, and vice versa.

[...]

There is no place for him in the coming election. His only viable future is to fade away.

Does anyone have the same impression as mine that Atiya may secretly be fed up not only with Gen Sonthi but also with other prominent ‘old soldiers’ such as Gen Chavalit and, of course, Gen Prem?

Political Prisoners in Thailand has more on this subject. Readers may also want to see my earlier post on Gen Sonthi’s initial announcement that he wanted to enter politics.

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1 Response to Old Soldiers Should Just Fade Away

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Wally

November 26th, 2009 at 11:34 am

Democracy is a funny beast, idealistically it is the holy grail, but in reality? Lets look at the USA, oft cited as the home of democracy, but wait it seems the founding fathers completely rejected the notion of democracy as a flawed system and decided on a republic. Now they seem to have morphed into a democracy, often ignore their constitution, and government is controlled and perverted by monied interests. Seems the founding fathers were right, and the USA’s best days are behind them left behind with their intended political system.

As to Thailand this is a constitutional monarchy, not a democracy, it is simply a system of snouts at the trough trying to make money from the public purse. Another useless general wanting his share wont change anything.

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