Thailand Towards Absolutism
June 24, 2017
9 AM - 4 PM
Venue: - Stiftung Asienhaus (Asian House)
Hohenzollernring 52, 50672 Köln, Germany
AsienHaus.de
Thailand Towards Absolutism (in English)
9 AM to Noon
Speakers:
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Nicola Glass
Andrew MacGregor Marshall
Moderator - Dr. Oliver Pye
Lunch at noon
King Vajiralongkorn and the future of Democracy (in Thai)
13.30 PM - 4 PM
Speaker:
Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul
...
Rational
On June 24, 1932 there was a democratic revolution which changed Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one. Unfortunately this democratic construction has been eroded over the last 85 years by Army and Royal intervention, with 12 coup d'états, followed by prolonged military dictatorships. During this period the country has suffered 20 constitutions, on average lasting little more than 4 years and often constructed under the direction of military dictators. Over the last 45 years Thai people have struggled for freedom and democracy against various military regimes. There have been numerous uprisings against undemocratic regimes, with the 3 most significant occurring in October 14, 1973, May 1992 and May 2010.
In the last decade Thailand has been under a politico-social crisis with no end in sight due to the fundamental conflicts and divisions in Thai society. One side is prodemocracy / anti-coup and the other anti-democracy / pro-coup, with both sides having their own colour symbols (Red shirts and Yellow shirts). This division exist everywhere across the country and has deeply affected both communities and families. The political struggle between these two camps has caused a serial political crisis to continue to this day.
The aristocrats, the conservatives, the royalists, and even some of the middle class, took the Yellow shirt side, declaring against democracy and elected political party’s. They called on the Army to instigate the last coup on May 22, 2014. The National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) not only violated the human rights of the Thai people but is also attempting to destroy the main political party and prodemocracy politicians and people’s movements. The NCPO created the motto “Bring back the happiness to the people and protect nation, religion, and king” and plan to establish a new regime which would permit the military to continue to control the country and take any meaningful role for politicians away. The people have been relegated to subjects, rather than citizens in their own country. The NCPO try to invent the unique dictatorial regime that they profess matches the requirements of Thai society, such as Thai democracy with sufficient economy, and demonstrate to the world that the Thai junta is not a dictatorship.
On December 1, 2016 Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun ascended to the Throne and became King Rama X, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty. The reign of the new king is unpredictable with an obviously movement towards absolutism. In reality Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy in name only for decades but absolutism tendencies are now more overt. We can define Absolute monarchy, or Despotic monarchy, as a form of monarchy where one ruler has supreme authority and where that authority is not restricted by any written laws, legislature, or customs.
In conclusion the military dictatorship of NCPO is still strong, the politico-social crisis still continues and most significantly the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama 10) is moving away from constitutional monarchy and towards more absolute monarchy.
(Expected) Outcome
We hope that the European Community will realize and understand the gravity of the crisis in Thailand and will consider initiating more diplomatic intervention against the ruling dictatorship regime.
Thai people who love democracy both in the Country and in Europe will understand the new situation.
