Anxious moments
The recent political analysis by well-known social critic Thirayuth Boonmi was much anticipated, although where he said it mattered as much, if not more, than what was said.
The Election Commission (EC) was quite likely somewhat unnerved by Mr Thirayuth’s forthright comments made under its very roof. After all, the content of his message was less than kind to the government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Mr Thirayuth entered the EC’s orbit after students of the advanced executive course on politics and elections, which is hosted by the commission, invited the Thammasat University lecturer to give his opinions on the current political situation.
The invitation coincided with Mr Thirayuth’s “annual dissection” of the political situation which he offers to Thais around the country through the media. Normally, Mr Thirayuth puts out his analyses through Thammasat University and the event receives extensive coverage by reporters.
This time around, however, the session took place in one of the smaller auditoriums at the EC’s head office in the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road. It barely had enough space to accommodate the number of reporters who turned up.
A source in the EC said it appeared the 24-square-metre auditorium was deliberately picked for Mr Thirayuth to give his prognostications. There were no symbols nor any semblance of the EC’s identity in the background. That was the first indication of the EC’s nervousness about the likelihood of Mr Thirayuth offending the government.
“The fact of the matter is that I planned to hold the session at Thammasat, but [certain] events occurred and so I decided to speak here at the EC,” the academic said.
He said it should be noted that he invited reporters to cover the session and that he would take full responsibility for what he said. “The EC has nothing to do with it,” he added.
Mr Thirayuth said he understood any concerns the EC might have over his appearance at its head office given that it might be misconstrued that the agency had arranged a place for an outsider to fire a broadside at the government. (Some critics said afterward that Mr Thirayuth gave the government a rather harsh assessment.)
He said the military-led government had failed to address the fundamental causes of the country’s problems despite having been in office approaching three years. The reform efforts were also lagging.
He noted that structural problems hindering reform, if left untackled, would re-emerge after the regime steps down from power.
“For almost three years, Thailand has been happy to have a new prime minister who is a fun guy. The government has made achievements in terms of regulating things. But it has failed to tackle the core problems.”
Mr Thirayuth maintained the government might have blundered in the way it described its efforts to solve basic problems. That should not be called reform.
He felt the attempts to find solutions to some basic issues were not significant enough to be called reform, which requires major changes for the better.
His prediction was that 60-70% of the things regulated by this government would relapse once the military steps down from power and civilian rule is returned.
“These problems are only about boosting efficiency and any decent government can do that,” said Mr Thirayuth.