Coup country

In his/her letter of Feb 14, “Election buffoonery,” JC volunteers the information that there have been 19 coups since 1932 (plus of course the attending rewritten constitutions) but then ignores the possibility that this is why Thai politics is stuck where it is. The military has been in power for longer than elected politicians so why is it still so bad?

Outside of the single party authoritarian ex-communist countries a neutral army and police are considering vital to the safety and security of a nation. In Thailand, the army is now thoroughly and unrepentantly involved in politics and openly campaigning. Likewise, the police have provided Thaksin, Chalerm and others as players in a violent and destructive political game. Now, if these influences could be removed perhaps the “buffoon” citizenry could go about creating a nation that suits their needs without the introduction of extreme violence.

LUNGSTIB