re: "Late convert to democracy" (BP, Editorial, March 3, 2023)
Dear editor,
There is a perfectly simple litmus test for Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon's claim to have converted to democracy. As it stands, there must be suspicions that this latter day one by the Deputy PM reeks of the earlier claim insisted on in May 2014 and thereafter of his best mate, Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, that he overthrew their popular form of democratic government in Thailand in order bring true democracy to the Thai people.
If DPM Gen. Prawit is sincere, he can very easily prove his commitment to democratic principle. He need only join the Move Forward Party in calling for reform of traditional Thai law contradicts democracy in both execution and principle. It will be credible that Deputy PM Prawit is now a believer in democracy when he speaks out against those laws being actively used to silence the peaceful expression of opinion. More specifically, the nation will know that he is genuine when he calls for an end to imprisoning patriotic Thais who peacefully express opinions on Thai affairs, even going to the extreme of calling for openness, transparency and accountability, those basic democratic notions so inimical to systemic corruption.
Those currently being hounded by undemocratic Thai law are, of course, also guilty of calling for informed understanding, similar to what Buddhism calls right understanding, which is founded solidly on critical thinking rather than mindless faith in the authority of any person or institution. The newly converted DPM Gen. Prawit will presumably now stand solidly on the side of both democracy and Buddhist teaching against such legalized abuse that intentionally stunts right understanding of national issues.
Let us look forward to Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Party Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon proving with the required actions his claims to now respect democratic principle and process.
Felix Qui
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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.
The text as edited was published in PostBag on March 6, 2023, under the title "Easy to prove" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2521144/cooperate-for-peace
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