The King wants a democratic solution (April 26, 2006)
The
photo on the right shows His Majesty in a formal setting. Yesterday's
audience with the judges was somewhat less formal with the King wearing
a business suit and standing in front of the group. As usual, he spoke
without notes.
For our international visitors, here is a chance to gain some real insight into the Thai way of dealing with a national political crisis. For our Thai readers (about 55 per cent of the visitors here), this is a good chance to build your English language skills to the point where you can explain the current situation to our foreign visitors.
The Thai King rarely intervenes or even comments directly on politics. When he does so, you know (1) it is a serious situation and (2) he will do so in a way that strengthens democratic institutions.
The current situation is clearly very serious. The recent general elections were an undemocratic farce. The major opposition parties refused to take part so parliament will be under the almost complete control of a single party — assuming that party can fill the seats that remain empty because its candidates failed to win enough votes.
A very signficant minority of the electorate
refuses to accept the result, including a large anti-government protest
movement outside of the political parties. The country is almost split
in half geographically between supporters of Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra and
those hostile
to him. Already there have violent mob actions in several parts of the
country.
Opponents of the government are calling on the King to use his powers under Article Seven of the Constitution to install a new temporary government to bring about political reform. Many say the country has been lost and it needs to be rescued — the idea behind the "gu chaat" you see on the headbands that the protestors typically wear (see photo). The opposition parties are also calling on the courts to nullify the election which was called abruptly (giving only 30 days for campaigning) and improperly.
The government counters that it has done the democratic thing by allowing the people to decide in an election. The problems we are seeing now, government leaders say, stem from the Opposition's boycott. Thus, the government is right in seeking a way to open parliament even if not all the seats are filled.
As you will see when you read today's news story, the King gives little comfort to either side. What does he say about the points they raise? More importantly, what does he say must be done to solve the crisis? Notice how he seeks a way to resolve the crisis by using existing democratic institutions that have thus far failed to carry out their responsibilities.
The King's words carry a lot of weight in Thailand and already this morning, it appears the various courts are getting ready to meet and seek a democratic way out of the situation. That's the Thai way.
You
can hear the complete story in three parts: here, here and here.
HM
asks courts to solve crisis
One-party
election 'not democratic'
His Majesty the King has refused requests to invoke Article 7 of the
constitution
to end the political gridlock, saying it would be inconsistent with
democracy.
Instead, he asked the country's top courts to help solve the crisis. He
also
said a single-party election was not democratic.
''Do not abandon democracy,'' he said.
His Majesty said it was wrong to cite Article 7 and seek a royally
appointed
prime minister.
''That's not democratic rule. Excuse me for saying this, it's the kind
of
administration which disregards democratic rule. It's unreasonable,''
he said.
The King was speaking to groups of new judges appointed to the benches
of the
Article 7 has been the focus of demands by the People's
His Majesty said Article 7 did not permit the King to exercise power at
whim.
''The article refers to the full effect of the constitutional monarchy.
It
doesn't permit the King to do whatever he wishes. If he did, it would
be
overstepping his mark, doing something beyond his authority. That's not
democracy,'' he said.
The article does not provide the leeway for the King to issue any
directives
for the purpose of manipulation.
''Some people may say King Rama IX likes to do what he wants, but I've
never
done that,'' he said.
Since becoming King he had seen the constitution rewritten several
times. He
had never used the constitution or the law as a means to impose his
will. If he
had done so, the country would have collapsed a long time ago.
All laws had been properly decreed.
His Majesty said the parliament must have a quorum to convene. There
must be
500 MPs present before the new parliament could open.
A parliament was not functional until there was a quorum. There may be
attempts
to work around it by convening the first meeting without a quorum.
''But that would be playing it by ear and muddling through,'' he said.
''You can't play it by ear in governing the country. You can't pass the
buck
and try to finish everything in haste. It's not right to dump it in the
King's
lap, which is worse,'' His Majesty told the judges.
People counted on the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to uphold
justice. They felt the courts were honest and knowledgable in the
application
of the law.
''If no one follows the law and righteous administration, the country
will be
in a shambles, as we are experiencing now, because we are short of the
500 MPs.
''It's not workable,'' he said.
He suggested the courts consult with other courts such as the
The King said it was a most critical time and the judges must do their
duty.
The judges must consult knowledgable people, fashionably called the
''Nation's
Saviours''. He said the term ''rescue the nation'' was often used but
he did
not know why the nation had to be rescued because it has not yet sunk
to its
demise.
Steps should be taken to prevent the nation from being shattered, so
that
people would not need to save it.
He said people across the country and worldwide still had faith in the
Supreme
Court judges, who were knowledgable people and had the determination to
save
the country in times of distress.
The King seriously advised the
Addressing the
An election where sole candidates from a single political party, in
this case
the ruling Thai Rak Thai, run in their constituency was
''non-democratic''.
''It is impossible for a democratic election to have one party, one
man. One
candidate does not equate with democracy,'' the King said.
The King said sole candidacies cannot lead to the full membership of
the House
because a sole candidate must have support from at least 20% of all
eligible
voters in a constituency.
The issue of a sole candidacy was important because it would never lead
to the
full membership of the House.
''If there are not enough elected people, then democratic rule cannot
function,'' the King said.
The King said the court had the right to make its points about the
election
because the judges had sworn before him to work for democracy.
''I ask you not to neglect democracy ... You must look carefully into
administrative issues. If you cannot do it [solve the problem], then it
should
be you who resign, not the government, for failing to do your duty.
Carefully
review the vows you have made,'' said the King.
farce – something that is so disorganised or ridiculous that you can't take it seriously
electorate – all the people who have the right to vote in an election
hostile – unfriendly
nullify – to declare that something is not legally valid
abruptly – suddenly
stem from – are caused by
invoke – to use your authority to take a particular action
gridlock – a situation where neither side in a disagreement is willing to give in, so no agreement can be reached; stalemate
inconsistent with – does not fit or go together with
abandon – to give up on; to stop something before it is finished
disregard – to fail to consider; to ignore; to not pay attention to
audience – a special meeting with a member of the royal family or other important leader like the Pope
caretaker – (of a government or leader) to hold power temporarily until a new government or leader is chosen
exercise power at whim – to use power any way you want to
overstepping his mark – going beyond his authority or power
leeway – the freedom to take the action you want
directives – official instructions or orders
manipulation – using or controlling a situation for your own benefit
collapsed – failed or came to an end, especially completely and suddenly
decreed – officially decided or ordered
quorum – the minimum number of people required for a meeting or committee to carry out its business officially
convene – to open a meeting
playing it by ear – operating with out a plan, changing as the situation changes
muddling through – doing something in a confused or inefficient way
pass the buck – to refuse to accept responsibility and claim that someone else is responsible
dump it in the King’s lap – to (improperly) give the responsibility to the King
uphold – to support and maintain
in a shambles – in a confused, disordered condition; in a mess
urgently – that which needs to be done immediately
demise – death; end
shattered – broken apart
distress – a state of being in extreme danger and needing urgent help
lone candidates – sole candidates; single candidates, i.e., people running for seat in parliament in a district where there is no opposition
constituency – an area that elects its own member of parliament
sworn (past of swear) made a serious promise to do something
resign – to announce that you re leaving a job or position