80, 000 red-shirted supporters showed up at Rajamangala national stadium to hearformer Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatara’s speech Saturday to listen to their leader’s message, which was pre-recorded and aired from Hong Kong to the faithful followers.
The core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the event’s organizer, were thrilled with the success of the event based on attendance.
The highlight was Thaksin's speech. He began with a cynical snipe at the justice system and democracy. "Swasdee, Tharn Veera and every Thai national, [I] wish to say that [I] love democracy and love justice so much. Today [I am] pleased there are so many of you here." After the short preamble, he went right to his usual self-pitying rhetoric.
Minus a brief call for reconciliation at the end of the program, Thaksin's rhetoric was mostly about himself and his family and how they were unfairly treated by what he mocked as krabuankarn yuti kwam pen tham (literally, the process to end justice) instead of krabuankarn yutitham (judicial process), about his multi-billion baht assets which have been frozen here in Thailand. He also blamed the September 19 coup makers two years ago for being the original cause of today's political turmoil and social division. And last but not least, he pleaded with his supporters to seek a royal pardon to bring him home. "Only royal kindness can bring me home," he told his audience. Thaksin did however omit mentioning the "privileged elite," whom he earlier accused of ganging up on him.
This speech reinforced the belief that Thaksin has not changed and will not change, he is the same as before the coup and after the coup, a man who blames everyone else but himself for the misfortunes that have fallen on him and his family.
Thaksin tried to convince supporters that the two-year jail term he was given and is evading was imposed on him without a legitimate case. He pointed out in his speech that his verdict did not stem from any abuse of power on his part under the Criminal Code, but stemmed from his breach of ethical conduct as stipulated in the anti-corruption law, which came into force before he assumed the premiership.
Pleading for a royal pardon for Thaksin so that he can come home and walk as a free man is against the principle that a convict must serve a part of their prison sentence before he or she is entitled to a royal pardon or amnesty. Ironically, the plea for freedom now will only make Thaksin one of the "privileged elite" that he vilifies for all his misfortunes.
Against widespread anxiety and expectations, Thaskins’ speech has not helped in improving his prospects for reconciliation. Neither the "show of force," like the one organized by the UDD on Saturday, or the PAD's prolonged occupation of the Government House serves any purpose in respect to national reconciliation.
I think that it will be smarter for the country if the PAD and UDD, or the Somchai government, sit down for talks with a neutral moderator between parties to hopefully work out a peaceful solution to end the turmoil surrounding Thaksin’s evaded jail term. Thaksins’ plea is not a priority for the country and will not serve the goal of national reconciliation.
Ilana Kamens
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=131794
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