Dear Editor,
I wish to refer to the article “Thailand on the precipice” by Mr. Sin-Ming Shaw (Published May 24, 2010) which reflects a crucial misunderstanding of the political situation in Thailand. I wish to therefore take this opportunity to set the facts straight on certain points that were poorly and mistakenly raised in the article as well as update you on the Thai Government’s efforts to solve our domestic political situation.
It is a great disappointment for me to see that your newspaper has selected sensationalized, bias and emotionally written articles. With grossly misconceived understanding of Thailand’s political history and development, the aforementioned article falsely portrayed the conflict in Thailand as a battle of the classes, the rich versus the poor, the privileged versus the disenfranchised. To state economic disparities as the main factor for protests and violence in Thailand reflects the shortsightedness of the author and such rhetoric is merely a tool employed by the protest leaders to create group emotion, playing on people’s grievance and sense of injustice. Respected academics and ethical journalists see the conflict as more than class struggle and identify that much of the argument made by protest leaders is an instrument for opposition group to politicize the issue for the struggle of power.
For over the last one and half year since Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva first took office, the Government have taken various measures to address the social problems and political differences or otherwise. The Prime Minister is committed to democratically lead Thailand through these challenges and steer the country towards peace and prosperity. The Government’s reconciliation plan is being carried out. Eminent and respected individuals in Thai society have been invited to participate in designing the reconciliation plan which includes the establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate what had transpired during the demonstrations, a committee to address the legitimate grievances of many amongst the demonstrators and a committee to study the political reform and constitutional amendments to strengthen democratic process and the rule of law.
I would like to emphasize that Thailand is a sovereign state with a well respected judicial system, domestically and internationally. Therefore one should take caution before undermining the credibility of any nation’s judicial process.
It has been over a month since the protest ended and I am pleased to inform you that we are business as usual. Although the Emergency Decree remains, it is there to facilitate the work of security officers and ensure that threats and terrorist elements are monitored.
Before concluding, I would like to touch briefly on the role of the Monarchy in Thailand, to which your article made reference. His Majesty the King has always been above politics. However, the tremendous moral esteem he holds is a result of his life-long dedication to the well-being of the Thai people over the past sixty plus years. The Royal projects under the auspices of His Majesty were fundamental to the peace and prosperity of Thailand and the wellbeing of the Thai people. He has thus been a vital unifying force for the nation and his subjects.
If I may offer a remark about your selection of articles for your newspaper, I hope that for future references the credibility and reputation of the authors of selected articles come under strict purview as the reputation and credibility of your newspaper is at stake. I also hope that you will print this letter in order to offer your readers a broader perspective on Thailand.
Chalit Manittiyakul
Ambassador of Thailand in Cairo
