February 1, 2024: Legal and political actions are in full swing following Wednesday’s ruling against the Move Forward Party by the Constitutional Court. Thai politics has revolved around them for too long and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future, at the expense of the fact that there many issues that require serious and immediate attention.
Complaints for and against Move Forward have been launched or are to be launched. Meanwhile, political efforts will be put into making Move Forward look a martyr or a demon. Formerly, it was Pheu Thai. Now it is Move Forward.
Through all that, bribe-seeking police have been laughing all the way to the bank; pubs have been exploiting loopholes or using improper connections; Thai students have been embarrassed at international contests; exporters, importers and entrepreneurs have been worried more about election results than how to improve their businesses; and narcotic drugs have continued to zigzag their ways into the Thai society.
Like during the Prayut government and all its predecessors, there will be protests during Srettha Thavisin’s reign. But the protests will not make Thailand find genuine and immediate solutions to the real, aforementioned problems. The upcoming protests are part of a politics that shouldn’t be.
In a truly ideal world, the Kamnan Nok scandal must force Parliament to work together endlessly and tirelessly to revamp the Police Department; the education ministerial portfolio must be the most important, given to an expert with real knowledge and suitable networks, not a political faction leader to pacify disgruntled politicians; and major construction or public transport disasters must set better standards and not be used as tools for political rhetoric that everyone will forget in a heartbeat.
For too long, we Thais have been wondering if we are barking up the wrong tree and how much time we have lost in doing so.
Daily updates of local and international events by Tulsathit Taptim
Source link
