Desperately seeking another Pridi

Those who believe that Thailand is once again in the grip of unequal agreements with foreign powers await the coming of a new nationalist messiah

Amarin Khoman

21 May 2000

During World War II, the Japanese used Thailand as a base for the subsequent invasion of Malaya and Burma. Several groups of Thai patriots such as Dr Pridi Banomyong, M.R. Seni Pramote and Police General Luang Adul Dajcharaj founded the Free Thai Movement (Seri Thai) to resist the Japanese Imperial incursion and its expansionist designs.

Thus, Thailand was saved from being branded a belligerent country by the Allies, and was subsequently recognised as an independent country under Japanese military occupation. During those dangerous times, Dr Pridi and others re-negotiated with the world powers to alter the unfair commitments imposed by the policies of previous governments, and revoke unfair treatment brought about by their adoption.

Of immeasurable importance was Dr Pridi's founding of Thammasat University (A University of Moral & Political Science) to enable Thai people to understand the system of democratic governance and to be aware of their rights. It was also aimed at promoting national pride and loyalty to the monarchy.

The faculty staff and students of the university, in those days, prided themselves on being the promoters and protectors of democratic principles in Thailand, and never considered selling themselves to the politicians or people in positions of power, despite a number of those within their ranks being murdered.

Whenever there was a situation deemed harmful to the country and the Thai people, the staff and students of Thammasat would venture forth to demonstrate for the nation.

However, it is sad to both see and say, that the majority of the current faculty staff and students rarely follow the principles so dear to the heart of Dr Pridi. Instead, many faculty members appear to be quite happy to settle for the altar of power politics, and accept positions offered by politicians.

The present government made available a staggering sum of 800 million baht-money borrowed from the Miyazawa Fund-for Thammasat professors to study small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to solve some of the economic problems afflicting the country. For a study of this kind, a few million baht would have sufficed.

Fortunately, a number of faculty members still profess to follow Dr Pridi's principles. But a number of former Thammasat students now roam the corridors of power, never to follow those ideals so cherished by the founder, who successfully saved the country from the control of foreign powers, protected the interests of its inhabitants, and revoked unequal treaties.

Witness the Letters of Intent Nos 1 to 8, which the Thai government made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their contents almost surrender our sovereignty to foreign powers.

Witness again, the 11 Rehabilitation Laws, or, as patriots call them, the "11 Treacherous Laws", which were endorsed without seeking public views on the matter.

In the past, politicians tried to build and preserve state enterprises and other national institutions for the Thai people. Now politicians are selling off our state enterprises, public banks, telephone companies and airports to foreign interests.

During the past two and a half years, the current government has managed to increase public debts from one trillion baht-the majority of which by courtesy of George Soros-to 3.3 trillion baht. The number of drug addicts has increased more than at any time during the previous governments, as has corruption and moral decay. About 100,000 poor students have been forced to leave school and thousands of businesses and service sector industries have closed down, leaving three million Thais jobless.

With these statistics, the public can see whether the current crop of politicians and economic teams are efficient or clueless. This government borrowed money from the Miyazawa Fund but failed to use it in an efficient and accountable manner. The money was used for political gain.

The same is true with money for agricultural research and development. And is it worthwhile to give 800 million baht to Thammasat University to produce a limited study on SMEs?Was this for political gain?As if this was not enough, the government accepted the Asian Development Bank's condition that farmers benefiting from an aid package must pay for the water they use to produce crops. The government's reason for accepting the condition: Thai farmers must reform themselves and attain international standards.

With this mindset, the government promptly agreed to borrow US$600 million and accepted the ADB conditions that farmers pay for water and the government must not subsidise them.

Thai farmers are poor, so how can the government justify their acceptance of the ADB conditions, which will worsen the farmers' suffering?Yet, Prime Minister Chuan maintains that his government is needed to govern the country. If he really means this, then he must think that Thai people are stupid.

Khun Chuan is fond of saying that persons who criticise his government are uninformed and politically motivated. This only proves how he has lost touch with reality.

From the very beginning, when I started voicing my concerns about the problems that arose after this government came to power, I had no personal axe to grind.

I had many friends in government and I offered suggestions on how to correct the damaging policies, or even warned them of possible rumblings on the streets.

I certainly was not alone in this area. His Majesty the King has expressed his wisdom and offered guidance on numerous occasions.

We need a new government with a strong, visionary and honest leader who has a sense of purpose and is dedicated to the people, the country and the Throne.

We need this government to do away with the unequal commitments imposed by the IMF and others. We need it to dissolve the 11 "Treacherous Rehabilitation Laws", and to stamp out cronyism and corruption.

We need to follow His Majesty the King's advice that we must stand on our own feet, be self-sufficient and accept responsibility and accountability. Otherwise, there will be another Free Thai Movement.

When one examines the life of our great Monarch and reflect on his wisdom, words and deeds, one can see a parallel between His Majesty the King and the aspirations, words and deeds of a statesman who long ago advocated the principles needed of us, and judiciously safeguarded the freedoms of this nation and its people.

What was true then is true now. His Majesty the King sees it, why not us?u Amarin Khoman is the President of Thai Star Group of Companies.

Bangkok Post