Sir, The election of Thaksin Shinawatra as Prime Minister four and a half years ago seemed to indicate the final maturing of Thailand’s democracy and the real possibility that the new Government was capable of unlocking the vast potential of that country’s people and economy. We should not forget the almost universal euphoria and optimism that greeted his Government.

The first step was to eradicate corruption and introduce laws that opened the economy to foreign investment. Mr Thaksin massively squandered that opportunity and all his rhetoric in the intervening years could not hide the disappointment of the middle, upper, military and business classes that Thailand was missing the growth and development boat once again.

Those, like me, who take a keen interest in the fortunes of Thailand saw military intervention as almost inevitable and perhaps even essential. Clearly, the country needed a fresh start with a new prime minister; equally clearly, demographics and Mr Thaksin’s shrewd but minimalist support for the rural poor militated against this happening democratically. Either the King had to force the issue, or the military had to. Thailand has not yet lost its chance to be the next Asian miracle, Let us hope that the move back to democracy is swift and positive and that Mr Thaksin’s mistakes are accepted and corrected.

BOB GOLDFIELD
Kingsnorth, Kent

Sir, You say that Thaksin Shinawatra’s lamentable record “does not justify an illegal attempt to force him from power” (leading article, Sept 20).

The problem for the 30 per cent of urban dwellers in Thailand who are mostly opposed to Mr Thaksin is that his political party, through what would appear to be traditional but illegal vote-buying practices, has cornered 70 per cent of the rural vote. His wealth has become so immense and has been used so shamelessly to undermine political opponents and critics that his position has become virtually unassailable through the ballot box.

As the declared purpose of the coup is to restore democratic rights and bring an end to corrupt domination of the rural vote, is action against tyranny and for democracy not fully justified?

DEREK TONKIN
British Ambassador to Thailand, 1986-89
Guildford

Sir, It is true that the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) has taken a number of restrictive measures to calm the situation and prevent violence from erupting.

However, they are relatively mild, and there is no widespread censorship (letter, Sept 21, and report, Sept 22). To state that the council “is permitting no expressions of opposition to its authority” is pure fabrication. The Bangkok Post and The Nation have made it very clear, frequently and in strong language, that the military will lose support if it does not hand over to civilian government as quickly as possible. They have also reported the views of the more strident opponents who don’t even accept the coup as a temporary necessary evil, and want the military to step out immediately.

The majority of Thais support the coup, as has been widely reported in the Thai and international press. The overwhelming sense in Thailand is that current measures, distasteful as they are, promise Thailand more democracy and less corruption in the future.

DR MARK SPEECE
Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Alaska Southeast

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