October 1 - Time's up for the Thai Coup Leaders

Today, 1st of October, marks the last day of the 2 week time-frame of the military coup leaders, headed by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, in the Thai government. Or at least that was their promise on Sept. 19 when they went on air and announced to the Thai people that they have taken over the Thaksin government, and well, taken over the freedoms of the Thai people as well.

Today, 1st of October, an interim Charter is in effect, as announced by the Royal Command this morning. This was approved by His Majesty pending the drafting of the new one. According to the Nation newspaper, the interim charter absolves the coup leaders who have called themselves as Council for Democratic Reforms or CDR for staging the coup. They initially called themselves Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRCM). But later changed it to CDR as the English title "had led to misunderstanding and false interpretation in some countries and for some foreign media on the role of the monarchy" in the coup.

This interim Charter has been criticized by the progressive academics of Chiang Mai. In a press briefing last Thursday, September 28, they said that this temporary constitution has been drafted with no transparency, no public participation, which gave the Thai people no opportunity to accept or refuse. "It should be a people's Constitution drafted by the people." Wearing black shirts, tore pieces of paper with the words "Temporary Constitution" written on them, in a symbolic act of rejecting the Interim Charter.

They invited the Thai people to send in their thoughts and contribution in what should a real People's Constitution should contain, in the widely-visited website of M idnight University. In their statement, which was also published in the website, they called for the restora tion of democracy in Thailand. They had a 3-point recommendation:

1. The interim government should be in power long enough to only implement a general election which is fair and should not undertake other missions.

2. After the general election, the CDR must disintegrate and not take part implicitly or explicitly in politics such as the form of Council
for National Security, etc.

3. The role of the newly elected government should be to bring on political reforms that is free from the influence of CDR and let the people to draft their own Constitution.

The next day, Friday, the Midnight University website (www.midnightuniv.org ) was shut down. Professor Somkiat Tangnamo, who was part of the press conference held day before, said in an interview that ""This particular action is a threat against academic freedom, a threat against press freedom, and a threat against an important public sphere. It in effect removed the public sphere from the society, which is unacceptable and cannot be justified."

Today, 1st of October, Thailand unveils the country's first royal blog. Thailand's Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn launched the country's first royal blog, which she says is aimed at persuading her fellow citizens to embrace English.

Today, 1st of October, the day that Gen. Sondhi should be ending his military take-over as he promised, retired Army Chief General Surayud Chulanont has been forwarded by Sondhi for a royal command for the appointment as the interim prime minister. It was a toss up between Surayud and Supachai Panitchpakdi, who used to head the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Surayud's credentials include him as a "clean, well-respected professional soldier who built his career through the Special Warfare command. He is well liked and respected by the men who served under his command." In Thai newspapers, it is said that "His selection to lead the interim government would reflect the desire by the CRD to disband the foundations that Thaksin had laid over his years in power, as well as neutralise the cronies associated with the Thai Rak Thai Party. Although himself a career soldier, Surayud is seen as the man who put the public at ease and reassured them that the military was not interested in holding on to power."

This bloodless coup may just leave Thailand bleeding off of its civilian supremacy and democracy.

judy a. pasimio

Chiang Mai, Thailand

judypam@gmail.com