Good Coup/Bad Coup: Dilemmas in the Struggle for Democracy

The Thai military coup last month, presents dilemmas to the members of the Thai women’s movement. This article shows that although many women in Thailand were relieved that the corrupted government of Thaksin’s Regime was overthrown some were disappointed when the Council for Democratic Reform abolished the 1997 Constitution along with the Thaksin Government. It was like “throwing the baby out with the bath water” as the old saying goes. For the last ten years, Thai Women’s Watch, a women’s group formed to follow-up the 1995 Beijing Fourth World Conference Platform for Action, had been at the forefront of promoting Thai women’s participation in politics and appointments in decision-making in the government. They don’t want to see the efforts gained thrown out by the coup, especially the Article 30 and 80, which recognized gender equality, and the elimination of discrimination based on sex. Professor Pawadee Thonguthai of Thammasart University, Vice-President of Thai Women’s Watch Group, says “those articles in the 1997 Constitution relating to equal rights for men and women are non-negotiable.” WE MOVE group, formerly known as the “Women and Constitution Network”, decided to show their position to the coup leaders by not pushing to have women in the interim cabinet that was set up. But the Council for Democratice Reform surprised them two weeks after the coup by the appointment of 10 women among the 65 members of the Advisory Committee to advise the interim government on democratized governance. The Article 3 of the draft Interim Constitution guarantees basic rights, human dignity, and equality under the law in accordance with the democratic rule under the King as head of state. Two professionally qualified women were appointed to the new cabinet: Dhipavadee Meksawan and Khaisri Sriarun. The Office of the Attorney General is now headed by a woman, Jaruwan Mentaka, to investigate corruptions and the abuse of power by members of Thaksin government. A female Appeal Court judge, Sodsee Sattayatham was appointed to the Election Commission. Seventeen women from different professional groups and walks of life were appointed to the 342 members of the National Legislative Assembly. Last week, for the first time in Thai history, Tarisa Wattanakes was elected by the board to head the Bank of Thailand. Thai women’s opinions on the recent coup are as diverse as those of Thai men. There are women who are against Thaksin and support the coup. There are those that support Thaksin and are against the coup, and there are also those women who are against Thaksin and against the coup. As long as women like Rosana Tositrakul, Veena Thoopkrajae, journalists, the People’s Alliance for Democracy and female university students are continually allowed to speak out on their opinions, between now and next year’ s national election; there is hope for the future of Thai democracy.

Filed under Thailand, World Affairs |