Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva
An important political story in Thailand at the moment is the ongoing tussle over appointing a new national police chief. Here’s a summary of what’s happening — and why it matters.
First, some background: Thailand’s police force became a highly politicized body during exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s 2001-2006 tenure. Thaksin himself was once a cop, and many high-ranking police officials are still loyal to the billionaire.
PM Abhisit came to office in December, 2008, of course, after prolonged anti-Thaksin protests, which culminated in the seizure of Bangkok’s airports by anti-Thaksin yellow shirt protesters.
Abhisit is now attempting to replace the current police chief, who is seen as a Thaksin ally and is due to retire at the end of Sept. Abhisit has selected his own man in the job.
But there’s the rub.
Various parties in the police force and elsewhere are blocking Abhisit’s move, part of a power play to bring another man — also Thaksin-linked — to power as the new chief. We’re currently at a deadlock: The naming of a new chief has been postponed indefinitely.
Here’s an AFP story about the current state of affairs. And here’s an article from the Bangkok Post with more details.
For a more in-depth look at the issue, I suggest reading political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak’s Sept. 9 Bangkok Post opinion piece, “Public played for fools in police power plays.” And Bangkok Pundit has some recentl analysis here.
Why is this saga important? And what does it mean for Thailand’s political future?
The wrangling is important because it reflects the government’s general disunity and PM Abhisit’s inability to impose his will on Thailand’s own national police force.
In addition, the in-fighting comes at a time of nervousness about a pro-Thaksin red shirt rally scheduled for Sat., Sept. 19 — the third anniversary of the coup that toppled Thaksin.
In order to curb potential unrest, the government has imposed an Internal Security Act that allows the military — in addition to the national police — to patrol the Bangkok district where the demonstration will take place. Red shirt leaders say they expect 20,000-30,000 protesters to take part. Here’s an AFP story with more info.
Abhisit’s perceived weakness, and worries about violent protests or a military crackdown, has led to rumors that a military coup could take place. PM Abhisit is due to leave on Sunday, Sept. 20 — the day after the planned rally — to attend the UN general assembly and G20 meeting in the New York. Thaksin was overthrown in 2006 while he was in New York for a UN meeting. But in this story from the Bangkok Post, Abhisit says he thinks “there’s no reason for a coup.”
This Reuters analysis piece provides some perspective: “Rumours are swirling about a military power grab, but in a country that has undergone 18 actual or attempted coups in 77 years of on-off democracy, this is nothing new.”
Stay tuned…
UPDATE (Sept. 17) — The Bangkok Post has a new opinion piece on the affair (“New twist in police drama”) that concludes with this interesting line: “Thai-style poltics is not only unique but also always ”simply amazing”.”
Indeed.