NO matter who eventually prevails in the current political standoff, the outcome is likely to be the same: a long list of new names and faces taking up important government posts and making lots of promises, along with a raft of apparently tougher checks and balances supposedly to keep politicians from misbehaving.
Can we expect this new regime to give Thailand the better society and economic stability it desperately needs, or will the politicians end up being just as devious and greedy as those they have replaced?
Ensuring this does not happen is perhaps the greatest challenge facing Thailand.
Can it be done? How do you change a country that has always shown an astonishing level of tolerance for a political system that becomes ever more corrupt? And how do you eradicate a deeply entrenched and highly influential patronage system that encourages bribery, intimidation, bullying and exploitation?
It’s not going to be simple, for Thai people are famously easy-going and remarkably forgiving. But real and lasting change can only come from them and via some very serious soul-searching. And that’s only possible through radical reform of the kind of education that should be taught in Thailand.
But who’s going to be responsible for teaching young children about morals and the evils of corruption? While the obvious candidates include the government, schools and universities, the clergy, the media and families, none of these institutions seem up to the task.
If Thailand fails to educate its people, nothing will change – the revolving doors of corrupt politicians will continue, and this country will be in danger of repeating the mistakes of a past that has seen the relentless rise of tyrants and dictators. And mass protests.
Can we expect this new regime to give Thailand the better society and economic stability it desperately needs, or will the politicians end up being just as devious and greedy as those they have replaced?
Ensuring this does not happen is perhaps the greatest challenge facing Thailand.
Can it be done? How do you change a country that has always shown an astonishing level of tolerance for a political system that becomes ever more corrupt? And how do you eradicate a deeply entrenched and highly influential patronage system that encourages bribery, intimidation, bullying and exploitation?
It’s not going to be simple, for Thai people are famously easy-going and remarkably forgiving. But real and lasting change can only come from them and via some very serious soul-searching. And that’s only possible through radical reform of the kind of education that should be taught in Thailand.
But who’s going to be responsible for teaching young children about morals and the evils of corruption? While the obvious candidates include the government, schools and universities, the clergy, the media and families, none of these institutions seem up to the task.
If Thailand fails to educate its people, nothing will change – the revolving doors of corrupt politicians will continue, and this country will be in danger of repeating the mistakes of a past that has seen the relentless rise of tyrants and dictators. And mass protests.
