Ex-Thai PM calls for accountability, respect for rights

By Max Constant

BANGKOK

A former Thai premier and respected statesman emphasized the importance of upholding “the human rights of every citizen” and of “government’s accountability” in a public speech Wednesday – words which appeared as a veiled reference to the current junta ruling the kingdom.

“The law must not be used as a means for attaining political goals. State actions must not be arbitrary and based on whims,” Anand Panyarachun told an assembly of businessmen, diplomats and journalists at an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand.

“A government that is not held accountable, not answerable to anyone, and whose actions are not subject to public scrutiny, is more likely to abuse its power and disregard the public interest,” the 83-year-old added.

Panyarachun, a diplomat and businessman who become prime minister in 1991 and 1992, is widely considered one of Thailand’s best government leaders in the last half-century.

He presided over the writing of a constitution in 1997 that was considered as the country’s most democratic ever.

While avoiding direct references to the junta that overthrew the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra and seized power in a May 2014 coup, Panyarachun clearly expressed his uneasiness over the repression of public freedoms that has taken place since the putsch.

“Society cannot flourish in the long run if order and stability are rooted in measures that inhibit public discourse,” he said.

“When order and stability are imposed rather than allowed to emerge naturally in accordance with the rules and norms of society, there can be no transparency,” he added.

Since the coup, the junta -- led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha who also holds the position of prime minister -- has detained hundreds of politicians, civil society activists, academics and journalists who are critical of the regime for “attitude adjustment sessions” in military camps.

They are mostly held for a few days before being released upon signing a commitment not to oppose the junta’s rule.

All political gatherings and demonstrations, as well as academic forums with political connotations, are banned.

Panyarachun also addressed the sensitive topic of corruption within the military during his public address Wednesday night.

“When the rule of law is weak, corruption flourishes. Democracy becomes dysfunctional when politicians, public servants, the private sector, the judiciary, the police and the military use their power to enrich themselves and advance their own interests,” he said.

The current junta has been embroiled in a corruption scandal since November in relation to the construction of a historic park in Hua Hin city, 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Bangkok.

Although several official investigations cleared military chiefs of impropriety, doubts remain.

Those who publicly discuss the scandal are arrested and briefly detained by authorities.

Asked about the roots cause of Thailand’s problems Wednesday, Panyarachun underlined that the main issue was not about “a fight between pro-government or anti-government forces”.

“Rather it is about poverty, social injustice, unequal rights and opportunities. And about the way power is divided between the state and the people,” he responded.