Protecting “the institution”

In our earlier post on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s speeches in New York, PPT noted that there was often a different “tone” in speaking to foreign audiences from that used for Thai audiences. This is illustrated in a Bangkok Post report (24 September 2009: “PM hails vibrant democracy”).

The Post report on Abhisit’s speech is suitably uncritical, but mentioning Thaksin Shinawatra’s comment that “the government was riddled with corruption.” Abhisit responded that “he would let people be the judge of his government.”

But not by way of an election.

Back in Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister and acting prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban is taking a line that is harder than the “democratic for foreigners” Abhisit. He claims that Thaksin was again inciting the UDD to protest action.

This is the first step to reintroducing the ISA for the next ASEAN meeting or an earlier red shirt protest.

In PPT’s earlier post we noted the recognition that the monarchy was no longer a readily acceptable shibboleth amongst foreigners; not so in Thailand. Suthep stated that, unlike Thaksin, “We are taking care of our country, our people and our institution.” Of course, “the institution” is the monarchy and the implication is that Thaksin is a republican.

Suthep added that, “If Thaksin and his supporters tried to stir up new unrest, the government would have to take necessary measures to ensure peace and order.”

The tone is significantly different in Bangkok.

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