The Democrat Party too predictable?

In the absolutely most predictable move in Thai politics, a “meeting of the political situation assessment committee of Democrat Party has passed a resolution to recommend the government that the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok and Chiang Mai next weekend…” (Bangkok Post, 21 November 2009: “Democrats back imposition of ISA”).

Party spokesperson Buranaj Smutharaks, who works in tandem with Sathit Wongnongtoey as chief spokesmen for repression and censorship, said that the Democrat Party wanted to prevent “anti-government demonstrators from provoking unrest which would damage the country’s economy…”.

Well, at least they didn’t claim to be acting in the interests of “national security” or the monarchy. But now the Democrat Party is using repression and authoritarian tactics to protect the economy.

Buranaj did add that “red-shirts in Chiang Mai had threatened to kill prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva” and that they planned a rally to bring down the government, claiming that “this means they will resort to the use of all violent means to achieve the goal.” There have also been claims by Democrat Party members that Thaksin Shinawatra will march across the border to lead an armed uprising.

The Democrat Party seems seriously rattled, and when they are rattled, those of an authoritarian nature, like Abhisit, Sathit and Buranaj, gains strength and get opportunities to create fear in the middle class and implement more repression.

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