• by IPS Correspondents (bangkok)
• Friday, December 09, 1994
• Inter Press Service

BANGKOK, Dic 09 (IPS) - Thailand's fragile democracy was won on the streets of Bangkok in May 1992. Its logical culmination would have been a further deepening of these freedoms by extending them to the rural populace who are still governed by administrators appointed by the interior ministry.

That was what Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai thought he was standing firm on when his five-party coalition foundered Thursday, losing a crucial vote on amendments to the constitution that would have ensured the election of all local officials.

In the aftermath, the Chuan government has been left facing its worst crisis in its two-year history, reduced to a four-party minority government that would only take a successful no- confidence motion to topple.

Political analysts say the highly principled Chuan has probably given up hope anyway of completing his four-year term, but is only holding on because of a sense of responsibility that he should leave Thailand with a democratic government.

On Friday, Chuan confirmed his determination to stay on as head of a minority government after the New Aspiration Party (NAP) officially quit as coalition partner early that morning.

Chuan had quietly asked NAP leader, Interior Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to take his party out of the coalition after it voted with the Senate and opposition parties against the decentralisation bills on Thursday.

Analysts say Chuan's only choice is to dissolve parliament and call a snap election or invite an opposition party to join him. A dejected Chuan told reporters Friday his government will stay on until important legislation, including the draft constitution becomes law.

He said his remaining leaders would make do with whatever support they have left, staying true to the democratic ideals.

This seemed of paramount importance amid fears of a return to power of elements of the National Peacekeeping Council (NPKC), the military junta that governed Thailand during the May 1992 bloodshed, many of whom sit as appointed senators in parliament.

Pro-democracy activists deplore the possibility that five opposition parties allied in the short-lived and blood-tainted government of NPKC leader Suchinda Kraprayoon could return to power if they get NAP's support to form a majority in parliament.

© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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