A Pragmatic Look at Constitutional Reform

My article for Thai Enquirer:

“We’ve seized Government House. We’ve seized airports. That couldn’t accomplish anything. What will the current protests do?” This was a tweet from a conservative account. 

This netizen doesn’t give the protestors enough credit. Already, political parties, parliament and government are moving to respond to the new and fast-changing situation. But it is true that it is notoriously difficult for any protest in Thailand to achieve its goals without military or judicial intervention. It is all too easy for the government to simply ignore a flash mob that does not stay overnight. 

So what does a peaceful, constitutional path towards change look like? This article was not written to discourage constitutional reform, or to say that change is not needed. But the protestors have also rightfully rejected two exceptional means: a military coup or a government of national unity. It is thus important to take a pragmatic look at what parliamentary means will require. 

Click here for the full piece.

(Cover image credits.)