The Coup in Thailand (continued)

But for us, democracy does not mean winners can rule without accountability to their constituents, including those who did not vote for them in the first place. ' Victory at the ballot box is not the end, but the beginningof a long journey on the road to democracy . The elected must be accountable to those they govern. Are we too idealistic? No. We only ask for the basics from government and Mr Thaksin failed completely to deliver.

The political crisis in Thailand, dating back to the April 2 election, was unpie- cedented and could not be dealt with by democratic means., although we disapprove of a coup as it goes contrary to the principles of democracy.

There was also a danger the country could sink deeper into the great political divide, and a bloody confrontation be- tween pro- and anti- Thaksin forces would result if this regime continued in office.

Depending on democratic means to deal with his regime could do more harm to the country and its people. In a way , Mr Thaksin himself left us no other legal option to deal with the crisis.

In retrospect, we had grudgingly put up with Mr Thaksin for almost five years, though many of us complained noisily about his terrible regime.

Our patience snapped, leading to emotional street protests just months ago when the stinking Temasek deal was exposed.Now, less than a week after the military got rid of the much-loved and much hated Mr Thaksin, several of us appear to have lost patience with the men in green, and are beginning to grumble about the loss of certain basic rights, despite living without those rights for four years under MrThaksin's iron fist.

Many of us seem to be lulled into a false sense of euphoria that MrThaksin is finished and out of the political equation. Some also appear to have for gotten there is a price to pay, and a reasonable one, to ensure political stability , peace and order.

Let us not forget that Mr Thaksin, although out of power for now, has not thrown in the towel yet.

He is still very much loved by the grassroots population and has built up a huge network of support over the past four years. Above all, he retains a formidable war chest from the infamous Temasek deal.

Have a little more patience. But the military should not stay long and must transfer the administration soon to a transitibnal civilian government. Veera Prateepchaikul is Deputy Editor-in- Chief, Post Publishing CoLtd.

Source: The Bangkok Post.