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Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Thai veteran politician and close friend of Burmese military generals, had hardly left his position as deputy prime minister Tuesday before he was reported recommending a military coup to resolve Thailand’s current anti-government political turmoil.

This time it is doubtful that the palace really likes the idea, but Chavalit pulls quite a lot of weight, even if he is now regarded by many as an esoteric old fogey.

Like the rest of the present crop of cronies, Chavalit failed to make any connection between the 2006 annulment of elections, mandated by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the present problems plaguing Thai society. Somehow it did not dawn on Chavalit that Thaksin, prohibited from participating in politics but with enough power to remotely dictate who each member of the Cabinet would be, is part of the problem.

So Chavalit naturally assumes that the military should step in, force things to calm down, and then gracefully exit, again. All this and perhaps throw in another Constitution, which would be the country’s 19th or 20th.

Just where Chavalit gets his logic is unknown to the man on the street. The question is prompted by his statement recommending a military takeover: “"There is no other way out. A House dissolution cannot solve the problem. The problem can be solved by three institutions – the monarchy, which remains politically neutral, the military, which appears to be not interested in intervening, and the government, which stays above the problem.”

Chavalit had the temerity to say that the government is “above the problem,” rather than more sensibly observing that the government – from Thaksin to Samak to Somchai – is the problem.

That he would say this is a telling reminder that Thai politics are not ready to undergo any sudden changes. Those in government have convinced themselves that they are noble, working for the people, and should resist calls for their resignations no matter how deserved or earned.

Worse, they seem to think that their corruption is somehow noble. All Thai politicians are heard to swear, even before being elected, that they will serve the people and work for the benefit of the nation. After being elected their fortunes increase, literally, and the degree of transparency with which they lead their lives and fulfill their social roles drops significantly.

Chavalit was the latest casualty of last Tuesday’s street demonstrations by democracy protestors in Bangkok, where at least two were killed and many wounded when police attempted to force away People’s Alliance for Democracy activists surrounding the Parliament building. Immediately after the violence the veteran army general resigned, citing a need to take responsibility.

Details of the actual police attack are related differently by the police and their opponents, the latter citing police brutality. In fact, Thailand has been rather sensitive of late to charges of brutality. The country’s Supreme Administrative Court recently instructed government officials not just to abide by strict Thai standards in dealing with unrest, but to conform to international practices.

This is a step in the right direction, since international standards are significantly more preventative of violence than Thai standards. It is commendable that the courts would rule publicly that the police need to use a softer approach.

Still, the PAD is not standing idly by while the courts do their part. PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul has said he will proceed with legal claims against the police for Tuesday’s violence.

On top of continued demonstrations against each succeeding pro-Thaksin government, Sondhi and the PAD may not be making much immediate headway, but their prolonged actions could make changes over the long term. That tens of thousands of protestors would march and sit under the stars, rain and hot sun to make their feelings known cannot be lost on the government, no matter how corrupt.

Next Monday, Oct. 13, is the date Sondhi has told the public the PAD will do something special. They plan to march to National Police Headquarters to protest the killings and police violence in general. Fighting the police is a worthwhile endeavor, because that particular government agency has its hands around most of the vice market in the country.

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(Frank G. Anderson is the Thailand representative of American Citizens Abroad. He was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer to Thailand from 1965-67, working in community development. A freelance writer and founder of northeast Thailand's first local English language newspaper, the Korat Post – www.thekoratpost.com – he has spent over eight years in Thailand "embedded" with the local media. He has an MBA in information management and an associate degree in construction technology. ©Copyright Frank G. Anderson.)