Coup-maker flirts with Miss Democracy

Atiya Achakulwisut, Editorial Pages Editor of Bangkok Post, has criticized General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin’s assumption of the leadership of a political party.

In a commentary on 24/11/09, Atiya said: “If political scientists are correct in their estimate, General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin already set Thailand at least 12 years back with the coup he led – a disastrous transgression against democracy.

“Thailand is still reeling from the consequences of the general’s act, with no end in sight.”

If the General believed that by his coup he had made Thailand a better place, Attiya said: “he is wrong. He has failed, and miserably so.”

When some wounds inflicted by him “are still feeling fresh and the scar tissues not yet fully formed, Gen Sonthi has come back and asked if he can have another chance. This time, he will be a perfect gentleman and comply with the rules set by democracy.
“How can Miss Democracy believe him? No, in the name of democracy, nobody should trust that the general will play nice. Gen Sonthi has done enough for his ‘motherland’. There is no place for him in the coming election. His only viable future is to fade away,” Attiya said.