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Open Letter: The Coup That Nobody Wanted But Thailand Needed
By William E Heinecke
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
PHUKET: Australia and the US are among the nations that have failed to understand why a coup was necessary in Thailand and how military intervention can be a force for good, as has been shown on Phuket over the past week.
An open letter to the ambassadors of nations represented in Thailand and the international media:
IN THE WAKE of recent political developments in Thailand, I feel compelled to write to address what I believe to be gross misinterpretations of the current situation in Thailand by certain Western nations and elements of the international media.
As a naturalised Thai citizen born in America - and who have lived in Thailand for over 51 years without forgetting my Western roots - I feel that I have a unique perspective on recent events and the reactions to them.
I am distressed by the interpretations made of both the coup that recently took place in Thailand and the situation that led to it. Put succinctly, many of the Western nations and international media have gotten it wrong.
From where we sit in Thailand today, it is not an issue of which political party was right and which was wrong. All Thais will pull together to work within a system that is acceptable and sustainable to the Thai majority. Vilifying one party or politician will not lead to constructive reconciliation moving forward.
A coup d' etat is not a positive event by any means. I do not believe that the Thai military considered it to be positive, but rather a necessary step that was taken reluctantly. I cannot think of one Western country that has in recent memory experienced the social and political gridlock that Thailand suffered through for the past six months, resulting in government and political paralysis against a background of increasing violence and needless loss of lives.
As the situation escalated, it became painfully clear that there would be no resolution as neither side of the political divide offered any reasonable compromise or demonstrated any inclination to compromise.
The military showed great restraint as it stood by watching the situation deteriorate, allowing ample time and opportunity for the politicians to resolve the crisis.
The price for that period was paid for by the Thai people, in blood, stress and economic sacrifice and only when it was clear that that there was no other reasonable solution did the Thai military step in.
It is easy for people far away to have characterised events in Thailand as a clash between ''pro'' and ''anti'' democracy protestors. This is not correct.
There are very few people on either side of the political debate who oppose the idea of a functional democratic system for Thailand. I believe the Thai military, the majority of political parties in Thailand and the Thai people all want democracy, and a stable and functioning democracy that represents the will of the Thai majority.
I believe the current environment provides the platform for an effective 'reboot' of Thai democracy that will meet the needs and aspirations of the Thai people.
Thailand is a relatively young democracy and as every Western democracy has gone through periods of great change and reform, this is precisely what Thailand is experiencing as part of the maturation of its political system.
Recent developments are an important step towards the establishment of a strong and stable political structure that will underpin Thailand's success going forward.
However, Thailand is not only facing political challenges, but also the compounding effects of exaggerated media reports which paint a distorted and unrealistic picture of the situation.
While such reporting may sell newspapers and draw TV audiences, it is fear-mongering which promotes a misunderstanding of the situation - this in turn influences government travel warnings worldwide and has a disastrous effect on tourism.
There are no concerns whatsoever for personal safety within Bangkok's large expatriate community or the millions of tourists still enjoying their holidays in Thailand, yet this is not mentioned in the international media reports or travel warnings.
Life goes on very much as usual in Thailand but this is far from the impression that one gets when watching the international news channels.
Hospitality has a huge impact on the Thai economy, generating millions of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue for a country that is known throughout the world for its charm, safety and hospitality. However, 62 countries have issued travel advisories for Thailand, 18 of which contain a red alert advising citizens to defer all travel to Thailand, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
These travel warnings are baffling to those of us who understand Thailand and fly in the face of the fact that Thailand continues to peacefully welcome millions of travellers from all over the world. It is the responsibility of all parties, and the media in particular, to present the situation accurately and in proper context to promote understanding, rather than misunderstanding, of the situation.
All parties involved need to think hard about the detrimental effect that their words and actions are having on the people of Thailand.
Today's travellers are savvier than they have ever been and with many countries around the world facing economic challenges, political difficulties and natural disasters, our globetrotting community understands how to take these factors into account when making their travel plans.
Increasingly, travellers are relying on first-hand advice from people at ground zero who understand that this is simply part of the international travel landscape.
If the media continues to promote sensationalistic and simplistic viewpoints of the situation in Thailand, they not only do a disservice to the viewing public but also run a very real risk of making themselves irrelevant.
Thailand remains a peaceful and welcoming country, with unique natural and cultural attractions for travellers to experience and is very much open for business - this is the reality and this is the message that is NOT being sent by most major international media outlets and embassies.
Despite my deep concerns regarding the media's portrayal of the current situation in Thailand, I have great respect and appreciation for the positive role that the media can play in promoting understanding of countries and cultures.
I am hopeful that all parties concerned, the media and foreign missions to Thailand included, can pull together for the greater good of the Thailand that we know and love. I urge the media to exercise its persuasive power with principle and integrity, to promote an honest and clear understanding of the current situation.
I urge foreign governments to reassess the severity of their travel warnings and to revise and update prior statements to reflect the reality that Thailand is completely safe for travel.
I applaud those nations and media outlets already portraying news of the coup and the security situation in Thailand in a balanced manner - your integrity is appreciated.
We all agree that the tourism industry is critical to the growth of Thailand and its economy, and it should not become a casualty of misunderstanding, misrepresentation and hyperbole. Thailand very much remains open for business and is as safe, friendly and welcoming for tourists as it has always been.
Security status
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, we advise you to exercise extreme caution.
Travel alert
On 22 May 2014, following months of political protests, the Thai army announced that the military was taking over the government. There is an increased military presence in Bangkok and the surrounding areas. Martial law had been declared two days previously. This enables the military to take action it considers necessary to enforce law and order. Instructions may change rapidly.
Irish citizens in Thailand should exercise extreme caution, monitor developments via media and social media, and follow the instructions of the authorities. Irish citizens should take extra care to care to avoid any demonstrations, protests or security operations. It is illegal to criticise the coup and you should be wary about making political statements in public. There have been some demonstrations against the army's actions and there is a risk these could turn violent. Stay alert to the situation, and if you feel your safety is at risk, stay in your ACCOMMODATION.
Before travelling to Thailand, we strongly recommend that you check with your travel insurance provider that they continue to cover for claims arising from the current situation, as some policies exclude cover during a coup or when martial law has been invoked.
A curfew which was imposed on 22 May has now been lifted in all parts of the country since 13 June.
The army has said it will act to assure the safety of foreigners in Thailand.
By law, foreigners must carry their passports at all times in Thailand.
‘Visa Runs’
The Thai authorities have announced their intention to clamp down on ‘visa runs’, the practise whereby foreigners use the visa exemption scheme aimed at tourists to illegally live or work in Thailand. The Thai authorities have announced that from 12 August 2014 they will prevent ‘visa runners’ from entering Thailand. If you wish to enter Thailand for reasons other than tourism, we advise you to obtain the appropriate visa prior to your arrival.
The Thai authorities have also announced new penalties for those who overstay their visas. If you overstay your visa you may be banned from entering Thailand for a number of years.
Large-scale political protests have been taking place in Bangkok since November 2013. A number of large-scale political demonstrations have taken place in Bangkok since the beginning of November 2013. Some of these have been violent and have involved indiscriminate attacks
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