Democrat Party (Thailand)

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The Democrat Party (Thai: พรรค ประชาธิปัตย์ Phak Prachathipat) is Thailand's oldest existing political party and presently its largest opposition party. It has a center-left and liberal ideology, compared with the Thais Love Thais Party.

It was originally established in 1945 as a royalist party in opposition to parties affiliated with Pridi Phanomyong. Democrat Party founder Khuang Aphaiwong was briefly appointed as figurehead civilian Premier during the dictatorship of Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram, but was the Opposition for much of the 1952-1957 period. The party lay dormant during the dictatorships of Sarit Dhanarajata and Thanom Kittikachorn (1957-1968). It was again the Opposition from 1968 to 1971, when Thanom overthrew his own government. Led by Seni Pramoj, it briefly led an unstable coalition Government in 1975, and then again in 1976, during the 6 October 1976 massacre. During the Prem Tinsulanonda era (1980-1988), the party was the Opposition.

Led by Chuang Leekpai, the Party led unstable coalition governments twice in the 1990s, from 1992-1995 and 1997-2001. It was the Opposition during the Thaksin Shinawatra (2001-2006). Its current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Founding of the party

The Democrat Party was founded in 1945 as a conservative, monarchist party by Khuang Aphaiwong. It was originally established to contest the January 1946 general election. Initial members included royalists opposed to Pridi Phanomyong and former Seri Thai members. The Party competed against various parties affiliated with Pridi and the Progress Party of brothers Seni and Kukrit Pramoj and other hard-line royalists. In the election, Pridi's bloc won a majority in Parliament, and the Demorats came in second. However, Pridi declined a nomination as Prime Minister - instead the Parliament appointed Khuang as Premier. Khuang resigned in March 2006 after being defeated on a minor bill, to be replaced by Pridi. The Progress Party, including the Pramoj brothers, later merged with the Democrat Party.

[edit] "Pridi Killed the King"

After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946, the Democrat Party authored propaganda that Pridi was the mastermind behind the death and spread this propaganda throughout the capital.[1] Seni Pramoj's wife told the US chargé d'affaires that Pridi had the King assassinated.[2] A few days after the death, in the middle of a crowded theater, a Democrat MP yelled out, "Pridi killed the King!"[3]

[edit] November 1947 coup and the 1949 Constitution

By the time of the House election of August 1946, the Democrat Party was enlargened by royalists like Prince Upalisarn Jubala, Srivisarn Vacha, Sridhamadibes, Borirak Vejjakarn, and Srisena Sombatsiri. Except for Prince Upalisarn Jubala, all of these would become Privy Councilors to new King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Parties affiliated with Pridi continued to win a majority of seats in the House. Pridi was appointed Premier, but later conceeded to Luang Thamrong Navasavat. A military coup led by Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram later overthrew the government.

The palace persuaded Marshal Plaek to appoint Khuang Aphaiwong as figurehead civilian Prime Minister.[4] In subsequent elections in 29 January 1948, the Democrats won a majority for the first time, and reappointed Khuang as Premier. Khuang packed his cabinet with palace allies, much to the consternation of the military. The military later, claiming that they were supporters of constitutional monarchy, demanded that Khuang resign. Marshal Plaek replaced him.

Although they did not have the Premiership, the Democrats had key representatives in a constitution drafting committee. Headed by Seni Pramoj and dominated by royalists under the direction of Prince Rangsit and Prince Dhani, the 1949 Constitution elevated the throne to its most powerful position since the 1932 overthrow of the absolute monarchy.[5] Among its features was a Senate appointed directly by the King. The Constitution provoked an uproar among much of the public. It was attacked as contrary to the spirit of the 1932 revolution. Critics were branded republicans and communists.[6]

Subsequent elections saw military-affiliated parties winning a majority in the House; however the Senate was still dominated by Democrats and other royalists. As Marshal Plaek was still Premier, tensions between the military and the Democrat/palace-alliance steadily increased. Then, on 29 November 1951, the military and the police seized power, just as the King Bhumibol's vessel was returning to Thai waters. Although the military's 1952 constitution called for elections (it was essentially the 1932 Constitution), the Democrats did form a government for another 23 years.

[edit] The era of no elections

Sarit Dhanarajata seized power from Marshal Plaek in 1957. Unlike Marshal Plaek, Sarit deified the throne, thus removing any advantage that the Democrats, who had previously been dominated by royalists, had. The junta did not immediately abrogate the 1952 Constitution, and appointed Pote Sarasin figurehead civilian Premier. Thus elections were held on 15 December 1957, resulting in the Democrats losing out to military dominated parties. They appointed Sarit's ally General Thanom Kittikachorn as Premier. Sarit went to the US to be treated for liver cirrhosis - 8 months later, he returned healthy and executed another coup, dissolving Parliament, abrogating the Constitution, and ruling by Revolutionary Council. For the next 9 years, there were no elections in Thailand, and the Democrat Party lay dormant.

[edit] The era of the Three Tyrants

Thanom Kittikachorn, who had succeeded Sarit after his death, was pressured to promulgate a democratic constitution in 20 June 1968 and hold elections in February 1969. Parties affiliated with Thanom won that election, and the Democrats joined the opposition. Thanom, his son Narong, and his brother-in-law Praphas Charusathien became known as the Three Tyrants. They later executed a coup against their own government in 17 November 1971, abrogating the Constitution and running the Kingdom through a National Executive Council. Facing rising tension, they drafted a new charter in December 1972, which established a wholly-appointed 299-member National Legislative Assembly.

[edit] The short flowering of democracy

Opposition to the Three Tyrants exploded on 13 October 1973, when 400,000 protested at the Democracy Monument. A violent crackdown and intervention by the King led to the appointment of Privy Councilor Sanya Dhammasakdi as Premier. The Three Tyrants left the Kingdom. Sanya established a constitution drafting committee, consisting of Kukrit Pramoj (who by this time had established the Social Action Party) and many academics. The new constitution was promulgated in 7 October 1974.

Legislative elections were held in January 1975, resulting in none of the 22 parties coming close to winning a majority. The Democrats, led by Seni Pramoj, formed a coalition government in February 1974. Seni was appointed Premier, but the unstable coalition was highly unstable, and was replaced in less than amonth by a Social Action Party-led coalition which appointed Kukrit Pramoj as Premier.

[edit] Seni Pramoj and the 6 October 1976 Massacre

The Kingdom descended into political chaos, with anti-leftist elements growing increasingly violent. In January 1976, the military pressured Kukrit to dissolve Parliament. Elections were scheduled on 14 April. The months leading up to the election were extremely violent.[7] Seni Pramoj's Democrats won the most seats in the election, and formed a highly unstable coalition government.

Seni's government came under great pressure. A bill to extend elections to local levels was passed by Parliament 149-19, but the King refused to sign the bill or return it to Parliament, effectively vetoing it.[8] As anti-leftist hysteria escalated, Praphas Charusathien returned shortly from exile to meet the King. Protesting student were attacked by Red Gaur paramilitary units. On 19 September 1976 Thanom returned from exile and was immediately ordained as a monk at Wat Bovornives. Massive protests erupted. The King and Queen returned from a trip to the South to visit monk Thanom, leading Seni to resign from the Premiership in protest. His resignation was refused by Parliament, but initial attempts to reshuffle his Cabinet were blocked by the King.[9] The political tension finally exploded in the 6 October 1976 massacre, when Village Scouts and Red Gaur joined with military and police to rape and massacre at least 46 students protesting at Thammasat University.[10] That evening, the military seized power and installed hard-line royalist Tanin Kraivixien as Premier.

The military coup was clearly endorsed by the King, who declared that it was "a manefestation of what the people clearly wanted."[11] The new constitution had no Cabinet or elections and gave the Premier near absolute powers.

[edit] The modern Democrat Party

The Democrat Party evolved into an outspoken opponent of military involvement in politics and it was one of the major forces during Thailand's turbulent years, often in power for a short while until the next coup and subsequent episode of military dictatorship. A key member of the "People Power" movement in 1992, the Democrat Party under Chuan Leekpai led coalition governments from 1992 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2001.

The Democrat Party moved back to the opposition in 2001 after the sudden rise of Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party, winning only 128 seats compared to the TRT's 248. Although the party's candidate in the 2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election, Apirak Kosayothin, won a landslide victory, the party lost further ground in the 2005 general election. In a disastrous showing, the Democrats won only 18.3 % of the popular vote and 96 out of 500 seats, prompting party leader Banyat Bantadtan to resign. On March 6, 2005, Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected the new party leader.

Election results in the South, 1975-2005
Election results in the South, 1975-2005

The party's base was traditionally concentrated in Bangkok, where the party could rely on support from the capital's middle and upper classes. However, during the 1990s, under the leadership of Chuan Leekpai, a native of Trang province in Southern Thailand, the Democrats became the dominant party in the southern region. The influx of provincial politicians from the south into the party created considerable tension with the party's Bangkok establishment. But since Chuan's "Mr. Clean" image made him personally popular with Democrat supporters in the capital, the party managed to stay united under his leadership. In 2003, however, Chuan retired as party leader.

Democrat Party 2005 election poster highlighting the "201" campaign
Democrat Party 2005 election poster highlighting the "201" campaign

In a closely-fought leadership contest, southerner Banyat Bantadtan prevailed over Abhisit Vejjajiva, the candidate of the Bangkok establishment. The bitter rivalry between Banyat and Abhisit was a major cause of the party's poor showing in the 2005 general election. During that election, the Democrats developed a populist agenda, promising more jobs, free education and health care, and combating crime and corruption. However, the party refused to give details of their policies.[12] They also aimed to gain 201 seats, enough to launch a vote of no confidence debate against the Premier. They won only 96 seats. Abhisit succeeded Banyat after the election, and noted, "It will take a long time to revive the party because we need to look four years ahead and consider how to stay in the hearts of the people."

The party is a member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, an alliance of democratic and liberal parties from throughout the region.

[edit] Election Boycott

In February 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra announced a house dissolution, after months of mass protests, and called for general election in May. The Democrat Party (Thailand) has colluded with 2 other main opposition parties to boycott the election in hoping to make it impossible for the new government to form. These elections of April 2006 were declared invalid.

[edit] Current structure

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[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Subhasvsti, "Noeng Sotwarot Subhasvasti", Bangkok: Family of M.C. Subhasvasti Wongsanit Svastivat, 1999, page 82
  2. ^ Sulak Sivaraksa, "Powers That Be: Pridi Bhanomyong Through the Rise and Fall of Thai Democracy", Bangkok:Runkaew, 1999, page 18-19
  3. ^ Rayne Kruger, "The Devil's Discus", London: Cassell, 1964, page 103
  4. ^ Frank C. Darling, "American Influence on the Evolution of Constitutional Government in Thailand" Thesis, American University, 1960, page 185
  5. ^ Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3
  6. ^ The Bangkok Post, 5 February 1949
  7. ^ The head of the Socialist Party was assassinated, the Red Gaur attempted to bomb the headquarters of the New Force Party, and the Chart Thai Party was established with the slogan "Right Kills Left".
  8. ^ Such a refusal to either sign or reject legislation was very rare. Seni's government did not dare vote to reject his veto, and simply passed over the issue.
  9. ^ David Morell and Chai-Anan Samudavanija, "Political Conflict in Thailand: Reform, Reaction, Revolution", page 273
  10. ^ 46 was the official deathcount, see Bryce Beemer, Forgetting and Remembering "Hok Tulaa", the October 6 Massacre. Students were also lynched and their bodies mutilated in front of cheering crowds
  11. ^ Andrew Turon, Jonathan Fast, and Malcolm Caldwell, eds. "Thailand: Roots of Conflict", Spokesman: 1978, page 91
  12. ^ Aurel Croissant and Daniel J. Pojar, Jr., Quo Vadis Thailand? Thai Politics after the 2005 Parliamentary Election, Strategic Insights, Volume IV, Issue 6 (June 2005)

[edit] See also

[edit] External link

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