The Third Discourse in Thai Political Landscape

The Third Discourse in Thai Political Landscape?

Janpha Thadphoothon

(This is a paper in progress.)


The genesis of this essay comes right after listening to what Army General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth mentioned the setting up of the THIRD FORCE in Thailand. What is the third power? What he may mean is the power of the ethnic minorities and the poor.

This discourse is worth exploring deeper in details, as it is said and voiced by the former army chief and seasoned politician like General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth. Amidst political challenges in Thailand, the idea proposed is greeted with questions and doubts. As a matter of fact, a great majority of Thai folks have no idea what it is; some, however, are well aware what its implications are.

                                                          General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth
                     Photo credit: http://www.kanzuksa.com/primeMinisterDetail.asp?prime=22


This is what is what has been quoted:


" เป็นการตั้งขึ้นมาเพื่อให้ความรู้กับพี่น้องประชาชน แสวงหาทางแก้ไขปัญหาเฉพาะหน้าคือความยากจน หรือหากมีการปะทะกันด้วยกำลัง กองกำลังที่ 3 จะเข้าไปแทรกแซงหรือไกล่เกลี่ยด้วยความคิด ไม่ใช่ตั้งขึ้นมาเพื่อสร้างความเสียหาย หรือเกิดความขัดแย้งแก่ผู้ปกครองประเทศ ซึ่งกลุ่มคนดังกล่าวประกอบด้วย ชาวไทยภูเขา 21 ชนเผ่า กลุ่มไทยใหม่ กลุ่มคนยากจน พี่น้องปักษ์ใต้ที่มีความเข้าใจในแนวทางนี้ กองกำลังที่วางอาวุธ ฯลฯ"
(Thai)


"It's set up to educate the people, seeking to resolve the immediate future problems, namely poverty or in case where there is a clash of forces. This force shall intervene or reconcile using ideas (not weapons). It's not been set up to cause any damage or to  stand against those in power. The third force entails 21 hill tribes, New Thai Group, the poor, our brothers and sisters in the South who accept and welcome this force, the armed forces who have laid down their weapons, etc."

(English)

In one analysis, the essayist played down his proposal, saying that it will gradually disappear from the main discourse.

Similarly, the regime also came out and played down the real significance of his remark on the Third Force. In stead, it has suggested that the idea is useful and might be useful for the country.

Bangkok Post reported that the force is to resolve the conflicts of the country.

In terms of discourse analysis, the texts that we have read and appeared in the media point to one thing --t at is that --- Thailand is still in the middle of conflicts. How can the conflicts be solved or managed?

Will the new Charter solve the conflicts?  Many critics and some politicians express their doubts.
Will the future government be able keep the conflicts at bay without resorting to the military intervention?

The road ahead for Thailand is not that rosy, many critics said, as it still has to deal with old problems and die-hard internal conflicts. Establishing law and order (Bangkok Post 2016, May 17) has been managed properly with the prices to pay; but conflicts (disunity) within the country are far from over. It's harder to manage conflicts, it seems.

Whether the third force was for real or just a political discourse, the political reality in Thailand has not changed much. We still have a lot of work to do.

References

"ความขัดแย้งรอบใหม่เริ่มคืบคลาน"
http://www.manager.co.th/AstvWeekend/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9590000043496

Chavalit sets up "Third Force" to end conflict
http://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/chavalit-sets-up-third-force-to-end-conflict/895716


บิ๊กจิ๋ว เผยเหตุก่อตั้งกองกำลังที่ 3
http://news.mthai.com/hot-news/politics-news/483563.html


กองกำลังที่ 3 น้ำหนัก ความน่าเชื่อถือ ..? From http://news.sanook.com/1963906/

"คสช. ไม่สน พลเอกชวลิตร ตั้งกองกำลังเพิ่ม "
http://www.dailynews.co.th/politics/386650