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Published on October 1, 2007

A careful study of comments and statements by senior officials including Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the chairman for the Council For National Security, and Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram shows a complete lack of moral courage and appreciation of the democratic struggle there. While the international community has expressed outrage and applied pressure, Thais are behaving as if they were similar to or a part of the Burmese junta.

In response to a question on the Burmese situation posed at a luncheon talk at the Asia Society in New York on Wednesday, Surayud said with a deadpan face that as the head of a Buddhist nation, he urged the Burmese junta not to use force as this was not the Buddhist way. He should have known by then that five people had already been killed. When asked about the fate of opposition party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, he simply said that Burmese leaders did not keep the promise they made four years ago to free her. For a general, who at one time held was responsible for defending the country from the Burmese troops, these comments were rudimentary and uncaring indeed.

After long, drawn-out wrangling between Surayud's advisers and top Foreign Ministry officials on Thursday, the prime minister's speech was amended at the last minute to include new paragraphs on Burma. But three out of the four added paragraphs were taken from Asean's joint statement on Burma. Of course, the grouping's declaration was bold and candid and reflected by far its toughest position on Burma since the country joined Asean in 1997. It's sad but true that the Thai delegation did not have the courage to say something of its own. They did not even bother rewording or rephrasing those sentences.

Sonthi's insensitive comments earlier also added salt to the wounds. He said quite blatantly that the demonstrators tried to incite the military junta. As a Thai-Muslim Army chief, he should have kept his mouth sealed, but he instead was showing off and defending the junta for the whole world to see. Of late, his comments on domestic and international affairs have bordered on the ridiculous. The whole situation could have been made worse if Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas had not postponed his scheduled visit to Burma last week.

Nitya's comments on Burma throughout have shown restraint and limitation as well as a lack of conviction for democracy. He mentioned time and gain that Thailand supports peace and stability in Burma. That much was clear. Juxtapose his views with those of other foreign ministers from the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, and one can notice the differences. These countries came out with no-nonsense statements and firmer positions, calling for the release of all prisoners and for the country to move towards democracy. They also warned that the current confrontation could have implications for Asean and the whole region and that the grouping cannot remain silent or uninvolved in this matter. Now Asean has to go beyond its verbal commitment and translate its concern into action by demanding compliance from Burma. Indeed, the Burma crisis will be the first test case for the Asean charter.

These countries had the common sense to respond to the moral climate of the times in supporting the Burmese people's concerted call for change, but Thailand is nowhere to be seen. There were also contradictions in Thailand's position on Burma. As a Buddhist, frontline state, the government should come out with statements that are more forceful and stronger, not wishy-washy. It is not often that the Thai government has the opportunity to speak effectively for the Burmese people.

Somehow, the government has not learned from its recent history. Thailand backed the Khmer Rouge, which committed genocide during its reign of horror between 1975-1978. From 1978-1995, almost three-million Cambodian refugees lived in camps along the Thai-Cambodian border, later going to third countries. How many of them recall their experience here with appreciation? Currently, the government is committing the same faux pas with the Burmese.

As a frontline state to Burma, Thailand has utterly failed to show leadership for the grouping. Asean has a long-standing tradition in permitting a frontline state to have the prerogative on matters concerning its security. During the Cambodian conflict, Thailand, as a frontline state, played a leading role and had full Asean support. In the case of Burma, Bangkok has not asserted itself during this administration or the previous one. Since it shares a 2401-kilometre border with Burma, Thailand should have more say in Asean policies toward the country. The Foreign Ministry has instead preferred a passive approach. Just look at the problems caused by the Burmese junta's intransigence against its people that Thailand has to deal with. Somehow, Rangoon has effectively blackmailed Bangkok for its energy needs. Through inept attitudes and policies, the Thais have failed to respond to Burmese people's request for basic rights and freedoms.

A few months remain for this government and instead of pushing for more reforms, it has decided to dig a deeper hole to stay entrenched. Thailand's diplomacy has been sidelined or, worse, become dispensable within the region. The future is bleak for Thailand to reclaim its place as a leading democratic voice in the region and regain its international credentials.

Kavi Chongkittavorn