The brainstorming session and seminar on Fighting for Democracy: Experiences of People’s Movement in Nepal and Thailand in Bangkok, on 7 May, summarised and inevitable fact that the democratic future of any country must be steered by the people.
Organised by the Thai Solidarity Group for Democratic Movement in Nepal, the event was well attended by about 150 people, who comprise of youth, students, academics, political, social and human rights activists.
The brainstorming session and seminar on Fighting for Democracy: Experiences of People’s Movement in Nepal and Thailand in Bangkok, on 7 May, summarised and inevitable fact that the democratic future of any country must be steered by the people.
Organised by the Thai Solidarity Group for Democratic Movement in Nepal, the event was well attended by about 150 people, who comprise of youth, students, academics, political, social and human rights activists.
Speaking at the seminar, Sulak Sivarak, senior civil society member and democracy activist in Thailand, highlighted the role of monarchy and democracy in various countries.
"Institutions are for the people, not for the constitution or for the sake of continuation of royal governance.
“The future of Nepal has to be determined along with the spirit of the people's movement", he said.
Professor Surat Horachaikul, director of South Asia Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, emphasised people to people contact to ensure their issues would reflect in the new constitution of Nepal.
However, he added that the sustainable democracy cannot be guaranteed merely by the constitution.
“There are many issues such as civic education and reflection of people's agenda in the state systems to lay people to develop free will,” he said.
Stay vigilant
Meanwhile, Professor Jaran Dita-apichai, Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission member, said that the new political scenario in Nepal should reflect people's demands in its reality while the international community have to stay constantly vigilant.
While illustrating Thailand’s democracy, Jaran said that it could be meaningful if we looked at the general willingness of the people.
Surapong Jayanama, former Ambassador of Thailand, pointed out the geo-political position of Nepal and the importance of international concern in determining the status of democratic system.
"People's movement and the international concern have forced the king to give up the power and accept the agenda of the political parties", he added.
Comparing the movement in two countries, Surapong said people's movement in both Nepal and Thailand was directed towards democracy, where the people were struggling against the king in Nepal, and against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra in Thailand.
Somsak Kosaisuk, Leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Thailand said, "People’s understanding has to be reflected in the process and they should not be left behind.
Effective monitoring
Speaking at the same forum, Ekraj Sabur, from the Youth Coordination Centre International stressed the importance of continued effective monitoring of the situation for the true benefit of the Nepalese people.
Sarba Khadka, a doctorate student at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand presented a paper on the political situation and people's movement for democracy in Nepal.
Similarly, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Lecturer, Rajapat Nahorn Ratchasima University, explained about the political situation, and formation and strategies of PAD.
Other speakers include Rawai Pu-paka, of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM)-Thailand, Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions (ADTU), Thailand, Supawadee Petcharat, of 1,000 Women for Nobel Peace Prize 2005, and Chalida Tajaroensuk, FORUM-ASIA.
Note: Thai Solidarity Group for Democratic Movement in Nepal is a network of trade unions, human rights organisations and women's labour organisations in Thailand, dedicated to support the democratic movement of Nepalese people.
