BANGKOK — With the promise of the 1932 coup that ended absolute monarchy and gave birth to Thailand’s first constitution still miraculously unfulfilled, politicians, military leaders and academics rejoiced today as Thailand officially became the world’s oldest “fledgling democracy.”
76-year-old Sombat Boonyarat, who was born in 1932, said he had waited a lifetime for this day. “It has been difficult. But now I know the 17 coups, 17 constitution drafts, 37 states of emergencies, 53 house dissolutions, 29 years of martial law and 163 cabinet reshuffles have not been in vain.”
Millions of Thais joined Sombat in celebration after learning that the Guinness Book of World Records had officially sanctioned the record.
“It is a great day for Thai-style democracy,” declared Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. “There were some worrying times when the world seemed prepared to call us a full-fledged democracy but we persevered.”
Prem is widely credited with modernizing Thailand’s fledgling democracy as the country’s unelected prime minister in the 1980s and by working tirelessly behind the scenes in the 1990s and 2000s.
Professor Duncan McCargo of Leeds University said it was a remarkable achievement for the Kingdom. “At every point when Thailand’s democracy appeared ready to take flight, so to speak, and transform into a real, as opposed to “fledgling” democracy, morally corrupt leadership, the military, global politics, American interests, royal maneuvering or the PAD, have intervened to keep Thai democracy retarded,” he said.
Thai historian Manas Weerasakul said Thailand’s fledgling status was most at risk immediately following World War II and after the October 1973 student uprising. “There were real movements afoot to create true democracy in Thailand but luckily both were violently suppressed.”
Former foreign minister Tej Bunnag added that Thailand must continue its mission and preserve the record into the future by aiding the world’s new fledgling democracies such as Iraq, Georgia and Afghanistan to “become full-fledged democracies. Thus we can continue to fulfill the great calling set out for us by Pridi Phanonyong, who declared in 1932 that ‘Thailand’s new democracy will be an example to Asia and the rest of the world.’ ”
Army chief Anupong Paojinda said that he too would respect Thailand’s “fledging” status at all costs by “continuing to interfere in local politics and befriending dictatorships abroad.”
Many political scientists were at a loss to explain how a country could be a “fledgling democracy” for so long but they were excited by the achievement nonetheless.
Said Bangkok University political scientist Anuchai Pongsuk: “Not only do we have the world’s longest-reigning monarch but we are also the world’s longest-running experiment in democracy. Imagine sharing both titles at once.”
