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"Intervention aimed at strengthening democracy"

This is a letter from Thailand's Ambassador to India, Chirasak Thanesnant, on the recent political change in his country:

"The recent political change in Thailand has attracted a lot of attention from the Indian media and the general public, who have been following the story closely. This is due to the close cordial relations existing between Thailand and India in all aspects, and the fact that India is the largest democracy in the world.

"Thailand respects the opinions of the journalists and the public in this regard. However, many points from the events that have unfolded in Thailand need to be clarified, so that people can truly understand the facts, rationale, and where this is all heading.

"The political change was undertaken by the `Council for Democratic Reform under Constitution Monarchy' without any violence or resistance. The Council was compelled to undertake the mission for various reasons incurred by the previous government, namely, the lack of political confidence in Thailand and impasse of political differences; drastic increase in disunity among Thai people; signs of rampant corruption, malfeasance and widespread nepotism, inability to proceed with the reform process as intended by the Constitution; interference in national independent agencies, crippling their ability to function properly and to effectively solve the nation's problems; deterioration of social justice. For these reasons, the political change turned out to be a peaceful and bloodless one, resulting in our daily lives returning to normalcy the very next day.

"The Council announced a number of statements which clearly declared their intentions not to take up any governmental roles and affirmed their determination to undertake only brief intervention to restore peace, unity and justice in the country. Furthermore, the Council has firmly declared that a provisional constitution will be in place in two weeks from the day of the political change, and a new government under a civilian Prime Minister will be formed. The mechanisms for democratic reform will soon be reinstated, which would enable a legislative body responsible for legislation and the drafting of the new constitution to be established. This process, which will lead to general elections, should be completed within one year.

"I would like to reassure you that Thailand's foreign policy will remain unchanged, and the existing relationship between Thailand and India shall continue to be fostered and enhanced. Thailand's international economic policy, including the multilateral trade negotiations as well as the free trade agreements, will continue.

"Moreover, I would like to stress that Thailand remains a safe place for tourists, and the Suvarnabhumi International Airport will be inaugurated on 28 September 2006 as scheduled. As for economic consequences, only minimal impact has been detected, while Thailand's investment policy remains the same.

"However undemocratic the political change may seem, the Council's intervention is undoubtedly aimed at strengthening democracy in Thailand in the long run. Leaving the country under protracted political uncertainty, on the other hand, would eventually erode people's trust and confidence in the very foundations of democracy.

"I am certain that this new chapter in the Thai political history will unfold itself to be accepted by the international community in the future to come."

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