US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK1775

UNCLAS BANGKOK 001775 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, TH, TRT - Thai Rak Thai, Southern Thailand, HUMAN RIGHTS 
SUBJECT: THAILAND:  A KINDER AND GENTLER THAKSIN? 
 
 
1.  (SBU)  Summary:  In his second term inaugural speech on 
March 9, Prime Minister Thaksin promised to be open to 
dissent, support non-governmental organizations and establish 
a better rapport with the press.  Thaksin also told the Thai 
nation that he will dedicate himself to building a better 
society and stronger economy.  Thaksin made his speech after 
receiving the King's formal endorsement for his next 
four-year term.  It is not clear how durable the Prime 
Minister's uncharacteristic gesture to disaffected parties 
such as the media, the NGO community and public advocacy 
groups will prove to be, but he has used a prominent moment 
in his political career and Thai political history to 
publicly reach out and offer to listen to critical voices. . 
End Summary. 
 
2.  (U)  In his second term inaugural speech on March 9, 
Prime Minister Thaksin surprised many observers here by 
stating emphatically that he will keep an open mind to 
dissent, work with non-governmental organizations and build 
bridges to the press.  Clearly basking in a celebratory 
moment surrounded by his wife, three children, and members of 
his cabinet adorned in official rgalia, the Prime Minister 
assured his audience that he would not abuse his powerful 
majority in Parliament.  Among other highlights in the 
speech, Thaksin: 
 
-- described the ongoing violence in the southern border 
provinces as Thailand's number one domestic issue, and 
promised his best efforts to solve the crisis, protect 
innocent citizens, enforce laws in compliance with the 
Constitution, and to promote educational and economic 
development for the local populace. 
 
-- called his promise to serve the country a "social 
contract" and affirmed that he would respect NGOs with no 
"hidden agendas" and encourage their participation in the 
country's development. 
 
--  promised to promote rights and liberty, strengthen local 
administrative organizations, and enhance public 
participation at every level. 
 
--  pledged to interact often with the Thai public and listen 
to their problems through public hearings and issue-specific 
referendums. 
 
--  promised to initiate primary elections in his Thai Rak 
Thai (TRT) party to allow the selection of candidates for the 
next general election by the party membership. 
 
--  declared that he would promote human rights and invited 
Thai civil society groups to discuss with him ways to upgrade 
human rights in the country. 
 
--  announced plans to set up a center to track down people 
who have gone missing 
and to promote "social justice." 
 
--  stressed that he would administer the country on the 
basis of "good governance" and enhance transparency and 
eliminate corruption. 
 
3. (SBU)  Comment: Most of Thaksin's speeches trumpet his 
administration's economic accomplishments. This inaugural 
speech, with its conciliatory tones and attention to issues 
of public participation in the policy process, is highly 
unusual. It appears to have been crafted by Thaksin's 
speechwriters to signal that the Prime Minister wants to 
build bridges to groups he has alienated, such as NGOs, rural 
interest groups, environmentalists and the press. Skepticism 
about his sincerity is widespread.  One prominent critic told 
us that Thaksin was only paying lip service to his critics 
and that the "real Thaksin" is still the combative figure 
exercising an almost gleeful penchant for publicly slanging 
his adversaries.  However, while the durability of the Prime 
Minister's uncharacteristic gestures in this speech remain in 
doubt for some, he has used a prominent moment in his 
political career and Thai political history to publicly reach 
out and offer to listen to critical voices. End Summary. 
BOYCE