Thailand's Dhammacracy
Dhammacracy – the rule of Dhamma is an ideology that suppresses democracy while justifying an undemocratic regime.
This philosophy influences the political discourse in Thailand in a way that is deeply rooted in the country's culture and history. It promotes rule by hierarchy, where a small group of elites, seen as morally superior, are granted the authority to rule over the majority.
This concept has implications for the political landscape, particularly in the way power is exercised and justified.
In practice, dhammacracy has contributed to the traditional establishment, including the military and nobility, playing a dominant role in Thai politics.
This is evident in the suppression of the democracy movement and the dissolution of progressive parties such as the Move Forward Party (MFP), which were seen as a threat to the nobility.
The dissolution of the MFP and the banning of its leading members from political office for the next 10 years is an example of how dhammacracy is used to marginalise political opponents and strengthen existing power structures.
Dhammacracy has also contributed to the fact that demands for more democracy and equality often encounter a backlash from the state, denying people a say in the running of the country.
The disappointment over empty promises of democracy and the drastic counter-reactions of the conservative establishment have led to a hardening of fronts, with the political discourse increasingly determined by a generational conflict.
In summary, dhammacracy influences the political discourse in Thailand by strengthening the power of the elites and suppressing democratic aspirations, leading to a political culture characterised by repression and a lack of genuine democratic participation.
Dhammacracy, Thailand's political philosophy, is the establishment's strategy for the 21st century and a blatant misuse of Buddhism for political purposes.
Nang Tani
