Socialist party of Malaysia (Parti Sosialis Malaysia-PSM) is deeply concerned over the situation in Thailand after a coup d’état staged by the military on 19 September 2006. The overnight coup led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, which was Thailand’s first in 15 years, ousted the appalling Thaksin Shinawatra, and replaced him with a military and police alliance.

The coup though welcomed by some quarters has only created serious backlash to the social movements and democratic struggles in Thailand. The Coup has brought democracy many steps backwards and it only humiliated and back-stabbed the peoples movement; cherished in the ASEAN region

Real democratic change can only be brought from below, with the organization and mobilization of the working people and the oppressed, through people’s power. The military coup has undermined the endeavors of Thai people in search for a genuinely democratic and just society, free from oppression and corruption by the ruling elites.

PSM condemns and opposes the recent military coup in Thailand and urges the provisional military regime to handover its power back to the people. Any delay in bringing back democracy in Thailand, would only make this provisional regime into a dictatorial military junta. Neither the corrupted millionaire politicians nor the military bureaucrats nor the King can make real change and fulfill the aspiration of Thai people towards a better society. The transition of power should be laid in the hand of all ordinary people of Thailand, not the elite ranks in the conventional armed forces.

PSM calls for the lifting of all bans on the many human rights previously enjoyed by the people like freedom of assemble, media and publication.Elections and Democratic rights must be restored in order to let the people of Thailand to take their future in their own hands.

On many occasions, Thailand’s history has demonstrated that whenever there is an intense political or economic crisis, the ruling class will utilise either the monarchy, the military or when it can, the parliamentary system, as a tool to curtail popular revolt and to mould the state in favour of the profit needs of the capitalist class. This week’s military coup was enacted for similar ends to end the year-long political turmoil that adversely hit industry and the entire economy, particularly in Bangkok, which is the hub of Thailand ’s economy.

The only way to get rid of political and economic turmoil created by the capitalist system in Thailand today, is through the struggle of working people and the oppressed from below, by ending the rule of big tycoons and political elites.

PSM extends our solidarity to all ordinary people and progressive social movements in Thailand and looks forward to a truly social transformation from below in Thailand.

Released by,

Choo Chon Kai

International Bureau

Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM)

25/9/2006