VZCZCXRO4746
RR RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHCHI #0093/01 1830921
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020921Z JUL 09
FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1088
INFO RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 1170
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHIANG MAI 000093 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR PHU 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP AND IIP/SDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM SCUL SOCI TH
SUBJECT: U.S. ACADEMIC DISCUSSES OPPOSITION PARTY POLITICS WITH RED 
AND YELLOW SHIRT AUDIENCE 
 
CHIANG MAI 00000093  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Sensitive but unclassified; please handle accordingly. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Summary and Comment 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶1.  (U) As redshirt, yellowshirt, and other politically active 
groups struggle to define their roles in Thai society, Consulate 
Chiang Mai hosted a U.S. speaker, who discussed with them the 
role of opposition parties in the U.S. system.  An expert on the 
American political system, Dr. Larry Berman, a political science 
professor from the University of California Davis, spoke about 
peaceful political transitions and the important role played by 
opposition parties.  Participants throughout his program were 
actively engaged, making for lively question and answer periods. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Comment:  Dr. Berman's two presentations, and the 
discussions that they catalyzed, helped to further the mission's 
goals of enhancing international understanding and building 
democratic institutions.  Dr. Berman noted that Thailand can 
certainly draw important institutional lessons from the United 
States' political system.  However, he also emphasized the 
importance of cultural change, highlighting the need for 
Thailand to tackle corruption and promote a commitment to 
democratic ideals at all levels of society before democracy can 
become entrenched in the social fabric.  We will continue to 
impress on all political actors the need for Thailand to 
continue adhering to democratic norms.  End Summary and Comment. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
A Guide to Peaceful Political Transitions 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Thailand's history of military coups and contested 
elections makes any discussion of political transitions highly 
relevant and potentially contentious.  During his three 
sessions, Dr. Berman artfully guided spirited discussions on the 
appropriate role of opposition parties and the factors which 
contribute to peaceful political transitions.  The morning 
session, held at Chiang Mai University, was attended by both 
faculty and students; the lunch session was comprised of 
academics; and politically active leaders made up the audience 
in the afternoon session.  The program was made possible by 
funding from the Bureau of International Information Programs 
and the Public Affairs Section at Embassy Bangkok. 
 
¶4.  (U) In his presentations, Dr. Berman observed that in a 
vibrant democracy, majority parties can never feel secure; they 
must always imagine that a minority party may one day claim the 
majority.  As such, debate over any particular issue must be 
continuous, and all parties must build consensus out of the 
campaigning process.  In mature democracies, governing parties 
cannot flout the law, knowing full well that they may one day be 
in opposition and will need their political opponents to obey 
the laws they pass. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Dr. Berman also pointed out that never in the history 
of the United States has the military or the police force been 
used to keep a party or an incumbent in power.  Control over the 
government has always been turned over to the winning candidate. 
 Dr. Berman emphasized three important factors which facilitate 
these peaceful handovers of political power: 
 
-- The US has an independent judiciary, free of political 
influence, which protects the civil liberties of both majority 
and minority party candidates. 
 
-- The US has ensured civilian control of the military.  In 
other countries, leaders have secured political power by 
maintaining control over the military.  In the US, members of 
the military take an oath not to interfere in civilian political 
affairs. 
 
-- The United States has also cultivated a widespread cultural 
commitment to democratic ideals.  American citizens, at all 
levels of society, understand the procedural norms that 
facilitate political transition and agree to abide by the rules 
put in place.  These procedural norms ensure a cultural 
commitment to majority rule and the simultaneous protection of 
minority rights. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Dr. Berman's afternoon session brought together over 
40 representatives from both the red and yellowshirts.  Despite 
their divergent political views, audience members engaged in a 
thoughtful and non-confrontational discussion of the 
institutional parameters critical to a functioning democracy. 
In response to questions posed by the audience, Dr. Berman 
 
CHIANG MAI 00000093  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
provided the following recommendations and observations: 
 
-- Thailand needs to develop local structures which promote 
democratic participation at the grassroots level and not just at 
the top political level. 
 
-- Thailand must ensure that its military leaders are the best 
and brightest.  Promotions should be based on academic 
performance and the ability to do the job, rather than on 
cronyism.  Furthermore, military leaders should be able to 
signal their disagreement with RTG policy or orders from the 
Palace by resigning in protest.  Although military leaders must 
accept civilian control, officers always have the option to step 
down. 
 
-- Although national level politics is dominated by two parties, 
the US has many political parties, and these parties can impact 
local and regional politics.  The role these smaller parties 
play in regional politics can serve as a model for Thailand's 
multi-party system. 
 
-- When asked about the impact of special interest groups on 
American politics, Dr. Berman admitted that special interest 
groups may be able to sway elected officials but that these 
officials will not be re-elected if they do not represent the 
interests of their constituents. 
 
¶7.  (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Bangkok. 
MORROW