LAST WEEK, Thailand was introduced to the concept of "transitional democracy" - a term that has left many wondering.
However, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)'s chairman Borwornsak Uwanno, who came up with the term, appeared to be ready with answers. He introduced the term to the press at the first round of meetings held to elaborate on the "essence of the draft charter" after it was completed last Tuesday.
He explained that since the Kingdom was in a transitional period, what it needs now is a "transitional democracy", not a Western-style "full-fledged" democracy.
Borwornsak appears to have realised that the society has become jumpy since the coup, which is probably why he has tried to be cautious about what he says.
He seems to want to avoid the term "quasi-democracy", and prefers "not yet full-fledged" instead. To be specific, he is insisting on the term "transitional democracy", saying it will take at least five years for it to bloom into a full-fledged democracy.
Borwornsak explained the term by saying, "transitional democracy is aimed at patching up differences, promoting reconciliation and navigating the country towards 'reform'."
To materialise these goals, the next government will be running the country using a new mechanism that will help it with reform and reconciliation, he said. And in times of crisis, this mechanism will be used to prevent the country from falling apart, he added.
Borwornsak put forward a set of reasons to justify the content of the new charter. He said the CDC had tried its best to find a model that fits the country's situation, pointing out that for the past decade, Thailand has been plagued with corruption and deep divides - all due to Western democratic values.
He recounted that in the last 10 years, two constitutions had been torn up and an elected government replaced with a military regime. Hence, he reasoned, on the one hand you have a failed "full-fledged democracy" and on the other, a coup waiting to happen.
In order to chart a course out of this dilemma, he explained, the CDC had decided to write a charter that gave life to a "transitional democracy", which would grow and develop into a full-fledged one.
"After seeing things fall apart, I would like to ask if we want it again - a Western-style democracy?" he asked.
This question certainly requires contemplation.
For starters, it should have been posed from the very start, so the public too could have considered it. Instead, the CDC discussed and decided on every item included in the charter behind doors that were firmly closed. Hence, now presenting a charter - which in essence would turn the country toward a new path - the CDC risks it being rejected by the people.
This Sunday, the National Reform Council (NRC) will vote on the draft charter, and if it approves it, it implies that the concept of a "transitional democracy" is acceptable.
After that, Thais will have some five or six months before they go through a referendum and make their voices heard about the charter.
The concept of a "transitional democracy" is very new and people need to understand it before making a decision.
The CDC cannot sit back and say it has finished its work. Perhaps it should explain the concept clearly so people can make an informed decision.
After all, citizens have the right to know and decide what course their country will take in the future.