Editorials
Tuesday, November 19, 1996
Thais elect another
coalition government
SINCE the absolute monarchy ended in 1932, Thailand has alternated between civilian and military rule. The last spell of government by the military ended in 1992. Elections have just been held for the third time in four years, and it appears that the next government will be little changed from the last one.
A former general and defense minister, Chavalit Yongchai-yudh, is in position to become Thailand's 22nd prime minister. Chavalit's New Aspiration Party won Sunday's elections with 125 seats in the 393-member House of Representatives. He said he had recruited five other parties for a majority of 221 members.
This is not encouraging for critics of the previous government, which was accused of corruption, mismanagement and tampering with financial institutions. Two leading members of the top party were denied cabinet posts because of U.S. allegations that they were involved in narcotics trafficking.
All but one of the six parties in the new coalition had been part of the previous government, led by former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, which lasted 14 months until the ruling coalition collapsed with a no-confidence vote looming.
Responding to the election results, stock prices fell sharply on the Thai stock exchange. Investors saw no reason to expect improvement in the currently sluggish economy, although Thailand has until recently experienced strong growth.
It appears that Thailand will have to keep on muddling through with weak, short-lived governments. The future is also clouded by the question of the royal succession - King Bhumibol Adulyadej is 68 and ailing. He is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his reign.
As a functioning democracy, Thailand has a long way to go. The United States, a longtime friend and ally, should do what it can to promote reform.
Mars probe goes awry
BEFORE President Clinton's departure yesterday for Australia, his aides were studying reports about a Russian Mars probe carrying plutonium that was plummeting toward Earth amid fears that it might land Down Under. Australian military and civil defense teams were placed on alert. While Russia was under the Communist system, there was no reason for the United States to mourn its failures in space. Now, however, Russia is no longer a threat to U.S. security and it is struggling for economic survival. This launch might have helped.
Saying no to searches
UST saying "no" to a police officer can be difficult, but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that people should exercise their right to do so if they don't want police to search their belongings. An Ohio man who told an officer to "go ahead" and search his car stands convicted of a drug felony because he failed to exercise his rights.
Fortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling will not require Hawaii's courts to lessen protections against such searches. The Robinette decision overturned the Ohio Supreme Court's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. States may individually grant greater protection to individuals under their state constitutions, and Hawaii's high court often has done so.
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Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor