The political machinations within the landscape of Thailand are akin to the rolling of dice in an unpredictable and often treacherous game of chance. One mustn’t be precipitous nor naive, particularly when the scepter of power is at stake. The Move Forward Party (MFP), a relatively new political force, finds itself maneuvering in these complex waters. Their recent setbacks underscore the necessity for a measured political coming-of-age, one underpinned by careful judgment and prudence.
As Pheu Thai introduces Wan Muhamad Noor Matha into the consideration for house speaker, it’s an instructive moment for MFP. The party’s overzealous public statements, their premature announcements, and a cavalier attitude have exposed a lack of political maturity. It’s as if they’ve willingly handed Pheu Thai a strategic advantage, thus underlining their inability to keep their own counsel.
The MFP’s strategic missteps reflect an adolescent sense of invulnerability. When Rangsiman Rome proposed to change the National Day, they further strained the already taut threads of public sentiment – an unnecessary challenge ahead of delicate political negotiations. High-profile figures within the party firing broadsides on social media have been counterproductive. The trend of leaders employing social platforms to voice hastily thought-out policies is not only ill-timed, but also ignites public cynicism and exacerbates political friction. Just look at the stock market for proof.
Social media, though a potent force, is a fickle advisor. Policies cannot be woven from the capricious threads of public sentiment voiced through these platforms. They are avenues for gathering feedback, yes, but they are poor architects for nation-building. An erroneous reliance on public approval is perilous, and the MFP must discern when to face the backlash of unpopular decisions, necessary for the greater good.
And then there’s the regrettable incident of July 2. The spectacle of MFP’s fans berating senior Pheu Thai strategists, individuals who have navigated Thailand’s political labyrinth for decades, at MFP’s HQ is alarming. It was more than just poor manners; it was a spectacle of incivility that stains the party’s reputation. The absence of an apology, an admission of poor form, implies that MFP condones such behavior. It’s akin to a street brawl brought into the drawing room, a shaming spectacle that they should urgently redress.
The MFP must remember that even the toughest of battles require a chivalrous conduct, a decorum that sets the standard for younger generations. After all, one doesn’t become a statesman merely by entering the political realm but by maintaining dignity in its challenging dynamics.
The MFP, backed by 151 MPs, is no longer an upstart. It’s a player with a stake in the future of Thailand. It’s time for the party to discard its adolescent attitudes and the bravado that accompanies it. A more mature approach is needed, an evolution that embraces gravitas, restraint, and thoughtfulness.
The party mustn’t be content with being the boisterous teenager rattling the political household. It’s high time they grow up, mature into a political entity capable of leading not just by force, but by wise counsel and sober judgment. It’s time for the MFP to show that it can guide the Thai family, in all its colorful and tumultuous diversity, to new and hopeful horizons.
For the sake of Thailand, let’s hope they heed this call and metamorphose into the political force they have the potential to be. The MFP must remember, in the immortal words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, that “The shell must break before the bird can fly.”