Extracted from The Nation

Another major setback for Thailand's international standing and reputation as it joined Congo as the newly "not-free" countries this year in a major survey of global freedom released Wednesday.

Freedom in the World 2007, a survey of worldwide political rights and civil liberties done in New York, found that 45 countries are not free, representing 23 percent of the world's inhabitants. About one-half of those living in Not Free conditions inhabit one country: China.

But the same survey said that the percentage of countries designated as free has remained flat for nearly a decade and suggests that a "freedom stagnation" may be developing.

The continued weakness of democratic institutions—even after holding democratic elections—in a number of countries continues to hamper further progress. According to the survey, the number of countries judged by Freedom in the World as free in 2006 stood at 90, representing 47 percent of the global population. Fifty-eight countries qualified as partly free, with 30 percent of the world's population.

Regionally, major findings include a setback for freedom in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, a more modest decline in Africa, and a solidification of authoritarian rule in the majority of countries of the former Soviet Union. Three countries experienced positive status changes:

Guyana moved from partly free to free, and Haiti and Nepal moved from Not Free to Partly Free. Two countries experienced negative status changes: both Thailand and Congo moved from partly free to not free.

Sixteen of Asia's 39 countries are Free (41 percent), while 12 are Partly Free (31 percent) and 11 are Not Free (28 percent).

Freedom House also noted that the trends reflected the growing push back against democracy driven by authoritarian regimes, including Russia, Venezuela, China, Iran, and Zimbabwe, threatening to further erode the gains made in the last thirty years. The pushback is targeted at organizations, movements, and media that advocate for the expansion of democratic freedoms.

Regionally, Asia experienced the largest proportion of lowered scores in 2006. While the dominant development was the military-led coup that ousted Thailand's democratically elected prime minister, other countries previously considered showcases of Asian freedom, including the Philippines and East Timor, also experienced setbacks.

The Nation

What was the military regimes estimated time for the elections to return the country to democracy?

I read the Nation and Bkk Post every morning over my bacon sarnie and cuppa in Shearers bar near where I work (my last true link to "home" some might argue).

Over the last few days many of the headlines have been about the CNS's attitude and actions over Toxin travelling abroad - the latest being the diplomatic row with Singapore.

It strikes me that whatever we think about Toxin, both as an individual, politician and leader, the CNS would do well to remember that he was an ELECTED leader and they are not. It reflects very badly on Thailand that the (entire?? - in essence) governmental procedure is currently run by NON elected individuals.

I fully accept that this can be a rather emotive issue but comment/debate will be read avidly, by me at least!

I am NOT actually overtly criticising the CNS, neither in the way they came to power or in the appointments they have made, mainly because I was rather pleased to see Toxin go, but I DO think they are being very selective in "forgetting" this particular fact.

In reply to manggaawns question - I think it was "within 12 months" but that has been argued, deliberated and changed a few times with contradictory statements as is so often the case here. Whatever the timescale it is worth noting that Thailand was only deemed "partly free" PRIOR to the coup so even a quick return to (apparent) democracy would not push it into the "free" category.

Thanks Whitespider. The previous constitution was voided, is the 12 month timetable also include the ratification of a new one, and elections? What will be done with all the appointments made by the CNS? Curious about your personal thoughts and the Thai people in general, my parants and grandmother lived under a military dictatorship as children. my maternal grandfather was imprisoned for 4 years, for being to vocal on the government. He was a general in the army at the time. He died of phenmonia due to the prisons conditons. It is said that no family in the country (Dominican Republic) was spared from losing someone to his rule.

There are too many things outstanding with regard to human rights, freedom of speech and the overall handling of the situation in Southern Thailand for Thailand to move into the free category anytime in the near future. They will need to demonstrate that they are able to operate as a free country for some time before they will be upgraded to that point.

The 2 countries that were moved into the partly free category this year are a very long way away from being considered free and I don't really believe that they are much better if any than Thailand.

I would certainly feel much more personal safety in Thailand than I would in Haiti and I always believed that persona;l safety was one of the UN factors in determining a free country. This reeks of more UN patronage and bullshit to me.

I think some of these people handing out the "not free" stickers should try looking a bit closer to home. :Ban: :Ban: :Ban: :Ban:

It's a Thai publication... :What1:

Very good point. How free is anyone?

But it is a UN report.

Yes. :Cop: