Nepotism is a political demon that lurks in all kinds of ideological environments, and while it is prevalent in a dictatorship, it can also weaken democracy considerably.

Worse still, this demon feeds off rivalry of ideologies.

The latest plight of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is an Exhibit A of that. On the one hand, the case of Thawil Pliensri took place while Thailand was supposedly more democratic than now. On the other hand, action is only being taken against her when the country is “less democratic”, raising the question whether it was a conspiracy to twist the knife in the wound of a fallen rival rather than a sincere effort to get rid of one of the biggest scourges haunting the political system.

To cut a long story short, Thawil was removed as head of the National Security Council while Yingluck was in power, so that then police chief Wichean Poteposree, who was at the time having to give the helm of the national police to political favourite Priewphan Damapong, allegedly could have a graceful exit. Priewphan got the police top job and Wichean had his face “saved” by taking over at the NSC. Allegedly, Thawil became the ultimate victim in this high-level practice in nepotism.

Everyone knew at the time that Priewphan was very close to the Shinawatras, and arguments were made against his qualifications for the highest police post. These pieces of information were included in Thawil’s complaint to the Administrative Court, which subsequently ruled in his favour.

This week, the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) in Thailand has resolved to file malfeasance charges, under Section 157 of the Penal Code, with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders against Yingluck. Without serious political divide, the case is controversial enough. With it, the demon that is called nepotism must be smiling from ear to ear.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service