Te Meaning of Kraisak Choonhavan

The Meaning of Kraisak Choonhavan

It is difcult to fnd a Tai word that defnes Kraisak Choonhavan. If we turn to English, the best word is probably “unique.” Or to borrow a Latin phrase, he is sui generis, which means “in a class by itself.” He is unlike others but not in an otherworldly or superhuman sense. Kraisak is still “all too human.” He is still “humane,” even though he was born into a powerful political and military family that was pretty much anti-democratic. His grandfather was at the forefront of the reactionary forces that obstructed Tai democracy afer WWII. As prime minister, his father was also quite devious. In any case, Kraisak would not be ofended by my criticisms. As he ofen says, “Ajarn Sulak has criticized not only my father but also my grandfather. But he is telling the truth.” How many of us can openly accept criticisms of our ancestors like him? Certainly not the ofspring of Luang Wichitwathakan! Tey would get terribly upset and angry when someone criticized their father. In fact, Luang Wichit was probably worse than Kraisak’s father and grandfather. But this is not the place to delve into this matter.

Kraisak and I are from two diferent generations. I was born slightly afer the 1932 Revolution, while he was born in 1947—the year that the Revolution was destroyed. He grew up among the powers-that-be in a family of politicians and military fgures. It wasn’t spontaneous, but I grew up trying to resist or break free from the powers-thatbe. However, Kraisak questioned rather than justifed his family’s massive power and wealth. He also openly admitted that he has benefted a lot from them. Kraisak grew up in South America. He was aware of the anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian, and anti-imperialist struggles in the region. He understood well the perils posed by the American empire, and it didn’t diminish when he went to study in the US. Except for a tiny number of progressives who were studying in the US during the Vietnam War, most Tai graduates from American universities are uncritical of US foreign relations.

Subsequently, Kraisak went to study in France and England. He met many intellectuals and further exposed himself to progressive thought in both countries. At the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, Kraisak studied with many progressive teachers. One of them was even murdered by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. I was fortunate to know many of Kraisak’s SOAS professors. When I was in exile because of the October ’76 mayhem, I met Kraisak in London. During this time, he went back home several times. He liked to joke that it would take quite a while before someone like me would be allowed back into the kingdom. I could sense his sincerity and

friendship at the time.

Kraisak is a true intellectual. Tis label has also been pinned on me. Te main diference is that I’ve never been a state ofcial. Kraisak had been an MP. He even rose to become deputy leader of the Democrat Party. Later, he was senator and advisor to the governor of Bangkok. He has performed many ofcial duties. Since he has a personal interest in the arts, Kraisak played a leading role in the construction of the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. Without his support, a shopping mall would have been constructed instead.

Kraisak had to juggle between his opposing identities as intellectual and state ofcial. It’s never easy for a real intellectual to work for and among the powers-that-be. At some point the working relations had to stop. For instance, he told me that when he was advisor to Governor of Bangkok Bhichit Rattakul, he saw many capable and hardworking ofcials. He was even full of praises for the governor. At the same time, he revealed to me the endemic corruption behind the scenes.

It has to be said that the Choonhavan family is very wealthy as well as corrupt. But Kraisak has never condoned corruption. He also has an eye for picking the right man for the right job at the right time. An exemplary case is the selection of a group of advisors to the Chatichai government. Tis group was comprised of six people: Pansak Vinyaratn, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Narongchai Akrasanee, Chuanchai Achanand, Borwornsak Uwanno, and Surakiart Sathirathai. Kraisak then acted as researcher for this group.

In 1988, these six individuals were the best and brightest in their respective felds. Whether or not any of them was morally upright is entirely another matter. And it seemed that they had interfered with the working of numerous ministries and departments, much to the consternation of the responsible state ofcials and bureaucrats. However, this group along with the Chatichai government was disbanded following the military coup led by Sunthorn Kongsompong and Suchinda Kraprayoon. Sadly, Pansak who once praised Chatichai as the best boss ever, went on to serve Taksin Shinawatra without any sense of shame.

As mentioned above, Kraisak is an intellectual who is close to the powers-that-be. In the world of the powers-that-be ordinary people are invisible and voiceless. Te powers-that-be, don’t even have to try to understand ordinary people. Kraisak is a clear exception. He understood Charoen Wat-aksorn, who was murdered by the land-owning elites. He understood Wanida Tantiwitthayapitak, who worked for the Assembly of the Poor. He is on good terms with Bamrung Kayotha. And so on. Moreover, he has condemned Tai state violence against Haji Sulong and the Muslim communities in the southern provinces of the country. A slight criticism is that he doesn’t appear to acknowledge that the name “Tailand” is more chauvinistic than “Siam.” If only there are more people like Kraisak among the ruling class!

Unfortunately, Kraisak has yet to make any concrete proposal for meaningful democracy in the country (as Pridi had initiated and as destroyed by Kraisak’s grandfather). In addition, although he is concerned about the plight of the farmers, he does not have any good plan to help them (unlike M.C. Sitthiporn Kridakara).

Admittedly, I’m too negative. Maybe, it’s because I expect too much from him. Afer all, Kraisak has to confront numerous family problems— from his father, mother, wives (I don’t even remember how many he has had), etc. He’s also not in the best of health. On the whole, I sincerely respect him as someone who belongs and does not belong to the ruling class, as someone who is sui generis.