Monks and gangsters in Thai politics

6 February 1997

Each democratic system develops its own styles of political leader - styles which command public trust. Many American leaders are modelled on bankers (Roosevelt, Kennedy) or cowboys (Reagan, Clinton). French leaders of both left and right have the manners of the landed gentry (Pompidou, Chirac, d’Estaing). Many British leaders are versions of the neighbourhood shopkeeper (Wilson, Heath, even Thatcher). Democratizing Thailand seems to be developing two such styles of leader - the gangster and the monk.

The role of the gangster or tough guy runs back to the feudal lord, the military chief and the nakleng, the village strongman. Nakleng were men of action who became powerful through bravery, violence, daring, and gang leadership. They had both good and bad sides. They defended the village against outsiders and dispensed rough justice. But they were easily tempted to use power for gain or sport. They usually adhered to a code of honour. But sometimes this veered into honour among thieves, at the expense of others.

Over a long period of military domination, this nakleng role became the dominant style of Thai political leaders. Phibun, Sarit, Thanom, Kriangsak all had this style, as did Sunthorn and Suchinda of the 1991-2 coup regime. Ex-military men like Chatichai and Chavalit also fit the pattern. So do many civilian politicians like Banharn, Montri, Newin and Snoh.

The nakleng style is desperately macho. Nakleng leaders revel in macho plumage: military uniforms with lashings of braid and regalia; shiny, brightly-patterned shirts; showy hats (cowboy-style golf hats are a current favourite); chest jewelry and chunky bracelets.

They collect women. Some have well-publicised love affairs. Others are credited by the rumour-mill with multiple liaisons. When Newin Chidchob was dropping in the popularity ratings, his father told the world that Newin’s bony arse made him sexy.

Nakleng drink hard and party hard. Kriangsak is still remembered for his love of fine cognac. Chatichai loved to disco. Suchinda liked whisky, wine and night-clubs.

Nakleng are sparing with words, and openly sceptical about ideas.

The core principle of nakleng leadership is the gang ethic of loyalty and honour. They expect absolute loyalty from their friends and subordinates. In return they must have a "big heart". They must be ready to do anything for a friend or follower. Loyalty and honour override principle. Friendship and connection matter more than justice or fairness.

The alternative political style of the monk has emerged more recently. The most obvious example is Chamlong Srimuang. He was a lay member of an unorthodox monastic cult, and showily adopted many monkish practices. Several other politicians have adopted this style in a more subtle form - most notably the Democrat leader, Chuan Leekpai.

To carry off this style, you have to look a bit like a monk. Chamlong adopted a curious hairstyle half-way between a military crew-cut and a monastic tonsure. Others just look underfed and abstemious. Clothes should be rigorously plain. Chamlong wears a mohom peasant shirt or a dull safari suit. Chuan prefers the plainest of white shirts.

Monkish leaders are somewhat distant from women. Chamlong publicly announced that he had given up any sexual relations with his wife. Chuan conducts a liaison which is sexual (there is a child) but not familial (they live apart and are not legally married).

Monkish leaders also need to gain a reputation as good talkers, givers of sermons. Chuan can happily lecture an audience for hours.

These sermons should focus on principle. Chamlong founded his political party on a set of principles of conduct. Chuan talks often about the important of adhering to democratic principles. Both have a reputation for personal honesty, which qualifies them to criticise others for corruption and bad behaviour.

Anand Panyarachun fits the monkish style but rather imperfectly. He looks trim enough. His wife is rather invisible. He likes to lecture. He talks a lot about principle. But he spoils things by a fondness for good wine, cigars and fancy tailoring.

Possibly Anand’s failure to adopt the complete monkish style helps explain why he has difficulty winning acceptance among other politicians. During elections to the CDA, Anand was bitterly opposed by politicians who remembered him lecturing them about corruption. In fact, Chuan has lectured MPs on this subject more severely and more often than Anand. But Chuan gets away with it because he is clearly a political "monk", while Anand’s style is not so definite.

The most long-standing leader of recent years, General Prem Tinsulanonda, was a unique blend of the nakleng and the monk. He acquired nakleng style through his military rank and reputation, and embellished it with an affection for brilliant clothing, and a ruthlessness in political intrigue. At the same time his style had something of the monk - the ascetic thinness, calm demeanour, absence of female company, and reputation for principle.

But combining the styles like Prem is unusual. More often, they are distinctly separate. Thai political leaders are either nakleng or monks. And the two styles tend to be opposed. Chamlong against Suchinda. Chuan against Banharn. Chuan against Chavalit.

The nakleng stands for action without principle. The monk stands for principle without action. Sarit - the archetype of the nakleng leader - is always remembered as the leader who got things done, though with costs in terms of principle and justice. Chuan is known as a good man, but cannot shake the reputation that he is indecisive and ineffectual.

Here lies the paradox of modern Thai politics. The mass of people believe that good men cannot get things done, and action men cannot get things right.

Very recently there are signs of a new leadership style which tries to get round this paradox.

This new style has roots which are more Chinese than Thai. These roots include the precepts of Sun Tsu, the characters of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the stories of Justice Pao. The two key attributes of this new style are strategy and fairness.

First, a good leader of this "Chinese" style is a master at the chessboard strategising of political in-fighting. He can get things done by cunning.

Second, he dispenses justice with fairness and morality, in spite of pressure from bad men and influential friends.

Banharn and Chavalit both have something of the nakleng and something of this new "Chinese" style. Banharn was famous for his political cunning. While other politicians thought two or three moves ahead, it was said, Banharn plotted thirty or forty. This may or may not have been true. But his claim to leadership was based in part on the belief that he did. When it came to exercising his power, however, Banharn relapsed to the nakleng model of helping friends and followers.

Chavalit was once seen as a poor player of the political chess game. But as he came closer to his goal of the premiership, his reputation for political strategy suddenly increased. He was quickly re-imagined in this "Chinese" leadership style.

Chavalit also wants to present himself as a just ruler, who will not put friendship and loyalty above right and justice. For several years, he has revelled in the comparison to Khong Beng, a general in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Khong Beng solved problems by quick thinking, and acted justly despite fierce pressures. Now Chavalit tells us he will rule well despite the track-record of most of his Cabinet colleagues. He promises to reform the political system, even though this system has brought him to power. He promises to cut the military budget even though he himself is a soldier. He promises to lead a campaign of austerity even though his millionaire ministers love flaunting their wealth.

Monks and gangsters offer us a clear choice - between moral man and action man. The new "Chinese" style of leadership is more ambitious and more slippery. It tells us: trust me, I’m tricky but I have a good heart, and I can work miracles. Remember Banharn "I will not disappoint the people" and Chavalit "I will do my best."

We know now about Banharn. Whether Chavalit is really Khong Beng or just another nakleng, we are all about to find out.