Thread: Is Prayuth the best choice amid signs of Army rivalry?

A very poor choice indeed.

^^

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

This same stance was echoed by Col Apirat Kongsompong, commander of the 11th Infantry Regiment. He said: "Those people whom I don't want to name are suffering from psychosis. They don't want to see the country return to normal. These people are meaningless to me."

Bangkok Post : Suthep takes aim at Thaicom

COUP RUMOURS
Published: 23/04/2011

<snip - Suthep's comments about Thaicom's blackout>

Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara again denied the coup rumours triggered by the blackout, complaining Thailand had been overshadowed by speculation about a coup for five years.

Gen Songkitti headed a press conference in the presence of armed forces leaders earlier this month to shoot down coup rumours sparked by a reported meeting of leading political figures at an undisclosed location.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday called for the public to have faith in the military.

He said the army would have a hard time mobilising troops for training or assessing its battle readiness if people interpreted every military exercise as a sign of a putsch.

Gen Prayuth yesterday named close aides as taking key positions in a military reshuffle of 299 colonels.

Most notable is Col Apirat Kongsompong, commander of the 11th Infantry Regiment, who has been promoted to deputy commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the King's Guard.

Col Apirat joined three battalions of infantrymen who showed up at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok's Bang Khen district in a display of support for the army chief, who vowed to protect the monarchy.


Writer: Pradit Ruangdit & Wasana Nanuam



Bangkok Post : Don't you know who I am?

ABOUTPolitics
Published: 1/05/2010

<snip>

Col Apirat is a son of the late Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong, the former chairman of the now-defunct National Peace-Keeping Council, which staged a coup on Feb 23, 1991 that toppled the Chatichai Choonhavan administration.

Apirat: In the frame


...........

Note: my emphasis above

Bangkok Post : Prayuthurges Isoc overhaul

Prayuth urges Isoc overhaul

Agency could take after US homeland security department

• Published: 16/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha wants to upgrade the Internal Security Operations Command into a homeland defence ministry based on the US model, an army source says.

Gen Prayuth, in his capacity as deputy director of Isoc, suggested the change, to cope with emerging terrorist threats, and better handle the agency's increasing workload.

He will set up a working panel to study the idea.

The ministry's structure will be modelled on the US Department of Homeland Security, the source said.

Gen Prayuth has told Gen Daopong Rattanasuwan, army chief-of-staff and Isoc secretary-general, to draw up the plan, which will be put to the new government after the general election.

The source said Isoc's scope of work is vast but the agency has limited staff at its headquarters, with only 900 personnel.

Of these, 700 are soldiers from the armed forces and 200 are civil servants from other government agencies.

Isoc has four regional offices with the chiefs of each army region serving as directors.

The source said Gen Prayuth wanted to set up the ministry to cope with new forms of threats.

He also wanted the new ministry to take on more civilians and civil servants.

"The ministry would deal with natural disasters, new forms of epidemics and terrorism," the source said.

Gen Prayuth proposed the idea to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva before the House was dissolved and Mr Abhisit agreed with it.

Isoc has six operations coordination centres dealing with drug trafficking, illegal migrant workers, terrorism and transnational crime, cracking down on deforestation, tackling violence in the South, promoting royal projects and protecting the royal institution.

The prime minister is Isoc's director and the army chief is deputy director.

The agency has a board of 22 members drawn from other ministries, including the justice minister, the interior minister, and the defence minister.

Isoc is being criticised for trying to influence the outcome of the election by sending soldiers to undertake development projects to help people across the country. Isoc has rejected the claim.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Isoc has six operations coordination centres dealing with drug trafficking, illegal migrant workers, terrorism and transnational crime, cracking down on deforestation, tackling violence in the South, promoting royal projects and protecting the royal institution.

Interesting - a secret spy service dedicated to snooping on fellow Thais and others to ensure 'internal security'. The connection escapes me on these.

^ making money, Tom...

New Thai govt says army chief to keep post – AFP – AsiaWorks Newswire

New Thai govt says army chief to keep post – AFP

Thailand’s new defence minister said Wednesday there was no plan to sack the army chief, who played a key role in a deadly military crackdown on opposition protests in Bangkok last year.

“I can confirm that no one will be transferred,” General Yuthasak Sasiprapa told AFP at Government House when asked whether he was considering a reshuffle of the armed forces top brass.

Thailand’s military has a long history of intervening in politics, including a string of coups, most recently in 2006 when it overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra, whose allies staged a comeback with a landslide election victory last month.

Commander-in-chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a staunch royalist, launched a thinly veiled attack on Thaksin’s party on national television ahead of the vote, telling voters to pick “good people”.

Prayut, who took the top job in October, is reported to have overseen the military crackdown on a rally by Thaksin’s “Red Shirt” supporters in the heart of Bangkok in April and May 2010 that left more than 90 people dead.

The new defence minister told reporters Wednesday that he had been asked by Thaksin — widely seen as the de facto leader of the recently elected Peua Thai party — to pursue better ties with the army.

“I’m confident that relations between the military and Puea Thai will improve,” he said, adding that he did not expect another coup.

Yuthasak was a deputy defence minister under Thaksin, a former billionaire telecoms tycoon who now lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence imposed in his absence for corruption.

Thaksin tapped his youngest sister Yingluck to successfully run in his place for the premiership.

Yingluck, a 44-year-old political novice, took office on Monday with a vow to heal the scars of years of turmoil following the overthrow of her fugitive brother.

Several Red Shirt leaders were elected as lawmakers with Yingluck’s party but missed out on cabinet appointments that could have angered Thaksin’s foes in military, government and palace circles.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Commander-in-chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a staunch royalist, launched a thinly veiled attack on Thaksin’s party on national television ahead of the vote, telling voters to pick “good people”.

Looks like the electors realised who the "good people" were and gave them a landslide democratic election victory.did just fine.

So lets see now who does that make the "bad people", oh yes thats the PAD yellow nutter monkey arses

It

It’s Time the Army Learned to Stay out of Politics for Good

by Pavin Chachavalpongpun,
The Nation,

17 August 2011

Thailand has a new prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Her government is now in full operation. For now, Yingluck will need to deliver on her election promises, ranging from implementing an effective economic policy and mending the country’s ties with Cambodia. There is, however, one top priority that Yingluck has not made her position clear on – removing the anti-Pheu Thai Army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

True, Yingluck desperately seeks to build a working relationship with the military. When her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, wanted to weaken the military by interfering in its internal affairs, he was toppled in a coup. But the situation has changed and Yingluck is now playing a different political game. Her overwhelming popular support in this post-coup period signifies the public discontent with the military’s political intervention. Yingluck is therefore urged to invent a new culture under which elected civilians control the military.

Yingluck will certainly meet her match. General Prayuth is not just a typical royalist soldier. A self-proclaimed anti-Thaksin figure, he blatantly interferes in politics. Yingluck may find it almost impossible to work with a man who openly disapproves of her own brother, the Pheu Thai political platform and the red-shirt movement.

Thus, a question emerges: Should Yingluck sack Prayuth from his current post as the Army chief? There are five reasons for the new prime minister to do so.

First, General Prayuth is not politically neutral. As the Army chief, he must not take sides because to do so would further polarise Thai politics. In fact, he should be barred from making political statements. Prior to the election, General Prayuth frequently appeared on national television, urging Thais not to vote for the Pheu Thai Party. His action was inappropriate. He betrayed the professionalism of the Thai military.

On June 14, Prayuth said, “Voters should use their good judgement to choose the best candidates to run the country efficiently. If you allow the election [result] to be the same as before, you will not get anything new and you will not see any improvement from this election. Voters must not allow themselves to be blinded by the personalities involved and must not vote for politicians who violate morals or laws.

“Why vote for them? I want to ask you to vote for good people who are determined to work for the good of the country”, General Prayuth stressed.

His TV appearance was seen by Pheu Thai as a move to stem the apparent rising popularity of Yingluck, its top party list candidate.

Second, General Prayuth continues to drag the monarchy into the political fray even when he earlier warned Thai politicians not to do so. He claimed that there was an anti-monarchist undertone in certain campaigns, especially by groups of Thais living overseas, and that security organisations have found evidence of “rampant” lese-majeste in some instances.

The lese-majeste law has been used as a weapon by different factions to undermine their opponents. The military has also exploited the lese-majeste law to defend its position in politics. General Prayuth’s repeated reference to the draconian law will obstruct the government’s renewed reconciliation effort.

Third, General Prayuth himself has become “too politicised”. It is difficult to find any consistency in his actions and statements. As a soldier who dared to publicly identify his political enemies, he must stick to his words. While he previously discouraged Thais from voting for Pheu Thai, he rushed to congratulate Yingluck on her election success, less than 24 hours after the ballot boxes were closed.

On April 23, Prayuth said, “The only thing we want to ask is for all parties not to violate the monarchy or bring the monarchy into their conflicts.”

As mentioned above, it was General Prayuth who pulled the monarchy into the political ring and kept making allegations against some Pheu Thai members for their supposed disloyalty to the much-revered institution.

Fourth, General Prayuth was one of the chief operators behind the brutal crackdowns in April and May last year. While he was the second man in the Army at the time, it was reported that he could have been behind the order to go ahead with the crackdowns. So far, no Army officers have been brought to justice for the alleged crimes they committed against unarmed demonstrators. A recent report by the BBC’s Fergal Keane alleged that the military was indeed responsible for the killings of red-shirt protesters.

Clearly, the Army under the leadership of General Prayuth perceives the elimination of internal enemies as its top agenda. The healing process in Thai society will not be achieved if justice is not given to the victims of state violence. Such a perception of the Army could only worsen the already fragile situation.

Fifth, General Prayuth lacks a sense of diplomacy. He “declared war” against Cambodia and brought back an obsolete, security-centric foreign policy. His hostile attitude toward Cambodia, which is partly derived from the incessant politicisation of the (disputed) Preah Vihear Temple issue, spearheaded by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), will complicate the work of the current government in its attempt to renew ties with Cambodia for the sake of peace and prosperity for the people in the border area.

It is time for Madame Prime Minister to act like a true soldier – fire the one who has caused great damage to Thai interests.


Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Follow Pavin at www.facebook.com/pavinchachavalpongpun.

^ I'm glad you posted that....I wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not. Another good piece from Pavin.

He should be fired.

Originally Posted by SteveCM

It

It’s Time the Army Learned to Stay out of Politics for Good

by Pavin Chachavalpongpun,
The Nation,

17 August 2011

Thailand has a new prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Her government is now in full operation. For now, Yingluck will need to deliver on her election promises, ranging from implementing an effective economic policy and mending the country’s ties with Cambodia. There is, however, one top priority that Yingluck has not made her position clear on – removing the anti-Pheu Thai Army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

True, Yingluck desperately seeks to build a working relationship with the military. When her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, wanted to weaken the military by interfering in its internal affairs, he was toppled in a coup. But the situation has changed and Yingluck is now playing a different political game. Her overwhelming popular support in this post-coup period signifies the public discontent with the military’s political intervention. Yingluck is therefore urged to invent a new culture under which elected civilians control the military.

Yingluck will certainly meet her match. General Prayuth is not just a typical royalist soldier. A self-proclaimed anti-Thaksin figure, he blatantly interferes in politics. Yingluck may find it almost impossible to work with a man who openly disapproves of her own brother, the Pheu Thai political platform and the red-shirt movement.

Thus, a question emerges: Should Yingluck sack Prayuth from his current post as the Army chief? There are five reasons for the new prime minister to do so.

First, General Prayuth is not politically neutral. As the Army chief, he must not take sides because to do so would further polarise Thai politics. In fact, he should be barred from making political statements. Prior to the election, General Prayuth frequently appeared on national television, urging Thais not to vote for the Pheu Thai Party. His action was inappropriate. He betrayed the professionalism of the Thai military.

On June 14, Prayuth said, “Voters should use their good judgement to choose the best candidates to run the country efficiently. If you allow the election [result] to be the same as before, you will not get anything new and you will not see any improvement from this election. Voters must not allow themselves to be blinded by the personalities involved and must not vote for politicians who violate morals or laws.

“Why vote for them? I want to ask you to vote for good people who are determined to work for the good of the country”, General Prayuth stressed.

His TV appearance was seen by Pheu Thai as a move to stem the apparent rising popularity of Yingluck, its top party list candidate.

Second, General Prayuth continues to drag the monarchy into the political fray even when he earlier warned Thai politicians not to do so. He claimed that there was an anti-monarchist undertone in certain campaigns, especially by groups of Thais living overseas, and that security organisations have found evidence of “rampant” lese-majeste in some instances.

The lese-majeste law has been used as a weapon by different factions to undermine their opponents. The military has also exploited the lese-majeste law to defend its position in politics. General Prayuth’s repeated reference to the draconian law will obstruct the government’s renewed reconciliation effort.

Third, General Prayuth himself has become “too politicised”. It is difficult to find any consistency in his actions and statements. As a soldier who dared to publicly identify his political enemies, he must stick to his words. While he previously discouraged Thais from voting for Pheu Thai, he rushed to congratulate Yingluck on her election success, less than 24 hours after the ballot boxes were closed.

On April 23, Prayuth said, “The only thing we want to ask is for all parties not to violate the monarchy or bring the monarchy into their conflicts.”

As mentioned above, it was General Prayuth who pulled the monarchy into the political ring and kept making allegations against some Pheu Thai members for their supposed disloyalty to the much-revered institution.

Fourth, General Prayuth was one of the chief operators behind the brutal crackdowns in April and May last year. While he was the second man in the Army at the time, it was reported that he could have been behind the order to go ahead with the crackdowns. So far, no Army officers have been brought to justice for the alleged crimes they committed against unarmed demonstrators. A recent report by the BBC’s Fergal Keane alleged that the military was indeed responsible for the killings of red-shirt protesters.

Clearly, the Army under the leadership of General Prayuth perceives the elimination of internal enemies as its top agenda. The healing process in Thai society will not be achieved if justice is not given to the victims of state violence. Such a perception of the Army could only worsen the already fragile situation.

Fifth, General Prayuth lacks a sense of diplomacy. He “declared war” against Cambodia and brought back an obsolete, security-centric foreign policy. His hostile attitude toward Cambodia, which is partly derived from the incessant politicisation of the (disputed) Preah Vihear Temple issue, spearheaded by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), will complicate the work of the current government in its attempt to renew ties with Cambodia for the sake of peace and prosperity for the people in the border area.

It is time for Madame Prime Minister to act like a true soldier – fire the one who has caused great damage to Thai interests.


Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Follow Pavin at www.facebook.com/pavinchachavalpongpun.

Its a good article, and I am surprised it is published in the nation. Seems to me nation has something in it after all, or just disorganization as opposed to the post.Bangkok post keeps having it "One negative article a day of this government" policy.

Army chief orders reshuffle - The Nation

Army chief orders reshuffle

The Nation on Sunday November 20, 2011 2:01 am

General Prayuth Chan-ocha has approved the reshuffle of 221 Army colonels in a bid to consolidate his power base.

Dozens of soldiers who are close to the Army chief and his colleagues from Class 12 of the Armed Forces' Preparatory School were given key positions in various army units under reshuffle orders signed by Prayuth on Friday, sources said.

Bangkok Post : Army readies for pardon plan fallout

• Published: 20/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The army chief has signed an order to transfer 221 battalion commanders to consolidate power to prepare for the expected fallout of a proposed pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

An army source said Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday signed an order to reshuffle 221 colonels and lieutenant colonels in almost 40 army battalions.

The source Gen Prayuth made the reshuffle to reinforce his power and boost his confidence in army battalion commanders.

Those commanders control all important combatant units, including those in the infantry, cavalry, artillery corps and the special warfare unit.

Most of the officers promoted in the reshuffle are loyal to members of Class 12 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Gen Prayuth's class, said the source.

The source said that a nephew of the former prime minister, Lt Col Sarawut Shinawatra, chief of the civilian affairs division of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division, was not promoted to battalion commander as many had expected.

"It might be because of his last name," the source said.

Meanwhile, Col Prieo Tinsulanonda, a nephew of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, was made deputy chief of staff of the 5th Infantry Division in the reshuffle.

The source said that all armed forces chiefs are concerned that anti-government demonstrations could start up again in response to reports that the government is planning to propose a royal pardon that would enable Thaksin to avoid jail time.

The People's Alliance for Democracy has already announced that would rally against the pardon request if it favoured Thaksin.

The Democrat Party might support the group in its protest, which could lead to clashes with the pro-Thaksin red shirt movement.

The military might then have to take action to ensure peace and order in the country, the source said, hence the need for a united command.


Writer: Wassana Nanuam
Position: Reporter

Deja vu?

The unconvincing denials are missing, but yes, it does look like RTA might be getting ready for another attempt to fix the country. Must be slow learners given that they have failed 22 times in a row and still think they can get right next time.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

More details in the Bangkok Post article...some rather interesting additions...something is afoot....

Bangkok Post : Army readies for pardon plan fallout

Army readies for pardon plan fallout

• Published: 20/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The army chief has signed an order to transfer 221 battalion commanders to consolidate power to prepare for the expected fallout of a proposed pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

An army source said Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday signed an order to reshuffle 221 colonels and lieutenant colonels in almost 40 army battalions.

The source Gen Prayuth made the reshuffle to reinforce his power and boost his confidence in army battalion commanders.

Those commanders control all important combatant units, including those in the infantry, cavalry, artillery corps and the special warfare unit.

Most of the officers promoted in the reshuffle are loyal to members of Class 12 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Gen Prayuth's class, said the source.

The source said that a nephew of the former prime minister, Lt Col Sarawut Shinawatra, chief of the civilian affairs division of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division, was not promoted to battalion commander as many had expected.

"It might be because of his last name," the source said.

Meanwhile, Col Prieo Tinsulanonda, a nephew of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, was made deputy chief of staff of the 5th Infantry Division in the reshuffle.

The source said that all armed forces chiefs are concerned that anti-government demonstrations could start up again in response to reports that the government is planning to propose a royal pardon that would enable Thaksin to avoid jail time.

The People's Alliance for Democracy has already announced that would rally against the pardon request if it favoured Thaksin.

The Democrat Party might support the group in its protest, which could lead to clashes with the pro-Thaksin red shirt movement.

The military might then have to take action to ensure peace and order in the country, the source said, hence the need for a united command.

Making the way for internal army coup

The RTA is gearing up to prevent an anticipated takeover bid by the Shinawatra blok.

A nameless one can't stand Thaksin's ambitions and pretentions, neither does his extended family.

The current attempt to restore Thaksin through an amnesty can have only two possible results.

Firstly, something akin to a civil war, where the RTA will be pitted against the police.

The second outcome, if Thaksin successfully re-integrates, is his assasination.

Either outcome will ensure that the RTA retains control on behalf of their CIC.

Originally Posted by ENT

RTA retains control

You seem to happily describe Thailand as a despotism?

If one removes the characters and personalities in the (yawwn) latest coup cycle, all Thailand is in is the latter stages of a struggle between despotism and democracy. I back democracy to win, mainly because the people have had enough of their elected governments being repeatedly overturned on someone else's whim.

A side issue, exacerbated by the wide distrust and resentment of Thaksin (and the people) in Establishment circles, is where the powers of the elected government begin and end. This is relevant too- government in a Constitutional democracy does not have autocratic powers.

^ Sabang post#145 above


If democracy exists, it would be preferable, but Thailand has no such structure firmly in place because of endemic corruption and nepotism.

Democracy, a government of, by and for the people, elected by virtue of a majority vote by the populace, does not exist in any country.

The eligible electorate, comprised of roughly half of the total population in the land, has its votes divided between (usually) several candidates.

If 60% of the eligible voters turn up and vote, the others being apathetic, this represents 30% of the total population.

Usually no more then 40% of votes cast elect the "winner".

This "winning" 40% of the 30% of the total voting population, this represents only about 12.5% of the total population, at best.

The result is that only one person in eight actually supports the winning party to give it a "clear" mandate to exercise power over the total population.

The elected "winners" ( only a tiny handful of very ambitious people) then form a government.

Once in power, after promising many things to the gullible populace, the elected representatives proceed to enact new legislation to disenfranchise the powerless mass and promote the interests of "national economy and security and welfare", an euphemism for investing as much public funds as possible into government approved ventures.

These ventures are operated by the business sector and the banks.

Taxes are manipulated, favouring them, and burdening the rest of the country to the limit of their endurance.

Sometimes, the worm turns, and the people, fed up, but not having an explanation as they have no time to study the whole situation due to work and/or family pressures, react against the very real oppression that they are experiencing.

The government then enacts further new legislation empowering the police and/or army with further crowd control methods.

State media project the government propaganda, ensuring that the populace are well and truly controlled.

Funding business (through tax breaks) and enlisting the use of advertising to promote the interests of the main controllers of wealth produced by the mass through work, the state machine continues in its service to the dominating clique of the wealthy, through its policy of consumerism, the driving force for profits in a manufacturing economy.

Government of, for and by the people? A democracy?

Not by a long shot.

The government elected in this way is an oligarchy, and closer to despotism than you describe, my friend.

Originally Posted by ENT

^ Sabang post#145 above


If democracy exists, it would be preferable, but Thailand has no such structure firmly in place because of endemic corruption and nepotism.

Democracy, a government of, by and for the people, elected by virtue of a majority vote by the populace, does not exist in any country.

The eligible electorate, comprised of roughly half of the total population in the land, has its votes divided between (usually) several candidates.

If 60% of the eligible voters turn up and vote, the others being apathetic, this represents 30% of the total population.

Usually no more then 40% of votes cast elect the "winner".

This "winning" 40% of the 30% of the total voting population, this represents only about 12.5% of the total population, at best.

The result is that only one person in eight actually supports the winning party to give it a "clear" mandate to exercise power over the total population.

The elected "winners" ( only a tiny handful of very ambitious people) then form a government.

Once in power, after promising many things to the gullible populace, the elected representatives proceed to enact new legislation to disenfranchise the powerless mass and promote the interests of "national economy and security and welfare", an euphemism for investing as much public funds as possible into government approved ventures.

These ventures are operated by the business sector and the banks.

Taxes are manipulated, favouring them, and burdening the rest of the country to the limit of their endurance.

Sometimes, the worm turns, and the people, fed up, but not having an explanation as they have no time to study the whole situation due to work and/or family pressures, react against the very real oppression that they are experiencing.

The government then enacts further new legislation empowering the police and/or army with further crowd control methods.

State media project the government propaganda, ensuring that the populace are well and truly controlled.

Funding business (through tax breaks) and enlisting the use of advertising to promote the interests of the main controllers of wealth produced by the mass through work, the state machine continues in its service to the dominating clique of the wealthy, through its policy of consumerism, the driving force for profits in a manufacturing economy.

Government of, for and by the people? A democracy?

Not by a long shot.

The government elected in this way is an oligarchy, and closer to despotism than you describe, my friend.

Are you speaking of which European nation in particular?

All world governments.
Even with so called proportional representation

Originally Posted by ENT

All world governments.
Even with so called proportional representation

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by ENT

^ Sabang post#145 above


If democracy exists, it would be preferable, but Thailand has no such structure firmly in place because of endemic corruption and nepotism.

Democracy, a government of, by and for the people, elected by virtue of a majority vote by the populace, does not exist in any country.

.....

Government of, for and by the people? A democracy?

Not by a long shot.

The government elected in this way is an oligarchy, and closer to despotism than you describe, my friend.

all very true, democracies are not very good at electing representative governments.

Democracy is very good at providing a non distructive method to get rid of unpopular governments. Thats why its works so well.