The application of "double standards" by the powers-that-be against those from opposing political sides has been pointed out as one of the root causes of Thailand's political conflict for over a decade.
Since the current military regime, which staged the 2014 coup, and its government have pledged and made efforts to "foster reconciliation and political reform", they should also have refrained from applying any double standards. But their recent action, or inaction, towards a political group, in this case the Sam Mitr (Three Allies) political group, is making many wonder if double standards have come into play.
In the past decade, the red shirts and pro-Thaksin Shinawatra camp claim they have been treated unfairly by several rulings by state agencies ranging from independent organisations to the Election Commission and the judiciary. The application of double standards is a core problem, they say, which has resulted in political conflicts and social divisions.
