backtonormal

"We haven't had a referee over the last 5 or 6 years...".

Wrong Mr. Surakiart, the referee was there all the time, it's called the law, but you (yes you) and many others had no respect for the law and now we have the mess.

You say 'secret talks'. Again, totally wrong and totally inappropiate. You. Mr Surakiart, have strong Thais to thaksin, thaksin now claims he's the champion of democracy, eaual justice and no double standrads, and his red gangs claim to be his disciples.

Let's have a quick analysis of this:

- Thaksin and his his red shirt gangs, are demanding that they want quality democracy. That means freedom of speech, the right to involvement of all citizens in discussion, and total transparency. Secret talks is just the opposite.

- Thaksin and his red shirt gangs are demanding equal justice. But again and again they ask for special treatment outside of equal justice for all Thais.

- Thaksin had said many times "I have done nothing wrong", He knows this is totally untrue and is blatant lies. Hardly a bastion of truth and morals.

Mr. Surakiart, your approach is totally inappropriate and in fact smacks of elitism which thaksin claims he is fighting.

Get back to strict observance of the law, be a champion of upholding the law Mr Surakiart, then you might have a valid platform.

Demonising Mr Thaksin again. I am sure you are aware that 20,000,000 should be included in the red gangs and many of them will be professional people form the big cities. Nice to see a statement that puts the two major players in Thailands conflict in the same sentence. On the one hand Prem who has been putting his invisible hand into the army the judiciary and the Democrat party for as long as any can remember. General Prem is without doubt the conductor of the orchestra and requests can be made ( eg.. 2005 "hey Prem get the troops out that Thakky chappy is way to popular and is a serious threat to our continuing control). On the other hand the new boy on the block who fancys running the game himself. Its going to get messy

So this is part of the reconciliation process, of course the present Govt won't criticise it. It's turning into a banana republic run by monkeys.

name and shame before reconcilliation

So much hatred for the redshirts and the way thai's are trying to live thier lives in thier country. What have the thais done to you people personally to breed such hatred? If you have such destest and hatred of the country and the people why are you here?

agenda, script and mostly fear

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. These peoples feet have many holes in them. Intelligence dictates that after one shot it hurts and you quit shooting (learn) and don't do it again. I just wonder when the next shot will come.

soon, no doubt

People who have posted derogatory images/cartoons of Thai public figures have had them removed. Why is this still on here. Ask Yoon to get one of his staff to remove it

Seems like they are trying to justify an imminent curtail of free speech. Claim that criticism of the government is the first step of a conspiracy to overthrow the government (through undemocratic means we presume), therefore extreme measures are needed to counteract this extreme threat.

It also plays well to keep their base fired up, a simple "Coup of the Month" scare cry may have been blunted by its continuous use during the past two or three years, they need something new, more sexy to keep the people on edge.

The anti PT media, does that include TV Read the full story here good reading

Why blaming the kids ?

A few weeks ago I posted about a Thai right wing group that called itself "SS" in obvious reference to the infamous nazi organisation. I asked posters that have in the past made clear their support for affiliated organisations to state their position regarding this "SS" group, I never got any answer.

Don't blame the kids or the Thais. It's our primary duty for us European to keep the memory alive so history won't repeat itself. If we chose to remain silent, we have only ourselves to blame.

The Nation

Published on August 10, 2011

In a sign of increasing online witch-hunting against its political opponents, ASTV-Manager daily newspaper, the mouthpiece of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), on Monday produced the picture and name of the latest man charged under lese majeste laws.

The newspaper quoted an ultra-royalist social-sanction group (known as the SS) as declaring victoriously: "Another one is down."

The same SS posted much information about the man, a new graduate from Kasetsart University, on its website. The name, photo and details are there to assist, or even encourage, ultra-royalists to send threatening e-mail or make hate phone calls to the man and his family.

http://www.nationmul...y-30162390.html

Still on education but not this story. Saw on the 'morning focus' tv that an arrest warrant had been put out for a thai teacher for coercing sex from underage students for educational favours. Worst of it being he gave them a serious sexually transmitted disease. if you add the excessive violent caning from last week (79 stokes of the cane on

some young students 4rse) there seems little to redeem this out of control system. Last week saw some young thai teacher caned a group of kids,,,, for not wearing the correct uniform for that day, and 3 of the group were girls. They seriously need outside help to correct this shambles called education

The shortlist, which contains the personal recommendations of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, has been submitted to the fugitive prime minister, who is now based in Hong Kong, the source said.

Surely is it not about time that this current administration was dissolved as it is clearly being dominated by a renegade fugitive from justice who has his own agenda of absolute power at any cost.

Kim -Jong- il move over Thaksin is coming to a place near you soon!!!

No one in particular but the anti Thaksin brigade make me wet patch my pants. If a fugitive convicted criminal can do so much what will happen when he becomes a pardoned ex pm. You boys will be needing new keyboards to cope with the anti Thaksin script you have to type everyday

This guy was an incompetent finance minister under the 2006 coup-appointed government. Why on earth is he offering macro-financial advice to the current government?

Because , this time the man is right on the button with his forecast... The Big guys behind this scheme will make millions and millions, the ordinary farmers will make nothing. it has been tried before with huge corruption involved, but huge payouts to the mill owners. These Big guys care nothing for Thailand or the Thai peoples.. All they care about is to line their own pockets till bursting... But they and associates, backed many of these PTP MPs and now want their payback.. In Vietnam right now , hundreds and hundreds of tons of cheap rice is waiting to be brought into Thailand , you cannot DNA rice, this will all be claimed as Thai rice and the guaranteed moneys paid to those crooks and cheats.. This plan has been in the pipeline for a long time now... It involves huge amounts of taxpayers hard earned moneys going to these cheats and crooks... I was recently in Da Nang and visited 4 huge storage units full to the roof with cheap rice, we were trying to buy this rice for aid in Pakistan, the owners told me it was already sold to Thai mill owners, why would Thailand be importing rice..? They will triple their moneys on this deal... Thank you Yinluck... so much for a stand against corruption.. and the band played on...!!! Amazing Thailand.

i think you will find that the millowners/exporters of rice are one of the power bases of the old feudal system that keep the poor poor and as such PT is trying to destroy this network not profit from it. if you want to write something correct, find out the owners of the two companies who between them account for 60% of Thailands rice exports. It is likely these people are being targeted by the PT.

. All this just stinks to high heaven.

Why??

Not seeking to argue -- nor even necessarily disagree -- I am interested to learn why you oppose this move so strongly??

Because Thaksin was found guilty of breaking 1997 constitution laws. Just because the investigation was initiated by the coup government doesn't make him any less guilty.

Hi whybother

That is precisely I am at a loss to understand why his name is even mentioned in this matter ---- which is aimed at "expunging of decrees and judicial decisions that flowed from the 2006 coup".

What has this got to do with Thaksins potential return??

Are you suggesting that expunging these matters would in some way serve to advantage Thaksins legal position??

As you point out -- he was convicted under preexisting laws.

Maybe Thaksins name is mentioned in everypost bcos its in the script for that day

This government has got 'debt crisis' written all over it.

This government is already in the process of securing the next election. Pay hikes for people who traditionally believe they have to vote Dem is one hell of a vote winner. Dont you think so?

During an election a party makes a bunch of promises. If elected, during the tenure of the government enough of these promises must be carried through to keep the electorate onside at the next election. If PTP deliver 300 baht per day during their tenure I doubt many will complain. If they achieve it by the end of 2012, that will be pretty good going.

In reality delivering 300 baht a day is almost a guarantee of victory in the next election, which is why their opponents want to either see it not happen or muddy things into well it didnt happen on the day Yingluck took office. The problem with that approach is that you keep looking like you are the ones stopping the government. All it needs now is a PTP enemy to try and embroil any of these populist policies in court cases or bureaucratic delays and PTPs popularity will soar.

It's difficult to get a party to uphold a promise when it is non-specific and general, like "we will raise the quality of life for the poorer classes", so i reluctantly accept these type of promises being made and broken during election campaigns. But when a party states something very specific, as PTP did, i believe there must be a mechanism in place to make them deliver or otherwise face some sort of legal consequence for all the votes they won under false pretences. It's not enough to simply say, well if they don't deliver they can be voted out in four years. Four years is a very long time and what they can do in that time in the way on entrenching their position of power, makes taking the risk of telling blatant lies a risk worth taking. This is wrong. This is not democracy.

Be voted out in 4 years. Have you seen the opposition, they are still stuck in their old ways. To put it mildly the opposition at this point is totally unelectable but then again they have not been electable for over 20 years and it maybe another 20 years before they get a whiff of power again. Now that is a dose of reality that they will have to come to terms with

Can't move on since the country hasn't learned from the past. Fast forward five years, and it's the same sh*t from the same *ssholes and the same old oligarchy trying to make their family a dynasty (the Shinawatra's). Until thailand removes this family from power once and for all, it'll keep going in the same cycles over and over again. I know most countries have a lot to work out, and progess is measured in slow steps. But altogether, it almost seems worse now than it was. Before, there was thaksin, a corrupt business man in power. He make mistakes due to corruption and trying to solve problems too fast (south thailand's budget cuts and the war on drugs). But now, there's a PM who just doesn't have a clue, and seemingly 3 PM's between her, the elder bro, and Chalerm. Hope future generations get more education and stop supporting this feudal style oligarchy ruled by the Shinawatras.

If you fast forward 5 years you will see a completely different Thailand but Thaksin will have much more power than he does now. Work it out for yourself

The point that so many who supported the coup or were ambivalent to it now recognize it is a disaster is telling. Maybe Thailand needed that to happen to move to a point where there is no longer support for more coups and recognition that things need to be solved through democracy.

Another point is that you do not solve the problems of democracy through non-democratic intervention. Democracy is a developing, messy and not perfect system and it sometimes takes years to solve problems or excesses and it can be very heated. However, all that needs to be worked through. The problem now is that the problems and excesses of the coup need to be resolved before the those of democracy itself can. Undoing all the wrongs of before and after the coup is not going to be easy

What are the problems and excesses of the coup that need to be resolved? There have already been two elections. The constitution has been changed, so there is nothing to stop it being changed further.

Do you mean Thaksin's convictions and other charges that awaiting his return? Just because a group was especially assigned the task of investigating Thaksin doesn't make the crimes any less valid.

The Thai people all knew of Thaksins misdemeanours yet 20,000,000 still voted him back into power. Thaksins crimes will pale into insignificance once we see the crimes of Abhisit and Suthep. Expect something soon from the police who are now investigating the events of last May. Please dont cry about the findings claiming they are biased. The Democrats had over 12 months and produced nothing. At the point of conviction we shall have an amnesty for all. The Dems will keep out of the Nick and Thaksin will come home. Everybody happy

What a one sided thread this will be. To truly oppose the use of coups to prop up certain peoples financial interests it may be that people will err on the wrong side of the law to fully explain their believes. Maybe an idea to close it to be fair to both sides, it can only be a one sided discussion that will appear to the unknowledgable that coups are a good thing for Thailand.

He started it. He questioned my dignity, not that I got much left. I stated a fact, if that fact is not the reason why we are not having a coup I apologise.

The 2006 coup was disgraceful and i don't mean because they got rid of Thaksin

Why was it disgraceful....? Pray explain... words are cheap..!

It was disgraceful and fuelled by the greed...not of Thaksin. Do you think that Thaksin is the most corrupt person in this country. Think again. Would love to see some other bank accounts, you know the ones that get spin offs from buying scrap planes and unsuitable bomb detectors and submarines that are no good for the gulf of Thailand and on and on and on its gone for maybe 60 years. And if those noggy pog Dems would have retained power we may have had a 3rd infantry in Isaan at a cost of 100,000,000,000baht over ten years. Spin offs have been quoted as high as 30% on Government contracts. Yes thats right thats another $1,000,000,000 in somebodys pocket. Thaksin likes his money but at least he may be swinging business decisions in his favour, by means of his position, the people I refer to are just low life thieves and take far more out of the coffers than Thaksin did

"Only he had a cleaner record" thats a matter of opinion. And the only opinion that matters is the DSI or "name and shame" committee. "more bloodshed" most of us have had enough bloodshed under the last military installed government. You really need to broaden the range of media that provides you with information, just the one is not healthy

The last military installed government was the one with PM Surayut. Don't really remember bloodshed at that time? you really have to broaden the range of media that provides you with information, methinks dear chap.

Let's now go back to normal and the OP: "Abhisit slams Thai Govt on issues about Thaksin"

Wrong again Rubi. The last military installed government was the Dems. Put together in an army base with "an offer they could not refuse". as for the OP all I can say is "Mr Abhisit slam the door on your way out"

Some people don't see k. Thaksin as a criminal, true. Some people see k. Thaksin as a fugitive criminal, also true. Both Bonny/Clyde and Robin Hood had their following, also true. Relevant for the laws of this country? A Dept. PM saying 'I will bring k. Thaksin back' and 'we can't do anything when he's in Cambodia'.

Interesting views

You think the Gov should not bring Thaksin back ? You think Thaksin issue is not a priority ?

To hell with respect the rule of law. Stop threatening there will be bloodshed, chaos, coup. Let the dam_n things begins.

Bring back Thaksin, start a new trial or amnesty or whatever ! I dont want to hear single word about abusing power once again since when he's charged everyone seem to appreciate 'the rule of law' !!!!!

Now. If Thaksin gets free and there will be such protest.

Shoot anyone violate the law ! How about that. Snipe right at the center of the head may be a good start.

Peaceful protest ??? Throw some flamed bottles and let's roll !@!

The only way to deal with Thaksin haters is a full load hard suppression. They are so full of themself thinking they are better than anyoneelse and know how to run the country.

These people must have had lessons before this country can move on.

Let them know the consequence of their holy motto - 'Bring down Thaksin at all costs'

"The only way to deal with Thaksin haters is a full load hard suppression. They are so full of themself thinking they are better than anyoneelse and know how to run the country."

Freedom of speech, democracy at it's best.

Corruption or no corruption, drugs war or no drugs war Khun Thaksin is singularly the most influential and powerful person in the whole of South East Asia. Too many numpties on the forum trying to discredit his popularity. Please accept that within Thailand and internationally this person is widely accepted as the man to talk to if you want to do business in Thailand. "Old money" here in Thailand is going to be replaced over the course of the next decade.

Thaksins coming home, just accept it. The majority of Thais have excused him by electing him back to power. desperately vain attempts to link Thaksin to terrorism, burning Bangkok and financing bloodshed have failed miserably by the majority of the controlled press. Some on here, who I may suspect are Thais with excellent English skills decried the low red shirt numbers, when protesting in BKK, only 40,000 but if thats was all the troops he could rally how did he amass millions of votes on July 3rd. Thaksin will be running this country til the end of his days, he controls this country. Dont you just love him...millions do

Everytime Mr Abhisit open his mouth there must be a word 'Thaksin' in its context.

He better shut up about any Thaksin stuff.

At this point, the Gov can push amnesty for Thaksin and things can get ugly. May be start seeking a revenge ?

If the Gov holds majority in parliament, then it is legal to do so.

Sound familiar ? When you - Mr Abhisit - became a PM, you said so. Smell any self-serving double standards ????

sounds like Jatuporn or any other silly and crazy member of the red rouge. Abhisit is challenging them the way they challenged him. Only he had a cleaner record, had less corruption, and more experience. He's just pointing out all of the holes and flaws.

Inevitably, more bloodshed will erupt due to the public's dissatisfaction, and sooner or later the thaksin rouge will fall before they can become a north korean type of dynasty.

"Only he had a cleaner record" thats a matter of opinion. And the only opinion that matters is the DSI or "name and shame" committee. "more bloodshed" most of us have had enough bloodshed under the last military installed government. You really need to broaden the range of media that provides you with information, just the one is not healthy

He may even get to have a bunch more people shot on his carefully engineered PMship again too.

With regards, "He may even get to have a bunch more people shot", and the implied characterisation of Abhisit as being some sort of trigger-happy despot with no regard for human life, i find it sad to see a well-respected member of this forum speaking so flippantly and sarcastically about such a serious matter.

Almost as if someone has hacked into your account.

People were shot and as the leader of the country and the one in charge of the army (dont laugh) the buck stops with him. Personally I dont believe puppets order killings, puppet masters order killings. I wish the 'name and shame' committee would produce an interim report quickly so some of us can have a laugh at some tv members blustering out their excuses. Truth is Abhisit and his masters did not and were not going to produce a report with any conclusive findings, they could not even get the army to give evidence in 14 months.

On the other hand only last week the new C in C of the army publicly stated that the army officers would accept responsibility, if found guilty, it was not the fault of the foot soldiers(correct) it was the people who gave the orders. I did post a link previously but the post was deleted because I linked to the opposition (apologies). The fun has not yet begun for Mr Abhisit and I truly hope at the least he has many sleepless nights.

It will be interesting to see what kind of turnout they get.

I suspect it won't be many, unlike the pre-election rallies when protesters were energized by the desire to get rid of the Dems, whose presence in the seat of power they considered to be the expression of the old establishment meddling in politics.

This may be the first time post-election we - and the PTP - get to see how much popular support the red shirts can mobilize now their old cause-celebre is defunct.

No doubt if the numbers are high, many on this forum will say Thaksin paid for it, if they are low they'll say Thaksin has deserted them. An anti-Thaksin explanation for all eventualities.

But as usual, this would be a diversion from the fact that the red shirts are a distinct group with their own ideology and the numbers they attract at rallies - particularly in Bangkok - are as much a reflection of the general sympathy people have with their cause as any other factor.

I think that is right and also that tactically it is good to be small as PTP are in power and there are lots of people sick of street protest and who just want it to go away. At some point an establishment organized lengthy protest against PTP is likely to hit the streets and PTP and the reds will want the "sick of it group" to turn on this.

I can agree with you to some degree but as everyday passes with PT being in office I find it less likely Sondhi and the geriactric clappers will appear. Fundings been cut and Sondhi's 'done one', look at ASTV now it resembles a shopping channel. The old money will not let go easy but geriactrics on the streets again, I think unlikely. They may have to create a situation (maybe fire grenades or assasinate someone) who knows but they are brazen enough not to care what the world thinks.

The plan is this...

Now the current GOV is IN...

and the attacks and contradictions and lies that they cannot deliver will start to become evident

The reds are brought back in - as the brainwashing and aggressive factor - to keep rallying while the gov is in - to prevent the gov from losing power... and to ensure that if there is a COUP - the reds will be stong enough to fight on the streets again, all in the name of a peaceful protest and democracy of course...

Its so blatently obvious... and not suprising anymore...

Taksin wants his finger in the pie again

And wants to ensure his sister doesnt get kicked out before...

Just wait until we see more demonstrations blocking the streets, reducing the business sector, and making a fuss about, well... certainly nothing that actually helps thailand.

I'll have whatever your drinking. Not one fact present just tripe

She expressed her wish to see as many supporters as possible, saying the event would aim to make a stance against coup d'états and to inform the world of their damages in political, economic and social aspects.

Nobel cause, but aren't there real issues which should be addressed? Social inequality? Decent salary levels? Healthy ecological environment? Flood prevention by planting lots of trees?

Rallying at Democracy Monument is fun and like party time, but apart from that ?

Social inequalities are caused solely by those people who order the coups because they want to keep those social inequalities

[

I have not forgotten the election, nor the violence in the lead up to it - or the fact that men in red shirts were the main perpetrators.

the fact that men in red shirts were the main perpetrators.

Really? that is a "fact" ...

However inconvenient to you, your wife's extended family and the red shirts.

Nothin proven under 14 months of DEms government. lets wait for the dsi with PT in charge and please dont call foul if the verdict points the finger at a certain prime minister or deputy.

A couple of sentences in this column really hit the mark "

"... the military and the old establishment together have further intensified the crisis. Violent confrontations have become normal events in Thailand."

" Throughout the past five years, the political stalemate that has shaken the nation - playing with the Thai people's emotions and deeply polarising our society - has unveiled so many dark secrets in politics. For one thing, it has revealed the anxiety on the part of the old establishment about a more open society. This has now clearly emerged as a threat to their power position. From this view, Thaksin is not really a menace to the Thai elite - an open political space is. "

What people really want today is put these five years behind them. If you read Thai forums, what real Thai people talk about in the social forums, you will realize they have moved on.

It's true that for the past five years, violent confrontation was becoming an "acceptable" way of solving political dispute. But Thai people realized they didn't solve anything and they were left footing the bill. Now, all they want is peace and reconciliation.

One more time, a couple of TV posters show they are out of touch with the realities of the country. It's not good for foreigners in Thailand. How long before the government realizes that a couple of foreigners still call for civil war and some even for murder and makes us all pay the price ? As guests in a democratic country we are of course entitled to express freely our opinion but it should be done in a moderate and balanced way.

Are you saying that now PTP is in power, we should forget how they achieved it?

They were elected by popular mandate in a general election. You have obviously forgotten this.

I have not forgotten the election, nor the violence in the lead up to it - or the fact that men in red shirts were the main perpetrators.

Oz mick.. nothing proven who caused the mayhem. Lets wait for the name and shame committee to report back to government.