rickirs

Technically, the constitutional monarchies of Japan and Thailand should operate with similar constitutions and rule of law. So it must perplex General Prayuth that Japan does not impose martial law on its peoples nor experience any military coups. While he is busy asking other countries to understand the Junta's roadmap to democracy, perhaps he should take the time to understand how the other constitutional monarchies throughout the world achieve democracy without repeated military intervention and peacefully deal with diverse political conflicts.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I think some people missed this part of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe statement.

"Prime Minister Prayut is making his best effort to recover democracy in Thailand," Abe told a joint press conference.

In other words he knew that their was no Democracy in Thailand prior to Prayut's take over of the Shinawatra dictatorship. It also indicates that he knows Prayut is making an effort to bring Democracy back to Thailand. He knows full well that after the elections Thailand will be run by an elected official not some criminal running from the law and living in a foreign country. width=25 alt=thumbsup.gif>

You can't bring back what Thailand never had and you can't create something out of nothing which is what Thailand has now.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"I promise I will build a healthy democracy in Thailand."

I believe you and trust you will do Prime Minister.

I'm looking forward living the rest of my life in a better Thailand.

You will need the rest of your life for such hopes.

This is rubbish, where ever there are humans there is crime, lets say-- men, women, Thai, English Indian,Muslim, cahtolic christian, black, white, bloody green if you wish. Why would this person be a threat? Transgender , model or not, in this country and the everyday goings on I really can't see the problem here. The Pub is wrong...........

Privately owned and operated I guess they fell they can admit whomever they wish

Maybe the owners didn't understand the term "equality."

Article 4 of the Interim Charter recognizes "human dignity, rights, liberties and EQUALITY of the Thais."

Similiarly,

Article 4 of the 2007 Constitutionstates, "The human dignity, right, liberty and equality of the people shall be protected."

"... we want the government to have a definitive strategy, with actual plans to brace for how the country will be impacted by them,"

Nice idea but the Junta wants the railway built in two years and doing any actual planning will delay that timetable. Why is two years so important? Perhaps the Junta estimates that is about how long it has to be in control so that it can reap the benfits of that government-to-government project.

"I've always paid my taxes - it's taken care of by an accountant."

It is an oxymoron to speak of "an accountant" and "pay taxes" in the same sentence.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

An illegally installed govt by coup has the power to do anything they like as they are responsible to nobody, certainly not the law

Well unfortunately that is where you're wrong dragonfly, The highest authority in Thailand (you know who, he who cannot be named) endorsed the NCPO & gave them a mandate to govern, so anything they do is technically legal.
Yingluck's problems that she is facing now are all of her own making, ie not being a dilligent leader, not tackling issues herself, missing the vast majority of rice scheme meetings (by her own admission) and having a terrible track record for missing hearings in which she is required to give testimony. Her immediate family members also have form for fleeing when it gets too hot.

Too much uncertainty here. Remember she would very likely still be in power to do as she pleases if her govt hadn't illegally tried to force through an amnesty bill at 4am. I think they som nam na

Technically. the Interim Charter is correct as the Rule of Law:

Article 1 & 2 - Thailand is a unitary and democratic monarchy.

Article 3 - Sovereign power belongs to all Thais.

Article 4 - Recognition of human dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the Thais.

The Thai Peoples must live by what is reality and not what is "technically" correct.

"... all parties have to respect due process ..."

I didn't realize that a military coup, a Junta-led government, and martial law were part of due process. But then, this is Thailand and repeated military coups overthrowing elected governments would almost seem to be a kind of due process. Obviously, due process only applies to those who can hold power.

"Thai lawmakers are stepping out of line in joining the military-appointed government's war of words against the US. Of course, as ordinary citizens they would have the freedom to do so "

Sorry, but the priviledged few who are favored by the NCPO to participate in its government are hardly "ordinary citizens" simply because they are ALLOWED to speak out. The real ordinary citizens of the nation like the teachers, students, crop growers, news media people, street vendors, etc. must remain muzzled and paralyzed from the neck down when it comes to any freedom of expression. Perhaps the NLA lawmakers should leave governing to the professionals - the Thai Electorate.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Lawmakers should leave diplomacy to the professionals.

They are all amateurs. What next will Thailand recall its ambassador to the US?

YES! And follow up with a complete ban of seafood to the USA. No more tuna salad for the American masses! The USA government will collapse overnight. This Junta wears britches bigger than Paul Bunyan; maybe that's why its keeps tripping over its own diplomatic feet.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

NACC would proceed with criminal litigation against five former MPs who inserted the voting cards of their colleagues to cast votes on their behalf.

That was Democracy before.

Open your eyes and ears and learn, dear posters.

Is that what you are all yearning for again?

I'm better the way it is now.................you can shout about Democracy and elections, it is your prerogative after all.

But don't give me excuses that anybody is taking away your freedom of speech.

What Thais learn is that amending a coup-created constitution that passed a referendum by only 51% of eligible Thai voters is more criminal than abolishing the entire constitution. Yes, democracy in Thailand has certainly taken another step - into oblivion.

"In fact, this was [essentially] done about two years ago with a view to making it easier and faster for the private sector to get involved in the country's infrastructure investments,"

So the 'new' PPP strategic plan to be submitted to the Cabinet basically just updates the names of the previous regime to the current. Now that's a game changer!

A strong USD should boost Thailand exports to the US ..... But a strong Junta promoting anti-American rhetoric and anti-democratic agenda will likely stand in the way of more trade, maybe even lose trade. Meanwhile as Thailand increases exports to China, the yuan has lost about 3.5% against the USD in the last 12 months. Great timing Junta.

Syria's strategy is to allow ISIL to occupy eastern Syria and help destroy Syrian rebels there where Asaad was losing ground. Meanwhile Asaad attacks rebels from the west whose supply lines to the East are disrupted by ISIL. Hardly an effective approach to unity but does stall further advances by rebels on Damascus. The danger though is when ISIL will turn on Asaad for the rest of the country if it goes unchallenged by the rest of the Arab countries and the West.

"Xi and Li are the only pro-American members"

It would seem the top Chinese leaders are more pro-American than the Thai Junta. Which are the fools? Which stands to lose power from within? Frankly, if Thailand was a province of China, the Junta would probably be deemed a crime gang and disappear in a day. China and USA seem to actually share common approaches to the stability of government and service to society that would confound the Thai Junta.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

There was an earlier post that talked about that this was more of a humanitarian aid practice for future national disasters.

China's role is not combative , they will practice national disasters while the US and allies will practice wars, with the possibility that the fictitious enemy is China.

For China it's a "natural" disaster when civilians protest the government.

For China it's a "natural" disaster when people practice their faith openly.

For China it's a "natural" disaster when people attempt freedom of expression.

So far, Thailand is 2 out 3 with China.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Should the birdflu be transferred here, they can always employ Thaksin to eat local chicken on TV...like he did before.

Sure, why not seeing as Abhisit ate crow after the last elections.

The NCPO will need to build an Attitude Adjustment Convention Centre to handle all the Thai people who insist on creating conflict. But maybe it could be used to attract tourism.

TAT shouldn't forget the strategy of charging foreigners 10X fees for any island natural attraction over what Thais pay. And if Thais pay nothing, it's a free-for-all to whatever the market will bear for foreigners.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

In Thailand, the most common transgender-like category is the kathoey, who are individuals born biologically male, but who may take on female gender identity (i.e. conceive of themselves as female), gender expression (i.e., express/present themselves as female), or sexual characteristics (i.e. undergo gender confirmation/sexual reassignment surgery). The colloquial English translation of kathoey is “ladyboy.”

Again a confused Western journalist.

No, "Kathoey" is not a word reserved for biological males who conceive of themselves as females. There is a full range of gender identites, kathoey covers everything from effeminate gay, to what people call "shemales" (i.e. kathoeys happy with their in-between status and their appendage) until "transgenders", i.e. people who conceive of themselves as females...

Why can't this myth of "female trapped in a male body" no be done away with ? It's true only for a minority.

"It's true only for a minority"

Is it then for the majority to decide what is truth for the minority? Throughout the history of the world it has been the truth of the minority that has led in the foundations of new religions and science. Jesus and Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad stood alone for their beliefs against society. Aristotle, Galileo. and Newton singularly pressed their truths against whole civilizations. If something is true only for a minority, then the majority lives a lie.

I am sure Lalang as a lawyer is fully aware of Article 44 of the Interim Charter that gives the NCPO judicial power with the sole and unchecked right to detain anyone from leaving Thailand. What he may be pointing out consistent with what some feel was a mockery of Yingluck's impeachment by the Junta-appointed NLA, is the inherent mockery of the interim Charter itself that establishes the Rule of Law imposed upon the Thai Peoples by the Junta.

The General Provisions of Interim Charter in Articles 1 and 2 prescribe that Thailand is an "unitary and democratic monarchy." Article 3 provides that "Sovereign power belongs to all Thais." Article 4 recognizes "human dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the Thais." NCPO's exercise of Article 44 to restrict Yingluck's travel request (for which she should not even have to make) contravenes Articles 1-3.

Even Abhisit noted the problem between Article 3 and Article 44 wherein "he believed Article 44 violates the intention of Article 3." The Nation 2014-07-24. Abhisit also observed that "the NCPO should strike a balance between controlling people and allowing them their rights, adding that if too much weight was given to control and too little to rights, then the public would feel uncomfortable." The Nation 2014-07-09.

When any government, whether led by a junta or elected leader, exercises the rule of law in a haphazardous and contradictory manner, it loses creditability and validity. Lalang is essentially sending a message to the Thai Peoples that at any time any of them can face the same arbitrary denial of their civil liberties by a government that does not truly respect their rights. So much for Gen. Prayuth's 12 Values.

In order for Thailand to become more proactive in the international scene, it needs a stable and reliable government that lasts more than five years without a military coup overthrowing the government. The strategy of any foreign government towards Thailand will simply be, "Wait a couple years and try again." Look at the world powers, whether they be in the Western or Eastern hemispheres, and you'll find one of the common denominators is a long-lived government. That applies to kingdoms, constitutional monarchies, democracies, oligarchies, and dictatorships.

Thailand cannot play the 'great game' of diplomacy until it finishes its own great game of soverneighty. Unfortunately, the Junta is using twelve-sided dice in the game that relies on divinity for the outcome. Chock-dee with that.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Well this will be the interesting thing because they are trying to convince the democratic world that the reason this happened was because of the complete incompetence of the people holding office. This does not mean to say competent people could be appointed within this party. Changing the democratic process would simply clarify that the reasons given to the developed world for this action was a complete lie. Countries like the USA have a history of funding democracy and the people who fight for its values. If the world decides between them that enough is enough and this dictatorship is now deemed undemocratic you will see rivers of blood and civil war. The worlds democracies will begin with embargo's and tough talk, this will fuel a revolution as the people will believe the rest of the world are on their side. Then the silent majority will become activists. This military junta can never win this war because it has to suppress democracy to do so. This is why Taksin has ordered no resistance, he knows these people are in a no win situation. He knows the world will not trade with this country if the democratic process is changed, no trade leads to financial ruin. Unfortunately for the junta the only option they have is to sit down and make a deal with this party, they know this party will win a democratic election so if they want to have any kind of future for themselves and the establishment, agreements need to be made. The problem is they do not have this course of action in their armory. The country will find itself in civil war and if it gets to deep not even the king himself will have the power to stop it. Huge swathes of the army will also turn on each other. The future is very bleak indeed.

"Huge swathes of the army will also turn on each other."

Thus the need for the Junta's security agreement with China so that Chinese troops can aid the Junta to safeguard "national security." The Junta knows that the potential for civil war will be high when it does not allow a public referedum on the new constitution and is planning for all contingencies to protect its power.

"Agencies facing the prospect of losing power under reforms proposed for the new constitution are entitled to protest against moves that would affect them"

The NCPO as the most powerful fiefdom in the country can appreciate these independent organizations wanting to preserve their mini-fiefdoms. And to the extent that they can keep an elected government in check to preserve the NCPO agenda, it can be expected to be sympathetic, maybe even pragmatic. But take an agency like the Human Rights Commission wihch has no real ability to affect government policy, the NCPO will let it dissolve in a heartbeat.