Eric Loh

Nothing to do with supplementing/assisting the police in fighting organized crime, everything to do with further consolidating the grip on power.

And @ "Pedro 01", it began with the coup. Just because it hasn't impacted your lifestyle doesn't mean that it isn't happening, nor does it mean that it isn't affecting the Thais.

Still, you've got your chill pills - possibly the most naive and foolish response - as well as being staggeringly contemptuous of the people amongst whom you live.

Aaaaah "The Thais".

Well - my wife is Thai, my kids are Thai, my employees are Thai, my Maid is Thai, I have lots of Thai relatives.

None of these people have been negatively impacted by the coup. I know that because we are allowed to discuss it openly without fear. And so we do.

The only observable impact is that we no longer have to worry about street protests. Having been caught in Silom when shooting started and having the army come and grab me to get me to shelter, I am happy for that.

I've discussed this with many of the Thais I know, with very few exceptions (the girl that cuts my hair), people feel much safer now but there is a general sentiment of disappointment about the lack of action since the coup.

So you can comment I an naive, foolish and contemptuous if you like. Carry on saying it's like Nazi German here, that there are no freedoms ya de ya de ya. What I am is informed. You guys banging the "fear" and "nazi" drum are out of touch with reality.

Life hasn't changed here.

I don't agree, life has changed a LOT since the army is in power. BKK is safe again, no more shootings/bombings/occupying roads.

We get much more public transport, the 300 firetrucks will come to the city, police never stopped me again for a bribe only.....All much better! And i don't care what those countryboys think, they never come to BKK.

Corruption is being dealt with, although it goes slow.

The drought is because of the ricebying program which used too much water or the dams would be full still.

I stayed in Lad Prao soi 12-14 and life went on as usual during the Bkk Shutdown. It was safe except for 3-4 hotspots which you keep clear out of common sense. Rest of the country, very safe and tourists still come in numbers.

My company drivers are still paying bribes to the police. Heard of El Niño?

Astounding that few here still ask that this junta government be given a chance to proof themselves. Good lord, this junta government has been in power for almost 2 years and by the time election is held (?), they will outlast the tenure of Yingluck and even Ahbisit.

So far what progress have we made. Economic still in the doldrums, human right abuses increasing, more activists locked up for voicing their opinion, LM cases up, single gateway, a slightly better charter has been waylaid and in place a crooked charter, more unbridle powers to the military, military courts etc etc. Only the blind and the junta fanatics are keeping their faith in hoping the junta will suddenly wake up from their power dream and decided to heed the citizens concerns and well being.

nationmultimedia.com/national/Thailands-human-rights-record-a-significant-setba-30263188.html

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krea-ngarm is considering whether the Pheu Thai party’s planned campaign to urge voters to reject the Constitution Drafting Committee’s charter draft is against the law or not.

What law?

Ah, that's the beauty of a junta government with absolute power and sway over the courts. They will think of something and pull that something out of thin air.

Serious about ridding the underworld and criminal elements; junta PM should use Art 44 to totally reform the police reform. If he is not doing that than this granting of unbridle power to the military is for political reason. This one-off action will never get rid of the underworld; just drive them underground and stay low until the heat is off. Nothing short of a major reform and revamp of the RTP will eradicate the criminal scourge.

He is junta payroll and the actvisits are protesting against the junta. Make sense for him to walk out. Another spineless junta crony.

I am not fooled by this pretense of rooting out criminals so close to the referendum. The real purpose will soon be seen. Sweeping power to conduct warrantless search, seize assets and detain civilians without charges only has a singular intention of harassment, intimidation and ridding political enemies. Rooting out criminals and aiding the police are just an excuse and the real purpose is more sinister and part of scheme for the military to hold on power.

Many wonder why Somkid was preferred over Korn and he is from a loyalist party. Maybe too many questions still needed to be answered regarding the post 1997 assets fire sales and the Strong Thailand corruptions.

That area is very nice and unspoiled. Development has its price. Glad I've known it since late 90's when it was still a very remote area in the world...

It was very nice until the politicians got involved.

Mix regligion with politics and you get a potent brew.

"He said that the party would consider other related issues before it could decide whether to accept or reject the draft."

The Dems need to see if this constitution will lead to their ultimate goal--running the nation even though they can't win an election.

with this constitution, the Dems will neither win the election nor run the country.

but they should have known that when they joined up with this lot.

The only reason I can think of why the Dem Party is procrastinating on the charter is they actually may end up being the government again. Not by winning the election but by the situation created by the charter and a repeat of 2008.

Let see how far this junta will go to suppress dissent now that PT has issued a statement for their supporters to vote no. The gauntlet has been thrown right to the direction of the junta while the other party so call Dem is still pondering and reviewing. Sparks will fly and intensify inthe coming days. Just pray for no violence from either side.

Tak, Chantaburi and Pattani are all prospering border provinces. So either these guys are corruptly reaping off the proceeds or the junta wants more to the trough. If it is corruption, I am sure they will be more than happy to say it and claim some browny points. The latter seem more real.

He is lucky that there are so many eyes watching these days. Stupid little dictatorships don't do so well under these circumstances. The internet has changed so many things in the past decade.

Perhaps! But one day he just might disappear. He is going to push until they lock him up. Nevertheless, his claims about being a politician and other remarks are a joke. This guy is just another PTP thug. Voted in from paid ballets and force majeure. He certainly doesn't speak for the people nor does he care about them. His idea of democracy is do as I say, not as I do.

You seem to have your wires all tangled up. The people of Samut Prakan elected him and gave him the mandate in a DEM Party stronghold and former MP Jirapat. Why? Because the people want him to speak for them and feel he was best suited to care for them. It was no force majeure; just the wishes of the people and democracy in motion. And you seem to have a problem with loyalty and doing what best for his party.

Why even bother Ahbisit? You and your party is part of the problem and the current woeful state.

Whenever this guy talks about corruption, I get the feeling of hollowness and deflation. Just too much hot air. I hope this guy and his cronies get their dues sometime in the future; soon I further hope..

This senseless speaking virus is spreading fast from the top to the deputy and now the army chief has been infected. General Wissanu and Paiboon are showing symptoms of the virus. A dose of democracy may cure them.

Got to love the picture of Prayuth with the large colourful road back to democracy map and trying to explain to a bewildered secretary of state in Thai pidgin English in the Nation. Probably a photo op for the domestic audience to demonstrate the General has her attention although she looks very disinterested.

Korn is right on so many points.

Both Democrats and PTP also proposed a joint venture with China on the Dual Rail project that Prayut has decided to borrow funds from the Chinese. In a joint venture Thailand shares the risk of cost overruns and loss of profits with a foreign and/or domestic businesses. But on the Dual and Nakhon Rail projects Thailand is exposed to 100% of the risk for project overruns, maintenance costs and overall profitability.

But I believe that China wants no part of the project risks now because of its own priority for domestic market capital and concerns about Thailand's economic sustainability. On the other hand Prayut seems compelled to showcase these projects as accomplishments of his regime. And where military reputation is concerned, no price is too high.

The snag was inclusion of rice and rubber deals into the contract. And a high interest rate by the Chinese.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/12/china-thailand-sign-rail-rice-and-rubber-deals/

I think there are more than meet the eyes including the rubber and rice snags. China need the train connectivity for their land-locked south and south-west provinces and also as part of the grand trans-asia train network. There are much trade benefits for these provinces to ASEAN countries. The full reasons are not revealed but from the typical brinksmanship tone of Prayuth, I think it bore down to the poor negotiation junta team. Generals don't make good trade negotiators.

" The Pheu Thai party has demanded the immediate release of its former MP Worachai Hema from military custody claiming that his detention is a violation of human rights principle."

In this day and age, i do not think they are in any position to demand anything

Damn right when you have absolute power and armed with intimidating laws that can whisk anyone off anytime and anywhere without a warrant. Ought to be proud of these individuals, students, academics and politicians that dare speak out. Kudos to them.

If Meechai is so confident, he should suggest to the junta government to allow open debate and not intimidate those who has an opinion. He should also warn the junta not to abuse mechanisms to manipulate the referendum like in 2007. Even the EC is asking for tougher criminal acts on charter campaigners which is again is intimidation.

Word lost in translation. He meant translucent which is a better description of the junta of not revealing too much definite contours.

This guy needed an attitude adjustment well before the Junta came to power. He tried to pass an amnesty bill that violated the previous constitution (which was accepted by the majority) and now he is offering veiled threats of violence if all the people don't accept this draft constitution.

Some didn't even accept the previous constitution that was voted in by the majority because it did not suit their agenda offering weak yet wonderfully imaginative excuses for how the result was rigged.

And if the majority accept this latest constitution I am sure Worachai will be out denouncing it and finding lots of wonderful ways to disrespect this majority as well.

Veiled threats though? No surprises from this man.

Which section in the 2007 constitution is amnesty a subject. Nothing illegal about Parliment proposing a bill which still has to be passed by the upper house and probably examined by the constitution court due to the nature of the bill.

The 2007 charter was not a majority,just passing the 50% with much intimidation and laws making criticism a criminal act and heavy propaganda. It's Sunday and a slow day but no reason to falsify truth.

Black May! A prediction by the Pheu Thai party MP?

Seriously...
is it important who reminds the junta of the actions on the military during those days???
If it was Mark would you say the same thing? or do you reserve with the same condescending manner?
All concerned people should reminded Black May, and far more often than what they get now, I say well done to this bloke and challenge Mark to do the same followed by all MP's then all Thai's.....

Highly predictable response, not surprised, it suits your slant.

Here's a question for you:

What evidence is there that the current government is violent / violence with death? Please respond with a focused answer not a diversion?

No violence as of yet, but plenty of intimidation. Article 44, the new, travel insurance palatable version of military law, does give gold like powers to the junta. A three finger salute is illegal in Thailand. There is a threat of violence. What are you trying to say ? The junta in non-violent, so they are okay by you ?

Intimidation is part and parcel of politics here.

The Shins used their rent-a-mob hired thugs with seemingly connivance from the police whilst their opponents have the military on-side.

Under the last government, excrement was thrown, coffins with people's photos were burned outside their houses, grenades were lobbed, shots fired - at those the government didn't like, protesters murdered, innocents also murdered, at least one opponent was murdered in strange circumstances with a government minister solving the crime before the body was found and any real investigation took place, and someone's mum's house was machine gunned because she dared to blow a whistle at the ex-wife of the big boss man. Not forgetting the use of the defamation and cyber crime laws.

Now we have "attitude adjustment", the usual selective law enforcement that always happens, and the continued use of the defamation and cyber crime laws.

This happens when two or more groups squabble for power and the spoils whilst there is no robust justice system, strong impartial investigative media, suppression of free speech and the right to protest.

Two sides squabble for power...

As though one side could compete fairly in this squabble when one side tore up the justice system, took over the government at gun point, impose draconian unquestionable 44, call up and detain oppositions for making comment that they don't like and re-write the highest law to prolong their rule.

So Eric - you consider intimidating the judiciary, throwing grenades and bombs, machining gunning elderly parent's houses, murdering those that oppose you or the occasional innocent by-stander to be competing fairly.

Understand now why you are such a Shin apologist.

Black May! A prediction by the Pheu Thai party MP?

Seriously...

is it important who reminds the junta of the actions on the military during those days???

If it was Mark would you say the same thing? or do you reserve with the same condescending manner?

All concerned people should reminded Black May, and far more often than what they get now, I say well done to this bloke and challenge Mark to do the same followed by all MP's then all Thai's.....

Highly predictable response, not surprised, it suits your slant.

Here's a question for you:

What evidence is there that the current government is violent / violence with death? Please respond with a focused answer not a diversion?

No violence as of yet, but plenty of intimidation. Article 44, the new, travel insurance palatable version of military law, does give gold like powers to the junta. A three finger salute is illegal in Thailand. There is a threat of violence. What are you trying to say ? The junta in non-violent, so they are okay by you ?

Intimidation is part and parcel of politics here.

The Shins used their rent-a-mob hired thugs with seemingly connivance from the police whilst their opponents have the military on-side.

Under the last government, excrement was thrown, coffins with people's photos were burned outside their houses, grenades were lobbed, shots fired - at those the government didn't like, protesters murdered, innocents also murdered, at least one opponent was murdered in strange circumstances with a government minister solving the crime before the body was found and any real investigation took place, and someone's mum's house was machine gunned because she dared to blow a whistle at the ex-wife of the big boss man. Not forgetting the use of the defamation and cyber crime laws.

Now we have "attitude adjustment", the usual selective law enforcement that always happens, and the continued use of the defamation and cyber crime laws.

This happens when two or more groups squabble for power and the spoils whilst there is no robust justice system, strong impartial investigative media, suppression of free speech and the right to protest.

Two sides squabble for power...

As though one side could compete fairly in this squabble when one side tore up the justice system, took over the government at gun point, impose draconian unquestionable 44, call up and detain oppositions for making comment that they don't like and re-write the highest law to prolong their rule.

These generals will to any length to be ridiculous just to be heard. Stick to reform plan. What reform plan, Sir.