Eric Loh

Did I read the same news last year? Looks like re-cycle news.

A real bad work week for the much needed anger management PM. Got reprimanded by US Envoy Russel like a schoolboy, nasty report from the Associated Press on fishery slavery work condition and now this right's report. Enough for anyone to pop a blood vessel or get a heart attack. For his sake (sic), better for him to take a break or keep his doctor close.

Screw you detractors, he is still my hero! I admire this guy for his leadership ability.

Read all the negative things above....there is no real argument or fact against him. Just blind hate.

I agree he is a hero.....

If it is not irony it is just lack of knowledge about his actions past and present...

Do you really want a list or can you google his name with the keyword corruption alone?

Even his own party think he is far too corrupted

Just goggle his name without linking the word "corruption". Then try to find something positive written about him. Trust me, it is hard.

"Surely, many Thais would prefer either of these two over the current blight afflicting the country"

"Many Thais" have consistently given Thaksin et al a mandate to run the country over the last 15 years. Conversely, Suthep et al have only achieved power by 'other means'. Let the Thai people choose who they want, they deserve better than 'Hobson's Choice'.

Thaksin bought the elections...giving 500 Baht for the right checkmark. But yes he is highly regarded in North and Northeast.
But Suthep is highly regarded in the South, they regard him like a war hero. Like him or hate him, at the demonstrations he took a lot risks for Thailand.

"Thaksin bought the elections...giving 500 Baht for the right checkmark."

Do you have any evidence to back up your statement? At the 2011 election, PTP received 15,744,190 votes, giving them 48.41% of the total vote and a clear mandate to govern. Are you saying that Thaksin spent almost 8 billion baht on buying votes?

Considering that the Dem Party donations outstrip the PT donations many times and the Dem has the support of most of the very wealthy Sino Thai capitalists, they could easily out pay the measly 500 Baht and win the election by a landslide. No, that didn't happen and we know why.

Welcome to Thailand......donations as if the donations would be important.....
And the Sino Thai capitalists CP, Beer and car manufacturer, etc sponsor every party. Thaksin, Democrats, PAD, Red Shirts, Military, etc etc...so no matter who wins they win. They are not on any side, they are on every side.

And if these two decide to move along together and hold public meeting and rallies to spread their word will the junta do anything to stop them ?

If they form a political party the junta will become their handler. The political party will be called "The Untouchables"

The Untouchables if you add a "P" to the political tango and call them the Pss Party. Silent on the "i".

Despite what people may think of these guys, they are powerful and influential figures. And, as was evidenced during the Bangkok protests, Suthep was prepared to stand up and say "Here I am, do your worst"!

Surely, many Thais would prefer either of these two over the current blight afflicting the country.

"Surely, many Thais would prefer either of these two over the current blight afflicting the country"

"Many Thais" have consistently given Thaksin et al a mandate to run the country over the last 15 years. Conversely, Suthep et al have only achieved power by 'other means'. Let the Thai people choose who they want, they deserve better than 'Hobson's Choice'.

Thaksin bought the elections...giving 500 Baht for the right checkmark. But yes he is highly regarded in North and Northeast.

But Suthep is highly regarded in the South, they regard him like a war hero. Like him or hate him, at the demonstrations he took a lot risks for Thailand.

"Thaksin bought the elections...giving 500 Baht for the right checkmark."

Do you have any evidence to back up your statement? At the 2011 election, PTP received 15,744,190 votes, giving them 48.41% of the total vote and a clear mandate to govern. Are you saying that Thaksin spent almost 8 billion baht on buying votes?

Considering that the Dem Party donations outstrip the PT donations many times and the Dem has the support of most of the very wealthy Sino Thai capitalists, they could easily out pay the measly 500 Baht and win the election by a landslide. No, that didn't happen and we know why.

The new breathalyzers come with an auto off for VIPs and men in uniforms.

PT must be rubbing their hands with glee and saying "go ahead and make my day".

The CDC must be seen and perceived to be working to earn that much of tax payers money even if they continue to churn out meaningless proposals. The cold slap by politicians is totally warranted.

The circle of crony appointments continue. Past associations with the current incumbents heavily on the stooge angle. Pol Gen Watcharapol is close to former police chief who is the brother of Gen Prawit. Current police chief Po; Lt Gen Chakthip have close ties with Suthep. Nothing really have change with the glaring distinction of the previous PM being found guilty and forced from power from crony appointment.

Anyway these machines will have time to rust before the next elections....

Just like the old machines were rusted as most were not in use due to the poll station blockages. Maintenance and upgrading are never in the working mindset of Thais. Just buy the new toys and fringe benefits that goes along with it.

unfortunately many thais do not understand living within your means, as said above "face" so much more important. My father died when I was pretty young, no govt hand outs so mum and 5 young kids had to take steps to survive. We didnt get to eat the best of meals, wear new clothes or get the latest gadgetry or cars, the 3 eldest(me included) did menial work and paper runs to earn extra money, mum worked 2 jobs, the last thing on our minds was what others thought of us. Thai farmers etc need to do the same things, forget face and try to improve their lot naturally, giving away your land to your son/daughter then complaining you have to lease land is a joke, yes these people are poor but they refuse to accept this fact and try to act as though they are not. Expecting govt handouts all the time isnt the answer, actually looking at improving what they do is, if they can afford to drink every night and gamble, have smart phones then they are living well beyond their means, time to forget about face and then maybe they will be able to get themselves out of debt.

The idiosyncrasies of 'face' is not only limited to the Thais but Asians in generally. One way to described face is the avoidance of embarrassment at all costs. The patronage culture in Thailand or subordinate not pointing out error made by a superior are all part of Asian culture. Got to do with integration and community harmony quite different from Western lesser strong sense of integration and a win-loss zero sum mentality. I am afraid that culture of face will not go away for a LONG LONG TIME.

Wonder which one is in the Prem camp.

They are all in his camp. Just 'good' corruption carried out by 'good people' and should be protected. Bad corruption seems limited to elected politicians and civil servants who are not morally well-located in the Ammart circles.

you guys seem to have all the answers at least you think you do

lets just reset all of this and go back to what was there before (that) very obviously didn't work lol

I said it before and I will say it again, Thailand needed change to stop the abuse, some say there is abuse now and I would agree that certain things are somewhat over the top, but if putting a muzzle on certain people and factions to achieve the end goal is what needs to be done then sobeit, it remains to be seen wether the good General will honor his goals and achieve his planned roadmap, I will give him until the end of 2018 and if we don't have an election- then call foul - and you can quote me on that

There are many thugs criminals gangsters are going to lose their income if this charter really does have its planned effect, the abusers are fighting to keep the system of corruption alive so they can "easily" continue to fleece the Thai people

"...Thailand needed change to stop the abuse..."

Yes, and Thailand still needs change but Uncle Too and his merry band of juntaists aren't delivering on their promises - that much is glaringly obvious. After 19 coups and attempts where nothing has changed it should give you a clue as to what their real intentions are, namely perpetuating their own rule.

Let's put it down to 19 coups and 20 constitution since 1932. Thailand has an average of 1 new constitution every 4 years and many of those adopted following military coups. Talk about the insanity of repeating and hoping to get a new result. Thailand has not any progress in her political future. Strongly feel that the military is not a solution but is a problematic thorn in the betterment of democracy for Thailand. As the top 3 political scientists in today' s Nation correctly said that "only democracy will get us out of this crisis". And to add, only having a clause in the constitution to outlaw coup will be a big step to the country woes.

I agree with what you say, but outlawing a coup in a new constitution will not help as the military is quite happy to tear it up and give themselves the mother of all amnesties - you know, like the amnesty the YL government tried to sneak through parliament, only ten times worse.

You are right. On the anniversary of the coup, a group of activist petitioned the criminal court to charge the junta for treason but was dismissed due to the blanket amnesty. YL government foolishly tried to ram the amnesty through but meet with the appropriate oppositions on the streets as well as in the courts. That's how democracy should work. Freedom of expression and the judiciary process. PT may even be voted out in the next election.

Easily done. Use powers you have granted yourself to reinstate the 1997 constitution with effect from today, lift the ban on political campaigning and freedom of assembly, call an election for 6 weeks time (17 January), . Accept and abide by the result, however much you may dislike it. Any disputes, decisions and disagreements about the election to be handled by the courts, with no interference.

Sorted, by 19 January you will have your wish - three weeks into the new year!

And 2017 we have the first demonstrations because the new Shinawatra government is extreme corrupt.

2018 the first shootings on the demonstrators and the first tear gas. Summer 2018 Thailand is on the brink to civil war. Autumn 2018 there is a coup as last resort to prevent civil war.

Great idea

There must be a real good solution to prevent that unfortunately Prayut is a kind of male version of Yingluck and won't be able to do it.

He could try to find someone smart and resign....Or he could ask the royal institutions "I have complete failed, please help repairing the country"

you described the coming (hopefully not) desaster very well. I can't see a solution for the future. Shinawatra will not give up and the fight between the clans will continue with clashes and (hopefully not) cicil war. You can't change a rotten system within a few years unless PM will stay in power for a longer time?

And to add to your ability to perceive future events, I see the Martians landing on earth and Elvis will re-appear. As to your remark about a rotten system, we are rotting at one and people are disappearing for speaking out.

you guys seem to have all the answers at least you think you do

lets just reset all of this and go back to what was there before (that) very obviously didn't work lol

I said it before and I will say it again, Thailand needed change to stop the abuse, some say there is abuse now and I would agree that certain things are somewhat over the top, but if putting a muzzle on certain people and factions to achieve the end goal is what needs to be done then sobeit, it remains to be seen wether the good General will honor his goals and achieve his planned roadmap, I will give him until the end of 2018 and if we don't have an election- then call foul - and you can quote me on that

There are many thugs criminals gangsters are going to lose their income if this charter really does have its planned effect, the abusers are fighting to keep the system of corruption alive so they can "easily" continue to fleece the Thai people

"...Thailand needed change to stop the abuse..."

Yes, and Thailand still needs change but Uncle Too and his merry band of juntaists aren't delivering on their promises - that much is glaringly obvious. After 19 coups and attempts where nothing has changed it should give you a clue as to what their real intentions are, namely perpetuating their own rule.

Let's put it down to 19 coups and 20 constitution since 1932. Thailand has an average of 1 new constitution every 4 years and many of those adopted following military coups. Talk about the insanity of repeating and hoping to get a new result. Thailand has not any progress in her political future. Strongly feel that the military is not a solution but is a problematic thorn in the betterment of democracy for Thailand. As the top 3 political scientists in today' s Nation correctly said that "only democracy will get us out of this crisis". And to add, only having a clause in the constitution to outlaw coup will be a big step to the country woes.

My point is that the US is very selective about who it berates.

Moreover, I personally do not think it is a coincidence that Thailand is improving ties with China and that the NYT published several articles critical of Thailand in the past month.

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

Just wondering what those countries you mentioned got to do with Thailand or rather what's happening in Thailand. Sir, what's your point.

China and Vietnam were the first 2 countries that recognized the coup government followed quickly by Mynmar. USA and EU were quick to denounce the coup and followed by Australia who imposed a travel ban on the junta leaders. Japan and even Indonesia and Philippines also expressed disappointment. Under those circumstances, Thailand can only pivot towards China. The NYT is not important in his scheme of things.

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

Just wondering what those countries you mentioned got to do with Thailand or rather what's happening in Thailand. Sir, what's your point.

And that for a man of your 'integrity', Khun Eric... As if it didn't come up to you that these are all countries under 'regimes' the US of A seems to have little or nothing to say against, while being at the antipodes of 'Democracy' and where human rights are about inexistant... But when it doesn't fit your clients' interests you remain blind to what is normally your major argument... Being critical towards the foreign policy of a country the PR and lobbying services working for your clients have so successfuly manipulated in favour of their interets, would not be a good idea, I agree. You could of course also not have reacted on 'does'' post...

A worldly and educated guy like you must surely know that USA and other super powers have different policies in critizing other countries; much depend on geopolitics and economics. We all know that.

That USA chose to critique Thailand may just show that Thailand has little significance to her foreign policy or perphaps a veiled warning at the China posturing by the junta. Perhaps when Vietnam war was raging, USA will be more careful with her criticism. Which is why I ask "what has all these countries got to do with Thailand". Thailand can chose to ignore the criticism and move on with her own plans but they decided foolishly to engage with a tit for tat and even with the 112 threat. Wrong foreign relationship move.

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

There goes that broken record rant again. All of it blx as usual.

True. We point out repeatedly that:

There is no evidence that the government was in any way involved in the violence.

It was clearly in the PTP government's best interest to avoid violence that would be used to justify a coup.

There was clear evidence of Suthep's supporters committing violent acts to disrupt elections and everyday government functions

Suthep never considered any compromise, he demanded abdication of the elected government in order for an un-named committee to implement unspecified reforms. Those reforms are still unspecified.

However reality doesn't agree with EnglishJohn's beliefs, so he ignores reality.

There really no room for Khun Suthep to compromise when you already laid out the coup plan as early as 2010. There's only one single objective that is to set up a situation that warrants a coup. We all know that from his infamous boast at his military style party. Sadly the previous government was foolish enough to provide the exact reason for the plan.

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

Just wondering what those countries you mentioned got to do with Thailand or rather what's happening in Thailand. Sir, what's your point.

He should be thankful that he is a high ranking officer. Civilian has been charged and convicted for negligence and allowing grafts and corruption to happen under her watch. He is lucky to lose just his reputation. Others less privileged civilians have suffered much harsher punishments even deaths.

I remember that Mr. Russells said in his Chula speech that the government needed to work on their image. The need to be seen in a certain way.

Luckily the government didn't take up this advise.

Inclusive and participative politics are what Davis spoke. Those are uiversal values you grow up with Rubi.

Will he meet the monk and his goons?

No but the monks and his goons will meet Davis with signs and banners and the gathering will be more than 5 people for sure.

Wake me up when the Supreme Court seize the unexplained assets from the Generals.

Pray tell us about those unexplained assets from 'the' generals.

Or actually, better not, let's stick to the topic rather than distracting from it.

In this intimidating times, think I will follow your advise. Just today someone got 112 for just indicating that. Those unexplained wealth will never see the light of day. That will delight you.

Wake me up when the Supreme Court seize the unexplained assets from the Generals.