Eric Loh

............When former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from the Pheu Thai Party visited Ubon Ratchathani recently, he was not among the people who came to greet her............

Are the cracks beginning to appear?

Wise of him to physically stay clear of Yingluck when you are marked and among the first to be hauled up for AA. At least he has the freedom to decide who he want to meet. Just imagine if he didn't said all those nice words and not turned out for Prayuth. That freedom not extended in this circumstance.

OK, so what is a true practical solution, taking into account Thai circumstance, history, etc. Remember, their are various forms of democrac: Sweden, Egypt, Myanmar.

He said that he had no concern that his fellow UDD leaders would be angry with him for voicing his support of General Prayut.

pffft, that's because he is following Thaksin's appeasement strategy. A strategy which is absolutely doomed to fail and proof that Thaksin doesn't care about small-d democracy.

The people who really care about the future of Thailand know that the military is not the solution, but the problem and they don't try to "work with them".

Myanmar now put Thailand democracy to shame. The powerful army chief Thein Sein is now a role model for democracy with his endorsement of the people mandate and respect of the election. He has vowed stable and smooth transition. Thailand is just the opposite with the disrespect of the people mandate and heavily skewed reforms and little to show for reconciliation. As TB said, military is never the solution but a problem and Myanmar is a good example. Countries are abandoning this feudal form of domination and in this highly connected age in information and trade, it holds back the country progress and potential.

If the reform and reconciliation plan was just to get rid of the Shin regime and wrestled power back to the Amart, the junta has accomplished that and no need for further briefing.

Resorting to salary sacrifices or a foreign experienced airline exec won't change anything so long as it is state-owned. The government needs to sell its ownership and get out of the business. Leave its operations to free enterprise to live or die on its own economic merits.

Thai Airways was privatized 24 years ago but for nationalist reasons, it was only partially privatized with the Ministry of Finance retaining 51% and retaining the influence on the company direction and profitability. That's where it went wrong when the Government still control the airline.

Some of the ills are quite well documented and the government knows but seem unable to do much. For starter, the airline has seen 19 presidents in last 24 years. There also has a 25% excess in employees when productivity measured against other successful airlines.Aging fleets, over generous and below cost tickets to employees, mountain of debts and an oversize board. Better to bankrupt the company and re-start again.

The writing was on the wall when the Energy Ministry appointed Khun Charamporn. It's a buddy appointment, Junta style when they appointed someone without any direct aviation experience. The company is in dire need of an experience CEO even is he/she is foreigner. On record, Thai Airway loses is the worst in their history during this junta rule.

And the PM curt response "the military is always kind and will not hurt any people". The happiness clock is beginning to move backwards and Mynmar defiance of the military will give courage to our champions of democracy.

Next trick will be a slip getting out of a mini van and near a fracture ?? with a new cast style boot on---this will bring the fans back OM God.

Facebook ?? should read SAVE FACE BOOK lol

Seem to be a favourite trick of politicians. Remember Ahbisit felled and fractured his right collarbone. All over Facebook too.

Yingluck's definition of "fair" trial is a trial that she wins and gets away from all jail times and financial penalties.

This is one of the reasons exactly why Thailand shouldn't have elected government now like US and EU are demanding. There are still so many Taksin's dogs within the government. Should Thailand have an election now, Taksin's chosen people will be the next government, and he will this time make sure to amend all constitutions and laws that protect this country from people like him.

Getting far away from jail seem a logical reason not only for her but all in sundry when the jail is almost a death sentence now.

Yingluck petitions Prayut for fair trial?

Impossible in the new yellow land.

She has never been fair for poor farmer, she and her clique always cheated farmer

And still the poor farmers love her and probably will vote for her next election if she not banned. There seem a disconnect between you and the poor farmers.

So why put it on her facebook page ?.

If you don't see what they are trying to do, you are the target audience.

I'm sure we'll get a crocodile tear or two for the cameras before long. All under advisement from her defence team.

How long before she drops the 'rushing' plea. This has been going on for years now.

Note how they are trying to drag HM into this : the very reason Prayuth used article 44. That part has her brothers hand all over it.

Why put on her Facebook? As if you don't know that the junta has banned all political party press releases and warned all media operators that they face prosecution and even sedition if they air news that are critical of the junta. Social media is the only place to put your views for now. May not be long before the junta block that too.

Shouldn't these opportunists that broke the law and asked for donation be arrested or hauled up for questioning. They should provide the answers and clear the air. More will believe that than what the former army chief said.

What's so good about Acts and Laws when the courts acquit demonstrators who block elections or dismiss charges on prolonged protests and ruled that as their constitutional rights.

But, but, but. Nobody robbed a bank. Analogy invalid. Nobody said it was ok for anyone. How many US politicians are prosecuted for negligence, even for starting a war in Iraq based on lies?(WMD) Lies which resulted in many deaths and loads of money. How many British politicians were prosecuted for the expenses scandal? This seems to be simply a witch hunt to me to pave the way for the preferred next government, if there is to be one.

Let's stay within the country. How did Ahbisit got away with his Thai Khem Khaeg (Strong Thailand) and the laundry list of subsidies and not Yingluck. His subsidies included capping the price of diesel, LPG cooking gas and electricity which cast tax revenue lost to a tune of 8.5 B Baht per month. His free electricity burdened the government with another 12 B Baht annual. He even handed out cash to people who make less than 15,000B per month. That's the social contract each government must keep and I have no issue with AV giving subsidies or welfare as called in some countries to the poor. But why is one person allow to have subsidy programs (even the current government), while other has been pursued and punished not once by the NACC but again by the Supreme Court.

Which bit of "It's not about the rice scheme, it's about the massive corruption and the blind eye Yingluck turned to it even after being warned" are you obviously unable to understand ?.

It's like talking to a brick wall.

Sounds like Abhisit did a lot more to try and help the poor than the dirty cronies ever did - thanks for listing them for us.

You seem to know the verdict before the Supreme Court hearings and ruling. Right now, it stand as negligence. <deleted>

Reading today news about resignation of a senior police officer in charge of the south human trafficking and the sudden death of Mor Yong does raise questions over the country's commitment to seriously crackdown on mafia figures.

................but his criticism of the Shinawatras lent credence to the impression that their "pro-democracy" initiatives usually came when their vested interests were at stake..................

Starting to see sense, eh? This corrupt and blood-sucking family of leeches and its verminous brood of rat-like feral spawn's days are numbered.

This corrupt blood-sucking family can be voted out and has a short tenure of 4 years. While this junta government can't be voted out and their tenure is subjected to their willingness to relinquish power and wealth. Just making sense.

If mafia meant group of people in a particular field having a controlling influence, we are living under one now. No crackdown on this group.

Even suggesting a directly elect PM could be an Article 112 offence. Careful Bangkok Poll. Don't be over zealous in your blind support.

Next week in our village there is an election for the local mayor.

The only thing that most people seem to be considering is money. Money paid for their vote by one of the candidates. Only one is offering any money so seems to be guaranteed to win.

It is just incredibly sad that a significant proportion of the electorate are more concerned with getting 200bht than anything else.

It's more honest than in other countries like US where corporate lobbyists give unlimited amounts of money to senators and congressmen for their campaign in return for favors when they are elected. At least here in Thailand you know that small amounts of money are being given. They are open and upfront about it. Seems to me that open and upfront and small amounts are better than large amounts behind closed doors.

Democracy has had its day, it is now so corrupt and rigged in favor of corporations and banks that it hardly qualifies for the name. Our politicians have succeeded in brainwashing everyone into believing that "democracy" equals "good", but of course you can have good democracies and bad democracies. Thailand's is looking like the deck will be stacked against the poor, just like everywhere else, and stacked in favor of the rich, just like everywhere else.

Democracy os the wrong system for tackling the world's biggest problems, like climate change where no politician will take the risk of losing votes to do the right thing, and America who should perhaps be taking the lead is stymied because of corporate donations from companies like Exxon that have a vested interest in poisoning the planet to enhance their profits. Similarly the capitalist system cannot solve the problems of inequality or climate change, its thinking is too short term, profit today and tomorrow may hang itself.

And your answer is all the worldly malaise is for a coup and the military in charge. You will find your perfect world in the feudal and warlord past.

If only 10% of those with clout could think how Mark does. He's wasted in Muang Thai.

If Mark had some policies to govern the country instead of focusing his attention against Thaksin, he may actually win an election.

You cant win by removing opposition, you need to beat them by showing voters you can do a better job.

How about paying more for each vote ? ?

OK, OK just a thought but voters here would understand.

That would be right down the Democract Party's alley. The get 10 times party donation than their closest rival. They have most of the wealthy urbanites and the ammart. If election is just down to buying voted, Ahbisit will win hands down.

'Pheu Thai party rejects...', as they 'rejected' Supreme Court rulings, as they 'rejected' the conclusions of the report about the 2010 insurgency(!), they 'reject' all what's not 110% in their favour, have done so, do so, and will go on doing so, forever, there is no such thing as 'reconciliation' possible with these people, for them it's 'our way or the highway', period!

Well, now gentlemen(NOT), this is an order (not some proposal), it's the NCPO's way now, so you take it, or you hit... the road (highway) jack(a..es).

Ah, that would be the day, imagine: bye-bye PTP, good riddance UDD, how peacefull it would at once become here!

All existing political parties and organisations, including PTP and UDD of course, should have been disbanded in the first place last year, all elected politicians from District level to the House (and Senate...) banned for life, to start with a clean slate, beginning with a, clear and restrictive, 'code of conduct' for the new parties to come, including concepts as: a binding program, ethics, transparency, ...and responsibility!

A bit too late for that though, I'm afraid, Generals, though you knew that well enough, so you must have had a 'very good' reason, or rather a quite bad one IMO, not to take such a purely common sense measure, ...to make a truly 'democratic' future possible for Thailand at last! But probably you might make yours the words spoken by Thaksin himself: 'Democracy is not my goal', alas...

You are so naive. You think getting rid of PTP and UDD will be the panacea for peace than you really don't understand Thailand and the military. I suggest that you spend some time to research the reasons for past coups staring 1932. Common themes stood out like a sore thumb. It is the same excuse for this coup like purging the country of political enemies and rivals, increasing corruption and inefficient leaders. The same reasons will be used for the next coup.

Proves one thing, PT and their ilk, and no doubt their paymaster still alive and well and just waiting for the chance to get back to their scaly activities.

Thailand please beware.

Just because the people protesting are certifiable crooks and assclowns doesn't mean they are wrong....

Or maybe it does. They did everything wrong, that is why they are in this predicament now. They deserve everything that is coming to them I just hope they get the justice they deserve.

Exactly, they deserve to be treated the same way they treated the people who trusted them and voted them into power.

And I think "assclowns" is the best word I have ever heard to describe them.

Those assclowns won 3 successive democratic elections. If they are called assclowns and winning, what you call those who lost and those unelected PMs.

Junta should lead by example and reduce the bloated military and cancel the unnecessary submarine order and others.

Get rid of Thaksin regime in full swing and as scripted. As for reconciliation, it has never been in the script from the beginning.

Reconciliation you say. I've posted dozens of messages asking folks like you to give more information on what you believe 'reconciliation' really means, what would be the specific objective of reconciliation, what it would look like, what would the process be, who would be involved, what would we see specifically as successful reconciliation? etc.

So far never one response. Please share your thoughts on this.

Does it matter what my reconciliation means or even you? What matters is the big guy defination and what he has done to support and drive that mission. He said "it is about cooling political passion and get the people back to common trust and respect". Have you seen that happening? People are more divided by his words and action today.

Ok, maybe he is to busy with other important nation matters. More than a year ago, he hand picked his trusted Lt. General Kampanart to form the Reconciliation Center for Reform (RCR) and he promised detail plans in few weeks time. To- date, have anyone heard of RCR or their plans? It's over a year, what are the tangible achievements. I can tell you that there is none. This is just another smoke that he blew just after the coup and really not in his agenda. Sounds good though.

Try reading the OP again. All those people "more divided" couldn't even bother putting on a shirt of the right colour to support their martyred heroine. And its not a matter of love or hate, just indifference.

Indifference or perhaps just obeying the instructions from Yingluck and other red-shirt leaders against it for fear the military government will use the campaign as an excuse to stay in power longer and postpone the general election.

Get rid of Thaksin regime in full swing and as scripted. As for reconciliation, it has never been in the script from the beginning.

Reconciliation you say. I've posted dozens of messages asking folks like you to give more information on what you believe 'reconciliation' really means, what would be the specific objective of reconciliation, what it would look like, what would the process be, who would be involved, what would we see specifically as successful reconciliation? etc.

So far never one response. Please share your thoughts on this.

Does it matter what my reconciliation means or even you? What matters is the big guy defination and what he has done to support and drive that mission. He said "it is about cooling political passion and get the people back to common trust and respect". Have you seen that happening? People are more divided by his words and action today.

Ok, maybe he is to busy with other important nation matters. More than a year ago, he hand picked his trusted Lt. General Kampanart to form the Reconciliation Center for Reform (RCR) and he promised detail plans in few weeks time. To- date, have anyone heard of RCR or their plans? It's over a year, what are the tangible achievements. I can tell you that there is none. This is just another smoke that he blew just after the coup and really not in his agenda. Sounds good though.

So you avoid an answer to an important and valid question. Why do you avoid an answer?

Strange since you regularly mention reconciliation one would expect that you know what it means and you can discuss it with specifics.

But it's obvious you can't discuss it. So again you divert.

Then you add two more diversion paragraphs.

IMHO reconciliation means that everybody is following the law (that especially means politicians), and speaks and operates with morals and with respect and concern for others, and the law is applied equally to all.

Go right ahead twist that into whatever you want, no doubt you will. Her's a clue, why don't you restart with a claim that's it's all politically motivated.

Chuckle at your meaning of reconciliation as though you seriously think that coup is legal. Yes, the coup was politically motivated as in previous 19 coups. Only a fool will think it was a spontaneous and filled with good intention by Prayuth and only a fool will think he did this by himself. Now I am have said what I want to say.

She will have to pay for,what was her brothers great idea,

not his first idea that ended up costing the country dearly,

it was easy for him to run his business that was an monopoly,

but in the real world he did not look so good.

Her defense could be "I was only following orders "

regards Worgeordie

Will you comment similarly to a direct subsidy to rubber farmers costing the country 13 B Baht ? The cabinet approval was fast too as most just follow orders.