Eric Loh

Thaksin will not attend the official ceremony because he was not invited

In reality the two were known to be close so every liklihood he was invited.

Of course you'd know all this. Told you Thaksin was a good bloke no doubt.

I'm sure Thaksin's PR machine will claim that. Just like they tried to link him to Nelson Mandela. Anything to try and legitimize the criminal.

In fact he's right. In his last book, Lee wrote positively about Thaksin as a business-minded person who was going up against the old-time elites that were holding the country back. Hard to believe not everyone shares your view of the man, eh?

In fact, this is what Lee wrote in his 2013 book: "Thaksin is much shrewder and smarter than his critics. Thats why he tapped the northeast to overcome the resistance from them."

Lee had very strong views regarding the establishment if you read his book "One Man's view of the World". I qoute "arrival of Thaksin changed the politics of Thailand when before that the establishment dominated all

sides of the political competition and governed largely to the benefit of the nation capital". He had very strong statements against coups and warned that repeated coups has led to political instability. I think all ASEAN leaders are not pleased with the situation in Thailand but kept silent in the spirit of non interference in domestic issues. I hope Prayuth will not creat an international incident in Singapore with his foolishness.

So he's no diplomat... not the end of the world for Thailand is it?

If he can learn to laugh at himself and accept that others will too.... he might become one of Thailand's better leaders in the past 1/2 century, even with his flaws.

Rather silly and naive statement. Leader and diplomacy are qualities that are needed to be a good leader. Good leaders use diplomacy to find common ground to deal with contentious issues.

You said he has his flaws and yet you think he is becoming one of Thailand better leader. What are you smoking mate. Careful with laughing too much at himself as this is a sign of craziness. Don't try too hard kissing up the junta ass.

"really nothing to show after almost a year"

Do you read the news. The PM probably would probably benefit from professional PR assistance but after 10 months (and having full "undivided" resistance on the part of some people), there has certainly been progress in addressing illegal drugs, weapons, and corruption - in only 10 months, not 10 years.

Neil, we are talking about weightier subject like the economy. Stay focus.

The economy is an important factor, but so is law and order, justice, education and social development. They are all weighty subjects that interact.

Thailand is slow to change, under any political party. You want to talk economy - please spell out the achievements of the Yingluck/Thaksin PTP administration and the negatives regarding the economy. As the Shin family already vast fortune increased a whopping 450% during that period I guess we can say their plans worked for some.

A military junta took power because a corrupt government that has acted illegally was in caretaker mode and had either lost control of law and order or was deliberately provoking lawlessness. That was an untenable situation especially as the police refused to enforce the law. The underlying machinations that brought that situation about cannot be speculated upon.

Having brought some semblance of law and order, the cumbersome justice machinery may now actually bring some criminals to justice.

However, the down side is that a military propelled into government does not have an economic strategy and plans ready or people with the required skills and experience to suddenly create one. That is why a return to a civilian government must be made as soon as possible. But not one that lines it's own pockets and makes decisions based on what's best for itself.

Yingluck really didn't have things easy beginning with the flood and then political unrest. Still she did quite well after the flood with a 6.5% GDP growth in 2012 and able to prevent a mass exodus of manufacturers and mending the bad relationship with Cambodia and increasing border trade. 2013 was a disaster with political unrest but she did lay the plans to develop the country infrastructure, long term water management and promoted the investment for Dawei; all the have been continued by the current government.

On the negative side, the rice policy was a fiasco and she now paying the price. The first house and car schemes are debatable. It did brought a heightened domestic consumption and the auto and real estate sectors had a bountiful year and tax collected were on target. The negative side is the increase in household debts.

The problem with the current Adminstration is the dominating style of the PM and his idioscrantic manner he made decision. Budget dispensation have been muted because of his style. The coup also contributed to political uncertainty which is not good for investments. The PM also find it difficult to travel freely for trade talks.

I agreed totally with you that sooner we revert back to civilian rule, the better for the economy.

Don't just do these for the tourists but for all Thais especially the footpaths that have been invaded by vendors. Do this for all Bangkok, not just on few selected spots. Made this a law that no vendors allowed on footpaths and that include motor cycles. Give the footpaths back to the people.

All words and no action!!

Give him a chance for Christ sake!!!

Yingluck had her chance and succeeded in trashing the country and leaving it with a 600 BILLION baht deficit - when there wasn't a full blown global crisis.

That's like saying to the Chancellor after just having announced his budget details "all words and no actions"!!

Something that I've noticed that completely invalidates what you say is what Prayut say's he is going to do gets done (without the cock ups and corruption), to boot.

Give him a chance!!! Do we have a choice. He had our full undivided enforced attention and up to now really nothing to show after almost a year and you still think he will deliver. This coup will be another lost year for Thailand as in other previous coups.

"really nothing to show after almost a year"

Do you read the news. The PM probably would probably benefit from professional PR assistance but after 10 months (and having full "undivided" resistance on the part of some people), there has certainly been progress in addressing illegal drugs, weapons, and corruption - in only 10 months, not 10 years.

Neil, we are talking about weightier subject like the economy. Stay focus.

All words and no action!!

Give him a chance for Christ sake!!!

Yingluck had her chance and succeeded in trashing the country and leaving it with a 600 BILLION baht deficit - when there wasn't a full blown global crisis.

That's like saying to the Chancellor after just having announced his budget details "all words and no actions"!!

Something that I've noticed that completely invalidates what you say is what Prayut say's he is going to do gets done (without the cock ups and corruption), to boot.

Give him a chance!!! Do we have a choice. He had our full undivided enforced attention and up to now really nothing to show after almost a year and you still think he will deliver. This coup will be another lost year for Thailand as in other previous coups.

You are just being stupid now - lets assume he had done nothing (which is complete cods wallop) then surely that is better then losing on average 150 billion baht/year without improving anything and allowing rampant corruption to take place along with complete disorder and running battles on the streets!!!

Don't you think it sound rather silly from you when the coup will cost the country 15.3 B USD or almost 500 B Baht. Shhh how that's compare to the 150B "pull off the air lost" caused by the PDRC mayhem. BTW,there are still rampant corruption. Didn't stop after the coup. Ask the Generals.

For his sake, talk less and let his experts do the talking. Everytime he speak, it's a disaster. He should be talking about leading Thailand to higher valued products rather than competing on price which is a no brainer "you can't win" against lower wages neighbouring countries.

All words and no action!!

Give him a chance for Christ sake!!!

Yingluck had her chance and succeeded in trashing the country and leaving it with a 600 BILLION baht deficit - when there wasn't a full blown global crisis.

That's like saying to the Chancellor after just having announced his budget details "all words and no actions"!!

Something that I've noticed that completely invalidates what you say is what Prayut say's he is going to do gets done (without the cock ups and corruption), to boot.

Give him a chance!!! Do we have a choice. He had our full undivided enforced attention and up to now really nothing to show after almost a year and you still think he will deliver. This coup will be another lost year for Thailand as in other previous coups.

Ater he lost his wife 3 years ago, he really lost the will to live. His wife was a pillar of strength behind this great man.

First it was land tax or VAT. Now both rescinded. Paper tiger.

Ahbisit and Suthep will be delighted too.

Allow me to refresh your memory. The Thai court had aquited the 2 remaining Redshirts and 2 juveniles accused of burning CW. There were photo or videos of Redshirts holding something which was later indentified as fire extinguishers. Further, the military took over the burning. So the juror is still out there as to who touched CW. Now we are on the same page.

F because they can't positively identify exactly who burnt down CW, no red shirts were involved? By that logic, the army didn't kill anyone in the wat.

I'm just wondering where you can get fire extinguishers that look like burning tyres.

The "they" you're refering is the Thai court and they ruled that the arrested Reds and charged for arson were not involved and aquited them. Again it's the court inquest that concluded that the Wat killings were from shots by the military. Your wondering can ceased also as its the court that stated that the it's fire extinguisher. The tire reference is totally absurd and illogical now that the court have their rulings. I'm sure you're a law abiding person, no?

The ''arresed reds'' were aquited. True. That still doesn't change the fact that the video released during the PDRC protest shows red shirts burning CW. Is your memory refreshed yet?

Really can't argue with someone who insist that unsubstantiated evidence not legally admissible are facts.

If anything, Abhisit and Suthep should explain why they they continued to be so patient, putting up with over 2 months of intransigence before taking dynamic action (except for one incident). If Abhisit deserves to be vilified, it would be because he was too nice and too open to negotiations.

Then surely Yingluck will be qualified to be in our nice list as she was patient for 7 months and 22 days and still did not ordered the military to intervene inspite of violence at the Parliment House and at pooling stations. And she even agreed to dissolve Parliment and yet the military staged a coup. All planned, no?

Allow me to refresh your memory. The Thai court had aquited the 2 remaining Redshirts and 2 juveniles accused of burning CW. There were photo or videos of Redshirts holding something which was later indentified as fire extinguishers. Further, the military took over the burning. So the juror is still out there as to who touched CW. Now we are on the same page.

F because they can't positively identify exactly who burnt down CW, no red shirts were involved? By that logic, the army didn't kill anyone in the wat.

I'm just wondering where you can get fire extinguishers that look like burning tyres.

The "they" you're refering is the Thai court and they ruled that the arrested Reds and charged for arson were not involved and aquited them. Again it's the court inquest that concluded that the Wat killings were from shots by the military. Your wondering can ceased also as its the court that stated that the it's fire extinguisher. The tire reference is totally absurd and illogical now that the court have their rulings. I'm sure you're a law abiding person, no?

.................."There were photo or videos of Redshirts holding something which was later indentified as fire extinguishers"......................

And the head orc of the redshirts said - "You idiots ! I said bring bottles of gasoline to Bangkok, not bloody fire extinguishers !"

Thanks Eric, I needed a good laugh !

The good laugh courtesy of the Thai court. You are welcome.

It would also be nice if the red leaders were asked to explain :

Why they were there in the first place ?

Who provided the funding for their riots ?

Who supplied the weapons to the men in black (who didn't exist) ?

Why they accepted Abhisits offer of early elections then next day reversed that decision ?

On whose advice was that decision reversed ?

How was it possible for them, the leaders, to emerge from the riots a millionaires ?

There are also many other questions that come to mind, for instance one of them could be asked :

Why have you not taken responsibility for all the arson as you said you would when you urged your followers to each bring a bottle to fill with gasoline ?

I'm happy to see some people remember what really happened...and are not just bashing .....and shooting there heads of...great.!!!

Oh, you mean the official scripted version.

Red shirts said they didn't burn down Central World (your ''scripted version'' of events)...video is released clearly showing red shirts burning down CW. So are we on the same page, or are you going to tell me that the video footage is fake???

Allow me to refresh your memory. The Thai court had aquited the 2 remaining Redshirts and 2 juveniles accused of burning CW. There were photo or videos of Redshirts holding something which was later indentified as fire extinguishers. Further, the military took over the burning. So the juror is still out there as to who touched CW. Now we are on the same page.

M-79 grenades and RPGs qualify as an "odd pistol shot"? And the men photographed moving through the red ranks with assault rifles, should we all ignore them?

This is exactly the problem, people mix up many different incidents all into one as justification for the shooting of innocents. Yes, the Red Shirts took it way too far, there was extreme violence occurring in the city and that needed to stop. However, randomly shooting into a large group of people killing photographers, medics and other innocents was obviously not the right way to deal with it, and I find it incredible that anyone could actually think otherwise. But, some do, likewise some feel that a million civilian deaths in Iraq was in someway justified by the breaking of Saddam's regime.

As you have just arrived, unless you are a reincarnation, you should do some research before posting.

The only ones doing random shooting into crowds were the men in black, those of us who were here at the time remember the photos and videos of the men in black jumping out from cover and letting off a mag of automatic rifle fire in the general direction of the army then jumping back again.

We remember the grenades deliberately fired at the sky train station which killed a lady and injured several others.

We remember the reds teaching children how to fire home made rockets in the general direction of the army.

We remember the attempts to set fire to a fuel tanker in front of a crowed apartment building.

We remember the grenades fired at the fuel tanks at Don Muang airport.

Yes there were 2 photographers killed, one by mistake by the army, this came out clearly at his inquest and they never denied it, the other we don't know who killed him, it could well have been one of the armed reds.

Just who shot into the temple is still unclear in spite of an inquest being held.

Neither do we know how many of the others killed or injured were victims of the armed reds.

As you are appear to be an expert on riot control could you please tell us the correct way things should be handled when armed rioters are shooting and firing grenades at an army and the civilian population with the leaders extoling their followers to turn the city into a sea of flame.

"Just who shot into the temple is still unclear in spite of an inquest being held".

The inquest by the Criminal Court concluded that the shots were fired from the direction of the soldiers on the flyover. What's so unclear about this? You are generalizing and assuming too much.

That is correct up to your assumption that because the shots were fired from the direction of the skytrain and there were soldiers in that vicinity. it was the soldiers that fired the shots.

There were photos and video of men in black who were also in a position where they could have fired the shots into the temple.

The only clear thing that came out of the inquest was the type of weapons used and we know that type were in the hands of both the army and the men in black.

It should also be mentioned that the army's testimony to the inquest was disregarded.

It is those who want the army to be responsible who would ignore any other possibilities..

Unclear!! Read the extract below from the Criminal Court.

"The South Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that six persons died in Wat Pathum Wanaram during May 2010 political violence were shot by the soldiers; five were shot by the soldiers situated on the BTS sky train track while the other one was shot by soldiers stationed on Rama I Rd".

Don't be silly and qoute me that the army disregard the inquest.

No, the uprising was not peaceful but, does that really justify the indiscriminate shooting of over 2000 people including the deaths of journalists, tourists and paramedics? Not in my opinion, in my opinion shooting into crowd of people with automatic weapons is far worse burning and looting and the fact that the odd pistol shot was coming out of that crowd did not justify randomly shooting at all of them.

M-79 grenades and RPGs qualify as an "odd pistol shot"? And the men photographed moving through the red ranks with assault rifles, should we all ignore them?

This is exactly the problem, people mix up many different incidents all into one as justification for the shooting of innocents. Yes, the Red Shirts took it way too far, there was extreme violence occurring in the city and that needed to stop. However, randomly shooting into a large group of people killing photographers, medics and other innocents was obviously not the right way to deal with it, and I find it incredible that anyone could actually think otherwise. But, some do, likewise some feel that a million civilian deaths in Iraq was in someway justified by the breaking of Saddam's regime.

As you have just arrived, unless you are a reincarnation, you should do some research before posting.

The only ones doing random shooting into crowds were the men in black, those of us who were here at the time remember the photos and videos of the men in black jumping out from cover and letting off a mag of automatic rifle fire in the general direction of the army then jumping back again.

We remember the grenades deliberately fired at the sky train station which killed a lady and injured several others.

We remember the reds teaching children how to fire home made rockets in the general direction of the army.

We remember the attempts to set fire to a fuel tanker in front of a crowed apartment building.

We remember the grenades fired at the fuel tanks at Don Muang airport.

Yes there were 2 photographers killed, one by mistake by the army, this came out clearly at his inquest and they never denied it, the other we don't know who killed him, it could well have been one of the armed reds.

Just who shot into the temple is still unclear in spite of an inquest being held.

Neither do we know how many of the others killed or injured were victims of the armed reds.

As you are appear to be an expert on riot control could you please tell us the correct way things should be handled when armed rioters are shooting and firing grenades at an army and the civilian population with the leaders extoling their followers to turn the city into a sea of flame.

"Just who shot into the temple is still unclear in spite of an inquest being held".

The inquest by the Criminal Court concluded that the shots were fired from the direction of the soldiers on the flyover. What's so unclear about this? You are generalizing and assuming too much.

>>She insisted that she had performed her duty in honesty and in the service of the people who had voted her party into the office and inconformity with the Constitution, laws and regulations.<< Quote

She forgot to mention that her "honest services" cost the taxpayers 600+ billion baht!!

For goodness sakes! How many other schemes have burned and failed in the past? The navy has a submarine dock and no submarines, an aircraft carrier with no appropriate aircraft and so on! Stuff happens and it happens in every country, not every government scheme works.

This is a feeble attempt to defend an ex PM, who totally failed to manage a government. Never mind the submarines and aircraft carrier schemes, and it happens everywhere.. OK on this scale you name the countries . ??? and what sort of governments were they ?? for a small country like Thailand it could not have survived under the PTP Shins with losses like this, and you and some of your followers wanted an early election to allow her to get back in if my memory is correct.

There are many government schemes that cost big scale lost. Failed border scheme in UK cost tax payers 500M pounds and nearer to Thailand, Malaysia 1MDB financial mismanagement cost the tax payers close to 450B Baht lost. Plenty of large scale loss if you care to goggle by governments. I don't see any leaders being charge for dereliction of duty. Corruption, yes as happen in Taiwan with President Chen. It was proven in court and he is in jail. if Yingluck is proven with evidence that she was linked to any corruption, she deserved jail but certainly not for negligence.

Martial law means the "Government" can do anything they damn well want. No repercussions, no oversight, no consequences after they leave governance.

And Election collection means that the protesters and its opposition leaders can hit the streets whenever THEY want, too.....

Either way, no matter who is in power, this country is still screwed within their own 2 anti-anti agenda parties, where the people in power o any party will never ever ever get punished but rewarded with inactive life post pensions....

How would you deal with a totally corrupt, money grabbing, self interested government like the Yingluck government? Remember governments are supposed to serve the people.

Just vote them out, that simple.

The essence of education hinges first and foremost on the traditional values of Buddhism, respect for the king, the monkhood, the teachers, and the family (in that order) through the rote method. Whilst indisputably very noble, these features are the main hurdle to the implementation of modern educational methodology and the development of a more engaging approach to communication while also retaining Thai cultural values.

Students are not encouraged to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Teachers will avoid introducing dialogue into the classroom or eliciting response from the students; to give a wrong answer would be to lose face in the presence of one's peers, a situation that in Thai culture must always be avoided.

The General also wants the "12 Values" implemented into the Thai syllabus. State agencies have also produced a poem, song, and 12-part film based on the teachings.

The Super-board is to take over the role of the Education Ministry?

Sounds like some dangerous reforms for students in Thailand.

Critical thinking and developing not only the minds but also the challenging of moral application of students is very important in a childs development. A good education system will also challenge the political process. These areas may be missed with the new regime' education model.

I don't know the model or what is in it, but one can only think of what the regime' plans may be.

Just a side thought to this is how will they implement a new education model down south? The current model has caused a lot of problems in that area.

Yes I agree.

Critical thinking is one of the basics of the scientific method so on so many levels how can they truly progress with out it?

Teaching ethics and respect need to come from the basis of logic.

There's plenty of logical argument for respect and ethics but not nuch on the basis they propose!

Critical thinking? Really an oxymoron now as its disencouraged by the Junta. You know what you get with a junta government revamping the education system. Lots of yes sir and no one allowed talk. Perhaps the General PM should be exemplary by allowing others to express and not shut out those who ask questions.

Tragically, it proves that subsistence farmers have been commiting suicide irrespective of who is in power.....

And to add that farmers all over the world need subsidies and welfare as no one can fight against weather condition and fluctuating prices.