lvr181

And that justifies allowing a civil war how?

Thailand was no where near a civil war. The problems could have been solved by an election, which could have been conducted by certain powers making it clear the wanted the election to proceed. Now...censorship rules prevent me from commenting.

..................."The problems could have been solved by an election"...................

Oh really ? You have not been paying attention.

And if only you knew how pathetic you guys sound when all you have to defend an evil regime are the words democratically elected, hi-so, fascist, elite and amart.

.................."Now...censorship rules prevent me from commenting"...........................

There is a reason for those censorship rules, comments from red fans like yourself are deemed to be "inciting unrest". (your posts are full of it)

Personally this is one of the best things to come out of the coup, so far. Not having to skim over the top of all the bs red propaganda is a blessing and I hope TV holds on to this policy.

Noted. We'll put you down as in favor of dictatorships and censorship, and opposed to democracy and free speech.

OMG - Democracy was hijacked by corruption and cronyism, Is this the "free speech and democracy" you support?

Is he from Logan?

Thanks chooka. I think steve C may be one of them if he thinks my idea is a bad one?? If he is, he would be hoping that power over my own lunch box is the only power I ever have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dMvN7TDE-iQ

A bogan from Logan?

Just a little poetic humour.

The coup (illegal or not - depending on your definition) is a fait accompli. Stop looking for reasons why this should not have happened. It has happened - get over it!

Time will tell whether it has worked for the country as a whole. If the NCPO is able to give back free elections WITH transparency, accountability and lack of corruption by politicians, political parties and some sections of the police, then despite head banging, hand wringing of farang purist "democrats", it will have been worthwhile.

Let the Thai people decide.

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Let the Thai people decide??? The majority of Thai people are too brainwashed since the day they were born to even see beyond the horizon of their ignorant and too face-savvy culture

I don't entirely disagree with what you are saying, BUT it is their choice.

If change cannot be instituted (by way of the coup) then que sera sera.

The coup (illegal or not - depending on your definition) is a fait accompli. Stop looking for reasons why this should not have happened. It has happened - get over it!

Time will tell whether it has worked for the country as a whole. If the NCPO is able to give back free elections WITH transparency, accountability and lack of corruption by politicians, political parties and some sections of the police, then despite head banging, hand wringing of farang purist "democrats", it will have been worthwhile.

Let the Thai people decide.

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Looks like the army predicted a clash at Victory Monument , lots of police, troops, 14 Prison vans..........................and nobody came.

Great! Nobody got hurt. That has to be a plus.

Sounds like now the house is finished (swimming pool and all!) she is indeed trying to drive the poor bugger out of "her" property.

Issan is just full of sad stories like this and I feel genuinely sad to hear them. On a trip earlier in the month to the Mrs village one of the farrangs I speak to at the local hangout was living in rented room as the wife had thrown him out. Hard not to be suicidal when you invest your life savings in a home you dont own.

God knows why so many of you do it

Prime rule of farang investing in Thailand: Invest only that which you can afford to lose!

Unfortunately this will continue as the prospect of a few thousand dollars to a young Aussie girl, is a risk she was prepared to take.

I guess after serving 10 years or so she'lll be given a prisoner exchange back home

"Young Aussie Girl" ? She was 41 !

If Staffs Shot is 80, then she is a young girl. All a matter of perspective.

OMG!

Who gives a s**t.

Lock him up - throw away the key so that other criminals may learn - hopefully.

But, in the eyes of some, that action may not be considered "democratic"!

And, crime always pays - otherwise there would be no authorities whose job it is to deal with crime. Can you imagine all those people out of work?

I read the foreigner posts and hang my head in shame.

The only word I can think of is "collaborators".

Are you a supporter of corruption in the name of "democracy"?

All political bias and current euphoria aside, how exactly does the future bode for the average farmer ? The next crop will be worth 40% less to him than the one he's currently, and belatedly being paid for and his debts will most likely have risen. Unless the junta plan to continue the pledging scheme, which supposedly the country can't afford, then isn't this a major problem that will not go away quietly?

So far I've not heard of any long term proposals. People can be very fickle and sentiment and allegiance can easily change .

Maybe, just maybe, some one will look at an "equalisation" scheme to replace the rice pledging scheme? The farmer would be guaranteed a certain payment by Government (a living amount perhaps) and if the rice sells below that then the Government keeps the farmer on the land and hopes for a better price, in the future to claw back the amount the Government is out of pocket. Or, if the Government receives an amount higher than what it paid then it is put aside to subsidise the farmer for the next bad rice crop value in the future. Simple I know but surely it could be made to work? Does need to ensure regular payments to farmers in good years. Only meant to "prop up" farming in bad years.

Or, alternatively, no scheme at all.

Never look at ways why some benefit cannot work, find a a way to make it work.

The canal smelt better.

Smelt is: 1. a type of small fish. 2. when you melt or fuse ores...

I think you mean smelled which is used for past tense. As in the past tense of smell.

It depends on your version of the English language.

And, besides, the English language is always undergoing change.

Playing the "blame game" is looking backwards. The General is moving forward for the benefit of people, with the support of the King.

Let the new junta sort out the problems of who did what and when. There is no benefit to Thai people in farangs speculating (because they can) about who to blame.

Move on folks, it should no longer be your concern.

Thai people have much admiration and devotion to their King, who has always shown his dedication to the people by his example.

And may Thai people find the happiness they want.

Long Live the King!

I don't know if you are aware what the main problem is in Thailand.

.....Time will show.

Dario is entitled to his opinion and makes his case sincerely.His account of the 'main problem' is one we have heard many times.

However, his experience of living in an Isaan village isn't unique. I now work most of the year in the UK, but still have a house, car and part-year work in such a village, where I've lived full time in the past, including through two general elections. I do not think Dario would have a better appreciation of the micro politics of a PTP-voting village than I have. All I'll say is that some of us have a completely different analysis of what the main problem is, and also the immediate precipitating factor for the coup. We do not think that the primary issue is corruption, but cannot say much more. As Dario says, time will tell.

Then get someone else to say what "some of us have a completely different analysis of what the main problem is, and also the immediate precipitating factor for the coup. We do not think that the primary issue is corruption,"!

I have a Isaan Thai companion and she says it is about corruption!

If you claim to know different then enlighten us!

Understanding (hopefully) can help to lead to better solutions.

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Without making a connection to anyone,.....

How about we, expats living in Thailand, just mind our own business and lay low for as long as it takes for 'them' to return Thailand to a peaceful place to retire in and a prosperous place for the people of Thailand to live in.

I know I will.

That's all we are allowed to do here.

We don't understand because we're not Thai, we don't love the army because we're not Thai.

Remember all of the coups that came before this and now think of how they improved the country.

My wife is off giving Lipton Ice Tea to the soldiers up the road, I have decided to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the coup as it only causes stress in our relationship.

Remember we're not Thai so we couldn't possibly understand.

Actually, that's correct. Most of you don't understand - because you're not Thai. Can you once and for all please at least understand that?

There are westerners who have lived (not vegetated) in Thailand for longer periods of time, who are fluent in Thai language and who "see" the hearts of Thais and understand them. And they are considered Thai by Thai's themselves. But 99.99% of westerners in Thailand really don't understand Thais.

Thais...do not understand other Thais...westerners do not stand a chance...nor should they fret over Thai politics...

Thai people want to be happy (doesn't everybody).

Westerners want their concept of "democracy" in Thailand.

Unfortunately, some westerners are prepared to accept corruption as a part and parcel of democracy, providing you have freedom of speech and elections.

Thai people do not care what farang say.

But thinking Thai and westerner feel that democracy should be free of corruption and for the greater benefit of all Thai.

The problem now is how to achieve that. Hopefully the General (with the Kings backing) will allow this to happen.

And yes, westerners should not fret over Thai politics. Thai people must sort it out.

The Good General doesn't have a Facebook page - someone should have a quiet word and start his social media PR Programme.

Current scores for friends on the good ship Facebook...

Yingluck 3.15 million (last updated May 13th)

Suthep 2.658 million

Thaksin - no page !?

Abhisit - 2.28 million

Jattaporn - can't find him

So I declare Yingluck Shinawatra the Thailand Facebook winner.

Haha.................a wonderful joke!

Seems like people don't seem to remember Pol Pot who rounded up anyone he thought was a threat or could oppose him All academics werw considered a danger to him. If you spoke a second language or wore glasses meant you were intelligent could read so might inspire others to oppose him , they were done away with "The imposition of a totalitarian governmentregime always leaves its leaders afraid: afraid of losing power, failing to prevent vengeance, and facing betrayal by ambitious rivals. Military juntas rule with an iron fist. Look how backwards undeveloped Burma was untill resently when the junta opened up to elections, Thailand is going backwards instead of forward now.

Yawn...

Now that's a ignorant response. Where are all the examples of military coups that have improved the lives of the people involved?

Define "improvement", without using the word democracy or any of its meanings.

Puppet clown government.

Baht to 40 soon.

Bars closed for weeks, months, or forever.

Media turned off.

Internet sites blocked.

See you all in Cambodia soon.

Try Laos - then you may find things in Thailand are not so bad after all. Consider a nation in the middle east perhaps. Or the Ukraine. Has someone taken your toy/s away here in Thailand?

He's cutting out the cancer piece by piece.

He is the most malignant part of the cancer himself. You can see the lust of power and the insane evil in his countenance. Every new photograph I see of him his eye's look more distant and wild with self delusion.

OMG. Are you a trained and qualified medical practioner or just using ya ba?

Hmmm. Not many on here defending the coup now are there?

Well, I'm one who does.

1) He didn't seize the power from civilians - he actually picked it up from the gutter where it was for months.

2) He did give them a choice - talk to each other, find a solution, compromise... The stupid Leaders of all kinds of colour failed.

3) Any country needs Law, Order and some kind of Procedural process to function. This country didn't have it and was going down the drain.

4) He is giving this country Law, Order and Procedure. Nobody likes what he is giving - it is un-Democratic! And what did you expect from the Army General - Liberalism?

5) I have said it before - This Country Is Not Fit For Democracy! Period. It never had it. At 300 bt per voice this country is for grab to whoever has the purchase money.

IMHO if he does not take sides and acts heavy-handed evenly - good luck to him.

IMHO USA once again said too much too early. Obama may be not a bad human being but for a President he must choose his 'Kerry's' more wisely.

IMHO Thailand can afford to miss on American petty cash of $10 M per annum.

Sorry to piss off so many people here, but this is how I think.

A brave (or foolish) man who can stick the knife in AND twist it a little! Good on you.

I may not agree with all you say but then I think that "purist" democracy supporters cannot see the forrest for the trees either.

Let the Thai people sort out this problem and as for the rest of us we can only hope it will finally resolve that in the future, Thailand will have decent Government, transparent, accountable and free of corruption.

Not everyone would agree that the way the USA interprets and practices democracy, to be the best or only way.

A coup is always dangerous, but Thailand is a very unique place. It seems the coup is the natural reset Thais actually need to have a government. So many greedy snouts in the trough and so little rule of law. Eventually the spoiled little rich boys tilt the system and the army needs unplug the machine and find a system restore point.

However, for this to occur, all the safety nets come down too; and absolute power is put into the hands of an untested commodity,

All the things that the army are stopping and taking control over right now are good moves. Assuming that the intention of these executive moves is benevolent and for lack of a better word, righteous. But we just don't really know do we. Once again Thailand has placed itself upon the brink of failed statehood, just because they can't get their head around respect for the rule of law. In a land of zero accountable for the rich. Eventually two really big dogs are gonna meet and we won't be able to put it back together again. Think cops and reds VS soldiers and yellows.

I've been scrolling for something that looks like the truth - I think you've given it to me - thank you but it hasn't 'cheered me up', now I'm vexed, already!

Mostly agree, but the "rule of law" was written so there was no accountability or transparency. The "dogs" were able to wreak havoc on the economy for heir own benefit. Unfortunately, very hard to respect that sort of "rule of law".

Of course this general has no authority to do anything he is doing. There is nothing in the current Constitution or Thai law that legally allows him to do what he is asserting he has to. But, might makes right and bullies often can go pretty far.

Thai democracy allowed rampant corruption and lately, increasing unrest and deaths. I ask you, is this what you support because you find the coup "illegal"? Democracy is not perfect either.

Hopefully, the General is going to start with a clean slate and introduce reforms and transparency for free elections and clean out the endemic rot! But only time will tell.

Disappointing to see so many TV members support the removal of the constitution, human rights, freedom of speech, press and protest, in the face of world wide condemnation.

And allow corruption and killings in the name of "democracy"? This is the real world not Fantasy Island!