ourmanflint

I see a few "tried and true" Junta arguments have been advanced:

1) Thailand was on the brink of civil war, necessitating the coup - this theory has almost no evidence to support it. The trajectory in the several months preceding the coup was toward less confrontation. I was in Bangkok one month before the coup. The protest sites were reduced to Lumpini Park. I was there for one of the last sizable demonstrations, a march by Siam/MBK. No violence; a lot of people peeling off for shopping in the midst of their "outrage". True, there were distinct and sporadic acts of violence, and real casualties of that violence in Bangkok. But nothing even remotely approximtaing a civil war or a violent conflict preceding a civil war. After the coup, there were a few notable arrests of some ragtag groups, including the group of 22 or 23 in Khon Kaen; and their ability to wage a civil war was virtually non-existant. Some people have invoked "secret knowledge" that has not been shared with the public to suggest the situation was much worse than that reported or actually observed. This sort of specious argument is the last refuge for those bereft of evidence.

2) Thailand was not a "true democracy" before the coup, and had many defects such a corruption, and undue influence on politicians. This argument is a variant of the "No true Scotsman" argument, in which it is necessary to invoke an ideal condition in order to argue against an average condition. The conditions in Thailand were well within historical norms for Thai politics, corruption, police inaction, etc. None of that would normally be considered a crisis. But if we invoke the "true democracy" argument, then Thailand was in horrible shape. A logical fallacy at best.

A well written and articulate post, but not sure it is relevant to the OP, as the reasons for the coup whilst being debatable are not the real issue and it would seem that a huge majority of Thais are now quite happy that the coup happened.

This is a good move, these squatters, and almost all khlong side residents spend every day of every year of their lives polluting the canals. I just hope moving them away will be enough to stop their appalling habits.

A heartless comment and I pray that you never find yourself homeless and destitute

Why do these people squat? Because they have nowhere else to live and culturally squatting is seen as "O.K." Why do (might) they pollute? Because they either know no better or have nowhere else to throw out their garbage. Yes, it is a problem that needs to be solved and I agree with the government's action. But please treat the people with dignity.

Not heartless at all, just pragmatic. Its about time something should be done about bringing the khlongs back into everyday use, and back into a less polluted state.

This is a good move, these squatters, and almost all khlong side residents spend every day of every year of their lives polluting the canals. I just hope moving them away will be enough to stop their appalling habits.

The headline should read ' Prayut get to JAIL 100 corrupt officials next week '

Wrong, it should read:The headline should read ' Prayut get JAIL'...................

You never fail to bore me!

I have said it many times before and I will say it at least once again..

Thailand has never been a western style democracy and probably never will be, so if you are unhappy about that, and for a lot of you it really sounds like you are, then I would suggest you had best make plans for getting out. The way it stands, the next 18 months are going to be hell for you.

If on the other hand you can accept that Thailand is not like the USA, Australia or wherever the heck you came from, and that they have always done things differently from the guys at home, and always will do things differently to the guys at home, then you should probably stay.

Article 44 is just Thailands clumsy way of doing what many developed countries have done for decades, using their combined police and security services to manage civil unrest. There is nothing in article 44 that is not found in the explicit powers already assigned to such people as the head of the CIA, FBI, MI6 etc etc. In fact I'm pretty sure the scope of such powers extend far beyond the scope of Article 44.

The facists who regularly subscribe to this forum, Rubl, Robblok, Costas, TVgerry, MikeMc, JDinasia et al, will be scratching their heads and wondering what all the fuss is about.

They still serve cold beer at the bar, can still watch sport on the big screen, can still go shopping at the mall.

Nicely insulated from the reality of Thai life.

Not so fun for the families of those detained for just speaking out against or voicing an opinion against the coup.

No doubt they all came from democratic countries where free speech is a right for everyone.

I suppose the facists would prefer to see this right removed at home too?

Better to have a military man in charge eh?

You all make me sick, in your comfortable expat world, offering your sycophantic excuses for these nazis.

I suspect you're not smart enough to even understand the real reason for this Junta taking over.

You still cling to the pathetic story that it's all for the good of Thailand's people.

You dimwits, none so blind as those who will not see.

Seems like you're another sad deluded expat who thinks he has some inside line to what is really going in Thailand, trust me you don't, none of us do, we are all just guessing. To make things worse though you bandy about words which you obviously haven't the faintest clue what they mean or stand for.

Please line me up with the other "fascists" (it's not spelt facists by the way, but don't suppose you really care about being correct).

Thanks

The only thing of interest is if the POMO's and APOMO's will be wearing some sort of special uniform that identifies them as Junta. I just hope it's not too quasi-fascist style.

To be honest the proposed main targets of this article 44 will be the press, and that is the only reason they are up in arms about it, and why they are trying to make everyone else as agitated about it as they are. The press in Thailand are a pretty useless, pseudo-intellectual wannabes, maybe if they were better at their jobs, actually doing research and in depth reporting, the General probably would not be so touchy.

I remember at the time how many forum members were frustrated with Abhisit for not doing anything to end what was at the time utter chaos in central bangkok. The general consensus back then was Abhisit was too patient with the red demonstrators, and that something had to done, and by done everyone understood that meant sending in the army.

What happened after that, what with black shirts and lots of guns with real ammo I'm not sure we will ever find out. What I do know though is saying it was wrong 5 years down the line is cowardly and sanctimonious, as at the time there was no other way out.

Nigh swan!

I really hope Lampang is unsuccessful in efforts to lure foreign tourists, selfish of me but I'd rather it stayed as it is.

Welcome to the real world of accountability.

Equally shocking was the Thai DCA's score compared with its ASEAN rivals: Thailand (35.6%), Cambodia (40.18%), Indonesia (45.09%), Vietnam (55.78%), Brunei (64.84%), Burma (64.9%), Laos (65.31%), Malaysia (81.18%), Singapore (98.86%).

I could try and blag that I understand what this means, but why not just ask I thought?

why do people who so strongly believe in liberty and free speech choose to live in a country which has almost no history of such things?

Anyone who has watched developments since the coup and thinks Prayuth wants to rule with absolute power or have anyone executed is insane.

All of this mess is because of one single problem. As soon as they think they can get away with it, certain people (and we all know who they are) will put terrorists on the streets to cause unrest.

This is what the general is afraid of. He knows they have stockpiled weapons and are just waiting for the order and the cash to hand them out to the usual low-life who will put grenades into crowds for 2,000 baht. However these cowards won't do it if they think they might get caught.

I'm sure he is open to any alternatives to solve this problem should the critics have any.

Well I agree with you, and I can only say the bar stool philosophers who see the end of days, will be eagerly waiting for the first use of this law so they can all be proven how very clever they are in telling us this would happen.

What a bunch of sad sacks! I think it's about time you moved on. If I had the "power" of 44 I know what I would be doing with it.

I would like to know why many on here are really worried and what is it they think will happen?

Apparently he also managed to stab himself/hang himself/poison himself/cut off his own head as he fell!

Such a convenient way to die for the wife as little chance of forensics after the impact.

In a few years I would like to see a similar posting on Facebook 2.0 when a young tourist asks an old square faced man picking rags outside Government house, "what was it you did here?"

But wouldn't Malaysia just float away?

Rot! Rot! This fellow is abusing his position rather?? All That power must have gone to his head.

Those attending should remember to bring along their work visas as these will be checked at the door.

Isn't this move somewhat similar to what Hitler did to take over with unlimited power?

Where's the "this post is dumb" button when you need it?