Suthep’s video reminds junta of its roots

By SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

POLITICAL OBSERVERS have been taken aback by the sudden return to the spotlight of Suthep Thaugsuban, a former leader of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

 

Suthep suddenly announced on Facebook Live on Friday night that he would release a video clip showing the group’s fight during 2013-2014 “to commemorate the fight that we fought together”.

 

While he did not explain who the “we” were, his latest move suggested to some commentators that he wanted to address the junta. His group supported the junta and allegedly invited them to take office during the months-long protests.

 

Suthep first released a video clip on November 24, the date of the PDRC’s big gathering at the Democracy Monument in 2013. His first video clip did not attract any media attention when it was released so this time, he made an announcement a day before he released the second one.

 

Some commentators believe that he released the second video clip yesterday not only to commemorate the fight but to remind others, including the junta, of the origins of their fight.

 

December 9 was the day former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared Parliament to be dissolved. Some might consider that the video clip’s release yesterday was intended to emphasis the fight that justified the junta’s existence and their term in office, but others might believe Suthep wanted to remind the junta of their fight and the purpose of their fight.

If that is the case, Suthep won’t be pleased with the junta’s move to set up its own political party to run in the coming election. 

 

A junta party would contradict the PDRC’s initial purpose. It did not want to allow the junta to prolong its term in office after conducting a coup that intervened and prevented bloodshed. 

 

History shows that a military party could lead to bloodshed, such as the Black May protests in 1992.

 

In addition, a junta party would reduce the significance of alliances, including the Democrats, the party to which Suthep is still attached. 

 

Suthep may not be pleased with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s recent trip to the South, where the Democrats have a strong base.

 

During the trip, Prayut had an issue with some locals, including opponents of the Thepha coal fired power plant and rubber growers who complained to him about plunging rubber prices. 

 

He scolded fishermen who tried to reach him to complain about the government’s fishery policy that has had an impact on their business.

 

The incidents have stirred dissatisfaction against the government as locals felt abandoned, and this has affected the popularity of the party and Suthep himself.

 

Suthep defended Prayut’s “four questions” which asked people about the future of the country and reform, but when the PM asked six more questions, suggesting the junta’s intention to set up its own party, Suthep stayed silent.

 

By releasing the second video clip of the PDRC’s fight, Suthep seems not to “commemorate the fight” as he claims. His act strongly suggests that he wants to remind the junta of the days they fought together – and the real purpose of its existence.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30333580

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-10

I remember him proudly saying the "big event" was conspired in 2010... he was quickly hushed by top brass as that did not fit their narrative.

Odious man

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3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Suthep’s reminds junta of its roots

No reminding necessary. All political party's have their roots under the Money Tree.

Relevance deprivation disorder is kicking in big time. Poor soul.

The through is about to be opened and Kun Suthep wants to ensure his snout is well and truly in there. He is scared he will miss out.

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

In addition, a junta party would reduce the significance of alliances, including the Democrats, the party to which Suthep is still attached. 

The junta and the Democrats should both disavow any connection to this slimebag. He represents everything that is wrong with Thai politics and is one of the main reasons I believe that none of the politicians from the past be allowed to run for election.

this man needs to be removed form the public for a very long time, he is just as bad as thaksin and if given the chance will stir up just as much trouble. Time for the govt to have him charged for all the corruption he has been involved in over the years, time for the yellows and reds to be listed as illegal groups

5 hours ago, nikmar said:

Odious man

Sent from my SM-J700F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Utter slimebag.

The most hated man north of Bangkok.

However, Mr P is doing his best to usurp him there...

Shouldn't this be technically classed as a political activity?

Has nobody noticed that there is a carefully managed one sided political campaign going on right under their noses. From the official visits to the provinces, to the front page stop corruption advert that was Suthep  flagship campaign. The idea that Suthep has ever been out of the loop with Prayut these last few years is ludicrous.

One good thing, the poor might get a few sweeties to help things go smoothly. .  

So the government wants to delay lifting the ban on political activities, alledgely because political antagonism still prevails....and suddenly Suthep starts showing videos of the 2013-2014 protests!

What a surprising coincidence!

7 hours ago, nikmar said:

Odious man
 

"Man" is way, WAY too generous a term. "Troglodyte" is more like it.

He should be in prison for treason for trying to bring down the government. But I forgot, he did a wai and went into monkhood to escape punishment. Pathetic !

"Boinnnngggg!"

 

Edited December 10, 20178 yr by evadgib

A man with no soul.

 

16 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:

Utter slimebag.

The most hated man north of Bangkok.

However, Mr P is doing his best to usurp him there...

He still has a lot of support among the middle class.They see him as a heroic leader who spearheaded and won the fight against the Shinawatras.THe PDRC rallies were hugely popular among the urban middle class.He has a loyal following in the middle class as opposed to Prayuth who is seen now as having ideas above his station.A substantial number see Suthep as a bulwark against popular democracy.They don't care about his record of corruption.Don't write him off.

Conniving piece of shit 

2 hours ago, jayboy said:

He still has a lot of support among the middle class.They see him as a heroic leader who spearheaded and won the fight against the Shinawatras.THe PDRC rallies were hugely popular among the urban middle class.He has a loyal following in the middle class as opposed to Prayuth who is seen now as having ideas above his station.A substantial number see Suthep as a bulwark against popular democracy.They don't care about his record of corruption.Don't write him off.

Not up here.

Piss poor, decent wage earners, nurses, teachers, middle class, upper middle class, some very wealthy - all have a dislike for him and what the PDRC did and represent.

Some people mistakenly think only the poor farmers are Red. I can assure you 90% of Isaan is Red and probably 75% of the NW is, regardless of wealth.

Another little man with huge ego that the country DOESN'T need. 

Enjoy your retirement little Napoleon, stop to make damage to this country.

32 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Not up here.

Piss poor, decent wage earners, nurses, teachers, middle class, upper middle class, some very wealthy - all have a dislike for him and what the PDRC did and represent.

Some people mistakenly think only the poor farmers are Red. I can assure you 90% of Isaan is Red and probably 75% of the NW is, regardless of wealth.

I was referring to the Bangkok middle class.

 

I'm aware of the political affiliations in the NE but I think with respect you are conflating the red shirt movement with the PTP though of course there's an overlap.They are not the same.I do however agree that there's under appreciation of how the PTP (and variants) has support outside the farmer constituency.As far as I can tell even in Bangkok there is much support not only among workers, the lower middle class and the young generally.Even in the constrained elections of the last few years that support has been astonishingly high at the polling booths, though still a minority as yet.

stay in the temple or go to jail old man....thailand is better of without you

16 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

A man with no soul.

 

 

And no conscience or morals either.