Hundreds gather at Bangkok's Democracy Monument to demand election

[FreddieRoyle]

The people have been so patient it's incredible. This latest Somyot and Prawit corruption megascandals - and the obscene handling of them -  are yet another kick in the teeth for the average Thai. Time for elections is now, the army government has totally failed. 

[IamRoach]

As expected the people are getting fed up with the constant election delays and the hypocrisy and double standards of the military junta. This is most likely just the beginning and the numbers will start increasing to the point that the junta wont be able to do anything without a massive backlash. Not getting rid of Prawit because of his watch scandal has removed the last bit of their fake credibility which Thailands favourite <deleted> keeps talking about in his Friday evening propaganda show. You might be able to arrest hundreds but not thousands.

[tukkytuktuk]

 

[baboon]

22 minutes ago, chainarong said:

The big hole in your argument hansnl is that in free elections the people can choose who they want to waste their money , its always best to have a choice. in these matters.

Actually the biggest hole in his argument is that it is nonsense. Show me one country not governed by people.

[ELVIS123456]

14 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Handing power "back to the people"?

Are you really serious?

The elected politico's will do exactly what they want to do and that is mostly opposite to what the people want.

Democracy has been degraded, nearly everywhere in the world, to a periodical "voting" with no direct influence from the voters on politics.

Money governs the world.

Not people.

 Yes they are serious hasnl - and with no real idea what they are talking about. Liberals think democracy is good and monarchy/military is bad, because they were taught that at school. Despite the fact that Democracy is often not the best form of Govt for some people (Sth Africa, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Lybia, Afghanistan, most of Africa, etc). And you can add so many other countries that are 'stuck' in a form of Democracy that never raises the living standards of the majority of citizens - only for those that have gained control over the democratic processes - through bribery and corruption. 

 

A few hundred 'activated' anarchists and liberal academics, does not a summer make.  And I wonder who activated the malcontents?  Of course it would be those whose power has been diluted ever since the military took over - yet again.  The history of Thailand is not a peaceful democracy crushed by the military - it is a history of monarchy and military control - especially when the democracies devolved (yet again) into a state of corruptuon and chaos that threatened lives and the livelihood of everyone. 

 

I can still remember when 'they' said Idi Amin and Gaddahfi and Sadam Hussein and so many other military rulers were bad and evil and if we remove them and give the people Democracy that will make the country a Utopia and all will be good and nice.  So how has it gone in all those countries?  Correct - they are worse than before and millions are fleeing and wars are still going etc etc etc. 

 

Reality my dear liberals is what works - democracy is not the cure-all panacea you were told. There are so many examples of democracy failing the people, and the vast majority are where 3rd world people have been given (usually by force) what they are not ready to live with, by well meaning but ignorant western fools and charlatans.

 

The military in Thailand will hand over 'power' to the elected members of a democratic government (not to the people) when they decide that what changes they have put in place will stop the resurgence of the red versus yellow violence that lead to their current coup. Remember it was the military that took away the unfetted power of the monarchy - it was not democracy. 

 

[Daveyh]

Media say's that the PM is doing well & has the majority thinking he is the real deal, but is there trouble ahead?? I wonder .... never can tell "what's what" here. Hopefully, all will be well once an election is announced & the "who's who" candidates have declared their intention to run for office ......... democracy rules here, which I hope prevails eventually. Unrest here is not what people want ........... Thai's are peace loving & that is the way it should be .... finger crossed.

[baboon]

4 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

 Yes they are serious hasnl - and with no real idea what they are talking about. Liberals think democracy is good and monarchy/military is bad, because they were taught that at school. Despite the fact that Democracy is often not the best form of Govt for some people (Sth Africa, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Lybia, Afghanistan, most of Africa, etc). And you can add so many other countries that are 'stuck' in a form of Democracy that never raises the living standards of the majority of citizens - only for those that have gained control over the democratic processes - through bribery and corruption. 

 

A few hundred 'activated' anarchists and liberal academics, does not a summer make.  And I wonder who activated the malcontents?  Of course it would be those whose power has been diluted ever since the military took over - yet again.  The history of Thailand is not a peaceful democracy crushed by the military - it is a history of monarchy and military control - especially when the democracies devolved (yet again) into a state of corruptuon and chaos that threatened lives and the livelihood of everyone. 

 

I can still remember when 'they' said Idi Amin and Gaddahfi and Sadam Hussein and so many other military rulers were bad and evil and if we remove them and give the people Democracy that will make the country a Utopia and all will be good and nice.  So how has it gone in all those countries?  Correct - they are worse than before and millions are fleeing and wars are still going etc etc etc. 

 

Reality my dear liberals is what works - democracy is not the cure-all panacea you were told. There are so many examples of democracy failing the people, and the vast majority are where 3rd world people have been given (usually by force) what they are not ready to live with, by well meaning but ignorant western fools and charlatans.

 

The military in Thailand will hand over 'power' to the elected members of a democratic government (not to the people) when they decide that what changes they have put in place will stop the resurgence of the red versus yellow violence that lead to their current coup. Remember it was the military that took away the unfetted power of the monarchy - it was not democracy. 

 

Thanks for putting "Liberals think" in the second sentence. It saved me wasting my time on the rest.

[isaanbanhou]

1 hour ago, InnerCynic said:

I tire of hearing the usual "democracy" wailing and caterwalling.  Democracy... i.e. The Mob, is just another excuse by selfish ignorant morons to redistribute what isn't theirs.  To call it freedom, to be supposedly "led" by these imbeciles, is a sad psychotic joke.   One quote I particularly like is from the movie Men In Black.

"selfish ignorant morons" - I take it you were there ?

 

"One quote I particularly like is from the movie Men In Black."  -  comedy movies is where you get your philosophical guidance ?

 

[joecoolfrog]

1 hour ago, MrPatrickThai said:

It's actually much better than the Yingluck regime or her brothers.

Enlighten us as to how it is better ?

[Curmudgeon1]

3 hours ago, Dave67 said:

I agree entirely. They are a lame duck Junta

I would say, they've been most effective in contrast to the previous. Far from lame, and very far from perfect. Definitely appeared to produced more in 3 yrs.

Had there not been a coup, I'm afraid Yingluk would have bankrupted the country... imo

[baboon]

Just now, joecoolfrog said:

Enlighten us as to how it is better ?

'It suits me personally better so screw everybody else.'

[r136dg]

29 minutes ago, baboon said:

Actually the biggest hole in his argument is that it is nonsense. Show me one country not governed by people.

I recently seen a movie where the US was ruled by AI. It seemed to be doing an awesome job. He!!, I think hollywood may be on to something. 

[ginjag]

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

From small acorns large Oak trees will grow. I suspect the crowds will get larger and more frequent. The Junta have to recognise their days are numbered and that handing power back to the people is the ONLY option.

Agree  but the activists do not know who is up for election or which parties are standing,   hundreds suggest a PTP  activists  hard core  still having a dig.      How about asking the Thai people who they want in government---THEY WOULD HAVE NO IDEA.

[ginjag]

38 minutes ago, baboon said:

Actually the biggest hole in his argument is that it is nonsense. Show me one country not governed by people.

uk

 

[khunpa]

So What?

 

No double that who leads this country, MONEY will be the only thing that really matters. 

 

Everytime there is a new leader, people hope for the better. And it always turns out the same. 

[Curmudgeon1]

3 hours ago, Eligius said:

I am afraid it would take hundreds of thousands to shift this bunch. They hold all the levers of power and will cling on to the bitter end. The Thai people have got to really mean business this time if they want to see the back of this autocratic clique. A few thousand people on the streets will no-way do it (extremely brave though those people be). The numbers have to rise into the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS, even approaching millions. Nothing less will prize this bunch from their usurpatory domination of the nation.

 

I was talking yesterday to a Law lecturer at Thammasat and he (a supporter of the junta) is confident that the military control will continue beyond the 'election', as the habit of obedience and subservience is so deeply ingrained in the Thai people. He does not see a mass uprising.

 

Well, without that, the Thais can continue to enjoy the sweet and loving delights of a military junta ...

I think the military has served the people well,as interim government. They've been up against the systemic corrupt bureaucracy that's been the nemesis of this countries potential(that's including their own corruption). Yes, they've only scratched the surface, but have demonstrated that the resolution of rehabilitating their systems will take decades.  Stacking the Senate is a good move as the average Thai is not sophisticated enough, not to be fooled to vote for one who promises the shiniest object. Hopefully it will be a deterrent when illogical programs like the "rice deal", and incompetent leaders like Yingluk endorse policies that make a select few (ThaiChai) richer at the price of future Thai generations.Imo

    IMO, Prayut never wanted to be leader, but at his age realized he was called upon by fate. He had two choices. Make a difference or cash in......I believe he chose the former.          Of course people are maneuvered as pawns to protest by those who miss having their hand in the bank....I just hope that the new constitution will have enough checks n balances to protect the Thai people.

[Curmudgeon1]

9 minutes ago, ginjag said:

uk

 

Until recently.... maybe.... the US...

 

[yellowboat]

11 minutes ago, ginjag said:

Agree  but the activists do not know who is up for election or which parties are standing,   hundreds suggest a PTP  activists  hard core  still having a dig.      How about asking the Thai people who they want in government---THEY WOULD HAVE NO IDEA.

The man buying chestnuts and celebrating Chinese New Year with his sister in Beijing would probably still have a shot.

[Becker]

15 minutes ago, ginjag said:

Agree  but the activists do not know who is up for election or which parties are standing,   hundreds suggest a PTP  activists  hard core  still having a dig.      How about asking the Thai people who they want in government---THEY WOULD HAVE NO IDEA.

What?? Are you saying that you actually want elections to take place? That's a new tune from one of the chief junta supporters.

[Becker]

9 minutes ago, isaanbanhou said:

 

you only argue with those that have the same opinion as yourself? classic

 

do you ever convince those that have the same opinion as yourself that you are right?

 

or do those that agree with you see the fallacy  of your argument  and abandon you?

 

 

Please give the poor guy a break. If your opinions are indefensible the last thing you want is to debate the issues - hence the lame "I don't argue with that one or that group" replies.

[billd766]

1 hour ago, Becker said:

She only has one brother but based on all the "But, but, but..." posts by you and the few other remaining junta lovers you'd think there was a whole army of them.

 

I was one of them once in the earlier days and it took me quite a while to change, but change I did.

 

[mommysboy]

Totally unacceptable!

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, Becker said:

She only has one brother but based on all the "But, but, but..." posts by you and the few other remaining junta lovers you'd think there was a whole army of them.

 

And just a few remaining Shin lovers want to pretend that the Shin clan are interested in democracy and honesty!

 

You don't have to be a Junta lover to recognize the corrupt Shins for what they are. Nor do you have to be a Shin lover to recognize the Junta for what they also are.

 

The choice of one or the other will only repeat the cycle to the detriment of the people. There has to be new non aligned choices to make any change.

[ginjag]

8 minutes ago, Becker said:

What?? Are you saying that you actually want elections to take place? That's a new tune from one of the chief junta supporters.

Since when have you been the judge to say who is or isn't?    Because I hated the PTP and the Thaksin lot did not qualify me to being a PM lover.    With you being new,  how would you know  ??   changed your name  ??? 

[Baerboxer]

8 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 

I was one of them once in the earlier days and it took me quite a while to change, but change I did.

 

 

Agreed. Ridding a corrupt government that is prepared to use violence and act illegally isn't the same as replacing them!

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, baboon said:

Actually the biggest hole in his argument is that it is nonsense. Show me one country not governed by people.

 

Governed by people as in "human beings" rather than governed in the best interests and reflecting the free will of the electorate you mean?

[baboon]

4 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Governed by people as in "human beings" rather than governed in the best interests and reflecting the free will of the electorate you mean?

Yes, pretty much, though folks can argue about best interests and reflecting the free will of the electorate until the cows come home...

[ELVIS123456]

23 minutes ago, Becker said:

And I can still remember that a fat , middle aged singer wearing a tight jumpsuit was considered cool. Luckily that is today as outdated as your authoritarian fawning.

Conservative = quote facts and figures (pragmatic realists).

 

Liberal = ignore the facts and personal insults (slaves to fashion and ideology).

 

[Baerboxer]

2 minutes ago, baboon said:

Yes, pretty much, though folks can argue about best interests and reflecting the free will of the electorate until the cows come home...

 

Well we haven't succumbed to government by AI yet. But Hun Sen and Maduro must come pretty close. Just abolish the opposition or set up your own version of parliament if it looks like you might loose power!

[baboon]

2 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Conservative = quote facts and figures (pragmatic realists).

 

Liberal = ignore the facts and personal insults (slaves to fashion and ideology).

 

Thaivisa Authoritarian = Parrot of other people's slogans.