‘Progressive’ new party takes a step forward

[webfact]

‘Progressive’ new party takes a step forward

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

 

WITH A promise of inclusive democracy to resurrect politics from its “lost decade”, the young-blood Future Forward Party was launched yesterday.

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a scion of the Thai Summit business family, and law academic Piyabutr Saengkanokkul yesterday launched the party at a “Drinking Coffee with Thanathorn and Friends” event, ostensibly named to circumvent the junta’s ban on political gatherings of five or more people.

 

They also submitted their application for registration of the new party to the Election Commission after the introductory event.

 

Thanathorn, Piyabutr and 24 others hailing from a cross-section of society co-founded the party with the aim of restoring faith in participatory democracy after Thailand has been bogged down in more than a decade of political crises and coups. 

 

 

Promoting human rights as their key theme, they said they would not follow the patterns of old-fashioned politics with military people as key players and military-designed mechanisms. The party, after contesting in the next general election, will have to engage in the parliamentary process stipulated in the junta-written 2017 charter, which provides for a junta-handpicked Upper House and complex voting systems that will pose stiff challenges for contesting parties.

 

Thanathorn pledged that the party’s MPs would not take part in the “undemocratic” process of selecting an “outsider PM” with appointed senators. 

 

Thanathorn and Piyabutr said they did not want to defy the junta’s political ban, but did not elaborate on their political plans for the upcoming election, now scheduled for February next year. The 39-year-old tycoon said he did not agree with the ban and called for it to be lifted to allow all parties to get started and reach out to people during the pre-election period.

 

Hyped in social media as a “new hope”, the party is made up mostly of members from progressive backgrounds. Thanathorn was once a student activist who joined protests with grassroots people before turning into the tech-savvy vice executive chairman of Thai Summit Group.

 

Piyabutr was well known as a member of the academic group Nitirat that has opposed Article 112 of the Criminal Code banning lese majeste.

 

Piyabutr said his stance on Article 112 remained the same but it did not mean it would be co-opted in the agenda of Future Forward Party. “Democracy is the key theme of our party. Any policy will have to be based on consensus,” he said.

 

Other members of the party include the former director of Amnesty Thailand, Chamnan Chanruang; education academic Kunthida Rungruengkiat; disabilities rights activist Nalatporn Krairerk; and print labour union president Surin Khamsuk.

 

They said they were unable to announce their policies yet due to the junta’s ban, but added that the focus would be on the lost benefits of social minorities and disadvantaged people.

 

“I wish that people of all sexes, genders and ideologies can be viewed equally as humans,” said Nalatporn. “Disabilities might have been seen as burden but I believe we can push for more beneficial policies through a party system.”

 

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said new parties like Thanathorn’s would force his own party to work harder in responding to the people’s needs.

 

Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an exiled professor and prominent junta critic, described Thanathorn as “a breath of fresh air”. 

 

“This guy has no political baggage. He has no corruption cases ... It is a long time since we have had anything like this come along,” Pavin was quoted as saying by AFP.

 

Former Bangkok MP Phonphum Wiphatphumiprathet said young politicians were willing to “revolutionise” the old system and make the present politics better, while those from the old politics were viewed as corrupt and dishonest.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30341009

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-16

[mok199]

I for one am listening ,after all the new corruption scandals,even people who are bored and feel ''nothing will ever change in thailand''..know It must change ,this country is my home and I have a child here...I am listening now..

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Former Bangkok MP Phonphum Wiphatphumiprathet said young politicians were willing to “revolutionise” the old system and make the present politics better, while those from the old politics were viewed as corrupt and dishonest.

don't need revolution, just need better people in leadership, near opposites from arrogant,corrupt,dishonest,backward-thinking,autocratic military generals

[harada]

IMO most of what is going on in Thailand at the moment as far as the political situation is concerned is merely smoke and mirrors, being orchestrated by those further up the compost heap than the generals, and I can't see this situation changing any time soon.

[RichardColeman]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

‘Progressive’ new party takes a step forward

At the risk of upsetting the disabled, that's a really bad headline for the girl in the wheelchair !

[Eric Loh]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said new parties like Thanathorn’s would force his own party to work harder in responding to the people’s needs.

I see fear in his quivering post. Thanathorn's party will be a big threat to the educated urban voters where Dem Party have thrived over the years. Plus Thanathorn is better looking than Ahbisit and will win over his loyal female voters. I see the Future Forward Party wining lots of Bangkok and outer Bangkok votes and be a effective and better opposition in the parliament than the Dem. 

[seminomadic]

Whether or not the list is for optics, nobody's gonna take you real seriously when one of what appears to be a founding member is leader of a transgender alliance. Just won't happen in Thailand.

 

A new political party has to decide whether they're WITH the you-know-whos, or NOT with the you-know-whos (note that the phrasing is not 'against', but just 'NOT with'). Politics and society have been bifurcated here for at least one generation to come. This little 'aren't we inclusive' photogenic group can masquerade as being on the fence for as long as they like, but if they want to be taken seriously as a political entity, they'll eventually have to lay these cards down. From the looks of the 112-reform member, seems they're leaning toward the latter. Good luck with that.

Edited March 16, 2018 by seminomadic

[mtls2005]

If not co-opted before, the PM from this party will be overthrown by a military coup in ~ 2026-ish.

 

 

[GarryP]

Seems to have already got the collective pants of the royalists in a tizzy.  The Dems can't be particularly happy either. Oh what a lovely Songkran present.  

[Bundooman]

5 hours ago, mok199 said:

I for one am listening ,after all the new corruption scandals,even people who are bored and feel ''nothing will ever change in thailand''..know It must change ,this country is my home and I have a child here...I am listening now..

I agree entirely. This sounds interesting and the people he has gathered together also appear to be impressive with their ideals and are very likely to hit a note of accord with the young, the fed up and the intelligent, educated Thais who maybe feel they don't have a voice otherwise.

I'm listening too because I am interested. Just because he comes from a rich family, doesn't mean he is corrupt. This guy is also well educated, articulate and specific in what he wants for Thailand and appears to encompass many western ideas. He is certainly the best choice of all the others, so far!

At the very least, he deserves to be heard.

[Denim]

Good luck to them , they will need it.

 

You can be as white as the driven snow but once you enter Thai politics it's hard to avoid all the muck flying around.

 

If it looks like they pose any threat to Prayuts plans they will become targets.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said new parties like Thanathorn’s would force his own party to work harder

TRANSLATION:

Going to have to really beg hard for the junta to get Future Forward or Thanathorn banned from the election.

[throwaw1984]

We would all love to see a real democracy in Thailand but the Future Forward party is not the solution. Let me explain why:

If you think this is a genuine grassroots movement I have bridge in Miami to sell to you. The Future Forward party reeks of a globalist, Soros (or similar NGOs) backed operation with the intention to destabilize and ultimately conquer Thailand with their ideology. They've done their divide and conquer spiel countless times in other countries, think Arab Spring, think Eastern European color revolutions, think Euromaidan. See how well these countries are doing now?

 

The Future Forward party has more red flags than a Chinese military parade:

 

• The fact the this is being hyped up by the media and especially the social media is huge one. That's how all the other "revolutions" I mentioned have started. This is their most potent attack vector since Thai people are avid consumers of social media. Facebook, Twitter, etc have been caught countless times putting their finger on the scale when it comes to political discourse.
• Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit looks like Thaksin 2.0 mixed with Justin Trudeau. Connections (and  corruptions scandals) with the Thaksin clan are starting to emerge, keep an eye on the news. Oh and the "young, handsome, charismatic, independent leader, who just wants to move his country forward" shtick is getting old, remember Obama?
• Once the Future Forward party picks up steam, it will focus mainly on post-modernist (Neo-Marxist) identity politics. The party cofounders listed here are mostly social justice warrior type activists (one of them has the typical pink dyed hair for Christ's sake). Notice how there are no experts in economics, foreign policy, diplomacy, etc (you know, stuff that matters) in this group? It's all just rights this, activism that. 

 

The world is being increasingly split in two factions. On one side you have a reemergence of nationalism, represented by the likes of Trump, Putin, Brexit, the Catalonian independence movement, Eastern European leaders and many others (and yes, Prayut). One the other side you see a doubling down on the globalist agenda (open borders, socialist policies) in countries like Germany, Sweden, Canada, etc.

 

I know some of you actually like the globalist agenda, which is fine, I won't be able to change your mind. You will probably dismiss me as a right-winger right out of the gate.

 

I can say that I'm neither left nor right. I'm a libertarian who wants to see small government, free markets, a non interventionist foreign policy (no more wars) and a stop of uncontrolled immigration from the 3rd world. I'm very much concerned with the reemergence of populist-style nationalism. I fear the pendulum might swing too much the other way.

 

This post is indented for all those who don't follow geopolitics very closely (and who can blame them, it's exhausting). It's intended for those who are fed up with the current system in Thailand (and rightfully so), but who might get blinded by some nice sounding buzzwords propagated by the Future Forward party and their enablers in the media.

 

Tread carefully my friends. God bless the Kingdom of Thailand.

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by throwaw1984

[Denim]

 

^  That's your first post on TV ????

 

Who was your last incarnation ?

Edited March 16, 2018 by Denim

[throwaw1984]

9 minutes ago, Denim said:

 

^  That's your first post on TV ????

 

Who was your last incarnation ?

 

I'm just a concerned citizen :-)

[Eligius]

31 minutes ago, throwaw1984 said:

 

The world is being increasingly split in two factions. On one side you have a reemergence of nationalism, represented by the likes of Trump, Putin, Brexit, the Catalonian independence movement, Eastern European leaders and many others (and yes, Prayut). One the other side you see a doubling down on the globalist agenda (open borders, socialist policies) in countries like Germany, Sweden, Canada, etc.

 

 

To see Prayut as in any way a positive 'nationalist' leader is a big mistake. He does not care about the Thai nation. He only cares about himself and his tiny clique of filthy-rich leeches at the top of the Thai system of hierarchy.

 

And whether the Thais lose their freedom under an oppressive 'globalist' regime or an oppressive fascist regime (daren't say what regime that might be!)   - it is all the same freedom that they lose. Whether my liberties are squashed by a communist or by a fascist - I still lose my liberty - and the Thais lose theirs.

 

Both the 'globalist' control freaks and the Prayut (and upper echelons) control freaks and freedom smashers are utterly anti-human, anti-justice, anti-liberty, and totally appalling. Neither is good. And again to fondly believe that Prayut cares about the Thai people, the 'nation'  - is utterly, totally, provably and laughably LUDICROUS!

 

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by Eligius

[throwaw1984]

1 minute ago, Eligius said:

To see Prayut as in any way a positive 'nationalist' leader is a big mistake. He does not care about the Thai nation. He only cares about himself and his tiny clique of filthy-rich leeches at the top of the Thai system of hierarchy.

 

And whether the Thais lose their freedom under an oppressive 'globalist' regime or an oppressive fascist regime (daren't say what regime that might be!)   - it is all the same freedom that they lose. Whether my liberties are squashed by a communist or by a fascist - I still lose my liberty - and the Thais lose theirs.

 

Both the 'globalist' control freaks and the Prayut (and upper echelons) control freaks and freedom smashers are utterly anti-human, anti-justice, and appalling. Neither is good. And again to think that Prayut cares about the Thai people, the 'nation' - is utterly, totally, provably and laughably LUDICROUS!

 

I agree with everything you said. I never said Prayut is the solution, but his rhetoric and many of his policies are definitely nationalistic in nature,  that's why I've listed him along with Trump, Brexit, etc. It's not an endorsement, but merely an observation.

 

 

[Eligius]

18 minutes ago, throwaw1984 said:

 

I agree with everything you said. I never said Prayut is the solution, but his rhetoric and many of his policies are definitely nationalistic in nature,  that's why I've listed him along with Trump, Brexit, etc. It's not an endorsement, but merely an observation.

 

 

Many apologies, Throwaway1984,  if I misunderstood and misrepresented you. Glad to know you share the viewpoint I expressed a few posts above!

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by Eligius

[GarryP]

So what is the alternative. If no one steps up nothing will change. So isn't at least trying to make a difference better than the current and pre coup situation.  

[Eligius]

6 minutes ago, GarryP said:

So what is the alternative. If no one steps up nothing will change. So isn't at least trying to make a difference better than the current and pre coup situation.  

I agree. I think one should cautiously welcome this new guy, Thanatorn - but remain wary and sagacious (in politics, lots of trickery and deceit can be engaged in, to pull the wool over people's eyes!).

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by Eligius

[seminomadic]

1 hour ago, throwaw1984 said:

 

• Once the Future Forward party picks up steam, it will focus mainly on post-modernist (Neo-Marxist) identity politics. The party cofounders listed here are mostly social justice warrior type activists (one of them has the typical pink dyed hair for Christ's sake). Notice how there are no experts in economics, foreign policy, diplomacy, etc (you know, stuff that matters) in this group? It's all just rights this, activism that. 

 

 

We noticed the same things but interpret them differently. I don't think SJW's here are of the same stripe as back home. The dyed hair just struck me as a somewhat pathetic attempt to appear inclusive of the young. Dollars to donuts she has pink hair for the simple fashion of it rather than SJW membership. I don't think that the postmodern neomarxist types have any chance of getting more than a toehold since, at least where it matters (aka Bangkok) the population's homogenous compared to back home. People don't take transgenders seriously over here, despite their high numbers & visibility. They're cartoonish in the minds of your average educated Thai.

 

What other tack could these potential strife-mongers take? Isaan/North/South/Muslims? Immigrants? The minority-rights thing just doesn't have the same currency it does back home. 

 

I'm not asking rhetorically... but really... what could they even try to do that could effect any polarization, realistically?

 

[throwaw1984]

1 hour ago, Eligius said:

Many apologies, Throwaway1984,  if I misunderstood and misrepresented you. Glad to know you share the viewpoint I expressed a few posts above!

 

 

In hindsight, I should've made my displeasure with the current political situation in Thailand more obvious. But then again, I was not sure how far am I allowed to go without getting banned on this board. I think that fact alone speaks volumes.

 

59 minutes ago, GarryP said:

So what is the alternative. If no one steps up nothing will change. So isn't at least trying to make a difference better than the current and pre coup situation.  

 

I don't mean to offend you but "trying to make a difference" is very simplistic thinking when it comes to politics. Those are meaningless buzzwords.

Here's what might happen in the near future:

 

Scenario A (more likely):

 

The Future Forward party is going nowhere. They might make a few headlines, maybe even have some protests here and there but ultimately they will remain insignificant or even be banned. That anti-royalist lawyer they have is a huge liability. Next year will will probably get an election here which will be won by a new party spearheaded by Prayut or someone who will tow the party line. As long as Thailand is booming economically (and the plebs get enough of the breadcrumbs), people will vote for the status quo. Also China prefers the status quo and their influence is undeniable.

 

Scenario B (less likely):

 

The Future Forward party gains momentum due to large financial backing and help from the media. Thailand's current gov is not doing itself any favors with the luxury watch scandal or the panther poaching scandal. If the economy takes a nosedive, things might get ugly very quickly. We might see protests and riots again, fueled by misguided students, former red shirt opportunists etc. History has shown time and time again that violent uprisings almost always have disastrous outcomes.

Quite frankly I'd rather have the current system stay in place for a little longer than see blood in the streets again. That's why I'm railing against this new party so passionately. Anyone who has studied history should know that peace and prosperity are favorable to misguided upheaval and chaos.

 

You've asked how to solve the problem...

In the long run I hope the message of economic and personal liberty will spread and infect even authoritarian countries like China and Thailand. The internet will make sure of that. The old gatekeepers like the mainstream media are fading away. The truth becomes harder and harder to suppress. Zuckerberg, Bezos and their ilk are trying to put the genie back in the bottle with their Orwellian style censorship, but that too will fail thanks to censorship-resistant technologies like the blockchain. If we don't blow ourselves up (looking at North Korea), we are heading for a bright future. Read some Steven Pinker's works and you will see, that despite all the doom and gloom (and also some legitimate concerns), we are living in the most prosperous time ever.

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by throwaw1984

[throwaw1984]

27 minutes ago, seminomadic said:

 

We noticed the same things but interpret them differently. I don't think SJW's here are of the same stripe as back home. The dyed hair just struck me as a somewhat pathetic attempt to appear inclusive of the young. Dollars to donuts she has pink hair for the simple fashion of it rather than SJW membership. I don't think that the postmodern neomarxist types have any chance of getting more than a toehold since, at least where it matters (aka Bangkok) the population's homogenous compared to back home. People don't take transgenders seriously over here, despite their high numbers & visibility. They're cartoonish in the minds of your average educated Thai.

 

What other tack could these potential strife-mongers take? Isaan/North/South/Muslims? Immigrants? The minority-rights thing just doesn't have the same currency it does back home. 

 

I'm not asking rhetorically... but really... what could they even try to do that could effect any polarization, realistically?

 

 

I think you're right. As long as Thailand is doing well economically, they won't find any fertile ground here. (see my previous post)

The pink hair remark was more tongue in cheek ;-) Blue hair on the other hand would've been a dead giveaway.

 

 

[Eligius]

14 minutes ago, throwaw1984 said:

 

Quite frankly I'd rather have the current stay in place than see blood in the streets again. That's why I'm railing against this new party so passionately. Anyone who has studied history should know that peace and prosperity are favorable to misguided upheaval and chaos.

 

 

 

 

 

Well, we certainly have NOT got genuine 'peace and prosperity' in Thailand now. Enforced 'peace' at the end of a barrel of a gun or tank is not real peace at all - and the vast majority of rural Thais are most definitely not 'prosperous'!

 

However, I share you revulsion for blood in the streets. Mass blood-letting need not be necessary, though. What is required is MASS civil disobedience - to the tune of MILLIONS of Thais. An example: in the last year or so, a golden opportunity for social non-compliance was gifted to the Thais regarding a certain 'colour-coding' dictat. The Thais could have said in their millions: 'No! We are done with all this top-down regulating of everything - even down to our clothing colours. We are FREE!'     But they did the opposite. They COMPLIED. 

 

This is why I suspect your Option Number One will come to pass: Prayut and his gang (or related ilk) will continue to rule the roost - BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPIRIT FOR MASS RESISTANCE AND NON-COMPLIANCE AMONGST THE THAI PEOPLE!

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by Eligius

[baboon]

1 minute ago, Eligius said:

Well, we certainly have NOT got genuine 'peace and prosperity' in Thailand now. Enforced 'peace' at the end of a barrel of a gun or tank is not real peace at all - and the vast majority of rural Thais are most definitely not 'prosperous'!

You beat me to it. Repression is not peace and everyone round my way, from the odd job man to the teachers and the train drivers, are complaining about being skint and how expensive everything is these days.

[throwaw1984]

14 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Well, we certainly have NOT got genuine 'peace and prosperity' in Thailand now. Enforced 'peace' at the end of a barrel of a gun or tank is not real peace at all - and the vast majority of rural Thais are most definitely not 'prosperous'!

 

However, I share you revulsion for blood in the streets. That need not be necessary, though. What is required is MASS civil disobedience - to the tune of MILLIONS of Thais. An example: in the last year or so, a golden opportunity for social non-compliance was gifted to the Thais regarding a certain 'colour-coding' dictat. The Thais could have said in their millions: 'No! We are done with all this top-down regulating of everything - even down to our clothing colours. We are FREE!'     But they did the opposite. They COMPLIED. 

 

This is why I suspect your Option Number One will come to pass: Prayut and his gang (or related ilk) will continue to rule the roost - BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPIRIT FOR MASS RESISTANCE AND NON-COMPLIANCE AMONGST THE THAI PEOPLE!

 

 

I believe the peace is genuine. The gun is pointed at political opponents (which is bad and anti democratic) but not at the majority of the population, which would be akin to North Korea.

It's still peace and prosperity that leaves a bad taste in the mouth, I'll give you that.

 

The color dicat is a bad example in my opinion. I was wearing black myself even though I didn't have to as a farang. I did it out of respect for a great man, as did millions of Thai people. Without this man, Thailand would've been a communist hellhole like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Edited March 16, 2018 by throwaw1984

[Eligius]

1 minute ago, throwaw1984 said:

 

I believe the peace is genuine. The gun is pointed at political opponents (which is bad and anti democratic) but not at the majority of the population, which would be akin to North Korea.

It's still peace and prosperity that leaves a bad taste in the mouth, I'll give you that.

 

The color dicat is a bad example in my opinion. I was wearing black myself even though I didn't have to as a farang. I did it out of respect for a great man, as did millions of Thai people. Without this man, Thailand would've been a communist hellhole like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

I am not allowed to comment - which says it all ...

[baboon]

2 hours ago, throwaw1984 said:

 

I can say that I'm neither left nor right.

I can. You are right. So far to the right I need binoculars. 

[throwaw1984]

16 minutes ago, baboon said:

You beat me to it. Repression is not peace and everyone round my way, from the odd job man to the teachers and the train drivers, are complaining about being skint and how expensive everything is these days.

 

The working class is bitching and complaining in every country - that's just a given. The demand for redistributionist policies is the only method low IQ people can hope to prosper. And opportunists like the Forward Future party like to fuel that resentment of the lower classes. It's been done time and time again in history and it led to the genocidal horrors of the 20th century.

 

I don't have any disdain for the lower classes. It's were I come from. I've cleaned toilets for a living at some point in my life. But I'm not going to ignore history and biological reality.

Next time ask the teacher or train driver, if they'd rather be teaching or driving trains in Cambodia, Laos, etc

 

[throwaw1984]

7 minutes ago, baboon said:

I can. You are right. So far to the right I need binoculars. 

 

Haha good one. If that's the label you want to give me, go ahead sir.