Coup-makers ‘should be prosecuted’ after general election: Watana

By The Nation

 

 

Watana Muangsook, a key Pheu Thai Party politician, on Monday called for the prosecution of coup-makers after the next election.

 

He said the military coup in May 2014 had caused “severe damage to the country and wasted a lot of state budget while causing the most suffering to the people”. 

 

Watana blamed what he called “inefficient management by retired military officers who want to have power but lack intelligence”.

 

The outspoken politician said in his latest Facebook message attacking the ruling junta that an “important mission” after the next election was to restore democracy and reform the armed forces.

 

“The goal is to prevent anyone from using the armed forces to destroy democracy again. More importantly, coup-makers must be punished for causing damage to the country,” he said. 

 

Watana said the prosecution would not be revenge, but rather an attempt to “end a vicious cycle and restore the rule of law”.

 

In his message headlined “Dictators must be brought to court”, the politician said the election results in Malaysia last week should be a lesson to Thais. 

 

“Malaysia and developed countries prove that democracy can solve every problem,” he added.

 

His latest message seemed to be inspired by Malaysia’s newly elected prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, who made a remark about his corruption-tainted predecessor Najib Razak after his stunning poll victory. 

 

When asked if Najib would be prosecuted, Mahathir said: “If anybody breaks the law, they will be brought before the court.”

 

Watana last week was brought before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for alleged malfeasance and bribery. 

 

The case is in connection with the Ua Athon housing project for low-income earners, which was started in 2005 by the National Housing Authority. 

 

At that time, Watana was serving as minister of social development and human security in charge of the agency during a Thaksin Shinawatra government.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30345377

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-5-14

That is some sweet, sweet music...

 

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Watana blamed what he called “inefficient management by retired military officers who want to have power but lack intelligence”.

I couldn't have described it any better myself.  

Absolutely correct...  but it will never happen...

 

He is a prime candidate for attitude readjustment  big time...

Edited May 14, 20188 yr by fobuff

"Watana last week was brought before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for alleged malfeasance and bribery. 

The case is in connection with the Ua Athon housing project for low-income earners, which was started in 2005 by the National Housing Authority"

So they're trying to get rid of him as well then

14 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

He said the military coup in May 2014 had caused “severe damage to the country and wasted a lot of state budget while causing the most suffering to the people”. 

 

About as much damage, waste and suffering as your rice policy caused.

Edited May 14, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

Excellent. This guy is raising the right issues - conscription, now prosecution of the coupsters. He's an example of courage and he's getting the debate going in a good direction

I hope this bloke has a good life insurance policy.

42 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Watana said the prosecution would not be revenge, but rather an attempt to “end a vicious cycle and restore the rule of law”.

When was that then?

 

Certainly wasn't the case when you last held the reins.

Edited May 14, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

Props given

12 minutes ago, Happy enough said:

"Watana last week was brought before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for alleged malfeasance and bribery. 

The case is in connection with the Ua Athon housing project for low-income earners, which was started in 2005 by the National Housing Authority"

So they're trying to get rid of him as well then

The way things are here the accusation may be correct, but the man himself apologetic for having to work within a rotten system.

So let him describe what he did and start to pull the system down.  Some kind of Truth and Reconciliation Court will surely have to be set up to put Thailand on the right tracks again.  Punish the truly guilty, take back their gains for the sake of the people and free the many who felt they had no choice but to do wrong because they were swallowed up by a system they were powerless to change and could not see ending.

This is the first time I have heard a Thai politician stand up and say that the coup makers should be prosecuted - for high treason, in my opinion, as the coupsters committed the ultimate crime - the thieving of a whole nation's sovereignty and the smashing of ALL the people's fundamental civil and human rights.

 

Let's hear more such fighting, courageous talk, from major Thai figures up and down the land - backed up by the bulk of the Thai populace.

 

If enough people turn on this filthy, rotten junta - it will collapse in upon itself. Even a junta cannot withstand the wrath of an entire nation.

 

Thais - where are you?? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON??

 

 

 

Just now, Eligius said:

This is the first time I have heard a Thai politician stand up and say that the coup makers should be prosecuted - for high treason, in my opinion, as the coupsters committed the ultimate crime - the thieving of a whole nation's sovereignty and the smashing of ALL the people's fundamental civil and human rights.

 

Let's hear more such fighting, courageous talk, from major Thai figures up and down the land - backed up by the bulk of the Thai populace.

 

If enough people turn on this filthy, rotten junta - it will collapse in upon itself. Even a junta cannot withstand the wrath of an entire nation.

 

Thais - where are you?? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON??

 

 

 

Suggest Thais might choose to fly the Malay flag.  If it was read as a statement about anti-corruption and a populations refusal to vote the way they were supposed to....so much the better.

8 minutes ago, Eligius said:

This is the first time I have heard a Thai politician stand up and say that the coup makers should be prosecuted - for high treason, in my opinion, as the coupsters committed the ultimate crime - the thieving of a whole nation's sovereignty and the smashing of ALL the people's fundamental civil and human rights.

 

Let's hear more such fighting, courageous talk, from major Thai figures up and down the land - backed up by the bulk of the Thai populace.

 

If enough people turn on this filthy, rotten junta - it will collapse in upon itself. Even a junta cannot withstand the wrath of an entire nation.

 

Thais - where are you?? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON??

 

 

 

have you seen the punk rock concert from yesterday. my brother in law just showed me the pictures. sure it'll be out soon. loads arrested for insulting the junta. it's good stuff.

Edited May 14, 20188 yr by Happy enough

31 minutes ago, fobuff said:

Absolutely correct...  but it will never happen...

 

He is a prime candidate for attitude readjustment  big time...

Or worse, an unfortunate accident.

8 minutes ago, Happy enough said:

have you seen the punk rock concert from yesterday. my brother in law just showed me the pictures. sure it'll be out soon. loads arrested for insulting the junta. it's good stuff.

Thanks for that news, Happy Enough: I had not heard about this. I will try to find out more. It's great if people are at last beginning to spit in the face of the monster!

 

.... I have found more info on this, here:

 

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/crime-crime/2018/05/14/punks-arrested-for-insulting-junta-leaders-at-concert-video/

 

Good on them!

 

Edited May 14, 20188 yr by Eligius

"He said the military coup in May 2014 had caused “severe damage to the country and wasted a lot of state budget while causing the most suffering to the people”. 

 

Watana blamed what he called “inefficient management by retired military officers who want to have power but lack intelligence”.

 

With words like this he could cause a lot of misunderstanding amongst the people.

NCPO dont like that.

 

Moronic comment, Watana. You and whose army are going to try that stunt?

Extra large double order of attitude adjustment, coming right up.

Hell of a way to stoke the fire ahead of the 4th Anniversary.

9 minutes ago, Mexlark said:

Moronic comment, Watana. You and whose army are going to try that stunt?

Well I suppose he could use the police if we went back to the even-worse old days when cops outgunned the army. And what a force for good they turned out to be.

 
Thais - where are you?? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON??

I’ve asked a few Thais why their people don’t march against autocratic rule and demand their freedom & liberty. The answer is almost always something like “who’s going to stand up to a soldier with a gun?”

So there it is. They just don’t want their freedom badly enough.

ouch !!....now this is one very intelligent, brave and educated gentleman !

3 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

About as much damage, waste and suffering as your rice policy caused.

Is it better to overpay for rice to farmers or buy useless military hardware?

15 minutes ago, attrayant said:

 

I’ve asked a few Thais why their people don’t march against autocratic rule and demand their freedom & liberty. The answer is almost always something like “who’s going to stand up to a soldier with a gun?”

So there it is. They just don’t want their freedom badly enough.

 

Yes, sad but true. The famous American quote comes to mind (and I paraphrase): 'Those who put their safety before their liberty - deserve neither!'

10 minutes ago, TheLobster said:

Is it better to overpay for rice to farmers or buy useless military hardware?

The non payment was where the suffering of people occurred. 

1 hour ago, Mexlark said:

And what a force for good they turned out to be.

?

1 hour ago, attrayant said:

I’ve asked a few Thais why their people don’t march against autocratic rule and demand their freedom & liberty. The answer is almost always something like “who’s going to stand up to a soldier with a gun?”

Ball locks. They don't need to. The evil eye and contemptuous hisses at the soldiers would serve them well.

But what happens? A Frightfully Important group of Phu Yais turn up in their locale and there they are, bowing and scraping.

Bow and scrape, then. Jesus, all you need do is simply to pointedly ignore them and go about your lives, but no. There you are, hoping for a pat on the head. The students with balls aside, screw you. You deserve what you get.

6 hours ago, baboon said:

Ball locks. They don't need to. The evil eye and contemptuous hisses at the soldiers would serve them well.

But what happens? A Frightfully Important group of Phu Yais turn up in their locale and there they are, bowing and scraping.

Bow and scrape, then. Jesus, all you need do is simply to pointedly ignore them and go about your lives, but no. There you are, hoping for a pat on the head. The students with balls aside, screw you. You deserve what you get.

Now..now..cheer up 'baboon-be comforted in the knowledge that what we are witnessing is the usual swings and roundabouts of Thai autocratic governance.Sure,there are some pretty policy brochures..a general parroting of some well worn phrases about democracy..or "law and order" and then it is back to business as usual.

 

The cycle seems to last only 3-4 years but my general impression  (anyone spied an elephant lately?) is that sakdina/autocracy is the default setting.There is nothing much that you or I can do about that.

 

Slightly off topic but illustrative of my point is:Have you ever wondered where all the billions of baht poured into Isaan by foreigners has gone?All the thousands of English speakers (1st or 2nd language) that had absolutely no impact on the level of education?All the skills wasted?The bankrupt 'businesses' set up on behalf of Thai partners?The money being poured down the plug-hole?

 

Such is life.No change.

 

 

10 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

... sakdina/autocracy is the default setting.

 

How right you are, Ody! Sakdina (knowing one's place in the hierarchy, bowing and scraping and fawning to those above one) is indeed the default setting in Thailand. As Baboon says, we see it all the time here: let one of the junta supermen visit a village, a school or a university, and you will see the people literally grovelling before them.

 

Feudalism in Thailand is alive and well -   or rather, alive and sick (at least, that's how it makes me feel!).