12 hours 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”. 

Although this guy, from that party speaking about "wasting a lot of state budget" is hilarious, I don't disagree with him on this issue. It seems to be the only way to put an end to coups. Voters will never learn that their choices have consequences as long as coups continue.

2 minutes ago, Eligius said:

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!).

I used to see it with the local Poo Yai/politicians,police officers...doctors all the time.

 

Once they understood that I was not a threat in any way I was instantly demoted to "Farang-3rd class'-and hence totally irrelevant.It was,in actual fact,a good place to be given the circumstances tho' "irrelevancy" as a notion comes hard to Westerners..

8 hours ago, TheLobster said:

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

Neither, what is lacking in thailand is one of the main Buddhist tenets - moderation, but unfortunately while ever the trough is open to abuse from those in control nothing  will change. 

Somebody has a short and selective memory.

This was pre-May 2014 coup.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/In-Thailand-democracy-is-just-a-fig-leaf-for-klept-30228458.html

 

What has changed? Rhetorical question.

The reason the Thai masses don't get very upset over losing their sovereignty is because they don't ever imagine they have any. As history has proven for them, again and again, they are correct in their assumptions.

Yes!

If do crime then do time.

Easy idea.

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

The reason the Thai masses don't get very upset over losing their sovereignty is because they don't ever imagine they have any. As history has proven for them, again and again, they are correct in their assumptions.

In reality, you are right, Canuckamuck: the Thais in general are regarded as cattle to be used and abused by the 'Grown Ups' (puu-yai).

 

However, the new Constitution does contain, very early on in its verbiage, this ringing declaration: 'The sovereignty belongs to the Thai people'. That is stunning. Most amazing of all is that it places the Thais BEFORE / AHEAD OF anyone else (and I mean ANYONE else ...)!

 

But of course - as is the norm in Thailand - these are just empty, albeit grand-sounding, words. No actual substance behind them - as you say, Canuckamuck!

 

Edited May 15, 20188 yr by Eligius

13 hours ago, Eligius said:

Thais - where are you??

a)      At work, chatting over their phones about much more important issues with colleagues in another corner of the office.

 

  At home, dressed in period costumes watching heroic nationalistic soaps on TV. 

 

c)       At Starbucks, with a laptop working on a new strategy to get their share in the popular corruption game.

 

d)      On the dark side of the soi in negotiation with their local meth dealer.

 

 e)      Sleeping after three bowls of Mama Noodles...

Edited May 15, 20188 yr by Lupatria

He is just trowing stones in a glasshouse! He is charged for bribery and corruption himself from his time in office and basically he bring this up because he is angry that someone else than him got the kickbacks he thought he would get since the cope.....

15 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

That is some sweet, sweet music...

 

 

It would be much sweeter if he also included all the corrupt politicians to be prosecuted.

 

Only there wouldn't be many left around then!

 

Just the usual one side calling for the other to be prosecuted, but not their side of course. Not really anything to do with democracy.

 

Democracy like Justice is only applauded here by the political class when it happens to deliver the verdict they want.

 

 

 

Watana’s been a busy boy lately. 

 

Wonder what’s prompted this...

3 hours ago, Mr E said:

Somebody has a short and selective memory.

This was pre-May 2014 coup.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/In-Thailand-democracy-is-just-a-fig-leaf-for-klept-30228458.html

 

What has changed? Rhetorical question.

 

Thank you for posting that link.

 

Some of our posters are new, joining some years after the PTP kleptocracy, and others just have short memories. Hence they like to pretend that democracy is the universal panacea and that an elected government can do as it pleases, answerable only to the electorate.

 

I don't recall any party in the run up to the 2011 elections stating 'vote for us and we'll lie, cheat, ignore the law and steal as much as we can" - but that's what the electorate got.

8 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Watana’s been a busy boy lately. 

 

Wonder what’s prompted this...

 

The Shin clan and it's cronies would love to marginalize the military. They've failed to get them "on side" time and time again. 

They must be on something if they think the military would let them do something like this. Dream on.

13 successful coups and no coup makers got their due punishment for treason. My only criticism is that Watana should also suggest retro active laws to prosecute those generals if they still alive. 

There will be no prosecutions. The Constitution was changed to prevent that. It was also changed so that it can not be amended  without giving cause for another coup.

The only option available is an overwhelming majority vote in favour of a democratic government. This would require a coalition of opposition parties and no selling out for money as has been the case in past elections.  People may have to bite their tongues and agree to Abhisit being the PM with a PTP cabinet and an agreement to put differences aside and work on common interests. Thaksin would have to agree to keep quiet.

3 hours ago, Mr E said:

Somebody has a short and selective memory.

This was pre-May 2014 coup.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/In-Thailand-democracy-is-just-a-fig-leaf-for-klept-30228458.html

 

What has changed? Rhetorical question.

Really nothing has change except that the people can vote out a corrupt government but can’t vote out a junta government. 

My crystal ball says watana just sped up his court case to end with a lengthy prison sentence. 

Bless him for his brave but not thought out comment. 

Just now, Eric Loh said:

Really nothing has change except that the people can vote out a corrupt government but can’t vote out a junta government. 

Well that is a point for either side, depending on which way you look at it. 

21 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

The Shin clan and it's cronies would love to marginalize the military.

So would plenty of others.

Of course Prayut etc should be prosecuted,but They thought of that with a law that protects them
For life


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No coupmakers have been charged since 1932. Here's why: The very first law the generals write is one which absolve them of prosecution. Then they write their own constitution which codifies their innocence into force of the highest law in the land.

 

Another interesting fact about Thai coups is that, although the coup 'govt' is illegal in both fact and law, they all pass their own abusive, antiliberty laws such as both Computer Crimes Acts, NO civilian govt which has eventually replaced them has EVER rescinded ANY of their laws. (Seems a no-brainer to start over but, hey, TIT.)

 

The current coup has been the most destructive ever in terms of civil liberties, political prisoners, and damage to the future economy with huge, expensive infrastructure projects which will financially cripple the next generation.

 

Although I have not seen this practice elsewhere, Thailand has already proved they can prosecute elected officials for their legal acts while in office. So why can't we lock up the coup-boys?

 

In order to prosecute the coupmakers--and they MUST be punished for all the ordinary concerned Thais they've locked up for no good reason--the next govt needs to revoke the coup's laws and start over, including (again) scrapping the coupstituion and rebooting an amended 1997 law protecting rights.

 

No party is brave enough to tackle L-M because of public misinterpretation of how this law works to damage the monarchy rather than protect it. So leave it alone and order the police & courts to stop prosecutions and pardon those already jailed.

 

In addition to this essential act, is any politician and his/her party courageous enough to scrap this coup's laws and revamp Thailand and its image? Ee need a fresh start.

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

The Shin clan and it's cronies would love to marginalize the military. They've failed to get them "on side" time and time again. 

They must be on something if they think the military would let them do something like this. Dream on.

It's not just TRT & PT. We have the world's most bloated military and it's time to pull out the dummy and drastically cut their funding. 

On 5/15/2018 at 10:25 AM, Baerboxer said:

 

It would be much sweeter if he also included all the corrupt politicians to be prosecuted.

 

Only there wouldn't be many left around then!

 

Just the usual one side calling for the other to be prosecuted, but not their side of course. Not really anything to do with democracy.

 

Democracy like Justice is only applauded here by the political class when it happens to deliver the verdict they want.

 

 

 

Corruption in Thailand is, always has been and always will be a by-product of the unchecked military dominance of Thai politics.

 

 

 

If you want to eliminate something - it must be done at its source.

Get rid of military corruption by instituting a robust democracy and all else will follow.

Perfect description of the currant situation and ruling people. 

Good luck for opposition! 

I expect another land slide victory of PT. As always after Junta times

1 hour ago, markaoffy said:

Of course Prayut etc should be prosecuted,but They thought of that with a law that protects them
For life


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I must say I am always amused when it is claimed that the junta have got a law that protects them for life. Since when did law - any law - have dependable validity in Thailand? The next bunch of power-grabbers can just as easily tear up the present Constitution and 'laws' as has been done to numerous ones before - if it suits them so to do. Nothing in Thailand is written in stone - EXCEPT that the military, certain mighty rich Sino-Thai families, and a Hidden Hand had, have and probably will have (given the spinelessness of the vast majority of Thais) the country in a death-grip.

 

As a poster above indicated, it really is time that the Thai politicians finally got round to setting a bench-mark of what is utterly unacceptable behaviour (coup instigations and enactments) and proclaimed  prosecution of the coup culprits - no matter how many fake 'laws' to protect themselves those villains have concocted.

 

 

Edited May 15, 20188 yr by Eligius

35 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

It's not just TRT & PT. We have the world's most bloated military and it's time to pull out the dummy and drastically cut their funding. 

 

Certainly have a very large number of very senior officers to pay for and justify!

 

But I'm sure that using any cost savings for the actual benefit never crosses their minds. Just more swill for the trough and hopefully prevent anyone kicking them out.

33 minutes ago, pornprong said:

Corruption in Thailand is, always has been and always will be a by-product of the unchecked military dominance of Thai politics.

 

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/1993/05/motherjones-mj93-course-corruption/

 

If you want to eliminate something - it must be done at its source.

Get rid of military corruption by instituting a robust democracy and all else will follow.

 

Twaddle. You actually think only the military are corrupt and that without their dominance that the powerful political family clans would be honest and adhere to the law?

 

Your're having a laugh!

 

A robust democracy cannot exist without a robust justice system - one that politicians can't manipulate, threaten and bribe.

1 hour ago, baboon said:

So would plenty of others.

 

Totally agree. But many sadly only want to marginalize them so they can thieve away undisturbed at the trough. Not for the benefit of the people or democracy.

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

Not even close. Why do you think there are no checks and balances?, how come Thailand's reserves are depleted? The amount of money wasted by this lot will make the rice scheme look like child's play.


Do not shoot the Messenger, because in this case he is 100% right in everything he claims. Abd he does not seem to he scared of those bullies. He has my respect.

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1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Really nothing has change except that the people can vote out a corrupt government but can’t vote out a junta government. 

 

You certainly can't vote out a Junta. They don't usually allow it. 

 

Corrupt governments are also difficult to actually vote out and try and hang-on to power by declare losing elections void, illegal, or setting up their own parallel government. Plenty examples around the world at the moment of this. Would have been interesting to see how regimes here would react to be voted out - law suits, declaring the election fixed, unfair, refusing to go etc etc perhaps?

 

It seems we're regressing back to Medieval mentality with the old feudal elite now replaced by the politically powerful and reach who love democracy as long as it's the result they want!