3 minutes ago, Horace said:

I hope you are right, but I work in an office with educated Bangkok born Thais and while a few express frustration the Junta, most have been a fed a steady diet of lies about the poor of Issan (many have never set foot in Issan) and fear what democratic rule means - namely, a majority of Thais, whom most elite hold in absolute contempt, having a say in how Thailand is governed.  Many believe that "Thailand is not yet ready for democracy" and don't think that a taxi driver deserves a vote just as they do.  Remember the anti-democracy protests, where the young professionals from Bangkok seriously believed and argued that the rural poor were not entitled to say in Thailand's governance.  Has that really changed?  

Yes, a middle class Thai of my acquaintance thinks that the electoral system is inherently unfair because there are more voters in Isaan and the North than in Bangkok and the South. Leads to a parliamentary dictatorship or dictatorship of the majority apparently. I'm not quite sure why a dictatorship of the minority is preferable. I think it's because the minority is so  intelligent and well-educated. Oh and so altruistic as well. Always in favour of the national interest not their own.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

while his visits to foreign countries are meant to learn about useful policies that can be adopted in Thailand.

Okay, so he learned nothing other than no other nation has Thainess.

Otherwise, what Prayut really wants from foreign countries are investment funds for Thai projects to enable pro-military enterprises to expand their wealth and political control over the nation.

3 hours ago, mejomini said:

Democracy as in Shinawatras' administrations? Graft, corruption, people dying in the streets? The last 4 years have been stable. It is time for cooperation to move forward. 

Golly, you've drank deep haven't you!

?

 

He could try asking people jailed for lese majeste in th elast 4 years for sympathy.

4 minutes ago, tomta said:

I think it's because the minority is so  intelligent and well-educated. Oh and so altruistic as well. Always in favour of the national interest not their own.

Good use of sarcasm.  Thaksin was corrupt, etc., but he recognized that the majority of Thais justifiably felt their voices carried no weight in the governance of Thailand.  The contempt that educated Siamese and Siam-Chinese feel for less privileged Thais did not go unnoticed.  Have attitudes really changed?

 

If and when the Junta leaves, there will be laws that prohibit "populist polices".  Who will decide what constitutes an unlawful populist policy?  I think we all know the answer. 

 

And what is wrong with populist policies? A populist policy appears to be a policy where money is spent to benefit the majority of Thais rather than just the Bangkok elite.  Can't have any of that.

 

Unless and until the Siamese and Siam-Chinese elite finally realize that they are not entitled to all of the pie and that they need to share power on a democratic basis with the result of Thailand, this problem will continue.

39 minutes ago, Horace said:

I hope you are right, but I work in an office with educated Bangkok born Thais and while a few express frustration the Junta, most have been a fed a steady diet of lies about the poor of Issan (many have never set foot in Issan) and fear what democratic rule means - namely, a majority of Thais, whom most elite hold in absolute contempt, having a say in how Thailand is governed.  Many believe that "Thailand is not yet ready for democracy" and don't think that a taxi driver deserves a vote just as they do.  Remember the anti-democracy protests, where the young professionals from Bangkok seriously believed and argued that the rural poor were not entitled to say in Thailand's governance.  Has that really changed?  

They very probably think so, but their problem is that the "poor of Issan" are slowly but steadily gaining awareness and gaining a voice. Thaksin (whatever  you think  of him) showed them what could happen if they collectively acted together. The older generation remember  that. The phenomenonal penetration of social media is informing the younger generation, despite  their (deliberately) lamentable education, and the dinosaurs grip on the traditional media. The genie is out of the bottle.

It may take time, but the "Bangkok elite" will lose their grip on power, and  their middle class supporters will have to share the benefits of society.

Some know and acknowledge - maybe even embrace that - I'm thinking of that "Future Forward' campaign...

 

And if they don't, I fear it will be messy .

Edited June 28, 20188 yr by JAG

I will say a prayer for Thailand because i can see lots of trouble in the coming months.

3 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

Do we have a new djjamie or ... uhm, whatever the name of the other blinded guy is ... can't remember after blocking him months ago

Steven100 ?

Should have thought about that when he made teenagers too scared to make a fb post or share an article. 

He doesn't have any sympathy for all those people put in prison since 2014, away from their families and suffering daily .  

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...He also wishes to promote peace and reconciliation before the general election. .."

 

 

What a bunch of BS!

 

He has had four years with Article 44 to implement whatever the hell he wants, but now he needs some time to implement 'reforms'? Perhaps if he started earlier rather than snuffing out the freedoms enjoyed by Thai people, placing all his cronies in plum government jobs at high (often multiple) salaries and doing everything possible to ensure that he keeps control, then he might have some credibility.

 

Four wasted years where Thailand took steps backwards. Four wasted years which damaged the cause of Democracy. Four wasted years where he and his buds have lived high off the hog. Four wasted years where he and his buds got wealthy. Four wasted years where he took great advantage of government expense accounts. Four wasted years where his prime focus was to improve his own lot rather than Thailand's welfare. Four years where he could have tried to heal Thailand's wounds, but instead exacerbated them, etc etc etc.

 

Four wasted years.

 

And now he wants sympathy.

 

It is disgusting.

 

So that's a no then?

5 hours ago, Thailand said:

Nope, no sympathy, sorry.

Nope, non whatsoever.

1 hour ago, Horace said:

I hope you are right, but I work in an office with educated Bangkok born Thais and while a few express frustration the Junta, most have been a fed a steady diet of lies about the poor of Issan (many have never set foot in Issan) and fear what democratic rule means - namely, a majority of Thais, whom most elite hold in absolute contempt, having a say in how Thailand is governed.  Many believe that "Thailand is not yet ready for democracy" and don't think that a taxi driver deserves a vote just as they do.  Remember the anti-democracy protests, where the young professionals from Bangkok seriously believed and argued that the rural poor were not entitled to say in Thailand's governance.  Has that really changed?  

I aim for optimism but I fear the truth in what you have said. Being in Chiang Mai with a university student son has given me an insight into their views which I maybe have taken for being a majority. Bangkok, however, is a totally different place. The recent performance of Netiwit at the Oslo Freedom Forum did, however, have a great following on social media especially because it was compared to Prayuths speech in Singapore a few days earlier, but sadly it will never make the TV screens in Thailand. It gave me hope which is perhaps misplaced.

2 hours ago, connda said:

Given that he's shooting the devil's sign

 

He copied it from.... Thaksin. Thinks it's all fashionable and trendy 'n' stuff.

On 6/27/2018 at 7:18 PM, Samui Bodoh said:

"...He also wishes to promote peace and reconciliation before the general election. .."

 

 

What a bunch of BS!

 

He has had four years with Article 44 to implement whatever the hell he wants, but now he needs some time to implement 'reforms'? Perhaps if he started earlier rather than snuffing out the freedoms enjoyed by Thai people, placing all his cronies in plum government jobs at high (often multiple) salaries and doing everything possible to ensure that he keeps control, then he might have some credibility.

 

Four wasted years where Thailand took steps backwards. Four wasted years which damaged the cause of Democracy. Four wasted years where he and his buds have lived high off the hog. Four wasted years where he and his buds got wealthy. Four wasted years where he took great advantage of government expense accounts. Four wasted years where his prime focus was to improve his own lot rather than Thailand's welfare. Four years where he could have tried to heal Thailand's wounds, but instead exacerbated them, etc etc etc.

 

Four wasted years.

 

And now he wants sympathy.

 

It is disgusting.

 

I had something to say....but I think this says it best! Is anyone buying this load of crap the PM is offering?

On 6/28/2018 at 7:28 AM, mejomini said:

Democracy as in Shinawatras' administrations? Graft, corruption, people dying in the streets? The last 4 years have been stable. It is time for cooperation to move forward. 

Another peace at any price, timid soul.  Sorry, the Shins were elected, so yes they were a product of democratic rule then snuffed out by men with guns.  The junta has done little for Thailand other than stymie its development and make the poor poorer and the rich richer.  As for dying in the streets, give it a rest.  That is an insult to the millions of Thais that acted non violently after being betrayed by the democrats and the army. 

On 6/28/2018 at 1:55 AM, PREM-R said:

Yes, elected by the people

He bought their votes.

51 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

He bought their votes.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn!

2 minutes ago, DM07 said:

Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn!

Past your bedtime?

3 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Past your bedtime?

Past your meds?

Go beg in a street corner, P. Zero sympathy for usurpers.

4 hours ago, Vacuum said:

He bought their votes.

Wow, you do live in a vacuum.   The military has appointed members of parliament.   That is far worse than allegedly buying votes, that is stealing votes, much like a coup steal an entire nation.  Yinglucks election was considered clean VOA. Many accused Thacksin of buying votes, but no charges were ever filed and no proof from the media.  Just people like you spewing boring tripe without seeing that the military only server the wealthy and screw everyone else. 

On 6/30/2018 at 3:14 PM, yellowboat said:

Wow, you do live in a vacuum.   The military has appointed members of parliament.   That is far worse than allegedly buying votes, that is stealing votes, much like a coup steal an entire nation.  Yinglucks election was considered clean VOA. Many accused Thacksin of buying votes, but no charges were ever filed and no proof from the media.  Just people like you spewing boring tripe without seeing that the military only server the wealthy and screw everyone else. 

Voter fraud is rampant, but as such it still only sways the election outcomes which may ultimately be the voice and the will of the major of the nation. Vote buying often earns someone 500 or so THB, but once in the booth they may simply vote as they wish..  But well stated, a coup on the other hand simply steals an entire nation.  There is a quantum difference in scale.  One may get you into office; the other absolutely gets you into office at the end of a gun.

Edited July 4, 20188 yr by connda