Prayut worries about ‘same old issues’, as Thaksin returns to FB

By NATTAPHAT PHROMKAEW 
THE NATION

 

file photo

 

PREMIER URGES VOTERS TO NOT BE INFLUENCED, EX-PM MARKS 2006 COUP THAT OUSTED HIM

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on people to exercise their voting rights, and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections.

 

The premier brought up the issue while he was meeting locals yesterday before holding a mobile Cabinet meeting in Phetchabun province.

 

Mid conversation, Prayut suddenly started telling people to not get influenced by anyone telling them to abstain from casting their ballots, adding that this might be done to sway the vote.

 

“If this happens, we’ll return to the same old problems,” he said. “Democracy should not lead the country back to conflicts. It should also allow for institutions like the nation, monarch and religion.”

 

With the national election currently slated for February, Prayut said this was the time to move towards democracy.

 

“Over the past four years, many things have improved and if this continues, things will get even better,” he said. “The future government should take care of everybody – the majority and minorities.”

 

Meanwhile, in a rare move, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra took to Facebook yesterday to recall the 2006 military coup that ousted his government, which was when political conflicts began in the country. Today marks the 12th year since the coup.

 

“I want everyone to try to be neutral and see if Thailand has improved since then,” Thaksin’s post read.

 

The post went on say that Thailand had seen two coups that ousted two prime ministers who are siblings and the most popular premiers in Thai history. Some people have benefited from such changes, while others have experienced severe failure, the post read.

 

Many people had been maltreated due to their different political stance, landing in jail or facing intimidation, he wrote, asking if this was what Thais wanted to do to one another.

 

“Is it time yet for us to talk this through, or will we just keep fighting?” the ousted premier, who has lived in self-exile for more than a decade, asked. He added that the country had been hurt because of the conflict, when it should have been developed to keep pace with the fast-changing world.

 

Thaksin said he grieved about what had happened to his beloved country, apart from his personal loss of having to live away from his home and family. He also thanked his supporters who have remained faithful, adding he had forgiven those who had been unkind to him.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30354744

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-19

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Over the past four years, many things have improved and if this continues, things will get even better,” he said. “

"...PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on people to exercise their voting rights, and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections..."

 

Yes, I share that fear. If the people decide to elect a non-military government, the same old issue of military people stealing power would likely occur again.

 

If the Thai people want to break from the past, they should overwhelmingly vote against any party affiliated with Prayut and/or the military. Until the Thai people can get this proverbial 'monkey off their back', there is little hope for a free, Democratic country that respects human rights and values opportunity for all, not just the elite. The average 'Somchai on the street' deserves better.

 

I have watched the events in Thailand for the last four years with great sadness; I hope and pray that the Thai people can somehow take their country back from those who abuse it strictly for their own benefit.

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 20187 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

The Pachyderm in the room reemerging to spoil the party?

Perhaps an unholy alliance with the Thorn?

29 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on people to exercise their voting rights, and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections..."

 

Yes, I share that fear. If the people decide to elect a non-military government, the same old issue of military people stealing power would likely occur again.

 

If the Thai people want to break from the past, they should overwhelmingly vote against any party affiliated with Prayut and/or the military. Until the Thai people can get this proverbial 'monkey off their back', there is little hope for a free, Democratic country that respects human rights and values opportunity for all, not just the elite. The average 'Somchai on the street' deserves better.

 

I have watched the events in Thailand for the last four years with great sadness; I hope and pray that the Thai people can somehow take their country back from those who abuse it strictly for their own benefit.

 

 

 

It's odd that most cannot recognize the repeated and historic scenarios going on here.

The players might have shifted here and there, yet the Thai theatre remains the same. 

WOW! 

 

Someone is jumping at shadows of the past. Talk about insecurity.

As long as the issues of the past are not discussed and resolved  then they will continue. As long as Taksin will not admit his being part of the problem then they will not be resolved and yes they will continue. 

23 minutes ago, moe666 said:

As long as the issues of the past are not discussed and resolved  then they will continue. As long as Taksin will not admit his being part of the problem then they will not be resolved and yes they will continue. 

Fair statement. 

Yet, the true and historic instigations, as such applies to issues/problems are never examined or discussed - restricted in manner that is commonplace accepted. 

 

....and Thaksin is just a small insignificant fragment of the larger picture, most of which many refuse to recognize. 

 

Resolution can only take place if realities grab hold.

Straight forward black and white does not work within the make-up of Thai culture and her general character.

The mysterious grey areas are most dominate.

Miss the old problems:  Where to stay out all night,  The fun,  The excitement,  Whether to set up an office in Bangkok.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“Democracy should not lead the country back to conflicts. It should also allow for institutions like the nation, monarch and religion.”

The formula that has worked the best is education and freedom.  He fears both.  That is why he is such a lousy leader.  His delusions still make him think he is some sort of hero on a white horse.   

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on people to exercise their voting rights, and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections..."

 

Yes, I share that fear. If the people decide to elect a non-military government, the same old issue of military people stealing power would likely occur again.

 

If the Thai people want to break from the past, they should overwhelmingly vote against any party affiliated with Prayut and/or the military. Until the Thai people can get this proverbial 'monkey off their back', there is little hope for a free, Democratic country that respects human rights and values opportunity for all, not just the elite. The average 'Somchai on the street' deserves better.

 

I have watched the events in Thailand for the last four years with great sadness; I hope and pray that the Thai people can somehow take their country back from those who abuse it strictly for their own benefit.

 

 

 

I share your thoughts but those with excessive wealth consider they "own" the country so buying support of the military to keep the decent folk from attaining their aspirations and improving their lives,  unfortunately will not change for a while I fear. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections.

20 coups ? He Represents the 'same old issues';

maybe thailand just isn't ready for anything other than arrogant military generals

Well the best party for a start to change was just summonsed for FB post violation. They are not the answer but perhaps a good start. But as the election is a sham, a farce already, how will anything matter. 

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on people to exercise their voting rights, and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections..."

 

Yes, I share that fear. If the people decide to elect a non-military government, the same old issue of military people stealing power would likely occur again.

 

If the Thai people want to break from the past, they should overwhelmingly vote against any party affiliated with Prayut and/or the military. Until the Thai people can get this proverbial 'monkey off their back', there is little hope for a free, Democratic country that respects human rights and values opportunity for all, not just the elite. The average 'Somchai on the street' deserves better.

 

I have watched the events in Thailand for the last four years with great sadness; I hope and pray that the Thai people can somehow take their country back from those who abuse it strictly for their own benefit.

At least the last two coups did not happen because people elected non-military governments.

People elected (knowingly or not) corrupt leaders and corrupt governments.

The military intervened because checks and balanced didn't work. Thaksin was openly corrupt and courts didn't dare to challenge him - remember his honest mistakes.

Yingluck and "her" government tried to whitewash her criminal big brother and they tried to run the extreme corrupt and expensive rice-scam. Again, the military stepped in to make sure things don't get worse.

I was in Bangkok all the time and I was here when the soldiers came out and people gave them flowers and soft drinks. People (in Bangkok) were happy that the military ousted the criminals.

 

Obviously the military is not exactly doing a good job. They never learned to run a country. But at least they keep the peace.

 

Let's look if in the coming election people will vote for honest politicians who will work for all Thais and Thailand or if the majority, especially in the north and NE, will again vote for some criminals.

I hope the people learned form the past and don't vote for criminals and corrupt politicians. Because if they do that again then nobody should be surprised if the military will step in again.

 

It's up to the Thai people...

7 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

It's up to the Thai people...

If you believe that, let's meet up.  I have a bridge for sale.  Its in Brooklyn.    I will even bring flowers and soft drinks. 

 

 

Certainly the perfect excuse, in Prayuth' mind, to delay the election with this threat of unrest.....which actually isn't a threat of course, but the minions and boot lickers surrounding him, will get the message out!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“Democracy should not lead the country back to conflicts. It should also allow for institutions like the nation, monarch and religion.”

Since when did democracy need a monarch or religion? Social equality is the one essential for democracy and proper education is its obvious creator. See what religion has just done for the Rohingya. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on people to exercise their voting rights, and expressed concerns about the “same old political issues” returning after the next general elections.

Or, to put a truer light on things, he urged people not to vote for any party that might have the slightest inclination to distribute the wealth, grafted for by hard-working elitists, amongst those lazy good-for-nothings that live out in the rice fields, up north, and that don't even speak same-same as what I does.

The missus would give a bob or two for that pretty blouse, though.

Edited September 19, 20187 yr by Ossy
omisson

3 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

WOW! 

Someone is jumping at shadows of the past. Talk about insecurity.

Yeah, this 'ghost' is still haunting him. Or perhaps it's more 'self-haunting' - Prayut just can't let it go.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut worries about ‘same old issues’, as Thaksin returns to FB

Perhaps the headline above should have been: 'Prayut frightened, as Thaksin returns to FB'

 

2 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

It's odd that most cannot recognize the repeated and historic scenarios going on here.

The players might have shifted here and there, yet the Thai theatre remains the same. 

I think "Samuih Bodoh" recognises exactly what is going on. The small, immensely wealthy group who effectively own this country are manoeuvring to consolidate their grip on power, which prior to this coup and establishment of the junta, was looking rather threatened. Threatened by the emergence and electoral success of a populist movement, with Thaksin at it's head. The junta and it's front man are the means by which that grip is maintained. The power of these people flows from their wealth, which in turn comes from their ability to manipulate, exploit and control the resources and commercial activities of the nation. They are maintained in that position by  the military and other agencies of the government, which they allow to indulge in the eye watering levels of corruption which so damage and impoverish it's people's lives - we read elsewhere today of corruption costing hundreds of billions...

 

That manoeuvring for power by these groups (let's call them the 'Amart" if only as a convenient shorthand) is the "theatre" to which you enigmatically  and frequently refer, is it not?

 

There is another factor in the equation which is emerging. SB talks of the man in the street 'Somchai" taking back control. The society which allowed the  'Amart" control and which was happy (prepared) to live under it's yoke is changing. Perhaps I can offer an explanation.

 

This society was kept compliant by a combination of a tradition of respect for a social higherarchy and a highly codified class system. It was reinforced by an educational system which discouraged, in fact prevented,  any critical or original thought. Media was tightly controlled as was communication. Modern media's cannot be so controlled. I know China manages it - to a certain extent - but they got in at the start. Thailand's "Amart' have woken up too late. Thailand has a population, who if not well educated, are increasingly well informed. Informed about the harm done by corruption, informed about what the populist movement which they embraced (and elected) had the potential to do. This scares the "Amart'", but they cannot reverse it, only try and mitigate it's effects.

 

All societies experience events which fundamentally change them. England had it's Agrarian and Industrial revolution, France had it's revolution, as did America. Australia discovered refrigeration to keep it's beer cold. Some were messier than others. I think Thailand is on the verge of such a change  driven by modern communication. We laugh at Facebook, and people posting pictures of their lunch, but modern "social" media is a hugely powerful phenomenon.

To dismiss the current situation as mere time honoured traditional theatre is to ignore that. Not so much an elephant in the room as a woolly mammoth plonking itself in front of the air conditioner!

 

I know it is a bit of an epistle, but treat it as such - the opinions of an apostle rather than gospel pronouncements of the almighty?

 

Back to reality - a quick coffee and reading comprehension with Primary 4 and the adventures of "Nelly the Nurse"!

 

 

 

Interesting (and sort of humorous) how the bold, intrepid, ‘punch you in the face’ General knee-jerks and flails his arms whenever the deposed PM decides to speak.

 

It would really be funny if Mr. T used the F***book forum to publicly challenge the General to a live, on line Skype debate some Friday night.

 

That would be priceless.

 

Edited September 19, 20187 yr by Hayduke

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin said he grieved about what had happened to his beloved country,

Oh Yeah!

Grieving about not being able to fleece it more like.

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I have watched the events in Thailand for the last four years with great sadness; I hope and pray that the Thai people can somehow take their country back from those who abuse it strictly for their own benefit.

The Thai people can not take their country back, as they have never, ever, had possession of it.  They need to take control of it for the first time, which necessitates removing all the abusers from politics, including the present day military, the "old" military (Chavalit, Pallop et al), the Bangkok "elite", the up country strong men and families, and the agenda holding rabble rousers of all shirt colours.  Sadly, every time a new face emerges, it is either swallowed up by one or other of the sides, litigated into submission, or made to disappear.  The last thing any of the current players wants is for a genuine grass roots figure to emerge and remove them from the trough while investigating past wrongs, though I fear it will be a while before the country is mature enough for that to happen.

18 minutes ago, JAG said:

I think "Samuih Bodoh" recognises exactly what is going on. The small, immensely wealthy group who effectively own this country are manoeuvring to consolidate their grip on power, which prior to this coup and establishment of the junta, was looking rather threatened. Threatened by the emergence and electoral success of a populist movement, with Thaksin at it's head. The junta and it's front man are the means by which that grip is maintained. The power of these people flows from their wealth, which in turn comes from their ability to manipulate, exploit and control the resources and commercial activities of the nation. They are maintained in that position by  the military and other agencies of the government, which they allow to indulge in the eye watering levels of corruption which so damage and impoverish it's people's lives - we read elsewhere today of corruption costing hundreds of billions...

 

That manoeuvring for power by these groups (let's call them the 'Amart" if only as a convenient shorthand) is the "theatre" to which you enigmatically  and frequently refer, is it not?

 

There is another factor in the equation which is emerging. SB talks of the man in the street 'Somchai" taking back control. The society which allowed the  'Amart" control and which was happy (prepared) to live under it's yoke is changing. Perhaps I can offer an explanation.

 

This society was kept compliant by a combination of a tradition of respect for a social higherarchy and a highly codified class system. It was reinforced by an educational system which discouraged, in fact prevented,  any critical or original thought. Media was tightly controlled as was communication. Modern media's cannot be so controlled. I know China manages it - to a certain extent - but they got in at the start. Thailand's "Amart' have woken up too late. Thailand has a population, who if not well educated, are increasingly well informed. Informed about the harm done by corruption, informed about what the populist movement which they embraced (and elected) had the potential to do. This scares the "Amart'", but they cannot reverse it, only try and mitigate it's effects.

 

All societies experience events which fundamentally change them. England had it's Agrarian and Industrial revolution, France had it's revolution, as did America. Australia discovered refrigeration to keep it's beer cold. Some were messier than others. I think Thailand is on the verge of such a change  driven by modern communication. We laugh at Facebook, and people posting pictures of their lunch, but modern "social" media is a hugely powerful phenomenon.

To dismiss the current situation as mere time honoured traditional theatre is to ignore that. Not so much an elephant in the room as a woolly mammoth plonking itself in front of the air conditioner!

 

I know it is a bit of an epistle, but treat it as such - the opinions of an apostle rather than gospel pronouncements of the almighty?

 

Back to reality - a quick coffee and reading comprehension with Primary 4 and the adventures of "Nelly the Nurse"!

 

 

Well written sir.  With regard to the advance in communication in Thailand, let's not forget that it was Thaksin with his AIS 1-2-Call who was one of the pioneers in establishing mobile telephone services in Thailand. 

Edited September 19, 20187 yr by PREM-R

3 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Fair statement. 

Yet, the true and historic instigations, as such applies to issues/problems are never examined or discussed - restricted in manner that is commonplace accepted. 

 

....and Thaksin is just a small insignificant fragment of the larger picture, most of which many refuse to recognize. 

 

Resolution can only take place if realities grab hold.

Straight forward black and white does not work within the make-up of Thai culture and her general character.

The mysterious grey areas are most dominate.

I have no idea what this gobbledy dook means.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The premier brought up the issue while he was meeting locals yesterday before holding a mobile Cabinet meeting in Phetchabun province.

So the electioneering caravan rolls on and the money keeps pouring out to those in the provinces and villages who can influence the voting. The PM still resists declaring his political ambitions knowing that when he does this blatant electioneering along with the free money must stop and he will be required to abide by the same laws he has imposed on all other hopeful politicians. 

It is very easy for Thaksin and anyone else to point the finger at the PM's lack of achievement in the 4+ years he has been in power. He certainly hasn't united the country.

It is easy to grandstand and sprout dreams but much more difficult to realise those dreams through hard work, determination and making tough decisions. 

As many Thai saying .

 

thaksin was corrupt but let us live also .

 

curent junta just as corrupt and gives nothing for us.

 

even those who did not support thaksin , now wishing for his return 

“If this happens, we’ll return to the same old problems coup,”

 

fixed it

5 hours ago, webfact said:

With the national election currently slated for February, Prayut said this was the time to move towards democracy.

Should one laugh, or should one cry?  ?

18 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

“If this happens, we’ll return to the same old problems coup,”

 

fixed it

You do see things simple and clear mate. After 86 years, the only constant that has malaised Thailand has been the regular coups and military governments. While other countries that have regular coups like South Korea, Indonesia and Philippines have nullified the power of the military to serve the country and not themselves, Thailand has remained politically unstable and couldn’t reach her potential. I do hope that this coup be the last but we know it is just wishful thinking. 

Of course the old issues will resurface as you have made zero attempts at resolving them. This should have been known at the outset as the military are not a neutral party, and in fact are and have been closely involved in all political issues over 80 years or so. All they have done is tilted the leaver back in a way which benefits them and their interests and alienates others. How would one suspect this to eradicate or ease ongoing issues?