5 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.

 

 

 

Yeah, implementing 'democracy at the end of a gun' is easy and this country has a propensity for exactly that; implementing Democracy (with a big 'D) requires the citizenry to demand the return of their government from those who hold sway by either force or by wealth - the latter being true for even our First World countries.  Populism scares the hell out of the status quo - but populism - or the arise of an

informed population^*** -  is exactly what needs to rise up, shed the yolk, and grab the reins of power - everywhere.

 

^***I agree with a previous poster that social media has the implicit power to bring about a highly informed population, and hence the dangers of censorship in social media circles. The status quo does not want the boat rocked.  E.g., China working with social media giants to implement country-wide censorship on social media platforms.  Big power does not like an informed populace as the informed population is an uppity population that brings about "probably disorder". 

 

Edited September 19, 20187 yr by connda

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

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...

We will see.. IMHO the main problem is corruption, its too profitable to be in government to NOT fight over.

 

Your right about YL trying to whitewash the crimes of her brother and of course the rice program that according to her had no corruption. After investigations on her side (either demonstrating her stupidity or worse corruption) saying there was no corruption the courts later condemned some of the highest PTP MP's for fake G2G deals for 30+ billion in damages. These G2G deals were already discussed and mentioned to YL by the democrats. So was it stupidity or corruption on her side.. don't forget traders connected to her brother were involved.. 

 

This just shows how much money can be stolen when in power, everyone of these politicians and junta generals want money so they all fight for a place to steal money. As long as no real effort is made to really punish corrupt people (though I really applaud the court for the heavy sentence to the PTP MP's involved in the fake G2G deals it was an exception to the rule). If they started handing out punishment like that regularly things might change... too bad its too one sided and too bad its too rare.

 

Take most of the money out of politics and people won't fight to get in power. Thaksin only wants to be in power for the money and of course to get charges dropped, others are the same (on all sides). I doubt ANY of them junta, PTP, democrats would really make rules that would help against corruption because it would mean they cut of their own chances to steal.

 

The only thing that will work is a new party that is not corrupt.. all the old parties have shown to be corrupt. So Prayut is right.. it will be back to the old ways.. BUT he is responsible for it too by not making more laws and making sure they were equally enforced.

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

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.

Unfettered majoritarianism and the attacks on the checks and balances is a great danger to all democracies. If the separation of powers don't work, there is always the election. Voters dismantle checks and balances and limit abuses of power. Military intervention destroyed checks and balances and hold the people at ransom. Why you think military intervention is the solution? 

2 hours ago, PREM-R said:

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. 

Yes, and look what that's lead to, as you glance round the noodle cafe and see people, not enjoying banter with their company, but their eyes glued to their phones and their noodles running down their chins. The biggest crime against humanity since Prayuth was conceived, if you ask me.

49 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

So that's what the Musk mini-sub looks like, inside . . . nice!

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

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...

Thais do not need to vote for "corrupt leaders and corrupt governments" as they can simply stay with the current lot.

Toppled PM blames Thai junta for making country worse Business Standard Another coup in 2014 toppled a civilian government headed by Thaksin's younger sister Yingluck, who fled the country. Military leaders have argued    https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/toppled-pm-blames-thai-junta-for-making-country-worse-118091801074_1.html

11 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.”

Well, forget Democracy then if he gets in-it dilutes his power 

Nonetheless, they'll be back....in one regard or another.

 

Looking forward to a newer version of Thai Lakorn Politic.

 

?

9 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

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.

Unfettered majoritarianism and the attacks on the checks and balances is a great danger to all democracies. If the separation of powers don't work, there is always the election. Voters dismantle checks and balances and limit abuses of power. Military intervention destroyed checks and balances and hold the people at ransom. Why you think military intervention is the solution? 

Good point. I don't see any good solution.

A good solution would be if voters would be educated and well informed and if they would vote rationally after they looked and the details. But that is more like a dream then a solution...

We can talk pie-in-the-sky and assorted theories until blue in the face.

 

The fact remains: Nothing will change in a progressive positive manner unless the traditional old guard, and their deep associations, are thoroughly cleansed from the Thai landscape. 

 

Contemporary historic behaviour will explain most everything - if one is paying attention. 

 

Anything less is quite moot, even academic.

https://asianews.network/2018/09/21/a-land-with-no-smiles/

 

Opinion, Politics

A land with no smiles

The Thai middle class’ Faustian bargain with the military is hampering true democracy in the country.

---

Written by Cod Satrusayang

Updated: September 21, 2018

Edited September 23, 20187 yr by anchadian

On 9/19/2018 at 2:39 AM, Cadbury said:

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. 

Well the thought of hard work , as you put, will be a no no for Thai politics

On 9/19/2018 at 2:03 AM, 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"!

 

 

So one can only be hopeful that Thais posting on Facebook, pictures of their food, will activate a generational and political change can we ?  It used to be said that Armies march on their stomachs.   Perhaps now it should say armies march according to the number of Facebook likes ?

On 9/19/2018 at 9:02 PM, zzaa09 said:

We can talk pie-in-the-sky and assorted theories until blue in the face.

 

The fact remains: Nothing will change in a progressive positive manner unless the traditional old guard, and their deep associations, are thoroughly cleansed from the Thai landscape. 

 

Contemporary historic behaviour will explain most everything - if one is paying attention. 

 

Anything less is quite moot, even academic.

What a good post. Sorry I missed it earlier.