Covid plus lack of democracy ‘spells disaster’ for Thailand

[Parsve]

A wise and brave man. I hope he is still free and alive one month from now, but I have my doubts.

[Purdey]

There are always those who speak and those who do. 

[joecoolfrog]

13 hours ago, Pilotman said:

If you want an example of democratic power gone off the rails, just look at the UK.  That place is a mad house of over bearing Police, incompetent Central Bankers, Civil Servants  and politicians, with too much time on their hands, not a clue what is going on and with too much power to abuse.  In comparison, Thailand is a beacon of stability and common sense. I am just glad I was here in LOS during this social media driven, monumentally economically damaging fiasco

I will put this nonsense down to a surfeit of sun and an ill fitting set of blinkers.

[bangrak]

3 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

imo covid exposed a lot more wrong in supposedly progressive 1st world countries, especially those that tax it's citizens to the extreme for societal benefit yet provide a substandard return for the funds..

You're British, aren't you?

[bangrak]

2 hours ago, Oxx said:

 

It may be a tired argument, but it's also true.  Do you honestly believe that, to pick a few, Afghanistan, Burma, Brunei, Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Somaliland, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe are better off now than they were under British guidance? To more or less an extent they are now all basketcases.

 

 

I was afraid of what you were going to conclude, but in the end there are a couple in your list which are not muslim countries... LOL!

[Artisi]

14 hours ago, smedly said:

great piece and hits the nail right bang center on the head 

It could have been outlined with 1 phrase "basket-case". 

[bangrak]

3 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

imo covid exposed a lot more wrong in supposedly progressive 1st world countries, especially those that tax it's citizens to the extreme for societal benefit yet provide a substandard return for the funds..

Wow, wow, don't forget these countries you criticize generally provide top-level advantages to migrants-pretending-to-be-refugees, the silent majority of over-taxed citizens are sick and tired of, and don't want anything more than getting rid of those leeches, covered by so-called bona fide "non profit" organisations, manipulating the sweet lemmings to fill their own pockets while gaining power. Disgusting, And that is one of the most important elements in the general "drift" towards populism and extreme right in reaction, which those NGOs use in turn to push their communist-ic theories discretely forward...

[spidermike007]

The 2014 coup-makers led by then-Army chief Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed to implement changes that would halt corruption and heal the political divide.

 

And nothing of the sort has ever happened. They talk about needing people who are competent, knowledgeable and honest in charge. Yet, the nation is beset with the exact opposite of that. Stunning levels of corruption continue, and it appears that not only did the army never make an attempt to address that, but as with many previous administrations, they have gone out of their way to protect the elite, the rich and the powerful, along with the corrupt police, customs, immigration and the army. All remain completely above the law. Who was the last army general charged with anything? How about the police? 

 

Healing the political divide? Yet, the competing parties cannot even hold rallies? And when they get too popular they are dissolved. Who are they kidding? Is anyone buying any of this contrived nonsense? Granted, at least it is being discussed. But, as long as this incredibly toxic army remains in power, the nation will continue to move backwards, the masses will continue their descent into poverty and the nation will remain something very far from a democracy. 

[mickyr55]

14 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Since 1932 Thailand has had 25 generals election, 20 constitutions, 19 coups d’etat,  

the last one in 2014. Maths speaks for itself...

Seems to be proof that they are incapable of running a democratic or any other sort of society. 

[Miami007]

15 hours ago, Pilotman said:

If you want an example of democratic power gone off the rails, just look at the UK.  That place is a mad house of over bearing Police, incompetent Central Bankers, Civil Servants  and politicians, with too much time on their hands, not a clue what is going on and with too much power to abuse.  In comparison, Thailand is a beacon of stability and common sense. I am just glad I was here in LOS during this social media driven, monumentally economically damaging fiasco

The economy in Thailand wasn't damaged? Restrictions were put in place here and there.. 

[Miami007]

3 hours ago, Oxx said:

 

It may be a tired argument, but it's also true.  Do you honestly believe that, to pick a few, Afghanistan, Burma, Brunei, Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Somaliland, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe are better off now than they were under British guidance? To more or less an extent they are now all basketcases.

 

 

Have you been to Qatar? One of the highest incomes per capita in the world due to natural gas.

Yes, there is abuse of foreign workers, no question about it. But Qataris have a good life.

Far from a basket case

[Mr Meeseeks]

8 hours ago, Ketyo said:

This professor is right.

 

The strong democracies that govern by consent (like in Europe and USA) have systems that are so stable that they can tolerate high numbers of cases and unfortunately deaths and keep the economies going.. even at a lower lever... and will come out in a position to recover.

 

The governments who do NOT govern by consent. The authoritarian ones without proper democracies. Who govern because the leaders keep their boots on the throats of the citizens. And keep their people down. Like China and Thailand, cannot afford many deaths. Or their people would riot. They are so scared because they do not govern with the consent of their people.

 

The Chinese spokesman last week mocked the USA and said that if China had 90,000 deaths the Chinese would riot and kick the government out, demanding a change to the entire system of government there. He was right.

 

And that shows the strength of the American and democratic systems and the weaknesses of the Chinese and authoritarian systems where the governments have stolen power from their citizens.

 

In the end the democracies will come through this with immunity in the population and economies that can be rebuilt quickly. The authoritarian scared regimes who have closed their countries will suffer from fear of opening up their countries, zero immunity in the population and ruined economies that take generations to come back..  long after the control freaks, the generals and communists have been kicked out.

Brilliant post.

[Miami007]

8 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

You are calling the Scandinavian countries inefficient? The citizens are clearly willing to pay high taxes to ensure a social safety net and to stop wealth inequality getting out of hand.

 

Witness the difference where US citizens that have lost their jobs are eventually going to run out of money, even though the government has spent more than  three trillion dollars (how very socialist of them) on them.

The Scandinavians in contrast don't have that fear, nor do they fear the cost of health emergencies that can wipe-out a life-times worth of savings.

Very true..nobody really k ows where the $3 trillion went (30% of annual GDP in one month)..

In Europe people have more security,  in the USA it is a constant struggle for the unemployed- which is leading to the efforts to open the economy as people simply can't afford it anymore.  

If closures continue,  there will be social unrest and there are way too many guns in circulation in the country for that to end well. 

[EricTh]

Is there true democracy in this world with gerry-mandering, military coup, political silencing etc?

 

 

Edited May 23, 2020 by EricTh

[SupermarineS6B]

Oooh the irony..... You could almost say that the new owners of the country have saved this lots backsides by giving them the gift of the virus to enable them to stave off the inevitable civil war that's been on the books for a long time.... How can a country grow and mature under democracy if everytime there's a "democratically" elected government in power they're overthrown by the military for obvious self interests and has been so since 1933, when not only did they take over government they also took power.... (Can't say too much on that subject or the TVF Gestapo will ban me again)  (Only joking)  Thailand and it's people need to go through the growing pains of becoming a civilized country under the leadership of a democratically elected government as most western countries had to and not the shams that are peddled out by the boys with the shiny buttons...... Nearly six years of bad management and three months of virus...... Guess who gets the blame ?   Only a fool can't see what's coming here........Soon......

[SupermarineS6B]

  Anyone that doesn't understand the beneficial influence that Britain had on the world really doesn't know history........ Luckily they were instrumental in stopping Thailand being colonized....... and thankfully stopping us all from barking at each other in German or kissing blokes like the French...... The largest and longest enduring Empire the world had ever seen, run by less people than the staff of Big C........  

Edited May 23, 2020 by SupermarineS6B

[SupermarineS6B]

5 hours ago, Oxx said:

 

It may be a tired argument, but it's also true.  Do you honestly believe that, to pick a few, Afghanistan, Burma, Brunei, Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Somaliland, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe are better off now than they were under British guidance? To more or less an extent they are now all basketcases.

 

 

Dead right, just to pick one from the list, Burma alone could buy and sell Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore just on the oil wells drilled by the British in the thirties......   Unfortunately they're suffering under Thailands affliction as well........ Shiny button Syndrome.....  

[KarenBravo]

2 hours ago, SupermarineS6B said:

  Anyone that doesn't understand the beneficial influence that Britain had on the world really doesn't know history........ Luckily they were instrumental in stopping Thailand being colonized....... and thankfully stopping us all from barking at each other in German or kissing blokes like the French...... The largest and longest enduring Empire the world had ever seen, run by less people than the staff of Big C........  

Longest enduring? I don't think so.

The Roman empire endured for far, far longer. As did the Ottoman empire.

[daveAustin]

He looks more honourable in his army fatigues.

[smudger1951]

16 hours ago, Pilotman said:

maybe you should compare what has happened and is happening in the UK to what is happening here, then you can take yours. I know where I would rather be; here. 

I'm back here in the UK and very happy with that. Thailand is for thai people, maybe you forgot that. Political change is still by the ballot box here.

[Derek B]

22 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

For democracy to work properly, it needs an educated and informed electorate.

Uneducated people are easily manipulated by populist politicians.

Whether Thailand is ready for a democracy that functions as intended, I'll leave up to you.

Very good point on education.............today I plan to ask gf & a few giks if the earth is flat or round.

I have been watching a few Distance Learning sessions and have seen how willing Gran Ma is to directly assist her charge with the tasks and how easy she was able to maintain the focus & discipline required during home schooling.

 

Thailand is not ready for a democracy and fortunate to have had an ex military man at the helm to make things happen against all the odds. 

[Derek B]

2 hours ago, smudger1951 said:

I'm back here in the UK and very happy with that. Thailand is for thai people, maybe you forgot that. Political change is still by the ballot box here.

What political change are you referring to? There is no change just different characters singing the same old songs. Anyway in two generations the UK will have a different song though when the UK becomes the first European country to have elected democratically a majority Muslim party. God Save the King.

 

I agree Thailand is for the Thai people no matter their ethnic origins. However that logic does not appear to be working out in the UK.

[Derek B]

4 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

Longest enduring? I don't think so.

The Roman empire endured for far, far longer. As did the Ottoman empire.

But their staff were much larger than that of BigC not to mention the loss of innocent life & liberty.

[Derek B]

6 hours ago, SupermarineS6B said:

Guess who gets the blame ?   Only a fool can't see what's coming here........Soon......

I guess I'm a fool then.   The only thing I can think of worst case is permanently closed borders except for members of the CCP meaning the Domino effect has still to be completed.

[Derek B]

6 hours ago, EricTh said:

Is there true democracy in this world with gerry-mandering, military coup, political silencing etc?

 

 

No there is not.

For an effective democracy you still need a well thought out constitution to hold the elected accountable to and which cannot be exploited.

For a "true" democracy you would need voters with equal status in all respects - even then voters would subvert the democratic process by forming alliances to advance their mutual benefits & at the same time justify their lobbying fees.

 

I guess we could all not vote - join the grey economy - stop using smart phones and the internet - and get real friendly with a Doctor and a gun smith.

[RedPill]

What is happening? All the stuff we are not allowed to talk about in one article. And usually when you say something it's the guys jumping on someone, if you don't like Thailand, then there is the door. 

 

Finally, a official news article about it sticking up for the people!

[RedPill]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

COVID has shown 'lack of democracy' in almost every country.

Why pick on Thailand?

Why pick on Thailand? Finally someone speaks up and now why pick on Thailand?

 

Maybe because it's about time someone says it out loud ... and because it's a Thai forum with news about Thailand

 

[metisdead]

A post using a disallowed trolling reference to the PM has been removed. 

[Pilotman]

19 hours ago, Mung said:

And so an army general that clearly did not win enough seats, being in power still is a democracy? What about the people of the UK being allowed to voice their opinion about any political or royal figure, without the threat of punishment; democracy? I would like to see you head outside and voice your opinions on the street of Thailand, and see how that goes for you 

Talking and criticism is not democracy, its exercising free speech, different thing altogether.  Thailand has that, within very wide boundaries, just see local social media.   Why would I, a guest in this country, go out on the streets to protest over something? That would be both impolite to my hosts and stupid. I am neither. 

[Pilotman]

5 hours ago, smudger1951 said:

I'm back here in the UK and very happy with that. Thailand is for thai people, maybe you forgot that. Political change is still by the ballot box here.

of course Thailand is for the Thais, why should I have forgotten that obvious fact, but I am happy to be a temporary guest here during this present madness.