Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan warns that those in power who support coups still exist

[webfact]

A statement by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan who has been in the cabinet since 2014 during the junta government until 2019 and thereafter, the democratically elected government, addressed the subject of military coups in Thailand and appeared to warn of the need for reconciliation between democratic forces and those in the ‘power structure’ who would always be prone to ferment a coup against what they consider to be less than capable elected officials. On Friday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha said he saw nothing wrong with his colleague’s observations.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

The highlighting of the ideological divisions in Thai society by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday and a statement which appeared to suggest the existence of an ongoing threat from elements in the ‘power structure’ has opened up the issue to debate. Academics have long argued that Thailand is trapped in a ‘vicious cycle’ of coups which have stunted its economic and political development since 1932 but more especially since the 11th coup in 2006 and the 12th in 2014.

 

Somehow, the prospect of another coup raised itself on the political agenda this week as the Pheu Thai Party looks, at this stage, to be on course to an election victory in May 7th’s General Election. An extraordinary statement, on Wednesday, from the ruling Palang Pracharat Party leader Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan appeared to address the mounting concern that a third democratic government elected in Thailand led by the Shinawatra family, may lead to a third coup similar to those staged by the military in 2006 and 2014.

 

In his message, General Prawit, while offering himself as a mediator for national reconciliation also seemed to suggest that there were forces in the country calling for such a move. ‘I have become aware that those who support coups never cease to exist in the power structure,’ General Prawit said in a social media message.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/03/12/deputy-prime-minister-prawit-wongsuan-warns-coup-supporters-in-power/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-03-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[OneMoreFarang]

There is an easy solution: Don't vote again for the criminal fugitive!

The last two coups happened because of him. And if he will be back in power, doing the same as before, then nobody should be surprised if the result will be the same as before.

[ukrules]

One coup leader or another - what's the difference?

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

There is an easy solution: Don't vote again for the criminal fugitive!

The last two coups happened because of him. And if he will be back in power, doing the same as before, then nobody should be surprised if the result will be the same as before.

The way to prevent coups is to vote the way the military wants you to vote?  Is that really democracy?

[2baht]

Greed rules! 

[poyai111]

Self awareness 101

[ikke1959]

I really hope that the people don't accept a new coup anymore....

[rwill]

Does he include himself in that statement?

[pomchop]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

There is an easy solution: Don't vote again for the criminal fugitive!

The last two coups happened because of him. And if he will be back in power, doing the same as before, then nobody should be surprised if the result will be the same as before.

Or another solution would be to honor the voters choice instead of a bunch of cowardly thugs seizing control with tanks in the middle of the night like a banana republic and deciding that they alone know best for all thai voters.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, heybruce said:

The way to prevent coups is to vote the way the military wants you to vote?  Is that really democracy?

Just don't vote for criminals and their family who do what is good for them and their families but not what is good for the country.

Remember, Yingluck was accepted until she concentrated on getting her criminal big brother back to Thailand.

I am sure if Thaksin's daughter will do the same the result will be the same.

 

Thailand needs honest politicians who work for all Thais and Thailand. Voting for the same known corrupt politicians or their lackeys and then expecting things will get better is just stupid. 

 

[mikebell]

I never credited Prawit with a fine sense of irony; till now.

[OneMoreFarang]

58 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I really hope that the people don't accept a new coup anymore....

They did accept it and will accept it if that is the smaller evil.

I was in Bangkok when the soldiers were on the streets after the coups and lots of people gave them flowers and soft drinks. People were happy that Thaksin was removed - at least temporary. 

 

[zzaa09]

Coups need to be approved as such.

Keep this in mind. 

[OneMoreFarang]

7 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Or another solution would be to honor the voters choice instead of a bunch of cowardly thugs seizing control with tanks in the middle of the night like a banana republic and deciding that they alone know best for all thai voters.

Or another solution would be when politicians would honor the laws. And if they don't do that then judges should remove them.

Remember that "honest mistake"? Judges should have removed Thaksin there and then.

[sammieuk1]

Depends on the election result to find out just how many foxes are in the henhouse it could lead to history being made for coup-ing yourself ????

[heybruce]

35 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Just don't vote for criminals and their family who do what is good for them and their families but not what is good for the country.

Remember, Yingluck was accepted until she concentrated on getting her criminal big brother back to Thailand.

I am sure if Thaksin's daughter will do the same the result will be the same.

 

Thailand needs honest politicians who work for all Thais and Thailand. Voting for the same known corrupt politicians or their lackeys and then expecting things will get better is just stupid. 

 

The military will attempt a coup against any party that threatens its power and privilege.  Do you think voting for the Move Forward party would provide some kind of guarantee against a coup?  From another topic:

 

"“We need to take concrete steps to see to it that the military will be practically kept from undermining democratic rule by way of a coup,” said Thanathorn, leader of the court-dissolved Future Forward which has been practically resurrected as the Move Forward. "  https://aseannow.com/topic/1288979-thanathorn-insists-military-be-kept-out-of-politics-for-good/

 

Also, people voted for Shinawatra dominated parties because they looked after all of Thailand, not just the Bangkok elite.  If you were in Thailand in 2000 you know that Bangkok was building first world infrastructure while the north and northeast of the country were living in third world conditions.  Thaksin was enormously popular because he built roads, schools and clinics that served the neglected majority in Thailand.

 

Honest politicians would be nice, but there seems to be a severe shortage of them.  The fact that Thaksin was corrupt was not a factor in past elections because there were no non-corrupt candidates.  At least with democracy the Thai people can choose to kick out corrupt leaders.  That isn't an option under military rule.

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

They did accept it and will accept it if that is the smaller evil.

I was in Bangkok when the soldiers were on the streets after the coups and lots of people gave them flowers and soft drinks. People were happy that Thaksin was removed - at least temporary. 

 

People in Bangkok celebrated the fact that the coup would preserve Bangkok as the center of economic and political power in Thailand and protect the established, ossified elites.  Is that surprising?

[heybruce]

38 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Or another solution would be when politicians would honor the laws. And if they don't do that then judges should remove them.

Remember that "honest mistake"? Judges should have removed Thaksin there and then.

Do coup leaders honor the laws?

[zzaa09]

16 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Do coup leaders honor the laws?

They sure do....the laws that they manipulate, coerce and change for their favour.

[OneMoreFarang]

10 minutes ago, heybruce said:

If you were in Thailand in 2000 you know that Bangkok was building first world infrastructure while the north and northeast of the country were living in third world conditions.  Thaksin was enormously popular because he built roads, schools and clinics that served the neglected majority in Thailand.

Thanks for your post.

I live in Bangkok since years before 2000. And I know that Thaksin did some good things. And he could have possibly been PM for the last 20 years if he would have concentrated on those good things. 

When he looked for voters before he became PM, he told people that he is already rich and don't need more money. And soon after he was elected it came out that he was hiding wealth in the name of his maids, gardeners, and others. That's what he called an honest mistake. It wasn't honest and it wasn't a "mistake". It was deliberately hiding money and controlling assets which he pretended he didn't control. And that continued as long as he and his minions were PM. He enriched himself and his family and supporters. And when he was found out and prosecuted, he fled the country. 

He was and is greedy and he thought and thinks he is above the law. Thailand does not need a PM like that.

[OneMoreFarang]

19 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Do coup leaders honor the laws?

Throughout history there are many examples of people breaking the laws for good reasons.

Was it good that the military staged the last coups in Thailand (I only remember the last two)? No, not really. Was it better that the alternative? I think so. 

[pomchop]

57 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Or another solution would be when politicians would honor the laws. And if they don't do that then judges should remove them.

Remember that "honest mistake"? Judges should have removed Thaksin there and then.

you mean honor the laws that makes overthrowing a duly elected government illegal and then clinging to power through corruption and having the judiciary do their bidding?     Got it.

[pomchop]

Just now, OneMoreFarang said:

Throughout history there are many examples of people breaking the laws for good reasons.

Was it good that the military staged the last coups in Thailand (I only remember the last two)? No, not really. Was it better that the alternative? I think so. 

But the Thai voters don't care what you think.  It is their country and their elections and if any Thai people want to challenge the leader then they have a judiciary to try and remove them....it is not done by rolling tanks into the streets...unless of course you prefer military dictators who want to line their pockets and overthrow election results that they don't like.

[herfiehandbag]

3 hours ago, heybruce said:

The way to prevent coups is to vote the way the military wants you to vote?  Is that really democracy?

Well he has held to that view for the last ten years.

 

Nothing if not consistent.

 

Once a coup enthusiast, always a coup enthusiast!

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

They did accept it and will accept it if that is the smaller evil.

I was in Bangkok when the soldiers were on the streets after the coups and lots of people gave them flowers and soft drinks. People were happy that Thaksin was removed - at least temporary. 

 

Look beyond the naive display.

The coup was accompanied by a curfew.

 

Yet the "right people" were able to source large quantities of identical flowers - which could only have come by arrangement with the overnight wholesale flower markets.

 

Similarly, they just happened to have large ice boxes of cooled soft drinks on hand, as one does, just in case!

 

And handy passing film crews from the "appropriate" TV stations!

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

13 minutes ago, pomchop said:

But the Thai voters don't care what you think.  It is their country and their elections and if any Thai people want to challenge the leader then they have a judiciary to try and remove them....it is not done by rolling tanks into the streets...unless of course you prefer military dictators who want to line their pockets and overthrow election results that they don't like.

Yes, the Thai voters don't care about what I think. I accept that. 

And the Thai voters also don't care about what you think.

And millions of Thai people supported the coups and the tanks against the criminal Thaksin and his family - even if you don't like it. 

 

Personally I think it would be best if Thais would vote for honest and competent politicians. But somehow many Thais, especially those up country, prefer to vote for corrupt criminals. 

[herfiehandbag]

26 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

He was and is greedy and he thought and thinks he is above the law. Thailand does not need a PM like that.

They have had just that for the last ten years.

[Andycoops]

Now tell us something we didn't already know.

[Enoon]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

There is an easy solution: Don't vote again for the criminal fugitive!

The last two coups happened because of him. And if he will be back in power, doing the same as before, then nobody should be surprised if the result will be the same as before.

Coups had **** all to do with the "morality" of the Shins.

 

They were too ****** popular.

 

Anyone who's challenges the "Ancien Regime" is in the firing line.

 

Did you not get the memo?

 

 

 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Enoon

[Enoon]

18 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, the Thai voters don't care about what I think. I accept that. 

And the Thai voters also don't care about what you think.

And millions of Thai people supported the coups and the tanks against the criminal Thaksin and his family - even if you don't like it. 

 

Personally I think it would be best if Thais would vote for honest and competent politicians. But somehow many Thais, especially those up country, prefer to vote for corrupt criminals. 

You think the Senate/PPP coalition are not corrupt criminals?

 

What ******* planet are you on you deluded ****!?

 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Enoon

[Enoon]

.

 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Enoon