Well. the only two possible groups I can think of, are Muslim "militants" and us foreigners (which would be a big stretch).

You know, evil likes to live in the dark. If you think you know something, share it widely. Shine a light. Maybe if what you think you know, were known by all it would pre-empt a tragedy.

Here's finally an article on Buddhist vigilante groups i have waited for several months to appear. This shows only the tip of the iceberg of what is lurking in the dark:

KOLOMUDO VILLAGE, Thailand -- The black-uniformed raiders roared into this Thai Muslim village, firing assault rifles and hurling grenades from a pickup truck at a group of teenagers relaxing near the mosque. When the attack was over, five of the youths lay dead.

As they have done in the past, authorities initially said the killers were Muslim insurgents terrorizing their own people in their separatist war against the Buddhist-dominated central government.

But then the official line on the village raid changed, with senior military commanders shifting suspicion to Buddhist vigilantes and heightening fears that the four-year-old conflict in Thailand's southern Muslim provinces is entering an ominous new phase.

continued there:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/200...057/0/RSS_WORLD

Interesting article, thanks. Perhaps one of our helpful moderators could post it in the News Forum, where it belongs, for everyone to read.

and SJ, we are still somewhat on topic...as the thread is also about political discussion. can farangs be a political force?

The subject of Buddhist vigilantes have nothing to do with the OP.... unless someone is suggesting that farang are conducting these operations... nor are armed forces budgetary decisions, unless someone is suggesting that farang are involved in these allocations..... but that's ok, mai pen rai...

I'll drop my email notifications of new posts to this thread...

The subject of Buddhist vigilantes have nothing to do with the OP.... unless someone is suggesting that farang are conducting these operations... nor are armed forces budgetary decisions, unless someone is suggesting that farang are involved in these allocations..... but that's ok, mai pen rai...

I'll drop my email notifications of new posts to this thread...

Where is the outrage, where the vitriolic posts?

There is suddenly evidence now even accessible by the public that there are death squads going around again in Thailand, and all that is commented upon is that this has nothing to do with the OP?

Wow - i am surprised - i though after this article we are all now going to make peace, have showers together, and collectively condemn the extra-judicial executions, and ask for the head of the head of government who is naturally responsible. I am getting confused...who is that now?

Thaksin? Nah, long gone.

Suchinda? Nops, he's out making pro military government speeches, but not him this time.

Thanin? Nahh, he's too comfortable in his privileged seat.

Surajud? Yeah, right, he's PM, not elected though, but there's also...

...Gen. Sonthi? Hmm, he got Gen. Panlop Pinmanee of death squad fame in as special PR adviser to the ISOC...

Prem? No way - we can't touch that one!

Samak? Not yet - he's maybe gonna have his chance after the next elections.

God, i am getting confused - who are we going to pin this one on now?

But yes, how convenient - it's "off topic".

lol

SJ...its not just about farangs you know. its also about thai politics discussion. but it seems you never like to read anyone with views different to yours. so yeh as you say...certainly mai pen rai..go ahead and drop the thread.

###### I missed the news for the past week or so..anyone care to update me whats been going on in thailand this past week?

But how would you make a sovereign country who isn't putting their hands out for any special assistance be a party to something that they consider is not in the best interest of their country?

Like USA not signing Kyoto protocol on gas emitions?

Well, it could not be done with coercion obviously - only positive peer pressure. You cannot force democracy and transparency upon people unless you plan to keep sticking the gun in their face forever.

But just as in the case with the US and the Kyoto protocol, refusing to participate in positive development almost everybody else is contributing to, will make you lose face internationally, even if you are important enough to the world economy to feel you don't need to care.

Free to watch, but no official status

By Mongkol Bangprapa

The Election Commission resolved unanimously not to sign a memorandum of understanding with the European Union on allowing monitors at the December general election, and declared the issue closed.

"We don't need another round of negotiations with the EU as we guarantee that we can organise a free and fair general election," said EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond

"We're not afraid of being monitored. We're glad to welcome the observation by representatives of all countries, including the EU, but the observation must be under Thai law."

"We're confident that our elections meet international standards."

The EU had asked for official status to set up the European Observers Mission (EOM) to monitor the polls.

Mr Apichart said the EC decided not to go through with the MoU because it had never signed an MoU with any foreign pollwatchers in the nine years since its inception.

The EC's resolution is not a sign of resentment or of any intent to close off the country to the outside world, Mr Apichart said, but: "We don't need foreign countries to endorse our general elections."

Rest of story Here.

Well there you have it boys and girls!

Im getting tried of thai politics....but as Ive been telling some youngsters all of this week....we need an informed and active citizen to monitor government and to keep politicians on their toes. pressure from the electorate is important......

but how do you educate the mass of this need when it is in the interest of those in power to keep people ignorant?

and Im not talking about formal education....but also the civic education aspect.....

From Todays Bangkok Post.

A matter of opinion

By Thirasant Mann,

Bangkok Post sub-editor

Numbers are like people; torture them enough and they'll tell you anything. But the thing is, not one of these surveys tells you the exact number of people interviewed and in which provinces.

The numerous opinion polls being published and publicised these days have taken us from unwarranted assumption to the foregone conclusion that surveys and statistics mean never having to say you're certain - unless you wish to state the obvious, like death is 99% fatal to mice and men.

We're told that 58% of respondents will be selling their votes and 85% will be looking for the highest bidder. We're never told that the number of people questioned can be counted on your handsome fingers. Not worth a twiddle, these surveys, though that's a matter of opinion.

One opinion poll tells us that the expat community in Thailand favours the Democrats, whose leader they think would make a very nice prime minister, thank you.

That's because he's the only candidate they can understand. Oxford-trained and good at debate - like Benazir but without the money-spinning laundromat (according to Swiss reports).

Naturally, not being naturalised Thais, the foreign community's votes don't count and their opinions never mattered (thus their continuing despair over dual pricing and double standard rooms in national parks).

For their opinions to matter, they'd have to be living abroad. We Thais are quite susceptible to what foreigners think of us- from afar; we dread world opinion and dominion.

Full story here.

Interesting opinions. Much aligned with my own in that opinion polls in this country don't mean anything except to the group who paid for it to be carried out in the first place.

Extensively involved in the family discussion that resulted in nine "Yes" votes on the approved Constitution referendum signed into effect by His Majesty the King today...

so yes, I thing farang can play an active role in how Thai political voting goes.

Good on you SRJ.

I did my bit too...

From Todays Bangkok Post.

A matter of opinion

By Thirasant Mann,

Bangkok Post sub-editor

Numbers are like people; torture them enough and they'll tell you anything. But the thing is, not one of these surveys tells you the exact number of people interviewed and in which provinces.

The numerous opinion polls being published and publicised these days have taken us from unwarranted assumption to the foregone conclusion that surveys and statistics mean never having to say you're certain - unless you wish to state the obvious, like death is 99% fatal to mice and men.

We're told that 58% of respondents will be selling their votes and 85% will be looking for the highest bidder. We're never told that the number of people questioned can be counted on your handsome fingers. Not worth a twiddle, these surveys, though that's a matter of opinion.

One opinion poll tells us that the expat community in Thailand favours the Democrats, whose leader they think would make a very nice prime minister, thank you.

That's because he's the only candidate they can understand. Oxford-trained and good at debate - like Benazir but without the money-spinning laundromat (according to Swiss reports).

Naturally, not being naturalised Thais, the foreign community's votes don't count and their opinions never mattered (thus their continuing despair over dual pricing and double standard rooms in national parks).

For their opinions to matter, they'd have to be living abroad. We Thais are quite susceptible to what foreigners think of us- from afar; we dread world opinion and dominion.

Interesting opinions. Much aligned with my own in that opinion polls in this country don't mean anything except to the group who paid for it to be carried out in the first place.

Nice to see this thread bumped...

Is this person a TV member? His whole piece, when read in its entirety, is one heck of a rant....

Agree with his point of view on polls... they are often have greater value in their paper content.

Strongly disagree on his point of view regarding the potential for foreigner's influence on Thai voting. (as examplified by the above previous posts from earlier in this thread).

And to reconfirm this effect... it continues with the upcoming election with same as above effect on the constitutional vote, however, I do acknowledge that most foreigners in Thailand may not pursue the issue of influencing voters the same as I have. Mr. Mann (related to the great German writer, Thomas Mann?) gives the impression its not done at all or is impossible.

btw, his diss on the National Park issue sounds trollish...

Is this person a TV member? His whole piece, when read in its entirety, is one heck of a rant....

I had to have a laugh at this because that was the first thing I thought, Has the guy been perusing or posting on tv by any chance?

From today's Bkk Post.

Khon Kaen _ An Englishman with a Thai heart has turned down one political party's relentless efforts to get him to act as a canvasser in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen. Martin Wheeler, 46, has felt the heat of the electoral race.

One candidate has set his eyes on the Briton, who has for the past 14 years established himself as a key man in promoting rural development in Ubon Ratana district.

''He [the candidate] told me to talk the villagers into voting for this and that person. I refused because I myself am not eligible to vote,'' Mr Wheeler said in Thai, with an Isan accent.

''I am only a guest, not the owner of the house,'' he said. ''I have no right to meddle in or expect anything from politics.''

The improper proposal had caught him by surprise, he said, adding he had yet to attain Thai nationality.

Story here.

Vicarious voting! Thats certainly one way of handling matters. Am wondering if this could be construed, by the authorities as vote buying?