Commentary: Unhappy Anniversary

[Mid]

Commentary: Unhappy anniversary

Today's Top Stories

By Thongbai Thongpao

Unable to prove Mr Thaksin's guilt, nothing concrete has been achieved by the Sept 19 coup, touted as an important "investment" in Thailand's struggle toward full democracy.

In three days, the Sept 19 coup will complete its first anniversary.

snip

I'm sad to report that after one year, we can hardly say the problems have been solved. True, we have a new charter which improves on some of the weak points of the 1997 charter. But at the same time, it gives rise to problems in other areas, such as the selection of independent bodies where the mandate is shifted from politicians to judges. Although the latter have to date upheld an image of impartiality, their increasing role in politics is quite worrisome

snip

bangkokpost.com

Full Article ... http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=121700

Edited September 16, 2007 by Mid

[chevykanteve]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

[Mid]

ANALYSIS: Nothing to celebrate one year after the coup

By Peter Janssen Sep 16, 2007, 5:18 GMT

Bangkok - A year ago Wednesday Thailand's military staged a coup toppling former premier prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on charges of corruption, undermining democracy and dividing the nation.

A year later, Thailand is still divided, the military is accused of undermining democracy and Thaksin is living in London far from the reach of Thai law but earning plenty of good publicity at home off his recently purchased Manchester City football club.

snip

monstersandcritics.com

[think_too_mut]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

[lazeeboy]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

1 year on and nothing has really changed ,taksin still at large ,no election ,no faith in the government ,and westerners staying away....

[chevykanteve]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

1 year on and nothing has really changed ,taksin still at large ,no election ,no faith in the government ,and westerners staying away....

Lazeeboy, with all due respect (and I do tend to agree with the messages you convey in your posts), saying that Dr. Thaksin is "still at large" sort of implies the fellow is a criminal. His government/premiership was democratically elected by a majority of the population. It was then overthrown in a coup d'etat. So, one may wonder, who in fact are the real criminals?

[solo siam]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

1 year on and nothing has really changed ,taksin still at large ,no election ,no faith in the government ,and westerners staying away....

Lazeeboy, with all due respect (and I do tend to agree with the messages you convey in your posts), saying that Dr. Thaksin is "still at large" sort of implies the fellow is a criminal. His government/premiership was democratically elected by a majority of the population. It was then overthrown in a coup d'etat. So, one may wonder, who in fact are the real criminals?

The ones with arrest warrants out on them?

[Florin]

As if an arrest warrant on someone is hard to get...bang the daughter of a general and you should have one out

[Mid]

The ones with arrest warrants out on them?

sum total of a wasted year .....................

[chevykanteve]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

1 year on and nothing has really changed ,taksin still at large ,no election ,no faith in the government ,and westerners staying away....

Lazeeboy, with all due respect (and I do tend to agree with the messages you convey in your posts), saying that Dr. Thaksin is "still at large" sort of implies the fellow is a criminal. His government/premiership was democratically elected by a majority of the population. It was then overthrown in a coup d'etat. So, one may wonder, who in fact are the real criminals?

The ones with arrest warrants out on them?

Who issued those warrants?

[think_too_mut]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

1 year on and nothing has really changed ,taksin still at large ,no election ,no faith in the government ,and westerners staying away....

Lazeeboy, with all due respect (and I do tend to agree with the messages you convey in your posts), saying that Dr. Thaksin is "still at large" sort of implies the fellow is a criminal. His government/premiership was democratically elected by a majority of the population. It was then overthrown in a coup d'etat. So, one may wonder, who in fact are the real criminals?

The ones with arrest warrants out on them?

Yes, KGB-style engineered one against a democratically elected PM.

It's a PR exercise, a stupidity that UK laughed off.

They can manuver around Thaksin's supporters being elected again - Junta's worst nightmare is Thaksin returning, them jailing him and popular uprising forcing them to look for a cover in Burmeese neighborhood.

[chevykanteve]

The ones with arrest warrants out on them?

sum total of a wasted year .....................

RIGHT ON!

[Prakanong]

Thanks for the post, Mid. I just finished reading the entire article. It's spot on in all respects.

I have been saying what the article says in numerous posts on this forum over last 6 months, it was so obvious.

Now it is big thing when BKK Post prints what birds on the trees have been singing.

Just don't know to whom it represents anything new or worth reading.

The only value IMO is - they can still publish common knowledge without being shut down or prosecuted (I hope).

1 year on and nothing has really changed ,taksin still at large ,no election ,no faith in the government ,and westerners staying away....

Lazeeboy, with all due respect (and I do tend to agree with the messages you convey in your posts), saying that Dr. Thaksin is "still at large" sort of implies the fellow is a criminal. His government/premiership was democratically elected by a majority of the population. It was then overthrown in a coup d'etat. So, one may wonder, who in fact are the real criminals?

The ones with arrest warrants out on them?

Who issued those warrants?

Exactly - an illegal dictatorshi lining their own pockets.

Thailand - once and Asian tiger but now in the same group as Burma, Laos and Cambodia and losing ground daily

[chevykanteve]

Who issued those warrants?

Exactly - an illegal dictatorshi lining their own pockets.

Thailand - once and Asian tiger but now in the same group as Burma, Laos and Cambodia and losing ground daily

One of the first acts of this .....present establishment.... was to double/treble responsibilities (I DIDN'T SAY salaries) via appointments as (ultimate or penultimate) heads of state enterprises. How nice! That really improved things, didn't it? The telephone monopoly and the international airports work so much more efficiently now. Or perhaps sufficiently is a better choice of words???

Edited September 16, 2007 by chevykanteve

[Mid]

Defense Minister: New government may last only 1-2 years

Sunday 16 September 2007 03:10:11 PM (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Sept 16 (TNA) - Defense Minister Gen. Boonrawd Somtas said Sunday that he believed a new government, to be formed after a general election tentatively to be held on December 23, will survive only one or two years due to Thailand's basic instability.

Sharing an opinion similar to that of M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, former deputy prime minister and finance minister, Gen. Boonrawd said Thailand's politics is still insecure and that old problems could erupt again after the election.

Two power groups, including the former power clique and a new one which is still undefined and loosely formed, will be seen more clearly after the election, he said.

The new government is expected to be formed by several political parties and it might last less than two years.

The political scenario will be back to square one, said Gen. Boonrawd, without elaborating whether that meant a military coup like that which toppled the elected government of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September 19. *

On Saturday, M.R. Pridiyathorn said, any new, elected prime minister must be decisive in making decisions because he believed the new government administration would last a maximum of only 18 months out of a total four-year term. (TNA) - E111

MCOT Public Company Limited

* highlight mine

[chevykanteve]

.....

BANGKOK, Sept 16 (TNA) - Defense Minister Gen. Boonrawd Somtas said Sunday that he believed a new government, to be formed after a general election tentatively to be held on December 23, will survive only one or two years due to Thailand's basic instability.

.....

The political scenario will be back to square one, said Gen. Boonrawd, without elaborating whether that meant a military coup like that which toppled the elected government of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September 19.

.....

I wonder who the Defense Minister will be in two years time? Of course, I ask only in passing...

[sriracha john]

Commentary: Unhappy anniversary

Today's Top Stories

By Thongbai Thongpao

I'm sad to report that after one year, we can hardly say the problems have been solved. True, we have a new charter which improves on some of the weak points of the 1997 charter. But at the same time, it gives rise to problems in other areas, such as the selection of independent bodies where the mandate is shifted from politicians to judges. Although the latter have to date upheld an image of impartiality, their increasing role in politics is quite worrisome

Job-loss can, indeed, be worrisome...

Mr. Thongbai Thongpao

Member of the Senate, Maha Sarakham Province

Occupation: Lawyer

It's a shame they fail to identify these commentators when they print their opinions.

The ex-Senator cum guest commentator refers to the Philippines' case of Estrada, but fails to mention that it took 6 years to obtain a conviction... and then, laments that everything hasn't been completed in Thaksin's case in 1 year.

but it's understandable... as I said... job-loss can, indeed, be worrisome times...

Edited September 16, 2007 by sriracha john

[Mid]

Job-loss can, indeed, be worrisome...

so is he an unemployed lawyer turned journalist ?

or

a soon to be unemployed lawyer due to his journalism ?

messenger attacks are boring SJ .

[sriracha john]

Job-loss can, indeed, be worrisome...

so is he an unemployed lawyer turned journalist ?

or

a soon to be unemployed lawyer due to his journalism ?

messenger attacks are boring SJ .

He's an unemployed Senator with fewer job prospects now with the change in constitution.

His message is full of holes.

Edited September 16, 2007 by sriracha john

[xbusman]

I had a chance to interview a few people deep in Klong Toey this week. It seems our junta has created a new police force that is federal in nature. Able to jump precincts at will, they have been harassing the bent cops everywhere in Bangkok. In addition, they have been down inside Klong Toey going after drug dealers, gambling houses and loan sharks. These boys are getting the reputation of Eliott Ness.

I think those reports are pretty accurate and it just goes to show me that there is a huge society out there that we dont always have access to. I am not supporting the junta here, but just like Thaksin I dont think they are particularly evil or particularly saintly. The problems here are pretty overwhelming and the resources to tackle them pretty thin. We will have to see what comes after the elections.

[asd]

Thaksin has joined the list of heads of state who, their supporters had believed, could lick poverty but later turned into symbols of corruption and abuse of power.

[Scott]

The whole business to me is like digging in the laundry basket to find the cleanest dirty shorts to wear.

I think the elite have decided they will rule regardless and most of the changes will be for their continued hold on power.

[Florin]

The ex-Senator cum guest commentator refers to the Philippines' case of Estrada, but fails to mention that it took 6 years to obtain a conviction... and then, laments that everything hasn't been completed in Thaksin's case in 1 year.

I think the two cases are hardly comparable...at the very least, the economy left by Estrada was eons away from the benefits obtained during Thaksin's regime.

Did he line his & his family's pockets? Yes.

Did he fail at reaching a compromise in the South? Yes.

Is Thailand really better off without him? After this year, can anyone really say yes?

[Mid]

The whole business to me is like digging in the laundry basket to find the cleanest dirty shorts to wear.

concur

[Mid]

Year of Army rule 'has failed on most fronts'

Takeover prevented Thai people from toppling Thaksin: Nithi

Published on September 17, 2007

With 25 coups in 75 years of democracy, an average of one every three years, Thai politics is no stranger to military intervention. But of all those putsches, the latest power seizure last September was declared the biggest failure by any criteria, according to historians and political scientists.

On the eve of the junta's coup anniversary on Wednesday, leading historian Nithi Eoseewongse said the military takeover one year ago robbed Thai people of a crucial opportunity to gain confidence, for the first time, in their political power to maintain a system of checks and balances on their leaders.

snip

nationmultimedia.com

the biggest failure by any criteria....

[Mid]

Opinion

Regional perspective: One year after September 19: bad casting

The plot was great but the cast was wrong.

Published on September 17, 2007

snip

The jury has been out on whether the coup would end up promoting democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and better governance. Today, it is as clear as sunrise in the morning that all hopes are futile.

snip

Kavi Chongkittavorn

[Tony Clifton]

The whole business to me is like digging in the laundry basket to find the cleanest dirty shorts to wear.

I think the elite have decided they will rule regardless and most of the changes will be for their continued hold on power.

Unlike your selection process, this one is quite easy as many candidates are smeared and permanently stained. Still, some don't mind wearing soiled underwear for a few baht.

[Mid]

A year after Thai coup, press freedom remains compromised and vulnerable

17 September 2007

Source: Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)

One year after the coup in Thailand, a new Constitution is in place, elections are on the horizon and Thais are looking forward to normalising the overall political climate in the Kingdom.

The media and free expression environment, however, remains compromised, with martial law, lèse-majesté rules, and new and proposed laws governing the Internet and national security concerns keeping the media footing problematic in the foreseeable future.

snip

seapabkk.org

[sriracha john]

The ex-Senator cum guest commentator refers to the Philippines' case of Estrada, but fails to mention that it took 6 years to obtain a conviction... and then, laments that everything hasn't been completed in Thaksin's case in 1 year.

I think the two cases are hardly comparable...at the very least, the economy left by Estrada was eons away from the benefits obtained during Thaksin's regime.

Did he line his & his family's pockets? Yes.

Did he fail at reaching a compromise in the South? Yes.

Is Thailand really better off without him? After this year, can anyone really say yes?

Perhaps then, the ex-Senator should have omitted his comments doing the comparison.... but since he did, he should have provided that very important nugget (the time-line) in his comparison.

But, that aside, I find that on many levels there are a number of similarities. A few examples:

Estrada was charged with plunder for amassing about 4 billion pesos (87 million dollars) in illegal wealth during 1998 to 2001. Thaksin's wealth during his 6 years jumped even more from billions of baht to billions of dollars.

The former president's eldest son, Senator Jose Estrada, was a co-accused. Thaksin's son is in the thick of things in a number of cases.

Estrada won the presidency by the biggest margin in Philippine history. Ditto for Thaksin.

Estrada was ousted by a military-backed mass uprising in January 2001. Thaksin same, same.

Organizers protesting the verdict said the crowd numbered 4,000, but police estimated it at 500. Thaksin's PTV rallies had similarly inflated numbers.

Estrada was charged with perjury for falsely declaring his assets. Deja vu with Thaksin.

Estrada called the verdict a "political decision" by a "kangaroo court." Thaksin has used both of those exact same terms.

- Direct quotes taken from DPA and CBC articles on Estrada

Edited September 17, 2007 by sriracha john

[Mid]

Stability, Prosperity in Thailand Still Uncertain One Year After Military Coup

By Luis Ramirez

Bangkok

17 September 2007

snip

A year ago, many Thais welcomed the sight of tanks in the streets, when the Royal Army entered Bangkok on September 19, 2006, and ousted twice-elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his government. People hoped the military coup would end a bitter year of political crises and protests over whether the Thaksin government was corrupt and abused its power.

But another year on - political uncertainty persists and economic stagnation has set in. Some Thais are questioning what the coup accomplished. And many wonder why the military-installed government waited until last month to present formal corruption charges against Mr. Thaksin.

"If they can prove that the former leader was corrupt, the coup would be reasonable," said Morawat, a businessman along central Bangkok's Silom Road. "Now, we cannot say whether there was reason enough for a coup."

snip

voanews.com

can't seem to find anything pro for the coup .............................