A Nation Divided By Politics

[coalminer]

Saturday October 18, 2008

Thailand is now split between those for and against the People's Alliance of Democracy (PAD), a movement trying to eradicate what it thinks is the root of all evil in Thai politics – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

WHAT does a Thai doctor check first?

a) Your blood pressure.

Your weight.

c) Your temperature.

d) Your political views.

The answer is "d" if your doctor is from Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok.

A day after the Oct 7 bloody street battles in the Thai capital between the People's Alliance of Democracy (PAD) and the police that killed two PAD protesters, about 50 doctors from the Chulalongkorn Hospital announced that they would not treat policemen.

"Today, medical teams of Chulalongkorn Hospital will not give assistance to police officers injured in clashes with PAD supporters. This is a social measure to show that doctors and nurses condemn the violent actions," said Dr Suthep Koncharnwit.

Up north, 70 doctors at Chiang Mai University's faculty of medicine declared that they would not treat policemen, Cabinet members and government MPs - except in emergency cases.

Another quiz.

If you are a pilot, will you refuse to fly a passenger because she/he is?

a) Osama bin Laden.

A threat to the safety of other passengers.

c) A MP from People Power Party (PPP, the ruling party the PAD love to hate).

d) Sarah Palin.

The answer, if you're Thai Airways pilot Jakrit Pongsirim, is a combination of "b" and "c".

The day after the police used tear gas to disperse PAD protesters blockading parliament on Oct 7, Jakrit - in two separate domestic flights - refused to allow three PPP MPs from boarding his aircraft.

The pilot told a Thai Airways panel investigating the incidents that he was compelled to reject the MPs because they could cause trouble as other passengers could become angry if they saw them in the aircraft.

Another quiz.

What does the two incidents tell you about Thailand?

a) The country is so politically divided that it is now Thai versus Thai.

A war has erupted between those who clutch hand-shaped clappers (the PAD's favourite political "weapon") and those who clasp foot-shaped clappers (produced recently for the pro-PPP supporters).

c) It is all grouchy in the Land of Smiles.

If you are Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, who contested in the recent Bangkok governor race as an independent, your answers are "a" and "b".

"It is a reflection of the division in this society," explains the former Democrat Party MP. "And this division has drawn a deep wedge which can be felt even among families, friends and colleagues."

Thailand is now split between those for or against the PAD (a movement seeking to eradicate what it thinks is the root of all evil in Thai politics - Thaksin Shinawatra, a former Thai prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 coup).

The split, according to the 53-year-old politician, is the worst since the 1970s that saw two brutal crackdowns on pro-democracy demonstrators in the "Black October" of 1973 and 1976.

Thais, observes Kriengsak, are overtly declaring their political affiliation.

For example, those carrying hand-shaped clappers want to make a personal statement that they are with the PAD.

However, it will be too simplistic to colour code Thais into "yellow" (the colour of PAD) and "red" (the colour of the PPP) because there are those who are neither yellow nor red.

Kriengsak estimates that 30% of Thais are pro-PPP, 20% are pro-PAD and the rest - including himself - are caught in the middle.

Those in the middle disagree with the use of violence (from both sides) to resolve the country's political conflict.

And the neutrals are fed up.

"We wonder when will these clashes end? When can we go back to our normal life?" Kriengsak says.

Final quiz.

On Wednesday, Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rockets and gunfire along their disputed border.

Will this border dispute where two Cambodian soldiers were killed and Thai soldiers captured:

a) Unite polarised Thais to fight against an external enemy?

Weaken the government because it will be fighting at two fronts - Cambodia and the PAD?

The answer varies.

Ed Cropley of Reuters says: "A border war with one of Thailand's traditional enemies would likely rally some support behind the government and army."

But some political analysts predict another "final battle" between anti and pro-government supporters is looming in Bangkok.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...p;sec=thaitakes

[sylviex]

However, it will be too simplistic to colour code Thais into "yellow" (the colour of PAD) and "red" (the colour of the PPP) because there are those who are neither yellow nor red.

Kriengsak estimates that 30% of Thais are pro-PPP, 20% are pro-PAD and the rest - including himself - are caught in the middle.

Those in the middle disagree with the use of violence (from both sides) to resolve the country's political conflict.

And the neutrals are fed up.

Between yellow & red could be orange ... but a special shade, to distinguish from the monks; not easy as their robes are of many hues. Suggestions ? A very pale papaya or melon shade ? Go neon ?

Or red & yellow stripes ?

Neutral suggests beige or cream or grey ... but Thais prefer the rainbow colours. Is there a traditional colour with associations of neutrality ?

And for those who might be both in the middle and neutral, which I certainly believe is possible, what ... ?

Edited October 19, 2008 by sylviex

[JetsetBkk]

...some political analysts predict another "final battle" between anti and pro-government supporters is looming in Bangkok.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...p;sec=thaitakes

Yes, it's all very sad. And unnecessary if certain people just waited for the courts to do their jobs, which they are slowly but surely.

[steveromagnino]

...some political analysts predict another "final battle" between anti and pro-government supporters is looming in Bangkok.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...p;sec=thaitakes

Yes, it's all very sad. And unnecessary if certain people just waited for the courts to do their jobs, which they are slowly but surely.

but the fight is because the PPP want to remove judicial process by altering the constitution.

so no, there is not really much chance for compromise right now, sadly.

PAD and PPP I am really not sure who is the most insane out of the two.

[Samuian]

...some political analysts predict another "final battle" between anti and pro-government supporters is looming in Bangkok.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...p;sec=thaitakes

Yes, it's all very sad. And unnecessary if certain people just waited for the courts to do their jobs, which they are slowly but surely. it's forced action, forced by the "invisible hand!"

but the fight is because the PPP want to remove judicial process by altering the constitution. yes, and to avoid this, the PAD is out there...

so no, there is not really much chance for compromise right now, sadly. well, there would be, but as it is the only chance of the "invisible hand", which is in hiding and quite secure, he will go for whatever is needed and there are plenty of willing stuntmen out there...plenty!

PAD and PPP I am really not sure who is the most insane out of the two.

Neither, the most insane is at this time in London, seeking political asylum, whilst he is pulling the strings here and decides about this countries citizens destiny, not caring what the heck the outcome will be, he needs to win, change the constitution, that his wrongdoings become legal and gets his money back, if then he can take revenge to those "evil doers" who caused his demise he would just be fine and back on stage to celebrate his comeback in style and rob this country blind, disguised as the good Samaritan, muttering his sarcastic mantra to his voters from the impoverished rural regions: "i am one of you, I grew up in a temple and slept on a mat on the bare floor!"

Edited October 20, 2008 by Samuian

[sylviex]

PAD and PPP I am really not sure who is the most insane out of the two.

Indeed.

There's been much sweat & blood on the keyboards, but that's about the gist of it.

[steveromagnino]

PAD and PPP I am really not sure who is the most insane out of the two.

Indeed.

There's been much sweat & blood on the keyboards, but that's about the gist of it.

mind you I have some classic tales from inside the Cabinet walls regarding some Thaksin comments since about 2005 that certainly would have raised questions regarding his sanity also.

at the end of the day, maybe distribution of 'You don't have to be mad to run Thailand, but it certainly helps' bumper stickers would be a positive contribution to all involved :-)

That...and giving a few people a dose of the clap ;-0

[sylviex]

mind you I have some classic tales from inside the Cabinet walls regarding some Thaksin comments since about 2005 that certainly would have raised questions regarding his sanity also.

Feel free to share some here. You ought to write a book -- but I expect that would be rather dangerous.

at the end of the day, maybe distribution of 'You don't have to be mad to run Thailand, but it certainly helps' bumper stickers would be a positive contribution to all involved :-)

So close to the truth it's almost not funny !

That...and giving a few people a dose of the clap ;-0

Yep !

[steveromagnino]

mind you I have some classic tales from inside the Cabinet walls regarding some Thaksin comments since about 2005 that certainly would have raised questions regarding his sanity also.

Feel free to share some here. You ought to write a book -- but I expect that would be rather dangerous.

Well, my stories are hearsay; only a few were heard first hand....not sure it would make a great book though ;-)

[sylviex]

mind you I have some classic tales from inside the Cabinet walls regarding some Thaksin comments since about 2005 that certainly would have raised questions regarding his sanity also.

Feel free to share some here. You ought to write a book -- but I expect that would be rather dangerous.

Well, my stories are hearsay; only a few were heard first hand....not sure it would make a great book though ;-)

What ... no stained dresses and cigars ?

[coalminer]

PAD and PPP I am really not sure who is the most insane out of the two.

Both of them have too much to gain (the freedom of their "political members") aan nond too much to loose (the fall of a complete organization)

Wasn't Sondhi convicted for 2 years in 2007?

Both the PAD as well the PPP have "dirty hands".

Trying to convince anybody the the Pad would consist only of angels is something that not even a baby would believe. The same story goes for the PPP.

And when on top of that people whose job is to do their job independant of a political color start to decide who they accept or reject as their clients, the only thing they achieve is to add more oil to the fuel.

Something is cooking for sure.

Something that can not be discussed on this forum could be the main cause of all this, a run for the "title".

[Samuian]

...

Something that can not be discussed on this forum could be the main cause of all this, a run for the "title".

This "something" represents the core of this "battle", but there are many players....

[Bangyai]

PAD and PPP I am really not sure who is the most insane out of the two.

Indeed.

There's been much sweat & blood on the keyboards, but that's about the gist of it.

Agreed, its no wonder that all my Thai neighbors or so apathetic about politics.