P A D -bkk Protesters Aim To ‘re-educate’ Rural Thais

[G54]

The idea of the Dictatorial minority 're-educating' the masses does not sound good.

The PAD do now appear to be wanting to take Thailand down a rocky road and herd the masses into some pen like sheep, or dare I say, like buffaloes and forcefully spout their drivel upon the masses until they submit and see things the PAD way. And, of course, to the PAD, their way is the right way.

Even now they are dictating to the masses and the government with their current antics, protests, continuous broadcasting and take overs of government establishments and airports.

This does stink of Dictatorship, if true and if reported correctly.

Has history not taught these so called elite anything??

Education? That takes time. People spouting rhetoric and ramming it down others throats does not help. Use facts, the truth and a balance of these to educate and allow people to make up their own minds. But the PAD want it all their own way and they want it now. That cannot be a good thiing - unless you are a PAD member, of course.

Civil war? A division of the country? Or worse? These look more and more likely IMHO if these 'elite' fanatics are not controlled, yet no-one wants to control them.

Inept govenment is never good for a country or its people. Same with a weak government. I feel we have both at the moment.

Strong leadership is needed, but strong and fair!!!

Most democracies have taken a long time to dvelop and Thailand needs time to build itself a strong democracy.

Now we wait and see what the future holds but I, for one, am still happy to live in Thailand amongst a generally good race of people.

[Gravelrash]

You don't exactly have to be Einstein to notice the rural/elite divide do you.

It was the first time a Thai political party had utilised the division to fulfill political goals. If there hadn't been such a reaction on the part of the elites the TRT could have very well frazzled away due to issues of corruption or mismanagement. But as events have unfolded you now have a wider support base and for them and many who are unhappy at some of the inferences coming from PAD. Since the PAD airport fiasco you now have even more that are going to be thrown into the government camp because the economy will be ruined.

PAD has done the job of reeducation already but not exactly how they planned. You now have large groups of normally politically neutral people who would like to reeducate the PAD all the way to a hole in the ground somewhere.

This isn't a good situation or outlook, but it has happened because of the PAD's rhetoric and actions; they are their own worst enemy.

Im not so sure of that. We should never forget the unseen and ultra powerful group that has created a nice center for itself between government and PAD. I think that is where a lot of people are heading right now. Nice plan. While politicians and street demonstrators get ever increasingly discredited, insitutions of stability - bureacracy etc - see their star rise again.

You are walking a thin line. I hadn't considered that, thought it was more of a use the PAD for the direct power grab. Could well be, time will tell.

[grandpops]

I have a better idea, I will get a group of well educated farangs together and we will volunteer to reeducate the Bangkok elite.

Totally agreed. Cheers

Please start with the Damapong and remaining Shinawatra elite there.

I was going to post here, but you are so isolated in your views. Up to you!

Enjoy your militay Junta if you get it mate, you deserve it.

Wondering if they plan to hold the election after they have the necessary votes already cast on ballot papers.

[grandpops]

I have a better idea, I will get a group of well educated farangs together and we will volunteer to reeducate the Bangkok elite.

What a great idea cmsally! Why don't you do just that! get educated, then come to bkk and reeducate the "Bangkok elite"!!

If someone were to suggest that for the most part only state owned media should be allowed to indoctrinate people I am sure many people would SCREAM about it! (Oh wait ..... that already is happening right?)

You could get a bunch of Lobotomised Baboons to come in and Educate this Elite to a higher standard.

Absolutely no education or IQ needed to be higher up the chain than a PAD Supporter.

Edited December 1, 2008 by grandpops

[khunjamespittman]

PAD - Bangkok Protesters Aim to 'Re-educate' Rural Thais

Bloomberg; By Daniel Ten Kate;Last Updated: November 30, 2008 21:42 EST

Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) -- As the world waits for Thailand to end a week-long occupation of Bangkok's main airports, the anti-government protesters who seized them say their efforts to transform the country are only just beginning.

If they win what they have dubbed their "final battle," Bangkok-based People's Alliance for Democracy members say they will start a campaign to tell "the truth" to the country's rural majority, which has elected parties linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra four times since 2001.

"Rural people have good hearts but they don't know the truth like we do in Bangkok," said Noppakoon Lagum, 37, a surgeon helping to occupy the main international airport. "It is our duty to re-educate them."

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has stayed among his supporters in the northern areas of Thailand, fearing a coup if he returns to the capital. Security forces haven't enforced an order to clear demonstrators from the airports, where they vow to stay until the prime minister quits.

About 10,000 government supporters massed yesterday near Somchai's Bangkok offices, which People's Alliance members have occupied for three months, raising fears of a violent street clash. The pro-government side has threatened mass protests if the military removes Somchai. Thaksin, his brother-in-law, was ousted in a coup in 2006.

'Coup in Disguise'

The People's Alliance for Democracy, composed mostly of the Bangkok middle class, royalists and civil servants, accuses Somchai of being a proxy of Thaksin. The group has rejected calls for fresh elections and wants a new political system that dilutes votes from poor farmers, who comprise Thaksin's political base.

Some government supporters have threatened to surround the Constitutional Court tomorrow, when judges will rule on whether to dissolve the ruling People Power Party and two coalition partners for vote buying. A guilty verdict would force Somchai and dozens of party executives to step down, and may prompt protesters to leave the airports.

"This is a coordinated effort to overthrow the government, though it is made to look like justice being done," said Veera Musikapong, a pro-government leader. "This is a coup in disguise."

Non-executive members of the parties set to be disbanded, which account for more than half of the 480 lawmakers in Parliament, may then join a new party created to receive pro- Thaksin politicians.

Could Defuse Crisis

If the parties are dissolved, lawmakers would need to hold a parliamentary session to pick a new prime minister, while anti- government protesters may look to install an appointed government.

"Things should get better if the court verdict turns out that way," Suriyasai Katasila, one of the PAD leaders, told the Channel 9 television station late yesterday. "If that happens, it may help defuse the political crisis," Suriyasai said.

"The PAD wants an interim administration of some kind, but there are no constitutional provisions for that," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "They would have to have constitutional clauses suspended by the courts unless the army seizes power."

A year ago, the People Power Party won the first election since Thaksin was ousted, taking 75 percent of seats in the northeast, the country's poorest region. Thaksin, a billionaire- turned-politician, won rural votes by slashing health-care costs, handing out low-cost loans and propping up crop prices.

'Blinded' by Media

Protesters at Suvarnabhumi Airport, dressed in yellow to show loyalty to head of state King Bhumibol Adulyadej, accuse Thaksin of corruption and undermining the monarchy. The world's longest reigning monarch, highly revered after 62 years on the throne, is set to give a speech on the eve of his Dec. 5 birthday that may provide a breakthrough.

Those opposing Thaksin are confident that his rural backers could be converted if they could access an independent television station like the satellite channel operated by protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

"Rural people are blinded by corrupt media and need to listen to ASTV," said Thanapol Buranasombati, a protester, referring to Sondhi's station that broadcasts the rallies around the clock. "When the poor farmers know the truth about what is happening they will side with us."

The opposition Democrat party won only four of 135 seats in the northeast during the last election, while taking 27 of 36 seats in Bangkok. Some anti-government protesters at the airport said they wouldn't need to seize the airports and change the political system if the Democrats could win enough votes to form a government.

"We don't need to convince all northeasterners to join us, just maybe 50 percent," said Patcharaporn Vijitpanon, 58, who has joined the protests for months. "If we do that then we can have a new election and the Democrat party can win."

-Bloomberg

LaoPo

That is what an election is about. How many more elections do you propose before you accept the result that the majority of Thais disagree with you or you able to "educate" the rural people.

Wake up and face reality. PADs criminal actions are further turning public opinion away from this nonsense.

[Gravelrash]

I would just remind you that no one is going to lose a right to vote. No one.

Good point, all that stuff the PAD were saying about 70% appointed government and 30% elected, hel_l they were just joshing.

Likewise for the re-eduction of the ignorant - they weren't referring to Issan Taksin supporters, no you got it all wrong.

Like Mein Kampf - "hey guys I was only musing some ideas, don't take me seriously".

There are a few posters here with strong PAD leanings, many (not all) of whom have a history of articulate and well thought out posts. You must know something the rest of us don't, because what I am seeing is not a pretty picture on so many levels. And nothing you are publicly stating stands up. Regardless of Taksin corruption rants, you know darn well that is SOP here, so there must be something else?

[animatic]

Nothing is very pretty,

but the alternative is not even up to nasty,

it slides quickly down to abysmal.

[FatherF]

I would be surprised if there is any country with a big rural population that works as a democracy, if you want a democracy in Thailand you are going to have build up the middle class and if that means not having a full democracy in the meantime thats the way it is

HA ha ha,

so, just so i understand what you are saying here! You want to pick & choose the bits you want in your "Democracy" so, if you dont like the look of it it is not allowed?

Think before you post!

FF

[annamaria4711]

I have a better idea, I will get a group of well educated farangs together and we will volunteer to reeducate the Bangkok elite.

count me in for that

ready and waiting

[tig28]

They also want to marginalize their votes. These aims are from the horse's mouth

Have you listened to the "horse" itself?

"This "new politics" in the eyes of the PAD is a politics that will be people-centred. The power of representatives will be reduced while the role and power of the people will be increased."

From a paper written by one of PAD leaders, Suriyasai Katasila

http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=692

It seems re-education must not be limited only to the "dumb Isanese" as their defenders love to call them.

PLUS.... PAD has many guiding lights --- some are reasonable and its very nice that you choose to present a link from one.

SUGGESTION: Not too much from Sondhi .... most people have a pretty good idea about him. Could we hear a little from (ex) General Pallop Pinmanee ..... for any who don't know too much about this upstanding PAD leader .... here is a brief overview:

General Pallop Pinmanee is a former Thai commando and assassin who took part in several coups, ordered the massacre of insurgents at Krue Sae Mosque and allegedly played a role in the attempted car bomb assassination of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. After a 2006 military coup overthrew Thaksin, the military junta appointed Pallop public relations adviser to the Internal Security Operations Command of Thailand.

Pallop graduated from Class 7 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, the so-called "Young Turks". He began his career as a commando and self-professed assassin. . With his Young Turk classmates, he was involved in military coups against the governments of Seni Pramoj, Tanin Kraivixien, and the unsuccessful 1981 coup against the government of Prem Tinsulanonda. He admitted to being the mastermind behind a series of assassination attempts against General Arthit Kamlang-ek, commander of the Army under Prem. Pallop was later "rehabilitated" and retired from the Royal Thai Army with the rank of full general in 1996, but was appointed deputy director-general of the Internal Security Operations Command. It was in this position that he ordered military forces to storm Krue Sae Mosque during a tense stand-off with Southern insurgents. Dozens of insurgents died in the controversial move.

Later, Pallop's driver was found driving near the residence of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a car containing 67 kilograms of explosives. Pallop was immediately dismissed from his position. After the Thaksin government was deposed by a military coup, the junta appointed Pallop public relations adviser to the ISOC. Pallop later became a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Is it not yourself who often condemns Thaksin (correctly) for his managerial responsibility for use of deadly force ?? Do you think it might responsible to express a little righteous outrage over Pallop's direct actions?

OH.... he is a PAD leader..... sorry....

Edited December 1, 2008 by tig28

[blaze]

Anyone who regards an organ like ASTV as a force for education- is an utter fool. Worst is that he seriously seems to believe that. God save us from the Thai intelligencia if he is a specimen.

[wasabi]

I've been thinking about this situation more calmly and have changed some of my assertions. I now think the PAD started out with good intentions and even now genuinely think they are doing the right thing without ill intent. If one can trust the court ruled justly and Thaksin is a wanted Fugitive then he nor any proxy of his should hold such a high ranking position in the government. That is a legitimate grievance. I do think something radical needed to be done to blow past the usual Mai Bphen Rai and apathy that is rampant in this country and in some ways the seizure of the airport was tactically very clever. However they are now tilting towards a fascist extreme, arresting police and insisting only they hold the gauntlet of truth. Using terms like reeducation shows the bias has titled to far and they are becoming the very wrong they condemn.

It is also interesting how Buddhist the whole thing is being handled. So far this hasn't gotten violent and I really would like to see it stay that way. We can all pretty much chuckle that TIT is Thailand as long as no mass riot or mob on mob fights go down.

[annamaria4711]

Just read this, thought I'd share this with you boys and girls....

Senators' call for Democrat MPs quitting rejected

Secretary-general of the opposition Democrat party rejected 40 senators' suggesting for all of the 163 party's members to resign en-mass, adding it would not help solving prevailing political problem.

Mr. Suthep Tuaksuban, secretary-general of Democrat party, said today (December 1) that the party had been warned about the potential violence as there might be explosive planted at the party's office in Bangkok. So, it had been prepared to handle potential mishap via increasing number of security guards. However, the party was unable to absolutely prevent the untowards incidents from happening.

Mr. Suthep also expressed his worries about the ruling People Power party (PPP) MPs' criticizing army chief Gen Anupong Paojchnda following his suggestion to the government to dissolve lower House to solve the country’s problem. Mr. Suthep said the PPP MP tried to create misunderstanding among general public that the military wanted to stage a coup, despite the fact that the military stayed neutral. The Democrat party secretary-general alleged PPP MPs' attempting to create legitimacy in an effort to relieve the army chief from his duty.

Mr. Suthep requested general public to protect state officials to prevent recurring of similar cases of the removal of Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan from his duty of national police chief.

Regarding the 40 appointed senators’ proposal calling for 163 Democrat party MPs to resign, Mr. Suthep said the proposal have been made by several factions earlier.

But he viewed the action as not being able to resolve prevailing political problem as a by election could be held.

News Detail

News Date : 01 December 2008

Reporter : Niran Rojthananan

[Steve2UK]

Nothing is very pretty,

but the alternative is not even up to nasty,

it slides quickly down to abysmal.

Animatic, you wrote in another post (which I can't locate right now) something to the effect that you feel it right to go in the same direction as PAD while not sharing all their goals - do correct me if I'm misrepresenting what you said in any material way.

That being the case (and because you appear to be the thinker/philosopher among the pro-PAD zealots here), I would remind you that history is littered with examples of those moderates who hitched a ride with those "going in the same direction" - and then couldn't get off.

For myself, I don't need to check out the track-record of General Pallop Pinmanee or summon up images of other "re-educations" (Khmer Rouge, Red Guards etc) to be more than a little perturbed by what I read in the PAD leader's paper that Plus recommended as the "horse's mouth".

I've mentioned before that I find the notion that a weakened/discredited Thaksin could now come back and re-assume power really difficult to credit. Assume, just for argument's sake, that he can and does; just how long do you think the military would leave him there? Yet this is the "boogey man" argument that you reach for every time to justify most (all?) the agenda of PAD and their not-so-hidden-hand feudal backers.

On the positive side, I can maybe see one good thing coming from this mess. Corruption (in many of its forms, anyway) is now way up there in the consciousness of many more Thai people than before. Maybe, just maybe, because of this catharsis the next election will be that significant bit cleaner and more Thai people will take seriously the "say no to vote-buying" TV and print campaign that runs before elections here - and realise that the 100/200 baht they can get from candidates works out to be a high price to pay for the new road to their village getting only half-built or the new school costing twice what it should.............. and all the myriad examples of higher-level corruption you can cite.

If that proved to be the case, even I might think the current mess and turmoil could turn out to have been worthwhile - just. But dropping power firmly into the hands of PAD & Co with their agenda - to me that looks more and more like tipping out the baby with the bath water.

[jdinasia]

LOL ... more hyperbole! comparing making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry is hardly worthy of comparing to the KR or the Red Guard. So much for the anti-PAD zealot's credibility

yes re-education is a politically loaded word and in this case it really should just be the word 'educate'.

[annamaria4711]

another editorial piece that I wanted to share with you

seems that even the students are turning away from their Dons beliefs.

Thai does not re-educating

it just needs the zombies in yellow shirts to be sent home and for the Army chief to be changed as he is not doing his duty as placed upon him by the Thai public

Top Thammasart and NIDA Rectors Get a Blasting for Supporting Anupong

16.00 Thailand top universities get slam for supporting un-democratic moves, by Danny this blog’s neutral analyst

Long time friend of PAD and anti-Democratic top man gets criticized

The top men at Thailand’s best and well known universities, NIDA and Tammasart, were criticised by their graduates today as being anti-democratic in their support of Anupong, the Thai army chief.

“We will be handing back our diploma, if Sombat doesn’t come out to say sorry for being anti-Democratic and support Amupongs call for Somchai to step down,” said the association of former graduates of NIDA university, who said that the Somchai government is an elected government and that Anupongs job was to do his duty to the PM, not coming out to call for Somchai resignation.

The NIDA former graduates gave a long list of rules under the democratic system such as respect for the law and majority rule, as being principles that the PAD-which they accused Sombat of supporting-has broke.

At Thammasart, former students and graduates mad a similarcall, and placed black flower float, in front of Surapol, the university’s rector, office as signifying the death of democracy is at the hand’s of Surapol.

Surapol has a long history of supporting Sondhi of the PAD, giving PAD access to hold rallies at the universities while blocking democratic activities to the point of ordering democratic oriented posters tore of the walls of the universities. It was the first time in the university that started by the vision of Predi, the man who bought democracy to Thailand, that freedom of expression was not allowed.

Anupong called for a meeting of people from all cross section of Thailand and announced that the people agreed at the meeting that Somchai must resign, however, those practically all of those called to the meeting-like Surapol and Somchai, are seen as far right Royalist.

No representatives from the democratic side was invited to the meeting. Several democratic minded people who went to the meeting said they didn’t sign on to the meeting’s declaration, but Anupong under the influences of Surapol in particular, went ahead against objections and made the summary announcement.

Today, most of the Thai press still calls for the resignation of Somchai, saying it is the consensus of the people as seen by the Anupong meeting.

Somchai and PPP meanwhile face certain dissolution tomorrow and those in the democratic side have a theory that what will follow will be nothing but a silent coup by Anupong as the power vacuum will see judges step in to form the government.

The red shirt who are gathering vows to fight and protest.

[Steve2UK]

LOL ... more hyperbole! comparing making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry is hardly worthy of comparing to the KR or the Red Guard. So much for the anti-PAD zealot's credibility

yes re-education is a politically loaded word and in this case it really should just be the word 'educate'.

Where in the paper to which I am referring or in what I wrote above is there any reference to "making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry" ?

As I said, I find the paper by itself perturbing. But ignore away with your cherry-picking - it seems to have become the norm for you now. And so much "LOL"...... I wonder you don't do yourself an injury with all the guffawing. Do you think that that and your mocking provide a valid substitute for saying something of substance to defend your point of view?

"re-educate" ? I used the word in the thread title and in the Bloomberg article quoting the PAD supporter. Let's stretch a point and assume that it was mistranslated and should really be "educate". You'll have to forgive me for thinking that that will make absolutely no difference to you - but I'll leave others to decide.

[Bangyai]

PLUS.........A simple question for you. Do you feel that what the PAD are doing is beneficial to Thailand in the short term and in the long term??

For Plus, that is not a simple question. Now he's had to leg it all the way to the airport, find someone in authority, jot down the answer, then head for the nearest internet cafe. I hope he makes it o.k

[blaze]

However they are now tilting towards a fascist extreme, arresting police and insisting only they hold the gauntlet of truth. Using terms like reeducation shows the bias has titled to far and they are becoming the very wrong they condemn.

I think that it's in some ways unfair to describe the PAD as fascist- Euoropean Fascists tended to regard the peasantry as the embodiment of the national soul- and they certainly never identified themselves as racial entity apart from the majority (eg, "People of X origin saving Nation Y.) The goal of fascist movements usually included the material elevation of the poor- not to maintain it in a state of subjugation to the ambitions of the aristocracy and bougeoisie. Both the Italian and the Spanish fascists originated to some extent in a formidable and rigorous intellectual tradition. (Giovanni Mosca, Unomono etc) I don't think that can be said for the PAD.

I'm afraid the comparison ends with the notion that a self selected group not only knows what is best for the good of the nation, but demands to lead the nation (via a carefully monitored government- sometimes semi- elected, sometimes fully appointed).

Edited December 1, 2008 by blaze

[patklang]

I have a better idea, I will get a group of well educated farangs together and we will volunteer to reeducate the Bangkok elite.

excellent idea sally,the problem is that the bk elite are thick as pig shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[patklang]

I would just remind you that no one is going to lose a right to vote. No one.

Good point, all that stuff the PAD were saying about 70% appointed government and 30% elected, hel_l they were just joshing.

Likewise for the re-eduction of the ignorant - they weren't referring to Issan Taksin supporters, no you got it all wrong.

Like Mein Kampf - "hey guys I was only musing some ideas, don't take me seriously".

There are a few posters here with strong PAD leanings, many (not all) of whom have a history of articulate and well thought out posts. You must know something the rest of us don't, because what I am seeing is not a pretty picture on so many levels. And nothing you are publicly stating stands up. Regardless of Taksin corruption rants, you know darn well that is SOP here, so there must be something else?

sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,maybe these are teachers from bk and workers who are married to hi-so and will have their balls cut off if they dont tow the line.oops i nearly forgot,they have to be white too.

[annamaria4711]

However they are now tilting towards a fascist extreme, arresting police and insisting only they hold the gauntlet of truth. Using terms like reeducation shows the bias has titled to far and they are becoming the very wrong they condemn.

I think that it's in some ways unfair to describe the PAD as fascist- Euoropean Fascists tended to regard the peasantry as the embodiment of the national soul- and they certainly never identified themselves as racial entity apart from the majority (eg, "People of X origin saving Nation Y.) The goal of fascist movements usually included the material elevation of the poor- not to maintain it in a state of subjugation to the ambitions of the aristocracy and bougeoisie. Both the Italian and the Spanish fascists originated to some extent in a formidable and rigorous intellectual tradition. (Giovanni Mosca, Unomono etc) I don't think that can be said for the PAD.

I'm afraid the comparison ends with the notion that a self selected group not only knows what is best for the good of the nation, but demands to lead the nation (via a carefully monitored government- sometimes semi- elected, sometimes fully appointed).

OK let's call them Plutocracts....

however my family lived under fascist rule in Italy, they were poor and believe you me, just because they were poor did not make them any more safe than others

What these Pigs Against Democracy are suggesting come down to a similar mind set.....one rule for them another for everyone else...keep the masses poor and rule as dictator

[blaze]

However they are now tilting towards a fascist extreme, arresting police and insisting only they hold the gauntlet of truth. Using terms like reeducation shows the bias has titled to far and they are becoming the very wrong they condemn.

I think that it's in some ways unfair to describe the PAD as fascist- Euoropean Fascists tended to regard the peasantry as the embodiment of the national soul- and they certainly never identified themselves as racial entity apart from the majority (eg, "People of X origin saving Nation Y.) The goal of fascist movements usually included the material elevation of the poor- not to maintain it in a state of subjugation to the ambitions of the aristocracy and bougeoisie. Both the Italian and the Spanish fascists originated to some extent in a formidable and rigorous intellectual tradition. (Giovanni Mosca, Unomono etc) I don't think that can be said for the PAD.

I'm afraid the comparison ends with the notion that a self selected group not only knows what is best for the good of the nation, but demands to lead the nation (via a carefully monitored government- sometimes semi- elected, sometimes fully appointed).

OK let's call them Plutocracts....

however my family lived under fascist rule in Italy, they were poor and believe you me, just because they were poor did not make them any more safe than others

What these Pigs Against Democracy are suggesting come down to a similar mind set.....one rule for them another for everyone else...keep the masses poor and rule as dictator

Sorry Annamaria- I should have said the 'espoused goal of the fascists'- because like all utiopian movements- the coding from ideal to practice turned into a nightmare- including for those who were initially wowed by 'the vision'.

[dumball]

LOL ... more hyperbole! comparing making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry is hardly worthy of comparing to the KR or the Red Guard. So much for the anti-PAD zealot's credibility

yes re-education is a politically loaded word and in this case it really should just be the word 'educate'.

Strange you should say that JD , i was contemplating adding my two cents to something i have no real interst in , so hear they are (my 2 cents)

I think there is something amiss here , a small point that needs adressing " Before any person can or will be 'Re-educated' , do they not need to be educated in the first instance ? "

[barryjohnson]

I find the title of this threat very amazing and amusing.

[jdinasia]

LOL ... more hyperbole! comparing making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry is hardly worthy of comparing to the KR or the Red Guard. So much for the anti-PAD zealot's credibility

yes re-education is a politically loaded word and in this case it really should just be the word 'educate'.

Strange you should say that JD , i was contemplating adding my two cents to something i have no real interst in , so hear they are (my 2 cents)

I think there is something amiss here , a small point that needs adressing " Before any person can or will be 'Re-educated' , do they not need to be educated in the first instance ? "

yes ... there is a severe lack of anything BUT the party-line media outlets available upcountry to the vast majority of the poor. Watching people take the re-education statement out of context is almost humorous though (almost -- because some folks actually didn't read what was written and just grabbed that one line)

[kenk3z]

Is there anyone who doesn't think that if the "PPP" are ordered disbanded by the courts, that they won't simply regroup as the "QQQ" party? And if necessary, as the "RRR" party later? So the next time, it won't be Thaksin's brother-in-law as the PM, it might be his cousin, or his second cousin removed, or perhaps a good friend? And if the "word" is put out that this is the "regrouping" of TRT then they won't win the next election?

Seems almost Iraqi to me, whereby different sections of the country refuse to be ruled by people from the other sections.

Czechoslovakia comes to mind as another example.

Under just what circumstances do you expect PAD to be satisfied? Do you really think they will give up the airports on December 3rd? Isn't the feeling of "power" just too great a temptation to do that? Wouldn't it be "prudent" to hold the airports through the next election, just to make sure "our" party gets in, which is sure to happen if no "vote-buying" happens?

Thailand appears to be stuck in a political cycle that will take a lot of skill to break away from....

kenk3z

[patklang]

Thank god the majority of thais religion is buddhism.can you imagine if it was 50/50 buddhism and muslim.this would be like yugoslavia.

[Chaimai]

LOL ... more hyperbole! comparing making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry is hardly worthy of comparing to the KR or the Red Guard. So much for the anti-PAD zealot's credibility

yes re-education is a politically loaded word and in this case it really should just be the word 'educate'.

Strange you should say that JD , i was contemplating adding my two cents to something i have no real interst in , so hear they are (my 2 cents)

I think there is something amiss here , a small point that needs adressing " Before any person can or will be 'Re-educated' , do they not need to be educated in the first instance ? "

yes ... there is a severe lack of anything BUT the party-line media outlets available upcountry to the vast majority of the poor. Watching people take the re-education statement out of context is almost humorous though (almost -- because some folks actually didn't read what was written and just grabbed that one line)

JD - P - L - E - A - S - E

How the <deleted> can you take "re-education " out of context ??

Lagum's comments were unequivocal:-

"Rural people have good hearts but they don't know the truth like we do in Bangkok," said Noppakoon Lagum, 37, a surgeon helping to occupy the main international airport. "It is our duty to re-educate them."

[blaze]

LOL ... more hyperbole! comparing making other media outlets than the government stations available to people upcountry is hardly worthy of comparing to the KR or the Red Guard. So much for the anti-PAD zealot's credibility

yes re-education is a politically loaded word and in this case it really should just be the word 'educate'.

Strange you should say that JD , i was contemplating adding my two cents to something i have no real interst in , so hear they are (my 2 cents)

I think there is something amiss here , a small point that needs adressing " Before any person can or will be 'Re-educated' , do they not need to be educated in the first instance ? "

yes ... there is a severe lack of anything BUT the party-line media outlets available upcountry to the vast majority of the poor. Watching people take the re-education statement out of context is almost humorous though (almost -- because some folks actually didn't read what was written and just grabbed that one line)

No- most of us caught the part where an interviewee suggested ASTV as a recommended curriculum. But you're right- the speaker didn't mean 're-educated- he actually meant 'brainwashed'.