In essence do the PAD represent the high society <snip>, whilst the PPP stand or stood for the working class, rural Thais? Is all that's going just a class struggle?

That shallow argument rests on the premise that the PAD somehow represents the 'elite', as opposed to being a people's movement originating in diverse interests and concerns for the nation. Few casual observers have bothered to look into the PAD leadership beyond Sonthi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang. Other core leaders of the PAD include a past Communist Party of Thailand leader and activist with a pro-democracy NGO (Piphob Thongchai); a state enterprise labour union leader (Somsak Kosaisuk); and a university lecturer and social activist from the Northeast (Somkiat Pongpaiboon). All are known for their long and unstinting dedication to the voice and the rights of the urban and rural poor and disenfranchised.

PAD support came from a broad coalition of participants, from middle class bureaucrats and business people (who presumably would also not appreciate Thailand sliding back into autocratic modes of governance), to ordinary small traders, farmers (mostly from the South) and NGO activists and their allies from all over the country. Far from trying to send Thailand backwards, they are trying to propel it forwards from the Thaksin-led model of crony capitalism and limited freedoms.

Calls for a "New Politics" are made in the realisation that the ballot box has failed the majority, when the richest man in Thailand, his family and cronies have been able to run the country like a personal fiefdom or private corporation for the last 8 years. At the same time, populist policies and white elephant "mega-projects" have been pushed through without the normal checks and balances found in a functioning parliamentary democracy to further engorge this little TRT/PPP/Shinawatra elite.

Thaksin/TRT/PPP has been shifting Thailand towards a one-party autocratic state, where press freedom was limited (as confirmed by Thailand's slide in Transparency International's ratings during the Thaksin regime), along with his distaste for human rights ("The UN is not my father") and taste for extra-judicial killings to "win the War on Drugs"). At least 2,700 people were estimated to have been killed by police death squads, according to both internal and external reports. Thaksin was, of course, a policeman prior to his forays into business and politics.

Is it any wonder a section of the population had to take to the streets, enduring bombs, beatings and potshots from the pro-govt forces for over 170 days, and occupy Govt House, and eventually the two main airports in a combined show of people power to remove an illegitimate regime, clearly being backed by a convicted criminal? In Romania and the Philippines the PAD might have been hailed as regime-change heroes; in Thailand they are vilified by some sections of the Western media as 'fascists' or 'terrorists'. There has been something seriously awry with the reporting and comment on the specific Thailand political situation recently, putting it all down to a class struggle rather than seeing it for what it is, a reform movement.

In essence do the PAD represent the high society <snip>, whilst the PPP stand or stood for the working class, rural Thais? Is all that's going just a class struggle?

not it is not that easy....all the wrong doings of the PPP, extrem corruption, killings at war against drugs, forging documents etc etc

Thaksin came along and promised much to Thailands rural poor – they repaid him with their votes

It is exactly the opposite, He (re)paid their votes.

A most eloquent response…..or was it copied and pasted from a PAD propaganda website........?

Seems like you have made up your mind.

A most eloquent response…..or was it copied and pasted from a PAD propaganda website........?

Seems like you have made up your mind.

His posting style is very similar to someone else's. Trying to recall who... someone who is no longer with us....

His posting style is very similar to someone else's. Trying to recall who... someone who is no longer with us....

Bing Crosby..?

I wonder who these PAD protesters are?

Ordinary company employees?

Managers?

Factory workers?

Self employed?

Government employees?

Immigration officers?

Don't they have a job to do, money to make?

Oh, sitting, drinking and eating for free whilst waiving these fake hands?

Are they really getting paid, who can prove that?

Are they brain washed?

Are the pro-Thaksin rice farmers brainwashed?

That shallow argument rests on the premise that the PAD somehow represents the 'elite', as opposed to being a people's movement originating in diverse interests and concerns for the nation. Few casual observers have bothered to look into the PAD leadership beyond Sonthi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang. Other core leaders of the PAD include a past Communist Party of Thailand leader and activist with a pro-democracy NGO (Piphob Thongchai); a state enterprise labour union leader (Somsak Kosaisuk); and a university lecturer and social activist from the Northeast (Somkiat Pongpaiboon). All are known for their long and unstinting dedication to the voice and the rights of the urban and rural poor and disenfranchised.

PAD support came from a broad coalition of participants, from middle class bureaucrats and business people (who presumably would also not appreciate Thailand sliding back into autocratic modes of governance), to ordinary small traders, farmers (mostly from the South) and NGO activists and their allies from all over the country. Far from trying to send Thailand backwards, they are trying to propel it forwards from the Thaksin-led model of crony capitalism and limited freedoms.

Calls for a "New Politics" are made in the realisation that the ballot box has failed the majority, when the richest man in Thailand, his family and cronies have been able to run the country like a personal fiefdom or private corporation for the last 8 years. At the same time, populist policies and white elephant "mega-projects" have been pushed through without the normal checks and balances found in a functioning parliamentary democracy to further engorge this little TRT/PPP/Shinawatra elite.

Thaksin/TRT/PPP has been shifting Thailand towards a one-party autocratic state, where press freedom was limited (as confirmed by Thailand's slide in Transparency International's ratings during the Thaksin regime), along with his distaste for human rights ("The UN is not my father") and taste for extra-judicial killings to "win the War on Drugs"). At least 2,700 people were estimated to have been killed by police death squads, according to both internal and external reports. Thaksin was, of course, a policeman prior to his forays into business and politics.

Is it any wonder a section of the population had to take to the streets, enduring bombs, beatings and potshots from the pro-govt forces for over 170 days, and occupy Govt House, and eventually the two main airports in a combined show of people power to remove an illegitimate regime, clearly being backed by a convicted criminal? In Romania and the Philippines the PAD might have been hailed as regime-change heroes; in Thailand they are vilified by some sections of the Western media as 'fascists' or 'terrorists'. There has been something seriously awry with the reporting and comment on the specific Thailand political situation recently, putting it all down to a class struggle rather than seeing it for what it is, a reform movement.

if you send me 10.000.000 baht I'll turn it into 100.000.000 baht ... really! Send it now to 147-852369-5-5 !!

(this guy seems to believe anything anyway)

what about all the people who died from the communist guerrilla, all the people who died from the drugs ... they are just collateral I guess, right?

to the OP, yes, that's what it is; the elite who want to re-install their kleptocrazy and use the PAD as a proxy and give them money that they earned with all kinds of illegal practices, especially the way they robbed the country blinded while in power, as during the last military coupe, the drugs-money of course why else is it an issue that he killed 2.700 criminals) etc. etc. etc.

them against the poor, who finally found their voice and don't want to be pushed back into the dark ages ... again !

PPP is a political party whose brief reign ended with a military-coup installed "Constitutional" Court.

PAD is at best a terrorist organization.

PPP is a political party whose brief reign ended with a military-coup installed "Constitutional" Court.

PAD is at best a terrorist organization.

Well put

A most eloquent response…..or was it copied and pasted from a PAD propaganda website........?

Seems like you have made up your mind.

His posting style is very similar to someone else's. Trying to recall who... someone who is no longer with us....

Postman Pat?

PPP is a political party whose brief reign ended with a military-coup installed "Constitutional" Court.

PAD is at best a terrorist organization.

LOL .. Daniel Webster you aint!