Abhisit Vejjajiva

[brennanstimpy]

I find it very interesting reading the national forum because everybody in Bangkok seems to hate Tahksin. They are very pro PAD and Abhisit Vejjajiva. I think they are nuts and both sides are equally screwy. I am expecting a civil war in the near future. Anyone think that is too far fetched?

[brennanstimpy]

I hope this topic doesn't get moved to general forum because I wanted to hear specifically from us Northerners.

I find it very interesting reading the national forum because everybody in Bangkok seems to hate Tahksin. They are very pro PAD and Abhisit Vejjajiva. I think they are nuts and both sides are equally screwy. I am expecting a civil war in the near future. Anyone think that is too far fetched?

[Lordfoul]

It's funny, But most Northern Thais I know Hate Thaksin also.

I find it very interesting reading the national forum because everybody in Bangkok seems to hate Tahksin. They are very pro PAD and Abhisit Vejjajiva. I think they are nuts and both sides are equally screwy. I am expecting a civil war in the near future. Anyone think that is too far fetched?

[tigerbeer]

no comments except that my wardrobe does not consist of any yellow or red clothing. Its their country and whatever suits them suits me. As long as conditions are livable here, am happy. and oh, and as long as Tigerbeer remains as an affordable beverage

[Ajarn]

My opinion is, Thaksin is a not good. Before the elections when he came in, everywhere I heard Thais saying, ' what did he and his family do in Chiang Mai to help? Nothing

I think Abhisit Vejjajiva is a good guy, mostly because he is sooo new, and doesn't have much experience, which means now if he were elected, he wold have to cater to so many people first, and I don't think he could stay clean for long... Newin or anyone who knows Newin will be a continuance of his escapades...

The only person I think could bring 'safety' to Thailand is Khun Anand Panyarachun:)

Here are some fairly recent corruption issues.. http://AsiaRecipe.com/corruption.html

[whatawonderfulday]

I would hope that Abhisit could go some way to remove the social divide that has been brought about by Thaksin and his supporters for the good of all.

Anyway he can not be too bad as he is by birth, a Geordie, and apparently still supports NUFC. Now given their phoenix like ressurrection so far this season, a similar strategy by Abhisit for Thailand can only be wished and hoped for.

[SomNamNah]

For anyone who hasnt heard him: http://www.abhisit.org/EuromoneyHK5july2007.wma

Sounds like a decent enough guy, just needs a decent PR team now (and i dont mean the brown yellow shirts)

sounds very wishy washy, not at all like a potential dictator. Good luck to him.

Most people i ask about are you red or white now seem to have flip flopped,.. neither side.. "my country has failed" one nice guy told me, with a real look of sadness, which was a touching thing to see.

Does seem like Thaksin has it easy.. put his feet up for the next few years while global shit hits the fan... come back at the first sign of recovery.. and take all the credit!

Edited December 15, 2008 by SomNamNah

[angiud]

I find it very interesting reading the national forum because everybody in Bangkok seems to hate Tahksin. They are very pro PAD and Abhisit Vejjajiva. I think they are nuts and both sides are equally screwy. I am expecting a civil war in the near future. Anyone think that is too far fetched?

Do you hope it?

BTW people in the North and North East don't like Takshin, they just like Thaksin money.

[ThaiPauly]

I wish "Mark", (his English name), all the best.....he is gonna need a lot of luck

But he looks the part and has all the right qualifications for office.

A good orator, strikes a good pose , foreign governments will warm to him, businessmen like him,...all in all...a very good day for Thailand IMHO

[gpdjohn]

If he cx out "The Fugitives" diplomatic passport, I will give him my nod.

I do not have much hope though...

The red shirts are now angry..didn't get thier way, if reversed, the yellow will throw a fit again.

Kinda like two 7 year olds trying to share toys.

and I totally agree with Tigerbeer.

[Ajarn]

Abhisit Vejjajiva has just been elected PM in Bangkok. Cross your fingers...

[JuniorExPat]

I wish "Mark", (his English name), all the best.....he is gonna need a lot of luck

But he looks the part and has all the right qualifications for office.

A good orator, strikes a good pose , foreign governments will warm to him, businessmen like him,...all in all...a very good day for Thailand IMHO

I agree totally, wonderful to have someone who will be eloquent enough to take the international stage at last. Let's hope he can stay in office long enough to get some work done.

Good to have a Brit steering the ship!

tigerbeer made valid points too!

JxP

[Ricardo]

My opinion is, Thaksin is a not good. Before the elections when he came in, everywhere I heard Thais saying, ' what did he and his family do in Chiang Mai to help? Nothing

I think Abhisit Vejjajiva is a good guy, mostly because he is sooo new, and doesn't have much experience, which means now if he were elected, he wold have to cater to so many people first, and I don't think he could stay clean for long... Newin or anyone who knows Newin will be a continuance of his escapades...

The only person I think could bring 'safety' to Thailand is Khun Anand Panyarachun:)

Here are some fairly recent corruption issues.. http://AsiaRecipe.com/corruption.html

I think Thaksin might reasonably claim to have got 'his' town the Night Safari, the Pandas at CM Zoo, perhaps Royal Ratcha Pruek, and that unnecessary extension to the terminal-building at CNX, beyond that well ...

Overall I believe that TRT used to get about 75% of the vote up here, but there always were some who voted otherwise, or who supported PAD in the early days, but understandably kept a low-profile in recent times.

But northern-farmers also remember who opened-up the border to cheap garlic from China, who benefitted most from exporting lamyai to China, and many village-people took advantage of cheap loans & lived to regret it. I only wish I had spare capital, the amount of land my wife is offered, these days.

[Ulysses G.]

Interesting because most of the Thais that I know in Chiang Mai like Thaksin because of all the things he did to promote Chiang Mai. I can remember when he first took office and all of a sudden there were fairs and events in Chiang Mai every week that rumors said were sponsored by him. That is how the Sunday Walking Market on Thapae Road started and it was later moved inside the old city started also.

Most people think that all the giant new, 5 Star Hotels came here because Thaksin was doing so much to push Chiang Mai as a tourist destination, but that all stopped when he was pushed out of office.

No one thinks that he was not corrupt, but they think that all the other polititians are just as bad, but have never done much for Chiang Mai and he did.

As to Abhisit Vejjajiva, he is handsome and speaks well. I just hope that he can keep Thailand from falling apart.

Edited December 15, 2008 by Ulysses G.

[Jingthing]

So he pork barreled one city? That recommends him? Geez! How do you think the Northern people will react if the new government can manage to put old Thakky behind bars? It seems to me he does need to be neutralized. I think it is outrageous that he still is active politically as a wanted fugitive. Some major cajones may be needed to help this country get over this one big headed man. I reckon PAD will be pushing for this, strip all his passports, bring him back to justice. If not, what then? The situation remains unresolved and festering.

Edited December 15, 2008 by Jingthing

[lannarebirth]

Interesting because most of the Thais that I know in Chiang Mai like Thaksin because of all the things he did to promote Chiang Mai. I can remember when he first took office and all of a sudden there were fairs and events in Chiang Mai every week that rumors said were sponsored by him. That is how the Sunday Walking Market on Thapae Road started and it was later moved inside the old city started also.

Most people think that all the giant new, 5 Star Hotels came here because Thaksin was doing so much to push Chiang Mai as a tourist destination, but that all stopped when he was pushed out of office.

No one thinks that he was not corrupt, but they think that all the other polititians are just as bad, but have never done much for Chiang Mai and he did.

As to Abhisit Vejjajiva, he is handsome and speaks well. I just hope that he can keep Thailand from falling apart.

Most of the hotels were built because Thaksin entered office trying to get casinoes built and exited the same way. His proxies continued the effort. Fortunately they did not succeed.

[Ulysses G.]

The last thing they want is him in Thailand and putting him in jail might make him a martyr figure even bigger than before.

I overheard some of my staff talking about Abhisit Vejjajiva's claim that he would immediately revoke Thaksin's passport. They wanted to know when he would do the same to the leaders of PAD.

[Lordfoul]

Did the PAD leaders flee the country to escape prosecution? If so then they should definitely have their passports revoked.

The last thing they want is him in Thailand and putting him in jail might make him a martyr figure even bigger than before.

I overheard some of my staff talking about Abhisit Vejjajiva's claim that he would immediately revoke Thaksin's passport. They wanted to know when he would do the same to the leaders of PAD.

[Ulysses G.]

Has anyone even bothered to charge them with anything?

[Lordfoul]

Yes, I believe so... I remember a couple of weeks ago they were detained for something. If the government wants any credibility they will have to prosecute some leaders. It will be interesting to see how it is handled.

Has anyone even bothered to charge them with anything?

[FarangCravings]

The last thing they want is him in Thailand and putting him in jail might make him a martyr figure even bigger than before.

I overheard some of my staff talking about Abhisit Vejjajiva's claim that he would immediately revoke Thaksin's passport. They wanted to know when he would do the same to the leaders of PAD.

No respect whatsoever for thai political system its a complete joke no democracy here and no respect for it

[PeaceBlondie]

Yesterday I read articles about sakdhina, the cultural element so pervasive in Thai culture since ancient times, that tells Thais where they stand in the social hierarchy. Politicians are never even listed. There is the aristocracy, the monkhood, the civil service, educators...no politicians. Which may say they are a nonentity in Thai culture in which your station in life is everything.

[Jingthing]

The last thing they want is him in Thailand and putting him in jail might make him a martyr figure even bigger than before.

That may seem superficially logical but I am not convinced it is true. As long as he is on the run, he is scheming and agitating and buying support. Locked up and stripped of MONEY, that could be stopped, and its possible over time people will accept that the con will NEVER be dictator for life, which is obviously what he and his redcoats want.

Edited December 15, 2008 by Jingthing

[Puwa]

I think sakdina was repealed long before Thailand had electoral politics and professional politicians. But I agree with you that over a century later it holds sway over Thai culture.

[wayfarer108]

I can only remember discussing Abhisit with one or two Thai friends in Chiang Mai. They seemed rather indifferent to him. I'm hoping he and his cabinet have what it takes to pull the country together. Perhaps if Thaksin stops meddling, they might.

On the other hand every Chiang Mai resident I know dislikes the entire Shinawatra clan because of the way every adult family member has initiated a project that was either a boondoggle (the Night Safari), failure (Suriwong Plaza) or a downright fraud (his wife's contract for the underpasses, which were under construction for a record five years; she allegedly made all her profit on the equipment purchases, which explains all the roadbuilding equipment standing around unused for as long as three years without moving). Someone in the immediate family bought a unit in my condominium and proceeded to disobey all the rules for interior renovations, taking out structural walls, installing a gas stove, etc. No one dared confront them because due to the fear of Shinawatra power in Chiang Mai.

I have yet to meet a Chiang Mai resident, Thai or farang, who liked him or his family, other than those directly benefiting from the above-named contracts.

Edited December 15, 2008 by wayfarer108

[britmaveric]

I wager he won't last 2 months, yellows opened up a can of worm with circus and I believe its the reds turn now.

[Jingthing]

I wager he won't last 2 months, yellows opened up a can of worm with circus and I believe its the reds turn now.

So I take it you don't think the military will answer Abby's call? I think they will and the redcoats know it.

[britmaveric]

No they are useless and won't get involved. Remember - no involvement in politics and civil matters. So you are saying if the reds blockade the airport - the military and police will prepare to spill blood??? This happens there will be civil war for certain.

[Jingthing]

No they are useless and won't get involved. Remember - no involvement in politics and civil matters. So you are saying if the reds blockade the airport - the military and police will prepare to spill blood??? This happens there will be civil war for certain.

I am saying they (the reds) won't risk it.

Edited December 15, 2008 by Jingthing

[britmaveric]

Oh you under estimate them - they will risk it, their rights are being denied, so why wouldn't they?