State Of Emergency Declared For Bangkok

[SpoliaOpima]

The enemy will be dealt with.

Funny that Abhisit said that anyone who occupies state property and inconveniences the public is an enemy of the state and will be prosecuted. So how come several PAD leaders are now holding high government positions and were never prosecuted for occupying the government building for months and the airports for a week? The red shirts haven't even entered the government house yet.

Foreign minister Kasit is one of the main PAD leaders.

Ummmm, no he wasn't.

The central committee of the PAD consists of:

• Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul
  
• Major General Chamlong Srimuang
  
• Activist Phiphob Thongchai
  
• State enterprise labor union leader Somsak Kosaisuuk
  
• University lecturer and social activist Somkeit Pongpaibul.^[40]
  

Besides the five leaders, ten others form the PAD management committee: Pitaya Wongkul, Rewadee Prasertcharoensuuk, Rosana Tositrakul, Chaiwat Sindhuwong, Preeda Tiasuwan, Sirichai Maingam, Suwit Watnuu, Kochawan Chaiyabut, Weerapol Sopa, Ouychai Wata.

Other leaders include Khamnoon Sitthisaman and Campaign for Popular Democracy leader Suriyasai Katasila. Several current and former employees of Sondhi played a role, including Panthep Puapongbhant, Samran Rodpetch, Kumnuun Sidhisamann, Sarocha Pornudomsak, Anchalee Paireerak, Yuthayong Limlertwatee, and Torpong Sewatarm.

Yes, its from Wikipedia. But its still true, lol. Find a publication that shows Kasit was a main PAD Leader. Or, stop saying it like its a fact.

Rainman is out of his depth, so he just makes it up as he goes along.

Edited April 12, 2009 by SpoliaOpima

[shunima]

Sadly that is the attitude of so many here and they wonder why the country is in the state it is in....

Maybe accepting some advice and learning from other countries as other Asian countries do might help rather than staying in ignorant bliss..

I dunno how to respond here but while doing my job I simply learned that it is a lot more helpful to bring "ASEANS" together to learn from their experiences then to implement some "european/american" wisdom. It's simply not working that way.

[hammered]

For my part, I wouldn't mind seeing elections. I don't think the results would be what the reds expect. Once elections are called, MP's can switch parties. Judging by the fact that the PT party could only muster 120 signatures on there most recent Abhisit is evil petition, I would say about 60-70 of there MP's will jump to Newin's camp (or too Dems, and Chart Thai Pattana).

Also, the January Byelection showed that the PT party lost a lot of ground, in there "break and butter" area. It is conceivable that after the next election the Dem/Bhum Jai Thai coalition will have 300 MP's plus. Abihit will be PM, but the coalition will have a lot more "Newin" influence, which isn't the best thing, in my opinion. (See the recent 1 airport, 2 airport discussions)

But tey'll never agree on the rules under whcih to hold an election ie consitutiton

[edwardmoulton]

We are not guests.

Guests come to dinner or come for a holiday, they do not live here and contribute to the economy.

I live here and I should have the same civil rights as a Thai. I accept I cannot vote and I am happy to own a condo but I will never accept anyone calling me a 'guest' and the sooner the rest of the foreign residents here do that too the better for us all and Thailand can start to be less racist...

[IMA_FARANG]

O.K. everybody....keep calm and relax.

I went through two coups and a street riot situation in Bangkok before.

I once watched two fully armed Thai Air Force F-5's (bomb load too) fly over Bangkok to let the Army General coup leaders of that time know Thai Air Force was still loyal to the government. Two F-5's from Dong Mueng flew at about 500 feet over the government building that had been occupied by the coup leaders.

The next day the coup leaders decided to leave Bangkok, and the coup collapsed.

Everybody, just calm down, Stay home. Play video games or watch old DVDs....whatever.

Don't go out on the streets unless you absolutely have to...and not just because you need more beer.

I'm beginning to believe a coup is going to happen...and the Army will be coming in to restore order.

Anyhow, we shall see what happens.

Just stay out of the way. As a foriegner in Thailand, you can't change anything, and you are just going to be in the way.

So huddle down in your house, apartment, hotel, whatever.

Let the others who want to play outside in the street do their thing.

You just keep calm and watch it on T.V.

P.S.

Anyone who has been in Thailand long enough knows who the ultimate power is. I just can't say it on this forum.

Edited April 12, 2009 by IMA_FARANG

[Muppetbkk]

Am i the only one that thinks democracy clearly does not work in some country's?

[edwardmoulton]

Fusion of Western and Asian ideas works very well in HK and Singapore where they take the best from each culture. Also, ex-colonies have the choice how much ex-colonial ideas to maintain and they maintain the bits they like and that work...

[SpankyMcSpank]

And yet again and again, all these people arguing and posting threads from the papers and yet not even one person has the real facts or information to argue politics.

Lets hope Cambodia will seize an opportunity and take control over the disputed temple while Thailand is too busy to deal with their internal problems

and people, please please stop insulting each other and discussing Thai politics, YOU DO NOT KNOW IT. THAIS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW IT.

This is the Thai News Clippings forum. What are we supposed to do here? Trade recipies and knit socks?

If you know more about this, please educate us. Otherwise your comments just make you look

[kevkev1888]

...yes and in a lot of situations where they run over each other they would be better off without cars. But that's not the point. Point is that we are the guests if we like it or not. We are not eligible to vote, we are not eligible to receive socila contributions, we are not eligible to buy lad, we are not....

and if anybody doesn't like it they are glad to show you the way to Suvannabhumi. (...and I still prefer to stay here :-)

No problem to buy a lad if you want! Lads Ladys Ladyboys all available!

[eldar1]

PAD demands PM sack deputy PM, defence minister

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) -- The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Sunday issued a statement demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, and Thailand's army, navy and police chiefs immediately after they failed to contain the red-shirted anti-government protesters on Saturday, which led to cancellation of the ASEAN summit with its dialogue partners.

The PAD statement said the government was totally defeated as it could not protect the country's interests, and that the Thai people, therefore, must depend on themselves.

The PAD statement said that Mr. Suthep who oversees national security has a close relation with convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had failed to implement security measures and the prime minister should display courage and leadership by changing the deputy prime minister, defence minister, chiefs of the army, navy and police immediately.

Retired Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, one of the core PAD leaders told the Sunday press conference that if the government could not help the country, the PAD would "come out", but at present the Abhisit government must implement the law to deal with the unrest.

Another PAD leader. Sondhi Limthongkul said that Mr. Abhisit must perform his duty more seriously, but if he fails, the PAD will come out to display its public referendum and power.

However, the PAD membership will not come out on the street and become targets themselves by clashing with the "Red Shirt' protesters, Mr. Sondhi said, which is wanted by Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda so that it is necessary to suppress both sides, which would eventually lead to a military coup. (TNA)

Source- http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=9469

Urgg having PAD come out is the last thing this country needs right now. Having 2 mobs on the street is a sure fire way of this thing devolving into a proper civil war. Let's hope Sondhi keeps his dogs on a tight leash.

It's quiet over in red insurgency land at the moment, have they finally seen the light and gone home for songkran?

Why isn't the government actively hunting the traitorous leaders of anti-democratic red shirt movement? Abhisit is just too soft sometimes, most other leaders would have had those 2 hunted down and brought to justice for their treason.

[shunima]

We are not guests.

Guests come to dinner or come for a holiday, they do not live here and contribute to the economy.

I live here and I should have the same civil rights as a Thai. I accept I cannot vote and I am happy to own a condo but I will never accept anyone calling me a 'guest' and the sooner the rest of the foreign residents here do that too the better for us all and Thailand can start to be less racist...

...you should but you don't. It's your free will to stay here (and so is mine) but when you feel that it's no longer worth it a taxi will bring you happily to the airport (still trying to convince you that for airport rides the meter is not available). Where I come from they call it "Shit happens"

[ChiangMaiFun]

Abhisit? great leader and planner? - Yes

Kasit? mental age of what? 50, but with a hot temper that gets in into trouble. Many of us can relate, I'm sure.

Suthep? Any other cabinet member you can admire? I admire Khun Korn quite a lot. Minister of the Treasury.

Or maybe Mr Newin? Maybe Newin what? That is an incomplete thought.

And then let's see:

The current government's standards:

Do you agree with only 30% of the government being elected and 70% being appointed by the poewers that be? That is not a Democrat plan. That was a PAD plan. The PM does not agree with it, and has said so repeatedly.

Do you agree with taking no action against the discgusting activiites of last year? PAD... Im pretty sure 19 of them were in the Police Station less than 2 weeks ago, to hear charges brought against them by the Attorney General.

Do you agree with so much power being in the hands of a few in BKK and those in the countryside being considered sub-human? No, and Im pretty sure that most don' t feel that way. If you've ever heard any of the current government ministers mention that, please enlighten us.

Do you condone the continued cover ups and lies from the army over Cambodia and Rohingya? No, I don't. This is the army covering its ass, and one of the major problems in Thailand. However, the PM had a good point on Hard Talk this week. He asked for the international media to provide him with documentation concering their allegations and the didn't, or couldn't. I'd like to know more about that.

If you support and agree with any of the above, come out and say it! Otherwise, stop droning on with sad old petty jokes about Thaksin and stop making personal attacks on people here for their beliefs (which, by the way are far more admirable than just following the easy poke-fun route so many of you do).

There are a lot of constructive members on here but form what I see the ones that continually make derogatory remarks are the sad old establishment buffoons...

I"ve answered your questions. DO I get my EdwardMoulton Certified Membership Card now? Am I allowed to post on TV, with your permission? I wait your answer, most humbly...

Well, answer the questions above before you pick apart anyone else's posts and argue semantics... Done

My answers in red.

First answers reply was in 'blue'? Freudian slip?

[SpankyMcSpank]

O.K. everybody....keep calm and relax.

I went through two coups and a street riot situation in Bangkok before.

I once watched two fully armed Thai Air Force F-5's (bomb load too) fly over Bangkok to let the Army General coup leaders of that time know Thai Air Force was still loyal to the government. Two F-5's from Dong Mueng flew at about 500 feet over the government building that had been occupied by the coup leaders.

The next day the coup leaders decided to leave Bangkok, and the coup collapsed.

Everybody, just calm down, Stay home. Play video games or watch old DVDs....whatever.

Don't go out on the streets unless you absolutely have to...and not just because you need more beer.

I'm beginning to believe a coup is going to happen...and the Army will be coming in to restore order.

Anyhow, we shall see what happens.

Just stay out of the way. As a foriegner in Thailand, you can't change anything, and you are just going to be in the way.

So huddle down in your house, apartment, hotel, whatever.

Let the others who want to play outside in the street do their thing.

You just keep calm and watch it on T.V.

P.S.

Anyone who has been in Thailand long enough knows who the ultimate power is. I just can't say it on this forum.

Its ok man, you can tell them, I don't mind. The ultimate power in Thailand is me.

[Thai at Heart]

And yet again and again, all these people arguing and posting threads from the papers and yet not even one person has the real facts or information to argue politics.

Lets hope Cambodia will seize an opportunity and take control over the disputed temple while Thailand is too busy to deal with their internal problems

and people, please please stop insulting each other and discussing Thai politics, YOU DO NOT KNOW IT. THAIS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW IT.

As for the insults, of course of limits. More worrying, you think Thai's don't know about Thai politics.

As for discussing it, I don't think anything written here has even a 0.000001% effect on the outcome of Thai politics, but it is interesting banter and possibly informative. Life here is difficult enough legally even though I am largely responsible for the care of 4 of your citizens and extended family, so am I supposed to not even think any more, even though tomorrow morning there is a good probability that there will be blood on the same streets that you and I may walk.

I would suggest the right attitude would be to encourage your fellow countrymen to think about it a lot more than screaming, FARANG DON"T THINK.

The vast majority of us had nothing to do with creating this mess, it is Thai's to solve, we are generally nothing more than very concerned onlookers with responsibilities for which your government isn't about to provide even though I fund it.

Edited April 12, 2009 by Thai at Heart

[eldar1]

Am i the only one that thinks democracy clearly does not work in some country's?

You should not be too hard on the thais, they have only been at it for 30 years, remember it took europe quite a while to get the whole democracy thing right.

*edit for clarification

Edited April 12, 2009 by eldar1

[SpankyMcSpank]

Abhisit? great leader and planner? - Yes

Kasit? mental age of what? 50, but with a hot temper that gets in into trouble. Many of us can relate, I'm sure.

Suthep? Any other cabinet member you can admire? I admire Khun Korn quite a lot. Minister of the Treasury.

Or maybe Mr Newin? Maybe Newin what? That is an incomplete thought.

And then let's see:

The current government's standards:

Do you agree with only 30% of the government being elected and 70% being appointed by the poewers that be? That is not a Democrat plan. That was a PAD plan. The PM does not agree with it, and has said so repeatedly.

Do you agree with taking no action against the discgusting activiites of last year? PAD... Im pretty sure 19 of them were in the Police Station less than 2 weeks ago, to hear charges brought against them by the Attorney General.

Do you agree with so much power being in the hands of a few in BKK and those in the countryside being considered sub-human? No, and Im pretty sure that most don' t feel that way. If you've ever heard any of the current government ministers mention that, please enlighten us.

Do you condone the continued cover ups and lies from the army over Cambodia and Rohingya? No, I don't. This is the army covering its ass, and one of the major problems in Thailand. However, the PM had a good point on Hard Talk this week. He asked for the international media to provide him with documentation concering their allegations and the didn't, or couldn't. I'd like to know more about that.

If you support and agree with any of the above, come out and say it! Otherwise, stop droning on with sad old petty jokes about Thaksin and stop making personal attacks on people here for their beliefs (which, by the way are far more admirable than just following the easy poke-fun route so many of you do).

There are a lot of constructive members on here but form what I see the ones that continually make derogatory remarks are the sad old establishment buffoons...

I"ve answered your questions. DO I get my EdwardMoulton Certified Membership Card now? Am I allowed to post on TV, with your permission? I wait your answer, most humbly...

Well, answer the questions above before you pick apart anyone else's posts and argue semantics... Done

My answers in red.

First answers reply was in 'blue'? Freudian slip?

Yes, yes it was. Glad you picked that up. It makes it easy for me to come clean now. I, Spanky McSpank - am color blind.

[edwardmoulton]

We are not guests.

Guests come to dinner or come for a holiday, they do not live here and contribute to the economy.

I live here and I should have the same civil rights as a Thai. I accept I cannot vote and I am happy to own a condo but I will never accept anyone calling me a 'guest' and the sooner the rest of the foreign residents here do that too the better for us all and Thailand can start to be less racist...

...you should but you don't. It's your free will to stay here (and so is mine) but when you feel that it's no longer worth it a taxi will bring you happily to the airport (still trying to convince you that for airport rides the meter is not available). Where I come from they call it "Shit happens"

Why roll over and take the attitude? I never do... I stand up for my rights as much as possible without causing an issue. Maybe more should do that and stop talking about the airport. We all know where it is and what it is there for...

[kuffki]

And yet again and again, all these people arguing and posting threads from the papers and yet not even one person has the real facts or information to argue politics.

Lets hope Cambodia will seize an opportunity and take control over the disputed temple while Thailand is too busy to deal with their internal problems

and people, please please stop insulting each other and discussing Thai politics, YOU DO NOT KNOW IT. THAIS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW IT.

This is the Thai News Clippings forum. What are we supposed to do here? Trade recipies and knit socks?

If you know more about this, please educate us. Otherwise your comments just make you look

And i rest my case once again"This is the Thai News Clippings " Thai news interpreted by an individual.

So what the f do you know about Thai politics other then getting it from Thai translated papers?NOTHING

Express your concerns about the situation or your hopes for the future, but do not get into discussion or argument over Thai politics, because you know nothing about it and hence it is you and people commenting on Thai politics look like fools.

[shunima]

Fusion of Western and Asian ideas works very well in HK and Singapore where they take the best from each culture. Also, ex-colonies have the choice how much ex-colonial ideas to maintain and they maintain the bits they like and that work...

oh boy... HK & Singapore are the least countries I would have mentioned. Both are def. not democratic and both of them end to put their opponents in jail faster than you & me can say "I got it"

[wxpwzrd]

Am i the only one that thinks democracy clearly does not work in some country's?

You should not be too hard on the thais, they have only been at it for 30 years, remember it took europe quite a while to get the whole democracy thing right.

*edit for clarification

They got it right?

[waza]

meanwhile.... back at the ranch..........a coup is taking place

[whitfield]

For those of you who get your views of Thai politics from your wives here's a little caveat!

I tried to explain to mine why Abhisit was perfectly within his rights to refuse calls for a new election as his was a legitimate government of elected MPs. Was she interested in hearing this piece of news? Or even my explanation of the electoral processes?

Not a bit of it - Her mother had told her that Abhisit is an unelected, undemocratic monster - so he must be.

Where did mother get her views? From talking to some bloke in the village who had been to listen to a Thaksin rally.

[Plus]

They occupied government house for three bloody months forcing everyone to work elsewhere. You call that a visit?

They closed three airports causing mayhem across Asia, was that another visit. And if the mob would have gotten their hands on those government folks that jumped the fence as parliament was sieged. do you think they would have helped them find their car and driver?

Nothing like reading a good history rewrite before sleep.

PAD's taking over govt house was peaceful and non-violent.

Apart from that, they've been demonstrating in various locations around the city, including metropolitan police. It was all peaceful and non-violent. They also managed to get into the airport without breaking through glass doors and lines of police and soldiers and without blocking cars of visiting foreign government leaders and scaring women shitless and wheeping in front of TV cameras while they run around the building, hunting for anyone important to vent their anger at.

"Government folks that jumped the fence when parliament was sieged" - you mean Oct 7 when the poilice fired tear gas canisters without any warning and injured hundreds of people, killing at least one and seriously maiming several others, do you mean that as an example of PAD violence? Do you mean those government folks who ordered a crackdown and then passed through the rivers on blood to declare their "reconciliation" policy with those who lost their lives and limbs?

You are another one who confuses civil disobedience with lynch mob on rampage.

[JimmyTheMook]

And yet again and again, all these people arguing and posting threads from the papers and yet not even one person has the real facts or information to argue politics.

Lets hope Cambodia will seize an opportunity and take control over the disputed temple while Thailand is too busy to deal with their internal problems

and people, please please stop insulting each other and discussing Thai politics, YOU DO NOT KNOW IT. THAIS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW IT.

This is the Thai News Clippings forum. What are we supposed to do here? Trade recipies and knit socks?

If you know more about this, please educate us. Otherwise your comments just make you look

And i rest my case once again"This is the Thai News Clippings " Thai news interpreted by an individual.

So what the f do you know about Thai politics other then getting it from Thai translated papers?NOTHING

Express your concerns about the situation or your hopes for the future, but do not get into discussion or argument over Thai politics, because you know nothing about it and hence it is you and people commenting on Thai politics look like fools.

Are you an expert on Thai politics ?

Because to the average viewer they look like rank idiots and more & more like the poorly educated savages they truly are.

[wxpwzrd]

We are not guests.

Guests come to dinner or come for a holiday, they do not live here and contribute to the economy.

I live here and I should have the same civil rights as a Thai. I accept I cannot vote and I am happy to own a condo but I will never accept anyone calling me a 'guest' and the sooner the rest of the foreign residents here do that too the better for us all and Thailand can start to be less racist...

...you should but you don't. It's your free will to stay here (and so is mine) but when you feel that it's no longer worth it a taxi will bring you happily to the airport (still trying to convince you that for airport rides the meter is not available). Where I come from they call it "Shit happens"

Why roll over and take the attitude? I never do... I stand up for my rights as much as possible without causing an issue. Maybe more should do that and stop talking about the airport. We all know where it is and what it is there for...

I might be a little curious what rights you believe you have been denied that are explicitly granted to begin with.

[shunima]

We are not guests.

Guests come to dinner or come for a holiday, they do not live here and contribute to the economy.

I live here and I should have the same civil rights as a Thai. I accept I cannot vote and I am happy to own a condo but I will never accept anyone calling me a 'guest' and the sooner the rest of the foreign residents here do that too the better for us all and Thailand can start to be less racist...

...you should but you don't. It's your free will to stay here (and so is mine) but when you feel that it's no longer worth it a taxi will bring you happily to the airport (still trying to convince you that for airport rides the meter is not available). Where I come from they call it "Shit happens"

Why roll over and take the attitude? I never do... I stand up for my rights as much as possible without causing an issue. Maybe more should do that and stop talking about the airport. We all know where it is and what it is there for...

Because Thailand is not NZ or AUS where they grant you what you demand. This is a proud asian country and they don't give a shit what you demand. And a simple thing you learn in buddhism is that it isn't worth to fight things you can't change. Better to invest your energy to by some beer froim mom & pop even if the government doesn't allow it. That's the sort of rebellion that's always working (and contributes to the "grassroots" economy)

[ChiangMaiFun]

For those of you who get your views of Thai politics from your wives here's a little caveat!

I tried to explain to mine why Abhisit was perfectly within his rights to refuse calls for a new election as his was a legitimate government of elected MPs. Was she interested in hearing this piece of news? Or even my explanation of the electoral processes?

Not a bit of it - Her mother had told her that Abhisit is an unelected, undemocratic monster - so he must be.

Where did mother get her views? From talking to some bloke in the village who had been to listen to a Thaksin rally.

your wife is right - he is undemocratically PM! he got in by democratically elected 'leaders' changing sides - ok for temp thing UNTIL elections but current govt. are not saying they will hold new elections - Thai people are up in arms - and so they should be - let a new election happen and everything is difused... NO ONE has voted him PM! you don't get it???

[ChiangMaiFun]

For those of you who get your views of Thai politics from your wives here's a little caveat!

I tried to explain to mine why Abhisit was perfectly within his rights to refuse calls for a new election as his was a legitimate government of elected MPs. Was she interested in hearing this piece of news? Or even my explanation of the electoral processes?

Not a bit of it - Her mother had told her that Abhisit is an unelected, undemocratic monster - so he must be.

Where did mother get her views? From talking to some bloke in the village who had been to listen to a Thaksin rally.

your wife is right - he is undemocratically PM! he got in by democratically elected 'leaders' changing sides - ok for temp thing UNTIL elections but current govt. are not saying they will hold new elections - Thai people are up in arms - and so they should be - let a new election happen and everything is difused... NO ONE has voted him PM! you don't get it???

PS BTW no one voted Brown into British PM and we don't like that either!!! AND he will pay price at next election - you have to have a MANDATE!!!

[wxpwzrd]

For those of you who get your views of Thai politics from your wives here's a little caveat!

I tried to explain to mine why Abhisit was perfectly within his rights to refuse calls for a new election as his was a legitimate government of elected MPs. Was she interested in hearing this piece of news? Or even my explanation of the electoral processes?

Not a bit of it - Her mother had told her that Abhisit is an unelected, undemocratic monster - so he must be.

Where did mother get her views? From talking to some bloke in the village who had been to listen to a Thaksin rally.

your wife is right - he is undemocratically PM! he got in by democratically elected 'leaders' changing sides - ok for temp thing UNTIL elections but current govt. are not saying they will hold new elections - Thai people are up in arms - and so they should be - let a new election happen and everything is difused... NO ONE has voted him PM! you don't get it???

Obviously you don't get it... Parliament elects your PM.

[Thai at Heart]

And yet again and again, all these people arguing and posting threads from the papers and yet not even one person has the real facts or information to argue politics.

Lets hope Cambodia will seize an opportunity and take control over the disputed temple while Thailand is too busy to deal with their internal problems

and people, please please stop insulting each other and discussing Thai politics, YOU DO NOT KNOW IT. THAIS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW IT.

This is the Thai News Clippings forum. What are we supposed to do here? Trade recipies and knit socks?

If you know more about this, please educate us. Otherwise your comments just make you look

And i rest my case once again"This is the Thai News Clippings " Thai news interpreted by an individual.

So what the f do you know about Thai politics other then getting it from Thai translated papers?NOTHING

Express your concerns about the situation or your hopes for the future, but do not get into discussion or argument over Thai politics, because you know nothing about it and hence it is you and people commenting on Thai politics look like fools.

Kufki, it is exactly this type of discussion that contributes to forming democracy. If Thai's would switch off the bloody soap operas and talked more about the situation they are in maybe Thailand wouldn't be in this situation. This country needs more freedom of thought and discussion not less. Decent debate is something so intrenched in other parts of the world, I suggest Thailand needs a lot more, not just blind faith in the pooyai.

I can't change the situation, you can, and until Thailand develops a critical attitude to it's politicians that can be settled at the ballot box, the cycle of coup and corruption will continue. I can't remember once a political argument in Thailand amongst two Thai drunks on the basis of ideology in 20 years. Christ I have seen punch ups between rabid left and right wingers in my local at home as a young man. Mai bpen arai and som naam naa has led Thailand to the point of its own army shooting its own citizens tonight or tomorrow and your idea out of the situation is "don't talk about it".