Rural Thailand Simmers With Anti-gov't Rage

[churchill]

SRANG KHOM, Thailand, Feb 8 (IPS) - Meal by meal, a political feast is being laid out under the night sky to nourish a

wave of anti-government protests rapidly spreading across this rural heartland.

The diners come dressed in their signature red shirts.

This rice-growing town was the latest to join the bandwagon of the United

Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), a protest movement with

strong links to the ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The organiser of the inaugural dinner and fundraiser in Srang Khom, in the

north-east province of Udon Thani, were not disappointed. By 7 p.m. an open

ground by the side of a harvested paddy field and scrub forest was full of

local residents who had come to eat and to listen anti-government tirades

delivered from a stage.

”The people wanted to have a Red Shirt event here like other places,” says

Suthat Budom, one of the organisers of the Saturday night dinner, referring to

the uniform red shirts that the pro-Thaksin protest movement is identified

with. ”They want real democracy.”

Suthat estimated that over 2,000 locals from five neighbouring subdistricts

had filled the 220 tables that were laden with fried rice, fried fish served with

sweet and sour sauce, a spicy Thai salad and a Chinese-style soup.

But not all the diners who came for the dinner and political gabfest were

from families where growing rice and fishing are the economic mainstays.

They included the likes of Sawangsri Bonprasit, a teacher at a local primary

school, who proudly announced that she had brought 30 of her colleagues for

this first UDD rally in her hometown.

”These events are important to us. They are part of our learning to fight for

democracy because it is being destroyed,” Sawangsri declared. ”Right now the

poor in this area know more about democracy than before. We come here to

share this knowledge.”

”This political awareness began after the coup,” she revealed, alluding to

this South-east Asian kingdom's 18th putsch on Sep. 19, 2006, where the

military turfed from power the twice-elected Thaksin administration. ”The

discontent and anger has grown in the last three years.”

Thaksin, whose wide popularity in the rural north-east has not waned due

to the raft of pro-poor policies he implement, is living in exile to avoid a

two-year jail term for corruption. But little of that appears to bother the

increasingly politically awakened provincial voters. To them, Thaksin is a

victim of an anti-democratic political machine in the hands of Bangkok's

aristocracy, monarchists and the conservative bureaucratic elite, which

includes the country's powerful army.

So the crowds broke into cheers when the fugitive former leader spoke to

this UDD rally via a mobile phone from Dubai, one of the many countries the

globetrotting Thaksin lives in. The billionaire telecommunication tycoon

played to the gallery. ”I will fill your pockets with money,” he promised. ”I

have a plan for your children's education.”

But Thaksin also stuck to a message that the UDD has been drumming up

in the provinces. He wants the red-shirted crowds on the streets to press

home the case that they have numbers on their side to take on the current

government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose one-year-old

administration came to power through backroom deals shaped by the military

high command rather than through a popular mandate.

”It is very important, the next fight,” Thaksin's nasal voice crackled. ”If you

don't walk ahead, you will lose a lot. If you walk ahead, you can get a good

life and good hope.”

The growing red wave of the UDD that is manifest in these nightly events is

helping to sustain a view that Thailand's social and political divisions are

widening. Thaksin's role has sustained this, for he is a much reviled figure

among a cross section of the country's well-heeled, the urban elite and the

pro-royalist political establishment.

On the Saturday evening that Srang Khom hosted its inaugural UDD rally,

there were five others across Isarn, as north-east Thailand is known locally.

At Piboonrat, a crowd of over 3,000 stayed till well after midnight to listen to

the speeches, including a Thaksin phone-in.

They came on the back of more impressive red-shirt support that the UDD

is trumpeting. A rally on Jan. 31 in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen

drew an estimated 100,000 people, according to sources close to military

intelligence operatives. The UDD, though, boasts that the crowds were twice

that number.

In the province of Ubon Ratchathani, the next day, a reported 50,000 red-

shirted protesters assembled at a UDD rally.

”Every week, every month we have these dinner meetings, or some without

dinner,” says Wichian Khaokham, a parliamentarian from this province who

belongs to the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party. ”The people who come here are

from the poor and they used to be afraid of the people in high positions in

our society. They could not speak to them.”

But the legislator of nearly 20 years senses a change in the political

attitudes of the grassroots voters. ”They knew about politics before, but now

they know what is true, what is right and wrong,” he said. ”The people

understand that even if we win the next elections, they (the pro-royalist

political establishment) will not let us form a government.”

continued ... http://australia.to/2010/index.php?option=...&Itemid=157

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[churchill]

Does it sound better from ipsnews ? http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50248

[Netfan]

The great thing about the internet is anyone can be a journalist. The bad thing about the internet is....anyone can be a journalist. Great fiction piece though.

[geriatrickid]

The article is an indication that not everyone agrees with the current government. It may be contrary to the views expressed by some in TV that the nation is united in its pursuit of Mr. Thaksin, but such is real politik.

Just another view that puts things in perspective. All I know is that there will be one big mess after the court's decision.

[britmaveric]

Be nice if Mr. T would be pardoned.

[GuestHouse]

I suspect it all boils down to how much of Bht76 Billion is old square head willing to give away in order to keep the remnant, rather than risking loosing the lot.

[WeeGB]

Most of the folks where I live, seem to just want a government that works for all of the people, not just the "elite".

But I guess that's the view of most people, in most countries.

[jdinasia]

The article is an indication that not everyone agrees with the current government. It may be contrary to the views expressed by some in TV that the nation is united in its pursuit of Mr. Thaksin, but such is real politik.

Just another view that puts things in perspective. All I know is that there will be one big mess after the court's decision.

Then again it may just be hogwash .....

He dismissed the prospect of violence breaking out in the wake of the local media running commentaries and reports suggesting a looming "civil war" or a "last battle". "It is just (language) used to whip up sentiment," added Abhisit, whose government’s ability to last 2009 in the face of protests contrasts with two premiers who resigned after few months in office in 2008 amid street protests from the anti-Thaksin ‘Yellow Shirts’.

I glanced through the writer's other work .. and well .... I am a liberal and kinda like liberal causes .. but this writer is clueless. I bet Samak and Somchai would have been/is glad to know they resigned.http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49993

[Moonrakers]

The article is an indication that not everyone agrees with the current government. It may be contrary to the views expressed by some in TV that the nation is united in its pursuit of Mr. Thaksin, but such is real politik.

Just another view that puts things in perspective. All I know is that there will be one big mess after the court's decision.

For all we know it could have been written by Bruce from Melbourne writing down what his wife Lek in Buri Ram tells him, before he sucks down too many changs and becomes incoherent.

[sabaijai]

Does it sound better from ipsnews ? http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50248

Sounds exactly the same ie not from a recognised news source. Which is why it stays in General Topics, rather than in News Clippings as you requested, Churchill.

[neverdie]

Be nice if Mr. T would be pardoned.

Why not just let everyone out to roam the streets.....all previous sins forgiven

[MAJIC]

Most of the folks where I live, seem to just want a government that works for all of the people, not just the "elite".

But I guess that's the view of most people, in most countries.

It is often said that the people get the Politicians they deserve,and right now nowhere more so than Thailand.

So if the Great Pretender does manage to gain office again in a devious,dangerous manner, it will be business as usual

and the People will still remain poor.

Even the threat of a Civil war will not stop the ambitions of this devious, cowardly,meglomaniac.

Until they can see through his self interest, the only outcome on his return (hopefully it wo'nt happen) will be to carry

on ripping off the uneducated by throwing them a few crumbs occasionally.

[britmaveric]

Be nice if Mr. T would be pardoned.

Why not just let everyone out to roam the streets.....all previous sins forgiven

Well it would put a stop to lot of these shenanigans - if the powers at be have the good of the country at heart?

[Moonrakers]

Be nice if Mr. T would be pardoned.

Why not just let everyone out to roam the streets.....all previous sins forgiven

Well it would put a stop to lot of these shenanigans - if the powers at be have the good of the country at heart?

Well it would put a stop to lot of these shenanigans.

How exactly, Brit? Do you not think that the yellows might have have a thing or two to say about it.

[scorecard]

From Churchill:

"SRANG KHOM, Thailand, Feb 8 (IPS) - Meal by meal, a political feast is being laid out under the night sky to nourish a

wave of anti-government protests rapidly spreading across this rural heartland.

The diners come dressed in their signature red shirts.

This rice-growing town was the latest to join the bandwagon of the United

Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), a protest movement with

strong links to the ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The organiser of the inaugural dinner and fundraiser in Srang Khom, in the

north-east province of Udon Thani, were not disappointed. By 7 p.m. an open

ground by the side of a harvested paddy field and scrub forest was full of

local residents who had come to eat and to listen anti-government tirades

delivered from a stage.

”The people wanted to have a Red Shirt event here like other places,” says

Suthat Budom, one of the organisers of the Saturday night dinner, referring to

the uniform red shirts that the pro-Thaksin protest movement is identified

with. ”They want real democracy.”

Suthat estimated that over 2,000 locals from five neighbouring subdistricts

had filled the 220 tables that were laden with fried rice, fried fish served with

sweet and sour sauce, a spicy Thai salad and a Chinese-style soup.

But not all the diners who came for the dinner and political gabfest were

from families where growing rice and fishing are the economic mainstays.

They included the likes of Sawangsri Bonprasit, a teacher at a local primary

school, who proudly announced that she had brought 30 of her colleagues for

this first UDD rally in her hometown.

”These events are important to us. They are part of our learning to fight for

democracy because it is being destroyed,” Sawangsri declared. ”Right now the

poor in this area know more about democracy than before. We come here to

share this knowledge.”

”This political awareness began after the coup,” she revealed, alluding to

this South-east Asian kingdom's 18th putsch on Sep. 19, 2006, where the

military turfed from power the twice-elected Thaksin administration. ”The

discontent and anger has grown in the last three years.”

Thaksin, whose wide popularity in the rural north-east has not waned due

to the raft of pro-poor policies he implement, is living in exile to avoid a

two-year jail term for corruption. But little of that appears to bother the

increasingly politically awakened provincial voters. To them, Thaksin is a

victim of an anti-democratic political machine in the hands of Bangkok's

aristocracy, monarchists and the conservative bureaucratic elite, which

includes the country's powerful army.

So the crowds broke into cheers when the fugitive former leader spoke to

this UDD rally via a mobile phone from Dubai, one of the many countries the

globetrotting Thaksin lives in. The billionaire telecommunication tycoon

played to the gallery. ”I will fill your pockets with money,” he promised. ”I

have a plan for your children's education.”

But Thaksin also stuck to a message that the UDD has been drumming up

in the provinces. He wants the red-shirted crowds on the streets to press

home the case that they have numbers on their side to take on the current

government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose one-year-old

administration came to power through backroom deals shaped by the military

high command rather than through a popular mandate.

”It is very important, the next fight,” Thaksin's nasal voice crackled. ”If you

don't walk ahead, you will lose a lot. If you walk ahead, you can get a good

life and good hope.”

The growing red wave of the UDD that is manifest in these nightly events is

helping to sustain a view that Thailand's social and political divisions are

widening. Thaksin's role has sustained this, for he is a much reviled figure

among a cross section of the country's well-heeled, the urban elite and the

pro-royalist political establishment.

On the Saturday evening that Srang Khom hosted its inaugural UDD rally,

there were five others across Isarn, as north-east Thailand is known locally.

At Piboonrat, a crowd of over 3,000 stayed till well after midnight to listen to

the speeches, including a Thaksin phone-in.

They came on the back of more impressive red-shirt support that the UDD

is trumpeting. A rally on Jan. 31 in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen

drew an estimated 100,000 people, according to sources close to military

intelligence operatives. The UDD, though, boasts that the crowds were twice

that number.

In the province of Ubon Ratchathani, the next day, a reported 50,000 red-

shirted protesters assembled at a UDD rally.

”Every week, every month we have these dinner meetings, or some without

dinner,” says Wichian Khaokham, a parliamentarian from this province who

belongs to the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party. ”The people who come here are

from the poor and they used to be afraid of the people in high positions in

our society. They could not speak to them.”

But the legislator of nearly 20 years senses a change in the political

attitudes of the grassroots voters. ”They knew about politics before, but now

they know what is true, what is right and wrong,” he said. ”The people

understand that even if we win the next elections, they (the pro-royalist

political establishment) will not let us form a government.”

continued ... http://australia.to/2010/index.php?option=...&Itemid=157

--------------------

Two points:

1. So who pays for all these massive Chinese dinners - 220 tables etc., all over rural Thailand? The rural poor? (With all respect to the rural poor!).

2. Thailand does badly need a stonger democracy with equal justice, equal opportunity, equal respect etc etc.

And it's certainly true that the past governments (since the 1930's) have done nothing more than line their pockets and keep the masses at bay.

Now Suddenly it's the 'elites' that are the problem. Beware folks, there is a lot of clever spin talk in the air.

Like in all countries the old style ruthless politicians who have a strangle hold will not let go easily and nothing will change until the middle classes get brave and stand up and demand change. IN other words some form of 'democracy force'. In the Phillipines it was labelled 'People Power. History will repeat itself, the midle classes will be the force of change.

But the UDD is not a 'democracy force'. They have absolutely zero credibility as a 'democracy force', they have shown again and again that they stand for numerous ideals none of which remotely look like or remotely smell like 'democracy'. The Chiang Mai red shirts - a democracy movement?

And their ultimate leader most certainly cannot claim to be a democracy advocate. In fact his personal track record reads like an anti-democracy / dictator manifesto.

Do you really want this scenario:

- Thaksin as PM (no hesitation to instigate the shoot on sight murder of 2,500 fellow Thais, intimidate the judiciary, intimidate journalists : wow great examples of real democracy) ”I will fill your pockets with money,” he promised. ”I

have a plan for your children's education.” Sure, more populist stuff (read vote buying).

- Chalerm as Finance Minister. (During the Chinese milk scandal, as Thai Health Minister, he said 'Never mind the health of several million Thai children, don't say anything, we don't want to upset China'. And blatant nepotism again, putting his thug sons into positions of power - great democracy example).

- Chavalit as deputy PM (lost the plot, says he can't be the leader of the red shirt army because it might upset his young brothers in the army. Never mind Thailand. This is the man at the helm when Thailand caused the 1997 Asian economic crash. His answer was 'we'll start up Thai restaurants all over the world and send the money home'. Wow, great strategy, never mind about creating jobs at home.)

- Arisman as Foreign Minister (Not exactly a balanced person, can you imagine this guy being taken seriously by regional countries, framing Thailands sovereign policies. Leading the red thugs in Pattaya when they tried to smash open the car that Abhisit was in. Mr. Nice Guy).

- Jatuporn as Interior Minister (No hesitation to regularly tell lies in parliament, never once given a speech which explains, to his followers the workings of actual democrac, no hesitation to instigate violence, do you want this type of person ultimately in charge of the police?)

- Sae Daeng as Defense Minister (In one word - frightening) ?

[britmaveric]

How exactly, Brit? Do you not think that the yellows might have have a thing or two to say about it.

No because if it did happen - the yellows could not say anything about it for obvious reasons.

[cmsally]

How exactly, Brit? Do you not think that the yellows might have have a thing or two to say about it.

No because if it did happen - the yellows could not say anything about it for obvious reasons.

Amen

[jdinasia]

Does it sound better from ipsnews ? http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50248

Sounds exactly the same ie not from a recognised news source. Which is why it stays in General Topics, rather than in News Clippings as you requested, Churchill.

I checked just ONE of the writer's other stories and found that Samak and Somchai had resigned ... it's a poorly written blog with no substantiating facts

[yabaaaa]

Sounds to me like a free food bonanza and many would go just for that.............. I know my wife would!!

[Gary A]

I haven't talked politics with my Thai wife for quite a while. She is one of the few people in this area who has no use for Thaksin. That said, I think I could say that she is simply ANTI Thai politicians. She is of the opinion that the elite run the country and politicians ARE the elite. They are all corrupt and there is nothing the poor people can do about it.

Maybe that will change in the near future?

[neverdie]

How exactly, Brit? Do you not think that the yellows might have have a thing or two to say about it.

No because if it did happen - the yellows could not say anything about it for obvious reasons.

Britmaveric,

You are trying to apply a really simple answer to a very complicated problem, it wont happen and it wont work. It would be nice to see some normality return, but then again seriously, in this place.........what is normality?

[Traxster]

Is it not probably axiomatic that,

no matter what Government you have

there will always be someone who disagrees with said governments policies ?

[thaihome]

Most of the folks where I live, seem to just want a government that works for all of the people, not just the "elite".

But I guess that's the view of most people, in most countries.

Then you should ask the folks where you live you their MP is. Undoubtedly, that person is a member of the local “elite” that runs the district. They probably belong to a faction that is controlled by the richest family in the province. That faction has probably switched allegiance to various political parties many times over the past 40 years as directed by the provincial “elite”.

Here is a brief history of the factions that were put together to setup the TRT. All of these, and many more, still exists. Do you know who controls your local politics?

TH

[Insight]

They came on the back of more impressive red-shirt support that the UDD

is trumpeting. A rally on Jan. 31 in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen

drew an estimated 100,000 people, according to sources close to military

intelligence operatives. The UDD, though, boasts that the crowds were twice

that number.

In the province of Ubon Ratchathani, the next day, a reported 50,000 red-

shirted protesters assembled at a UDD rally.

10 days, and still no pictures. This gonzo reporting is sounding increasingly groundless....

[hammered]

Just before the Songkhran fun and games there was a feast organised in Udon Thani by the people. Reproters went and reported it as a feats organised and paid for by the locals to donate to the cause. Later I was told by some colleagues in Udon Thani the whole thing had been a set up and gullible or sympathetic journos used. Who knows for sure. This sounds simialr. Presenting reality or helping to establish a myth? It will no doubt depend on what you want to believe although this time the news sources seem less and less reliable.

[h90]

Most of the folks where I live, seem to just want a government that works for all of the people, not just the "elite".

But I guess that's the view of most people, in most countries.

It is the problem in a Democratic system that a minority is always disappointed .

[Huey]

Even the most uneducated of Tkaksin's backwoods rural rabble are seeing the light and turning their backs on him and his red shirt thugs. He's in for a slow fade into nothingness.

[Pakboong]

Most of the folks where I live, seem to just want a government that works for all of the people, not just the "elite".

But I guess that's the view of most people, in most countries.

It is the problem in a Democratic system that a minority is always disappointed .

Not a problem here, the Thai/Chinese minority always end up on top.

[boris52]

You are trying to apply a really simple answer to a very complicated problem

Its often the case in life that complex problems require the application of a very simple solution. Take the Buddhas teachings for example. Its all about taking the higher road.

Britmaveric is correct, it is a simple answer and a probably the most effective answer. Time to cash in on that goodwill for the sake of the nation.