Why Ning Is Going To Bangkok Tonight In Her Red Shirt

[Chaimai]

... which is why i take my hat off to people who do bother too make an effort.

Me too - I have absolutely no issues with peaceful protest.

Unless its Guy Fawkes.

HE could have used one million bottles of Benzine - now, there's an idea

[losworld]

Touching story. No question many of the people of Isaan feel disenfranchised. I for one cannot understand why the government is not reaching out more to these people. It would not be so difficult to even install a special Minister in charge of Isaan Relations and Development which in itself would be viewed as extending an olive branch.

[Chaimai]

Touching story. No question many of the people of Isaan feel disenfranchised. I for one cannot understand why the government is not reaching out more to these people. It would not be so difficult to even install a special Minister in charge of Isaan Relations and Development which in itself would be viewed as extending an olive branch.

Probably need to do more than that, but it would be a good start.

[davee58]

Is this a true story, or is it made up?

"Ning looked at me and with sad eyes she said “I love my country - but my country does not love me”

Obviously you have spent some time putting this posting together, it seems very one sided, a lot of poetic licence has been used.

I know that things can be hard in Thai Society, but this is playing the politics of sympathy. I really cannot imagine a Thai lady saying that, with those poor sad eyes...

When the yearly winterfair came to town she could only stand outside and watch others have fun.

Yuk, was she a social outcast, a leper, I always thought that Thai society stuck together and looked after each other.

This does not sound Asian, it sounds more Alpine with the Winterfair.

Did she really have no friends, none of the Thais I know have any problem socialising.

She went to bed at night praying

OK enough of this, this is like a fairytale without very much point.

Thank you for the entertainment, but this seems like political propaganda.

And if this woman does really exist in your life, and you believe her story, be very very careful.

[LuckyLew]

How does anyone know if Ning story is true?

It all seems little over the top if you ask me.

There are stories like this all over the world,

from harlem to hanoi.

To follow a group that is led by a fugitive is

not what I would call a smart move. Not matter

what her reasons or beliefs, being aligned with

a bunch of yobs is not the way to go

[britmaveric]

fugitive for some - not fugitive for most.

[Ulysses G.]

Nelson Mandella is a convicted terrorist and people all over the world look up to him.

[bobo42]

Is this a true story, or is it made up?

...

OK enough of this, this is like a fairytale without very much point.

Thank you for the entertainment, but this seems like political propaganda.

...

I think there is a very valid point of view expressed here. It really doesn't matter if this story is fictionalized. I think everyone with first-hand experience with Thailand's poor would say that there is nothing extraordinary about the experiences of Ning, be they real or fiction. Even if Ning is simply a conglomerated character to express an idea, the idea remains valid. If there is something in the story that you believe is untrue about poor rural life in Thailand, then that should certainly be stated - but to me, the story seems like a typical hard-luck life that contains experiences that are similar to many of Thailand's lower class.

Given that, I think this tale illustrates a reasonable rationale for supporting the red-shirts. Even if you don't agree with the reds, or if you think they, as a group, are being dishonest to their constituency, you should be able to at least see one type of reason as to why people take this position. I think the yellows themselves, and those who support them would do well to at least try understand this story, rather than dismissing it. Perhaps putting oneself in the shoes of another would be a good first step toward finding some common ground.

[Valentine]

I do not believe it is a true story about a single person but more like a TV soap. It does highlight many examples of life's hardships though. IMO it is part of the ongoing propoganda campaign which are being run by all sides in this sad & sorry debacle that has become life in Thailand.

[Loz]

An interesting thread.

Sympathies to Ning and all who suffered such indigities.

Not too happy about the way they ae trying to resolve it but I can't support certain people being called "sub human" and being denied a vote. Assuming that comment is true (even understanding possibly the motivations behind it. I can't help but draw parallels with South Africa. A ruling elite that is out numbered trying to hold on to a seemingly impossible rule. Only difference is the way the underclass in South Africa was viewed (and to be fair, behaved). Maybe if Thaksin served 27 years in jail (for his country?) we would find it easier to see him as the peoples champion.

Sadly I read the sob stories and can't help but think they smack of brainwashing. Not denying the truth of events. Simply the way they were interpreted is open to objective critisim.

Lets hope for a very shortlived revoloution. Regardless of the outcome.

[lazygourmet]

A bit off topic, but Ning... isn't a Chinese nickname?

Noy would have been more appropriate.

Now, I am off to 7/11 to buy some handkerchieves.

[Amir]

Goddamn that was sad, made me want to cry. This country DOES need a revolution, but of course Thaksin isn't the answer. Why is it so hard to find good people to run this country? Is there no one that would completely rehaul the education system and raise minimum wage and generally just look out for its main population?

Maybe it s harder to find citizens that let the people trying to run the country actually run the country...

[neverdie]

Yes its a touching story, but i feel ning might not fully appreciate the spineless, gutless, cheating, lying and theiving ways of politicians.

Anyway, if it makes her feel any better, theres thousands of the baaaastards and they are scattered right accross the globe.

At least ning finally got a well deserved break in her life, hopefully she is able to stop worrying about what people think of her and just get on with life.

[pontius]

I find it interesting to observe how the spelling and grammar turn to a bit of a nightmare right after the end of the story, my point not being the mistakes at all, but that 2 persons wrote this piece, not only one.

Which leads me to believe that this is a copy/paste job with added "this is really true" comment for reinforced authenticity.

Just my 2 cents.

In case she really existed, good luck to "Ning". I have no problems with non-violent protests, it's one form of freedom of speech.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi.

A touching story and all too true - i, too, know people just like Ning.

The problem is like a snake biting it's own tail - due to being poor they can't get proper education and are too easily being taken advantage of. Ning thinks that wearing that red shirt and marching in Bangkok would do good for the country and the poor people - but ultimately, if it would succeed, all it would do good for is one person - Thaksin. The poor people were just as poor over the several years he was in power already, Thaksin himself won't give a dam_n about the poor people - his only involvement there is buying their votes and making them dependent on him - giving loans to villages that need to be re-paid with interest, more profit in Thaksin's pocket.....

And sadly people like Ning do not understand that and probably never will....... they are being used and abused by Thaksin now... to really return power to the people it is the people that need to change first, forget that they are poor and refuse to be bought, march for their own interests instead of those of of the country's richest super-capitalists and convicted criminal-on-the-run..... and, most importantly, wear whatever kind of shirt they have but NOT the "uniform" of one of the groups that only uses them, be that red or yellow or green with purple dots!

Best regards.....

Thanh

[waza]

He it seems to me Ning was happiest when she had nothing but granny and a few chickens. When she went to school and discovered consumerism and its effects then started her unhappy life. I guess the moral of the story is be happy in a socialist lifestyle cos the capitalist aternative is a system of slaves to consumerism and is frought with unhappiness.

[barryofthailand]

Thailand is a fairly new Democracy, and in any ne democracy, you have numerous demonstrations etc. Hope demonstrations through out Bangkok, and the rest of the country will remain peaceful.

Barry

[lannarebirth]

Touching story, and all the more so as it is far from unique here in the LOS. probably millions more people here could relate the same or worse upbringings. Sadly, rather than seeing that it is thier very Thai culture that has shackled thier minds and limits their view of what's possible, they have chosen to attempt the ouster of a PM who has just brought them their greatest opportunity to break free. Abhisit won't be making any Black Magic on their behalf, won't reinforce their ignorance to score points for himself, but he did just implement a 15 years of free education program. He's created a committee to reform that education system and that is what is required to create the egalitarianism these people say they seek. Without a reform of Thai culture however, even that will come to no good end as those newly educated will still find a way to lord it over those who are not yet.

Edited March 12, 2010 by lannarebirth

[IMA_FARANG]

I just voted in the poll on, "Do you want the Reds to win or not". I voted No

I answered why I voted No with a reply stating why I said no.

I siad I hope that those who want this to be the start of a new future, a more equitable future for the average Thai, won't be disapointed.

But I'm afraid they will, because I believe the Reds are just a front for a new elitest dictator (that one who now lives in Dubai in case that was too complicated for you).

Yes, Thailand needs reform and to narrow the diffferences between the relatively rich city dwellers and the poorer Issan country people.

I remember when I first came to Thailand, and went to my first Thai movie. It seemed a standard "comedy" situation was for the poor Issan country bumpkin to either wet his/her pants or to kee in his/her pants. Now isn't that a little demeaning to a person who just happens to be a farmer?

Not to mention the inequality between a (and I hate this term so I seldom use it) Hi-So rich family and a not quite so Hi-So worker in Bangkok. These two classes don't get the same treatment under Thai law and by the Thai police, do they?

But like I said, even for all the reform Thailand needs, the Reds are not the answer. I'm sorry to have to say that, but it's true.

So I hope Ning doesn't get fooled again, but I'm afraid she will.

Edited March 12, 2010 by IMA_FARANG

[parryhandy]

Reading that made me want to vomit. Can someone explain to me what this girl wants and what on earth its got to do with this rally ? I honestly don't get it.

[sbk]

If this is an original piece please make that clear, if it is lifted from somewhere else please accredit, cheers

[angiud]

I don't see the connection between rape, poor people, a sad life,

and red T-shirts.

[parryhandy]

It reads like an PR propaganda piece to give this rally some credibility of which it has none in my eyes.

[bubba]

Ning says "These rich and connected people are above the law and don’t have to care when they abuse, rape or even murder us."

So Thaksin and his cronies do not qualify as "rich and connected people above the law", particularly when he was PM and ran the country?

What is bewildering to me about all this is that all the diatribes sound so much like something from Mao style communism. The exploitation of the poor working class by the wealthy elite. A wish to create power for the proletariate. But the whole thing is being led by very wealthy people from an elite class. I can understand the sentiments of the poor, the underpaid workers and the disenfranchised in Thailand. But what I don't understand is why they have bought in to following a grab for power by a faction of the very rich and elite class that they claim to have exploited them.

Workers of the world unite? A dictatorship of the proletariate?

Edited March 12, 2010 by bubba

[maccaroni man]

Touching story. No question many of the people of Isaan feel disenfranchised. I for one cannot understand why the government is not reaching out more to these people. It would not be so difficult to even install a special Minister in charge of Isaan Relations and Development which in itself would be viewed as extending an olive branch.

i just wonder how nings life would have been different if she would have stood up and spoken out earlier in life, i.e. the rape, the land office, the registration office, school. these were all places where she was directly envolved and she could have had a hand in change, but the fact is she has lived a life of poverty for so long that the thread of poverty has been weaved into her belief system and the universal laws of attraction will only give her what she believes she deserves which apparently is not much. sad but true, the real change can only happen when the way people think changes.

[a2396]

It is interesting to note that she is looked down on by other Thais, because she is married to a Farang. I think many Farangs don't realize this is a fact of life in Thailand and explains why many Thai women have no interest in getting involved with a foreigner. If the women is in need of money OK, if she is not, generally - forget it.

[dsprtliving]

fugitive for some - not fugitive for most.

Do you honestly live in Thailand...It doesn't take a rocket scientist to open your eyes and see that the "reds" are a small minority...no matter which side you make the choice to believe!

[Konini]

They just need to get off their <deleted> and vote in May - that should be sufficient to change the status quo (within very limited boundaries).

I agree - oh, wait. Didn't they do that in December 2008? The majority of Thai's elected a coalition government to serve a full term, I thought........

[bobo42]

Reading that made me want to vomit. Can someone explain to me what this girl wants and what on earth its got to do with this rally ? I honestly don't get it.

Don't be so narrow minded, let me sum it up for you.

• Rural poor in Thailand have few opportunities in life due to class and cultural divides.
  
• Those in the upper classes are given far greater opportunities and benefits than the lower class.
  
• Cultural bias, and social policy, the "powers-that-be" make it nearly impossible to cross the boundary between poor and rich.
  

That's the gist of the story. Not really so hard to believe.

How that applies to today...

• Many in the lower classes believe the yellow-shirts represent the rich.
  
• Red-shirt poster-boy Thaksin is perceived by many poor as having helped them close the gap. Doesn't matter which way you believe here, perceived is the operative word. Unscrupulous business deals are not generally well understood in the villages - and the effects not felt, but things like loan programs and medical care are - even if they are just 'scraps', they are well received by people who never got scraps before.
  

Result: red = friend, yellow = enemy. So she shows support for reds.

It doesn't matter which side you support to be able to see some truth in the OPs narrative. I for one can easily understand some of the motives behind the Reds - I don't think they are necessarily correct, but I can see how they have arrived at some of their opinions.

[whistleblower]

What a load of <deleted>.

Ning is going to Bangkok because she id being paid to do so.

She was told that poor Mr Thaksin has a lot of his money stolen by this bad government, and Mr Thaksin loves all the people from Rural Thailand.

Ning cannot understand the complexities of the Court ruling that was handed down the other day, and how it showed that Thaksin has not legally earned all of the money that he has.

Ning cannot understand this because of the Standard of education she recieved.

The education system that was set up by Thaksin and others who have led this country.

This whole thing is about a greedy man in Dubai who wants his money back at any cost.

If ning and others get hurt, Mr Thaksin will not be there to wipe the blood off.

Totally agree. I note that when Ning and her mum were slaving away selling noodles, there was always money left over for mum to buy alchohol! Bet they had a tv and mobile phone too. kinda reminds me of the 'lazy' people in uk you see in the town centers every Saturday, they are begging for money and always have a well fed dog with them and a can of lager in their mits!

If they Thais keep selling their vote to they highest bidder, they will keep getting shafted.