Thailand: A Simple Guide To Anarchy And Chaos

[hammered]

Exploitation, in any guise, is to be deplored - yes there is this going on at every level -

This is the problem with the red movement. It's selective in the exploitation that it deplores, added to which it (and its political wing) is as guilty of exploitation as anyone else.

Not just the reds - they are all at it. But we have to see a way forward and all I see with the 'yellow way' is more of the same - I am hoping if there was a more 'redder way' that, after they ditched Thaksin, power might be slightly more evenly distributed - a dream maybe but we have to dream too that one day Thailand will grow up from a 12 year year ole horror into a mature young early 20s something with a bright future (about 50 years away I'd guess).

Little will change whatever happens in this round. This is a battle about who is the top and who is in control at a national level and who gets to control not just the budget there but also potentailly another very powerful conglomerate. All local patronage/feudal systems will be left totally in place meaning nothing changes except maybe a different group of capitalists with their hands on a treasured prize.

[rixalex]

Not just the reds - they are all at it.

Yes they are all at it (exploitation), but currently it is the reds who are out there on the streets creating mayhem under the completely false pretense of fighting against it.

I am hoping if there was a more 'redder way' that, after they ditched Thaksin, power might be slightly more evenly distributed -

And when exactly are they doing to ditch Thaksin?

They won't. They can't. When will you realise this?

[chantorn]

The fortune that Thaksin accumulated was/is obscene, yes, but Thaksin's wealth is rather small when you compare it to the entire wealth of the old money elite ruling the country.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/23/thailands...ealth_land.html

here is thailands rich list Thaksin number 16th position.. the yellow one at the top is a clan that owns central, robinsons etc.. at least 8 times as rich as Thaksin.

probably the area the red fortress is on, or at least the shops its blocking. Meat cleavers at dawn?

If you think the people on this list arent pulling strings...

Thailand needs a system of monitoring donations, and bribes Soooooo badly. Trouble is... even the US cant seem to do it properly...

However... the UK is pretty good... the daily papers can sniff out any dodgy deals.. but then again, would Thai people have time to watch the news about such dodgy deals, between soap operas and slapstick game shows?

p.s:

number 21

Nishitha shah

Net Worth $280 million

Age 29

Marital Status Single

If you are reading this, nishita, send me a PM

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/85/thaila...-Shah_PAJB.html

What year were those stats from?

Forbes. For a second I thought you were posting a link to the world richest ____ two years in a row. Fortunately you were not. Else you could go to jail.

Edited April 23, 2010 by chantorn

[ChiangMaiFun]

Not just the reds - they are all at it.

Yes they are all at it (exploitation), but currently it is the reds who are out there on the streets creating mayhem under the completely false pretense of fighting against it.

I am hoping if there was a more 'redder way' that, after they ditched Thaksin, power might be slightly more evenly distributed -

And when exactly are they doing to ditch Thaksin?

They won't. They can't. When will you realise this?

I'm a believer (not the Monkey's song) in cultural shift and, in time, they will. He is the figurehead and paymaster 'today' but everything is impermanent and it will change - try to see the larger, wholistic picture. What we don't need is the current 'rich, selfish elite' to stay in charge - what we need is a change to another selfish bunch who might move us slowly ahead - change will come.

[siampolee]

Sadly Thailand and its people are being le down the same road as Castro led the Cubans 50+ years ago. Castro led his campaign on the platform of individual freedom and the betterment of life for all.

When that victory was achieved Castro then came out in his true colours and announced that he was a Communist and then established along with his brother and Che Guevara a communist regime which was as draconian and as oppressive as the very system he (Castro) had led a war against.

The Cuban people did not achieve freedom or equality but Castro to a lesser degree and his brother still lead an oppressive regime .

Their tactics and their political dogma are the very same self serving aims that Jutaporn, Arisman, Weng, Veera and Thaksin have adopted in their quest to establish their new political enslavement of Thailand and its people.

[ChiangMaiFun]

Sadly Thailand and its people are being le down the same road as Castro led the Cubans 50+ years ago. Castro led his campaign on the platform of individual freedom and the betterment of life for all.

When that victory was achieved Castro then came out in his true colours and announced that he was a Communist and then established along with his brother and Che Guevara a communist regime which was as draconian and as oppressive as the very system he (Castro) had led a war against.

The Cuban people did not achieve freedom or equality but Castro to a lesser degree and his brother still lead an oppressive regime .

Their tactics and their political dogma are the very same self serving aims that Jutaporn, Arisman, Weng, Veera and Thaksin have adopted in their quest to establish their new political enslavement of Thailand and its people.

I think everyone knew that Castro and Che were Communists - not a well kept secret... I don't think the analogy is sound apart from the 'people' are in pain and are reacting against the elite and priviliged.

[siampolee]

I was around 14-15 years old and an avid follower of current affairs then as now.

At the time of the Cuban revolution the Communist factor was not a known quotient in the worlds press at that time.

Bear in mind that the world then was a very big place without the communications network we now have.

Edited April 23, 2010 by siampolee

[lannarebirth]

Sadly Thailand and its people are being le down the same road as Castro led the Cubans 50+ years ago. Castro led his campaign on the platform of individual freedom and the betterment of life for all.

When that victory was achieved Castro then came out in his true colours and announced that he was a Communist and then established along with his brother and Che Guevara a communist regime which was as draconian and as oppressive as the very system he (Castro) had led a war against.

The Cuban people did not achieve freedom or equality but Castro to a lesser degree and his brother still lead an oppressive regime .

Their tactics and their political dogma are the very same self serving aims that Jutaporn, Arisman, Weng, Veera and Thaksin have adopted in their quest to establish their new political enslavement of Thailand and its people.

I think everyone knew that Castro and Che were Communists - not a well kept secret... I don't think the analogy is sound apart from the 'people' are in pain and are reacting against the elite and priviliged.

What have the "people" got to do with anything?

http://kyotoreview.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/iss...article_31.html

[geriatrickid]

The headline is misleading as there is no anarchy. How many times does it have to be said that order albeit Thai style is still in place? The author at least backtracks and says "on the verge of anarchy". Ok. well so too is Greece with its daily street protests. Greece is far closer to general anarchy and yet the world does not say that. If we compare the two, people are out everywhere protesting in Greece and the disruptive protests are confined to a small area of Bangkok.

It is unfair to accuse the authorities now of indecisiveness. How about prudence and caution? If a few more days is what it takes to avoid bloodshed, then good for the government. People always want fast resolutions to problems. Well, too bad. Sometimes difficult issues take time to resolve if the goal is peace. Some of the people in TV demanding the army move in and crack heads have never seen a dead body close up. One of the worst experiences is to look at someone that's gutshot. Intestines falling out, blood everywhere and the person is still alive and most likely will live for a few more days until infection and internal bleeding kill the person off. It's not pretty. If anarchy means taking the time to bring a peaceful end to this, then let anarchy prevail.

[blaze]

Exploitation, in any guise, is to be deplored - yes there is this going on at every level -

This is the problem with the red movement. It's selective in the exploitation that it deplores, added to which it (and its political wing) is as guilty of exploitation as anyone else.

Not just the reds - they are all at it. But we have to see a way forward and all I see with the 'yellow way' is more of the same - I am hoping if there was a more 'redder way' that, after they ditched Thaksin, power might be slightly more evenly distributed - a dream maybe but we have to dream too that one day Thailand will grow up from a 12 year year ole horror into a mature young early 20s something with a bright future (about 50 years away I'd guess).

Little will change whatever happens in this round. This is a battle about who is the top and who is in control at a national level and who gets to control not just the budget there but also potentailly another very powerful conglomerate. All local patronage/feudal systems will be left totally in place meaning nothing changes except maybe a different group of capitalists with their hands on a treasured prize.

The word 'feudal' is bandied about a lot- but few really (dare to?) examine the authority by which feudalism, as we understand it in both the Asian and Western historical context, derives its power. Cuba prior to Castro, most of central America during the 70s for that matter, certainly had its share of economic elites and concomittant ruthless exploitation- - yet nobody would call Cuba of the 40s 'feudal'. The people were held in check by powerful militaries and prior to Liberation Theology, the Catholic Church (which had traditionally sanctified the 'system' in most of Latin America).

European feudalism was maintained in part through a system of noblesse oblige- or as its called in Thailand- patronage. But in all patronage based societies there must be a hierarchy- THis sense of hierarchy and the benefits to be accrued at any level of the pecking order is so ingrained in Thai culture as to be reflected in the language.

I think it is a mistake to confuse economic elites with political/cultural elites- to do so would be to ignore one of the great clashes of history- that between old money and new money- new money often had more finance- but it was the old that determined just who among the aspirant newcomers would get to sit at the table - and what their obligations to the system would be.

Whether or not the article published in a Japanese paper and referred to several times in these threads is accurate will be a debate that at some point the Thais are going to have- and whether or not we like it- the red leadership has fired the first salvo in that debate by introducing most of us to the term 'amathya'. The reds may go home- order restored- but sooner or later, this is a discussion that the nation is going to have to have.

Edited April 23, 2010 by blaze

[Tonto21]

At this juncture, I don’t believe the government has enough force behind it to stop this anarchy and chaos. If it can’t deal with this situation then is time to give in before this country become a joke if the world.

Never put a politician in charge of military, because they always they put good of themselves before the good of the country

Hi givenall.

I think Thailand’s a bit late to save its face, as far as being seen as a joke by the rest of the world, I think the boats sailed on that issue. I don’t come down on either side; they are as bad as each other. A combination of chasing power, self wealth, and the biggest problem, saving face!!!

On your statement about politicians should not be in charge of the armed forces. Well actually in all true democracies around the world that is exactly the order of thing. A committee of cross party politicians sits on an Armed Forces council, they are in turn directed by the government of that country, Fact is politicians do run the armed forces in all the so called western democracies, It works very well, how many times have you seen the military in say, the UK, France, Germany or the USA getting involved in politics and threaten the constitution of their own country, or even see the government having to ask the generals of the country’s armed forces to support them? One of the main problems here in Thailand is that the armed forces have way to much political power, sway………… and weapons. Even to the layperson following the news, it should be able to pick up on the fact that both fractions, Red and sadly the countries own government (no political bias) has to try and woe the armed forces to support them. Sadly, the armed forces of Thailand, (just like most of S E Asia) do their own thing and this is a major reason why the government, just like the reds……. Has to wait and see what the army what for their support. If they don’t get what they want, well, they will just take it all……..Mark my words!

[BlackJack]

I believe that the Thais are doing the best they can with what they have got.

From the comfort of our homes its easy for us to say this and that about Thailand.

So lets all remember that our respective countries ALL went through its fair share of problems.

Remember England Scotland Ireland - the USA with its civil wars - Europe wars - Japan wars etc

Let the Thais live and learn.

Democracy is an illusion anyway

Good luck to those that must live in Bangkok and good luck over the coming days as high noon is approaching

chok di

[danc]

Little will change whatever happens in this round. This is a battle about who is the top and who is in control at a national level and who gets to control not just the budget there but also potentailly another very powerful conglomerate. All local patronage/feudal systems will be left totally in place meaning nothing changes except maybe a different group of capitalists with their hands on a treasured prize.

The word 'feudal' is bandied about a lot- but few really (dare to?) examine the authority by which feudalism, as we understand it in both the Asian and Western historical context, derives its power. Cuba prior to Castro, most of central America during the 70s for that matter, certainly had its share of economic elites and concomittant ruthless exploitation- - yet nobody would call Cuba of the 40s 'feudal'. The people were held in check by powerful militaries and prior to Liberation Theology, the Catholic Church (which had traditionally sanctified the 'system' in most of Latin America).

European feudalism was maintained in part through a system of noblesse oblige- or as its called in Thailand- patronage. But in all patronage based societies there must be a hierarchy- THis sense of hierarchy and the benefits to be accrued at any level of the pecking order is so ingrained in Thai culture as to be reflected in the language.

I think it is a mistake to confuse economic elites with political/cultural elites- to do so would be to ignore one of the great clashes of history- that between old money and new money- new money often had more finance- but it was the old that determined just who among the aspirant newcomers would get to sit at the table - and what their obligations to the system would be.

Whether or not the article published in a Japanese paper and referred to several times in these threads is accurate will be a debate that at some point the Thais are going to have- and whether or not we like it- the red leadership has fired the first salvo in that debate by introducing most of us to the term 'amathya'. The reds may go home- order restored- but sooner or later, this is a discussion that the nation is going to have to have.

A good interesting post, blaze - without any obvious allegiances too! I like your points on patronage and feudalism and the discussion that Thai society could have. I won't say must have as I don't feel that is my right but the discussion will naturally be forced into the open by an event that happens to us all, probably sooner rather than later.

[gemini81]

He is probably not for off the mark on any point.

Chockdee Thailand

And the Baht is still strong - just amazing.

you've gotta understand economics. the money is in the banks...its the stock market thats being affected: the stocks are down by 25% or more..and decreasing, as investors aren'twanting to get involved with thailand.

[fxe1200]

You dont have to go as far as BKK to find the rich and poweful who are ruining the poor people's lkives. Every province has its own. Funnily enough though they tend to be in the PTP, which is why nothing will change whatever happens. It is easy to have a hate Bangkok thing because they exert little power in the villages. It is more dififcult to have a hate the local exploiters thjing when they control the money lending, the milling, the mafia, and every service the villagers require. Until this group is dealt with nothing will change and Thailand will remain partailly feudal

Wise words these, and little understood by those expats who do not speak Thai. There's a whole world of local oppression going on under your very noses that your wives and girlfriends are too embarrassed to tell you about, believe me. Learn the language, and you'll start to understand what this private war is really about.

There is no 'voice of the people' - nobody in Thailand does anything without the say-so of someone higher up - father, puu yaai barn, local police chief, local politician, and so on. The demonstrators are there because someone has organised and allowed them to be there. Once their political masters have no use for them they'll go back to their ampheurs and keep quiet. They won't come out and protest about continuing or even worsening oppression just as they haven't before because they won't be allowed to. No cultural revolution, no awakening of the masses, just filthy manipulation.

Some great posts in this thread. Two above are no exception. Completely agree.

Sure thing, and the common "May pen ray"- attitude of the Thais fit right in.

[caf]

Not just the reds - they are all at it.

Yes they are all at it (exploitation), but currently it is the reds who are out there on the streets creating mayhem under the completely false pretense of fighting against it.

I am hoping if there was a more 'redder way' that, after they ditched Thaksin, power might be slightly more evenly distributed -

And when exactly are they doing to ditch Thaksin?

They won't. They can't. When will you realise this?

I'm a believer (not the Monkey's song) in cultural shift and, in time, they will. He is the figurehead and paymaster 'today' but everything is impermanent and it will change - try to see the larger, wholistic picture. What we don't need is the current 'rich, selfish elite' to stay in charge - what we need is a change to another selfish bunch who might move us slowly ahead - change will come.

I too think the change will come and will be slow, very slow. What has now started will not be stopped in the long term.

The Thaksin link is overemphasised. His powerful friend(s) may not, probably will not, always be in silent support.

The world community is saddened by these events and America is advocating jaw jaw not war war. And America is not without real influence in Thailand.

Interesting too how many expats and thais are now becoming fence sitters and not so partisan. No one wants to be on the wrong side.

caf

[caf]

The headline is misleading as there is no anarchy. How many times does it have to be said that order albeit Thai style is still in place? The author at least backtracks and says "on the verge of anarchy". Ok. well so too is Greece with its daily street protests. Greece is far closer to general anarchy and yet the world does not say that. If we compare the two, people are out everywhere protesting in Greece and the disruptive protests are confined to a small area of Bangkok.

It is unfair to accuse the authorities now of indecisiveness. How about prudence and caution? If a few more days is what it takes to avoid bloodshed, then good for the government. People always want fast resolutions to problems. Well, too bad. Sometimes difficult issues take time to resolve if the goal is peace. Some of the people in TV demanding the army move in and crack heads have never seen a dead body close up. One of the worst experiences is to look at someone that's gutshot. Intestines falling out, blood everywhere and the person is still alive and most likely will live for a few more days until infection and internal bleeding kill the person off. It's not pretty. If anarchy means taking the time to bring a peaceful end to this, then let anarchy prevail.

I would not say, as you do, that Greece is far closer to general anarchy than Thailand. Just compare the police and judicial systems. You make some good points but the anarchy definition does not seem well thought out

caf

[kg1947]

Nishitha shah Net Worth $280 million Age 29

Marital Status Single

====================================

If Thaksin finance the whole Red uprising he will be BROKE by now !! $400Mill. is NOT enough to spread around,

besides his money is STILL FROZEN isn't it ? So - this is now bigger and beyond Khun T. agreed with some posters.

Assume ALL politicians are corrupt & self serving, ............ so Khun T.'s biggest mistake ??

He opened the eyes of the poor masses that there's an alternative out there than just getting B.100.- to B.500.- or more

every election year ! Is his plan flawed ? the concept is GOOD, the execution is flawed because there's not enough check and balances - so corruption is nibbling at those funds.

BUT the masses has " awakened " and " aware " that there's an alternative

out there !! Besides he " pays attention " to their needs and often visit the villages in POOR areas.

That's why you see " LOYALTY " from the poor . They are not stupid and know where the Baht/Satang will come from.

Isaan people might be simple but they have a LOT more COMMON SENSE than those hi-so/elite you see in BKK and more

friendly too ! I live here after retirement from a Western Democratic Country - eh ?

The word: " SHIFT " applies here , its happening slowly but surely.

It will take awhile but it will come , just as JULY 14 will show up after the month May & June. So learn from history !

My heart is heavy - looking at those dead & injured bodies. But that's the cost of "awakening" and change of status quo.

BTW the richest in the world : you'll never their name published in Forbes in a million year !! (Check those anonymous &

numbered TRUST if you have access)

AND for Khun NIS , may I borrow $ 1 Mill. and I'll issue a FedRes Prom.Note or Treasury Note,

whichever you prefer ......... WHAT ??? .... you don't have faith in those notes ?

Let's see : how about 1 Mill AMERO or 1 Mill SDR , just have to find the proper logo first and get more ink for my laser printer.

Don't trust them either ? Well then - we are in trouble - aren't we ? How about RENMINBI ?

All my gold might be Tungsten filled, so that's not good either ! Well that's life I guess, that's why the poor in Isaan must fight

even if it cost them their life to get out of (lifelong)servitude and enjoy a better life for themselves as well as their offspring.

May the year 2012 bring a REAL change and didn't the BIBLE say that : The poor will inherit ........ whatever ?

May God / Buddha bless you all whatever colour you are , just open your eyes, mind, awareness, etc.

[midas]

If Thaksin finance the whole Red uprising he will be BROKE by now !! $400Mill. is NOT enough to spread around,

besides his money is STILL FROZEN isn't it ? So - this is now bigger and beyond Khun T. agreed with some posters.

Assume ALL politicians are corrupt & self serving, ............ so Khun T.'s biggest mistake ??

He opened the eyes of the poor masses that there's an alternative out there than just getting B.100.- to B.500.- or more

every election year ! Is his plan flawed ? the concept is GOOD, the execution is flawed because there's not enough check and balances - so corruption is nibbling at those funds.

kg1947 maybe the penny will drop with the farang Abhisit supporters in the end

They showed red shirts in Khon Kaen the other night collecting their own contributions

amongst themselves or was that just a conspiracy theory .

[rixalex]

They showed red shirts in Khon Kaen the other night collecting their own contributions

amongst themselves or was that just a conspiracy theory .

Another fine example of how the red supporters are being used and exploited. This whole show is for the benefit of one man, even if the reds don't see that, and whatever losses Thaksin has taken, he's still incredibly rich and can easily afford to fund these protests.

And where is this hard-earned money going exactly? No doubt each times it changes hands a cut is being taken. Who's going to check? Not like they are handing out receipts or going to be audited. Anyway, i guess if people are silly enough to give their money away to people like this, whatever the group be, more fool them.

[Robby nz]

Can you imagine the vindictivness if Taxin ever got back in power? the war on drugs would be nothing in comparison.

[lannarebirth]

Not just the reds - they are all at it.

Yes they are all at it (exploitation), but currently it is the reds who are out there on the streets creating mayhem under the completely false pretense of fighting against it.

And when exactly are they doing to ditch Thaksin?

They won't. They can't. When will you realise this?

I'm a believer (not the Monkey's song) in cultural shift and, in time, they will. He is the figurehead and paymaster 'today' but everything is impermanent and it will change - try to see the larger, wholistic picture. What we don't need is the current 'rich, selfish elite' to stay in charge - what we need is a change to another selfish bunch who might move us slowly ahead - change will come.

I too think the change will come and will be slow, very slow. What has now started will not be stopped in the long term.

The Thaksin link is overemphasised. His powerful friend(s) may not, probably will not, always be in silent support.

The world community is saddened by these events and America is advocating jaw jaw not war war. And America is not without real influence in Thailand.

Interesting too how many expats and thais are now becoming fence sitters and not so partisan. No one wants to be on the wrong side.

caf

The "shift" you people are talking about has been going on for decades already. Every year the life of the average Thai person continues to improve.

[ChiangMaiFun]

I too think the change will come and will be slow, very slow. What has now started will not be stopped in the long term.

The Thaksin link is overemphasised. His powerful friend(s) may not, probably will not, always be in silent support.

The world community is saddened by these events and America is advocating jaw jaw not war war. And America is not without real influence in Thailand.

Interesting too how many expats and thais are now becoming fence sitters and not so partisan. No one wants to be on the wrong side.

caf

The "shift" you people are talking about has been going on for decades already. Every year the life of the average Thai person continues to improve.

yes, yes... it has - and this is another 'milestone' along that long journey - I try to see it wholistically

[hammered]

I too think the change will come and will be slow, very slow. What has now started will not be stopped in the long term.

The Thaksin link is overemphasised. His powerful friend(s) may not, probably will not, always be in silent support.

The world community is saddened by these events and America is advocating jaw jaw not war war. And America is not without real influence in Thailand.

Interesting too how many expats and thais are now becoming fence sitters and not so partisan. No one wants to be on the wrong side.

caf

There isnt really a side to be on for most people, just competing forces and at the surface those visible elements of them and those that seek to ride or control them. Evolutionary change to a point that most society as a whole accepts means everyone or virtually everyone is a winner. That is the beauty of it. Revolutionary change or the crushing of both of which do see temporary at least winners is something we seem to have stepped back from.

The interesting thing is that evolutionary change usually sees those in the middle coalesce and those the extremes left out while revolutionary change or the crushing of it usually sees those at the extremes lead. That is another beauty of evolutionary change. Those that cant control it tend to be small in number and on extremes.

[ThailandLovr]

I am hoping against hope for some accountability for outright acts of lawlessness. Such as the breach of the Parliament building - PMs evacuated by air lift - give me a f@cking break! And the orders to stop the train, buses and hold soldiers in Khon Kaen to mention just two, not to mention INCITEMENT TO RIOT!

There needs to be JAIL TIME for some Red leaders! Compare it to a snowball's chance. They'll insist on immunity and will get it.

Edited April 24, 2010 by ThailandLovr

[LevelHead]

I too think the change will come and will be slow, very slow. What has now started will not be stopped in the long term.

The Thaksin link is overemphasised. His powerful friend(s) may not, probably will not, always be in silent support.

The world community is saddened by these events and America is advocating jaw jaw not war war. And America is not without real influence in Thailand.

Interesting too how many expats and thais are now becoming fence sitters and not so partisan. No one wants to be on the wrong side.

caf

There isnt really a side to be on for most people, just competing forces and at the surface those visible elements of them and those that seek to ride or control them. Evolutionary change to a point that most society as a whole accepts means everyone or virtually everyone is a winner. That is the beauty of it. Revolutionary change or the crushing of both of which do see temporary at least winners is something we seem to have stepped back from.

The interesting thing is that evolutionary change usually sees those in the middle coalesce and those the extremes left out while revolutionary change or the crushing of it usually sees those at the extremes lead. That is another beauty of evolutionary change. Those that cant control it tend to be small in number and on extremes.

The Thaksin link is overemphasized as it is all they have.

All prior uprising against the Elite has been squashed by playing the "un-loyal" card and then releasing the soldiers to kill the people protesting.

Team Yellow are trying to run that same headline but its not working this time as the Reds openly love their country as all Thai people do, and the military is presently balanced and they know what the fight is about, and its not about that issue the Yellows are attempting to say it is.

Therefore all they have is the "Thaksin" card and its why they are non stop in their using of it.

Its not washing off on the people know. That is why this is a long drawn out thing.

Team Yellow want to reshuffle the military to remove the balance, once they do that they can then hold a coup anytime they want, and they probably would stop elections, as was done last time in 2006.

You can see Team Yellow struggling with the Thaksin "link" now as he has stepped away totally. This leaves them now pushing once again for a crackdown based on the same reasons they used to kill all those students some years back.

[ThailandLovr]

Lots of luck Warrierneed. The police are good at directing traffic only. Uphold the law?

Edited April 24, 2010 by ThailandLovr

[rixalex]

Team Yellow want to reshuffle the military to remove the balance,

Yes i know, you keep saying that, but omit to mention that if the reds get in power they too will shuffle the military and it won't be based on merit either; or on who is doing a good job; it will be based on nepotism and favouritism, as it always was under TRT and PPP.

Edited April 24, 2010 by rixalex

[rixalex]

You can see Team Yellow struggling with the Thaksin "link" now as he has stepped away totally.

Stepped away totally?!!! I mean seriously, does anyone buy that?

[hammered]

I too think the change will come and will be slow, very slow. What has now started will not be stopped in the long term.

The Thaksin link is overemphasised. His powerful friend(s) may not, probably will not, always be in silent support.

The world community is saddened by these events and America is advocating jaw jaw not war war. And America is not without real influence in Thailand.

Interesting too how many expats and thais are now becoming fence sitters and not so partisan. No one wants to be on the wrong side.

caf

There isnt really a side to be on for most people, just competing forces and at the surface those visible elements of them and those that seek to ride or control them. Evolutionary change to a point that most society as a whole accepts means everyone or virtually everyone is a winner. That is the beauty of it. Revolutionary change or the crushing of both of which do see temporary at least winners is something we seem to have stepped back from.

The interesting thing is that evolutionary change usually sees those in the middle coalesce and those the extremes left out while revolutionary change or the crushing of it usually sees those at the extremes lead. That is another beauty of evolutionary change. Those that cant control it tend to be small in number and on extremes.

The Thaksin link is overemphasized as it is all they have.

All prior uprising against the Elite has been squashed by playing the "un-loyal" card and then releasing the soldiers to kill the people protesting.

Team Yellow are trying to run that same headline but its not working this time as the Reds openly love their country as all Thai people do, and the military is presently balanced and they know what the fight is about, and its not about that issue the Yellows are attempting to say it is.

Therefore all they have is the "Thaksin" card and its why they are non stop in their using of it.

Its not washing off on the people know. That is why this is a long drawn out thing.

Team Yellow want to reshuffle the military to remove the balance, once they do that they can then hold a coup anytime they want, and they probably would stop elections, as was done last time in 2006.

You can see Team Yellow struggling with the Thaksin "link" now as he has stepped away totally. This leaves them now pushing once again for a crackdown based on the same reasons they used to kill all those students some years back.

I didnt talk about Thaksin or yellows or reds or even really about Thailand. It was a general point about how societies change in an evolutionary or revolutionary way