Thailand Could Deteriorate Into Undeclared Civil War

[bez]

It is nice to know that rest of the world is concerned about Thailand's welfare. I just wonder how their involvement will expedite a solution. Particularly since many overseas observers don't have the slightest clue what is below the intense superficial conflicts.

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im new to this site, what is the underlying reason for these superficial conflicts ?

[SomTumTiger]

The Red Shirt protests will not go on indefinitely. On May 13, you have the Ploughing Day ceremony and after that the traditional start of the new growing season. Most of the red shirt rank and file will be returning home (under huge "Mother or Mother in Law get your ass home and plant this rice - pressure). That is why the Red Shirt leaders had said the 15th was the day they would report.

Look for them to "Declare victory" (Victory of what? that is the question), give a lot, we'll come back and you'll never be rid of us, type rhetoric. Hope Abhisit does get on with his job.

In my opinion, there is one single piece of legislation coming up, with the ability to profoundly affect the lives of millions of Thais, for the better. The property and land tax. If they can succeed in passing that much needed bill, it will benefit Thais for generations to come in the form of increased local revenues and increased use of underutilized lands.

[SomTumTiger]

im new to this site, what is the underlying reason for these superficial conflicts ?

Joined in 2006. Not new, just a troll! Welcome troll!

[brahmburgers]

Spot on pornsasi.

Yes i know . I truly hope they can show some tangible results . Right now many in Korat area (the only i know) still see Abhisit as the boogy man . Its incredible . I hear wife saying he puts Thailand into debts , i hear her saying he wants to ruin farmers with his tax program and all sorts of stories like ppl loosing their jobs . There is a serious PR effort that has to be done by the governement , but first the PM has to show something tangible , i think .

The government has done a dismal job of getting the message out. They have to realize that here in Isaan 90% of the people do not read the newspaper. And when they are in their homes at night they watch Thai soaps, not the news.

Every morning at 5:30/6am I have to endure at least five different speaker systems in different parts of this village at the level of 125+db asking people to travel to Bangkok to join the red rally. The puai baan does not tell the locals what the current government is doing for them but why should they, they are Thaksin supporters. Don't want the locals to think Khun A is actually trying to help them.

For sure. The gov't is losing the PR battles. The ignorant are getting ignoranter.

[lazurus]

If the PM's plan to starve the reds out is put into action it will raise the stakes again for the reds. Either they will have to give in, not something they show the ability to do, or they will have to fight just to get food and water. They will of course call on other reds to come to their aid and they will try to break police lines with violence if necessary. They are now more likely to break into malls and stores for new supplies. Fortunately for them the police are totally incompetent and unable to implement such a blockade.

[shrekroma]

FYI

It appeared that 259 MBaht which Abhisit gave police was later used to buy concrete barrier, wire fence, labor etc to protect Reds area.

Thai police really love Abhisit Gov. lol

Edited May 3, 2010 by shrekroma

[brahmburgers]

If the PM's plan to starve the reds out is put into action it will raise the stakes again for the reds. Either they will have to give in, not something they show the ability to do, or they will have to fight just to get food and water. They will of course call on other reds to come to their aid and they will try to break police lines with violence if necessary. They are now more likely to break into malls and stores for new supplies. Fortunately for them the police are totally incompetent and unable to implement such a blockade.

I have no love for the Reds who are stymieing Bkk, but I no way agree that there should be a blockade of food and water. That, to me, would be the ultimate PR mistake. Instead: either stay the course (albeit wimpy) of doing close to nothing and hope the Reds dissipate and return home ......or take stern action using armored vehicles supported by security troops with a backbone. If troops retreat at the first sign of bruising, then they're no good, and that's probably why the stern approach hasn't been retried - since those few minutes on April 10th.

Also, Thais in general can't stomach anyone getting hurt. Even those who call for stern action will wilt when they hear crying and see blood on the pavement. That, and the fact that cops are spineless, are the two main reasons Abhisit has been essentially sitting on his hands.

[kratiam]

If the PM's plan to starve the reds out is put into action it will raise the stakes again for the reds. Either they will have to give in, not something they show the ability to do, or they will have to fight just to get food and water. They will of course call on other reds to come to their aid and they will try to break police lines with violence if necessary. They are now more likely to break into malls and stores for new supplies. Fortunately for them the police are totally incompetent and unable to implement such a blockade.

I have no love for the Reds who are stymieing Bkk, but I no way agree that there should be a blockade of food and water. That, to me, would be the ultimate PR mistake. Instead: either stay the course (albeit wimpy) of doing close to nothing and hope the Reds dissipate and return home ......or take stern action using armored vehicles supported by security troops with a backbone. If troops retreat at the first sign of bruising, then they're no good, and that's probably why the stern approach hasn't been retried - since those few minutes on April 10th.

Also, Thais in general can't stomach anyone getting hurt. Even those who call for stern action will wilt when they hear crying and see blood on the pavement. That, and the fact that cops are spineless, are the two main reasons Abhisit has been essentially sitting on his hands.

Mmmmmmm.......I think that probably sums it up!

[Bolo]

It is nice to know that rest of the world is concerned about Thailand's welfare. I just wonder how their involvement will expedite a solution. Particularly since many overseas observers don't have the slightest clue what is below the intense superficial conflicts.

An incisive comment

Not certain about this, overseas governments (within their foreign office) have secret agents as diplomats in their embassies in all countries with which they have diplomatic relations, their duty is to be well imformed in respect of all happenings in that country, particularly in terms of politics.

You can be assured that the political world as a whole is well aware of what is taken place here at the moment, in fact they are bound to know more about the underlying political problems and the history of it (reasons) than the Thai people as a whole.

I agree, I saw this post ealier and thought it was pretty slim on perspective or being naive.Don't be fooled into thinking they don't know much about this. In fact they probably have a better grasp on it and are specialized in it. Education works wonders.