Abhisit Has Played His Last Card

[wlcart]

The last few months have proved words are cheap here in Thailand.

I wont believe anything until i see it.

Edited May 7, 2010 by wlcart

[pornsasi]

I have lost quite a bit of respect for Thanong's blog. Abhisits last card? Nonsense. Give it a break Thanong, its not his last card at all, but its a far better card than the other one which risks being smeared in the blood of protesters which he seems to advocate, despite the fact that these include children and the elderly.

Its a well timed olive branch, a middle of the road solution that offers the Reds a face saving route out of this hole, yet does not give amnesty for violent criminal acts.

A solution that is, in the PM's own words, non negotiable. For the hawks the PM has also not ruled out dispersal, which could happen after the coronation festivities end on Sunday, just before school term starts the following week on the 17th, just days after the leaders have promised to turn themselves in when all those kids should have left to go back home to prepare for school, if they are not being used as human shields that is.

I saw some of Thanong's articles before . He is a yellow shirt reactionary of the worse kind .

Dont pay attention ...

Edited May 7, 2010 by pornsasi

[pornsasi]

Red-shirt rally core leader Weng Tojirakan today the 7th May called on at least one-million red-shirt people from across the country to mobilize to the Ratchaprasong intersection to put pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the parliament as soon as possible.

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

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

Here we go again

It all starts over again

Please Mr. PM do your job and clear this mob before innocent people get killed

At this point in time no one can in real truth call protesting red shirts innocent people

I guess your info is correct ...

Its crazy , tell me how the PM can clear the mob , the army will not intervene , nor the police .

They dont want to shoot at thais which is understandable .

Between the reds and the yellows , Thailand has become ungovernable .

Really sad ...

[IMA_FARANG]

Seems like a good analysis of the situation to me.

Note that a few days ago I said on this forum that the Red Shirts would find some way to not accept the "compromise" offered.

The reason is (in reality, not political flip-flop talk) the the Red Shirts have no real agenda and no political program except protest. They are only a power as long as they disrupt the political system in Thailand. If the situation ever gets back to "nomal" (whatever that is) the Red Shirts are lost. Their protest is only important as long as they can disrupt the usual politics. Furthermore, as we now are beginning to see, the Red Shirts are no more than the front for a former Prime Minister. We always knew that, but now the Red Shirts are making it obvious to all.

But the one thing I disagree with is the headline, because Abhisit hasn't run out of options. Peaceful options, maybe. But he can always say to the head of the Thai Army,"You can be Prime Minister tomorrow. Just be sure to kill all the Red Shirt leaders...and anyone else who gets in the way when you do it. For that favor, I'll resign, and be gone, You take over, and good luck to you if you do"

I'd hate to see that happen, but it is a possible solution. Just to be clear, I'm NOT advocating it.

Edited May 7, 2010 by IMA_FARANG

[pornsasi]

Seems like a good analysis of the situation to me.

Note that a few days ago I said on this forum that the Red Shirts would find some way to not accept the "compromise" offered.

The reason is (in reality, not political flip-flop talk) the the Red Shirts have no real agenda and no political program except protest. They are only a power as long as they disrupt the political system in Thailand. If the situation ever gets back to "nomal" (whatever that is) the Red Shirts are lost. Their protest is only important as long as they can disrupt the usual politics. Furtermore, as we now are beginning to see, the Red Shirts are no more than the front for a former Prime Minister. We always knew that, but now the Red Shirts are making it obvious to all.

But the one thing I disagree with is the headline, because Abhisit hasn't run out of options. Peaceful options, maybe. But he can always say to the head of the Thai Army,"You can be Prime Minister tomorrow. Just be sure to kill all the Red Shirt leaders...and anyone else who gets in the way when you do it. For that favor, I'll resign, and be gone, You take over, and good luck to you if you do"

I'd hate to see that happen, but it is a possible solution. Just to be clear, I'm NOT advocating it.

The other option could be a huge rally of the silent majority , say a hundred thousand ppl at least in favor of the PM ,

that go talk seriously to the reds .

In which case if the reds start to be violent against them , then the army can help

Maybe ...

Edited May 7, 2010 by pornsasi

[lazurus]

If the reds leave on Monday then the Yellows can start on Tuesday and demand the election be called off. That's where protests get you.

[ozzieman05]

What about the PM continual statement that he wants to handle this to international standards

Is Greece not on the Thai Map of the world

they solved the matter in 1 day according to the news

That's what happens when your police do their jobs, even if it is a tough one. The Greek protests started with about 50,000 people, turned violent and then the police sorted them out in a hurry. The government there didn't have to beg for a deal with those lawbreakers.

I was in Cambodia yesterday, if the reds want a civil war that will ruin the country and leave it looking like their neighbors to the east they should think again. The Thai people have a much brighter future if they work together and bring back law and order.

Very True Very True

[ozzieman05]

Red-shirt rally core leader Weng Tojirakan today the 7th May called on at least one-million red-shirt people from across the country to mobilize to the Ratchaprasong intersection to put pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the parliament as soon as possible.

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

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

Here we go again

It all starts over again

Please Mr. PM do your job and clear this mob before innocent people get killed

At this point in time no one can in real truth call protesting red shirts innocent people

I guess your info is correct ...

Its crazy , tell me how the PM can clear the mob , the army will not intervene , nor the police .

They dont want to shoot at thais which is understandable .

Between the reds and the yellows , Thailand has become ungovernable .

Really sad ...

I read an article that said the army will clear the protestors if the government take full responsibility

I think now is the time, as the majority is on your side

and if any one complains

say the magic words

Iternational,,,,,,, Greece

[ratcatcher]

Red shirts. Give 'em an arm, they'll take a leg. How much of this is about the red shirt leader's cowardice to face legal charges? As I suspected, they are dragging their feet (lots of limb analogies) and this is far from over.

Yes, you’re spot on. The Red Shirts have strong armed Abhisit into an agreement and he has to knuckle down and solve this problem as soon as possible. The police won’t lift a finger to help him and the army is reluctant to give him a hand as well.

The Reds elbowed their way into the Ratchaprasong district, weeks ago, thumbing their noses at the government while causing thousands of people economic hardship, yet no-one in the red Shirt leadership is willing to shoulder the blame.

That should just about cover it.

[BSJ]

OVERDRIVE

Abhisit has played his last card

By Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

I wasted 5 minutes reading that clap trap! As it has becoming a daily occurrence, articles that rehash bits and pieces of information to fill up another half a page in the paper.

Or could it be I am becoming jaded reading about the situation that has enveloped a large part of daily life in LOS for many months.

Can someone tell me if that's a question or a statement!

[lazurus]

So the reds have accepted the roadmap, sort of. Tomorrow we'll find out what other ridiculous conditions they want to add on before they'll give a firm date for letting the huddled masses go home. Time for the yellows to form a protest and get some demands of their own, if that's how this democracy is run.

[lazurus]

Looks like two parties can form a coalition and make a government even if they don't have the most seats individually. At least in the UK they can. Is Gordon Brown an illegitimate and unelected PM? Come on all those who said that about the Thai PM, don't be hypocrites, denounce the UK elections and call for new ones.

[Redsunset]

I know plenty of hard working Thais who came from nothing. They work seven days a week in restaurants or menial jobs striving for success. They sweat, suffer, but every day, they show up. They are always lured by corruption, but they stay the course and work hard.

These are role models for how the democratic system "should" work in Thailand.

I do not for a moment believe that setting up programs to enhance opportunities will make a huge dent in the livelihood of the poor person's life. You can be given an opportunity, but you have to have the ambition and hard work to fulfill that opportunity. It is not handed to you.... ask any hard working immigrant... they will tell you how to succeed.

Absolutely agree with most of what you have written. However i think the first step is to give the person the opportunity and then educate them about how to use to benefit their livelihood. For instance, It's a waste of time giving a person a computer if you don't tell them how to turn it on.

Handled correctly, even the smallest of benefit or opportunity can impact a person in ways we can't imagine as, i am sure the majority of posters here, come from democratic countries and have had opportunites handed to them all their life.

My work takes me to Isaan very regularly and through my work i hand opportunites and benefits to poor, rural communities. Seeing first hand the impact it has keeps me going back there and keeps me organising opportunites. There is genuine thanks and appreciation.

Great response... your efforts and patience are noteworthy. It is a shame that you have to do the job that parents should do.... but rather than to dwell on that, I am just grateful that you have the compassion to help others help themselves.... good for you!

Thanks, RedSunset.

I honestly don't do my work for thanks or praise. I do it because i can and whilst the thanks from the communities and the elders remains genuine i will continue to do it.

It is a vicious circle they are in. They are some of the 'forgotten people' of Thailand and the schooling system in many parts is horrendous. Without a complete overhaul of the education system up there, things won't change. Generations to come will continue to struggle day to day. To be around these people really shows me how lucky I am and i will never forget that. It really is an important point to remember.

I am not getting on my soapbox, i would never preach to anybody, but one thing we must remember is that the majority of us on this forum, who are living in thailand, CHOOSE to do so. We have a choice because we were all very fortunate in the country we were raised in. If you want to see the 'real' Thailand then please visit the communities on the outskirts of the major towns and cities outside of BKK and you will really see what the country and the government is up against.

As i tell all of my customers who come to Thailand to help me, Thailand is two totally different countries in one - BKK and the rest. In my opinion, one major first step is to stop this divide. It's going to take a super-human effort but i am sure it can be done.

I have just re-read it and i apologise! I didn't mean 'you' personally, i am talking writing in general. Hope you didn't misunderstand me.

I understand

[Redsunset]

So the reds have accepted the roadmap, sort of. Tomorrow we'll find out what other ridiculous conditions they want to add on before they'll give a firm date for letting the huddled masses go home. Time for the yellows to form a protest and get some demands of their own, if that's how this democracy is run.

Yes Lazarus you are right... and for that reason, I'm not logging on here for a few days... I'm waiting for all the BS and posturing to clear... every one of the parties is so full of it... reds, yellows, multi coloreds..... I've had enough.... call me when they are done bickering.

[lannarebirth]

I understand

Hi RedSunset, Would you be so kind as to take a couple of minutes and learn how the quote function works. Thanking you in advance.

[eggomaniac]

Dealt his last card!!!??

A Title and Article like this shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation in Thailand.

There never was a full deck of cards!

All of this stuff would have been happening, probably a bit quicker, if Abhisit didn't even exist.

When Abhisit got behind the wheel of the bus, it was going downhill towards hairpin turn with no brakes.

He slowed it down, briefly, by pulling the emergency brake on, but that quickly burned out.

Anybody, red, yellow or grey can agree the above is a very accurate description.

To infer that he had a snow balls chance in Thailand to right the ship is illogical and to blame the results on him are ludicrous. It was crashing, though nobody would listen, before he even became PM.

There is 'run away lane' they could steer into, to stop the slide and make repairs. It comprised of certain Remedies and Strategies I call The Joseph Solution and The Joseph Plan.

The Plan, it's against the 'rules' to discuss the Solution, starts with a White Paper, a Commision, that would only work with my list of participants. It's based on the fact that about 10 to 15% [20 tops] of Thais are radical red supporters and 5 to 10% are radical yellow supporters. THEREFORE, It's based on the fact that 70 to 95% of Thais are well intentioned, hard working lovers of life who would just be happy with Stability and Peace.

It gives Thailand a 'Made in Thailand' full deck of cards instead of the used, marked, and incomplete one they were given by the West to try to manage their affairs.

It gets to the one, major and only cause of the problem, which both reds and yellows profess is the problem, corruption in politics. It automatically filters out corruption!

Stop dealing from a broken table, here is a new deck of cards and a 'friendly' game of politics!

Edited May 7, 2010 by eggomaniac

[faranginexile]

If the Reds haven't dispersed and are still wreaking havoc in BKK, then they haven't really 'agreed" to anything, have they?

[ChiangMaiFun]

Jeeze it was so close to finishing - I sincerely hope the reds have learnt from their PR disasters and ill judged decisions and don't make outrageous demands - they need a level head now - asking for EXACT dissolution date etc. is reasonable and Amnesty for all but the violent is reasonable - I hope they don't go into some delusional dream state and think they can bring it forward more or something like that. They won the major thing - now they should no push their luck.

[lazurus]

Last night someone reshuffled the deck, so I doubt the PM has played his last card.