Abhisit - A Prime Minister Tried By War

[webfact]

TELL IT AS IT IS

A prime minister tried by war

By Pornpimol Kanchanalak

BANGKOK: -- Even his harshest critics agree that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is an honest politician who comes only once in a blue moon in Thailand. But has he risen to the occasion as the country has been facing its first "civil war" and the longest urban terror campaign in history?

Initially, perhaps not entirely and singularly his own fault, his administration's handling of the crisis appeared at best inept, both in terms of strategy and tactics. His crisis management team, at times, seemed to be the story of two men and a dog; and the dog was dead.

Time will tell how our prime minister will be judged as a crisis manager. Only a long view will provide us with a balanced perspective. Meanwhile, a war of treason and rebellion has been raging not only in Bangkok, but countrywide. If the government's war powers are not handled properly, the war of rebellion could turn into war of attrition that will slowly but surely eat away the social fabric and stability of our nation to an extent nobody is currently willing to even imagine.

Across the globe, over a hundred years ago, a young nation with a president "as green as the greenest military recruit" was staring down her own most devastating experience that threatened its survivability as a nation - the American Civil War. The year was 1861 and the president of the United States at the time was Abraham Lincoln, who was elected to office a year earlier. It would be a war that lasted four years and remains until today the deadliest war in American history. It claimed 620,000 casualties among military men, and an unknown number of civilians.

Lincoln was 51 when the war between the Union and the Confederacy broke off. Up to that point, in his own words, Lincoln's military experience consisted of battling mosquitoes during the Black Hawk War some thirty years before he took the office. As a result, during the initial stage of the war, he relied solely on the Army's senior leadership, which turned out to have neither the will nor the talent to suppress the rebellion. Lincoln then was forced to raise an army of volunteers, with political figures appointed to high command. They proved to be no better than the armed forces professionals. In addition, they were more risk-averse. Meanwhile, his generals shared their low regard and even contempt toward Lincoln (one of the names they called him was the "original gorilla"). But Lincoln had the ability to shrug off personal insult and to work with his contemptuous army officers. But he also realised that the ultimate responsibility to deal with the war would rest squarely upon his shoulders.

With that onerous sense of duty, Lincoln, with exceptional acumen, rose to the occasion, and gave rise to the modern day concept of commander-in-chief. He started making his own command decisions and orders. One of the most controversial decisions he made was to suspend the use of Habeas Corpus, which stipulated in Article One of the Constitution that an individual cannot be held without being brought before the court to determine if the government has the right to continue detaining him.

Lincoln ordered arrests of several thousand people in the active war zone and put them in preventive detention until the emergency situation passed. He ordered blockades of the southern command ports that were strategically crucial to the supplies, replenishment and other logistical support for the Confederate armies. He seized enemies' property for temporary military use.

Lincoln argued convincingly that the basis for such actions was the fact that the country was facing an emergency that was threatening the ability of the United States to survive as one nation, indivisible.

It was not until 1864, the last year of the war, that Lincoln found the right man for the right job of heading the Union's army - General Ulysses S Grant. With Lincoln's blessing, Grant's objective was not to occuppy enemy territory or capture railroad junctions, but to end the rebellion by destroying the Confederacy's ability to resist.

Lincoln's story shows us how one man, with his decisiveness, astute strategic and tactical acumen, leadership, and wise use of war powers, could stand in the way of the 11 southern states' attempt to secede, and thus preserve the Union. It shows how one exceptional man can make a difference in shaping the destiny of his country.

Today, the indelible scar of that war is still visible, and is a reminder of the devastatingly destructive nature of a civil war.

The Washington Monument in the US capital city, at 555 feet 5 1/8 inches tall, is the tallest obelisk in the world. The construction of the obelisk started in 1848 and was disrupted for many years during the Civil War. Today, the visible different shading of marble of this landmark appears at approximately 150 feet up from the ground. After the war, it was impossible to find the materials with a colour that matched the original.

At the time of this writing, the core red leaders began to surrender. The Abhisit administration's more concerted and better tactical operations appeared to be working. Only time will tell if our rebellion will end with the surrender of these few people, or whether all sides have gone a bridge too far. In the end, the job of mending the severely torn social fabric will prove more formidable, and it will be another undeclared hostility on its own.

But as Lincoln proved to his country and the world, good leadership may be tried by war, but it does not have to be defeated by it.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Kilgore Trout]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

[Ulysses G.]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is honest and good. He has tried to stop the highjacking of the nation with as little bloodshed as possible and yesterday was handled well. Now there is the problem of some very sore losers.

Many people have said that Thailand needs a great leader right now and Abhisit might very well be that man. The Abraham Lincoln of Thailand ? Maybe. Only time will tell.

Edited May 20, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[thepodest]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

Agreed, but this is only the beginning. We won't know until the end.

[SomTumTiger]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is honest and good. He has tried to stop the highjacking of the nation with as little bloodshed as possible and yesterday was handled well. Now there is the problem of some very sore losers.

Many people have said that Thailand needs a great leader right now and Abhisit might very well be that man. The Abraham Lincoln of Thailand ? Maybe. Only time will tell.

Ulysses - I can't believe it, but you and i are on the same page. I'm very happy for that and I hope that this morning dawns on a Thailand who is a little older, but a little wiser.

[brahmburgers]

Wasn't Lincoln famous for inventing 'Lincoln Logs' ?

Seriously though, Lincoln had a bigger and more drawn out mess to deal with. He kept having to assign new generals to command the Union troops. Earlier generals were being too trepidatious. Finally he got General Grant, and though there was a long messy slog still to go, Grant got the job done.

In comparison, Abhisit had basically one field of operation to focus on: downtown Bangkok. Abhisit should have fired Anupon early on, when it became clear Anupon was as pussy footed as the do-nothing police. Instead, Abhisit appointed Anupon as his deputy. Thankfully, for Thailand's well being, The Army's 2nd in command (Sansern) was allowed to take care of business later on - though the delay of several weeks (in putting a real military minded person in charge) - was what made the clean up more difficult than it would have been if Anupon had done his job earlier. After 7 weeks of inaction, the Red infection was dangerously entrenched and spreading.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I had mentioned weeks earlier - to beware of massive tire fires, and had also warned to have fire trucks ready, with armed security forces alongside to ensure the trucks could go where they were needed.

[paulandmaneerat]

Er.... what's a Lincoln Log? In the UK we have a Lincoln Biscuit. Did he invent that too?

P&M

[SaamBaht]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

To say the least. The man doesn't even have the power to make the bad decisions he's been credited with. He is more a joke than a leader.

[SaamBaht]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is honest and good. He has tried to stop the highjacking of the nation with as little bloodshed as possible and yesterday was handled well. Now there is the problem of some very sore losers.

Many people have said that Thailand needs a great leader right now and Abhisit might very well be that man. The Abraham Lincoln of Thailand ? Maybe. Only time will tell.

[dtarasin]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[thepodest]

SaamBaht,

You gotta give the man some credits. What if you were in his shoes. The situations were almost like lose lose ones.

What would you have done huh?

[clockworkorange]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

The article is classic Pravda propaganda, prepared by the party faithful.

What it doesn't mention is Thailand's fatal flaw - mob rule has replaced the electoral process, which people have completely lost faith in. Neither does the Pravda article mention that Abhisit's lot used this very same method of mob rule to pave the way for the parliamentary deal that got him into power in the first place. Thais support fair play, and while such a system of injustice and hypocrisy prevails there will never be peace. We might also bear in mind that Abhisit's pretext for snatching power was reconciliation, but all we have seen is more chaos. Far from being celebrated as the next Abe Lincoln, Abhisit is just as much focus of hatred as Thaksin is - both of them should withdraw from public life and give the country a chance to repair its broken democracy.

Restoring the public confidence in their right to elect their leaders is really what the Thai authorities should be concentrating on right now. Elections are pointless until the army and judiciary stop meddling with the result.

[SomTumTiger]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

The article is classic Pravda propaganda, prepared by the party faithful.

What it doesn't mention is Thailand's fatal flaw - mob rule has replaced the electoral process, which people have completely lost faith in. Neither does the Pravda article mention that Abhisit's lot used this very same method of mob rule to pave the way for the parliamentary deal that got him into power in the first place. Thais support fair play, and while such a system of injustice and hypocrisy prevails there will never be peace. We might also bear in mind that Abhisit's pretext for snatching power was reconciliation, but all we have seen is more chaos. Far from being celebrated as the next Abe Lincoln, Abhisit is just as much focus of hatred as Thaksin is - both of them should withdraw from public life and give the country a chance to repair its broken democracy.

Restoring the public confidence in their right to elect their leaders is really what the Thai authorities should be concentrating on right now. Elections are pointless until the army and judiciary stop meddling with the result.

Your heros burned down the city yesterday - You must be so proud!

[misterjag]

Lincoln authored the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. If Abhisit wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as Lincoln, he'll act like a statesman and put his Roadmap to Peace initiative back on the table. That would help heal this country.

Edited May 20, 2010 by misterjag

[SomTumTiger]

Lincoln authored the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. If Abhisit wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as Lincoln, he'll act like a statesman and put his Road to Peace initiative back on the table. That would help heal this country.

He has mentioned several times, that he and his administration will continue to follow his roadmap to address these issues. Several times.

[rogera]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

The article is classic Pravda propaganda, prepared by the party faithful.

What it doesn't mention is Thailand's fatal flaw - mob rule has replaced the electoral process, which people have completely lost faith in. Neither does the Pravda article mention that Abhisit's lot used this very same method of mob rule to pave the way for the parliamentary deal that got him into power in the first place. Thais support fair play, and while such a system of injustice and hypocrisy prevails there will never be peace. We might also bear in mind that Abhisit's pretext for snatching power was reconciliation, but all we have seen is more chaos. Far from being celebrated as the next Abe Lincoln, Abhisit is just as much focus of hatred as Thaksin is - both of them should withdraw from public life and give the country a chance to repair its broken democracy.

Restoring the public confidence in their right to elect their leaders is really what the Thai authorities should be concentrating on right now. Elections are pointless until the army and judiciary stop meddling with the result.

Wasn't Clockwork Orange about a lunatic asylum? Perhaps you belong there.

[cheer]

Lincoln authored the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. If Abhisit wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as Lincoln, he'll act like a statesman and put his Roadmap to Peace initiative back on the table. That would help heal this country.

Of course, it (Roadmap) will be implemented. But after doing all the damage, Reds and their sponsors & sympathisers would not be fair in expecting to have early elections. I shudder at the idea of the arsonists and their bosses being our Government. Mind you, I am a ordinary, plain and decent Thai who does not hate anybody or colour.

Edited May 20, 2010 by cheer

[LuckyLew]

I think comparing Abhisit to Lincoln is a bit of a stretch.

The article is classic Pravda propaganda, prepared by the party faithful.

What it doesn't mention is Thailand's fatal flaw - mob rule has replaced the electoral process, which people have completely lost faith in. Neither does the Pravda article mention that Abhisit's lot used this very same method of mob rule to pave the way for the parliamentary deal that got him into power in the first place. Thais support fair play, and while such a system of injustice and hypocrisy prevails there will never be peace. We might also bear in mind that Abhisit's pretext for snatching power was reconciliation, but all we have seen is more chaos. Far from being celebrated as the next Abe Lincoln, Abhisit is just as much focus of hatred as Thaksin is - both of them should withdraw from public life and give the country a chance to repair its broken democracy.

Restoring the public confidence in their right to elect their leaders is really what the Thai authorities should be concentrating on right now. Elections are pointless until the army and judiciary stop meddling with the result.

Elections are pointless when votes are bought and sold at the produce market

Elections are pointless when one party cannot campaign in all regions

Elections are pointless when whoever wins the election will have to deal with

protesters from the losing side

...

...

[streetlife]

There's not many men in this world who I have the up most respect for or would feel humbled in their presence, Abhisit is most definitely a man who I truly respect.

He has proven without reasonable doubt he is what this country needs, maybe not in the eyes of some folk but for the country as a whole Thailand needs Abhisit.

I bow before your sir, how you have handled the situation over the past few weeks is truly remarkable and commendable given the circumstances.

[Samuian]

I would like to see some of the Big mouths here, in his shoes!

Criticism is good, badmouthing without genuine reason is sad at best!

Abhisit as he is not one of the "old flock" did a great job, the messy part

was/is staged by the "rioters" following the orders of their employers, remember?

the 107 (or so ) frozen bank accounts under scrutiny will show, who, funneled which money to whom!

wait and see!

[Jingthing]

Abhisit has defied the pundits many times now. They say he is finished, yet he comes through. So he has become a war Prime Minister and he won't be forgotten, whatever happens next.

[tomyummer]

I personally think that Abhisit does have all the potential to be the best PM Thailand has seen. The problem lies not only in his opposition from other parties, but from the hoodlums from within his own. He was never given the chance from the people because of the majority distaste for the Democrat Party. If he were smart (and able to do financially) he would break away from the Democrat Party to start off on his own. Too much corruption from within. Too hard to help the country progress when you're swimming up and down in dirty water. Hate to say it, but it's a 'no win' situation.

[beatrice]

Lincoln authored the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. If Abhisit wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as Lincoln, he'll act like a statesman and put his Roadmap to Peace initiative back on the table. That would help heal this country.

Of course, it (Roadmap) will be implemented. But after doing all the damage, Reds and their sponsors & sympathisers would not be fair in expecting to have early elections. I shudder at the idea of the arsonists and their bosses being our Government. Mind you, I am a ordinary, plain and decent Thai who does not hate anybody or colour.

I have worked throughout Asia for the last 20 years and corruption is endemic, it countries poor. I too fear an election will yield another corrupt and inept government. I too believe Abbhisit is an honest and genuine person. I am not sure the same could be said for his entire cabinet. The same cultural issues that impede business in Thailand impede good governence. Junior staff never expressing what they think, mae pen rai attitudes, strong hierarchy( starts in school - where kids cannot challenge their teacher and learn criticial thinking) and the belief that certain people are born worth more, from "god" and lesser mortals must bow and scrape.

[jonclark]

Abhisit stick to your guns, show compassion to those who fought against the soldiers on the street, extend the olive branch. Continue to improve the lives of the poor and hunt down the bastards who looted and burnt the city of angels.

[canuckamuck]

I think Thailand was quite fortunate to have had a man like Abhisit at the helm during this madness. I hope he gets credit for job well done so far.

He needs to make sure that elections are on the way though, if there is an election date, the reds lose some of their fuel.

[atvb]

Abhisit honest? He's not honest enough to admit that his administration is the beneficiary of an effective coup. He is an apparently willing stooge of the "elite" whose sole political ideaology is to protect their own interests, leaving the rest of the country bereft of a government they can believe in. Expecting this arrangement to produce any meaningful reforms for the country is ludicrous. Until the roles of all participants in the political equation can be freely discussed and reconciled, the resistance is morally obliged to continue.

Edited May 20, 2010 by atvb

[Jingthing]

I think Thailand was quite fortunate to have had a man like Abhisit at the helm during this madness. I hope he gets credit for job well done so far.

He needs to make sure that elections are on the way though, if there is an election date, the reds lose some of their fuel.

Yes, but he should not follow the original roadmap election date because there needs to be consequences for the red's refusal to honor the original agreement.

[tracymeaw]

The difference is, that Lincoln doesn’t have several paragraphs on his wiki page concerning corruption and scandals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhisit_Vejjajiva

[Ulysses G.]

Abhisit honest? He's not honest enough to ...

Are there any brand-newbies who are not raving lunatics? The answer is not burning down the country.

[Thai-Aust]

There's not many men in this world who I have the up most respect for or would feel humbled in their presence, Abhisit is most definitely a man who I truly respect.

He has proven without reasonable doubt he is what this country needs, maybe not in the eyes of some folk but for the country as a whole Thailand needs Abhisit.

I bow before your sir, how you have handled the situation over the past few weeks is truly remarkable and commendable given the circumstances.

second.