Thai PM Abhisit Still Standing After Deadly Protests

[hermida]

Finally, the Western media got it right...

Thai turmoil was no 'class war'

Recent violence in Thailand was not about class at all

The Sydney Morning Herald

June 7, 2010

We have seen the recent unrest in Thailand, with soldiers in the streets and protesters clamoring for democracy, before in South-East Asia. But was this really a clash between the "the haves" and "have-nots" as depicted by an almost unanimous chorus of foreign media?

As battles between anti-government protesters and the military killed 85 people and injured 1402, a Western academic claimed that "the farmers of Thailand have stood up". It was supposed to have been a more or less spontaneous uprising by society's poor and disadvantaged against the urban elite in Bangkok.

Superficially the scenes may have looked similar to the 1988 protests for democracy in Burma or perhaps even the 1998 uprising in Indonesia, which led to the fall of Suharto. But there are fundamental differences between those events and Thailand's "Red Shirt" protest movement — the popular name for the grouping officially known as the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The list of casualties speaks for itself. Of those killed, 11 were soldiers and policemen, as were 411 of the wounded. Unlike pro-democracy movements elsewhere, the UDD had its armed units and was far from the "non-violent" force it purported to be. The UDD also became infamous for its attacks on the media. Several journalists, both Thai and foreign, were threatened by UDD members and, on May 19, staff at a local television station had to flee for their lives when a mob set fire to their building, apparently "dissatisfied" with the coverage they were getting.

This should have come as no surprise: anyone who had visited Red Shirt rallies would have been struck by the language used. Although "democracy" was a catchphrase, the rest of the message was one of intolerance and even hatred of anyone who did not agree with the protesters, often peppered with obscenities. And there were always armed men around, dressed in black fatigues.

It should also not be forgotten that the movement was launched on March 12 — two weeks after Thai courts had seized $1.4 billion of assets held in Thai banks of the family of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in 2006 and is wanted for multiple counts of corruption. But he must have had significant amounts of money saved elsewhere, because a local Red Shirt leader in Thailand's rural north-east told German press agency DPA on May 23: "Thaksin spent hundreds of millions of baht to sponsor the protest." Apart from funding from Thaksin, now in exile in Dubai, the Red Shirts are believed to have also received financial backing from other extremely wealthy families allied with him.

And although tens of thousands of people from impoverished parts of the north-east were mobilised to take part on the protests, it is significant that there is not a single representative of disadvantaged sections of society in the UDD leadership. The main leader, Jatuporn Promphan, served as secretary in the ministry of natural resources and environment in the Thaksin government and, in 2003, he and other officials ordered more than 1000 police to retake a large tract of land in the south, which had been taken over by poor farmers. They accused the government of leasing the land to big palm oil producers instead of redistributing it to the farmers. Jatuporn then defended the police action, saying the protesters were "armed" and "broke the law". During his years in power, Thaksin himself tried to stifle the media, silence critics of his regime — and launched a vicious "war on drugs", in which 2000 people were killed in extrajudicial executions.

The clash in Thailand should be described as a clash between two oligarchies. On one side, the traditional elite consisting of the old Sino-Thai plutocracy that for years have enjoyed a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship with the military, bureaucracy and monarchy — and the new nouveau-riche elite that began to emerge during the Vietnam War era, when the economy took off and culminated in the boom of the 1980s. Lacking the political connections of the old elite, Thaksin and his business associates built up their own power base through a string of populist policies, which won many admirers in certain parts of the country. However, the political confusion among many of the Red Shirt followers is demonstrated in a UDD Chiang Mai cafe: on the wall hang side by side portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Che Guevara — and Thaksin.

Significantly, however, the Red Shirt movement has remained a largely regional phenomenon, mainly in the northeast. UDD influence in the central plains is considerably weaker and virtually non-existent in the south. In those parts of the country — strongholds of Thaksin's sworn enemies, the Yellow Shirts — there are also many poor and disadvantaged people.

Rather than being the "class war" that the UDD likes to talk about, and the Western media seemed to believe it is, it is a conflict between old and new money, which is also pitting poor as well as rich in different parts of the country against each other. This divide is a serious problem, which any Thai government and serious political force would have to address — and not take advantage of for their own respective political agendas.

Whatever the outcome of the present crisis, the future of Thai democracy does not look good, nor does the prospect of national reconciliation. In fact, a country that only a few years ago was seen as a pillar of economic and political stability risks becoming a failed state. This frightening scenario can only be thwarted if Thailand gets solid, independent state institutions that can handle a crisis like this one — and bridge the gap between various elites as well as different parts of the country and society's rich and poor.

ww.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/thai-turmoil-was-no-class-war-20100607-xped.html

[yoshiwara]

Thanks for the article Hermida.

Has anybody got the link to a similar observation made by a Singapore Government spokesman fingering Thaksin's direction in the red activities? (it was listed here in TV)

[jdinasia]

As much as i think Abhiset is still the best out of a very bad bunch of candidates...

I feel he definiteley SHOULD go ahead with NOV Elections...

I have only stood for him because i believed he was more honest and fair than others..

however if he goes back on his word for NOV elections...

He will be branded another snake and strengthen the reds Claims...

I hope he can be an honorable man and win, rather than go against his word... and lose trust...

You need to go back and see what was said when the offer of November elections was on the table. The reds rejected the roadmap and the elections were part of that. No roadmap --- no elections---no broken promises at all.

[yoshiwara]

As much as i think Abhiset is still the best out of a very bad bunch of candidates...

I feel he definiteley SHOULD go ahead with NOV Elections...

I have only stood for him because i believed he was more honest and fair than others..

however if he goes back on his word for NOV elections...

He will be branded another snake and strengthen the reds Claims...

I hope he can be an honorable man and win, rather than go against his word... and lose trust...

You need to go back and see what was said when the offer of November elections was on the table. The reds rejected the roadmap and the elections were part of that. No roadmap --- no elections---no broken promises at all.

Our friendly forum reds are all trying to muddy the waters now.

Instead of there being an agreement made by the red leaders which was subsequently rejected by Thaksin through Seh Daeng,

Now the cheerleaders are saying that the roadmap conditions were an obstacle to an agreement.

ie now all the reds are being pulled back into line, behind the Thaksin line.

Behind the Seh Daeng line.

The next step step in their rewriting of history will be to say that the reds genuinely wanted peace but that the violence was instigated by Abhisit.

The red mode of operating is as predictable as a mechanical clock.

The first rule, the uber rule is always, but always label the other side with whatever you are accused of.

The red ducks are getting in the row. Here they come now.

[Rucharee]

Abhisit should call for an election now, before Thai people forgot about the arson attacks, and how must the Red-protest cause the nation.

I also thought an election now (i.e. before the end of 2010) would enable Abhisit to benefit from his rise in popularity.

However, on reflection, I think he needs to get a number of ducks in a row if he is to oversee open, transparent and free elections(i.e. no vote buying - as far as possible). I doubt this can be achieved in the next 12 months. Thaksin is alienated but if more can be done to distance him from the Thai political scene, all the better.

Rucharee has switched sides (or at least confirmed allegiance to the Democrats) - I just wonder if enough rank and file Thais have been persuaded to put their "X" in the Democrat box as a result of what they saw happen in Bangkok.

I don't know why Democrats still do not have confident that they will win the next general election if it is held NOW.

The TRT/PPP/PT/Red Shirt is history now. Nobody will vote for a BAD LOSER that loots and arson attack.

[Rucharee]

Inital report theat some were shot from an elevated level was wrong. The army was on the railway track, and they were just walking, not shooting down. Here is a correct version from the Nation.

"The witness, frightened and distressed, hid in a monk's quarters until dawn. The witness' account appears to confirm autopsy reports that showed that all six victims were shot horizontally, not from an inclined angle from soldiers stationed on Skytrain tracks or skywalks, the source added." the nation.

[yoshiwara]

Abhisit should call for an election now, before Thai people forgot about the arson attacks, and how must the Red-protest cause the nation.

I also thought an election now (i.e. before the end of 2010) would enable Abhisit to benefit from his rise in popularity.

However, on reflection, I think he needs to get a number of ducks in a row if he is to oversee open, transparent and free elections(i.e. no vote buying - as far as possible). I doubt this can be achieved in the next 12 months. Thaksin is alienated but if more can be done to distance him from the Thai political scene, all the better.

Rucharee has switched sides (or at least confirmed allegiance to the Democrats) - I just wonder if enough rank and file Thais have been persuaded to put their "X" in the Democrat box as a result of what they saw happen in Bangkok.

I don't know why Democrats still do not have confident that they will win the next general election if it is held NOW.

The TRT/PPP/PT/Red Shirt is history now. Nobody will vote for a BAD LOSER that loots and arson attack.

Still pushing the old red line.

There is no requirement to hold an election until the end of 2011.

Not Thaksin's timetable. That is old burnt tyres now.

What is mildly amusing is the sight of an odd red dressed in yellow drag.

For about 5 nanoseconds.

[Rucharee]

CRES has confirm again and again that the crackdown, although a little deadly, was effective in gaining control for the better of all Bangkok people.

[jayboy]

Inital report theat some were shot from an elevated level was wrong. The army was on the railway track, and they were just walking, not shooting down. Here is a correct version from the Nation.

Thanks for clearing that up, and from such a credible and trustworthy source too.

[yoshiwara]

CRES has confirm again and again that the crackdown, although a little deadly, was effective in gaining control for the better of all Bangkok people.

Sneaky.

A little deadly for Thaksin's aspirations.

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

[jayboy]

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

I suppose you are referring to me.Has it occurred to you that endlessly calling anyone who takes a different view a "red cheerleader" is a boring and intellectually slovenly thing to do.

A little while ago I lamented the departure of Plus, who in broad terms came from the same direction as you.What a pity you seem unable to argue a case as he did.

[Rucharee]

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

I suppose you are referring to me.Has it occurred to you that endlessly calling anyone who takes a different view a "red cheerleader" is a boring and intellectually slovenly thing to do.

A little while ago I lamented the departure of Plus, who in broad terms came from the same direction as you.What a pity you seem unable to argue a case as he did.

There is a Thai saying.

Just ignore the sound of the birds and crows.

[jayboy]

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

I suppose you are referring to me.Has it occurred to you that endlessly calling anyone who takes a different view a "red cheerleader" is a boring and intellectually slovenly thing to do.

A little while ago I lamented the departure of Plus, who in broad terms came from the same direction as you.What a pity you seem unable to argue a case as he did.

There is a Thai saying.

Just ignore the sound of the birds and crows.

There's another Thai saying.

Don't borrow someone's nose to breathe with.

[ronz28]

As an outside observer, to me, the PM has shown remarkable restraint with a violent group that has destroyed billions of property and disrupted the lives of everyone. He appears to be the right man for the job intellectually and has allowed the world to see the real nature of the red shirt agenda. I hope most of the red shirts will now be remorseful at what happened. Now the PM must persuade all of the country that it is in their best interests to participate within the normal political system and never riot again.

I only hope those responsible for leading and participating in the destruction and violence especially the Men in Black and those advocating the burning of Bangkok and Government buildings elsewhere will be identified and held accountable to the full extent of the law.

[JLester]

CRES has confirm again and again that the crackdown, although a little deadly, was effective in gaining control for the better of all Bangkok people.

Sneaky.

A little deadly for Thaksin's aspirations.

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

I suppose you are referring to me.

Clearly he's not.

Science-Technology Dictionary: ideas of reference

(psychology) A symptom complex in which, through the mechanism of projection, an individual incorrectly believes himself or herself to be the direct object of casual remarks or incidents or of external events.

Edited June 10, 2010 by JLester

[animatic]

Red cheerleader trying to keep up.

I suppose you are referring to me.Has it occurred to you that endlessly calling anyone who takes a different view a "red cheerleader" is a boring and intellectually slovenly thing to do.

A little while ago I lamented the departure of Plus, who in broad terms came from the same direction as you.What a pity you seem unable to argue a case as he did.

There is a Thai saying.

Just ignore the sound of the birds and crows.

There's another Thai saying.

Don't borrow someone's nose to breathe with.

Especially when it's kissing some ones ass.