For Thai Democrats, It's Time To Remember Friends, Allies

[webfact]

SIDELINES

For Democrats, it's time to remember friends, allies

By The Nation

The Democrat Party seminar in Phuket over the weekend was a mixture of soul-searching, rethink strategies, admissions of past sins, and a time to remember old friends and allies, among other self-criticism and self-glorification.

Why have all these factors suddenly become necessary for discussion after almost two years in power, during which we have seen a degree of arrogance and two national crises with bloodletting?

The Democrats' painful experience and weird rite of passage - as we all have witnessed - has almost wrecked the country, leaving traumatic consequences that are very hard to heal, despite the ongoing attempt at reconciliation among parties to the conflict.

Not only was the seminar a period for self-reflection, the Democrats also blamed themselves for a distinctive practice, which has become something of a party tradition. That's an expertise in gossiping about other people - an artful flair for the blame game, so to speak.

Of course, the Democrats have achieved political goals time and again through practices such as fishing in troubled waters, opportunism and gaining at somebody else's expense.

Another notorious practice, which has almost become a mindset, is to transform friends and allies into new enemies, for self-serving interest. At the same time, they have the ability to transform political undesirables into dear friends, also for mutual benefit-sharing pursuits.

This ability to create new enemies and break up relationships with friends and allies is unrivalled among arrogant Democrats. Quite a few of them take the quality as personal pride.

This is no surprise. The Democrat Party has been divided into at least four major factions. There is internal rivalry for command and control of the party's war chest. Many of the old guard have been ignored, overlooked, or just downgraded to perform perfunctory tasks for decorative purposes.

This has gone on so that now the party faces the potential risk of being dissolved due to alleged misdeeds in the raising of funds and campaign expenses. Top legal luminaries, including former party leader Chuan Leekpai, now have the task of defending the party against the charges, despite his being kept idle for so long.

The party's new influential overlord, Suthep Thaugsuban, who is even more powerful than leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, sounded almost remorseful during the self-criticism ritual. As deputy prime minister in charge of national security, and controller of the purse strings, he is the real power behind the party boss, and is trying to elevate his status as a kingmaker. His plea for all party members to mend fences and create friendship is based on the fact that a general election could come anytime soon.

The party's wheeling and dealing in mega projects and with the red-shirt movement have increased public mistrust of the party, whose stand and sensitivity on many issues has already taken a heavy political toll.

Abhisit's secretary-general has just given favourable testimony to the Appeals Court to justify the granting of bail to a red-shirt leader to enjoy freedom outside prison. This has enraged the people who suffered most from the red-shirt mayhem during April and May this year.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

[SomTumTiger]

What a bizarre little article.

[RedNIvar]

Yes you Democrats. Forget not your rise to power. Remember those little boys and girls in Yellow, that committed acts of terrorism for you in plain view of an impotent army and a comical police force. Well those buddies of yours are planning to call in that favor you owe them. So like the article says, its time to remember your friends.

[dom samui]

Yes For Democrats, it's time .

[jackdawson]

past time really

[SomTumTiger]

Yes you Democrats. Forget not your rise to power. Remember those little boys and girls in Yellow, that committed acts of terrorism for you in plain view of an impotent army and a comical police force. Well those buddies of yours are planning to call in that favor you owe them. So like the article says, its time to remember your friends.

Based on the results of May - I would say calling the army impotent is rather incorrect. An Australian military affairs expert at ANU, in a podcast on newmandala - said that the military containment and dispersal plan in a crowded urban area was tactically sound, and almost flawless in being carried out. Impotent, they are not. :jap:

[SamritT]

If you have power, you don't need friend.

[hammered]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

[Phuket Stan]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

You have got the right grip on this power game....Newin will be the big winner

[RedNIvar]

Yes you Democrats. Forget not your rise to power. Remember those little boys and girls in Yellow, that committed acts of terrorism for you in plain view of an impotent army and a comical police force. Well those buddies of yours are planning to call in that favor you owe them. So like the article says, its time to remember your friends.

Based on the results of May - I would say calling the army impotent is rather incorrect. An Australian military affairs expert at ANU, in a podcast on newmandala - said that the military containment and dispersal plan in a crowded urban area was tactically sound, and almost flawless in being carried out. Impotent, they are not. :jap:

You are right, they were not impotent in May. Proof that Viagra and Cialis works.

An army that is as competent as what we saw in May, would have never let a bunch of terrorist lay siege to the Airport. Yet they did, proof of onion politics of Thailand. Too many layers, that make you cry.

[RedNIvar]

If you have power, you don't need friend.

Please go write on a piece of paper 100 times "As a Buddhist, I will not be a bigoted woman".

[yellow1red1]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

How can Pravit promise military plums for 'next year' - AV already set the table for the next 4?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/388512-prayuth-in-line-to-be-next-thai-army-chief/

PAD insane? is that possible? 555 UDD TOO gets crazy about BJT http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/377427-thailands-fragile-peace-threatened/

Thaksin calls Newin a traitor,

[yellow1red1]

Yes you Democrats. Forget not your rise to power. Remember those little boys and girls in Yellow, that committed acts of terrorism for you in plain view of an impotent army and a comical police force. Well those buddies of yours are planning to call in that favor you owe them. So like the article says, its time to remember your friends.

Based on the results of May - I would say calling the army impotent is rather incorrect. An Australian military affairs expert at ANU, in a podcast on newmandala - said that the military containment and dispersal plan in a crowded urban area was tactically sound, and almost flawless in being carried out. Impotent, they are not. :jap:

You are right, they were not impotent in May. Proof that Viagra and Cialis works.

An army that is as competent as what we saw in May, would have never let a bunch of terrorist lay siege to the Airport. Yet they did, proof of onion politics of Thailand. Too many layers, that make you cry.

don't think the Ozzies would use their own military against citizens? have they ever to become such an 'expert' on such?

[hammered]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

How can Pravit promise military plums for 'next year' - AV already set the table for the next 4?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/388512-prayuth-in-line-to-be-next-thai-army-chief/

PAD insane? is that possible? 555 UDD TOO gets crazy about BJT http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/377427-thailands-fragile-peace-threatened/

Thaksin calls Newin a traitor,

Read what Pravit who proposed the military reshuffle to the PM who just passed it along is meant to have said to at least one officer who didnt get what was expected.

See what the PAD have been saying about Newin and the BJT for a long time now. They also have bnecome increasingly ccritical of AV and the Dems. PAD despise the BJT and are quite open about it.

Remember this is not about only two power groups.

[hammered]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

You have got the right grip on this power game....Newin will be the big winner

Newin is rarely on the losing side. Apart from stabbing Thaksin in the back and threatening the Isaan domination he has also usurped the seat at the table with the Dems the PAD thought they would have. His only problem is over confidence that creates too many errors and enemies but to date he has played his hand better than anyone else

[yellow1red1]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

How can Pravit promise military plums for 'next year' - AV already set the table for the next 4?

http://www.thaivisa....hai-army-chief/

PAD insane? is that possible? 555 UDD TOO gets crazy about BJT http://www.thaivisa....ace-threatened/

Thaksin calls Newin a traitor,

Read what Pravit who proposed the military reshuffle to the PM who just passed it along is meant to have said to at least one officer who didnt get what was expected.

See what the PAD have been saying about Newin and the BJT for a long time now. They also have bnecome increasingly ccritical of AV and the Dems. PAD despise the BJT and are quite open about it.

Remember this is not about only two power groups.

way more than 2, gag, u betcha!

now? your saying the military promotions were from BJT's list? read this where plz???

\another thing, What is the date for the roster approval?

[hammered]

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

How can Pravit promise military plums for 'next year' - AV already set the table for the next 4?

http://www.thaivisa....hai-army-chief/

PAD insane? is that possible? 555 UDD TOO gets crazy about BJT http://www.thaivisa....ace-threatened/

Thaksin calls Newin a traitor,

Read what Pravit who proposed the military reshuffle to the PM who just passed it along is meant to have said to at least one officer who didnt get what was expected.

See what the PAD have been saying about Newin and the BJT for a long time now. They also have bnecome increasingly ccritical of AV and the Dems. PAD despise the BJT and are quite open about it.

Remember this is not about only two power groups.

way more than 2, gag, u betcha!

now? your saying the military promotions were from BJT's list? read this where plz???

\another thing, What is the date for the roster approval?

Nothing is as simple as they were form any individual party or non-party players list. The military reshuffle is always a compromise between power groups to keep each happy. However, it was Pravit the defenc eminister who put the picks forward and he is very much close to many of those picked himself. He is a possible choice to head up the BJT and with that comes the possobility of being next PM even in a Dem-BJT coalition. Of course all this is about possibilites but it does seem those controlling the game are making sure their harder rather than softer member are in control as changes loom and that would not auger well for Abhisit although he has shown a remakably good knack to at least survive in the game that few credited him with a year or so ago. All imho

[LomSak27]

Another notorious practice, which has almost become a mindset, is to transform friends and allies into new enemies, for self-serving interest. At the same time, they have the ability to transform political undesirables into dear friends, also for mutual benefit-sharing pursuits.

This ability to create new enemies and break up relationships with friends and allies is unrivalled among arrogant Democrats. Quite a few of them take the quality as personal pride.

This is no surprise. The Democrat Party has been divided into at least four major factions. There is internal rivalry for command and control of the party's war chest. Many of the old guard have been ignored, overlooked, or just downgraded to perform perfunctory tasks for decorative purposes

Uh huh - well if you have paid attention to the Dems back in the 90's you saw it all then. The Dems are only an interm goverment until other parties arise to take the lead. This was Chuan and this was the post 97 Dems. Nothing changes

[Democrat]

way more than 2, gag, u betcha!

now? your saying the military promotions were from BJT's list? read this where plz???

\another thing, What is the date for the roster approval?

Nothing is as simple as they were form any individual party or non-party players list. The military reshuffle is always a compromise between power groups to keep each happy. However, it was Pravit the defenc eminister who put the picks forward and he is very much close to many of those picked himself. He is a possible choice to head up the BJT and with that comes the possobility of being next PM even in a Dem-BJT coalition. Of course all this is about possibilites but it does seem those controlling the game are making sure their harder rather than softer member are in control as changes loom and that would not auger well for Abhisit although he has shown a remakably good knack to at least survive in the game that few credited him with a year or so ago. All imho

So where does this leave Suthep? As the article says he is bigger then the PM.