Thai Society Is Now Immune Against Red Shirt Rallies

[webfact]

Thai Society Is Now Immune Against Red Shirt Rallies

The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) or commonly known as the red shirt group, has recently announced another rally which will take place on September 19. No matter the purpose, the group has every right to organize the rally, even though some may see this as a defiance to the emergency decree, which remains active in Bangkok and several other provinces.

The government has allowed the rally to take place under the condition that it must be conducted within the laws, not to make any unfounded criticism against any individual and it must not aim to incite political violence.

In fact, there are mixed reactions to the the rally. From the government's perspective, in the worst case scenario, the rally could turn violent as in many of the red shirts' previous activities. As a precausion, authorities have put in place some security measures to prevent political violence from repeating itself.

At the same time, the red shirts may see the rally as merely an opportunity to express their grievance for being supposedly oppressed by the government.

However, the rally presents a real concern for many Thais who are still recovering from the previous round of unrest just a few months ago.

At any rate, we have clearly seen the damages caused by the past political rallies. As a result, it is normal that we would assume the worst in the case of the upcoming red shirt rally. Nevertheless, we must not forget that the Thai people have learned a lot from these rallies. In the beginning, Thais sympathized with the protestors. After the last round of unrest, those who have been following the news must have realized that these rallies could actually inflict colossal damage if not properly controlled.

Therefore, from what society has learned from the incident which took place a few months ago, we have seen a number of social movements emerging to counter the potentially harmful forces brought by these political rallies. The people can now decide for themselves whether to support or oppose these rallies. We believe that without the public's endorsement, it would be very difficult for any rally to create substantial pressure to achieve its goal. On the contrary, any rally organized without justifiable cause will be opposed by these social movements.

We assume that from now on, Thai people no longer need to be concerned because society has matured. As the situation changes everyday, it would be difficult for past political violence to repeat itself even though some people are trying to incite such a thing. We are demanding the protestors and the government respect each others' rights. We are also asking both of them to respect the rights of those uninvolved and to refrain from causing extensive damage to society.

We believe that all sides should stop citing their political struggles on noble causes like democracy, justice, reconciliation, etc. Instead, they should turn to something more tangible such as the respect for others' rights and social rules. It would be simply unproductive to recite noble causes while inflicting damage to society.

Taken from Editorial Section, Kom Chad Leuk Newspaper, Page 4, September 13, 2010

Translated and Rewritten by Kongkrai Maksrivorawn

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-14

[hanuman1]

"It would be simply unproductive to recite noble causes while inflicting damage to society."

This is either ridiculously simplistic or cynically disengenious.

[rubl]

"It would be simply unproductive to recite noble causes while inflicting damage to society."

This is either ridiculously simplistic or cynically disengenious.

Simplistic I'd say. It doesn't help to speak in absolute truths like 'We want democracy', or 'the government has only the wellbeing of the people in mind'.

[junkofdavid2]

Thai people no longer need to be concerned because society has matured

[Insight]

The point is the legitimacy of the red shirts has been seriously compromised. What are they seriously expecting to achieve with this next set of rallies? Elections? Blew it the last time. Amnesty? It's on the table, except it will never cover red shirt #1.

Or is this simply yet another attempt to antagonise...?

[Samuian]

"It would be simply unproductive to recite noble causes while inflicting damage to society."

This is either ridiculously simplistic or cynically disengenious.

Simplistic I'd say. It doesn't help to speak in absolute truths like 'We want democracy', or 'the government has only the wellbeing of the people in mind'.

"..recite noble causes while inflicting damage to society"

I'd say: "Spot on!"

Bangkok world center and several other places weren't set ablaze by the mob,

no grenade attacks launched, no drive by shootings, general mobbing of opposition members?

Is this "real democracy" this mob is promoting?

Edited September 14, 2010 by Samuian

[jdinasia]

The point is the legitimacy of the red shirts has been seriously compromised. What are they seriously expecting to achieve with this next set of rallies? Elections? Blew it the last time. Amnesty? It's on the table, except it will never cover red shirt #1.

Or is this simply yet another attempt to antagonise...?

The red shirts never had any real legitimacy in the eyes of people that follow politics. They did in the eyes of some people that just listened to the speeches and never looked behind the words though. Red #1 that compares himself with Mandela really does pull the strings and October is FAST approaching.

[Thai at Heart]

The point is the legitimacy of the red shirts has been seriously compromised. What are they seriously expecting to achieve with this next set of rallies? Elections? Blew it the last time. Amnesty? It's on the table, except it will never cover red shirt #1.

Or is this simply yet another attempt to antagonise...?

The red shirts never had any real legitimacy in the eyes of people that follow politics. They did in the eyes of some people that just listened to the speeches and never looked behind the words though. Red #1 that compares himself with Mandela really does pull the strings and October is FAST approaching.

If you consider that there is talk of a coup among the reds (as though that is in some way politically advantageous), after the yellows wanted a coup, one doesn't really know whether to laugh or cry about the situation. When the repetitious answer to political deadlock is to welcome a coup, it shows how low democracy has fallen on all sides.

Of course they only welcome a coup because they believe that in short time, the army will cave in and give democracy back.

In which case, the army can compete with the politicians with a coup manifesto;

a. No elections for 10 years on the basis that no one in the country seems particularly interested in democratic, party based politics.

That would no doubt make everyone "immune" to all colours of political protests.

[mausplan]

I know this might seem cynical but has the upcoming rallies have any more logic to them other than they are connected with the reappearance of the Big Red One. Did you read the article about his latest phone interview to a Thai paper last Friday where he admitted there would have been peace now except for an "accident" in the middle of negotiations last May ! This was the infamous text message Jatu got just as he was about to give in.

So , there is not more deeper meaning to these rallies other than Takkie has stumped up a little funding to make mischief again.

[rixalex]

Amnesty? It's on the table, except it will never cover red shirt #1.

Never say never. As the years pass by i think the likelihood of at some point, someone in power drawing a line under all this and bringing to end an all this nonsense, by giving red shirt #1 what he craves and what he is fighting for, grows stronger. Providing his support and his resources to mount a challenge to power has diminished sufficiently for him to no longer be a threat to seize power, i think there would be good political mileage in someone being seen to throw a bit of compassion his way and letting bygones be bygones. Of course it's not what he deserves but realistically, nobody ever expected him to pay for his crimes, much less actually spend time behind bars. People like him in Thailand very rarely ever do.

[rubl]

... nobody ever expected him to pay for his crimes, much less actually spend time behind bars. People like him in Thailand very rarely ever do.

Shouldn't stop the Thai from trying. Would be a good example for the new, democratic order the UDD wants

[rixalex]

... nobody ever expected him to pay for his crimes, much less actually spend time behind bars. People like him in Thailand very rarely ever do.

Shouldn't stop the Thai from trying. Would be a good example for the new, democratic order the UDD wants

No harm in dreaming i suppose.

[Sao Jiang Mai]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-amsterdam/thailand-must-unclench-it_b_712151.html Another Robert Amsterdam spin special...Talk about disengenous.

[rubl]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-amsterdam/thailand-must-unclench-it_b_712151.html Another Robert Amsterdam spin special...Talk about disengenous.

Thanks for the link. I stopped reading after I saw the first line:

In the aftermath of the bloody repression of April and May 2010 which claimed ...

Never knew those two months were repressed

(edit: what the heck, I'll read the article, should be fun)

Edited September 14, 2010 by rubl

[sbk]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-amsterdam/thailand-must-unclench-it_b_712151.html Another Robert Amsterdam spin special...Talk about disengenous.

Cheers, the note at the bottom says it all:

Robert Amsterdam is an international lawyer retained by the former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra to advocate on behalf of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)

[Robby nz]

Shopping week at Rajprasong postponed to avoid reds protests

By The Nation

Bangkok authority has postponed "Bangkok Shopping Week" scheduled to be held every weekend this month in Ratprasong area to avoid red shirt's protest set to be held this weekend.

Bangkok's deputy governor Thaya Theepasuwan said that the festival, initially set to be held every weekend from September 18 until October 11 at Ratprasong, is organised to help businessmen who have been affected by red shirts' protests in April and May.

"We decide to delay the shopping week to be near the end of this year to avoid possible confrontation between the vendors and the red shirts," she said. There would be about 2,000 shops planned to join the festival, Thaya said.

The red shirts plan to hold a gathering on September 19 to mark the fourth anniversary of the coup d'etat that ousted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

In addition, concerts which were planned to happen near CentralWorld shopping Complex on that day would also be postponed.

The postponement of the two-week festival is estimated to cost about Bt300 million, she said.

Immune indeed???????

Look what the latest useless BS rally is likely to cost those trying to make a living in the area.

And all for what??

[sevenhills]

Amnesty? It's on the table, except it will never cover red shirt #1.

Never say never. As the years pass by i think the likelihood of at some point, someone in power drawing a line under all this and bringing to end an all this nonsense, by giving red shirt #1 what he craves and what he is fighting for, grows stronger. Providing his support and his resources to mount a challenge to power has diminished sufficiently for him to no longer be a threat to seize power, i think there would be good political mileage in someone being seen to throw a bit of compassion his way and letting bygones be bygones. Of course it's not what he deserves but realistically, nobody ever expected him to pay for his crimes, much less actually spend time behind bars. People like him in Thailand very rarely ever do.

Agree, reading between the lines, (and no names mentioned) I think that is highly on the cards. Rightly or wrongly.

[rubl]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-amsterdam/thailand-must-unclench-it_b_712151.html Another Robert Amsterdam spin special...Talk about disengenous.

Robert A. likes to quote U.S. scholar David Streckfuss. Searching I found a reuters article from the 29th of april 2010 which describes the scholar as based in Khon Kaen. Interesting.

Equally interesting is Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other members of his government, some closely linked with the extremist PAD movement,. No mention of K. Thaksin being heavily involved in PTP, UDD and red-shirts. Remember those peaceful protesters and the lovable K. Jatuporn?

For the rest the usual facts which sound nice when you put them all in a single sentence without the need to worry about relevance or even relation.

Edited September 14, 2010 by rubl

[Credo]

This is unbelievable. I am shocked and stunned. I lean toward the red shirts, but I have to question this whole situation.

First of all, the city is under a State of Emergency. That alone should preclud any rally. I don't support the continuation of the State of Emergency, but I certainly dont support the breaking of laws, like them or not. How does the gov''t justify allowing this rally to proceed?

I can only think of two scenarios: 1) The gov't really is dense and has learned nothng. 2). They think the red shirts will screw up again and further damage themselves.

Is there no rule-of-law in this country? What legal justification is there for this rally in a city under the SOE?

[Thai at Heart]

Is there no rule-of-law in this country?

From the minute they decided that giving shares to your maid and driver was an honest mistake, the law has been turned around so many times, no one is paying it any attention anymore.

And by that I do not only hold the reds accountable, but all protagonists on all sides of the arguement.

[evanson]

Thai people no longer need to be concerned because society has matured

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[evanson]

Is there no rule-of-law in this country?

From the minute they decided that giving shares to your maid and driver was an honest mistake, the law has been turned around so many times, no one is paying it any attention anymore.

And by that I do not only hold the reds accountable, but all protagonists on all sides of the arguement.

I didn't realise they did in the first place

[Fookhaht]

Is there no rule-of-law in this country?

From the minute they decided that giving shares to your maid and driver was an honest mistake, the law has been turned around so many times, no one is paying it any attention anymore.

And by that I do not only hold the reds accountable, but all protagonists on all sides of the arguement.

Thailand is not a society based on the rule of law. It is based on power, money, and who you are connected to. Once you recongnize this, the whole picture falls into place, and you aren't surprised anymore at developments like this.

[evanson]

Is there no rule-of-law in this country?

From the minute they decided that giving shares to your maid and driver was an honest mistake, the law has been turned around so many times, no one is paying it any attention anymore.

And by that I do not only hold the reds accountable, but all protagonists on all sides of the arguement.

Thailand is not a society based on the rule of law. It is based on power, money, and who you are connected to. Once you recongnize this, the whole picture falls into place, and you aren't surprised anymore at developments like this.

Seconded.

[Thai at Heart]

Is there no rule-of-law in this country?

From the minute they decided that giving shares to your maid and driver was an honest mistake, the law has been turned around so many times, no one is paying it any attention anymore.

And by that I do not only hold the reds accountable, but all protagonists on all sides of the arguement.

Thailand is not a society based on the rule of law. It is based on power, money, and who you are connected to. Once you recongnize this, the whole picture falls into place, and you aren't surprised anymore at developments like this.

And if I may add, making sure that you don't plan to keep all of the spoils exclusively for yourself and your absolute nearest and dearest. The spoils of politics must be shared with ALL the right people.

[givenall]

The point is the legitimacy of the red shirts has been seriously compromised. What are they seriously expecting to achieve with this next set of rallies? Elections? Blew it the last time. Amnesty? It's on the table, except it will never cover red shirt #1.

Or is this simply yet another attempt to antagonise...?

Amnesty should never cover anyone who acted in terrorism and or help the situations. Whether is #1 or #1000

[Longtooth]

This is unbelievable. I am shocked and stunned. I lean toward the red shirts, but I have to question this whole situation.

First of all, the city is under a State of Emergency. That alone should preclud any rally. I don't support the continuation of the State of Emergency, but I certainly dont support the breaking of laws, like them or not. How does the gov''t justify allowing this rally to proceed?

I can only think of two scenarios: 1) The gov't really is dense and has learned nothng. 2). They think the red shirts will screw up again and further damage themselves.

Is there no rule-of-law in this country? What legal justification is there for this rally in a city under the SOE?

Possibly they anticipate a crowd of less than "five persons"...?

[whybother]

This is unbelievable. I am shocked and stunned. I lean toward the red shirts, but I have to question this whole situation.

First of all, the city is under a State of Emergency. That alone should preclud any rally. I don't support the continuation of the State of Emergency, but I certainly dont support the breaking of laws, like them or not. How does the gov''t justify allowing this rally to proceed?

I can only think of two scenarios: 1) The gov't really is dense and has learned nothng. 2). They think the red shirts will screw up again and further damage themselves.

Is there no rule-of-law in this country? What legal justification is there for this rally in a city under the SOE?

After letting the yellow shirts protest, the government really had no choice in the matter. ..... Well, they had a choice, but it would have caused all sorts of shit if they didn't let the red shirts protest.

Of course, this could all have been a plan to give the red shirts enough rope to hang themselves ... more.

[asiawatcher]

What a ridiculous article - Thai Society Immune against red shirt rallies. And all the way through the article is suppositions and assumptions. Gutter journalism by a 'stringer' can do better than this! But then I guess as they are paid by the word it would account for the dreary length of this article.

Edited September 14, 2010 by asiawatcher

[yellow1red1]

What a ridiculous article - Thai Society Immune against red shirt rallies. And all the way through the article is suppositions and assumptions. Gutter journalism by a 'stringer' can do better than this! But then I guess as they are paid by the word it would account for the dreary length of this article.

I theenk? senor it's not an Article; not a stringer report.

read the bottom of OP (small print)

it's a Letter to the Editor, then translated.

not that professionals to much better IMHO

(rambling, innocuous, dreamt in technicolor)

??? woner if the Thai writer said apathetic instead of immune???

Nobody, Thais, expats, visitors are 'immune' from the all out heck which will be unleashed, sooner than later.