PAD Stands Firm On Not Moving Rally Site; Demand Political Changes

[rubl]

The trouble is that the PAD movement has the support of a number of foreign "useful fools", as Lenin called them in the context of the horrors of the Soviet Union.One wouldn't compare the two in all respects of course but for some there is no crime, no lie, no abuse that wouldn't attract support, albeit guarded, if it could be lined up against the Redshirts and the arch demon Thaksin.In the case of the elite and their mainly Sino Thai middle class hangers on this is in some ways understandable (if not entirely rational because a fairer and more peaceful Thailand benefits everybody).However for some their objectivity is long gone having been consumed by hatred and in some cases fear.Thailand desperately needs a commentator with the honesty and vision of George Orwell, someone who despises Thaksin but can see and describe the repulsiveness of the elite forces ranged against the movement Thaksin started

It's more surprising that some foreigners go down this line.There is a case to be made against "rule by the mob", but it involves conceding some ground and understanding what is meant by enlightened self interest.Again with some foreigners I have been astonished to find out how appallingly ignorant many are of recent Thai history.

The trouble is that the UDD / red-shirt movement has the support of a number of foreign "useful fools". For some indeed there has been no crime except the current government, slaughter and massacring poor peaceful protesters. Sino-Thai k. Thaksin is innocent of any and all. For some objectivity has never ever been either a goal, or even a necessary objective. Thailand really needs people who can be objective, independent of any colour; who can see the repulsiveness of all who try to profit from the ignorant, poor masses.

There is no case to accept 'rule by the mob' unless you want to promote anarchy. It is indeed appalling how ignorant lots of people are about recent Thai history and all its finesses so totally different from Western way of thinking; and therefor automatically condemned as not understood.

Way to go, jayboy

[jdinasia]

[

The trouble is that the UDD / red-shirt movement has the support of a number of foreign "useful fools". For some indeed there has been no crime except the current government, slaughter and massacring poor peaceful protesters. Sino-Thai k. Thaksin is innocent of any and all. For some objectivity has never ever been either a goal, or even a necessary objective. Thailand really needs people who can be objective, independent of any colour; who can see the repulsiveness of all who try to profit from the ignorant, poor masses.

There is no case to accept 'rule by the mob' unless you want to promote anarchy. It is indeed appalling how ignorant lots of people are about recent Thai history and all its finesses so totally different from Western way of thinking; and therefor automatically condemned as not understood.

Way to go, jayboy

Well said Rubl ...

Irony in turning someone else's ad hominem's against them may in act be useful, but it still isn't needed imho. Some people just will not accept that their perspective isn't the ONLY perspective. (avoiding the question of right or wrong entirely!)

Showing that this isn't a 'movement' of the rural poor rising up against the 'elite', but instead is a self-serving and dishonest use of the poor by one group of elite against another is almost always overlooked. Instead we hear about the "Sino-Thai" conspiracy ..... (again ignoring that the leaders of the insurrectionist movement in Thailand are mostly of the same ethnic background of those they would replace.....) Or that the leaders/participants of some of those involved in "recent Thai history" were people firmly in the redshirt movement as much as some were/are in the yellow-shirt movement.

Buying the conditional loyalty of some of the local political machines as was done leading into the 2005 elections doesn't a "movement" make.

How many times have we heard people cry foul over the 'friends of Newin' faction of the former PPP joining the current coalition government? They suggest that by associating with Newin on any level automatically exhibits corruption because Newin himself is banned. They totally fail to look at the fact that the 'friends of Newin' weren't an issue for them as long as they stayed bought/loyal to TRT/PPP/PTP.

I, for one, can only hope that the country keeps PM Abhisit for another few years as things gradually move further towards a more western style of Democracy.

[jayboy]

The trouble is that the PAD movement has the support of a number of foreign "useful fools", as Lenin called them in the context of the horrors of the Soviet Union.One wouldn't compare the two in all respects of course but for some there is no crime, no lie, no abuse that wouldn't attract support, albeit guarded, if it could be lined up against the Redshirts and the arch demon Thaksin.In the case of the elite and their mainly Sino Thai middle class hangers on this is in some ways understandable (if not entirely rational because a fairer and more peaceful Thailand benefits everybody).However for some their objectivity is long gone having been consumed by hatred and in some cases fear.Thailand desperately needs a commentator with the honesty and vision of George Orwell, someone who despises Thaksin but can see and describe the repulsiveness of the elite forces ranged against the movement Thaksin started

It's more surprising that some foreigners go down this line.There is a case to be made against "rule by the mob", but it involves conceding some ground and understanding what is meant by enlightened self interest.Again with some foreigners I have been astonished to find out how appallingly ignorant many are of recent Thai history.

The trouble is that the UDD / red-shirt movement has the support of a number of foreign "useful fools". For some indeed there has been no crime except the current government, slaughter and massacring poor peaceful protesters. Sino-Thai k. Thaksin is innocent of any and all. For some objectivity has never ever been either a goal, or even a necessary objective. Thailand really needs people who can be objective, independent of any colour; who can see the repulsiveness of all who try to profit from the ignorant, poor masses.

There is no case to accept 'rule by the mob' unless you want to promote anarchy. It is indeed appalling how ignorant lots of people are about recent Thai history and all its finesses so totally different from Western way of thinking; and therefor automatically condemned as not understood.

Way to go, jayboy

Yes of course there are foreigners who have a naive and simplistic view of the Redshirts.

That doesn't mean there shouldn't be accountability for the deaths of civilians in the confrontation last year.

I thought I made it clear I detest mob rule.I don't really understand your last sentence.Are you saying that Thailand is "different" and normal ways of analysing political issues and differences don't apply here?

[sbk]

A flame post has been deleted. Frankly, I am sick of the petty bickering that is indicative of many posts and posters in this forum and am feeling inclined to hand out a 7 day suspension to the next person who engages it in this thread. Cheers.