Votes Should Not Be Tinged In Red Or Yellow

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Votes should not be tinged in red or yellow

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Today's censure debate should hold some sway with the voters, but if Thailand is to get out of the quagmire it is in, then the outcome of the upcoming elections should be loud and clear so the war of political colours can be brought to an end.

The opposition and coalition lawmakers will no doubt marshal arguments and rebuttals to woo votes. However, if voters allow partisan interests to cloud their judgement, then political polarisation will persist.

The key to move past the yellow and red divide is not to vote out of spite, but to make an informed decision on how to move forward.

Since the 2007 general elections, the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties have been embroiled in an inconclusive tug of war. The rival camps could not secure a decisive victory over the other.

To compound the situation, street protests organised separately by the red and yellow shirts are gaining momentum.

A close race, in which no single party emerges as a clear winner, will likely fuel protests, adversely affecting the stability of the next government.

Although the yellow shirts are protesting against the Democrats, it would be a gross mistake to assume that they have inadvertently joined the red shirts to kick the main coalition party off the political stage.

Even if the Democrats were to step aside for Pheu Thai, the yellow shirts would probably intensify their protests. Political risks will increase by several degrees as the red and yellow rivals are bound to clash over irreconcilable differences.

For more than five years, the red and yellow shirts have been mobilising the crowds to outwit and outlast one another. Yet, the harder they push for their agenda, the country plunges deeper into polarisation.

Only voters can put Thai politics back on track. When power is returned to the people at the polling booths, they should have a clear mandate for moving forward rather than dwelling on a dark political past.

If Pheu Thai platforms offer the best hope for Thailand's future, then even the most ardent opponent of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should bury the hatchet and vote for what is best for the country.

Should the Democrats or other parties come up with a better offer, then even the staunchest red shirt should set aside the rivalry and cast his ballot accordingly.

If the red and yellow shirts insist on voting through the colour prism, then Thai politics will never get anywhere.

Before drawing a conclusion, voters should carefully listen to the debate on the no-confidence motion. The highlights are expected to include the bloodshed related to last year's riots and the different approaches in tackling the country's economic woes.

Some seven Pheu Thai MPs, led by Jatuporn Promphan, have lined up to grill the government on alleged military involvement in the burning down of CentralWorld during the May 19 crackdown.

The arson attack was well recorded on security cameras, and investigators found jewellery stolen from the shopping mall in the possession of relatives and friends of red-shirt guards being sheltered at Wat Pathum Wanaram nearby.

The debate and rebuttals touching on perceived or real injustice related to the riots should help voters form their own conclusions on whether it is justified for the red shirts to continue protesting.

Censure topics related to the economy should also enable voters to see the kind of leaders they will have in the next government.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

[Buchholz]

The arson attack was well recorded on security cameras, and investigators found jewellery stolen from the shopping mall in the possession of relatives and friends of red-shirt guards

Interesting, but not surprising.

Has there ever been an estimation of the value from all the looting?

I'd imagine even one jewelry store has an inventory worth millions... multiplied however many times by the numerous stores of all sorts there in Central World.

.

Edited March 15, 2011 by Buchholz

[Emptyset]

The arson attack was well recorded on security cameras, and investigators found jewellery stolen from the shopping mall in the possession of relatives and friends of red-shirt guards

Interesting, but not surprising.

Has there ever been an estimation of the value from all the looting?

I'd imagine even one jewelry store has an inventory worth millions... multiplied however many times by the numerous stores of all sorts there in Central World.

It's clear from the released pictures that some red shirts (and maybe other opportunists) went in to loot... what I haven't seen is a recording of the arson attack from the security cameras.

[hyperdimension]

what I haven't seen is a recording of the arson attack from the security cameras.

Maybe this is the reason:

[hyperdimension]

If Pheu Thai platforms offer the best hope for Thailand's future, then even the most ardent opponent of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should bury the hatchet and vote for what is best for the country.

Even if Pheu Thai does propose some amazing policies, there is still the big question of whether they would be implementable and sustainable. There is a big element of doubt and mistrust due to things like nepotism where relatives and friends get put into key positions they have little qualification for. e.g. are they still proposing the 15k THB per month minimum wage policy, or have they realized it's unachievable? I doubt their 15k figure came about from in-depth quantitative research and study and analysis of risks.

[Emptyset]

what I haven't seen is a recording of the arson attack from the security cameras.

Maybe this is the reason:

Yep, but article says the arson attack was "well recorded on security cameras". But I haven't seen any such recordings yet.

Incidentally, Jatuporn is quoted as saying in BP that he's got video recordings, still footage and witness testimonies to present in the censure motion. He says he knows exactly who the culprits were and has pictures of them. He claims they've all been arrested and subsequently released.

Edited March 15, 2011 by Emptyset

[rubl]

begin removed ...

Incidentally, Jatuporn is quoted as saying in BP that he's got video recordings, still footage and witness testimonies to present in the censure motion. He says he knows exactly who the culprits were and has pictures of them. He claims they've all been arrested and subsequently released.

Good, I always wondered who this is

[hyperdimension]

begin removed ...

Incidentally, Jatuporn is quoted as saying in BP that he's got video recordings, still footage and witness testimonies to present in the censure motion. He says he knows exactly who the culprits were and has pictures of them. He claims they've all been arrested and subsequently released.

Good, I always wondered who this is

A member of the Special Military Forces?

[whybother]

A member of the Special Military Forces?

I vaguely remember someone trying to claim that based on his wrist band.

[asiawatcher]

"... For more than five years, the red and yellow shirts have been mobilising the crowds to outwit and outlast one another. Yet, the harder they push for their agenda, the country plunges deeper into polarization."

So when are the Thai's going to learn? Doh ! Supid question....

[hyperdimension]

A member of the Special Military Forces?

I vaguely remember someone trying to claim that based on his wrist band.

Is that a "long live the king" yellow/orange wrist band?

He's also wearing a wrist band having colors of the flag of Thailand. So he is fueling the fire for king and country!