Thai Politics

[grumpyoldman]

Looks like later this year we'll have Thai elections, so here we go again with the Reds vs. Yellows.

I can't really get a grip on what Phuket's majority is. Remember the Red shirt rally at Cape Panwa, where there was that goofy Farang in a red shirt with his Thai wife egging him on? Then the Yellow Saphan Hin rally. Seems a mixed bag for me here in Phuket. I have an accounting lady I work with who loves Thaksin, I see other Thais with their yellow shirts which not only is the party lean but tribute to the Monarchy too, no? That being said does a Red ever where yellow and vice-versa? Can you guys ask your Thai partner and post what they say?

Otherwise as foreigners here we have no say but what's your take? If you had a vote which way would you go?

Re for edit-punctuation flatulation

Edited April 23, 2011 by grumpyoldman

[katasyd]

I'm so bored with Thai politics.

Phuket has only one political agenda, MONEY

[grumpyoldman]

I'm so bored with Thai politics.

Yea, you're right, riots, men in black, extra judicial killings, crony-ism, nepotism, assassination attempts, corruption, all very boring..............................

[stevenl]

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

[KarenBravo]

Don't like the yellows for there presumption that people from the north-east are too stupid to vote, so, therefore 70% of parliament should be appointed and 30% elected.

Don't like the reds because of their ties to that crook Taksin.

Reckon they should draft in Baroness Thatcher, or Lee Kwan Yu to run the place.

[katabeachbum]

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

yepp, Phuket is yellow indeed

but as Phuket has a large Isarn population, some reds are to be found here too

[grumpyoldman]

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

Basically, after seeing the troll posts, and BTB and BillR have their little name calling bit I thought I'd throw out something like a discussion piece as though we were sitting at a bar tossing down a few.

stevenl, thanks for the input, I do believe there are more reds here in Phuket than most people think. Yes, pretty clear to all that the Reds have thrown money to the farmers in the north for votes, setting some unrealistic health plans for them, making big noise about the Bangkok power elite.

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

[stevenl]

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

Where did I write that?

With this subject and your way of posting seems like you're looking for a discussion, which will very quickly end in a closed topic.

[katasyd]

The Yellow shirts managed to close Phuket airport without any reprisals.

The few reds that were at the navy base got chased away by the locals who didn't want them there.

Just by those events alone should have answered your question.

[ivowatson]

Don't like the yellows for there presumption that people from the north-east are too stupid to vote, so, therefore 70% of parliament should be appointed and 30% elected.

Don't like the reds because of their ties to that crook Taksin.

Reckon they should draft in Baroness Thatcher, or Lee Kwan Yu to run the place.

Agreed and luckily there are much more reasons not to like the reds or the yellows. They both showed their real faces and people start to see what they're really like.

IMHO both yellows and reds will get less than 15% of the votes combined. That's why the PT wants to distance themselves from the reds and the yellows are now penniless and most leaders will end up in jail where they belong (as do the reds' leaders). Looking forward to the future. It can only get better.

[Ping]

Yes, the majority who are born southerners are yellow. The red element is mainly people who have come here to work from Isaan. (I thought it was obvious.)

[grumpyoldman]

Yes, the majority who are born southerners are yellow. The red element is mainly people who have come here to work from Isaan. (I thought it was obvious.)

Thanks Ping, yes you and stevenl seem to just want to state the obvious. I was sort of hoping to start somewhat of an intelligent thread after seeing what has become of this forum, a bit depressing for me.

I tend not to see things as cut and dried as Northern Reds, Southern Yellows (yes stevenl you did post that). I think there are big power families that pretty much run the country. I see some of these "leaders" as demagogues (the yellow guy with the round head and glasses....Sondhi? Thaksin for sure) who when they really get taken to the cleaners by the others for bad politics, hide behind the monarchy.

Anyway, hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday and thanks for sharing. GOM

[Ping]

My mistake - I misunderstood what you were seeking. Apologies.

[stevenl]

No, that is not what i said. Always in for a good discussion, but face to face to be able to submit subtletiets etc.

Good discussions don't work online, and for sure not in this forum.

So i'm out.

Edited April 24, 2011 by stevenl

[brieno1955]

Yes, the majority who are born southerners are yellow. The red element is mainly people who have come here to work from Isaan. (I thought it was obvious.)

Thanks Ping, yes you and stevenl seem to just want to state the obvious. I was sort of hoping to start somewhat of an intelligent thread after seeing what has become of this forum, a bit depressing for me.

An intelligent thread ??..maybe the joys of easter have affected your judgement and you accidently posted on the wrong forum I agree that this forum has become extremely un inspiring to say the least...good try, but doomed to failure as already evident by the responses received thus far.

c'mon get real, even semi- intelligent people have far more to discuss/debate than..yaaaawwwwnnn..politics of any country, let alone this crazy, corrupt, backward place.

Its about as enlightening and productive as other threads enquireing about what the weather will be like on blah,blah week of blah,blah month...same same....unpredictable changeable,non reliable and both are not in any way able to be influenced by us mere mortels ...And really, to be honest and blunt..who really cares GOM?

[Lannatyne]

The recent World Economic Forum report (which, as far as I know, has surprisingly, or unsurprsingly, being given no media comment here) listed one of the main obstacles to Thai economic development as being an unstable political environment.

So, for the reason of getting some consistency and stability into this country, if I had a vote, I'd be after retaining the present administration.

[grumpyoldman]

The recent World Economic Forum report (which, as far as I know, has surprisingly, or unsurprsingly, being given no media comment here) listed one of the main obstacles to Thai economic development as being an unstable political environment.

So, for the reason of getting some consistency and stability into this country, if I had a vote, I'd be after retaining the present administration.

Thank you Lannatyne, I agree, some stability is really what the Dr. orders here.

stevenl, I still don't understand,,,,,,,,,,,,your immediate post was Phuket and the south yellow majority and Isaan and the north supported by reds. I realize you are out but if you happen to want to jump back in clarify for me as I'm missing something, as later you posted that is not what you meant. But no biggy if you don't want to jump back in.

Ping, no apologies necessary, I was glad to see you pop in as for the poster that said an intelligent thread here is somewhat ludicrous, I tend to see you (Ping) as one of the more intelligent posters here (when not drinking))..............purely a joke, just kidding around) which would invalidate the post that an intelligent thread would never work here.

Anyway, Abbhisit seems a wet piece of tissue to me, the Reds seem to put up stronger people, but then they are just so corrupt. But do the Yellows just hide their corruption better?

[stevenl]

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

To clarify: just the read the above quotes. If in your opinion I am saying the same in my quote as you are in yours, I would recommend you follow a course comprehensive reading.

[katabeachbum]

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

To clarify: just the read the above quotes. If in your opinion I am saying the same in my quote as you are in yours, I would recommend you follow a course comprehensive reading.

Been thinking if I know any Phuket born people supporting the reds. Our local Kamnan and sveral local politicians used to be with Taksins guys until they realized their scam. They are now yellowshirt symphatizers, so is veryone else I know born here.

I find both the red and yellows actions unacceptable, but if I had to choose one side, it would be yellow. Going to Isarn they give me hard time for not being red, just part of the fun

Thaksin did a fantastic job getting half of the countries support by spending money on infrastucture in the poor parts of the country. To bad there are to few vehicles up there to use it, while traffic is crowded here in south

[grumpyoldman]

Phuket is by a vast majority 'yellow', as is the South in general.

Support from the reds comes from Isaan and North.

So you think it's clear as that eh? Draw a line straight at the top of Bangkok, "look north my young Red, Yellow Youth, head south". Hmmmmm...............

To clarify: just the read the above quotes. If in your opinion I am saying the same in my quote as you are in yours, I would recommend you follow a course comprehensive reading.

stevenl, I'd prefer not to go gutter Bangtao Boy Bill R fashion, happy to compare my Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution to what you hold. For sure I took your post one step further as I found it to be pretty basic, in hopes of constructive converstaion, as opposed to being told I need reading comprehensive classwork.

Katabeachbum you are on a good track for sure. There are major transportation issues and it seems they only pay attention to Bangkok. Big skytrain stuff going on there, why not here? Seems actually that the Reds take more account of actual issues (health, farmer loan subsidies) which is a reason they are popular.

Is it the Reds who are the "people party" and the Yellows who are just the Bangkok Power Family's pawns?

[katabeachbum]

stevenl, I'd prefer not to go gutter Bangtao Boy Bill R fashion, happy to compare my Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution to what you hold. For sure I took your post one step further as I found it to be pretty basic, in hopes of constructive converstaion, as opposed to being told I need reading comprehensive classwork.

Katabeachbum you are on a good track for sure. There are major transportation issues and it seems they only pay attention to Bangkok. Big skytrain stuff going on there, why not here? Seems actually that the Reds take more account of actual issues (health, farmer loan subsidies) which is a reason they are popular.

Is it the Reds who are the "people party" and the Yellows who are just the Bangkok Power Family's pawns?

the yellow kinda represent the educated, intellectuals

while the red wants to be the peoples party. For me it seems all wrong to invest major amounts in roads and infrastucture where very few people use it and make money for the country, while her in Phuket with major financial contrubtions to the countries economy, infrastucture recieves nothing. Public schools, roads and transportation, waste and water supply is a shame here.

In Thaksins Chiang May and part of Isarn, roads are fantastic, but no vehicles on it. Here it is a mess.

Public tap water to remote places with few houses, her no public tap water for most houses

But doing so, they have gained the support of half he country, The uneducated and poor half.

[grumpyoldman]

stevenl, I'd prefer not to go gutter Bangtao Boy Bill R fashion, happy to compare my Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution to what you hold. For sure I took your post one step further as I found it to be pretty basic, in hopes of constructive converstaion, as opposed to being told I need reading comprehensive classwork.

Katabeachbum you are on a good track for sure. There are major transportation issues and it seems they only pay attention to Bangkok. Big skytrain stuff going on there, why not here? Seems actually that the Reds take more account of actual issues (health, farmer loan subsidies) which is a reason they are popular.

Is it the Reds who are the "people party" and the Yellows who are just the Bangkok Power Family's pawns?

the yellow kinda represent the educated, intellectuals

while the red wants to be the peoples party. For me it seems all wrong to invest major amounts in roads and infrastucture where very few people use it and make money for the country, while her in Phuket with major financial contrubtions to the countries economy, infrastucture recieves nothing. Public schools, roads and transportation, waste and water supply is a shame here.

In Thaksins Chiang May and part of Isarn, roads are fantastic, but no vehicles on it. Here it is a mess.

Public tap water to remote places with few houses, her no public tap water for most houses

But doing so, they have gained the support of half he country, The uneducated and poor half.

I agree.

But could you say, considering the Yellows represent the "educated, intellectuals" that they are the frontmen for the elite?

Absolutely if some party helps the poor and uneducated, especially if there is 500thb for each involved, they are going to get the majority.

I believe an earlier poster mentioned a representative government, where each constituency would have so many votes. This is probably a good plan, but do you base the amount of votes on how much money the constituency brings in or how many people there are? For Phuket I would hope they would base it on monetary value to the country as a whole, I sure would love to see a skytrain from the airport, to Heroines Monument, branching through Bangtao to Patong, over the hill through Kathu to Central and back to the airport.

"Dreaams, dream, dream dream, dreeaaams"...........

[katabeachbum]

I agree.

But could you say, considering the Yellows represent the "educated, intellectuals" that they are the frontmen for the elite?

Absolutely if some party helps the poor and uneducated, especially if there is 500thb for each involved, they are going to get the majority.

I believe an earlier poster mentioned a representative government, where each constituency would have so many votes. This is probably a good plan, but do you base the amount of votes on how much money the constituency brings in or how many people there are? For Phuket I would hope they would base it on monetary value to the country as a whole, I sure would love to see a skytrain from the airport, to Heroines Monument, branching through Bangtao to Patong, over the hill through Kathu to Central and back to the airport.

"Dreaams, dream, dream dream, dreeaaams"...........

15 years ago I would connect the intelectuals with the elite. Not today

my ex Gf mother has 12 brothers and sister. All farmers, none well off. In each of these 12 families at least one kid has graduated from University past decade. Present uni graduates are 30% on scholarships and government support as their families are poor. These young graduates do nat have elite conncetions to get elite jobs, so the majority gets a job in public sector. Court, prosecutor, Amphur, Changwat, PEA, government offices.

Intellectuals, young, most yellow shirts

Now, if Phuket and the rest of the south would recieve public fundings in accordance with their financial contribution to BKK, we would have proper public schools, tap water and infrastucture. Presently thats not the case.

brieno 1955 we do miss your intellegent posts here, is post #15 all you can come up with?

[ivowatson]

"Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution"

and you believe the upcoming election will be between the reds and the yellows? Maybe you could join CNN ;-)

Like I said before, the PT is distancing itself from the reds (and even Thaksin) because they realize even isan will not vote for them anymore

because 90% of the country knows now reds=violence.

The yellows are selling dogfood on astv to stay alive and have decided not to join the election because they know nobody (except the hardcores) will vote for them.

So what was this intelligent discussion supposed to be about again? Ah yes, who will win the election: red or yellow?

Or maybe you think the democrats are yellow because they have Kasit, a former yellow? Of course, during Thaksin's days in office the democrats leaned towards the PAD. Which reasonable, peaceful, clear thinking human being wouldn't have? Maybe you didn't notice but lately Abbhisit and the yellows haven't been the best of friends. Just watch, the democrats will put the PAD leaders in jail.

BTW, the outcome of the election is already known: the democrats will win and form a coalition with Newin or Banharn (or both).

Oh yes, and it's going to stay damned hot all week :-)

[katabeachbum]

"Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution"

and you believe the upcoming election will be between the reds and the yellows? Maybe you could join CNN ;-)

Like I said before, the PT is distancing itself from the reds (and even Thaksin) because they realize even isan will not vote for them anymore

because 90% of the country knows now reds=violence.

The yellows are selling dogfood on astv to stay alive and have decided not to join the election because they know nobody (except the hardcores) will vote for them.

So what was this intelligent discussion supposed to be about again? Ah yes, who will win the election: red or yellow?

Or maybe you think the democrats are yellow because they have Kasit, a former yellow? Of course, during Thaksin's days in office the democrats leaned towards the PAD. Which reasonable, peaceful, clear thinking human being wouldn't have? Maybe you didn't notice but lately Abbhisit and the yellows haven't been the best of friends. Just watch, the democrats will put the PAD leaders in jail.

BTW, the outcome of the election is already known: the democrats will win and form a coalition with Newin or Banharn (or both).

Oh yes, and it's going to stay damned hot all week :-)

I must have missed something as we where discussing whitch parts of the population where supporting red and yellow.

Election is another matter

[grumpyoldman]

"Political Science Degree from a major U.S. institution"

and you believe the upcoming election will be between the reds and the yellows? Maybe you could join CNN ;-)

Like I said before, the PT is distancing itself from the reds (and even Thaksin) because they realize even isan will not vote for them anymore

because 90% of the country knows now reds=violence.

The yellows are selling dogfood on astv to stay alive and have decided not to join the election because they know nobody (except the hardcores) will vote for them.

So what was this intelligent discussion supposed to be about again? Ah yes, who will win the election: red or yellow?

Or maybe you think the democrats are yellow because they have Kasit, a former yellow? Of course, during Thaksin's days in office the democrats leaned towards the PAD. Which reasonable, peaceful, clear thinking human being wouldn't have? Maybe you didn't notice but lately Abbhisit and the yellows haven't been the best of friends. Just watch, the democrats will put the PAD leaders in jail.

BTW, the outcome of the election is already known: the democrats will win and form a coalition with Newin or Banharn (or both).

Oh yes, and it's going to stay damned hot all week :-)

I must have missed something as we where discussing whitch parts of the population where supporting red and yellow.

Election is another matter

Headline from OP..reads THAI POLITICS...yes KBB?

Also from our most learned GOM...Otherwise as foreigners here we have no say but what's your take? If you had a vote which way would you go?

So.."i must have missed something as we where discussing whitch parts of the population where supporting red and yellow"

So ivowatsons post is as relevant as any here, yet you choose as usual to want it to go only your way. This along with your snide comment to me are proof of what i said about this thread originally..Yes?

You can get away with being a conceited narcissist, but if anyone else posts against you, you either try and belittle them, or claim "flamming'' and delete them....

if not for you and GOM to and froing and patting each other on the back ,this would be going as far as the average weather forecast thread..FACT.

I will not play your childish powertrip game on forum KBB,because of the uneven playing ground advantage you have by fact of your 'power'..

PS ivowatson...your right about the weather, that is unless it buckets down instead. Politics and the weather..Ho hum.

Look, this is exactly what I wanted to stay away from as we get enough of this around here.

If you guys think this is boring then please do go and comment on the weather, no fur off my nuts, although considering that's a pinned topic I wonder on the multiple posts there.

Thanks to all for posting relevancy here, ivowatson I do agree that these parties are mutating, as for your prediction, o.k., that's an excellent educated guess (hypothesis), will it come to fruition...........(?) not sure I can agree.

[Lite Beer]

An Inflammatory post has been removed.