Pheu Thai Red Shirts Mock Peace Talk

[Lite Beer]

Red shirts on Pheu Thai list mocks peace talk

By The Nation.

Leading reds are charged with being party to terrorist acts last year; ranking them highly is a provocation

If Yingluck Shinawatra's "We come to fix" election campaign theme was serious, sceptics were given a boost and even supporters did not want to talk about it on Thursday, when political camps including hers unveiled their party lists.

Red-shirt leaders featured in the Pheu Thai Party's list, ironically on the first anniversary of the Ratchaprasong bloody crackdown and rioting. Whether or not their inclusion in the party list is the right thing is debatable, but what it will do to Yingluck's reconciliatory gesture two days earlier seems more obvious.

In the political context, however, it's simply impossible to envision Pheu Thai dropping red leaders from its party list. Whether or not the party is sincere about reconciliation is another issue. The red-shirted presence in its party list simply serves to remind everyone that any suggestion about a quick solution to the Thai political crisis should be discarded.

Most of the key red leaders in the party list are in the so-called "safe zone", that is, the top 50. That means they are very likely to get elected, and may get Cabinet posts if Pheu Thai emerges victorious from the July 3 election and becomes the core of the next government. Again, the moral question regarding red leaders in Parliament or Cabinet will have an inclusive answer. But such scenarios will not be conducive to Pheu Thai's proclaimed reconciliation agenda.

The opposition party had faced a big dilemma regarding the red shirts, who form its enormous support base. Leaving the red shirt leaders out of the party list would have been political suicide. But now that they have been included in the list, the party's election campaign is looking provocative all of a sudden. When combined with the mooted amnesty plan for all "political" crimes that have been committed over the past few years, the red dominance in the party is making the future political road look quite precarious.

The Pheu Thai leadership - be it Thaksin Shinawatra or his youngest sister Yingluck - did not have much choice. Like it or not the party still needs to utilise the loyalty of the red-shirt people, without whom the party will never win the election. Reconciliation, therefore, is just a nice word for everyone to say in the run-up to July 3. Abhisit Vejjajiva cannot achieve it, neither can Yingluck, or Banharn Silapa-archa, or Sanan Kachornprasart.

The nation can only hope the political trouble does not get messier. Some of the Pheu Thai party-list candidates are accused of terrorism by the out-going Abhisit government. Only last week, top red-shirted leader Jatuporn Promphan had his bail revoked by the Criminal Court. What will happen if or when political power changes hand is the underlying question as a divided Thailand edges toward election day.

Again, Pheu Thai's problem is just part of a bigger trouble, which all concerned parties have been contributing to but trying to distance themselves from. Even Abhisit's version of political peace sounds self-serving. Vote Democrat and you'll get more stability, but if Pheu Thai wins, its amnesty plan will bring back street trouble, he said. Normally a cautious speaker, Abhisit was risking stereotyping more than 10 million voters.

All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down.

All of these potential problems were expected. The first week of election registrations just confirmed them. It will be very hard being a Thai voter on July 3, but it's citizens' ultimate responsibility that must be carried out and fulfilled while they keep hoping for the best

-- The Nation 2011-05-22

[animatic]

Well said. Peace is not on their agenda, taking over is.

If they were to take over, then we get a cabinet including people who ran street riots on Bangkok for nearly 3 months.

How can they state their vision is for the good of all Thais, when they blatantly showed disregard for all the residents of Bangkok for so long, disregard for their own red rank and file, treating them like pawns from day one, and actively encouraged destruction and arson to get their way.

These are mob leaders and rabble rousers of a small violent niche of voters, not societal leaders capable of striking balances for the good of ALL Thais.

Edited May 22, 2011 by animatic

[phiphidon]

Well said. Peace is not on their agenda, taking over is.

If they were to take over, then we get a cabinet including people who ran street riots on Bangkok for nearly 3 months.

How can they state their vision is for the good of all Thais, when they blatantly showed disregard for all the residents of Bangkok for so long, disregard for their own red rank and file, treating them like pawns from day one, and actively encouraged destruction and arson to get their way.

These are mob leaders and rabble rousers of a small violent niche of voters, not societal leaders capable of striking balances for the good of ALL Thais.

So do you just agree with the selective headline or with what is actually said in the opinion piece, that neither side, if elected, will bring about peace?

Again, Pheu Thai's problem is just part of a bigger trouble, which all concerned parties have been contributing to but trying to distance themselves from. Even Abhisit's version of political peace sounds self-serving. Vote Democrat and you'll get more stability, but if Pheu Thai wins, its amnesty plan will bring back street trouble, he said. Normally a cautious speaker, Abhisit was risking stereotyping more than 10 million voters.

All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down.

[whybother]

So do you just agree with the selective headline or with what is actually said in the opinion piece, that neither side, if elected, will bring about peace?

...

All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down.

If PTP weren't intent on bringing back Thaksin, there might be a chance of peace if they were voted in, but as soon as they start whitewashing Thaksin's crimes, we'll be back to 2008 with the Yellow shirts back in strength.

If the Democrats get back in, we'll be where we are now, with the Red Shirts protesting every second weekend demanding "democracy". I'm not sure if they would go all out and repeat April/May 2010.

[phiphidon]

So do you just agree with the selective headline or with what is actually said in the opinion piece, that neither side, if elected, will bring about peace?

...

All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down.

If PTP weren't intent on bringing back Thaksin, there might be a chance of peace if they were voted in, but as soon as they start whitewashing Thaksin's crimes, we'll be back to 2008 with the Yellow shirts back in strength.

If the Democrats get back in, we'll be where we are now, with the Red Shirts protesting every second weekend demanding "democracy". I'm not sure if they would go all out and repeat April/May 2010.

With respect to either of the participants, the emphasis should (and will) be on HOW they get in (or remain in, should the PTP form a government).

[whybother]

With respect to either of the participants, the emphasis should (and will) be on HOW they get in (or remain in, should the PTP form a government).

I don't agree. For the PTP, I think the emphasis will be what they do IF they get in. If the yellow shirts protest before the PTP do anything, then they will look (more?) stupid.

For the Democrats, it will be more about how they get in (ie if PTP get the most seats, but the Democrats are able to form a coalition). Even if the Democrats get more seats than the PTP, I believe the Red shirts will be out protesting with the "We was robbed" banners.

[473geo]

It may be a hard fact to swallow, but if reactionaries are not seen to be fully involved in any reconciliation process, the process is almost sure to fail

An example of this type of inclusion is the northern Ireland peace process where Sinn Fein were encouraged to take up political representation

[samurai]

It may be a hard fact to swallow, but if reactionaries are not seen to be fully involved in any reconciliation process, the process is almost sure to fail

An example of this type of inclusion is the northern Ireland peace process where Sinn Fein were encouraged to take up political representation

Don't compare the Democrats with the IRA and Sinn Fein. That was/is a totally different type of conflict.

[473geo]

It may be a hard fact to swallow, but if reactionaries are not seen to be fully involved in any reconciliation process, the process is almost sure to fail

An example of this type of inclusion is the northern Ireland peace process where Sinn Fein were encouraged to take up political representation

Don't compare the Democrats with the IRA and Sinn Fein. That was/is a totally different type of conflict.

Does not change the fact that the reactionaries must be included in any healing process or it will not work......my point......not the root of the conflict (your point)

[rubl]

It may be a hard fact to swallow, but if reactionaries are not seen to be fully involved in any reconciliation process, the process is almost sure to fail

An example of this type of inclusion is the northern Ireland peace process where Sinn Fein were encouraged to take up political representation

Just to get things clear in my mind, can you be a bit more specific in who you call 'reactionaries' ? As it stand it could be almost anyone, or any group

[samurai]

It may be a hard fact to swallow, but if reactionaries are not seen to be fully involved in any reconciliation process, the process is almost sure to fail

An example of this type of inclusion is the northern Ireland peace process where Sinn Fein were encouraged to take up political representation

Don't compare the Democrats with the IRA and Sinn Fein. That was/is a totally different type of conflict.

Does not change the fact that the reactionaries must be included in any healing process or it will not work......my point......not the root of the conflict (your point)

Okay. Got it and tend to agree.

[473geo]

It may be a hard fact to swallow, but if reactionaries are not seen to be fully involved in any reconciliation process, the process is almost sure to fail

An example of this type of inclusion is the northern Ireland peace process where Sinn Fein were encouraged to take up political representation

Just to get things clear in my mind, can you be a bit more specific in who you call 'reactionaries' ? As it stand it could be almost anyone, or any group

Let me make it easy for you Rubl.......do you think the peace will be restored in the south, unless all parties involved have been given access to process that will resolve the situation?

[rubl]

Let me make it easy for you Rubl.......do you think the peace will be restored in the south, unless all parties involved have been given access to process that will resolve the situation?

I wasn't aware the topic 'Pheu Thai red-shirts mock peace talk' had anything to do with the problems down South. The OP says

"All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down."

[473geo]

Let me make it easy for you Rubl.......do you think the peace will be restored in the south, unless all parties involved have been given access to process that will resolve the situation?

I wasn't aware the topic 'Pheu Thai red-shirts mock peace talk' had anything to do with the problems down South. The OP says

"All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down."

Yep I guess there will be more time of uncertain stability in the south, perhaps the PTP inclusion of the red shirt representatives will allow a reconciliation in the north, may even help formulate a process to eventually resolve the issues in the south

[rubl]

Let me make it easy for you Rubl.......do you think the peace will be restored in the south, unless all parties involved have been given access to process that will resolve the situation?

I wasn't aware the topic 'Pheu Thai red-shirts mock peace talk' had anything to do with the problems down South. The OP says

"All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down."

Yep I guess there will be more time of uncertain stability in the south, perhaps the PTP inclusion of the red shirt representatives will allow a reconciliation in the north, may even help formulate a process to eventually resolve the issues in the south

You still didn't tell me who those 'reactionaries' are, not that it really matters, you'll probably keep swinging between North and South.

The OP discusses some aspects of PTP's inclusion of UDD leaders. In the North that's just confirmation of what many there seem to want, nothing to do with reconciliation. That does NOT suggest a possible positive effect on reconciliation between 'opposing' parties. In all this the problems down South are not even mentioned. It's between opposing political parties, more specific PTP and Dem's.