REUTERS Brings Red-Shirt Villages To Light

[hyperdimension]

The title almost reads "Set Red Shirt Villages Alight". The red shirts would probably blame the burning of their villages on Abhisit.

[lannarebirth]

... interesting ... put enough Red-shirt Villages together, and they start looking as their own country, eh?

... sort of like ... well ... the South of Thailand?

... there has been a fundamental change in this country, affecting millions of previously disenfranchised Thais ... a tipping point has been reached, and this election and Thai politics now (and forever) will be as never before.

... the indicators are all there ... a bit scary, actually.

Sort of like Laos maybe. Except Lao's are a lot less violent.

[hyperdimension]

It's just about greed.

Yes, the greed of Thaksin, and the greed of the rural population who want the material wealth of the Bangkok population but don't do much about it.

The rural population love him because he gave them some attention and some scraps. At the same time he abused his power by changing laws to benefit his businesses, but can you expect upcountry bumpkins to understand the details of his corruption? All they know and understand are his handouts.

[swillowbee]

... interesting ... put enough Red-shirt Villages together, and they start looking as their own country, eh?

... sort of like ... well ... the South of Thailand?

... there has been a fundamental change in this country, affecting millions of previously disenfranchised Thais ... a tipping point has been reached, and this election and Thai politics now (and forever) will be as never before.

... the indicators are all there ... a bit scary, actually.

Sort of like Laos maybe. Except Lao's are a lot less violent.

... and Laos commit their allegience to their central government ... I sort think a Red-shirt Village Region might be less harmonious than the Laos are with their central government ... and a lot more militant than the Southern Thais.

... this is all going to be a very interesting time in Thai history.

[lannarebirth]

... interesting ... put enough Red-shirt Villages together, and they start looking as their own country, eh?

... sort of like ... well ... the South of Thailand?

... there has been a fundamental change in this country, affecting millions of previously disenfranchised Thais ... a tipping point has been reached, and this election and Thai politics now (and forever) will be as never before.

... the indicators are all there ... a bit scary, actually.

Sort of like Laos maybe. Except Lao's are a lot less violent.

... and Laos commit their allegience to their central government ... I sort think a Red-shirt Village Region might be less harmonious than the Laos are with their central government ... and a lot more militant than the Southern Thais.

... this is all going to be a very interesting time in Thai history.

Itr already has been. It's just time passing as the agraian population diminishes from the 90% of a few decades ago to the 47% of today and the 30% of tomorrow. Growing pains.

[DP25]

Gotta feel for someone who lives in a 'red shirt village' that doesn't buy in to the propaganda they are forced to listen to every day...certainly wouldn't be safe to be seen supporting anyone other than Dear Leader

[exbelg]

about equal wealth distribution : how many people of the north east region pay taxes ?

I guess most come from middle class working people out of Bangkok... normal that they get a big piece of the pie ?

[krangeek]

I'm not sure if this article is saying that some kind of segregation is being proposed by some faction of the red shirt movement.

It apparently stops short of saying that but may be implying it. If it were indeed the case that these people officially wanted segregated areas based along political lines (or any other lines for that matter), that would be a very disturbing move on their part.

Well, when you're treated like second class citizens in your own country, the logical idea would be to create your own land and be treated like first class citizens. Not that I agree with it, but it's true.

Are you suggesting that being paid by a wanted criminal to get him back into power makes you a second class citizen?

. Your statement "Not that i agree with it, but its true" is on a par with Homer Simpsons "You can make facts say just about anything thats remotely true"!! Keep posting

LITTLE more complicated than that. The majority of Thais are simply pig sick of being treated like 'untermenschen'. They are learning that they too are 'Thai subjects;'(not citizens, exactly the same as the wealthy, but with very less 'get out of jail free' options).

Know what? Hope they drag the bugger back in. That should stir things up a bit.

Edited June 9, 2011 by krangeek

[Throatwobbler]

Quote "I think you should do some research before you embarass yourself with statements like the above.

Can't compare Thailand with the Middle East mind set? Where do you think these revolutions started? is your memory that short?

"The campaign platforms of both sides are trying to deal with Thailand's widening wealth gap. The richest 20 percent of Thais earn 55 percent of the country's wealth. That figure is close to Tunisia's, the epicentre of the "Arab spring" uprisings, where the top fifth take in 47 percent of the wealth, according to World Bank statistics."

Source: http://uk.reuters.co...E75614C20110607

What about the USA then where the top 20 % own over 80% of the wealth. So many people very simply see this as a Thailand or third world problem. It happens everywher in the world. Always has, always will.

http://multinational...viewswolff.html

[geriatrickid]

Under Weng they have been working hard, right out of the Mao playbook.

In someways they are using Thaksin or believe they are, or at least want to badly, but in reality if they get a win it's a Thaksin win and the gains they imagine will come, will shortly evaporate. Vaporware of the worst kind.

But the seeds of their dispair will continue and the Maoist structures and theory will stay rooted, it's the late 60's - 70's all over again, and with the likely outcome as before, but seen more clearly on a wider stage.

Jiminey, you really are in a 60's era time warp, trotting out the "red menace", What's next, the domino theory of a communist surge?

That theory ended up costing alot of lives and wasted billions on a war that only delayed the inevitable.

Back in the 1940's and early 1950's the Vietnamese communists had made overtures to the west and enjoyed a fairly good relationship with the local US diplomats and the OSS. It had been the legacy of the war against the Japanese. It went so far as US field hands advising that some sort of arrangement be reached with the communists, who really were not extremists at the time and liked America. The Americans were far more popular than the repressive french colonialists. Instead, the the knee jerk reaction was that the commies had to be stopped, were bad etc. The end result were decades of vile corruption, war and a waste of the US, French and Australian resources. The Vietnamese were transformed by war from what we would consider socialists today into extreme commies. I suggest that your approach is no different than the failed approach of the 1950's.

If people embrace a political group it is because they perceive it as the viable option. The playbook being used is the same as any grassroots party. Ask Sarah Palin. If there are maoist structures (I don't believe there are), but if there are, they have blossomed under the heaps of sh*t the entrenched elite have dumped on them. Sort of like fertilizer. As yee sow, so shall yee reap. Going on a red witch hunt will only lead to violence and stiffen the resolve of the Weng followers. If Thailand wants to stop this group then it should smother it with love, opportunity, hope and prosperity. A inch of honesty and a dash of integrity, would help.

[geriatrickid]

about equal wealth distribution : how many people of the north east region pay taxes ?

I guess most come from middle class working people out of Bangkok... normal that they get a big piece of the pie ?

They all pay taxes. Each and every time they make a basic purchase to eat, to have a roof over their heads or to obtain the basic necessities. It's called the VAT. Taxes are collected from the poor via the VAT. Thailand doesn't have a VAT credit program to offset these taxes for the poor. Other countries do. A poor Thai purchasing 200 baht of items at the 7-11 pays the same tax as a wealthy Thai. The opportunities for tax evasion are greater for someone of means than for a subsistence farmer that pays his VAT on farm supplies.

If your intent is to highlight personal income taxes, please note that one has to have income first in order to pay taxes. When a great many of the population has to survive on less than 250 baht a day, there isn't anything to tax.

[rubl]

about equal wealth distribution : how many people of the north east region pay taxes ?

I guess most come from middle class working people out of Bangkok... normal that they get a big piece of the pie ?

They all pay taxes. Each and every time they make a basic purchase to eat, to have a roof over their heads or to obtain the basic necessities. It's called the VAT. Taxes are collected from the poor via the VAT. Thailand doesn't have a VAT credit program to offset these taxes for the poor. Other countries do. A poor Thai purchasing 200 baht of items at the 7-11 pays the same tax as a wealthy Thai. The opportunities for tax evasion are greater for someone of means than for a subsistence farmer that pays his VAT on farm supplies.

If your intent is to highlight personal income taxes, please note that one has to have income first in order to pay taxes. When a great many of the population has to survive on less than 250 baht a day, there isn't anything to tax.

Please note that on a year base the first 150,000 Baht earned is tax-free. This excludes any deductions (wife, kids in school, etc., etc.) which may make your tax-free bracket 200,000 or more effectively.

[Thai at Heart]

Nothing "scary" about this, it's being pushed by the "nice guy" what you think his pictures are all over with the "red shirt" movement?

Its entirley HIS hand shuffling the cards and the handfull of "Nut'a what's", stirring up sleepy Somchai in the woods..cause they are getting paid to do so, telling them that there is "something wrong".... and of course his money and sweet talk, but remember when this man makes it back it will certainly be a lot scarier then right now or ever has been!

But never mind the "Revolution" never happened!

Believe it or not, NOTHING much will change and if so, HOW?

It's "da man" pushing from behind... yinluck confesses "I am not working for Thaksin", no, but the villages featured in the Reuters Article are brimming with PT election billboards with HIS face on it!

If not, then why his face - why are all these lies? Who are they really going to cheat and utilize for what, isn't she a Hi-So Superincome Manager at some development company - SC Assets?

Yeah "social justice" - "democracy is not my goal!" remember?

This is not an issue exclusively to do with Thaksin. He may be partially responsible for awakening the feeling that the rural areas are hard done by, and appearing to be someone who has priorities to focus upon the rural area, but the lack of focus (and ways to develop) upon the rural population has been on going for decades. I do hold the exporters and the politicians in both Bangkok and up country responsible, because they allowed it to happen. He may have exploited the situation politically, but if I hear once more the exporters bleating about the prices, and the government absorbing all the risk for the exporters, I will scream.

I don't care how they do it, nationalise the export system, co-operatize everything, but the spread of the benefits from the growth of the Thai agricultural export industry haven't been distributed correctly. Believe me, I used to work in it, and the Thai(Chinese) majority owners aren't exactly starving whilst they reap in their 100's of millions per year.

This goes on and on in so many industries where the political influence of the companies has overwhelmed the needs of the people. The interests of the country are not exemplified by a company. It pervades the country down to it taking until today for someone to finally build something approaching proper trains because for example it messes with the transport related political block. There is a rice block, a sugar block, a rubber block, a paper block, an agribusiness block, a banking block, a media block, all allied to various political parties in the system making sure that they maximise their money, keep competition out and screw the little guy. It has been like this in Thailand since long before Thaksin came along. And woe betide any politician who doesn't get their general approval before messing with their business. Just look how complicated it was for Korn to get the banks to change their ATM fees. They tied him in knots and he achieved nothing in the end.

Since 1964 Thailand has been the top exporter of rice to the world in terms of volume. Thai rice export has continuously brought huge foreign currencies into Thailand and has contributed greatly to the country’s economic development.

I am sure grandma sitting under her house shared with the cows, chewing on her betel nut feels so proud to have lined the pockets of the country.

http://www.thairiceexporters.or.th/background.htm

I often laugh about the idea that foreign companies are not allowed to directly engage in the Thai agricultural market because for some reason they would not act in the country's interests. Who these interests specifically are, it isn't the farmers for sure. See how long you would stay alive, if you tried to set up a rice mill as an outsider and offer 1 baht above the prevailing market price.

The objectives of the Association, according to its by-law, which has been amended since 2008, are as follows:

To promote rice exporting business.

To strengthen friendship and to exchange knowledge and information among members.

To promote cooperation with Thai Rice Mills Association, Thai Farmers Association and Thai Rice Association.

To render collaboration and support to the government concerning rice trading policies.

To uphold the benefits of rice trading business for members, and to promote fair competition.

To collaborate with the Board of Trade of Thailand, trade associations, and government agencies in promoting trade rules and regulations for food and agricultural business, as well as logistics system and other related business.

Hmm, nice to see that the welfare of their suppliers figures so highly in their priorities. They export for profit, but it would be interesting to see if any politician of any persuasion would dare to broker a conversation about oligopoly profit.

http://www.thairiceexporters.or.th/board_of_director_eng.htm

[Throatwobbler]

Question. How much money has been spent in infrastructure in these areas in the last 30 years. Building of roads, connection of electricity etc.. I know some of the roads are in a bad state of repair but it would cost a fortune to keep all the roads in the country in good nick. I would hazard a guess but an awful lot of money has been spent in this area, most of this coming from Bangkok taxes. Not to bad for an area where the Bangkok elite don't care for.

[gemini81]

I'm not sure if this article is saying that some kind of segregation is being proposed by some faction of the red shirt movement.

It apparently stops short of saying that but may be implying it. If it were indeed the case that these people officially wanted segregated areas based along political lines (or any other lines for that matter), that would be a very disturbing move on their part.

Well, when you're treated like second class citizens in your own country, the logical idea would be to create your own land and be treated like first class citizens. Not that I agree with it, but it's true.

Absolutely agree, good post!

There seems to be a world wide revolt against corrupt minority government keeping the wealth of the country confined to a few percent of the population.

Thailand's wealth is much too centralised on the Bangkok elite, of course the masses will eventually revolt. Read your history folks!

I fear there is much trouble ahead for Thailand, could even go the way of some Middle Eastern countries of late.

Only democracy will work in this country but the fact is the greedy few will not allow the wealth to be more evenly distributed.

The next 12 months will be critical for Thailand.

the red shirt LEADERS fit right into the rich and elite category you're talking about. Look at the Shinawatra dynasty they're aiming for as well as red reps and those in the gov't. They're filthy rich. Its more like those with some education don't support the reds.

[lannarebirth]

Nothing "scary" about this, it's being pushed by the "nice guy" what you think his pictures are all over with the "red shirt" movement?

Its entirley HIS hand shuffling the cards and the handfull of "Nut'a what's", stirring up sleepy Somchai in the woods..cause they are getting paid to do so, telling them that there is "something wrong".... and of course his money and sweet talk, but remember when this man makes it back it will certainly be a lot scarier then right now or ever has been!

But never mind the "Revolution" never happened!

Believe it or not, NOTHING much will change and if so, HOW?

It's "da man" pushing from behind... yinluck confesses "I am not working for Thaksin", no, but the villages featured in the Reuters Article are brimming with PT election billboards with HIS face on it!

If not, then why his face - why are all these lies? Who are they really going to cheat and utilize for what, isn't she a Hi-So Superincome Manager at some development company - SC Assets?

Yeah "social justice" - "democracy is not my goal!" remember?

This is not an issue exclusively to do with Thaksin. He may be partially responsible for awakening the feeling that the rural areas are hard done by, and appearing to be someone who has priorities to focus upon the rural area, but the lack of focus (and ways to develop) upon the rural population has been on going for decades. I do hold the exporters and the politicians in both Bangkok and up country responsible, because they allowed it to happen. He may have exploited the situation politically, but if I hear once more the exporters bleating about the prices, and the government absorbing all the risk for the exporters, I will scream.

I don't care how they do it, nationalise the export system, co-operatize everything, but the spread of the benefits from the growth of the Thai agricultural export industry haven't been distributed correctly. Believe me, I used to work in it, and the Thai(Chinese) majority owners aren't exactly starving whilst they reap in their 100's of millions per year.

This goes on and on in so many industries where the political influence of the companies has overwhelmed the needs of the people. The interests of the country are not exemplified by a company. It pervades the country down to it taking until today for someone to finally build something approaching proper trains because for example it messes with the transport related political block. There is a rice block, a sugar block, a rubber block, a paper block, an agribusiness block, a banking block, a media block, all allied to various political parties in the system making sure that they maximise their money, keep competition out and screw the little guy. It has been like this in Thailand since long before Thaksin came along. And woe betide any politician who doesn't get their general approval before messing with their business. Just look how complicated it was for Korn to get the banks to change their ATM fees. They tied him in knots and he achieved nothing in the end.

Since 1964 Thailand has been the top exporter of rice to the world in terms of volume. Thai rice export has continuously brought huge foreign currencies into Thailand and has contributed greatly to the country's economic development.

I am sure grandma sitting under her house shared with the cows, chewing on her betel nut feels so proud to have lined the pockets of the country.

http://www.thairicee.../background.htm

I often laugh about the idea that foreign companies are not allowed to directly engage in the Thai agricultural market because for some reason they would not act in the country's interests. Who these interests specifically are, it isn't the farmers for sure. See how long you would stay alive, if you tried to set up a rice mill as an outsider and offer 1 baht above the prevailing market price.

The objectives of the Association, according to its by-law, which has been amended since 2008, are as follows:

To promote rice exporting business.

To strengthen friendship and to exchange knowledge and information among members.

To promote cooperation with Thai Rice Mills Association, Thai Farmers Association and Thai Rice Association.

To render collaboration and support to the government concerning rice trading policies.

To uphold the benefits of rice trading business for members, and to promote fair competition.

To collaborate with the Board of Trade of Thailand, trade associations, and government agencies in promoting trade rules and regulations for food and agricultural business, as well as logistics system and other related business.

Hmm, nice to see that the welfare of their suppliers figures so highly in their priorities. They export for profit, but it would be interesting to see if any politician of any persuasion would dare to broker a conversation about oligopoly profit.

http://www.thairicee...irector_eng.htm

All true, great post. It should be noted however that the greatest exploitation of the Thai farmer takes place at the local level. The " provincial fuedalists" if you will. Most in the Thaksin camp. It's a sad irony.

Edited June 9, 2011 by lannarebirth

[lannarebirth]

Question. How much money has been spent in infrastructure in these areas in the last 30 years. Building of roads, connection of electricity etc.. I know some of the roads are in a bad state of repair but it would cost a fortune to keep all the roads in the country in good nick. I would hazard a guess but an awful lot of money has been spent in this area, most of this coming from Bangkok taxes. Not to bad for an area where the Bangkok elite don't care for.

Starting in a week or so, and lasting for up to 30 days, the roads are going to be in great shape.

[Thai at Heart]

All true, great post. It should be noted however that the greatest exploitation of the Thai farmer takes place at the local level. The " provincial fuedalists" if you will. Most in the Thaksin camp. It's a sad irony.

The rules and prices are set in Bangkok largely. The companies bought the influence of the parties of every persuasion for a very long time. Acting in the country's interests. Piffle. I know how much one family has stashed in Singapore. Would probably keep 10,000 families for 1000 years.

And this is the whole country's issue, not red not yellow.

Edited June 9, 2011 by Thai at Heart

[jdinasia]

about equal wealth distribution : how many people of the north east region pay taxes ?

I guess most come from middle class working people out of Bangkok... normal that they get a big piece of the pie ?

They all pay taxes. Each and every time they make a basic purchase to eat, to have a roof over their heads or to obtain the basic necessities. It's called the VAT. Taxes are collected from the poor via the VAT. Thailand doesn't have a VAT credit program to offset these taxes for the poor. Other countries do. A poor Thai purchasing 200 baht of items at the 7-11 pays the same tax as a wealthy Thai. The opportunities for tax evasion are greater for someone of means than for a subsistence farmer that pays his VAT on farm supplies.

If your intent is to highlight personal income taxes, please note that one has to have income first in order to pay taxes. When a great many of the population has to survive on less than 250 baht a day, there isn't anything to tax.

Please note that on a year base the first 150,000 Baht earned is tax-free. This excludes any deductions (wife, kids in school, etc., etc.) which may make your tax-free bracket 200,000 or more effectively.

Hmmm last time I looked going to a 7-11 was a convenience. The roof isn't taxed by VAT the other basic necessities aren't either. SOME other countries have an offset for sales tax --- MOST do not. Other countries aren't Thailand but when Thailand offers free electricity, and water etc ....

Granted everyone in theory pays an equal tax on beer .........

Please note that many of the basics in Thailand are either officially untaxed or unofficially untaxed. This includes things that would be taxed in other places like prepared food from markets etc.

[Thai at Heart]

Question. How much money has been spent in infrastructure in these areas in the last 30 years. Building of roads, connection of electricity etc.. I know some of the roads are in a bad state of repair but it would cost a fortune to keep all the roads in the country in good nick. I would hazard a guess but an awful lot of money has been spent in this area, most of this coming from Bangkok taxes. Not to bad for an area where the Bangkok elite don't care for.

Judging by the potholes, I would estimate that at least 1/2 of the value never made it into the ground.

[jdinasia]

LITTLE more complicated than that. The majority of Thais are simply pig sick of being treated like 'untermenschen'. They are learning that they too are 'Thai subjects;'(not citizens, exactly the same as the wealthy, but with very less 'get out of jail free' options).

Know what? Hope they drag the bugger back in. That should stir things up a bit.

HUH?

The majority of Thais are no such thing ---- a minority of Thais being paid by a corrupt ex-politician on the run from the law could be described the way you suggest though! ....

Most Thai citizens are both happy and proud to be just that. Thai citizens.

[lungmi]

Question. How much money has been spent in infrastructure in these areas in the last 30 years. Building of roads, connection of electricity etc.. I know some of the roads are in a bad state of repair but it would cost a fortune to keep all the roads in the country in good nick. I would hazard a guess but an awful lot of money has been spent in this area, most of this coming from Bangkok taxes. Not to bad for an area where the Bangkok elite don't care for.

In my poor rural area (stronghold of Dems all the time, TAK province) we have roads in the villages and housenumbers signs, garbage collection with special trucks (international standard) with small recycling, the highest number of Health Stations in proportion to the population of all Thailand. Photovoltaic supply in areas where are no electricity (refrigerator and two hours of television). The Dem MP's here have a special family tradition. The Grandfather was House Speaker under Chuan Leek Pai, the best non-corrupt Prime Minister Thailand ever had.

[DP25]

Since 1964 Thailand has been the top exporter of rice to the world in terms of volume. Thai rice export has continuously brought huge foreign currencies into Thailand and has contributed greatly to the country’s economic development.

Rice exports last year were $5 billion dollars, a record high...out of total exports of $196 billion. Even with skyrocketing prices amid fears of global shortages, rice is less than 3% of exports in modern Thailand. Being the top exporter of rice really doesn't bring in as much as it sounds.

[krangeek]

They otherwise know absolutely nothing of what Abbhisit, representing the 'old establishment' actually stand for, given that they've been 'in' for two years, and , done sod all. Lots and LOTS of words, but as yet no action. None.

Fact is they vote for the old boss, or stick with the 'new'. Who's done sweet sod all, despite his honeyed words and mile long excuses as to that, in effect, he's been hamstrung by the the 'coalition'/? For TWO years? He had to acquiesce once er, elected. But parliament. Same Taksin's many proxies. Wimp.

I personally loathe him as much as the former incumbent. And I do believe that the, at least .poorer Thais deserve better.

.

I am sorry that you are unaware of what the dems have accomplished whilst in office .... that doesn't make your claim of "None." There have been threads and discussions on what has been done over the last 2 years ... as well as the censure debates. The thing that is actually true is that the Dems have accomplished more than the PPP governments did The PPP only had one thing on its plate (not helping people, and not running the country) and that was whitewashing Thaksin. They failed at even that. The last 2 years have seen the current government managing to actually deal with the impact of the global economic crisis, and minimize the effects of the global downturn on the people of Thailand. They have increased spending upcountry. etc etc etc ....

Strangely the Thai people I know are aware of it ... then again maybe they are just aware

Edit --- first 2 lines of the quoted post removed --- re metisdead's post.

Your empty patronising 'that I am unaware ..." is bs.

Well? What have they done? C'mon, name one thing the puppet government have actually 'done to alleviate the burden of poverty on the poor in this country? c'mon, ONE thing.

And your pathetic rejoinder re Abbhist 'running' he country (etc etc etc (sic) ) is just that. Pathetic. Together with your *(edited out)* remark re this 'government' 'dealing with the global economic crisis'.

Edited June 9, 2011 by Scott
Flame edited out/Scott

[ginjag]

about equal wealth distribution : how many people of the north east region pay taxes ?

I guess most come from middle class working people out of Bangkok... normal that they get a big piece of the pie ?

They all pay taxes. Each and every time they make a basic purchase to eat, to have a roof over their heads or to obtain the basic necessities. It's called the VAT. Taxes are collected from the poor via the VAT. Thailand doesn't have a VAT credit program to offset these taxes for the poor. Other countries do. A poor Thai purchasing 200 baht of items at the 7-11 pays the same tax as a wealthy Thai. The opportunities for tax evasion are greater for someone of means than for a subsistence farmer that pays his VAT on farm supplies.

If your intent is to highlight personal income taxes, please note that one has to have income first in order to pay taxes. When a great many of the population has to survive on less than 250 baht a day, there isn't anything to tax.

There isn't always only one in the family, here they live and work from home in the fields/anywhere, 4/5 in the household at 250Bht a day. Clearly at 30,000 a month ???? cigs and white whiskey is flowing. they live next to me opposite-behind. Please they are NOT as poor as your (only 250 a day talk) they can save, but prefer to have the western luxuries. If they enjoy today( which is most want to do ) good, I don't have problems with rural people here. BUT westerners do if you look down on them and flash your money around they hate that. I am not trying to say you are completely wrong, not at all. They pay very much tax on alcohol and cigs and petrol.

[lungmi]

http://multinational...viewswolff.html

The gap between the rich and the poor by income is In US, Hongkong, Singapore, Brunei higher than in Thailand.

It means nothing.

The most important is: What is the social wellfare: Medical treatment, support of the olders, of the handicapped, of the underpriviledged, of the ethnic minorities.

Brunei is a dictatorship. Humain rights, Freedom of Press, all what Farang glorify in a good but limited intention, don't exist in Brunei.

But Brunei is one of the highest developped country in SEA for quality of live: The highest social wellfare in SEA.

Thaksin wants to copy this?

[Thai at Heart]

Since 1964 Thailand has been the top exporter of rice to the world in terms of volume. Thai rice export has continuously brought huge foreign currencies into Thailand and has contributed greatly to the country’s economic development.

Rice exports last year were $5 billion dollars, a record high...out of total exports of $196 billion. Even with skyrocketing prices amid fears of global shortages, rice is less than 3% of exports in modern Thailand. Being the top exporter of rice really doesn't bring in as much as it sounds.

Those are the words of the Thai rice exporters association not mine. It all depends on the margin.

Do the maths then. Presumably there is minimum 10% margin (probably more), with a listed number of 196 members, not all of whom export or have a mill but simply pay for a license just in case someone needs to hide some quota. I know, my old employer kept one just in case, but they only used it once every few years.

http://www.thairiceexporters.or.th/member_10.htm

it;'s

500 mn USD divided between maximum 196, for largely risk and tax free business, with no threat of foreign competition. So, 500 mn USD or 10% of the national education budget shared between probably 50 family companies. But those pesky politicians, they just won't stop messing with the price.

http://www.thairicemillers.com/

Couldn't help but notice, but there is not one single word about farmers on the front page of the millers website. Its like this stuff is grown in airconditioning in Bangkok or something.

[krangeek]

LITTLE more complicated than that. The majority of Thais are simply pig sick of being treated like 'untermenschen'. They are learning that they too are 'Thai subjects;'(not citizens, exactly the same as the wealthy, but with very less 'get out of jail free' options).

Know what? Hope they drag the bugger back in. That should stir things up a bit.

HUH?

The majority of Thais are no such thing ---- a minority of Thais being paid by a corrupt ex-politician on the run from the law could be described the way you suggest though! ....

Most Thai citizens are both happy and proud to be just that. Thai citizens.

HUH?!

You really should get out more. The ;majority of Thais don't give a rat's about whatever 'law' you believe exists here LOL! And they will take the bribe-to-vote, because they believe it doesn't matter who's snouts are at the trough.

And they.are.not.citizens, They.are.SUBJECTS.

[jdinasia]

LITTLE more complicated than that. The majority of Thais are simply pig sick of being treated like 'untermenschen'. They are learning that they too are 'Thai subjects;'(not citizens, exactly the same as the wealthy, but with very less 'get out of jail free' options).

Know what? Hope they drag the bugger back in. That should stir things up a bit.

HUH?

The majority of Thais are no such thing ---- a minority of Thais being paid by a corrupt ex-politician on the run from the law could be described the way you suggest though! ....

Most Thai citizens are both happy and proud to be just that. Thai citizens.

HUH?!

You really should get out more. The ;majority of Thais don't give a rat's about whatever 'law' you believe exists here LOL! And they will take the bribe-to-vote, because they believe it doesn't matter who's snouts are at the trough.

And they.are.not.citizens, They.are.SUBJECTS.

Thank you for so thoroughly defeating your own argument --- even though I find your new argument even more repugnant and insulting to the majority of Thai people. Thai citizens are, as I said, for the most part both happy and proud to be Thai

[landofthefree]

I'm not sure if this article is saying that some kind of segregation is being proposed by some faction of the red shirt movement.

It apparently stops short of saying that but may be implying it. If it were indeed the case that these people officially wanted segregated areas based along political lines (or any other lines for that matter), that would be a very disturbing move on their part.

Well, when you're treated like second class citizens in your own country, the logical idea would be to create your own land and be treated like first class citizens. Not that I agree with it, but it's true.

The perception that the countryside is ignored by Bangkok has been festering for several years now. It doesn't matter whether it is true or not, but this is a perception that will not go away. If this perception doesn't go away, there are quite a few countries nearby that show what can happen if the pressure on the pot is allowed to make it go bang. Whether the reds want it to go bang, I am not entirely sure, because the implications are really quite scary, but looking at the way the Dems are trying to court the countryside with their policies, they are trying more than ever. The problem I fear is that it is too little too late.

It will go bang if Yingluk gets a popular mandate and the elite in Bangkok cheat her out of her rightful position of Prime minister I hope they are wise enough to understand the consequences of their cheating but I don't hold up much hope.