Strife-Torn Thailand Set For Tense Election

[webfact]

Strife-torn Thailand set for tense election

by Daniel Rook

BANGKOK, July 1, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand votes Sunday in an election which will test the kingdom's ability to emerge from a long and bloody political crisis, pitting the ruling elite against the disenfranchised poor.

The poll is the first since the country was rocked by its worst civil violence in decades last year, when two months of crippling anti-government protests sparked a military crackdown that left more than 90 people dead.

The vote looks set to mark a political comeback for Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile overseas but has tapped his youngest sister to run in his place.

Parties linked to Thaksin have won the most seats in the past four elections, but the one-time owner of Manchester City football club was ousted in a 2006 coup and the courts reversed the results of the last two polls.

"Thaksin is a champion of elections in Thailand in the 21st century. He hasn't lost an election," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

The former tycoon is seen as the de facto leader of the opposition Puea Thai Party, despite living in Dubai, having fled Thailand in 2008 before a court sentenced him in his absence to two years in prison for corruption.

The 61-year-old remains an idol for many rural and working class voters for his populist policies while in power, but is hated by the ruling elite who see him as corrupt and a threat to the revered monarchy.

Polls show his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, a political newcomer, enjoying a hefty lead over the ruling Democrats led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is fighting for his political life after less than three years in office.

"The fact that Yingluck Shinawatra is very popular reflects the fact that Thaksin remains a very legitimate political force in Thai society," said Paul Chambers, a senior research fellow at Payap University in northern Thailand.

In contrast Abhisit's party -- the country's oldest, with a support base in Bangkok and the south -- has not won a general election in nearly two decades.

The British-born premier took office in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling threw out the previous administration, and he is accused by his foes of being an unelected puppet of the military and the establishment.

Thaksin describes his youngest sister as his "clone" and Yingluck herself is not shy about using her brother's popularity to boost her own support.

In a careful choreographed campaign, she starts her rallies by asking the crowd: "I don't know how much you love Thaksin. But can you share some of this love for me, his younger sister?"

The opposition has proposed an amnesty for convicted politicians if it wins the election -- a move apparently aimed at bringing Thaksin home.

The vote comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity for the country, which remains deeply divided a year after the crackdown on protests in the capital held by "Red Shirt" supporters of Thaksin.

Thailand's widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, seen as a unifying figure in a country that has been frequently riven by political violence, has also been in hospital since September 2009.

The 83-year-old king has been on the throne for more than six decades, making him the world's longest-reigning monarch, and Thailand's post-succession landscape is shrouded in uncertainty.

The royals' staunch military backers also loom large over all elections in a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since the monarchy ceded absolute power in 1932 in favour of a parliamentary system.

Observers say the signs are already ominous: Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a fervent royalist, has urged voters to choose "good people", in what was seen as a thinly veiled endorsement of the Democrats.

The army chief has brushed aside speculation the generals could intervene to change the course of history again, but many observers doubt the powerful military is ready to stay in the barracks.

"We've seen the growth of the military as a political force," said Chambers. "If this trend continues, we'll see a more permanent role on the political stage for the military in terms of what happened to Burma in the 1960s."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-01

[jacobus]

This clip by comedian, George Carlin, applies as much in Thailand (or practically any country in the world, for that matter):

[Thaddeus]

This clip by comedian, George Carlin, applies as much in Thailand (or practically any country in the world, for that matter):

I love this guy.

[tragickingdom]

Bet that the democrat will make it 6 in a row. They haven't won any election since Suchinda left in 1992. Still they seem to manipulate the elite in such a way that they still manage to deliver a PM even though the majority Thai people do not like them at all.

[sbk]

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[cdnvic]

Deleted one ALL CAPS post.

[quandow]

Jeez, all you gotta do is spend 15 minutes in this country and realize very seriously what you DON'T post here or anywhere else for that matter.

Regarding George Carlin: The man was a genius and a deep, critical thinker. The media, thanks to social networking, is losing it's death grip on "truth," though the Associated Press (AP) is still the main outlet for all news (as far as I know). Doesn't matter if you are Fox Noise or Drudge Report, they still base their spins on info from AP.

[rubl]

SO WHAT'S WRONG WITH ALL CAPS?

Nothing in it self, although considered the typed version of SHOUTING. For this TV forum it's simply not done according to guideline 1 in the nettiquette:

"1. Please do not post in all capital letters, bold, unusual fonts, sizes or colors. It can be difficult to read."

[Lite Beer]

Post questioning Moderation deleted.

The post above this explains what is wrong with ALL CAPS.

[letitbe]

This clip by comedian, George Carlin, applies as much in Thailand (or practically any country in the world, for that matter):

yes totally true and accurate as anyone with a brain knows but would you rather live in Natzi Germany Zimbabwie Libya Burma and rest all totally controlled by few real owners or America where at least you have a chance or can ignore that without to much fear and just get on with your life while those who do trualy control everything just geton with their kick in life. Taksin is in camp of Hitler Mugabwie Gaddadfi and not Rothchilds gates Buffet and rest camp. Sorry if I have a choice I know which one I want for my family

[letitbe]

This clip by comedian, George Carlin, applies as much in Thailand (or practically any country in the world, for that matter):

I love this guy.

if your so stupid as to be a wage slave and rely on a pension instead of making your own way then hes totally correct. However some of us understood this a long long time ago and while we dont want to or cant ever join those who are totally in control we do have freedom to find another way. Its called controling your own future, saving, investing building something. Lots of us have done it and while we are just normal hard working guys and like me a lot have lost a lot we have never knowingly exploited anyone. We do care about others. We are not so stupid to believe in pension lies to believe in anything but ourselves and if those bastards in end get me then it is ok I simply totally refused to accept system. Most of good honest people he is talking about are same ones ones who stood bye during Hitlers gas camps, stood bye without a word collecting their pay cheques and promises while a lot of world was and is in flames. It is human nature and I am no better than others but in all honesty the good hard working people he talks about deserve everything they get since they also could not give a shit about poor the oppressed or anything as long as they are ok. At least real nasty ones have decency to admit they are in it for no 1 and don't pretend they care while sipping their beers. Think about it and admit most of you are as bad as those he complains about only you are not smart enough to join them. I am no saint but people like that make me sick same as socialists and all those hypocrites pretending they care as long as they get their piece they could not give a damm.

[geriatrickid]

Yes, there are a few problems in Thailand, but describing it as strife torn? I dunno, it's a bit over the top. Greece is strife torn. Syria is strife torn, but Thailand? No. Sorry, I disagree. Tense election? Not really? I think there will be a collective sigh of relief once the election is over. This has dragged on for too long. The military grabbed the bull by the horns when they had their coup and now they are about to be tossed aside onto some bull poop. Thailand is a resilient nation and too many foreigners are quick to dismiss it. One need only look at the bounceback after the devastating floods. Yes, there is still damage and yes there is still suffering from those floods, but the victims aren't standing around demanding handouts as was the case following the New Orleans flooding. Rather, Thailand shows some of the same characteristics as the Australians that picked themselves up following the horrific wildfires. By the same token, the a large part of the nation may very well pull together after the election and move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and nation building. Wait and see. Hope for the best and keep a positive outlook. The people want peace and we should support them in their efforts.

[letitbe]

Yes, there are a few problems in Thailand, but describing it as strife torn? I dunno, it's a bit over the top. Greece is strife torn. Syria is strife torn, but Thailand? No. Sorry, I disagree. Tense election? Not really? I think there will be a collective sigh of relief once the election is over. This has dragged on for too long. The military grabbed the bull by the horns when they had their coup and now they are about to be tossed aside onto some bull poop. Thailand is a resilient nation and too many foreigners are quick to dismiss it. One need only look at the bounceback after the devastating floods. Yes, there is still damage and yes there is still suffering from those floods, but the victims aren't standing around demanding handouts as was the case following the New Orleans flooding. Rather, Thailand shows some of the same characteristics as the Australians that picked themselves up following the horrific wildfires. By the same token, the a large part of the nation may very well pull together after the election and move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and nation building. Wait and see. Hope for the best and keep a positive outlook. The people want peace and we should support them in their efforts.

your wrong and youll see it within next few months

[Bagwan]

Yes, there are a few problems in Thailand, but describing it as strife torn? I dunno, it's a bit over the top. Greece is strife torn. Syria is strife torn, but Thailand? No. Sorry, I disagree. Tense election? Not really? I think there will be a collective sigh of relief once the election is over. This has dragged on for too long. The military grabbed the bull by the horns when they had their coup and now they are about to be tossed aside onto some bull poop. Thailand is a resilient nation and too many foreigners are quick to dismiss it. One need only look at the bounceback after the devastating floods. Yes, there is still damage and yes there is still suffering from those floods, but the victims aren't standing around demanding handouts as was the case following the New Orleans flooding. Rather, Thailand shows some of the same characteristics as the Australians that picked themselves up following the horrific wildfires. By the same token, the a large part of the nation may very well pull together after the election and move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and nation building. Wait and see. Hope for the best and keep a positive outlook. The people want peace and we should support them in their efforts.

your wrong and youll see it within next few months

Victimsin Thailand i.e. the vast majority, do not stand around begging for handouts for the simple reason is that they won't get any. Even the ignorant and stupid know that. Who collected most of the money donated from peoples from all corners of the World after the tsunami? It sure wasn't the little people.

[Thaddeus]

This clip by comedian, George Carlin, applies as much in Thailand (or practically any country in the world, for that matter):

I love this guy.

if your so stupid as to be a wage slave and rely on a pension instead of making your own way then hes totally correct. However some of us understood this a long long time ago and while we dont want to or cant ever join those who are totally in control we do have freedom to find another way.

So, even though you say that you care about 'the little people, your attitude in the rest of your post is pretty much "I'm Ok, <deleted> everyone else"

Nice.

[thaibeachlovers]

This clip by comedian, George Carlin, applies as much in Thailand (or practically any country in the world, for that matter):

I love this guy.

if your so stupid as to be a wage slave and rely on a pension instead of making your own way then hes totally correct. However some of us understood this a long long time ago and while we dont want to or cant ever join those who are totally in control we do have freedom to find another way.

So, even though you say that you care about 'the little people, your attitude in the rest of your post is pretty much "I'm Ok, <deleted> everyone else"

Nice.

Hmmmm. I don't read it that way. I read it as someone saying they'd rather make their own way than be one of the mob.

Personally, I'd have done better doing that than thinking the pension will look after me. Now I might not even get one as the gov't doesn't pay it to us in LOS. So much for being a good citizen/ wage slave all those years.

As for "I'm OK <deleted> everyone else", most people I know are like that!