'Progressive' reds call for restructuring of DAAD

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

With a reported power struggle brewing among red-shirt leaders since Tuesday, some so-called "progressive" reds are calling for the movement to be restructured so it can be more accountable, responsive and legitimate in the future.

Former union leader and avid red-shirt supporter, Jitra Kotchadej, said the movement's leaders should be voted in, and their key job should be to monitor the workings of the new Pheu Thai-led government and future administrations.

"We don't know how long this government will last. There could be a coup or some other reversal of fortunes," Jitra said. She added that this government might alienate many red shirts if it failed to punish those responsible for the 91 deaths last year and reform the controversial lese majeste law. She warned that many reds might then "seek to develop democracy further" by themselves.

However, leader of the Red Sunday group, Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, sounded a little more compromising when he said the new government needed time to deal with these issues because it had to address economic matters first. "I'm willing to give them time to prove themselves," he said.

Sombat believed the core leaders should not be allowed to decide the movement's direction on their own. "They should listen to the peoples' voice," he advised.

The Red Sunday group leader also said that a seminar or conference should to be held to discuss how the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Democracy (DAAD) should be reformed, and suggested it distance itself from Pheu Thai politicians.

Chatchawan Rakchat, a Pathum Thani-based active red-shirt supporter, agreed that the DAAD should pull away from Pheu Thai, adding it should concentrate on political activism and education in democracy instead.

"Our goal should be to change the face of Thai politics," he said, adding that DAAD's chairperson Thida Tavornsaet Tojirakarn should also step down because she has been in the caretaker's position for far too long. He said the members should be given a chance to decide whether she should be nominated for the position again.

Chatchawan added that a number of "progressive" red shirts would be meeting tomorrow to discuss DAAD's future.

"The movement needs to be restructured in order to make it stronger. We may end up being a thorn in the government's side if it fails to seek the truth behind last year's military crackdown and reform the lese majeste law," he said.

He proposed that a public hearing be held on the controversial law and followed by a national referendum, so all sides can freely assess the merits and demerits of the decree.

-- The Nation 2011-07-08

some so-called "progressive" reds are calling for the movement to be restructured so it can be more accountable, responsive and legitimate in the future.

So, it hasn't be accountable or legitimate in the past?

She added that this government might alienate many red shirts if it failed to punish those responsible for the 91 deaths last year

I would think that many red shirts will be alienated when they find out that the red shirts are responsible for quite a few of the 91 deaths.

some so-called "progressive" reds are calling for the movement to be restructured so it can be more accountable, responsive and legitimate in the future.

So, it hasn't be accountable or legitimate in the past?

She added that this government might alienate many red shirts if it failed to punish those responsible for the 91 deaths last year

I would think that many red shirts will be alienated when they find out that the red shirts are responsible for quite a few of the 91 deaths.

Yes, those are the two biggest glaring points here.

The other is that :

"She warned that many reds might then "seek to develop democracy further" by themselves."

Which means they have lost control of factions with much more aggressive natures.

some so-called "progressive" reds are calling for the movement to be restructured so it can be more accountable, responsive and legitimate in the future.

So, it hasn't be accountable or legitimate in the past?

She added that this government might alienate many red shirts if it failed to punish those responsible for the 91 deaths last year

I would think that many red shirts will be alienated when they find out that the red shirts are responsible for quite a few of the 91 deaths.

Yep bit of a bind this one, does Yingluck push for the amnesty for her brother (and those alleged murders [the army and blackshirts] whoever they maybe) and the Abhisit government and go for national reconciliation and alienate 'her beloved' reds shirts or does she punish those responsible, leave her brother in Dubai, upset the army, and various powerful politicians but make the red shirts happy.

I can feel a demonstration coming on - Ratchaprasong Pt 2 - Red vs Red

...

The other is that :

"She warned that many reds might then "seek to develop democracy further" by themselves."

Which means they have lost control of factions with much more aggressive natures.

The red shirts were always dominated by the aggressive factions. They are the ones that are no longer needed.

The factions that are actually more interested in democracy and in the poor will push ahead. They still have a lot of work ahead of them to make sure the PTP actually do what they said they would do.

some so-called "progressive" reds are calling for the movement to be restructured so it can be more accountable, responsive and legitimate in the future.

So, it hasn't be accountable or legitimate in the past?

She added that this government might alienate many red shirts if it failed to punish those responsible for the 91 deaths last year

I would think that many red shirts will be alienated when they find out that the red shirts are responsible for quite a few of the 91 deaths.

Yep bit of a bind this one, does Yingluck push for the amnesty for her brother (and those alleged murders [the army and blackshirts] whoever they maybe) and the Abhisit government and go for national reconciliation and alienate 'her beloved' reds shirts or does she punish those responsible, leave her brother in Dubai, upset the army, and various powerful politicians but make the red shirts happy.

I can feel a demonstration coming on - Ratchaprasong Pt 2 - Red vs Red

She has already had to deny Snoh's comment that reds won't be in the cabinet.

Stop the spinoffs to randomness like a flywheel cracked and breaking up at full throttle. There in lies her problem they have kept the Red Shirts wound up to top revolutions for several years, now that they have the brass ring, they can't lift the brick off of the gas pedal. It all just keeps spinning.

Edited July 8, 201115 yr by animatic

However, leader of the Red Sunday group, Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, sounded a little more compromising when he said the new government needed time to deal with these issues because it had to address economic matters first. "I'm willing to give them time to prove themselves," he said.

Here lies the joker in the pack.

It is stsndard practise all over the world for an incoming Govt's to throw their hands in the air and say "We didnt realise the economy was in such a mess, we have to get it right before we can keep any of our promises"

So the outgoing Govt gets blamed for the inaction on the extravigant election promises.

Will it be any different here?

The reds should not fool themselves. They have served their purpose. Their main 'attributes' are greed and ignorance. Perfect tools for Thaksin. As for last year's fiasco, they should certainly be brought to justice, maybe an international panel could be set up for this ie not PT. Oh dear.

Democratic Alliance Against Democracy (DAAD)

hihihihi ... democratic people banding together to fight against democracy ..... No wonder everyone is confused!

"She warned that many reds might then "seek to develop democracy further" by themselves."

If Yingluk can't keep her election promises, and the Reds head back to BKK, what will she do? Call out the army perhaps? Book me a ticket, I want to watch!