Thai Govt Sincerity On Protecting The Monarchy Questioned

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POLICY DEBATE

Govt sincerity on protecting the monarchy questioned

By Kittipong Thavevong

The Nation

Opposition says action must be taken against red shirts involved in insulting highest institution

The opposition questioned the government's sincerity in tackling the problem of insults to the monarchy, during yesterday's parliamentary debate on the government's policies.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday morning spent two hours reading out her government policies before a joint meeting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Supachai Jaisamut, a senior MP from the opposition Bhum Jai Thai Party, said the government's brief policy regarding the monarchy was mostly copied from the Constitution, without any detail as to how to deal with many websites with content insulting to the monarchy.

He said the websites were claimed to be the work of people in the red-shirt movement, which in turn is linked to the ruling Pheu Thai Party. "The government must have a policy that decisively deals with the problem and the government has to make it clear it has nothing to do with the red shirts who insult the monarchy," said Supachai, who is also the Bhum Jai Thai spokesman.

He called on the prime minister to make it clear that none of her Cabinet members would try to interfere with the justice process in a bid to help red-shirt figures facing legal action for allegedly insulting the monarchy.

Supachai's remarks drew protests from Pheu Thai MPs, including Kokaew Pikulthong, who is a key red-shirt member and a leader of last year's anti-government rallies.

The protesting Pheu Thai MPs demanded that Supachai withdraw his remarks that the red shirts were prone to violence and insulted the monarchy.

However, Supachai insisted his remark was true and he referred to only some people in the red-shirt movement, and not all of them. He called on the government to be serious about protecting the monarchy.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung from the Pheu Thai Party insisted the government was loyal to the monarchy. He said his government's policy regarding the monarchy was one line longer than that of the previous administration.

Supachai said he was not accusing the government of being disloyal to the monarchy and that he merely pointed to the fact that government policies did not mention protecting the monarchy. He demanded that Chalerm

withdraw his inaccurate statement, and Chalerm agreed to do so reluctantly.

The veteran politician also insisted that no people in the ruling party supported the idea of amending Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste. He dismissed Supachai's claim that Yingluck had expressed her support for the proposed change in an interview with the British newspaper, The Independent. Supachai insisted he had proof to support his claim and called on Yingluck to explain the matter.

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

Chalerm said the previous Democrat-led government had failed to effectively tackle the problem of insults to the monarchy. He also said that the Interior Ministry overseen by Bhum Jai Thai leader Chaovarat Chanweerakul simply erected billboards to protect the monarchy.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap told yesterday's meeting he will not ignore the problem of websites attacking the monarchy. He also said that in fact the previous government was not serious about tackling the problem.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, as the opposition leader, said the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy. He called on the government to make clear its stance over a proposed amendment to the lese majeste law.

Earlier, during yesterday's debate, Bhum Jai Thai MP Sanong Thepaksornnarong said policy about the monarchy should have been among the government's "urgent policies".

Senators and opposition MPs also pointed to what they described as flaws in some government policies and they questioned the feasibility of some policy guidelines.

Some opposition MPs also called on the government to keep their election promises, noting that many of those promises had not been among the government policies.

-- The Nation 2011-08-24

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[mca]

Ah the old faithful weapon in a politician's arsenal. Accuse the opposition of not being loyal or whatever to the monarchy.

[Buchholz]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

Edited August 24, 2011 by Buchholz

[moe666]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

heheeh are you holding your breath waiting on condemnation, getting a bit blue there old boy

[Buchholz]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

heheeh are you holding your breath waiting on condemnation, getting a bit blue there old boy

Not at all. Their inaction is expected and unsurprising. It's also not funny.

.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Buchholz

[LomSak27]

Ah the old faithful weapon in a politician's arsenal. Accuse the opposition of not being loyal or whatever to the monarchy.

"If you're not with us, you're against us."

"If you do not support the use of 'Enhanced interrogation techniques' you are helping terrorists"

Oh, yeah, I've heard it before

[whybother]

The veteran politician also insisted that no people in the ruling party supported the idea of amending Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste.

That's a pity.

But I do remember Yingluck mentioning that was one of her plans. Another back track?

[whybother]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

[Buchholz]

The veteran politician also insisted that no people in the ruling party supported the idea of amending Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste.

That's a pity.

But I do remember Yingluck mentioning that was one of her plans. Another back track?

Does Chalerm's blanket Party statement also include Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn's opinion, amongst other mixed Pheu Thai Party/Red Shirts, with those Red Shirts who are in favor amending Article 112?

[Tropicalevo]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

On the phone to her brother?

[mca]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

On the phone to her brother?

I have it on good authority she had a dodgy curry for lunch and spent the afternoon in the bog.

[REM]

Ah the old faithful weapon in a politician's arsenal. Accuse the opposition of not being loyal or whatever to the monarchy.

"If you're not with us, you're against us."

I've heard this before too, at the end of Star Wars, Episode III when Anakin turns to the dark side..............careful Thailand!!!!!!!!

[Bakseedaa]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

heheeh are you holding your breath waiting on condemnation, getting a bit blue there old boy

McCarthy, would have seen the lot of those Red Shirts in prison...we call red shirts same as these, COMMUNISTS in our own countries... a scourge in any society...

[geriatrickid]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

What part of this do you not comprehend?

- Do not make any accusations about any individual's or groups' loyalty toward The Monarchy.

Don't make the accusations surreptitiously or otherwise.

Please cease and desist from questioning people's loyalty. You may not like the redshirts, but they have a love for the nation apparently do not understand. Because you do not understand, that does not mean they do not have it. Thank you.

Edited August 24, 2011 by geriatrickid

[virtualtraveller]

Same old card...

But the opposition make the valid point that the PTP is full of Red Shirts, and among the Red Shirts is a group Red Siam who have openly stated that they wish to see Thailand become a Republic.

All political parties know that it is in their best interests to be seen to be protecting the Monarchy, but how do you reconcile this when you are so openly allied to a group that is fed up with the present Thailand power structure.

[rubl]

Chalerm said the previous Democrat-led government had failed to effectively tackle the problem of insults to the monarchy. He also said that the Interior Ministry overseen by Bhum Jai Thai leader Chaovarat Chanweerakul simply erected billboards to protect the monarchy.

The new government will have more effective approach? If so, what? Can the government already clarify, or is more study necessary?

[Buchholz]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

Don't make the accusations surreptitiously or otherwise.

I quoted the former PM. I made no accusations myself, only reflecting on the former PM's point.

This same issue was also pointed out in the post following yours by another member.

.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Buchholz

[geriatrickid]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

No Prime Minister anywhere sits in the house for the entire session. They have work to do. When was the last time the PM of the UK, or Canada or Australia or New Zealand or India ever sat in the house the whole day? One of the meetings that the PM attended in the afternoon was on the response to the floods. I think that is more important She did not need to sit there and listen to the other speeches. Get real. She has to take care of a country and that means rolling up her sleeves and geting to work which is exactly what she did.

[geriatrickid]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

Don't make the accusations surreptitiously or otherwise.

I quoted the former PM. I made no accusations myself, only reflecting on the former PM's point.

.

Really? Please provide a reference to the member's speech because I do not recall him making those exact statements. Thank you.

[Crushdepth]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

What part of this do you not comprehend?

- Do not make any accusations about any individual's or groups' loyalty toward The Monarchy.

Don't make the accusations surreptitiously or otherwise.

Please cease and desist from questioning people's loyalty. You may not like the redshirts, but they have a love for the nation apparently do not understand. Because you do not understand, that does not mean they do not have it. Thank you.

These are statements of fact, not accusations. But lucky we have you here to help us understand Thailand, eh?

[Buchholz]

Really? Please provide a reference to the member's speech because I do not recall him making those exact statements. Thank you.

It's a quote of the OP. Try reading it.

.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Buchholz

[rubl]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

No Prime Minister anywhere sits in the house for the entire session. They have work to do. When was the last time the PM of the UK, or Canada or Australia or New Zealand or India ever sat in the house the whole day? One of the meetings that the PM attended in the afternoon was on the response to the floods. I think that is more important She did not need to sit there and listen to the other speeches. Get real. She has to take care of a country and that means rolling up her sleeves and geting to work which is exactly what she did.

The first policy announcement of this Yingluck government, and the PM too busy to follow it through? 'My ministers will clarify'? Same like other countries, mentioning established democracy where the opposition (and government parties) would be in an uproar if the PM would just wonder off?

To busy to listen to speeches, have to take care of big brotherthe country. Rolling up the sleeves and go help in flood hit parts of the country? Indicate more areas in the policies her ministers have to clarify and elaborate on? Maybe the driver had his day off and she had to fetch her son from school?

'roll up her sleeves and getting to work and that's exactly what she did'. 'exactly what she did' suggests you have witnessed something. Can you clarify what you mean? Did she 'roll up her sleeves', or 'get to work'?

[sungod]

the government could not dismiss the fact that red shirts were involved in insulting the monarchy.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Pheu Thai Party.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by the Red Shirt Leaders.

Have never seen any condemnation of those involved Red Shirts by anyone associated with the Red Shirts.

,

What part of this do you not comprehend?

- Do not make any accusations about any individual's or groups' loyalty toward The Monarchy.

Don't make the accusations surreptitiously or otherwise.

Please cease and desist from questioning people's loyalty. You may not like the redshirts, but they have a love for the nation apparently do not understand. Because you do not understand, that does not mean they do not have it. Thank you.

I have seen many derogatory statements left in chalk on the roads at Democracy monument and Ratchaprasong after mass red shirt rallies. Who do you suppose wrote these?

[Ricardo]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

Certainly appears to show how much respect she has, for her fellow MPs, and the process of democracy. As a Newbie to politics, she should have more respect, for the way it's supposed to work.

And might she not have hoped to hear, from her own party/coalition or from the Opposition, some useful/helpful comments or suggestions, to make it worth her time to attend ? Or does she not 'do' long meetings ? Perhaps she was wary of being drawn into debating, or making unscripted off-the-cuff remarks, but why should that intimidate her ?

Very odd behaviour by the new PM.

[sbk]

Troll posts removed. Not even remotely funny. Don't do it again.

[whybother]

The prime minister was absent during the afternoon session of the meeting.

One of the first sessions of her new government, and a rather important one at that, AND SHE'S NOT THERE???

No Prime Minister anywhere sits in the house for the entire session. They have work to do. When was the last time the PM of the UK, or Canada or Australia or New Zealand or India ever sat in the house the whole day? One of the meetings that the PM attended in the afternoon was on the response to the floods. I think that is more important She did not need to sit there and listen to the other speeches. Get real. She has to take care of a country and that means rolling up her sleeves and geting to work which is exactly what she did.

It's the FIRST session, where they are telling the country what their policies are! That's not important enough for her to be there?

[geriatrickid]

[

I have seen many derogatory statements left in chalk on the roads at Democracy monument and Ratchaprasong after mass red shirt rallies. Who do you suppose wrote these?

Because someone wrote offensive phrases down, that means all those attending the events are guilty? Really? Your views on collective blame are a throwback to the 1940's.

[geriatrickid]

Really? Please provide a reference to the member's speech because I do not recall him making those exact statements. Thank you.

It's a quote of the OP. Try reading it.

.

I read it and still do not see the three lines you used. Would you please point out where in the OP, the member made the statement as you wrote.

[sbk]

One inflammatory baiting post removed and a a post rising to the bait. Do it again and I will suspend you. I've had enough of this kind of churlish behavior.