Academics See No Basis To Army 'Water Coup' Threat

[webfact]

Academics see no basis to Army 'water coup' threat

The Nation

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

People should not believe in conspiracy theories and rumours that the Army is sabotaging flood-protection efforts to unseat the Yingluck Shinawatra government, or other counter conspiracy theories, academics say.

The warning came after some red shirts began entertaining the idea the Army was disrupting flood-relief by putting in fewer officers and doing too little to help protect or reinforce flood barriers in various areas. This, they said, led to the total inundation of half a dozen industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathumthani provinces and affected hundreds of thousands of workers, seriously damaging the economy and the government.

"It makes no sense," Sirote Klampaiboon, a Mahidol University political scientist told The Nation.

Yesterday, red-shirt community radio FM92.25, broadcasting from Samut Prakan province, south of Bangkok, queried whether there was an attempt to unseat the Pheu Thai government through a coup by the Army and the established elite.

"Yesterday, many are asking whether the government is now facing a ’water coup d'etat,'" a female radio host said. She added that on April 10 last year, when soldiers were despatched to launch a bloody crackdown on red shirts their numbers were massive, contrary to the few soldiers she claimed were now battling the flood.

Sirote said such theories- including one held by yellow shirts that the government intentionally neglected the alleged advice of His Majesty the King to allow water from dams to be released much earlier - are simply not plausible. The academic said people must accept that the amount of rainfall this year was unprecedented. Even though he feels the government isn’t doing a good job at protecting some areas from the flood, the theories should still be regarded as "cheap conspiracies."

Kasetsart University red-shirt political scientist Kenkij Kitirianglarp concurs, saying it’s most unlikely that anyone, be it the Army or the government, would want to see such damage incurred on the Kingdom. Kenkij said the blame game should stop as it is clear Thailand lacked an integrated system to deal with flooding and that's not a problem of just this administration.

Sirote urged the government to declare a state of emergency in some provinces in order to effectively evacuate people. The emergency decree in limited areas would not allow the Army to seize control over the government as some pro-government red shirts feared.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

[whybother]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

[givenall]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

[AleG]

"Yesterday, many are asking whether the government is now facing a ’water coup d'etat,'" a female radio host said. She added that on April 10 last year, when soldiers were despatched to launch a bloody crackdown on red shirts their numbers were massive, contrary to the few soldiers she claimed were now battling the flood.

Reconciliation, Red Shirt style.

[Roachiebkk]

Could they not move Songkran forward so people might find some fun in all this? Just joking, my heart goes out to all those effected by this flood. No sympathy for the pr icks blocking every lane of u-turns and flyovers, go park in a shopping centre, there is nothing left on the shelves anyway. Good luck Bangkok, here in Tiwanon we're still dry but for how long?

[animatic]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

Red tinted tinfoil hats obviously.

[patjem]

Could they not move Songkran forward so people might find some fun in all this? Just joking, my heart goes out to all those effected by this flood. No sympathy for the pr icks blocking every lane of u-turns and flyovers, go park in a shopping centre, there is nothing left on the shelves anyway. Good luck Bangkok, here in Tiwanon we're still dry but for how long?

No need: Loy Krathong is next month.

[h90]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

Red tinted tinfoil hats obviously.

But red tinfoil doesn't help against:

the Democrats made the floods

Bangkok Elites brought the water to punish the poor people

The Army will use an Emergency degree for a coup

Sound weird? Yes but I heard it several times....

Even heard from a Taxi that it is Sondhis and Chamlongs fault (couldn't hear the explanation because my wife flooded the Taxi drivers ears)

[JohnAllan]

If they can't even refrain from entertaining these ridiculous notions during a crisis such as Thailand is now experiencing, reconciliation doesn't have a chance in hell! It would be better were these idiots to roll up their sleeves and join the rescue efforts.

[OzMick]

Isn't it amusing that we have posters demanding that we leave politics out of the discussion at a time of national emergency, but the Red propaganda machine keeps on churning out lies, the PM can take time out for a little nepotism, Jatuporn keeps suppressing dissent creating red villages (definitely all reds, whether they like it or not), and the main excuse for not having a SoE is foreign confidence (would that be Dubai?) as if there is ANY foreign confidence in a government that is proving itself to be idiotic as well as incompetent.

[Steely Dan]

'Water coup', wasn't that an expensive flop starring Kevin Costner?

[tommet]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

[Buchholz]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

The previous government wasn't in for four years, but they still should have utilized the expertise of Plodprasop's idea to drain the flood waters with ships' propellers.

Clearly they were incompetent for not doing so.

They should also have adopted the notion of having 18 people "in charge" of the flood like the current "competent" administration.

Edited October 21, 2011 by Buchholz

[whybother]

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Four years? Try 2.5 years. And then there were all the neglect from previous governments, one who had 5 years to do something, and that during a booming economy when money could have been spent on infrastructure.

Yes ... incompetence. In dealing with and managing the floods. Their communication with the people has been severely inadequate ... bordering on laughable.

[animatic]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Or the current government when it was in power for 7+ or the last 10 years. Only a mear 2.5 years for the Dems, and 3 times as much for this crew, under TRT, PPP and PTP names. Same inefficiency and lack of foresight under any banner.

If it looks like a duck

and quacks like a duck

it's a foolish politician in a duck suit,

trying to spread the blame elsewhere.

.

Edited October 21, 2011 by animatic

[tommet]

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Four years? Try 2.5 years. And then there were all the neglect from previous governments, one who had 5 years to do something, and that during a booming economy when money could have been spent on infrastructure.

Yes ... incompetence. In dealing with and managing the floods. Their communication with the people has been severely inadequate ... bordering on laughable.

Oh sorry you are right. Abhisit was only there 2.5 years which of course makes his criminal negligence excusable.

You old guys are hilarious. If an asteroid hit Thailand you'd find a way to blame Thaksin and the Red Shirts.

[Crushdepth]

Only a brain-dead zombie would think about staging a coup now. Forget about it, it's not going to happen. They're BUSY.

Edited October 21, 2011 by Crushdepth

[whybother]

Oh sorry you are right. Abhisit was only there 2.5 years which of course makes his criminal negligence excusable.

<snip>

Criminal negligence for what?

[rogerdee123]

No need to have a coup right now. Public opinion against the Govt (the Thaksin clan) will continue to build in the coming weeks as people continue to deal with this flood and it's after effects and the inadequate Govt response. Much better to do the coup when 90% of the population is cheering it on.

Also ..... when the military wants to do a coup, they don't care if there is a "State of Emergecy" or not. I may be wrong but I'd be surprised if there has ever been any coup here during a "State of Emergency". The SOE is usually declared during or after the coup.

A coup usually isn't successful unless there is the surprise element .... but of course if 90% of the population wants it, they can do it even without making it a big surprise.

The reason why the military wanted a SOE is so they could have the power to enforce security of the sandbag walls that the uninformed people continue to break, with their incorrect and immature thinking that this will help reduce their own flooded situation.

[scorecard]

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Four years? Try 2.5 years. And then there were all the neglect from previous governments, one who had 5 years to do something, and that during a booming economy when money could have been spent on infrastructure.

Yes ... incompetence. In dealing with and managing the floods. Their communication with the people has been severely inadequate ... bordering on laughable.

Oh sorry you are right. Abhisit was only there 2.5 years which of course makes his criminal negligence excusable.

You old guys are hilarious. If an asteroid hit Thailand you'd find a way to blame Thaksin and the Red Shirts.

Do a bit more research, might enlighten you why some members are so strongly opposed to what thaksin represents, his morals etc.

You mention criminal negligence, perhaps you'd like to remember that many consider thaksin to have committed mass crimes against humanity, on three occasions.

[gl555]

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Four years? Try 2.5 years. And then there were all the neglect from previous governments, one who had 5 years to do something, and that during a booming economy when money could have been spent on infrastructure.

Yes ... incompetence. In dealing with and managing the floods. Their communication with the people has been severely inadequate ... bordering on laughable.

Oh sorry you are right. Abhisit was only there 2.5 years which of course makes his criminal negligence excusable.

You old guys are hilarious. If an asteroid hit Thailand you'd find a way to blame Thaksin and the Red Shirts.

Typical Red propaganda. Either blame someone else for their own incompetence and negligence or use the 'we've only been in power for 2 months' excuse!

[animatic]

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Four years? Try 2.5 years. And then there were all the neglect from previous governments, one who had 5 years to do something, and that during a booming economy when money could have been spent on infrastructure.

Yes ... incompetence. In dealing with and managing the floods. Their communication with the people has been severely inadequate ... bordering on laughable.

Oh sorry you are right. Abhisit was only there 2.5 years which of course makes his criminal negligence excusable.

You old guys are hilarious. If an asteroid hit Thailand you'd find a way to blame Thaksin and the Red Shirts.

Only if they were culpable, only if that was THEIR fault.

There appears to be so much they are culpable for,

that it appears they are being blamed for EVERY thing.

That's just your impression.

Edited October 21, 2011 by animatic

[fasteddie]

Isn't it amusing that we have posters demanding that we leave politics out of the discussion at a time of national emergency, but the Red propaganda machine keeps on churning out lies, the PM can take time out for a little nepotism, Jatuporn keeps suppressing dissent creating red villages (definitely all reds, whether they like it or not), and the main excuse for not having a SoE is foreign confidence (would that be Dubai?) as if there is ANY foreign confidence in a government that is proving itself to be idiotic as well as incompetent.

No it's not amusing! it's plain common sense!

To try and blame this government for this unprecedented flooding is just typical of the bleating yellows on here who are still crying into their milk over democracy working in Thailand.

Get over it!

[Derifo]

Maybe tin foil hats will protect some of these people from flooding.

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Yes it is, and the reds should all come out in their numbers to help build food barriers if they truly care.

[TAWP]

Isn't it amusing that we have posters demanding that we leave politics out of the discussion at a time of national emergency, but the Red propaganda machine keeps on churning out lies, the PM can take time out for a little nepotism, Jatuporn keeps suppressing dissent creating red villages (definitely all reds, whether they like it or not), and the main excuse for not having a SoE is foreign confidence (would that be Dubai?) as if there is ANY foreign confidence in a government that is proving itself to be idiotic as well as incompetent.

No it's not amusing! it's plain common sense!

To try and blame this government for this unprecedented flooding is just typical of the bleating yellows on here who are still crying into their milk over democracy working in Thailand.

Get over it!

But you are alright with "red-shirt community radio FM92.25" and other propaganda stations spewing their lies and distortions 24/7?

[h90]

Only a brain-dead zombie would think about staging a coup now. Forget about it, it's not going to happen. They're BUSY.

I think staging a coup would not need many people and bangkok would would welcome it.

[whybother]

Isn't it amusing that we have posters demanding that we leave politics out of the discussion at a time of national emergency, but the Red propaganda machine keeps on churning out lies, the PM can take time out for a little nepotism, Jatuporn keeps suppressing dissent creating red villages (definitely all reds, whether they like it or not), and the main excuse for not having a SoE is foreign confidence (would that be Dubai?) as if there is ANY foreign confidence in a government that is proving itself to be idiotic as well as incompetent.

No it's not amusing! it's plain common sense!

To try and blame this government for this unprecedented flooding is just typical of the bleating yellows on here who are still crying into their milk over democracy working in Thailand.

Get over it!

No one is blaming this government for the flooding. Many people are blaming the government for for their incompetent management of the flooding and particularly their communications.

[MILT]

is this typical to blame someone else for their own incompetence

Lol, whose incompetence? The government that has been in power for two months, or the previous government that neglected flood defences for the previous four years?

Four years? Try 2.5 years. And then there were all the neglect from previous governments, one who had 5 years to do something, and that during a booming economy when money could have been spent on infrastructure.

Yes ... incompetence. In dealing with and managing the floods. Their communication with the people has been severely inadequate ... bordering on laughable.

Oh sorry you are right. Abhisit was only there 2.5 years which of course makes his criminal negligence excusable.

You old guys are hilarious. If an asteroid hit Thailand you'd find a way to blame Thaksin and the Red Shirts.

Hay Who you calling old?

[AleG]

No it's not amusing! it's plain common sense!

To try and blame this government for this unprecedented flooding is just typical of the bleating yellows on here who are still crying into their milk over democracy working in Thailand.

Get over it!

No one is blaming this government for the flooding. Many people are blaming the government for for their incompetent management of the flooding and particularly their communications.

It's amazing how this needs to be repeated over, and over, and over, and... well, you get the point.

You may just as well fire neutrons at their heads for all the effect it has in their neurons.

[Buchholz]

Isn't it amusing that we have posters demanding that we leave politics out of the discussion at a time of national emergency, but the Red propaganda machine keeps on churning out lies, the PM can take time out for a little nepotism, Jatuporn keeps suppressing dissent creating red villages (definitely all reds, whether they like it or not), and the main excuse for not having a SoE is foreign confidence (would that be Dubai?) as if there is ANY foreign confidence in a government that is proving itself to be idiotic as well as incompetent.

No it's not amusing! it's plain common sense!

To try and blame this government for this unprecedented flooding is just typical of the bleating yellows on here who are still crying into their milk over democracy working in Thailand.

Get over it!

No one is blaming this government for the flooding. Many people are blaming the government for for their incompetent management of the flooding and particularly their communications.

Amazing how many times that needs to be stated and restated on every flood thread.

*edit. Just now read AleG's post above. Same same.

Edited October 22, 2011 by Buchholz