Is There Really A Plot To Get Rid Of Thaksin?

[John K]

It is very obvious the PM is worried about educated people. If there were more in Thailand he probably would not have a second term. I think George Bush may have the same concern too. By the way I am from a blue state.

Edited November 29, 2005 by john Krukowski

[WhiteShiva]

There was an interesting piece in the Wall Street Journal Asia today that gives some support to a number of the comments above.

In essence it suggested that the reason the southern provinces were such a mess is that the military is trying to undermine Thaksin's transfer of primary responsibility to the police for, you will excuse the expression, pacification. The military had a cozy deal going, goes the theory, profiting hugely from traditional smuggling activity, and now the police have taken that over and the military is hugely resentful. Therefore the military is actually trying to stir things up and make the police look bad until Thaksin turns everything back over to them. The piece even suggested that the military had effectively opened the border and was failing to make any effort to supervise trans-border traffic.

And this is the Wall Street Journal, folks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Add to that other "influential people" and criminals (Not all criminals are influential people, but the opposite is usually true) trying to get their share of the cake. Also, don't forget that the south has been a popular "dumping ground" for corrupt officials (as in "transferred to an inactive position") and you have a recipe for trouble.

No wonder the locals do not trust the authorities.......

[chownah]

There is always a plot to get rid of the prime minister.....it's called the political process. In the US there is a plot to get rid of George W. Bush....it's called the Democratic Party!!! It may be that the political process is a bit more boisterous in Thailand with more drama and aggressive posturing.

[WhiteShiva]

Yes, a society that's unlike the one that that your views were formed in. Nonetheless it's a society that you choose to live in presumably because you think that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. If you try and alter part of that society you have no idea what repercussions it will have elsewhere in that society. Apart from that it's not the job of outsiders to attempt to make major alterations to the society of a country - that's a job for the indigenous population. Iraq springs to mind as a prime example.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A little fatalistic, I'd say - Thailand has changed, and will continue to change. To say that one should not try to improve (change) anything (in this case education), simply smacks of imperialist arrogance.

As for being an outsider - when you work here, live here, pay taxes here and your wife and children are Thai, are you still not allowed to try to do your part to improve the very society you (and your family) live in? Sorry buddy, but I am doing that already, and will continue to do so. And I know I am not alone.

[sandra]

There is always a plot to get rid of him. The thing is for the plot to grow and work something concrete!!

[Jai Dee]

OVERDRIVE: Dangers are growing but we’re not in a crisis – yet

Editorial Opinion from The Nation - Published on December 02, 2005

In round 10 – the 10th of his anti-government rallies in Lumpini Park – on December 9, the maverick Sondhi Limthongkul will not quite be able to deliver a knockout blow to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. But he has already greatly damaged Thaksin’s credibility. The invincibility of the Thai Rak Thai party has also been badly shattered.

Thaksin can still hang on to the ropes. The damage has yet to really encroach upon his legitimacy.

Sondhi has opened some wounds on the prime minister, but they’re not that deep. The situation, albeit grave, is not yet severe enough to create the kind of massive protest that would question the legitimacy of the Thaksin government.

But going forward, it will be tough for Thaksin to continue to play the old game. He knows it.

That is why he has become more economical with his words and has also consulted the alignment of his stars. He has asked his Cabinet members and staff to become more patient against the growing political pressure. He has also asked them to pay heed to public opinion.

These defensive tactics might help Thaksin muddle through for a while and avoid a major crisis of leadership. If he keeps his mouth shut and unleashes another round of populist projects to please the Thais, he might be able to recoup some of his lost popularity.

Meanwhile, Sondhi and Thaksin are vying over who is wearing the yellower T-shirt. Sondhi’s and his followers’ T-shirts feature the slogan “We’ll Fight for the King”. Thaksin has called upon Thais to wear yellow T-shirts saying “We Love the King” on Monday, to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday. Sondhi has accused Thaksin of improperly conducting, inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a religious ceremony that is reserved for members of the Royal Family.

Indeed, the Palace has been rather uncomfortable with the two parties’ attempts to involve the Monarchy to their advantage. In a recent message, Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont made it clear that all parties trying to involve the Monarchy in politics must stop doing so. Political problems must be dealt with through proper political channels.

“We Love the King” is a general message showing the love and respect that Thais have for their Monarch. But “We’ll Fight for the King” raises some disturbing questions because it is not spelled out who or what the enemy may be.

Both Sondhi and Thaksin will have to exercise prudent judgement when it comes to using the colour yellow to advance their political agenda.

Why hasn’t the situation reached boiling point yet? Perhaps that will only occur if it comes to the point where the bureaucracy stops functioning because the civil servants, unsure about the nation’s political mandate, stop showing up for work.

Second, the grassroots people are not doing so badly, although their debts are rising. But if things change and the grassroots people find it hard to make ends meet and find the prices of goods increasingly hard to afford, then we’ll quickly see a crisis developing.

If economic problems worsen and start seriously affecting rural people, then we’ll see demonstrations.

Third, the middle-class, who traditionally are the ones capable of overthrowing a government, are still far from reaching a consensus. They have become disillusioned with the Thaksin administration and would like the government to deal directly with the problems of corruption, conflict of interest and cronyism, and want the media to be allowed to fully do their job.

But their force is still subdued.

Fourth, the businessmen can still run their enterprises. If the businessmen face a liquidity problem or run out of cash, then we’ll see a crisis looming.

Fifth, local and foreign investors are looking at the political situation with grave concern. If the situation does not improve, they will delay their investment projects. This will hurt economic growth and affect the entire country. Then we’ll witness a crisis.

Sixth, the other opinion leaders have yet to come out. They do not trust Sondhi, although they like his message. If more charismatic opinion leaders emerge from the shadow to challenge the government, then we’ll see a crisis.

Seventh, the allies of Thaksin are watching the political situation nervously. If they no longer support Thaksin, then we’ll see a crisis within Thai Rak Thai.

Most of these factors would have to take place at the same time and reinforce each other in order for a full-blown crisis to emerge, which could really paint Thaksin into a corner.

In the meantime, Thaksin can no longer remain complacent. He cannot afford to make any mistakes – all his moves must be the right ones from here on out.

[Neeranam]

The rally on Dec 9th is going to be the deciding one, I heard.

I heard something, which I can't repeat about him and a very influential Thai person. He has got something on everyone.

[Baal]

There is always a plot to get rid of the prime minister.....it's called the political process.  In the US there is a plot to get rid of George W. Bush....it's called the Democratic Party!!!  It may be that the political process is a bit more boisterous in Thailand with more drama and aggressive posturing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well said Chownah.

[OlRedEyes]

The dominoes started falling quite awhile ago... The pace is picking up, and may escalate very quickly.

I'd gaurd my opinions, being a farang. Just a thought.

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

Always the calming influence on this great land, HM The King, using great intellect and a dash of humor, "encourages" Thaksin to act his age, not his IQ:

PM Thaksin drops libel suits against Sondhi

Published on Dec 06 , 2005

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Tuesday instructed his lawyer to drop the liber suits against media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul after King Bhumibol Adulyadej advised Thaksin to listen to critics instead of suing them.

The King told Thaksin that Thais preferred to watch soap operas rather than the prime minister rushing on to their television screens to respond to every criticism, alluding to those from media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul.

Sondhi has taken his weekly current affairs chat show to a Bangkok park since it was taken off state-run television in September and has been drawing large crowds as he lambasts Thaksin for alleged abuses of power.

Sondhi's lawyer, Suwat Apaipak, told a Bangkok radio station the tycoon welcomed the withdrawal of the libel cases and would go ahead with this week's park rally on Friday.

[Butterfly]

About time. Funny how the crying baby wouldn't listen to anyone else

A very political speech. I guess the situation was much worse than what was publicised on TV

Edited December 6, 2005 by Butterfly

[Belfastboy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4502786.stm

Thaksin drops lawsuits....

[bkkmadness]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4502786.stm

Thaksin drops lawsuits....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A good result from the King's speech.

[Ricardo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4502786.stm

Thaksin drops lawsuits....

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A good result from the King's speech.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Common-sense prevails, thanks to His Majesty's wise advise.