Thai Democrats Blocking Reconciliation: Natthawut

[webfact]

Democrats blocking reconciliation: Natthawut

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrats are allowing their obsession against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to cloud their judgement on national reconciliation, Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua said on Thursday.

"The Democrats are not sincere in pushing for reconciliation because of their desire to take revenge on Thaksin," he said.

Natthawut said the Democrats were trying to derail the reconciliation process by opposing both the King Prajadhipok's Institute report on reconciliation measures and the House committee chaired by Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Although the reconciliation push was about advancing the country forward, the Democrats wanted to mislead the public into believing in a pretext to rescue Thaksin, he said.

The political turbulence in the past six years had benefited the Democrats, he said in his reasoning why the main opposition party kept on fanning the conflict.

He said the Democrats had gone overboard to portraying Thaksin as a political monster.

"I think it is time to put Thailand before the bickering over Thaksin-related issues," he said.

Commenting on the upcoming House debate on reconciliation, he said the debate, scheduled for April 4, would explore ways for mending fences and not a rush to grant the Thaksin amnesty as alleged.

-- The Nation 2012-03-29

[DP25]

"I think it is time to put Thailand before the bickering over Thaksin-related issues," he said.

I'll give Thaksin and his cronies, sycophants, and partners in crime, this much, they have balls the size of cantaloupes to get up there day after day and spread such blatant BS. Honestly amazing they can say this stuff without bursting in to laughter, although with so many billions of baht on the line and lucrative future thefts to look forward to I guess they find a way.

[AleG]

"I think it is time to put Thailand before the bickering over Thaksin-related issues," he said.

I'll give Thaksin and his cronies, sycophants, and partners in crime, this much, they have balls the size of cantaloupes to get up there day after day and spread such blatant BS. Honestly amazing they can say this stuff without bursting in to laughter, although with so many billions of baht on the line and lucrative future thefts to look forward to I guess they find a way.

Don't forget the:

The political turbulence in the past six years had benefited the Democrats, he said in his reasoning why the main opposition party kept on fanning the conflict.

Those tricksy Red Shirts had me fooled all along!, I thought them running riot in 2009 and 2010 was meant to damage the Democrats but now we see the truth, they were doing it to benefit them instead.

Move over Doi Inthanon, Nattawut's steaming pile now is the highest geographical point in the country.

[bigbamboo]

The two sides should meet half way. Thaksin gets his sentence reduced to one year after which he is free to run the country from Thailand instead of Dubai.

Edited March 29, 2012 by bigbamboo

[CalgaryII]

Agree or disagree, the fact remains that this guy speaks for probably the single largest political constituency in the country. Those opposed can denigrate, besmirch and disparage his comments all they want, but they speak from an electoral minority position. Conversely, respecting these perspectives and this political block, would probably be the best starting point to any "reconciliation" process. Easier said then done, when a sense of political inequality by some, is pervasive to their very core. It is just another reason why "Reconciliation" is 'stillborn' as a valid political exercise.

Edited March 29, 2012 by CalgaryII

[whybother]

Doesn't there need to be efforts for reconciliation for the Democrats to be able to block it?

[mrtoad]

[whybother]

"I think it is time to put Thailand before the bickering over Thaksin-related issues," he said.

One way of doing that is to leave Thaksin out of any discussion relating to reconciliation.

Leave Thaksin in Dubai. Stop visiting him or ringing him up every five minutes. Then you can move forward and put Thailand before the bickering over Thaksin-related issues.

[WackySomchai]

As always the Deputy Agriculture Minister got it backwards. He should stay with what he knows best, attacking hospitals, arson and murder. There will be no reconciliation until the fugitive and his mob face justice for their crimes.

[dominique355]

Why isn't the Deputy Agricultural Minister not doing what he is here for: Spread manure.

Oh, that's what he is actually doing.

PT's idea of reconciliation is one imposed by the parliamentary majority against the large minority. But reconciliation against the consent of those who should be reconciled is probably a bad idea, right?

But then again, whhat do you expect from a traitor/ex-general and an arson/mob?

[rixalex]

If he wants us to believe that he has no interest in rescuing or in any way helping Thaksin....

Although the reconciliation push was about advancing the country forward, the Democrats wanted to mislead the public into believing in a pretext to rescue Thaksin, he said.

...then stop leaping to his defence.

He said the Democrats had gone overboard to portraying Thaksin as a political monster.

Let Thaksin worry about whether or not the Dems are portraying him nicely. He's a big boy now.

[birdpooguava]

The Dems spent their time in power spreading hatred & vitriol. They stupidly vilified the most popular man in the country to their own detriment. Not one second of their stolen power was used to reconcile differences or make amends for the injustice they played a leading role in creating. Now they are hindering any attempts by the current, elected government to make progress. Even after their narrow minded tactics led to their humiliating trouncing at the polls they continue with their pig-headed, single-mindedness. Their grave is getting mighty deep; keep digging.

[Jingthing]

The Dems spent their time in power spreading hatred & vitriol. They stupidly vilified the most popular man in the country to their own detriment. Not one second of their stolen power was used to reconcile differences or make amends for the injustice they played a leading role in creating. Now they are hindering any attempts by the current, elected government to make progress. Even after their narrow minded tactics led to their humiliating trouncing at the polls they continue with their pig-headed, single-mindedness. Their grave is getting mighty deep; keep digging.

So you are saying there should be no resistance from any faction to Thaksin's reemergence?

[ianf]

Agree or disagree, the fact remains that this guy speaks for probably the single largest political constituency in the country. Those opposed can denigrate, besmirch and disparage his comments all they want, but they speak from an electoral minority position. Conversely, respecting these perspectives and this political block, would probably be the best starting point to any "reconciliation" process. Easier said then done, when a sense of political inequality by some, is pervasive to their very core. It is just another reason why "Reconciliation" is 'stillborn' as a valid political exercise.

Speaking from a minority or even a majority position does not in itself guarantee that the words spoken are true or that the actions taken are legitimate. I think we have seen that in Burma where the democratic elections were won with a massive vote in favour but the country has been run by the losers for the past two decades. The fact is here in Thailand, the seat of Asean corruption, the elections were carefully manipulated to disfavour the Democrats. That the opposition won was, and is, no indication of their honesty or otherwise. We all know what happened. The term 'democratic' was stolen by the opposition and given a new meaning. Sadly, the majority in the winning party's constituency did not understand this word and genuinely believed the lies that were put about. Which shows that Thaksin's millions can and does buy the best PR which is run by people outside of Thai politics but who understand the nature of the game and the rewards at the end. There was a time when countries invaded other countries to seize their wealth (the British in Burma, the French in Indo-China and so on) but the game has changed. Now the wealth can be seized by consortiums of extremely wealthy people and corporations. Thaksin does not sit alone and the masses will be dispensed with once they have served their purpose. 'Reconciliation' is only a word used to hammer the opposition - a repeat of the theft of the word 'Democracy'. We've seen it all before, but this is the tactic these guys use. Off course, to understand this requires a certain degree of sophisticated thinking which is sadly lacking in a minority of posters here!

Edited March 29, 2012 by ianf

[birdpooguava]

The Dems spent their time in power spreading hatred & vitriol. They stupidly vilified the most popular man in the country to their own detriment. Not one second of their stolen power was used to reconcile differences or make amends for the injustice they played a leading role in creating. Now they are hindering any attempts by the current, elected government to make progress. Even after their narrow minded tactics led to their humiliating trouncing at the polls they continue with their pig-headed, single-mindedness. Their grave is getting mighty deep; keep digging.

So you are saying there should be no resistance from any faction to Thaksin's reemergence?

He should never have been removed. He has been unable to set foot in his own country for several years. He has been slandered and defamed on a daily basis. He has had 46 billion baht confiscated. So the answer to your question is undoubtedly YES.

[ianf]

The Dems spent their time in power spreading hatred & vitriol. They stupidly vilified the most popular man in the country to their own detriment. Not one second of their stolen power was used to reconcile differences or make amends for the injustice they played a leading role in creating. Now they are hindering any attempts by the current, elected government to make progress. Even after their narrow minded tactics led to their humiliating trouncing at the polls they continue with their pig-headed, single-mindedness. Their grave is getting mighty deep; keep digging.

This sounds like an attempt to rewrite history!

[weka]

The Dems spent their time in power spreading hatred & vitriol. They stupidly vilified the most popular man in the country to their own detriment. Not one second of their stolen power was used to reconcile differences or make amends for the injustice they played a leading role in creating. Now they are hindering any attempts by the current, elected government to make progress. Even after their narrow minded tactics led to their humiliating trouncing at the polls they continue with their pig-headed, single-mindedness. Their grave is getting mighty deep; keep digging.

So you are saying there should be no resistance from any faction to Thaksin's reemergence?

He should never have been removed. He has been unable to set foot in his own country for several years. He has been slandered and defamed on a daily basis. He has had 46 billion baht confiscated. So the answer to your question is undoubtedly YES.

Can you explain why he's been unable to set foot in his own country please?

[ianf]

As always the Deputy Agriculture Minister got it backwards. He should stay with what he knows best, attacking hospitals, arson and murder. There will be no reconciliation until the fugitive and his mob face justice for their crimes.

For the Thaksin and Red Shirt apologists the evidence in this video alone should bring shame upon them!

Edited March 29, 2012 by ianf

[birdpooguava]

Can you explain why he's been unable to set foot in his own country please?

Because an illegal, unconstitutional junta, backed by groups of powerful people who had been marginalised by Dr.Thaksin, set up a committee, with state funds, stacked full of his arch enemies with the sole purpose of convicting him , no matter the lack of evidence. Then the court allowed the main prosecution witness, who was implicitly implicated in the trumped up case himself, to give private testimony, banning defence lawyers from the bent judges chambers. And consequently he was systematically, institutionally vilified to a brainwashed public.

That's why?

[birdpooguava]

For the Thaksin and Red Shirt apologists the evidence in this video alone should bring shame upon them!

The reds response to having their electoral mandate stolen was justified and reasonable. In other more aggressive cultures such a shameless and unjust action would have prompted a full on civil war.

[weka]

Can you explain why he's been unable to set foot in his own country please?

Because an illegal, unconstitutional junta, backed by groups of powerful people who had been marginalised by Dr.Thaksin, set up a committee, with state funds, stacked full of his arch enemies with the sole purpose of convicting him , no matter the lack of evidence. Then the court allowed the main prosecution witness, who was implicitly implicated in the trumped up case himself, to give private testimony, banning defence lawyers from the bent judges chambers. And consequently he was systematically, institutionally vilified to a brainwashed public.

That's why?

That doesn't explain why HE can't come back. Surely under that obvious miscarriage of justice he should just come back and clear his name/ (you could even help him). After all he has his sister to protect him as Prime Minister, as he had his Brother in law as Prime Minister when he was "wrongfully" prosecuted as you so helpfully and eloquently pointed out.

All he has to do is hop on a plane, but yet he doesn't...hmmmmm...something doesn't add up here...

Edited March 29, 2012 by weka

[birdpooguava]

That doesn't explain why HE can't come back. Surely under that obvious miscarriage of justice he should just come back and clear his name/ (you could even help him). After all he has his sister to protect him as Prime Minister, as he had his Brother in law as Prime Minister when he was "wrongfully" prosecuted as you so helpfully and eloquently pointed out.

All he has to do is hop on a plane, but yet he doesn't...hmmmmm...

Don't worry ugly bird, you won't have to wait long, he's on his way.

[weka]

For the Thaksin and Red Shirt apologists the evidence in this video alone should bring shame upon them!

The reds response to having their electoral mandate stolen was justified and reasonable. In other more aggressive cultures such a shameless and unjust action would have prompted a full on civil war.

wow! actually, don't bother replying to my questions - I've got a bad back and in no way can stoop down to your level - you win Einstein

[Jingthing]

The Dems spent their time in power spreading hatred & vitriol. They stupidly vilified the most popular man in the country to their own detriment. Not one second of their stolen power was used to reconcile differences or make amends for the injustice they played a leading role in creating. Now they are hindering any attempts by the current, elected government to make progress. Even after their narrow minded tactics led to their humiliating trouncing at the polls they continue with their pig-headed, single-mindedness. Their grave is getting mighty deep; keep digging.

So you are saying there should be no resistance from any faction to Thaksin's reemergence?

He should never have been removed. He has been unable to set foot in his own country for several years. He has been slandered and defamed on a daily basis. He has had 46 billion baht confiscated. So the answer to your question is undoubtedly YES.

A dream situation for any aspiring dictator -- no resistance. Doesn't sound very democratic.

[AleG]

It warms one's heart to see people standing up to defend corrupt, megalomaniac creeps against the consequences of their actions.

[birdpooguava]

It warms one's heart to see people standing up to defend corrupt, megalomaniac creeps against the consequences of their actions.

and to see others standing up for unelected, murdering coupists.

[ianf]

For the Thaksin and Red Shirt apologists the evidence in this video alone should bring shame upon them!

The reds response to having their electoral mandate stolen was justified and reasonable. In other more aggressive cultures such a shameless and unjust action would have prompted a full on civil war.

Utter nonsense. Nothing to do with that because there was no central philosophy and still isn't in the red movement. The red movement is akin to the 700,000 people that "supported" Mussolini which led to those terrible events all those years ago. We may well see history repeating itself here. It is a support base built by what Hitler proposed in Mein Kempf: That was do not build a movement on 'argumentation' but rather on appealing to the emotions. The Red Movement is solely a cross between a fan club and a movement to support one person, created by that person himself (and his cronies). Its about Greed and Power. If the Coup had been there as a long term Government (aka Burma), then perhaps there would have been a real human rights movement that understood and fought for democracy. But the Coup handed over to a Democratic process fairly quickly. Sadly, your exiled Hero has no truck with democracy and democratic principles apart from using the word as an emotional lever. Then there are many lies and rewriting of history in order to paint the post-coup Governments black. Sadly all that nonsense is transparent to all but the most hardened ideologues.

Edited March 29, 2012 by ianf

[ianf]

Can you explain why he's been unable to set foot in his own country please?

Because an illegal, unconstitutional junta, backed by groups of powerful people who had been marginalised by Dr.Thaksin, set up a committee, with state funds, stacked full of his arch enemies with the sole purpose of convicting him , no matter the lack of evidence. Then the court allowed the main prosecution witness, who was implicitly implicated in the trumped up case himself, to give private testimony, banning defence lawyers from the bent judges chambers. And consequently he was systematically, institutionally vilified to a brainwashed public.

That's why?

Excuse me - here is another excellent example of history being rewritten. See elsewhere for a more balanced and objective view!!!!

[TAWP]

Agree or disagree, the fact remains that this guy speaks for probably the single largest political constituency in the country. Those opposed can denigrate, besmirch and disparage his comments all they want, but they speak from an electoral minority position. Conversely, respecting these perspectives and this political block, would probably be the best starting point to any "reconciliation" process. Easier said then done, when a sense of political inequality by some, is pervasive to their very core. It is just another reason why "Reconciliation" is 'stillborn' as a valid political exercise.

It doesn't matter if someone gets 99% of the votes, if they are a criminal they must still answer for their actions.

[TAWP]

It warms one's heart to see people standing up to defend corrupt, megalomaniac creeps against the consequences of their actions.

and to see others standing up for unelected, murdering coupists.

PTP now does this in their firm support for Sonthi these last days.

I am looking forward to using those terms when talking about PTP now.

Thanks.