Red-Shirt Leaders Reunite, But Times Have Changed

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Red-shirt leaders reunite, but times have changed

The Nation May 27, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK:-- What will be the message to red shirts when Jatuporn, Natthawut, Veera host live political show on June 2?

On June 2 at the Thunder Dome, Muangthong Thani, a major political show will return to the stage. The "Truth Today" programme will come back with its three leading stars - Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut Saikua and Veera Musikapong. It will be the first such event to be held under a pro-Thaksin government, and this has sparked all kind of speculation.

The upcoming event was announced after Thaksin Shinawatra on May 19 virtually urged the red shirts to be less aggressive in order to facilitate reconciliation. His statement created widespread discontent among the extremists within the red shirt movement. With Jatuporn, Natthawut and Veera known as Thaksin's front-line soldiers, it is believed that the renewed show must be some kind of damage control rather than an attempt to undermine the big boss.

Then there was the controversial issue of reduced compensation for "political victims". The announcement that the promised Bt7.5 million would be cut down to just over Bt400,000 must have upset many. Again, if there are any red shirt leaders who could calm an uproar down, they must be those who fought along side other protesters during the 2010 political turbulence.

The three men have gone on separate paths. Natthawut has joined the Yingluck Cabinet, whereas Jatuporn's parliamentary star has waned after being recently disqualified as an MP. Veera has been promoting a "red shirt noodle" franchise and hosting some lesser red shirt TV programmes.

Thai politics is now quite different from three years ago, when whatever the three said was greeted with roars of chest-thumping acceptance. Today, the "enemies" are less powerful and the Thaksin camp is governing the country, making decisions on such things as compensation or amnesty.

Three years ago, Veera, Jatuporn and Natthawut could blame anything on "the other side", and that was always accepted without question. Certainly, they cannot do the same now. Natthawut will likely be asked why he has been rewarded with a Cabinet post while many red shirts were still shackled with legal trouble. Jatuporn's road in conventional politics has been bumpier than Natthawut's, but the beloved red-shirt leader would also have a lot to answer for if he is to be given a ministerial position. Veera used to draw loud cheers with his satires of Thaksin's enemies, but it's highly doubtful he will whip up red shirt frenzy on June 2 by lambasting Abhisit Vejjajiva or Prem Tinsulanonda.

The June 2 event could be just a show of force. Coming after Thaksin has begged for peaceful behaviour, however, it may raise some questions. If the idea is to have Veera, Jatuporn and Natthawut help calm things down, the three will have to walk a tightrope. Resentment against Thaksin's last video-link speech is an unheard of phenomenon as far as his relationship with the red shirts goes.

The trio used to guide or manipulate red-shirt sentiment thanks to their charisma and sharp tongues. Whether they can still do that on June 2 is a question mark. Three years ago, Thaksin, Veera, Natthawut, Jatuporn and the red shirts were one. Now, they are anything but. It is Thaksin himself who has changed the script all of a sudden. Fight for me, he told the red shirts before, during and in the immediate aftermath of their uprising. It was the message Veera, Natthawut and Jatuporn conveyed time and again at their protest site back in 2010. On May 19, Thaksin virtually told the red shirts he would not be able to return home if they continued to fight their enemies.

What will the trio tell the red shirts now? That Thaksin still needs their help? That he no longer needs their help? Either way, it's a potentially explosive message to convey.

-- The Nation 2012-05-27

[ratcatcher]

What will be the message to red shirts when Jatuporn, Natthawut, Veera host live political show on June 2?

.....................................

Answer.......................We don't need another hero"!

[LuckyLew]

"Red-shirt leaders reunite, but times have changed"

Yes times have changed .... no longer funded by their dear leader.

They were marched into battle, battle won ... troups abandoned

I hope the three mentioned above got their pay before being fired.

Someone new is gonna have to foot the bill for these parades and

other great fun events they organize. Who is gonna pay for

weenies and marshmellows next time they have a bon fire in Bkk?

[OzMick]

"......those who fought along side other protesters........"

I remember the speeches. "We will fight to (your) death. We are not afraid (for you) to die!"

And when the first soldier got near the stage, everybody's hands go in the air.

The sad fact is the sheeple who followed them thought only the heroism part of what they were saying was lies, when the complete fabric was made out of whole cloth.

[Thaddeus]

Again, if there are any red shirt leaders who could calm an uproar down, they must be those who fought along side other protesters during the 2010 political turbulence.

And there are how many of them?

[whybother]

Again, if there are any red shirt leaders who could calm an uproar down, they must be those who fought along side other protesters during the 2010 political turbulence.

And there are how many of them?

Maybe they're expecting a ghost.

[CHANGOVER]

Yep ''the time's they are a changing'', so they'll ''be blowin' in the wind''

[AleG]

"MP. Veera has been promoting a "red shirt noodle" franchise and hosting some lesser red shirt TV programmes."

W.T.F

That's MP Veera, so how about... I don't know, crazy idea, working for the country instead.

[geriatrickid]

The disunity crisis is wishful thinking on the part of the Nation. Nothing like a crisis to make things exciting.

The differences that are present now, were there all along. The UDD was a coalition of many divergent groups, all united in common purpose against the coup backers. Yes, time has passed and people are less angry today than they were when the Military's designated government, the Democrats were running the government. If the UDD figureheads are able to calm the waters, good for them. The more things are calm, the better we all are.

[smedly]

I'd like to know how a single political group are allowed to have airtime on national TV without opposition, I can understand this sort of thing taking place at election times but it is controlled and all sides get an equal airing - Looks like thaksin is attempting to patch things up

[whybother]

I'd like to know how a single political group are allowed to have airtime on national TV without opposition, I can understand this sort of thing taking place at election times but it is controlled and all sides get an equal airing - Looks like thaksin is attempting to patch things up

In this case it's just taking to the stage, and isn't on TV

On June 2 at the Thunder Dome, Muangthong Thani, a major political show will return to the stage.

But, some TV stations are privately owned, so they can show whatever they like.

[lannarebirth]

Yep ''the time's they are a changing'', so they'll ''be blowin' in the wind''

And if ever they realize they were "only a pawn in their game, well then "a hard rain's a'gonna fall".

[farang000999]

God bless doctor shinawatra

[ratcatcher]

God bless doctor shinawatra

Yes. just what the doctor ordered, but I'm sure God had nothing to do with him.

[phiphidon]

I'd like to know how a single political group are allowed to have airtime on national TV without opposition, I can understand this sort of thing taking place at election times but it is controlled and all sides get an equal airing - Looks like thaksin is attempting to patch things up

You've not heard of blue sky then?

[tomross46]

Is this why MCOT is tightening up on freedom of the press.

[OzMick]

I'd like to know how a single political group are allowed to have airtime on national TV without opposition, I can understand this sort of thing taking place at election times but it is controlled and all sides get an equal airing - Looks like thaksin is attempting to patch things up

You've not heard of blue sky then?

Sure. "Blue sky" is a euphemism for valueless promises. I'm sure they'll have a bucketful to hand out, but under a different name of course.

[FOODLOVER]

The disunity crisis is wishful thinking on the part of the Nation. Nothing like a crisis to make things exciting.

The differences that are present now, were there all along. The UDD was a coalition of many divergent groups, all united in common purpose against the coup backers. Yes, time has passed and people are less angry today than they were when the Military's designated government, the Democrats were running the government. If the UDD figureheads are able to calm the waters, good for them. The more things are calm, the better we all are.

Who is better for the uneducated poor ? Lame duck? I will and have done through rotary as well friar ray and others. What have the reds done for the poor? Reds are a joke for poor! Thaksin and family,Help us! We need it! Gk my account will be open for your contribution! Edited May 27, 2012 by FOODLOVER

[geriatrickid]

The disunity crisis is wishful thinking on the part of the Nation. Nothing like a crisis to make things exciting.

The differences that are present now, were there all along. The UDD was a coalition of many divergent groups, all united in common purpose against the coup backers. Yes, time has passed and people are less angry today than they were when the Military's designated government, the Democrats were running the government. If the UDD figureheads are able to calm the waters, good for them. The more things are calm, the better we all are.

Who is better for the uneducated poor ? Lame duck? I will and have done through rotary as well friar ray and others. What have the reds done for the poor? Reds are a joke for poor! Thaksin and family,Help us! We need it! Gk my account will be open for your contribution!

Do you undertsant the composition of the UDD? It is not solely made up of rural poor. Rather, its rank and file are drawn from the have nots of Bangkok and the population outside of Bangkok that have been marginalised. One need not be living in a tin shack in Udon to be marginalised. The assumption that the redshirts are impoverished rural poor is incorrect. Some of the staunchest supporters of the UDD are drawn from the mercantile sector of Thailand, merchants and small business owners that feel that they are blocked from opportunity by the coterie of "Bangkok" super wealthy. The UDD also includes groups with their own views on social justice and how Thailand's government should be structured. Until the UDD came along, there was no group that provided a voice to all these divergent groups.

Media outlets like the Nation present the UDD as barefoot bumpkins. However, they are not. It is a political organization that has emphasized grass roots organizing, has set up a "school" to teach community organizing and to explain the UDD political concepts. UDD organizers and leaders have actually undergone basic training if you will. They copied the approach that major political groups elsewhere use. The community training is similar to that used by political parties in India and the Register to Vote groups in the USA. The explanation of the political policies employs a methodology similar to that used by the Conservative parties in the UK and Canada. Several of the UDD trainers have spent time in the EU and the USA learning about the concepts of organizing and teaching. Please do not under estimate the strength, and the reach of the UDD. This is the error that both the PTP and the Democrats are making. One of the reasons that the PTP may be concerned about the UDD is that they have the potential to be a powerful third force that could decide future election results.

[gand]

I hope the red shirts have changed and given up on violence. You do not bring bottles of petro, AR-15s, TAR-21s, M16s, AK-47s, HK-33 assault rifles, and M79 grenade launchers to a peaceful protest.

[letitbe]

The disunity crisis is wishful thinking on the part of the Nation. Nothing like a crisis to make things exciting.

The differences that are present now, were there all along. The UDD was a coalition of many divergent groups, all united in common purpose against the coup backers. Yes, time has passed and people are less angry today than they were when the Military's designated government, the Democrats were running the government. If the UDD figureheads are able to calm the waters, good for them. The more things are calm, the better we all are.

i cant believe people have been so duped since Hitler

[gand]

The disunity crisis is wishful thinking on the part of the Nation. Nothing like a crisis to make things exciting.

The differences that are present now, were there all along. The UDD was a coalition of many divergent groups, all united in common purpose against the coup backers. Yes, time has passed and people are less angry today than they were when the Military's designated government, the Democrats were running the government. If the UDD figureheads are able to calm the waters, good for them. The more things are calm, the better we all are.

Was it not Thaksin that did the coup, since he was occupying the PM office illegally? So how is removing him a coup? But the 2010 riots were a Thaksin sponsored failed coup attempt.

[phiphidon]

You've not heard of blue sky then?

Sure. "Blue sky" is a euphemism for valueless promises. I'm sure they'll have a bucketful to hand out, but under a different name of course.

That's very apt then, it's the Democrat channel, but in no way funded or anything to do with them at all, because it would be violating the constitution if they did that.........................

Though the channel's identity, colour and theme were akin to that of the Democrat Party, he denied there was any link between the station and the party, saying the party would be violating the Constitution if it became involved.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/New-satellite-channel-targets-rural-communities-30169553.html

[phiphidon]

I hope the red shirts have changed and given up on violence. You do not bring bottles of petro, AR-15s, TAR-21s, M16s, AK-47s, HK-33 assault rifles, and M79 grenade launchers to a peaceful protest.

Do you actually keep a copy of this post? Surely you don't type it out each time. It's like one of those hallmark cards - bring it out to suit every occasion

[Thaddeus]

I hope the red shirts have changed and given up on violence. You do not bring bottles of petro, AR-15s, TAR-21s, M16s, AK-47s, HK-33 assault rifles, and M79 grenade launchers to a peaceful protest.

Do you actually keep a copy of this post? Surely you don't type it out each time. It's like one of those hallmark cards - bring it out to suit every occasion

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Most posters do it,

And so do you.

[Thaddeus]

And now I'm going to have to qualify what I meant by most, and find examples of when a certain poster has made a post containing a string of more than twelve characters that are the same as another one.

Before that starts.

Stop.