Can 7 Wise Men Solve Thaksin Impasse?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Can 7 wise men solve Thaksin impasse?

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The September 19, 2006 coup has, for the past six years, inflamed the very political animosity it set out to resolve.

The military intervention to oust the then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has caused rival camps to bundle up partisan interests, Thaksin's individual stakes, coup impacts on the political system and reconciliation into a complex web of grudges against each other.

Although it is too late to change the past, all sides can still have a say on how to chart the future.

But if the rival camps remain adamant about settling old scores, then the political rough patch will never end.

Opponents of Thaksin often cite the rule of law, or the lack of it, to justify their arguments - that a rogue leader should be removed in order to safeguard the political system and that Thaksin should be punished instead of being granted an amnesty.

Supporters of Thaksin also talk about the rule of law, or the lack of it, to back up their arguments - saying foul play was committed because Thaksin could not be beaten at the ballot box and that an amnesty is necessary because of the absence of due process.

The rival camps remain rooted to their arguments. The harder they try to sway public sentiment to outmanoeuvre each other, the wider the political divide becomes.

Key players, like Pheu Thai Party, the Democrats, the yellow shirts, the red shirts and other advocacy groups, are rallying for or against Thaksin, regardless of the agitation inflicted on society.

And the coup has made it impossible to prove which side is more righteous than the other. The military intervention has already happened, hence there is little extra ability to shed light on Thaksin's leadership in the pre-coup period.

If the rival camps believe sentiment could help to resolve contentious issues involving Thaksin, then they should rethink.

In early 2005, Thaksin reaped Bt76 billion by selling his and his family's assets in the telecom business, triggering the huge outcry that led to his downfall.

In 2007, a judicial decision to seize Bt46 billion of Thaksin's telecom fortune helped cause the public wrath that led to the growth of the red-shirt movement.

The contradictory mood swing from 2005 to 2007 should serve as a reminder that moral sentiment is not a reliable compass.

It is self-evident that Thaksin is the man at the centre of the country's vast political divide.

All sides should start to decide what to do with him instead of skirting around the elephant in the room.

Issues involving Thaksin should be singled out and resolved separately from other political problems, such as rewriting the charter and granting an amnesty for those involved in political disturbances from 2005 to 2010.

Because Thaksin is such a controversial figure, without any precedent in modern Thai politics, reaching a resolution on his fate could require an unprecedented undertaking. The very question on whether Thaksin deserves amnesty should be settled by a panel of elders.

At present, the country has nine former prime ministers. If Thaksin is discounted due to conflict of interest along with Surayud Chulanont, who is a privy councillor, the other seven could be called upon to pool their collective wisdom.

The seven are a fair mix of critics versus allies and coup-linked people, versus democratically elected individuals.

Whereas the government, judiciary and legislature have failed to come up with a solution, why not let Chuan Leekpai, Anand Panyarachun, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Banharn Silapa-archa, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Somchai Wongsawat and Abhisit Vejjajiva decide on their peer Thaksin?

-- The Nation 2012-09-18

[GentlemanJim]

The issue is that we don't just need 7 wise men in Thai politics to solve the dichotomy, we need 7 Honest, wise men in Thai politics, and even in a nation of 65 million plus, that could be a huge number of Honest wise men to try and find.

[Siripon]

I'm sorry, there are only 3 wise men in that list: Khun Chuan, Anand and Apisit.

The third one caused Black May due to his lies regarding the premiership.

The fourth one has always had difficulty finding his moral compass, he's not known as a slippery eel for nothing.

The fifth one is the man, who years before Dr Weng, became known as the man whose speeches could not be understood.

The sixth is noted primarily for the fact he never got to sit in the PM's chair in Government House.

Surely Khun Awut can produce more meaningful articles than this?

[nurofiend]

why not let Chuan Leekpai, Anand Panyarachun, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Banharn Silapa-archa, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Somchai Wongsawat and Abhisit Vejjajiva decide on their peer Thaksin?

decide what exactly?

on his amnesty?

Edited September 18, 2012 by nurofiend

[maidu]

Is the opinion piece writer insinuating that former PM's have a handle on wisdom? As for being objective and impartial, fogedaboudit.

[KireB]

It just takes 1 man to solve the crisis and that is the main snake himself! Either he comes back to face justice or he just backs off, enjoys his wealth and never to be heard from again.

Problem of course is that with a moral bankrupt society where people sell their votes for a couple of Baht and where people think corruption is ok, it's just a matter of time before we have a next crisis.

[bunnaag]

why is it so difficult to understand.AS LONG AS TAXIN IS AROUND THERE WILL BE NO RECONSILIATION AND SOCIAL PEACE IN THAILAND.Never mind the number of wise men.

[FOODLOVER]

[Thaddeus]

Will these 7 wise men require a B visa and work permit?

[geriatrickid]

Magnificent 7 link deleted]

With all due respect, I think you meant to link to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, the original upon which the Magnificent Seven ripped off was based. It is considered to be one of the finest movies ever made.

[nurofiend]

Magnificent 7 link deleted]

With all due respect, I think you meant to link to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, the original upon which the Magnificent Seven ripped off was based. It is considered to be one of the finest movies ever made.

have you seen it? is it any good?

not trolling, genuinely interested in maybe watching it.

[geriatrickid]

Will these 7 wise men require a B visa and work permit?

No because they are Thai nationals. If they were foreigners they would all be married to hi so ladies that they did not meet in a bar and who had a really really important police official relation, and would not need to bother with such things.

[soundman]

Magnificent 7 link deleted]

With all due respect, I think you meant to link to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, the original upon which the Magnificent Seven ripped off was based. It is considered to be one of the finest movies ever made.

I know it's OT, but thanks for that link.

[Pib]

At present, the country has nine former prime ministers. If Thaksin is discounted due to conflict of interest along with Surayud Chulanont, who is a privy councillor, the other seven could be called upon to pool their collective wisdom.

The seven are a fair mix of critics versus allies and coup-linked people, versus democratically elected individuals.

I'd feel more confident in randomly picking 7 high school students to solve this mess---of course this assumes these students could be convinced to lay down their cell phones for a few hours to resolve the problem....instead they would probably want to discuss the problem on Facebook and Twitter.

[nurofiend]

Magnificent 7 link deleted]

With all due respect, I think you meant to link to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, the original upon which the Magnificent Seven ripped off was based. It is considered to be one of the finest movies ever made.

have you seen it? is it any good?

not trolling, genuinely interested in maybe watching it.

ok thanks, you've sold it to me.

[FOODLOVER]

Magnificent 7 link deleted]

With all due respect, I think you meant to link to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, the original upon which the Magnificent Seven ripped off was based. It is considered to be one of the finest movies ever made.

Thanks, did not know that, will watch. Edited September 18, 2012 by FOODLOVER

[SICHONSTEVE]

The issue is that we don't just need 7 wise men in Thai politics to solve the dichotomy, we need 7 Honest, wise men in Thai politics, and even in a nation of 65 million plus, that could be a huge number of Honest wise men to try and find.

Not so!!! you have Abhisit and.......... OK, it is so then!!.

[TS79]

It just takes 1 man to solve the crisis and that is the main snake himself! Either he comes back to face justice or he just backs off, enjoys his wealth and never to be heard from again.

Problem of course is that with a moral bankrupt society where people sell their votes for a couple of Baht and where people think corruption is ok, it's just a matter of time before we have a next crisis.

+1

[geriatrickid]

have you seen it? is it any good?

Yes. Brilliant film. Although black and white it is lauded for good reason. What is fascinating about the film is that it could actually be applied to Thailand and the current dilemma. A group of cantankerous samurai stand up against the marauders to protect the people. Who in Thailand will do this and take on Mr. Thaksin and the entrenched ruling class. Let's be honest, is Thaksin any different than those that oppose him within the elite? The dfference is that Thaksin shared some of the spoils with the people. The ruling oligarchy had a fear that if a precedent was set, there would be no stopping the masses. First its access to health care or education and next they'll be wanting employment equity and actual civil liberties.

How bloody hard is it to cut a deal with the man. Give him a face saving way to go off into oblivion. The Thaksin era is over, but so too is the Democrat/Military axis of divine rule. It's time for Thailand to move on before time passes it by.

Edited September 18, 2012 by geriatrickid

[bigbamboo]

The Magnificent Seven? In your dreams.

More likely to end up with The Three Stooges.

[FarangTalk]

The Thaksin era is over, but so too is the Democrat/Military axis of divine rule. It's time for Thailand to move on before time passes it by.

Problem is, neither side will acknowledge that.

[asiawatcher]

"It is self-evident that Thaksin is the man at the centre of the country's vast political divide."

Easy - send in the Mossadm or mercenaries. Problem solved since no-one can affect an extradition.

[Dap]

Magnificent 7 link deleted]

With all due respect, I think you meant to link to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, the original upon which the Magnificent Seven ripped off was based. It is considered to be one of the finest movies ever made.

have you seen it? is it any good?

not trolling, genuinely interested in maybe watching it.

It's a classic from Akira Kurosawa and yes, in the opinion of many, excellent movie fare.

[nurofiend]

have you seen it? is it any good?

Yes. Brilliant film. Although black and white it is lauded for good reason. What is fascinating about the film is that it could actually be applied to Thailand and the current dilemma. A group of cantankerous samurai stand up against the marauders to protect the people. Who in Thailand will do this and take on Mr. Thaksin and the entrenched ruling class. Let's be honest, is Thaksin any different than those that oppose him within the elite? The dfference is that Thaksin shared some of the spoils with the people. The ruling oligarchy had a fear that if a precedent was set, there would be no stopping the masses. First its access to health care or education and next they'll be wanting employment equity and actual civil liberties.

How bloody hard is it to cut a deal with the man. Give him a face saving way to go off into oblivion. The Thaksin era is over, but so too is the Democrat/Military axis of divine rule. It's time for Thailand to move on before time passes it by.

cheers for the good review ( i thought you ignored my request lol)

will definitely give it a watch now

[Tatsujin]

Can 7 wise men solve Thaksin impasse?

No. For a variety of reasons, not least of which you'll be hard pressed to find any 'wise' and/or 'honest' men within the Government in the first place.

And yes . . . the original film is WAY better than the rip-off western version.

Edited September 19, 2012 by Tatsujin