Remembering A Day We Learned Nothing From: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Remembering a day we learned nothing from
The Nation



The political violence of three years ago demonstrated that Thais have been unable to reap any benefit from past tragic experiences

BANGKOK: -- There were many days historically associated with our prolonged political crisis. There was the day the yellow shirts scaled the walls of Government House and occupied the compound, and the day they seized Suvanabhumi Airport. There was the day security troops cut some of them down. There were also the days Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted of share concealment, and when he sold his telecom empire to Singapore's Temasek without paying any taxes.

However, April 10, 2010, stands out above all. Three years ago this week, Thailand's political strife went past the point of no return. It was the day we realised we had been just kidding ourselves in the belief that previous political bloodletting had taught us valuable lessons.

Many will argue that May 19 the same year, when security forces opened fire on red-shirt protesters and arsonists burned down commercial buildings, was the most significant date thus far in our continuing political crisis. It, too, was tragic, but it followed the tipping point on April 10 that left Thailand at the bottom of the slippery slope. May 19 was arguably the day we saw how people at the bottom behave.

Before April 10, the political divide seemed contained, if barely. The clash between troops and still-unidentified "men in black" among the red-shirt protesters left scores of protesters and soldiers dead - and it changed everything. The saddest part was that the bloodshed was widely expected and many opportunities to prevent it went ignored. In the end, it happened perhaps because of the dark will of those who wanted to see it happen.

The carnage at the Kok Wua intersection set the course for what followed on May 19. The red shirts were furious and so were the armed forces. The Abhisit government grew tougher. It no longer seemed to matter who was right or wrong. The stage was irreversibly set for something worse.

On April 10 a nation that considered itself mature learned in the hardest possible way that it was not. While the violence and the casualty count was lesser than in October 1976 and May 1992, the Kok Wua clash was extraordinary in the way its seeming inevitability exposed a serious national flaw. A better-educated, more politically astute society supposedly ready to embrace democracy did nothing to stop the mayhem.

The tragedy robbed us of a fragile peace and further blackened many damaged souls. The political divide became so deep that foes belittled each other's deaths. Concepts of justice, vengeance and violence became roiled in a partisan muddle.

On that day many people gave up hoping for better and began fearing the worst. They realised how powerless they were to prevent bloodshed if that's what a powerful minority wanted. It was a day from which we yearned to learn a lesson, but knew we probably would not.

Some people believe that peace can't be achieved without war, that chaos must precede order. Before Kok Wua, the prevailing wisdom was that no government could survive if people died in a political uprising. It's sad if that was the protesters' theory driving the tumult of 2010, the belief that people had to die to oust the Abhisit administration.

"My red-shirt brothers should not have died," Thaksin Shinawatra told supporters by phone amid this week's commemorations of that tragic day. He was right, of course. That some of his brothers did die despite people like him saying so is the whole point of the tragedy of April 10.


-- The Nation 2013-04-13

[arthurboy]

The political violence of three years ago demonstrated that Thais have been unable to reap any benefit from past tragic experiences

Or maybe, some powerful people knew full well what they were doing at the time (and continue to do so), while the people who died - on both sides - were simply expendable casualties or a greater, more nefarious struggle for control.

The real tragedy is that those people responsible for this ongoing fiasco will never be taken to task, yet alone punished.

But look around, isn't that (mostly) the case in Thailand?

Corruption, drug and people trafficking, individual crimes etc. If you are powerful and have the necessary connections, the fact you will never be punished is a given of this society, and that person's position in it.

Edited April 13, 2013 by arthurboy

[Locationthailand]

"... Corruption, drug and people trafficking, individual crimes etc. If you are powerful and have the necessary connections, the fact you will never be punished is a given of this society, and that person's position in it...."

Well said and of course absolutely true. Lip service by Thaksin over the loss of his red brothers - what a joke. He is the one who should be indicted for their deaths. But Thailand will just continue to bump along the bottom in spite of itself as rule of law here has no meaning. The rules keep changing whilst the ball is in play.

[reiltin]

Often on this site many complain about the government and it's vassals treatment of foreigners from emigration issues,intolerance,the disparity of the judicial system to downright racism and a million other issues,but we've got or embassies,consuls,a global media that government is keen to portray Thailand in no less than a positive light.But,who can the thais themselves rely upon...the distain and contempt they show towards their own countrymen- a hard lesson every day,and everyday an unquestioning acceptance that tomorrow will be no better-theres nothing to learn-so learn nothing.

[bigbamboo]

No one should have died and no one would have had there not been someone orchestrating from afar.

[BrianCR]

No one should have died and no one would have had there not been someone orchestrating from afar.

It takes TWO parties to Tango!

[whybother]

No one should have died and no one would have had there not been someone orchestrating from afar.

It takes TWO parties to Tango!

It only takes one to push too far.

[Ragzilb]

You can spend your whole life fighting for something which is utterly wrong, and you can even die not knowing what you fight for is totally in vain. to make an example you have to look at todays systems which as made to control a barbaric world which we indeed is not today, Facisme Democracy, socialisme and so on, and all of it has now been eaten up by Greed, Selfishness, and the promise of power. we see it all over the world today. In Thailand is it just more open and is better seen by farang who often live in self believe that their countries are in a better state then Thailand...NOT right. just because you cant see it does not mean its not there. Thais are only learning of Fractional Reserve Banking, Money laundring, and the worse. What has happend to the Thailand I still love and have deep hopes for, but the same can be said of my own country,

To find a solution we need only to look a 3 simple words Thrive, Peace and Sufficient. 3 words that today seem impossible to understand, and to execute.

But there is still hope and good gain to make in the world and in wonderful Thailand. HRM understands with his Sufficient Economy beautiful in every way, the many now Organic Farmers and Peacekeepers we have today.

But our real enemies are the banks who are controlling the greatest weapons of todays era; Media, Communication, Medicine administrations, sugar companies and those alike.

Well Happy Song Kran To all of you

Edited April 13, 2013 by Ragzilb

[Markaew]

Often on this site many complain about the government and it's vassals treatment of foreigners from emigration issues,intolerance,the disparity of the judicial system to downright racism and a million other issues,but we've got or embassies,consuls,a global media that government is keen to portray Thailand in no less than a positive light.But,who can the thais themselves rely upon...the distain and contempt they show towards their own countrymen- a hard lesson every day,and everyday an unquestioning acceptance that tomorrow will be no better-theres nothing to learn-so learn nothing.

I'm guessing you are practicing your English.

[Markaew]

Everyone is so philosophical today. None of this news is really new or news.

If this country makes any improvements, which I have yet to find, they do it backing into it and with really tiny steps. Thailand can't seem to take 1 positive step forward. After a while you get numb to it.

Edited April 13, 2013 by Markaew

[sprq]

"On April 10 a nation that considered itself mature learned in the hardest possible way that it was not".

Thailand considered itself mature? In that case, Thai self-delusion knows no bounds.

[ppmacready]

Everyone is so philosophical today. None of this news is really new or news.

If this country makes any improvements, which I have yet to find, they do it backing into it and with really tiny steps. Thailand can't seem to take 1 positive step forward. After a while you get numb to it.

And yet ''WE'' STILL choose to live here!

So what hope for our own country's?

[NongKhaiKid]

"... Corruption, drug and people trafficking, individual crimes etc. If you are powerful and have the necessary connections, the fact you will never be punished is a given of this society, and that person's position in it...."

Well said and of course absolutely true. Lip service by Thaksin over the loss of his red brothers - what a joke. He is the one who should be indicted for their deaths. But Thailand will just continue to bump along the bottom in spite of itself as rule of law here has no meaning. The rules keep changing whilst the ball is in play.

I notice he never says anything about his red shirt brothers setting fire to Bangkok

[whybother]

"... Corruption, drug and people trafficking, individual crimes etc. If you are powerful and have the necessary connections, the fact you will never be punished is a given of this society, and that person's position in it...."

Well said and of course absolutely true. Lip service by Thaksin over the loss of his red brothers - what a joke. He is the one who should be indicted for their deaths. But Thailand will just continue to bump along the bottom in spite of itself as rule of law here has no meaning. The rules keep changing whilst the ball is in play.

I notice he never says anything about his red shirt brothers setting fire to Bangkok

I think he said that they didn't light ANY fires in Bangkok. Not sure what he said about the fires in the provinces.

[GazR]

Who would you rather have over for dinner: Abhisit or Thaksin ?

[reiltin]

Breakfast with Yingluck.......

[waza]

We all know the 2010 riots were about the confiscation of Thaksin ill gotten gains.

[Markaew]

Everyone is so philosophical today. None of this news is really new or news.

If this country makes any improvements, which I have yet to find, they do it backing into it and with really tiny steps. Thailand can't seem to take 1 positive step forward. After a while you get numb to it.

And yet ''WE'' STILL choose to live here!

So what hope for our own country's?

Actually, you completed my thought for me. None, to answer your question.

[Loptr]

No one should have died and no one would have had there not been someone orchestrating from afar.

It takes TWO parties to Tango!

It only takes one to push too far.

Did anyone really expect a different result 3 years ago after the impasse that was obvious between the two factions? I know I didn't, so why is anyone surprised at the results? Every conflict reaches the breaking-point unless one of the two parties backs down. When you add the aspect of face to the equation, I am surprised the death toll was not higher.

Edited April 13, 2013 by Loptr

[Crazy chef 1]

In regards to the head line: yesterday,the day before yesterday ,three days ago and so on...

[PoodMaiDai]

"A day we learned nothing from."

I'd recon that is everyday. Like the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, but with Thais.

[PoodMaiDai]

Everyone is so philosophical today. None of this news is really new or news.

If this country makes any improvements, which I have yet to find, they do it backing into it and with really tiny steps. Thailand can't seem to take 1 positive step forward. After a while you get numb to it.

And yet ''WE'' STILL choose to live here!

I think most of us wish they would just make the place a little better. Or at least make a real effort. If not for us, for our kids or our grandchildren. No place is perfect but trying to make something better should not be a bad thing or an impossible feat.

Call it evolving, moving forward, progressing, righting your wrongs, improving the quality of life, or whatever you want to call it. That is not too much to wish for no matter where you live. Moving backwards is going in the wrong direction regardless of where you are standing on this planet.

[Gerryasia]

The SEA is what it is. Anyone who believes that it is any more or any less evolved than anywhere elsein the third world, really must be delusional. Thailand is just another symptom of a worldwide disease...ie...

The powers that be and the ones that WANT to be.

New money versus old money.

New ideals versus old ideals.

Religion versus religion versus science...etc,etc,etc.

We are not in Thailand because we want to live in an "enlightened" society.

That should have been clear early on.

'_'

[Noistar]

The SEA is what it is. Anyone who believes that it is any more or any less evolved than anywhere elsein the third world, really must be delusional. Thailand is just another symptom of a worldwide disease...ie...The powers that be and the ones that WANT to be.New money versus old money.New ideals versus old ideals.Religion versus religion versus science...etc,etc,etc.We are not in Thailand because we want to live in an "enlightened" society.That should have been clear early on.'_'

The philosophy is

ME, ME, ME

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

I could understand it in Pattaya, where many of the girls travel 100s KM away from their families to do a gutty job to get some money for them.

In CM, the ME, ME, ME, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY is to buy a bigger house, a bigger car etc, etc.

A real 'glass half-empty'.

Makes me wonder who's worse, bar girls or those with a good standard of living.

In the meantime, Thailand will move in any direction except forward, and they neither realise, nor care, that they are missing out on 'the best is yet to come'

[dontejo]

No color, no race, no religion, no creed
no reason to hate.