Thai editorial: Is the government pushing its luck too far?

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Is the government pushing its luck too far?
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- If the Pheu Thai administration pushes through a blanket amnesty for political wrongdoing, opposition could swell and street protests could turn ugly once again

Ongoing moves by politicians in the ruling Pheu Thai Party have many people puzzled. Government representatives on the House committee vetting the amnesty bill are pushing for a blanket amnesty for all those involved in the political conflict. That includes those responsible for the deaths of 91 people killed during the unrest of 2010 and politicians accused or convicted of corruption or abuse of power after the coup of 2006.

The original bill proposed by Pheu Thai MPs and red-shirt leader Worachai Hema offered amnesty only to ordinary protesters, but the ruling party on Tuesday resolved to support the revised version. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is adamant that the amnesty bill is a matter for Parliament and has nothing to do with her government, but all of the MPs who back the bill are from the ruling party, and Pheu Thai has given its stamp of approval to the revision.

These moves have come amid widespread scepticism over hidden motives and allegations. It would appear that the blanket amnesty is aimed at benefiting ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for abuse of power. In addition, Bt46 billion of his assets - deemed to have been earned unfairly while he was in power - were seized.

Those two cases against Thaksin, resulting in the verdicts in 2008 and 2010, stemmed from investigations by the Assets Examination Committee, which was set up after the 2006 coup that brought down Thaksin's government. Thaksin fled the country shortly before the verdict in the first case was read in October 2008 and has lived in self-exile overseas ever since. The ruling in the second case, in February 2010, was read in the absence of the ex-premier.

There must be good reasons for these Pheu Thai politicians to push for a blanket amnesty. Some of them have said they want Thaksin, who is referred to as "the big boss" by many in the ruling party, to return to Thailand a free man. However, their move has led to opposition from many groups, including the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and even some factions of the red-shirt movement that is Pheu Thai's main pillar of support.

During 10 weeks of unrest and subsequent riots in 2010, in addition to protesters, dozens of others were also killed, including soldiers, policemen, residents, passers-by and foreign journalists. HRW has called for justice for the families of the dead protesters and for those responsible to be punished.

The ongoing push for a blanket amnesty is likely to lead to a new round of conflict and possibly violence. It's a risk that could be avoided if the politicians actually showed more care for the interests of ordinary protesters and the country, as they claim to do.

Groups opposing a blanket amnesty are demonstrating in Bangkok. Leading figures in the opposition Democrat Party have called a national rally starting today, when the House of Representatives begins its second reading of the amnesty bill.

The government is confident regardless, given its majority in Parliament and the weak opposition. However, many governments in the past made the mistake of underestimating protesters in the streets. When thousands of people rally to a cause, the situation can easily slip beyond the control of those in power.


-- The Nation 2013-10-31

[klubex99]

Is the government pushing its luck too far?

Waiting patiently for the answers to that one.

Hope they have.

[NongKhaiKid]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

[Thaddeus]

Question.

The House of Representatives.

Who do they represent?

(Eve of destruction was Barry McGuire, I'm an old DJ, can't help blurting out music trivia)

Edited October 31, 2013 by Thaddeus

[rametindallas]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

Can you imagine how much more peaceful Thailand would be if Dr. Thaksin had stayed out of politics after the coup and how much less 'bad blood' there would be if he had not instigated and funded the '09 and '10 attempted revolutions? I attribute 90% of the strife, anger, and heartache (not to mention economic losses) to Dr. Thaksin alone. Without him, this country would have settled back into the peaceful, mai pben rai lifestyle that Thais are know for. Evil, pure evil.

[A1Str8]

It's not pushing its luck. It's watching its downfall.

[Tatsujin]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

Can you imagine how much more peaceful Thailand would be if Dr. Thaksin had stayed out of politics after the coup and how much less 'bad blood' there would be if he had not instigated and funded the '09 and '10 attempted revolutions? I attribute 90% of the strife, anger, and heartache (not to mention economic losses) to Dr. Thaksin alone. Without him, this country would have settled back into the peaceful, mai pben rai lifestyle that Thais are know for. Evil, pure evil.

I couldn't agree more. It's gone rapidly downhill here since 2010 in many ways, especially attitudes. I hope it goes back to some semblance of (Thai) normality soon.

[moe666]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

Can you imagine how much more peaceful Thailand would be if Dr. Thaksin had stayed out of politics after the coup and how much less 'bad blood' there would be if he had not instigated and funded the '09 and '10 attempted revolutions? I attribute 90% of the strife, anger, and heartache (not to mention economic losses) to Dr. Thaksin alone. Without him, this country would have settled back into the peaceful, mai pben rai lifestyle that Thais are know for. Evil, pure evil.

I couldn't agree more. It's gone rapidly downhill here since 2010 in many ways, especially attitudes. I hope it goes back to some semblance of (Thai) normality soon.

There is an old saying You can never go back.

[BeforeTigers]

We'll find out tomorrow.

[worgeordie]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

A maybe "Street fighting man" by the Rolling Stones ,can become an anthem if things

keep going on they way they are,especially by the Red Shirts.

regards Worgeordie

[NongKhaiKid]

Question.

The House of Representatives.

Who do they represent?

(Eve of destruction was Barry McGuire, I'm an old DJ, can't help blurting out music trivia)

Thank You 3 times, it was driving me crazy that I couldn't remember the singers name.

[spidermike007]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

Can you imagine how much more peaceful Thailand would be if Dr. Thaksin had stayed out of politics after the coup and how much less 'bad blood' there would be if he had not instigated and funded the '09 and '10 attempted revolutions? I attribute 90% of the strife, anger, and heartache (not to mention economic losses) to Dr. Thaksin alone. Without him, this country would have settled back into the peaceful, mai pben rai lifestyle that Thais are know for. Evil, pure evil.

Yes, Thailand had a responsibility to it's people to "do something" about mr. toxic, within a few weeks of him being deposed. Instead they "did nothing". And look at how that extreme degree of lethargy has come back to haunt them. He cares nothing for his country, nor his people. The only concerns for him are money and power. His lack of regard for his people should have made him a pariah long ago. But, some continue to believe in him. Granted, he was the first PM to actually institute policies that benefitted the masses. That was huge. Prior to him, the masses were ignored completely. Treated as if they did not exist. Elitism to an extreme. But people, have you not seen through this worm yet? He cares nothing for his people. Nothing. He defines the term megalomania.

[ridkun]

Question.

The House of Representatives.

Who do they represent?

(Eve of destruction was Barry McGuire, I'm an old DJ, can't help blurting out music trivia)

In Thai, it is literally House of People's Representatives, but apparently not practically.

[Thai at Heart]

I remember a successful pop hit in the '60s called ' Eve of Destruction ' which was about the potential for nuclear war but the title is suitable for anything that could turn into a major disaster.

Maybe some Thai artist should re-release it as ' Eve of Self-Destruction ' and it's sick to think this situation is all about the ego, lust for power and self-preservation of just one man.

Can you imagine how much more peaceful Thailand would be if Dr. Thaksin had stayed out of politics after the coup and how much less 'bad blood' there would be if he had not instigated and funded the '09 and '10 attempted revolutions? I attribute 90% of the strife, anger, and heartache (not to mention economic losses) to Dr. Thaksin alone. Without him, this country would have settled back into the peaceful, mai pben rai lifestyle that Thais are know for. Evil, pure evil.

This all goes back to 97 and the associated corruption that occurred then. If you are a businessman as large as Thaksin, would you leave your business future up to babharn, chavalut and chuan?

[greg71]

Should be saying ,Is the government pushing yingLuck too far ?

[SparklingCascades]

Neither Pheu Thai nor Democrats need to "push" this or push that. They need to try Implementing just half of the several thousand laws already in place. It will deliver wins to Thailand.

In Thailand we have laws for everything and keep trying to push through more laws - as though with more laws gathering dust people automatically become law-abiding. Such nonsense given that only 1/10th of all laws are ever implemented.

Doing business in Thailand becomes a nightmare IF one tries to obey every single law given the meaningless legal maze successive govt's have wrapped us in. Leaves business with no choice but to obey the rational laws and ignore the rest. And yet - we have more laws being passed like this amnesty for violent, thieving people who dressed in the colors of a political party to look half-decent. shame.

[WitawatWatawit]

What a poorly written editorial. We don't need umpteen pars of background, we need advanced analysis, interpretation, questions, food for thought.

Forexample, why are the masses opposed to the Taxsinner so quiet? Are they dead, dormant or being deceptive? The build up to any protests seems remarkably tame compared to previous years. Is it because of ennui? Is it because people don't want a repeat of 2010? Is it because the yellows want to see Abhi and Su in the clear? (They'll not be convicted, we all know that.) Is itbecause a Const Court hurdle looms and it's too soon to protest? And, just how deep is the split in the PT ranks? Is it so bad that the Taxsinner's money can't heal it?

My head's spinning. I need some of that coffee with viagra in it.

[tomross46]

The government is only following instructions, from afar. They are doing as they are told, by Big Brother, the Fearless Leader.

[marell]

Hard to say. Though they seem to have cut a deal with the army; which generally defines how far any government can push anything.

[ableguy]

What a poorly written editorial. We don't need umpteen pars of background, we need advanced analysis, interpretation, questions, food for thought.

Forexample, why are the masses opposed to the Taxsinner so quiet? Are they dead, dormant or being deceptive? The build up to any protests seems remarkably tame compared to previous years. Is it because of ennui? Is it because people don't want a repeat of 2010? Is it because the yellows want to see Abhi and Su in the clear? (They'll not be convicted, we all know that.) Is itbecause a Const Court hurdle looms and it's too soon to protest? And, just how deep is the split in the PT ranks? Is it so bad that the Taxsinner's money can't heal it?

My head's spinning. I need some of that coffee with viagra in it.

Nobody is being paid to protest this time, the reds were fed and paid. No money same no vote.

[Artisi]

The harder they push the red-shirts the better, it may well bring the downfall of the corrupt little demi-god and his merry band of brown-noses to an end.(no pun meant there)

Edited October 31, 2013 by Artisi

[Ricardo]

Prime Minister Yingluck is adamant that the amnesty bill is a matter for Parliament and has nothing to do with her government

"Quick, bring me lots of water, I need to be seen to be washing my hands of this mess, obsessively !"

It's proposed by a PTP-MP, the crucial amendment (against the wishes of the proposer) was by a committee dominated by PTP & its allies, they're all under a three-line whip to vote for it under pain of having the cash cut-off & being cut-out of the party for the next election, and it's wildly controversial with the country ... but it's nothing to do with the PM, who just happens to be Thaksin's sister, or the government she claims to lead, who are all just following his orders as usual ?

And bears' lavatory-of-choice isn't a woodland-glade, either, I suppose ?