Why should I care about Thai politics and why do so many TV members appear to?

[Jib Teenuc]

I'm of the opinion that Thai politics don't particularly affect me.

One of the reasons I intend retiring to Thailand is that UK politics DO affect me, often negatively.

But I can't see how Thai politics will.

I look forward to being able to "forget" politics when I retire (maybe observe it's affects on the poor beggars I will have left behind - smugness guaranteed).

Should Thai politics concern me? Am I currently ignorant of the dangers?

Many intelligent (and otherwise) members of the Thai Visa Forums seem to hold very political views.

Why?

Yours confusedly (ignorantly?),

Jib T

[AYJAYDEE]

you are definitely unaware of the dangers. it was only a couple of years ago some of the nationalists tried to provoke a war with cambodia to facilitate martial law. there is a potential for civil war.

Edited November 17, 2013 by AYJAYDEE

[Thai at Heart]

Well if you have a wife and kids and assets in the country, it would pay to be at least aware of what's going on.

If you think none of it effects you, at least you won't know it's going to hurt until after you got shafted.

[Jasun]

Where I come from voting is compulsory and you can't help but take an interest in the subject, even if it annoys the crap out of you. As a foreigner living abroad, It probably helps to know what's going on, but not knowing is way more enjoyable.

[Jib Teenuc]

Well if you have a wife and kids and assets in the country, it would pay to be at least aware of what's going on.

If you think none of it effects you, at least you won't know it's going to hurt until after you got shafted.

I still don't see how.

Will the Thai Nationals rise up and murder the Farangs (as happened in many former British Colonies during the 50's and 60's)?

Will the government sequester the contents of my bank account (as happened after the coup in Cuba)?

I don't believe it. Thailand is above all that and even the craziest of the crazy politicos would not dare.

Thailand s not Cambodia nor North Korea.

I still don't know why I should be interested in Thai politics (except as an unconcerned observer).

Thanks, anyway.

[Thai at Heart]

Well if you have a wife and kids and assets in the country, it would pay to be at least aware of what's going on.

If you think none of it effects you, at least you won't know it's going to hurt until after you got shafted.

I still don't see how.

Will the Thai Nationals rise up and murder the Farangs (as happened in many former British Colonies during the 50's and 60's)?

Will the government sequester the contents of my bank account (as happened after the coup in Cuba)?

I don't believe it. Thailand is above all that and even the craziest of the crazy politicos would not dare.

Thailand s not Cambodia nor North Korea.

I still don't know why I should be interested in Thai politics (except as an unconcerned observer).

Thanks, anyway.

They can change laws as they see fit whenever and however they like. I have worked for and run my own business in Thailand. To not know the law would be idiotic in that context.

Having been here in 97 and seen the financial chaos that caused, it pays to pay attention.

[timtscott]

Another reason not to own property.. easier to bug out if you need to.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[keith101]

anyone who thinks the politics of a foreign country that they are going to live in is asking for problems if they put the blindfold on . we all need to be aware of what is happening here and have a escape plan if needed .

[mmh8]

you will appreciate it soon, being critical of politics while knowing it is not your own country being run by the feckless.( I mean these or those particular feckless, well your county will still be run by the incompetents but at least you won't need to experience it or even read it),

quite liberating really old chap, a different breed of incompetence and ignorance , with no pretense of being transparent

[CharlieH]

Because Thai politics can determine whether you remain here or not, whether your visa conditions will change or not, for some, whether they lose their home, family etc because they can no longer remain here and all these aspects are influenced by govt. decisions right down to the money in yiur pocket and what its worth.

[AYJAYDEE]

Well if you have a wife and kids and assets in the country, it would pay to be at least aware of what's going on.

If you think none of it effects you, at least you won't know it's going to hurt until after you got shafted.

I still don't see how.

Will the Thai Nationals rise up and murder the Farangs (as happened in many former British Colonies during the 50's and 60's)?

Will the government sequester the contents of my bank account (as happened after the coup in Cuba)?

I don't believe it. Thailand is above all that and even the craziest of the crazy politicos would not dare.

Thailand s not Cambodia nor North Korea.

I still don't know why I should be interested in Thai politics (except as an unconcerned observer).

Thanks, anyway.

as someone who watched cambodian rockets flying past, seeing a school take a direct hit and have a town full of thai refugees a couple of years ago, i suggest thai foreign policy is important to all of us. and foreign policy is dictated by politics. i assure you, if a cambodian 105 mm shell lands on your house, or a muslim bomb goes off in a bus station you happen to be waiting in,you will be more than an unconcerned observer.

[Nowhereman60]

There are just too many who come here and become want a be Thais. They put on their yellow skirts and wave the Thai flag and think they are Thai.

[Thai at Heart]

There are just too many who come here and become want a be Thais. They put on their yellow skirts and wave the Thai flag and think they are Thai.

Haha.

The yellow shirted farangs? See them everywhere. Not

[barrybankruad]

Because Thai politics can determine whether you remain here or not, whether your visa conditions will change or not, for some, whether they lose their home, family etc because they can no longer remain here and all these aspects are influenced by govt. decisions right down to the money in yiur pocket and what its worth.

Very true Charlie. I believe that one should try and keep abreast of what is going on, but worrying undly as to what MIGHT happen is pointless. There is absolutely NOTHING that we can do to influence events taking place in the Country. Day after day we see TV posters raving on and on about the Thai authorities and how corrupt, inefficient and useless they are. Frankly I don't know why they bother. Getting their knickers in a twist and raising their blood pressure because of what they percieve (for instance) the Shinawatras are doing is not going to make one iota of difference at all. Keep up to date by all means, we live in interesting times, sit back, relax, que sera sera.

[Jib Teenuc]

Well if you have a wife and kids and assets in the country, it would pay to be at least aware of what's going on.

If you think none of it effects you, at least you won't know it's going to hurt until after you got shafted.

I still don't see how.

Will the Thai Nationals rise up and murder the Farangs (as happened in many former British Colonies during the 50's and 60's)?

Will the government sequester the contents of my bank account (as happened after the coup in Cuba)?

I don't believe it. Thailand is above all that and even the craziest of the crazy politicos would not dare.

Thailand s not Cambodia nor North Korea.

I still don't know why I should be interested in Thai politics (except as an unconcerned observer).

Thanks, anyway.

as someone who watched cambodian rockets flying past, seeing a school take a direct hit and have a town full of thai refugees a couple of years ago, i suggest thai foreign policy is important to all of us. and foreign policy is dictated by politics. i assure you, if a cambodian 105 mm shell lands on your house, or a muslim bomb goes off in a bus station you happen to be waiting in,you will be more than an unconcerned observer.

Nothing to do with whatever government is in power.

Cambodian shells or Muslim bombs will or will not happen, regardless.

[Jib Teenuc]

Because Thai politics can determine whether you remain here or not, whether your visa conditions will change or not, for some, whether they lose their home, family etc because they can no longer remain here and all these aspects are influenced by govt. decisions right down to the money in yiur pocket and what its worth.

As you quite rightly say, I can always leave.

But does anyone on this forum really believe I shall feel obliged to because any one of the three Thai parties are in control (Left, Right or Military)?

Why bother ourselves?

[thailiketoo]

I saw a newspaper story about it a while back.

[Jib Teenuc]

you will appreciate it soon, being critical of politics while knowing it is not your own country being run by the feckless.( I mean these or those particular feckless, well your county will still be run by the incompetents but at least you won't need to experience it or even read it),

quite liberating really old chap, a different breed of incompetence and ignorance , with no pretense of being transparent

And such directly (or indirectly) affects you and I how, exactly?

[Jib Teenuc]

I saw a newspaper story about it a while back.

LOL.

As I suspected.

Thai Visa members who are hooked on Thai politics are also more likely to be either homicidal or suicidal.

I am beginning to feel more and more vindicated in my lack of interest in Thai politics.

Thanks for that post.

It's a hoot.

[kikoman]

The least I know about Thai Politics the happier I am, if there is some great national problem I will hear about it from my Thai family and Thai television. I was very involved in the political process back in the states, that left a unpleasant realization that you are powerless to deal with the decisions of the ruling class, there I always used the power of my vote, here in Thailand I do not have that right.

I have lived in Thailand during military coups, red-shirt and yellow shirt battles, military conflict and tidal waves. Was not effected in the least by any of those happenings back in the village.

Why worry over something that is not within your power to change, even if I did want to change anything, which I do not!

Cheers:

[AYJAYDEE]

The least I know about Thai Politics the happier I am, if there is some great national problem I will hear about it from my Thai family and Thai television. I was very involved in the political process back in the states, that left a unpleasant realization that you are powerless to deal with the decisions of the ruling class, there I always used the power of my vote, here in Thailand I do not have that right.

I have lived in Thailand during military coups, red-shirt and yellow shirt battles, military conflict and tidal waves. Was not effected in the least by any of those happenings back in the village.

Why worry over something that is not within your power to change, even if I did want to change anything, which I do not!

Cheers:

nobody said worry, but u better be informed.

[AYJAYDEE]

Because Thai politics can determine whether you remain here or not, whether your visa conditions will change or not, for some, whether they lose their home, family etc because they can no longer remain here and all these aspects are influenced by govt. decisions right down to the money in yiur pocket and what its worth.

As you quite rightly say, I can always leave.

But does anyone on this forum really believe I shall feel obliged to because any one of the three Thai parties are in control (Left, Right or Military)?

Why bother ourselves?

depends how close you live to any violent event that might result from a government decision. the khmer rockets came within 20 km of us a couple of years ago.

[chrisinth]

As a guest/visitor/expat/ moving to a country to live, to ignore the politics of that country would be foolhardy indeed. To do so could land you in trouble.

However, as a guest/visitor/expat moving to a country to live and getting involved in that country's politics (attending rallies, etc.) knowing that they have no say in these politics, is also foolhardy. To do so will, eventually land you in a world of hurt.

It is a bit of give and take. Understand what is going on around you, but don't target yourself with inane comments or actions regarding subjects you have no control over. Expat 101............

Obviously, IMHO of course.........................

[A1Str8]

You shouldn't. They don't either. They are just bored.

[JoeThePoster]

Thai Visa members who are hooked on Thai politics are also more likely to be either homicidal or suicidal.

I'd rather kill myself, than commit suicide.

[kandi]

I find this attitude extremely problematic. One of the reasons why there's so much corruption and shit going on in Thailand is because most people rather play Candy Crush than observing and debating problems. Because nobody gives a shit, politicians can to what they want.

I don't believe people who say they don't care about politics. Because politic is not only about red and yellow, it affects everyone that lives here, if you like it or not.

I'm not a big fan of Thai politics myself, it's tiring and frustrating, but the more I follow the government's decisions, the more I learn about how they might react with different topics.

What kind of people are this that decide to spent the rest of their lives in a country and refuse to learn the language and not showing the least interest in its politics? When immigrants in the US or in Europe do like this, people are screaming to "send them back".

Refusing to at least being aware of the problems and the people of power in this country only to keep up their imaginary Disneyland are not citizens, they're slaves.

[WitawatWatawit]

I once had a beer in Jomtien with some fat-gutted Pommies whose only topic of conversation was the EPL. I left to find a real life.

[Jib Teenuc]

Some great replies.

But, if anything, all I've learned thus far is that the answer to my querie (being) "Why should I care about Thai politics", is that I'm correct in thinking that I shouldn't.

It makes absolutely no difference to me and I suspect it makes little or no difference to the Thai populace, either.

Seems to be rather like the political process back home.

"The new boss, just the same as the old boss and now the parting on the left is just a parting on the right".

Who said that.

[AYJAYDEE]

Some great replies.

But, if anything, all I've learned thus far is that the answer to my querie (being) "Why should I care about Thai politics", is that I'm correct in thinking that I shouldn't.

It makes absolutely no difference to me and I suspect it makes little or no difference to the Thai populace, either.

Seems to be rather like the political process back home.

"The new boss, just the same as the old boss and now the parting on the left is just a parting on the right".

Who said that.

you received lots of good answers. the fact that you dont believe them is up to you. its obvious that you really werent looking for answers, rather you just wanted to express a viewpoint.

[jdinasia]

We cannot vote,so the politics are of no interest to me,Thaksin lover,Thaksin hater,who gives a flying fxxx.Makes me laugh when some silly farang comes on here and starts ranting on about the Thaksin era,so funny.

I honestly believe that farangs talk about thai politics,because they think it makes them sound more inteligent,not so.I remember a mate quotiong a guy,who said that when Elvis goes,the son will kick out all farangs, heheheheheheheh,the guy who said it is an alcoholic,and a complete moron,and my mate half believed him.

LOL. True.

Ask any of them to name a politician other than Yingluk, Thaksin or Abhisit.

Ask them who is the Health, Education, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs minister. Even the Chancellor!

TV keyboard political warriors confuse me.

What is their fear and what is their point?

It makes not the slightest difference to me whether the Thai government is yellow or red, as far as I can make out.

Maybe earlier or later ber-bar closing hours (but as I'm invaraiably back home well before closing time and as I know that I can ALWAYS get a beer, regardless of the time of day or night, in Thailand) why should I care?

What difference do Thai governments (even millitary coups) make to me (or any of the populace, for tha matter) in real terms?

Being "annoyed" is not really enough of a reason to get involved IMHO.

So, why should I care about Thai politics?

(Getting an answer is like searching for the Holy Grail).

You have been given answers and your responses come across imho, as trolling

Watch as governments change the goalpost for everything including visas, banking, etc. ... What do you think happens if martial law or civil war happens?

Feel free to adopt a smug attitude about what happens back home when it then affects your wallet over here.

but the biggest most direct answer is, if you are considering uprooting your life and moving ... eventually it will. In fact, now, before you actually come to Thailand is the time to get educated. The again plenty of people simply throw their dice and never bother to learn the odds of the game.