Pol Pot should be a reminder to all Thai people

[Sojuncoke]

Ask a Thai person if they know who Pol Pot is that massacred 1.5 million upper and middle class Cambodians trying to bring down capitalism and westernism and they will say no (Unless they took a Masters course in SE Asian History at a University).

I found out Thailand doesn't really go out of their way to teach them because they helped and traded with the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot up until his death. Some of the reasons was they wanted to have a buffer from the expanding Vietnamese and Arms trade with the Khmer Rouge.

It's kind of eerily similar that the Red Shirts and the Communist party in Thailand is fighting the Middle and upper class of Bangkok. Just like how it started in Cambodia only over 50 years ago. Do you think the same could happen in Thailand if it gets to a boiling point?

A lot of wars started for lesser reasons.

[taotoo]

No cos communism is dead and the thai populace is too rich.

[Hedghog]

In Lancashire they think Pol pot.

Is a new casserole dish,akin to hot pot.

[Briggsy]

You are correct that most Thais have zero idea of world politics. They are not interested.

Your contention that the current upheavals are based on a Marxist revolution are wide of the mark.

Try reading some political histories of Thailand and you will see a long-standing battle between, on the one hand, a nexus of military officers, senior mandarins and other senior figures in the clergy, press, academia all claiming to be defending the nation and the institution that is above politics and, on the other hand, political parties with widespread support from the rural populace in regional bases claiming to be the face of democracy.

The names change, the main actors change but the essential political battle remains unchanged.

[Sojuncoke]

You are correct that most Thais have zero idea of world politics. They are not interested.

Your contention that the current upheavals are based on a Marxist revolution are wide of the mark.

Try reading some political histories of Thailand and you will see a long-standing battle between, on the one hand, a nexus of military officers, senior mandarins and other senior figures in the clergy, press, academia all claiming to be defending the nation and the institution that is above politics and, on the other hand, political parties with widespread support from the rural populace in regional bases claiming to be the face of democracy.

The names change, the main actors change but the essential political battle remains unchanged.

Good post. Thanks.

[wprime]

What is this class war I keep reading about? The current crisis is Thaksin vs the old conservative elite. Both sides are using people of all classes in their struggle. I don't know how Thaksin managed to convince so many farangs he's just a peasant just struggling against the oppressive elites.

[Aussieroaming]

This is just scare mongering .... I know red shirts that are middle class.

[swissie]

Nevermind Communists, Red Shirts, Yellow Shirts and Pink Shirts.

Currently, the Thai-Elite (consisting of about 50 "influential families") are making an attempt to abolish a basically fledgeling democracy, in order to re-establish and cement a feudalistic system that has worked so well for them in the past.

Does anyone really think that corruption will be curtailed and "the general state of affairs" will improve in Thailand, once the "feudalists" are at the helm (again)?

Cheers.

[GreenSnapper]

"Pol Pot" is a much bigger danger in the West, where "activists", socialists, genderists, "occupy wallstreet" and many other ideologists "fight capitalism". Those are the people who should learn a bit about history.

Here in Thailand it is just a conflict between different groups in society. Both have no clue on Pol Pot as Thailand has never lived on ideological principles as it is common in the West.

[benalibina]

You are correct that most Thais have zero idea of world politics. They are not interested.

Your contention that the current upheavals are based on a Marxist revolution are wide of the mark.

Try reading some political histories of Thailand and you will see a long-standing battle between, on the one hand, a nexus of military officers, senior mandarins and other senior figures in the clergy, press, academia all claiming to be defending the nation and the institution that is above politics and, on the other hand, political parties with widespread support from the rural populace in regional bases claiming to be the face of democracy.

The names change, the main actors change but the essential political battle remains unchanged.

Only look at the front page of Bangkok Post from last decades. Same topics. Names change. Although !!

[Kangawallafox]

Thai people believe pol pot is best with rice not noodles.

Quite spicy I hear,a real killer.

[sbk]

As posted in other threads, there are plenty of political threads in news. lets try to keep General free of the politics, thanks

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