Thai protest leaders call on caretaker government to step down

[rubl]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

No idea on this. Maybe ask Dr. weng, Nattawut, Korkaew, Jaruporn and Arisman ?

[Siripon]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

It's called percentages... 200,000 people willing to march against the government represents a percentage of millions of voters nationwide that agree with them. Ever read a poll?

It seems you put more weight into poll's taken rather than an election result. You ever read an election result? so yes, "it's called percentages"

and a greater percentage of people prefer the current government...

That's what Thaksin and Yingluck think- the working class will still support them despite their dreadful performance over the last 2 years.

Never mind the crazy rice scheme have you noticed how the government's opaque water management public hearings have been going down nationwide? The officials have been chased out of the auditoriums for lack of transparency.

Even if PT win again Thaksin's star is rapidly fading ' Thaksin thinks, Pheua Thai does' - sure, and the rice industry collapses and half the country is up in arms over an outrageous bill.

And still he feels sorry for himself.

[Mampara]

With the current government, Thailand is learning an ugly truth about democracy - a democratically elected government is no guarantee that it will be competent or immune to corruption. This is true throughout the world but is especially true here if, as polls in Thailand have found, people are willing to accept corruption as a matter of course, especially if it benefits them personally. Thais are learning firsthand the truth of the famous quote, generally misattributed to de Tocqueville, that "Every nation gets the government it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre, Letter 76, on the topic of Russia's new constitutional laws (27 August 1811); published in Lettres et Opuscules.

David

de Tocqueville's Democracy in America was mandatory reading when I was at University...

You mean you actually went to university???

[citizen33]

Thailand cannot be so bad if the authorities allow an internet forum where expats openly advocate bringing down an elected government and ending democracy. Some of the views expressed on this thread are a touch to the right of Genghis Khan.

[Crushdepth]

With the current government, Thailand is learning an ugly truth about democracy - a democratically elected government is no guarantee that it will be competent or immune to corruption. This is true throughout the world but is especially true here if, as polls in Thailand have found, people are willing to accept corruption as a matter of course, especially if it benefits them personally. Thais are learning firsthand the truth of the famous quote, generally misattributed to de Tocqueville, that "Every nation gets the government it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre, Letter 76, on the topic of Russia's new constitutional laws (27 August 1811); published in Lettres et Opuscules.

David

de Tocqueville's Democracy in America was mandatory reading when I was at University...

You mean you actually went to university???

...says the guy with the buffalo avatar

[JoeLing]

Just wonder what will this Thailand run by a "Peoples Council" made up by "a few good people" look like?

Which example will Thailand follow?
Something like the People's Council (or House of Representatives) of Indonesia?

Or something like the People's Council (similar to a Cabinet) of Vietnam?
Maybe the system of a People's Council of Yemen or Turkmenistan?

Most likely, Suthep's idea of a new Thailand will be more like the People's Council of Syria
which is supposed to be run by "a few good" people too, mainly Assad

[Chris Lawrence]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

Is that the Bangkok people? What about the rest of the country where there are no demonstrations? Or put it with the two who are yet to face court on murder charges?

[ratcatcher]

Thaksin was at the UN when the coup ousted him out.

If Yingluck attends Nelson Mandela's funeral will Suthep

raise the stakes with his revolutionary council?

Yingluck asked was his name Horatio ?????

With this crisis on going, Ms Yingluck's place is here in Thailand. Since P.M. Thaksin had previously visited Madiba, maybe he has already got a place at the Soweto ceremony.

[Robby nz]

No one has said they don't want elections.

Suthep is saying that he does want elections and so are everyone else.

BUT, what they are saying is that the house needs to be cleaned first.

There is no point in holding elections till this is done.

No matter who wins an election if they are still to work under the same set of rules that allows corruption to flourish and the checks and balances to be eroded then the new Govt can take advantage and if they do, things will stay the same.

According to the red posters and some others, all pollies are corrupt and one is as bad as the other.

If that were true then surely there needs to be something there to stop them or at least control them from taking advantage of their position of power.

Given what we have seen in the last two years that, obviously, is not there at present.

Those who are elected to parliament are supposed to be working for the good of the people and the good of the country.

If the right people cant be found who will do that then there needs to be something, some law with teeth that forces those who are there to work for the good of the people and not for their own good.

[Thai at Heart]

"- return power to the people to establish a people’s council."

An oxymoron?

Yes, it is classic fascist terminology

This is the most ridiculously contradictory situation isn't it. As bad as the Shin clan maybe, how bad might the next bunch be?

[ratcatcher]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

Is that the Bangkok people? What about the rest of the country where there are no demonstrations? Or put it with the two who are yet to face court on murder charges?

You just don't get it do you?

These hundreds of thousands of citizens are from all over Thailand. Many live and work in Bangkok and among them are a few so called hi-sos. The pictures on TV show a broad spectrum of different people all with the same feelings. That the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, fronted by his attractive young sister, is at a crisis. The rest of the country is represented by the myriad protesters able to get into Bangkok and those who already live and work there.

There are large pockets of disgruntled and disgusted citizens in every part of Thailand.

This isn't about red shirts versus yellow shirts, it's about stopping the rape and pillaging of the nation by those at the PTP trough, before Thailand is bankrupt.

And the way to stop this Shin cancer is to exorcise them and their cronies now before any more damage is done.

Maybe then Thailand stands a chance in ASEAN and the rest of the world.

[Thailand]

No one has said they don't want elections.

Suthep is saying that he does want elections and so are everyone else.

BUT, what they are saying is that the house needs to be cleaned first.

There is no point in holding elections till this is done.

No matter who wins an election if they are still to work under the same set of rules that allows corruption to flourish and the checks and balances to be eroded then the new Govt can take advantage and if they do, things will stay the same.

According to the red posters and some others, all pollies are corrupt and one is as bad as the other.

If that were true then surely there needs to be something there to stop them or at least control them from taking advantage of their position of power.

Given what we have seen in the last two years that, obviously, is not there at present.

Those who are elected to parliament are supposed to be working for the good of the people and the good of the country.

If the right people cant be found who will do that then there needs to be something, some law with teeth that forces those who are there to work for the good of the people and not for their own good.

I doubt if there is one country left in the world where politicians work for the good of the people?

[JAG]

 

 

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up  once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

It's called percentages... 200,000 people willing to march against the government represents a percentage of  millions of voters nationwide that agree with them. Ever read a poll? 

 

It seems you put more weight into poll's taken rather than an election result.     You ever read an election result?  so yes, "it's called percentages"

and a greater percentage of people prefer the current government...

 

 

No  NO  48%  BEFORE preferred this regime.  the other % your talking about sided with them to get in the trough.

 

I posted before what % do this regime expect now ????  with out the hangers on smaller parties they raked in the trough.  with out them now they would be useless.

.

Dr Goebbels would be proud of you! You have been peddling this big lie for some time now. The facts are that the government won a sound majority of seats in a parliament properly elected within the rules of the Constitution.

They have now responded to these protests by offering themselves for reelection.

The fact that the protest movement's leaders don't want an election but an appointed government speaks volumes, not just about their ultimate popularity but also about their belief in parliamentary democracy

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand, compared to a lot of other Nations around the World, is still a land of opportunity. If, as a Thai person, you are healthy, don't drink, don't do drugs and don't gamble, chances are, with hard work and a little bit of planning ,you can still get ahead in this Country, no matter who is in power.

A lot of poor people, I see around me, are poor, not because of external circumstances, but rather because of their own actions and reactions to situations.

Whilst this may be true in some cases, I cannot agree. Thailand has pursued a Thai Chinese desire to have agricultural and low income jobs in huge volumes to set the tone for their industry. They have chased the ideals of protected domestic agriculture industry to feather the pockets of a few uber rich famliese and neglected to educate their people so that by now Thailand should not be faced with having 40% of teh population still languishing in agriculture.

By now, Thailand should have moved up the scale and should have on the average a much better qualified level of work force so that they can handle transitioning from being a shrimp or rice export centre to being a technological or manufacturinga and design powerhouse. They have automotive but are basically just an assembly hub not an R+D hub. "I'm all right jack" has come back to haunt Thailand. Chasing short term plaudits like "The largest exporter of rice" has hurt the country in the end because no one bothered to check if that was really the best path for the country.

I look at town that I was living in and it houses believe it or not, the biggest fishing net makers in the WORLD staffed almost entirely by 6000 BURMESE. I have been in a brand new chicken export factory in Chachoengsao where the daily manual labour of 4000 CAMBODIANS. These people are not operating on the basis of what is the best way for Thailand but for their own pocket and operating virtually to the detriment of the country. Buggar investing in equipment, buggar investing in technology, the only way they know is to get hold of cheap people. That is where Thailand stands.

[Thai at Heart]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

Is that the Bangkok people? What about the rest of the country where there are no demonstrations? Or put it with the two who are yet to face court on murder charges?

I have hundreds of pictures sent from friends up country. Fairly big crowds.

[hagler]

The democrats haven't won an election in over 20 years.

And they wont win the next one.

And so it goes. On and on and on.

[hansnl]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

I think the way it works in a democracy is that the people speak at the ballot box - so let's wait and see ok ?

Oh yes, definitely.

The ulimate power of the people should be expressed on the ballot.

That is where the people name their representatives that SHOULD do their bidding......

That means all the voters, and not only the 47% who voted for a certain party, disregarding the 53% of the voters that voted NOT on the biggest party.

And that is exactly what went wrong, the shinawatra clan & clique disregarded the wishes of the people not voting for them but also the whishes of the people that voted for them, and only regarded the wishes of the clan & clique.

The protests against the government of the day are the ultimate form of democracy.

The biggest lesson people should learn is not to rely on voted figures to do their bidding.

That is why the Swiss system is really the best, in all important or less important issues the people decide, their representatives are only there to keep the ship of state continuing its chosen route,

Parliamentary democracy has proven it does not really work, the representatives of the people disregard the wishes of the people.

[GAZZPA]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

It's twice I have read this kind of statement now. It is absolutely normal that most people do not actively demonstrate, particularly on a working day. However, the fact the 150,000 or so did turn out is a very strong indication that people are not happy with things. You can be sure that there will be countless more at work or at home who support the protests for sure. Do you really expect tens of millions of people to protest on the same day, please be sensible.

The protests are being taken very seriously by everyone, including the existing government so it seems that others can see the significance of the volume of people taking to the streets even if by population it is a small percentage.

[disagree]

I remember reading in history books about the years before Hitler got elected. The browns and reds were driving through cities, hissing their flags and often confronting each other and beating each other up / killing each other.

What could be done in Thailand outside the boundaries of the 2 main parties? What could be learned from e.g. Singapore? What can we learn from Nelson Mandela?

This funnel towards escalation is not the right route, but which route is? What's to be desired at the end of the funnel?

[diehard60]

I have only one question - WHO is the PEOPLE'S COUNSEL? OH I know - Suthep and the dems. Who do not know anything about real democracy.

[diehard60]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

It's twice I have read this kind of statement now. It is absolutely normal that most people do not actively demonstrate, particularly on a working day. However, the fact the 150,000 or so did turn out is a very strong indication that people are not happy with things. You can be sure that there will be countless more at work or at home who support the protests for sure. Do you really expect tens of millions of people to protest on the same day, please be sensible.

The protests are being taken very seriously by everyone, including the existing government so it seems that others can see the significance of the volume of people taking to the streets even if by population it is a small percentage.

You maybe right but it is still not the MAJORITY, it is a small portion. The people protesting were brought up from the south from suthep area and some from the city.

[samtam]

Whoever is supporting Suthep must be very powerful. How else can you explain the ease with which a "mob" of 100-200k have managed to get a government with a large majority to resign? The interim government concept is outside the constitutional framework, but then again, so are coup d'états. What has taken place over the last 5 weeks leading up to today's announcement is a coup d'état, but without the obvious source of the military. But a nod and a wink and a deal has been done. This "People's Council" is gaining traction, and it might well be the plan; Suspension of the constitution until the issues of voting have been resolved, and throw in a bit of a purge for the corruption and huge losses from the rice pledging and other populist schemes that have cost the country dear, and hey presto, GDP temporarily screwed, but problem solved. An election on the same basis as previously is really a non-starter.

So now we have the answer: the NACC will continue to investigate the 312 MPs that the Dems have asked to be impeached. One can assume that there is a good chance that some or many will be found guilty of corruption, and banned from politics.

[diehard60]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

I think the way it works in a democracy is that the people speak at the ballot box - so let's wait and see ok ?

Speaking at the Ballot box here means which party has offered you the most money for your vote

You dont know you need to go to the rural areas where this takes place and you would see(if your eyes were open) that all parties gave the same amount and the dems gave the most.

[tingtongteesood]

I have a bad memory so please add to and correct this if there are any omissions or mistakes.

Thaksin runs the country, his sister is his mouthpiece and head of the military, the current head of CAPO is a relation and also gave the convicted criminal his new passport in his capacity as foreign minister, the head of police is one of his bestest friend cronies hence why the police do nothing against PT and the head of the election commission would do his utmost to see PT win as he is also related to the square faced fugitive. Correct ? And whilst the Dems have not won an election in some years, 3 of Thaksin's 'parties' have been banned for electoral fraud, just for 5 years each time sadly, should be life bans for all ! Since his relation is in charge of elections, they can do what they want and get away with it now -- or at least that is the plan. AND HEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM !!! How can you have fair elections when a relation of one of the sides is in charge of them ?!?!

[GAZZPA]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

It's twice I have read this kind of statement now. It is absolutely normal that most people do not actively demonstrate, particularly on a working day. However, the fact the 150,000 or so did turn out is a very strong indication that people are not happy with things. You can be sure that there will be countless more at work or at home who support the protests for sure. Do you really expect tens of millions of people to protest on the same day, please be sensible.

The protests are being taken very seriously by everyone, including the existing government so it seems that others can see the significance of the volume of people taking to the streets even if by population it is a small percentage.

You maybe right but it is still not the MAJORITY, it is a small portion. The people protesting were brought up from the south from suthep area and some from the city.

In a 65 million country population such as Thailand how many people need to take to the streets in the capital in protest before anyone takes it seriously? Is 180,000 / 200,00 slice not enough to take a statistical view on the thoughts and views of the nation? Personally I think it is.

[fab4]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

It's twice I have read this kind of statement now. It is absolutely normal that most people do not actively demonstrate, particularly on a working day. However, the fact the 150,000 or so did turn out is a very strong indication that people are not happy with things. You can be sure that there will be countless more at work or at home who support the protests for sure. Do you really expect tens of millions of people to protest on the same day, please be sensible.

The protests are being taken very seriously by everyone, including the existing government so it seems that others can see the significance of the volume of people taking to the streets even if by population it is a small percentage.

You maybe right but it is still not the MAJORITY, it is a small portion. The people protesting were brought up from the south from suthep area and some from the city.

In a 65 million country population such as Thailand how many people need to take to the streets in the capital in protest before anyone takes it seriously? Is 180,000 / 200,00 slice not enough to take a statistical view on the thoughts and views of the nation? Personally I think it is.

So you think that is OK for 200,000 people to pee all over the votes of 16 Million People, Yes?

[newatthis]

What matters now is not what the protesters want but, rather what the millions of voters in Thailand want. . Now let the battle begin and finish at the ballot box.

[kirk0233]

Sathit said if the Yinglucks caretaker government stepped down, Article 7 of the Constitution could be invoked to form a government from outsiders to do the job to ensure clean election.

How quickly Thai politicians throw out democracy when it doesn't suit them; and If they dont like the judgment of the outsiders what then? Foreigners are outsiders right?

[digibum]

Thailand, compared to a lot of other Nations around the World, is still a land of opportunity. If, as a Thai person, you are healthy, don't drink, don't do drugs and don't gamble, chances are, with hard work and a little bit of planning ,you can still get ahead in this Country, no matter who is in power.

A lot of poor people, I see around me, are poor, not because of external circumstances, but rather because of their own actions and reactions to situations.

Whilst this may be true in some cases, I cannot agree. Thailand has pursued a Thai Chinese desire to have agricultural and low income jobs in huge volumes to set the tone for their industry. They have chased the ideals of protected domestic agriculture industry to feather the pockets of a few uber rich famliese and neglected to educate their people so that by now Thailand should not be faced with having 40% of teh population still languishing in agriculture.

By now, Thailand should have moved up the scale and should have on the average a much better qualified level of work force so that they can handle transitioning from being a shrimp or rice export centre to being a technological or manufacturinga and design powerhouse. They have automotive but are basically just an assembly hub not an R+D hub. "I'm all right jack" has come back to haunt Thailand. Chasing short term plaudits like "The largest exporter of rice" has hurt the country in the end because no one bothered to check if that was really the best path for the country.

I look at town that I was living in and it houses believe it or not, the biggest fishing net makers in the WORLD staffed almost entirely by 6000 BURMESE. I have been in a brand new chicken export factory in Chachoengsao where the daily manual labour of 4000 CAMBODIANS. These people are not operating on the basis of what is the best way for Thailand but for their own pocket and operating virtually to the detriment of the country. Buggar investing in equipment, buggar investing in technology, the only way they know is to get hold of cheap people. That is where Thailand stands.

I have said the same thing for many years. The state of education is not a mistake or byproduct of well-intended, but incompetent people. There has always been a desire of those in power, regardless of political affiliation, to keep the lower class uneducated and poor. For some it means easily manipulated and easy to control masses. For other groups it means plenty of cheap labor. For most, it means they get both.

Education gets no respect in Thailand because those at the top don't need it (nepotism will carry most along just fine) or they can simply buy a degree. The poor don't value education because it's not a path up. Being the top student and the son of a farmer is pretty much the same as being the worst student and son of a farmer in terms of predicting where you'll end up in 20 years. The only people education means anything too is that small sliver of middle-class who can better themselves by sending a daughter to university or onwards to an MBA.

As you mention, Thailand should be much farther along than they are. When you think about the billions (possibly trillions) of foreign money that has come through Thailand over the years since WWII and the total lack of money given to her neighbors like Laos, Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam, it really makes you scratch your head think about why you can barely tell the difference between one side of the Thai-Lao border and the other. It really makes you wonder where Thailand would be today if communism, Pol Pot, or the junta in Burma hadn't retarded the advancement of other countries in the region.

Cheap labor is like a drug. You can get hooked on it. And Thailand is a cheap labor addict.

[Frank James]

How can the leader of a mere 180,000 to 200,000 rabble rousers claim to be the voice of a population of 60 million.

OK go back to the ballot boxes, but then just shut up once and for all if (when) the rabble rousers loose once again.

Eyes bad? There are at least half a million out today. Red shirt counting LOL - when 100,000 Red shirts come out, its 1 million, when 1 million Thais protesting Thaksin come out, its 100,000.

Now, at long last, we "know how many 'holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall!"