Thai protest leaders call on caretaker government to step down

[falangadang]

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

One would hope that the Thais are learning from the famous quote "Every nation gets the government it deserves" but I tend to think that as obvious as that should appear, that it mostly escapes their notice.

The real issue and problem here is that Thailand is a country that is and always has been one which is struggling with the concept of democratic government. Therefore we do NOT have a democracy here,- we have a pale impression of a democratic system which is constantly hampered by ignorance and greed.

That said,.. I do feel that this latest fiasco will move the country one step closer to a real democracy but IMHO I would say we're still 10 to 20 years away from that becoming a consistent reality.

[smedly]

if anyone thinks there will be elections before many far reaching reforms have taken place they are greatly mistaken - not going to happen, this thing either gets fixed now or is lost forever

PTP will fight on because they do not want a 3rd party auditor going over the books and exposing the greatest theft of public money in Thai history - they either stay were they are or head for the airport - only choice left

[Baerboxer]

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...

A greater % of people preferred PTP 2 years ago at the last election. Not sure that is true today. We shall see.

Sure PTP have a well orchestrated mechanism for buying/persuading votes en mass in the N/NE. But a lot of people who voted PTP last time ain't happy.

It would be nice if all parties contesting the new election fought based on the intention of serving the country rather oneself and one's patrons. Not likely to happen though without substantial reforms.

[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.

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

You seem to have conveniently forgotten they won the right to an early election, which the party they supported won with a majority of seats in government.

Still any idea of how your Peoples Council will work within the constitution or even how it is made up? I haven't seen a thing from you since your support for this extraordinary concept was floated by Suthep, "man for the masses" - Do you just blindly make choices based on no information, certainly seems that way?

[Carrerakiss]

Apart from the obvious disenfranchisement issue with an appointed government, I also worry about the precedent it will set. This time the Democrats are set on overturning a Red shirt government. But if the Democrats use an appointed government as a framework to get themselves back into power, sure as eggs are eggs, later on the red shirts will use the same mechanism to get themselves back into power. Just look at how each side has taken it in turns to use mobs on the streets to force early elections.

I think the army found the same problem. Last time they stepped in because the chaos caused by mobs made governing the country impossible. Now, the mob tried to prompt exactly the same thing, but the army realized it would just be setting itself up for criticism and refused to take the bait this time round. Hence the appointed council route as a plan B by the current mob.

My biggest fear is that if the Democrats get themselves back into power, tensions among red shirt supporters in Isaan will run very high. We may get the mother of all mobs and that would be a very bad thing.

[attento]

Will there be an election to decide who will be in the People's council ?

[Carrerakiss]

Will there be an election to decide who will be in the People's council ?[/quote

It's the $64,000 question isn't it. Hard to believe that a small percentage of the population led by a rabble rouser will get their way in terms of making up their own system of government, but Herr Suthep seems intent on trying to do that. As I said before, it's also hard to see that Isaan people will just sit back and allow it to happen.

So which mob does everyone prefer to be on the streets? I think I like the current crowd. Red shirt mobs tend to be a tad more violent and the authorities tend to shoot more live bullets. But the whistles are annoying aren't they? Oh, I dunno, maybe just keep taking it in turns like now.

[attento]

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.

There are very few employers in any country in the world who pay more than the "going rate" to their employees, particularly for the more menial level of work.

[mimithewoof]

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.

So - there are as many as 600,000 protestors in favour of a 'people's council', that's 10 per cent of Thailand's total population of around 60 million. The other 90 per cent can, presumably, be discounted, whichever side of the fence they're sitting on?

And they call themselves the democrats!

[jackrich]

10% (at most) is a majority in Thailand if they're richer than the other 90% who are poor.

1 rich Thai should be worth 1,000 poor votes of it was up to Suthep.

Let's not forget he once said that Thailand's poor shouldn't be allowed to vote anymore.

Edited December 9, 2013 by jackrich

[icare999]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

You mean your people. What about other people? They are not Thais and their voices do not count because it does not comply with yours. Is that it?

sadly Taksin by his quest for total power and total control has caused an equal and opposite reaction as was almost certainly inevitable. If he had not tried to get an amnesty bill done to allow him back and measures to give even more control to him and his clan then people would not have felt driven to support whats happening. However it ends it all is due to one mans megalomaniac lust for power. These are dire times and anything is possible but for better or worse anything that gets rid of Taksin and his clan and cronies has my support. If Tansin and his family had any decency they would quit and let wounds heal and maybe someone can emerge who is better since nothing can be much worse. Abasit would have been natural one and he was best P/m this country has had in my 30 years but his hands were very tied and now would be a good time for him to say hell step down if Taksin Yingluk and rest of clan do likewise and also if he suggested Suphet did same

Anyway at moment well done Suphet for being only one with guts to stand up fully to Taksin and he's achieved more than I could have hoped well done indeed

If after all this Thais decide they still leant Taksin and his rotten to core government then so be it and they will get what they deserve. If Suphet gets his way 100% and turns out to be a dictator so be it. Ill taken y chances on that

Whatever One huge victory is that I can't see Taksin ever being able to come back even if he manages to buy another election

All this fork one man Taksin and hid lust for total and absolute power and control

[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 ?

You seem to have conveniently forgotten they won the right to an early election, which the party they supported won with a majority of seats in government.

Still any idea of how your Peoples Council will work within the constitution or even how it is made up? I haven't seen a thing from you since your support for this extraordinary concept was floated by Suthep, "man for the masses" - Do you just blindly make choices based on no information, certainly seems that way?

My dear fabs, pray tell who are the 'they', and how did 'they' won 'the right to an early election' ?

BTW I already replied on your question regarding the "People's Council". I have never written anything to support it. Point to the post that does and I will apologize. Of course I also expect your apologies when you cannot find a post of mine supporting your believes.

( http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687200-referendum-proposed-on-setting-up-thai-peoples-council/page-2#entry7139020 )

Edited December 9, 2013 by rubl

[givenall]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

Thaksin what?

Sent from my ST25i using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[timoclark]

Have you been in a position where you had to hire Thais for manual labor? Even and especially for SMEs, whom the deck is stacked against anyway, finding hardworking honest employees among the Thai labor force is damn difficult. I am not talking about exploitation or slave labor, I am talking about people willing to give an honest day's work for their wages. Ask anyone running a small business in Thailand and they will tell you the same thing..... even with the increase in minimum wage, Thaksin has given so many the idea that they just have to wait for the next RS handout and don't have to give a damn about their jobs. This is extremely unfair to the small business owners who work their butts off to build a future for themselves, to be taken advantage of by kindergarteners who think nothing of showing up for work drunk, or not showing up at all, but still expect to get paid. This is not every Thai worker, but it is a great many of them.

Why do businesses have to hire Cambodians or Burmese? You think it's their preference? Often, because of the labor shortage, these foreign workers get paid the same wages as Thai..... finding Thai workers to do these jobs is damn near impossible...... especially when Big Brother is willing to pay them to wear Red and do nothing.

Everybody here needs to do the right thing..... business owners and the workers they employ as well.

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.

[ratcatcher]

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.

So - there are as many as 600,000 protestors in favour of a 'people's council', that's 10 per cent of Thailand's total population of around 60 million. The other 90 per cent can, presumably, be discounted, whichever side of the fence they're sitting on?

And they call themselves the democrats!

Oh dear me, you must be from the Kittirat school of accounting.

"600,000 protestors in favour of a 'people's council', that's 10 per cent of Thailand's total population of around 60 million. "

My old brain tells me that 600,000 is 1% of 60,000,000, therefore only 1% of the population of Thailand was temporarily able to put the PTP maladministration of Yingluck in severe disarray.

However many posters of the red persuasion seem to agree that the turnout was significantly lower. Regardless of numbers, as of this moment the battle is not over until Ms Yingluck says she is quitting politics and dragging her family kicking and screaming out of the picture.

We shall have to wait to see what Mr Thaksin in Dubai thinks of all this nonsense.

Edited December 9, 2013 by ratcatcher

[JoeLing]

Will there be an election to decide who will be in the People's council ?

Don't be silly

It's specifically said to be a NON elected council of "Gd Peop.. "

[rubl]

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.

So - there are as many as 600,000 protestors in favour of a 'people's council', that's 10 per cent of Thailand's total population of around 60 million. The other 90 per cent can, presumably, be discounted, whichever side of the fence they're sitting on?

And they call themselves the democrats!

Oh dear me, you must be from the Kittirat school of accounting.

"600,000 protestors in favour of a 'people's council', that's 10 per cent of Thailand's total population of around 60 million. "

My old brain tells me that 600,000 is 1% of 60,000,000, therefore only 1% of the population of Thailand was temporarily able to put the PTP maladministration of Yingluck in severe disarray.

However many posters of the red persuasion seem to agree that the turnout was significantly lower. Regardless of numbers, as of this moment the battle is not over until Ms Yingluck says she is quitting politics and dragging her family kicking and screaming out of the picture.

We shall have to wait to see what Mr Thaksin in Dubai thinks of all this nonsense.

You may have missed some posters saying a while back that the UDD with their 100,000 (at the beginning) in 2010 really represented 'the people', all 65++ million of them, or at least all 'red-shirt' like democracy loving people ike the Amply Rich and so.

Edited December 9, 2013 by rubl

[digibum]

There are very few employers in any country in the world who pay more than the "going rate" to their employees, particularly for the more menial level of work.

No doubt true but you can keep the "going rate" much lower if you specialize in industries that don't require educated workers. For instance, Thailand's rice yield per hectare are some of the lowest of all of the major countries that export rice. Thailand, until this last year, was the world's leader in rice yet had one of the lowest yields per hectare? How can that be?

The most obvious answer is that Thailand uses its land inefficiently. It has not educated farmers on more efficient use of the land or introduced technologies that would make planting and harvesting more efficient.

And going back to your original point, if Thailand had better educated farmers and laborers who had to be trained to use special equipment or in various productivity methods, they would need to be paid more to compensate them. Thus the "going rate" would increase. Of course, you would need less people because each person would be more productive and accomplish more work but you would increase the average wage and the average education level.

Cheap Labor as a term does not necessarily mean the wage that is paid relative to other countries but it is more of a reflection on the types of job opportunities that people in that country can expect and thus how the economy structures itself.

Thailand is massively wasteful of human resources because there is a huge oversupply of unskilled labor. If the economy demanded increasing numbers of skilled labor and did away with many of the job opportunities for some of the unskilled labor the paradigm would begin to shift.

Of course, this would result in things like unemployment (Thailand's currently runs near 0% - 0.67% to be exact). If you had to pay based on productivity, you could no longer afford to have six or seven staff running your restaurant when you have only average 6 or 7 customers a day. Many businesses would fail because they could not absorb the higher labor costs.

While that may sound harsh, it's actually a good thing overall because it frees up labor which can then either be utilized in more productive industries. It even creates competition for jobs. That means more competition in education. Eventually it puts upward pressure on wages as people invest more in becoming educated and can be more productive to employers. If one trained person can do the job of three untrained people, the trained person can demand a higher wage.

Overall, it would raise the standard of living of most Thais. It would also spur domestic spending which would make Thailand less dependent on exports.

[binjalin]

just saw Abhisit on TV

reporter "will you contest the election'?

Abhisit "you will have to ask the party" translated "I have no idea do you think I'm some sort of Leader or something"?

[rubl]

just saw Abhisit on TV

reporter "will you contest the election'?

Abhisit "you will have to ask the party" translated "I have no idea do you think I'm some sort of Leader or something"?

Absolutely right! especially when we compare with the resolute ex-PM Ms. Yingluck

BTW no offense, but I'll check your quote. Channel3 now has a soap on

[binjalin]

just saw Abhisit on TV

reporter "will you contest the election'?

Abhisit "you will have to ask the party" translated "I have no idea do you think I'm some sort of Leader or something"?

Absolutely right! especially when we compare with the resolute ex-PM Ms. Yingluck

BTW no offense, but I'll check your quote. Channel3 now has a soap on

BBC News

[ratcatcher]

just saw Abhisit on TV

reporter "will you contest the election'?

Abhisit "you will have to ask the party" translated "I have no idea do you think I'm some sort of Leader or something"?

Interesting.

Now let's try another version?

just saw Yingluck on TV.

reporter "will you contest the election"

Yingluck " I don't know, you'll have to ask my big brother" translation : "Haven't got a clue but I will do whatever he says, are you guys under the impression I'm a leader?"

Yingy is as much a puppet as Abby.

[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.

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

You seem to have conveniently forgotten they won the right to an early election, which the party they supported won with a majority of seats in government.

Still any idea of how your Peoples Council will work within the constitution or even how it is made up? I haven't seen a thing from you since your support for this extraordinary concept was floated by Suthep, "man for the masses" - Do you just blindly make choices based on no information, certainly seems that way?

My dear fabs, pray tell who are the 'they', and how did 'they' won 'the right to an early election' ?

BTW I already replied on your question regarding the "People's Council". I have never written anything to support it. Point to the post that does and I will apologize. Of course I also expect your apologies when you cannot find a post of mine supporting your believes.

( http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687200-referendum-proposed-on-setting-up-thai-peoples-council/page-2#entry7139020 )

Pleading innocence again, rubl? Who do you think they are, when you specifically mention 5 members of the UDD in your post which I am replying to?

Did the subtlty of an early election as opposed to the imposition of an unconstitutional political model such as a "Peoples Council" pass you by. Likewise why I keep on asking you what you know about the composition of "peoples council' and how it fits in constitutionally is for the same reason. You mention it in your posts as if it were a perfectly legitimate organ but do not question it.

I may be wrong in saying you support it but as you felt you had enough knowledge about it to mention in your posts trying to have a dig at the PTP be prepared to be called on that "knowledge"

[binjalin]

just saw Abhisit on TV

reporter "will you contest the election'?

Abhisit "you will have to ask the party" translated "I have no idea do you think I'm some sort of Leader or something"?

Interesting.

Now let's try another version?

just saw Yingluck on TV.

reporter "will you contest the election"

Yingluck " I don't know, you'll have to ask my big brother" translation : "Haven't got a clue but I will do whatever he says, are you guys under the impression I'm a leader?"

Yingy is as much a puppet as Abby.

Owww come on you made your one up

the one I quoted was WORD for WORD - it's what he said in reply to the question

another translation "I have no idea as I am an opportunist and will flip flop whichever way i think the protesters want me to go and i'm certainly not going to make a stand on principal and sod democracy"

[firestar]

just saw Abhisit on TV

reporter "will you contest the election'?

Abhisit "you will have to ask the party" translated "I have no idea do you think I'm some sort of Leader or something"?

Interesting.

Now let's try another version?

just saw Yingluck on TV.

reporter "will you contest the election"

Yingluck " I don't know, you'll have to ask my big brother" translation : "Haven't got a clue but I will do whatever he says, are you guys under the impression I'm a leader?"

Yingy is as much a puppet as Abby.

Correct. But we only ever hear it one way around.

[rubl]

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

You seem to have conveniently forgotten they won the right to an early election, which the party they supported won with a majority of seats in government.

Still any idea of how your Peoples Council will work within the constitution or even how it is made up? I haven't seen a thing from you since your support for this extraordinary concept was floated by Suthep, "man for the masses" - Do you just blindly make choices based on no information, certainly seems that way?

My dear fabs, pray tell who are the 'they', and how did 'they' won 'the right to an early election' ?

BTW I already replied on your question regarding the "People's Council". I have never written anything to support it. Point to the post that does and I will apologize. Of course I also expect your apologies when you cannot find a post of mine supporting your believes.

( http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687200-referendum-proposed-on-setting-up-thai-peoples-council/page-2#entry7139020 )

Pleading innocence again, rubl? Who do you think they are, when you specifically mention 5 members of the UDD in your post which I am replying to?

Did the subtlty of an early election as opposed to the imposition of an unconstitutional political model such as a "Peoples Council" pass you by. Likewise why I keep on asking you what you know about the composition of "peoples council' and how it fits in constitutionally is for the same reason. You mention it in your posts as if it were a perfectly legitimate organ but do not question it.

I may be wrong in saying you support it but as you felt you had enough knowledge about it to mention in your posts trying to have a dig at the PTP be prepared to be called on that "knowledge"

Oldsailor said "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." I wrote "don't know, ask some UDD leaders"

Now if you think this explains your 'they' and the 'won right to an early election" I think you're dreaming.

The subtity of a freely given early election is lost on most it would seem. Why you want to compare that with (what the just stepped down government and it's majority party Pheu Thai called) an 'unconstitutional' people council I don't know. Neither do I even try to fanthom why you keep asking me about the 'people council' as I never expressed any meaning and certainly no positive meaning on it.

Lastly you are indeed wrong in saying I support the 'people's council'. Under Thai circumstances I can understand why some propose it, but I think it's a step backwards. Better really fair elections without 'pre-election only' promises and free rallies by any and all candidates without opponents even throwing a wee pebble at candidates they don't like.

PS and of course without interference of criminal fugitives.

Edited December 9, 2013 by rubl

[firestar]

Oldsailor said "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." I wrote "don't know, ask some UDD leaders"

Now if you think this explains your 'they' and the 'won right to an early election" I think you're dreaming.

The subtity of a freely given early election is lost on most it would seem. Why you want to compare that with (what the just stepped down government and it's majority party Pheu Thai called) an 'unconstitutional' people council I don't know. Neither do I even try to fanthom why you keep asking me about the 'people council' as I never expressed any meaning and certainly no positive meaning on it.

Lastly you are indeed wrong in saying I support the 'people's council'. Under Thai circumstances I can understand why some propose it, but I think it's a step backwards. Better really fair elections without 'pre-election only' promises and free rallies by any and all candidates without opponents even throwing a wee pebble at candidates they don't like.

PS and of course without interference of criminal fugitives.

It's a good post.

But there will be interference by criminals. How many of Thailand's top fortunes and army brasses Dem backers do you think are corruption free?

The fact they haven't been convicted (and never will) is a premise to the larger problem.

Edited December 9, 2013 by firestar

[pomchop]

It is the people's wish.

The people has spoken.

If Thaksin cares about the people, he should comply.

The "people" have spoken loud and clear at the elections over and over.

If the THUGS care about the people they should comply.

[pomchop]

Will there be an election to decide who will be in the People's council ?

Don't be silly

It's specifically said to be a NON elected council of "Gd Peop.. "

The THUGS will meet in a back room and they will decide exactly who the "good people" are and once they have decided which of the "good people" will funnel money and favors to THEIR ELITES they will perhaps announce their decision to the remaining 60 plus million Thai people and point out that the government that was ELECTED by the voters doesn't meet the THUGS definition of "good people".

And amazingly many will somehow think this represents a step forward in democracy rather than just yet another grab for unelected power by a small group of disgruntled protestors who haven't won an election in over twenty years.

[notmyself]

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

Thai democracy?