A letter to the well-heeled protesters of Bangkok

[Mrjlh]

Khun Pravit Rojanaphruk,

Elegantly written but where was your letter a couple of years ago when several "Red Shirt" leaders stood on the stage and proclaimed they want to over throw the government? Stating they were peaceful protesters representing all the people of Thailand? All the while building a fortress of tires, bamboo spears, arming themselves Molotov cocktails, sling shots, swords, and yes guns? Even at one point telling protesters to burn down Bangkok. And refusing to take responsibility for any of the deadly outcome only blaming everyone but themselves. So where was your unbiased letter then? Seems you have a short memory. That of course is just my unbiased opinion.

[JetsetBkk]

Thank you, K. Rojanaphruk.

How can anyone argue against what you have written?

Is calling it a load of BS arguing against it?? If so, then I am arguing against it

Get the Shinawatra's out of politics is all that needs to be done to return calm and peosperity to ALL of the people in this country!!!

No, calling it BS is not an argument.

There are many posters who think this article is very well written, including me. We don't care what this guy has written or tweeted before or what group he belongs to.

The article stands on its own merit.

[Katipo]

Revolutions start when the middle classes rise on behalf of the poor and down trodden.

Yea but not here in Thailand. The middlclass want to keep them poor & down trodden.

Disagree. Many of the middle class people I know are from farming backgrounds. The parents worked hard, put their kids through university so they could have a better life. Some middle class people may look down on farmers I concede, but I don't see them trying to keep them there.

The wealthy on the other hand (no matter their shirt colour), now they benefit from keeping them poor and down trodden. Poor farmers and labourers are cheap votes to buy and a cheap workforce to make the factory owners even richer.

[rjcampbe]

Thank you, K. Rojanaphruk.

How can anyone argue against what you have written?

Is calling it a load of BS arguing against it?? If so, then I am arguing against it

Get the Shinawatra's out of politics is all that needs to be done to return calm and peosperity to ALL of the people in this country!!!

No, calling it BS is not an argument.

There are many posters who think this article is very well written, including me. We don't care what this guy has written or tweeted before or what group he belongs to.

The article stands on its own merit.

"An argument is not just a series of contradictions!"

"Yes it is!"

"No it isn't!"

- Monty Python

[unanimosity]

Is there a word in Thai for "Society"?

Look up Sakdina, and not the band.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Thank you, K. Rojanaphruk.

How can anyone argue against what you have written?

Is calling it a load of BS arguing against it?? If so, then I am arguing against it

Get the Shinawatra's out of politics is all that needs to be done to return calm and peosperity to ALL of the people in this country!!!

No, calling it BS is not an argument.

There are many posters who think this article is very well written, including me. We don't care what this guy has written or tweeted before or what group he belongs to.

The article stands on its own merit.

lets call it my personal opinion then.

[gemini81]

150,000 still going is a considerable amount Pravit. And here's the real news: they're NOT PAID.

Why do you fail to look at the extremely violent and corrupt other side?

And if you don't like the situation, then propose a solution instead of just complain.

The people WHO PAY TAX and get it stolen are the people! I think you need a swift kick in the rear end for an article that offers no deep thoughts, or any value from a journalist. It also looks unprofessional. With guys like you who have no vision, I can see why the place goes through the same cycles.

Keep playing the grassroots, people are poor card....and try to avoid this is the capital, the economic center, where the smartest and the most qualified come. Duh. And the groups come from all classes and walks of life. Duh.

[yourauntbob]

Why do i even read any of this anymore? All the arguing back in forth over which set of corrupt politicians get to get rich. Since I have been here (6 years) its just a war between two branches of the upper class fighting over power while the poor and middle class get bent over a table (in some cases literally). In the past I have defended the reds, I am not even sure whiy. Maybe I like to be a devils advocate and the majority of TV seems to be yellow. Sometimes I wonder why so many TV members get so worked up. I know, because Thaksin is a criminal; but so are the rest of them. I am sad for the Thai people right now, this is going to go on for some time and in the end it seems inevitable everyone is going to lose. Anyway, carry on spewing your hate.............

[catmac]

There seems to be a lot of class hatred on this forum. Abhisit is a good an honest politician who has a lot of "class". Perhaps that's why many TV posters dislike him. They are rather typical of the low class British in the UK who dislike others from different backgrounds. It a pity they did not leave behind these prejudices when they left the UK. They should remember that this forum has members of vastly different backgrounds and some of us feel strongly about some of the uncalled for remarks about the elite, royalists and upper class to which some of us belong

I believe it was the great parliamentarian Nye Bevan who called your lot "vermin" in the House of Commons debate on the establishment of the National Health Service. I see no reason to disagree with his view.

[SICHONSTEVE]

There seems to be a lot of class hatred on this forum. Abhisit is a good an honest politician who has a lot of "class". Perhaps that's why many TV posters dislike him. They are rather typical of the low class British in the UK who dislike others from different backgrounds. It a pity they did not leave behind these prejudices when they left the UK. They should remember that this forum has members of vastly different backgrounds and some of us feel strongly about some of the uncalled for remarks about the elite, royalists and upper class to which some of us belong

I believe it was the great parliamentarian Nye Bevan who called your lot "vermin" in the House of Commons debate on the establishment of the National Health Service. I see no reason to disagree with his view.

I would call the 'nasty' Tory party vermin as well. I would also lump the PTP party into this category with Thaksin as the 'head rat' on a sinking ship called the Titanic!!

[rjcampbe]

There seems to be a lot of class hatred on this forum. Abhisit is a good an honest politician who has a lot of "class". Perhaps that's why many TV posters dislike him. They are rather typical of the low class British in the UK who dislike others from different backgrounds. It a pity they did not leave behind these prejudices when they left the UK. They should remember that this forum has members of vastly different backgrounds and some of us feel strongly about some of the uncalled for remarks about the elite, royalists and upper class to which some of us belong

I believe it was the great parliamentarian Nye Bevan who called your lot "vermin" in the House of Commons debate on the establishment of the National Health Service. I see no reason to disagree with his view.

I would call the 'nasty' Tory party vermin as well. I would also lump the PTP party into this category with Thaksin as the 'head rat' on a sinking ship called the Titanic!!

Uh... that would be "Thai-tanic" wouldn't it???

[gemini81]

There seems to be a lot of class hatred on this forum. Abhisit is a good an honest politician who has a lot of "class". Perhaps that's why many TV posters dislike him. They are rather typical of the low class British in the UK who dislike others from different backgrounds. It a pity they did not leave behind these prejudices when they left the UK. They should remember that this forum has members of vastly different backgrounds and some of us feel strongly about some of the uncalled for remarks about the elite, royalists and upper class to which some of us belong

I believe it was the great parliamentarian Nye Bevan who called your lot "vermin" in the House of Commons debate on the establishment of the National Health Service. I see no reason to disagree with his view.

All your prejudices and you call me what? At least you can call us that on here as a keyboard warrior and still have your teeth in place.

[SICHONSTEVE]

There seems to be a lot of class hatred on this forum. Abhisit is a good an honest politician who has a lot of "class". Perhaps that's why many TV posters dislike him. They are rather typical of the low class British in the UK who dislike others from different backgrounds. It a pity they did not leave behind these prejudices when they left the UK. They should remember that this forum has members of vastly different backgrounds and some of us feel strongly about some of the uncalled for remarks about the elite, royalists and upper class to which some of us belong

I believe it was the great parliamentarian Nye Bevan who called your lot "vermin" in the House of Commons debate on the establishment of the National Health Service. I see no reason to disagree with his view.

I would call the 'nasty' Tory party vermin as well. I would also lump the PTP party into this category with Thaksin as the 'head rat' on a sinking ship called the Titanic!!

Uh... that would be "Thai-tanic" wouldn't it???

Damn!! missed out on that one . Well spotted.

[seajae]

has the op not realized that chalerms son shot and killed a policeman while he was out and about(partying) then he was promoted and given a govt position, never facing any charges at all, looks like the reds/ptp are even worse than the dems in this. Also all of these rich people getting off occured under a ptp govt, that also states where the favouratism is coming from for the rich, hmmm.

[metisdead]

A post containing comments regarding HM the King has been removed, do not involve the Royal family in your comments or quotes.

[Dogmatix]

Funny that The Nation has resorted to reprinting something posted on the red shirt website Prachathai by its elitist red shirt owner Pravit. Must be desperate to appear more balanced to print Pravit tooting his old horn about the elitist rich vs the downtrodden poor championed by the selfless billionaire and his altruistic extended family.

From what my Thai friends told me about the protests on Monday and the pictures they took, the protestors there were neither all from Bangkok nor all wealthy. They met people from the South and from the North as well as from Bangkok. Many of the provincial folk were junior civil servants, serving or retired who are certainly not wealthy, though they are educated. There was even an 80 year old woman who was brought by friends in her wheel chair with gas mask at the ready because she wanted to do her her civic duty to eject the corrupt Shinawatra government and didn't want to miss an historic occasion, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

[Dogmatix]

has the op not realized that chalerms son shot and killed a policeman while he was out and about(partying) then he was promoted and given a govt position, never facing any charges at all, looks like the reds/ptp are even worse than the dems in this. Also all of these rich people getting off occured under a ptp govt, that also states where the favouratism is coming from for the rich, hmmm.

Pravit knows all about Chalerm and his sons' dispicable antics and the rest of the corruption and abuse of power of this government but chooses to sweep it all under the carpet. He is a died-in-the-wool elitist red shirt snob.

[khunken]

But this is not the way to go. We - and I say "we" because I come from a similar background to you - cannot go on trying to maintain minority rule.

The 'we' that Pravit mentions is no different to Suthep's 'we'. Hypocrisy.

Maintain minority rule? But that is precisely Suthep's point. Thaksin's party has ruled in different guises for around 9 years - for the benefit of himself, his clan and a small group of business people who have benefitted from his corrupt schemes. The amnesty attempt just showed who they were ruling for & it certainly wasn't the majority.

There is one good point emanating from the publishing of this letter. The red ranters will have a hard time criticising the Nation for being totally one-sided. It's a poorly argued letter but I applaud the Nation for publishing it.

[bobthomas]

Brilliantly said!

Totally agree great content and well said

Uninformed opinions by pedantic pedestrian miscreants. Someone has to stand up for Thais- because they won't do it for themselves- and pretty soon...it will to late to do anything but mourn.

I see the same idiotic marginalized clueless diatribe on replies to Bangkok Post articles.

It's no wonder the country has gone to the dogs

B.T.

[jpeg]

Brilliantly said!

No it's not! It's suggesting all those opposed to Taksin are well heeled, maid employing, Fortuner driving hi so's. I can tell you, they are most certainly NOT. Who is this idiot? He really should get out more

[boomerangutang]

It's very naive to think that one side is any more or less corrupt than the other.

It's too easy to tar the whole lot with the same brush. However, one side IS more corrupt than the other. A lot more corrupt.

Abhisit wasn't perfect, but his worst policies were head and shoulders better than the Shinawatres' best policies.

[DocN]

Brilliantly said!

No it's not! It's suggesting all those opposed to Taksin are well heeled, maid employing, Fortuner driving hi so's. I can tell you, they are most certainly NOT. Who is this idiot? He really should get out more

O-hooooooooooooooooooo...but is sure is okay to call all Thaksin supporters uneducated farmers, stupid buffalos, the unwashed and similar stuff!?

[kurtgruen]

Like I said "Too much rice - not enough protein'

[JetsetBkk]

... There was even an 80 year old woman who was brought by friends in her wheel chair with gas mask at the ready because she wanted to do her her civic duty to eject the corrupt Shinawatra government and didn't want to miss an historic occasion, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

[JRSoul]

O-hooooooooooooooooooo...but is sure is okay to call all Thaksin supporters uneducated farmers, stupid buffalos, the unwashed and similar stuff!?

Perhaps that's nicer than accepting that they are smart and educated enough to realise how corrupt the Shinawatra governments have been, but immoral and venal enough to accept that corruption in return for their cut.

[JRSoul]

... There was even an 80 year old woman who was brought by friends in her wheel chair with gas mask at the ready because she wanted to do her her civic duty to eject the corrupt Shinawatra government and didn't want to miss an historic occasion, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

After the word got out that Thaksin would (have the government) pay B7.5 million for every protester killed, there was hardly a red family didn't donate at least one granny in hope of hitting the jackpot.

[petertucker48]

We have to learn to co-exist with others. And this cannot be done peacefully if you think that your views are the only ones that count.
To begin with, kindly tell your leaders to stop claiming to be speaking for all Thais. Let's call a halt to this ridiculous posturing.

_____________

And the rest of the email,

Totally Spot On.

[gamini]

There seems to be a lot of class hatred on this forum. Abhisit is a good an honest politician who has a lot of "class". Perhaps that's why many TV posters dislike him. They are rather typical of the low class British in the UK who dislike others from different backgrounds. It a pity they did not leave behind these prejudices when they left the UK. They should remember that this forum has members of vastly different backgrounds and some of us feel strongly about some of the uncalled for remarks about the elite, royalists and upper class to which some of us belong

I believe it was the great parliamentarian Nye Bevan who called your lot "vermin" in the House of Commons debate on the establishment of the National Health Service. I see no reason to disagree with his view.

Your post confirms what I wrote about class hatred. You are the sort of person I was reffering to.

[JetsetBkk]

I just laughed out loud! Not at this topic, but at a "Channel News Asia" report on the telly.

They were reporting on the southern Thais leaving Bangkok by train and going back home close to Malaysia. One of the Thais says: "Pheu Thai doesn't have one MP in the south! We don't like them. We don't like the Shinawatras!"

So I thought - "Yeah, it's because they don't give you a subsidy like they do the rice farmers".

The guy then says: "We want a subsidy for our rubber and for our palm oil!"

So there it is. Just give 'em the money and we can forget all about this 'democracy' nonsense.

[Somrak]

Pravit Rojanaphruk.?

A Thai, this we can see all after reading 10 % of his ... text.

A 'Normal" Thai, who is not used to think free!

Sad, sad. In every sentence he likes to please all his smiling

"corruption dos'nt kill" followers.

He starts with this: "Your supreme protest leader" After this we know who is PRs leader !! d you

If you like to snap your fingers, shame on you! Out of what rich family do you come ? A family where

the staff has to lie about the money for there not so s(a)mart masters? (Chaing Mai royals )

and the best

We - and I say "we" ..........

Sorry, I , I, i

You can not see, that you do exactly the same as you accuse others for?

You not see, that corruption brings Thailand down?

You ......

Edited December 11, 2013 by Somrak