Thailand’s silent coup

[webfact]

Thailand’s Silent Coup
SIN-MING SHAW
Sin-ming Shaw, a former fellow at Oxford University, is a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan

BANGKOK – Thailand is once again being convulsed by extreme partisan politics, with the country’s polarization playing out on Bangkok’s streets.

Several people have been killed, and many more have been injured. The sense that Thailand has been through all of this before would be mildly reassuring were it not for a nagging fear that this decent and prosperous society may be set to destroy its democracy.

Much of the violence has been led by Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister. He has inspired thousands of demonstrators, many from his power base in the country’s south, to storm and occupy government buildings with the aim of unseating Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Suthep says that this is the first step in rooting out “Thaksinism” from the country’s political life.

December 1, Suthep demanded – and received – a meeting with Yingluck in the presence of Thailand’s military chiefs, whom he had asked to “guarantee” his safety. During the meeting, Suthep gave Yingluck a two-day deadline to resign. With the police failing to control the mobs in the streets without the help of the military, Yingluck decided to resign and dissolve parliament, declaring that she would lead a caretaker government until a new election is held on February 2. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sin-ming-shaw-parses-the-threat-to-democracy-in-bangkok-s-streets

-- PROJECT-SYNDICATE 2013-12-27

[ricku]

And after the coup? What then? Will the red shirts (and other 'pro-government forces') simply stand idle and watch as their beloved idols get kicked out?

I don't think so.

This is going to get ugly.

Edited December 27, 2013 by ricku

[pxlgirl]

does that mean that the coup has already taken place? I really didn't get this article, but maybe it's just me.

[EricBerg]

There is only one "silent" coup possible. And that is when the military takes over.

The democrats will not compete in the new election, so if the military doesn't act it will be a new shinaclan government again. Business as usual...

Edited December 27, 2013 by EricBerg

[soi41]

If Sutheps thugs are indeed rural people from the south, what a sad irony they are attacking their rural brothers from the north!!

The leaders from both sides using their pawns, whilst the fat cats are getting fatter!!

[jackrich]

If Sutheps thugs are indeed rural people from the south, what a sad irony they are attacking their rural brothers from the north!!

The leaders from both sides using their pawns, whilst the fat cats are getting fatter!!

In this life we are either kings or pawns, emperors or fools.

- Napoleon

[noikrit]

QUOTE.... "December 1, Suthep demanded – and received – a meeting with Yingluck in the presence of Thailand’s military chiefs," .... Correct me if I'm wrong ... but did Yingluck go ????? ............. Accurate reporting again ......

Edited December 27, 2013 by noikrit

[Noi657]

More popcorn please!

[Bluespunk]

Silent? Don't think so.

[pumpuiman]

QUOTE.... "December 1, Suthep demanded – and received – a meeting with Yingluck in the presence of Thailand’s military chiefs," .... Correct me if I'm wrong ... but did Yingluck go ????? ............. Accurate reporting again ......

Yes she went. Suthep refused any negotiation, made ridiculous demands, meeting over.

[chooka]

QUOTE.... "December 1, Suthep demanded – and received – a meeting with Yingluck in the presence of Thailand’s military chiefs," .... Correct me if I'm wrong ... but did Yingluck go ????? ............. Accurate reporting again ......

They did have a meeting

[kurnell]

And after the coup? What then? Will the red shirts (and other 'pro-government forces') simply stand idle and watch as their beloved idols get kicked out?

I don't think so.

This is going to get ugly.

When it all comes down to it, Thais are just too lazy and apathetic to fight. That is how the Chinese got the money in the first place

[noikrit]

QUOTE.... "December 1, Suthep demanded – and received – a meeting with Yingluck in the presence of Thailand’s military chiefs," .... Correct me if I'm wrong ... but did Yingluck go ????? ............. Accurate reporting again ...... alt=coffee1.gif pagespeed_url_hash=2220208811 width=32 height=24>

Yes she went. Suthep refused any negotiation, made ridiculous demands, meeting over.

Thankyou for the correction .....

QUOTE.... "December 1, Suthep demanded – and received – a meeting with Yingluck in the presence of Thailand’s military chiefs," .... Correct me if I'm wrong ... but did Yingluck go ????? ............. Accurate reporting again ...... alt=coffee1.gif pagespeed_url_hash=2220208811 width=32 height=24>

They did have a meeting

And Thank you for the correction ....

[jackr]

Sad to say, but this place tends to run more smoothly with the army making the political decisions.

[Roadman]

Sin-ming Shaw, a former fellow at Oxford University, is a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan

​A very good brief of the situation. A few small inaccuracies early on that may be more which way you read the background (IMHO it is the city middle class that is the backbone of the challenge not the elite), but overall one of the more accurate commentaries and summaries of the current status. Well done Khun Sin-ming Shaw, you should be writing for more of the western papers and journals who do not have a clue.

[anon8]

There will be blood on the streets. This is not gonna have a good outcome.

Sent from my C6802 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Scott]

A post with a reference to the royal family has been deleted. Please stay on topic and follow the forum rules.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/479383-no-discussion-of-the-monarchy-in-political-context/

[zydeco]

Not so much a coup as a slow motion skidaddle. The Shinawatras have already been run out of Bangkok. The best they have going for them right now is this government in exile operation in Chiang Mai.

[MaxLee]

There will be blood on the streets. This is not gonna have a good outcome.Sent from my C6802 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yep, sooner or later the red shirt protesters are gonna occupy Bangkok ONLY Bangkok and then the REAL BATTLE begins!!!! And Bangkok ONLY Bangkok will be in accessible, gridlocked and become a slaughter fest battle field filled with both REDS AND ANTI GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS

Happy New year 2014

[pumpuiman]

Great summary, but I would like to see more being said about the fact that this is not only about stopping the Thaksin clan. This is also about the removal of any populist leader, and seeing to it that none will be elected in the future.

[noitom]

The Thai drama continues to unfold.

[Mosha]

If Sutheps thugs are indeed rural people from the south, what a sad irony they are attacking their rural brothers from the north!!

The leaders from both sides using their pawns, whilst the fat cats are getting fatter!!

Because the rural brothers in the south have never seen any benefit backing the other side.

[cooked]

I only hope that some bright spark doesn't have the idea of playing the nationalism card. 'Farangs out.,out,out....' Always an easy option to gain popularity.

[selftaopath]

Something - hopefully Rule of Law and sincere democracy - is needed if Thailand is not to continue its downward spiral. Imagine if government workers, politicians, police, and army were "servants" of the Thai people/ for the Thai people, and not their captors.

[oldthaihand99]

Silent? Don't think so.

Silent as in absent from the noise of tanks rolling the sois of Bangkok:

"In fact, Suthep has called for a “people’s council,” comprised of 400 unbiased representatives. The council would replace the Senate after the upper house nominates a new leader to be appointed by the King, thus obviating the need for elections in the near future. Wassana Nanuam, the military-affairs correspondent of the English-language daily Bangkok Post, has described the move as a “silent” coup d’état: no tanks in the streets.

Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sin-ming-shaw-parses-the-threat-to-democracy-in-bangkok-s-streets#Tc2HxWlAfi8o7EvA.99

[oldthaihand99]

Something - hopefully Rule of Law and sincere democracy - is needed if Thailand is not to continue its downward spiral. Imagine if government workers, politicians, police, and army were "servants" of the Thai people/ for the Thai people, and not their captors.

Imagine...if everyone on earth practiced "make love, not war"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7qaSxuZUg

[Spare]

Silent? Don't think so.

Silent as in absent from the noise of tanks rolling the sois of Bangkok:

"In fact, Suthep has called for a “people’s council,” comprised of 400 unbiased representatives. The council would replace the Senate after the upper house nominates a new leader to be appointed by the King, thus obviating the need for elections in the near future. Wassana Nanuam, the military-affairs correspondent of the English-language daily Bangkok Post, has described the move as a “silent” coup d’état: no tanks in the streets.

Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sin-ming-shaw-parses-the-threat-to-democracy-in-bangkok-s-streets#Tc2HxWlAfi8o7EvA.99

Election caused vote buying and can never be unbiased.

Only the "People Council" can deliver 400 unbiased representatives, as is is selected from the Real Thai people (not politician).

[oldthaihand99]

Silent? Don't think so.

Silent as in absent from the noise of tanks rolling the sois of Bangkok:

"In fact, Suthep has called for a “people’s council,” comprised of 400 unbiased representatives. The council would replace the Senate after the upper house nominates a new leader to be appointed by the King, thus obviating the need for elections in the near future. Wassana Nanuam, the military-affairs correspondent of the English-language daily Bangkok Post, has described the move as a “silent” coup d’état: no tanks in the streets.

Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sin-ming-shaw-parses-the-threat-to-democracy-in-bangkok-s-streets#Tc2HxWlAfi8o7EvA.99

Election caused vote buying and can never be unbiased.

Only the "People Council" can deliver 400 unbiased representatives, as is is selected from the Real Thai people (not politician).

"Bangkok’s elites maintain that the billionaire Thaksin and his allies have bought their electoral victories. But Freedom House, which tracks democracy and civil rights around the world, declared Yingluck’s landslide electoral victory in 2011 free and fair, a position supported by most Thailand experts.

"Despite Thaksin’s corrupt image, a majority of mainly poorer Thais see him as their only alternative to the country’s out-of-touch urban elites. Indeed, Suthep’s insistence on delaying the election is an open admission that he and his allies cannot win a fair contest, and he has even gone so far as to suggest that, with the “right” leader, Thailand may not need elections at all in the future.

Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sin-ming-shaw-parses-the-threat-to-democracy-in-bangkok-s-streets#HDtAdsEfuAKvS8Ww.99

[Honkie]

Silent? Don't think so.

Silent as in absent from the noise of tanks rolling the sois of Bangkok:

"In fact, Suthep has called for a “people’s council,” comprised of 400 unbiased representatives. The council would replace the Senate after the upper house nominates a new leader to be appointed by the King, thus obviating the need for elections in the near future. Wassana Nanuam, the military-affairs correspondent of the English-language daily Bangkok Post, has described the move as a “silent” coup d’état: no tanks in the streets.

Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sin-ming-shaw-parses-the-threat-to-democracy-in-bangkok-s-streets#Tc2HxWlAfi8o7EvA.99

Election caused vote buying and can never be unbiased.

Only the "People Council" can deliver 400 unbiased representatives, as is is selected from the Real Thai people (not politician).

People Council , 400 unbiased representatives...selected by who ???

[HUAHIN62]

Sin-ming Shaw, a former fellow at Oxford University, is a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan

​A very good brief of the situation. A few small inaccuracies early on that may be more which way you read the background (IMHO it is the city middle class that is the backbone of the challenge not the elite), but overall one of the more accurate commentaries and summaries of the current status. Well done Khun Sin-ming Shaw, you should be writing for more of the western papers and journals who do not have a clue.

The southern rural poor and security does the fighting, the middle class provide the protesters on Sundays and the elites pay for the show.