EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: People's revolution 'will win'

Cnxforever · January 12, 2014

"The decentralised power proposals are nothing new. Those ideas have been advocated by liberal academics for years as well as by reformers like Anand and Dr Prawase. It's just that no one in power has done anything about it."

they can't - if governors are not appointed but elected in their home provinces - they do not depend on the government in Bangkok anymore and don't have to be forever "grateful" to the politicians who appointed them! They would actually have to be accountable to the people who elected them!

ManopY · January 12, 2014

I admire his vision, despite his chequered past. I can't see Monday not being violent. Thailand has a history of getting things done violently, and I can't see how change can be done peacefully. So we shall see. One thing is clear. Thaksin won't give up, no matter how badly things are stacked up against him, so i cannot see it ending peacefully. All those who think the election should go ahead and rattle on about upholding the law/democracy/etc, obviously have no idea how things work on Thailand. It really isn't as simple as that.

I also fear that violence will come!

But if it comes it will be by the Shinawat red, black or white mercenaries! Not Suthep protesters!

Suthep protesters, will take it peacefully, until a certain point and after they will defend them self (with or without the help of the army)!

But in the end, they will end the Shinawat regime!!!

DocN · January 12, 2014

How is that an interview???

Again: not a single question about the "what" and "how"!

Cnxforever · January 12, 2014

Dear Mr Suthep, please answer me 1 question:

- If you want reforms so badly, why did you not implement them while you were PM and Vice-PM with Abhisit for 3 years?

Yours sincerely.

They did make some reforms. They couldn't rewrite the constitution, as the red shirts wouldn't allow it or accept it.

Also, they were in power for 2 years and many months were taken up dealing with protests. They also had to didn't have full control, as they had to deal with their coalition partners.

Sent from my phone ...

Talk of rewriting the whole thing was no more than half hearted. I thought the Democrats were pretty happy with the 2007 constitution bar a few relatively minor things, which they were able to amend in the end. The two main "reforms" were the change the electoral system (partly to benefit the coalition parties, and increasing number of party list seats which they believed would help them) and the amendment of section 190 - which the court recently decided PT weren't allowed to further amend.

Not sure about the red shirts (why would red shirt opposition stop them from rewriting it anyway?) but PAD certainly opposed amendments: http://antithaksin.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/peoples-alliance-to-launch-signature-campaign-against-charter-rewrite/ In fact they were demanding Abhisit step down for trying to pass the amendments.

‘Some 17 million people supported the 2007 constitution,’ Sonthi said. ‘If the government wants to amend it, they should ask the permission of those 17 million people.’

…

‘These amendments are no good for the people. They are just good for the politicians,’ Sonthi said.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/42930/yellow-shirts-turn-on-abhisit/

More here on the BKK Post's criticism of the PAD for their opposition to constitutional amendments: http://asiancorrespondent.com/42957/is-the-bangkok-post-being-unfair-to-the-pad/

Sonthi is an arrogant b.......... - what choice did the Thai people have? - they were more or less coerced into choosing the 2007 constitution - I remmeber the time very well - the other option would have been the coup makers choosing a constitution instead!

The only reason the constitution was approved in the referendum was because the people opposing the coup wanted them out and start new with an election and thought they could amend the military dictated 2007 constitution later.

On the other side the coup makers and Democrats miscalculated badly thinking after they where in power for a few years copying Thaksins populist policies the people would actually elect them! So now they have to use the Kangaroo courts to prevent amendments to the 2007 constitution.

geriatrickid · January 12, 2014

How is that an interview???

Again: not a single question about the "what" and "how"!

"Exclusive" to the Nation.

IMO a planted PR piece and as such one should not have expected difficult or probing questions.

millwall_fan · January 12, 2014

Dear Mr Suthep, please answer me 1 question:

- If you want reforms so badly, why did you not implement them while you were PM and Vice-PM with Abhisit for 3 years?

Yours sincerely.

Perhaps at that point they didn't foresee Thaksins sister @ the helm, his cronies in key positions and Thailand on the verge of bankruptcy and the rice industry decimated.

What utter tosh! Are you seriously suggesting that there was no corruption under Abhisits government? The Shins didn't invent corruption, its been endemic in Thai society for eons.

Thailand on the verge of bankruptcy??? what!! are you serious? This is the 24 or 25th largest economy in the world! It is not bankrupt.(at least not yet -and if it does bankrupt itself it'll be Suthep's fault)

The rice industry decimated? Are you sure? Now the Baht is declining against major currencies, they'll be able to sell the rice. PT finance minister Kittirat wanted to reduce the value of the baht last year, but the governor of the Bank of Thailand refused as his rich friends were busy getting even richer by buying up shares in foreign companies on the back of a strong Baht!

Do a bit of basic research before you post.

geriatrickid · January 12, 2014

Dear Mr Suthep, please answer me 1 question:

- If you want reforms so badly, why did you not implement them while you were PM and Vice-PM with Abhisit for 3 years?

Yours sincerely.

They did make some reforms. They couldn't rewrite the constitution, as the red shirts wouldn't allow it or accept it.
Also, they were in power for 2 years and many months were taken up dealing with protests. They also had to didn't have full control, as they had to deal with their coalition partners.

Sent from my phone ...

I see. How do you explain the absence of action against the rampant corruption in Khun Suthep's power basis of Surat Thani-Krabi-Phuket?

These places did not have protests and were under Democrat control. Why did it take the PTP to finally do something in the past year. Only now has some progress been made against the transportation cartel of Phuket. Why didn't Suthep and his party not stop the encroachment on the National park when it started during his administration? Why didn't the Democrat administration take any action against the illegal property developments on Phuket?

U ask silly questions of which u know the answer.

Btw, one cartel in phuket will be changed only in another one.

It really does not matter in the country of self. It really does not.

Actually, the airport bus option has been praised and there is widespread support to stopping the cartel in favour of an open system and even meters. How would one cartel be changed for another?

In any case you haven't offered an answer have you? Is it because you know the answer and are unwilling to say it lest it undercut the soapbox on which the petty tyrant Suthep leads his mob?

The entire movement is suspect because the man who leads it is suspect and has a shameful past, a past for which he refuses to own up to. How can this man speak of stopping corruption and restoring integrity when he and his backers/financiers are accused of the very things he says he will stop?

I believe you are a gullible guppy seeking a simple solution for a complex problem. When Suthep betrays you, and he will, who will you blame then> Thaksin again? Or will you accept responsibility for falling under the spell of demagogue?

CockneyGit · January 12, 2014

''The people should decide...''

OK Mr. Suthep, here's an idea for the ''people'' to decide. Let's have a general election.

Oh, hang on, there is one due but you have decided not to contest it..!!

T.I.T

spare5 · January 12, 2014

I admire his vision, despite his chequered past. I can't see Monday not being violent. Thailand has a history of getting things done violently, and I can't see how change can be done peacefully. So we shall see. One thing is clear. Thaksin won't give up, no matter how badly things are stacked up against him, so i cannot see it ending peacefully. All those who think the election should go ahead and rattle on about upholding the law/democracy/etc, obviously have no idea how things work on Thailand. It really isn't as simple as that.

Professional politicians will say the opposite while rally support.

Once in power . . . . . .

Haven't we seen enough already, especially in African, but USA is also not immune.

diceq · January 12, 2014

By people's revolution he means a small minority of middle class and elite Thais.

PREM-R · January 12, 2014

Dear Mr Suthep, please answer me 1 question:

- If you want reforms so badly, why did you not implement them while you were PM and Vice-PM with Abhisit for 3 years?

Yours sincerely.

They did make some reforms. They couldn't rewrite the constitution, as the red shirts wouldn't allow it or accept it.

Also, they were in power for 2 years and many months were taken up dealing with protests. They also had to didn't have full control, as they had to deal with their coalition partners.

Sent from my phone ...

"They couldn't rewrite the constitution"

Would that be this constitution?

'The military junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly unanimously approved the draft in July 2007, despite a lot of public controversy about several clauses. The junta passed a law making it illegal to publicly criticize the draft. The junta also ran a successful promotion campaign leading up to the referendum, and threatened to not step down if the constitution is not accepted.'

spare5 · January 12, 2014

I am worried what will happen in Pathum Wan intersection tomorrow.

I go there every evening to light candle and support peace (play John's song imagine) and 2nd Feb election.

The Yellow will make our site THE main rally site. I expect millions Yellow will be there.

We White (aka Red in sheep skin) only have a few thousand.

Will they take action against us? Will we be safe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_3BcHL-gBs

Scamper · January 12, 2014

For those who are determined that Suthep is nuts, they will doubtless find this interview disappointing. He sounds reasoned, calm, clear, and to the point. For those that desperately want us to believe that Suthep is after power himself, they will have to scan this interview thoroughly with a microscope for subtexts. Happy hunting, because they aren't there. This movement has never been about Suthep. It's always been about Thaksin. And those who are uncomfortable with the obvious truth of that, will want to divert the subject right away. What is clear at this point - as the overnight vigilante attacks on the Thai people continue, while the administration looks studiously the other way - and as the Yingluck administration finally realizes that an executive decree is indeed possible, and that an election that won't possibly be able to convene is a useless exercise - that this is an unstoppable movement, and represents a real sea-change in the country's mindset. Indeed, people are waking up to their new-found power to say no to corruption. For Thaksin, this evolved determination of thought is very bad news, obviously. But very good news for everyone else. Our prayers go to the Thai people on the street in their quest for change.

gerry1011 · January 12, 2014

''The people should decide...''

OK Mr. Suthep, here's an idea for the ''people'' to decide. Let's have a general election.

Oh, hang on, there is one due but you have decided not to contest it..!!

T.I.T

By "the people" Suthep means "his people" (the southern rubber farmers who are very smart and understand what happens. Not the brainless northern poor who never understand anything at all) (oh, and the corrupt Dems too, of course).

Suthep want power sharing (between "his" people only)

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

kurtgruen · January 12, 2014

I like what he has to say, so do many Thai People and his popularity seems to be growing, not shrinking, despite acts of violence from the other side (or third parties, whichever may be the case)

An election would change absolutely nothing, for the better. I think, we all know that. I agree, that reforms must come first, to close some of the loopholes.

A Nationwide referendum, makes total sense to me, after the details get worked out, on how the reforms should look.

Referendums are democracy. Everybody will get to vote on the new Constitution. If they people don't like, what they see, they have the opportunity to vote it down.

geriatrickid · January 12, 2014

For those who are determined that Suthep is nuts, they will doubtless find this interview disappointing. He sounds reasoned, calm, clear, and to the point. For those that desperately want us to believe that Suthep is after power himself, they will have to scan this interview thoroughly with a microscope for subtexts. Happy hunting, because they aren't there. This movement has never been about Suthep. It's always been about Thaksin. And those who are uncomfortable with the obvious truth of that, will want to divert the subject right away. What is clear at this point - as the overnight vigilante attacks on the Thai people continue, while the administration looks studiously the other way - and as the Yingluck administration finally realizes that an executive decree is indeed possible, and that an election that won't possibly be able to convene is a useless exercise - that this is an unstoppable movement, and represents a real sea-change in the country's mindset. Indeed, people are waking up to their new-found power to say no to corruption. For Thaksin, this evolved determination of thought is very bad news, obviously. But very good news for everyone else. Our prayers go to the Thai people on the street in their quest for change.

Can we be realistic for just once?

Suthep honed his skills and built his powerbase as the key organizer and the number one politician in the south. That is his powerbase. Yingluck may have the north, but the loyalty of Suthep's followers in the south is unmatched. Without Suthep, Abhisit would never have been made PM and in the last election the Democrat party owed its showing to Suthep's abilities. He is a skilled and able Thai politician. The people marching with Suthep are in large part reflective of his political machine. People have been brought in from the south by Suthep and due to the large amounts of money floating around in the south can take time off from working or can pay for the logistics to transport people. The south is the tourism money maker in Thailand and no other region generates the windfall profits from tourism and its associated economic spinoffs such as real estate development, as does the Surat thani-Krabi-Phuket region. We have been treated to exaggerated claims of influence about Thaksin, but the reality is that the Suthep machine has had ongoing revenues since Suthep rose to prominence. Thaksin's source of income in Thailand to fund political activity dried up long ago. The UDD-Redshirts just don't have the money to take on Suthep's well financed group who can draw on some wealthy Bangkok backers in addition to what their southern operations bring in. Make no mistake, Suthep is all the things people say they hate about Thaksin, but he is many times bigger and has the backing of some important people in Thailand.

Edited January 12, 2014 by geriatrickid

spare5 · January 12, 2014

''The people should decide...''

OK Mr. Suthep, here's an idea for the ''people'' to decide. Let's have a general election.

Oh, hang on, there is one due but you have decided not to contest it..!!

T.I.T

By "the people" Suthep means "his people" (the southern rubber farmers who are very smart and understand what happens. Not the brainless northern poor who never understand anything at all) (oh, and the corrupt Dems too, of course).

Suthep want power sharing (between "his" people only)

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks for the generalization.

Although I do not agree with you 100%, you have the point, and quite right.

aussieinthailand · January 12, 2014

I admire his vision, despite his chequered past. I can't see Monday not being violent. Thailand has a history of getting things done violently, and I can't see how change can be done peacefully. So we shall see. One thing is clear. Thaksin won't give up, no matter how badly things are stacked up against him, so i cannot see it ending peacefully. All those who think the election should go ahead and rattle on about upholding the law/democracy/etc, obviously have no idea how things work on Thailand. It really isn't as simple as that.

"All those who think the election should go ahead and rattle on about upholding the law/democracy/ect, obviously have no idea how things work on Thailand"

So the 15+ million people (last general election voted PTP), who were born here, grew up here, have family here that goes back generations, Speke the language here, some 5/6( different dialects), But you know better than them as "obviously have no idea how things work in Thailand" REALLY?????

spare5 · January 12, 2014

For Farangs and journalists new to the current Thaksin crisis, before you jump to conclusion, please watch this video first.

Not 100% accurate, but IMHO very close, very neutral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQVjUsKSKUE

Edited January 12, 2014 by spare5

PhoenixRising · January 12, 2014

However, he vowed to retreat if there is serious violence.

As serious as large firecrackers, or larger?

Good one! And I'll add shootings of dozens leaving many dead, not 'serious violence.?!'

aussieinthailand · January 12, 2014

For Farangs and journalists new to the current Thaksin crisis, before you jump to conclusion, please watch this video first.

Not 100% accurate, but IMHO very close, very neutral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQVjUsKSKUE

The narrator couldn't even pronounce Thaksin's name correctly let alone deliver a fair, balanced, and unbiased, view, showing protestors giving flowers to police, but it didn't show protestors shooting at police, throwing bombs, or slingshots loaded with bolts at police, nor the destruction of public property, and police cars bashing taxi drivers, ect,ect,ect,,, the list go's on...

GET A GRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait was this sponsored by Nation?, or maybe Fox???

newcomer71 · January 12, 2014

How is that an interview???

Again: not a single question about the "what" and "how"!

Same "toilet paper" Thai journalism of every ordinary day. Nothing new, unluckily.

55Jay · January 12, 2014

Dear Mr Suthep, please answer me 1 question:

- If you want reforms so badly, why did you not implement them while you were PM and Vice-PM with Abhisit for 3 years?

Yours sincerely.

I guess reform is not that important when you are the one with the power.

Or when you've filled your pockets enough, tired of the game, and decide to retire.... then suddenly become a corruption fighting super hero, looking out for "The People".

trigger571 · January 12, 2014

Blimey. First time I managed to read something this guy has said and agreed to almost everything said.

The problem is that this is Khun Suthep talking. A man who's corrupt and controversial practices can only be matched by Khun Thaksin. Pitty they could not find a scandal free person to lead this movement. It would all sound a little bit more "real". Right now, it just sounds like a carefully scripted interview to win the hearts and minds of the undecided and open minded, and to try and make people forget HIS own "dark secrets" and portray him as an angelic face.

Thait Spot · January 12, 2014

Foreign countries have no right to interfere as this is a matter for the people," he said.

Says the guy who rallied his supporters to the US and other embassies asking for support.

Don't be a plonker.

They protested at the embassy for perceived interference.