PDRC must 'face up to being a minority': Thirayuth Boonmee

[webfact]

PDRC must 'face up to being a minority'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

ACADEMIC SAYS BANGKOKIANS MUST BE READY FOR A LONG STRUGGLE

BANGKOK: -- THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) should be prepared for a longer and more protracted fight than it imagined - but its supporters should be willing to endure, renowned scholar Thirayuth Boonmee said yesterday.

Thirayuth acknowledged that |the PDRC consists of a minority in Thai society, mostly from the Bangkok-based middle classes and people from the South. But he argues that the those who voted for the Yingluck Shinawatra administration have forfeited their rights by accepting a corrupt and dictatorial government, which would have to be removed through a "people's revolution".

Asked by The Nation what he would do if the "revolution" succeeded and pro-government red shirts in turn staged a huge de-|monstration to oust the new regime installed by PDRC, Thirayuth said |he would beg the red shirts not to |do so.

A plea to the red shirts

"I would apologise. I would prostrate and apologise to them and tell them that [Yingluck and her older brother, ousted and fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra] are really abusive and corrupt, though they were elected."

Thirayuth said civil war was still a possibility although he believed Thais were not that violent. "I hope it won't happen."

He urged the PDRC to recruit more grassroots people to join their struggle, adding that elites tended to be selfish fence-sitters and would only come out when the conflict was over.

"I admit that we're not the majority voice, that we are not the voice of the whole nation. But no revolution is ever carried out by the majority," said Thirayuth.

The scholar who himself came from a humble background also acknowledged a class dimension in the current crisis but played it down as a minor factor.

"I admit there exists discrepancies among the various classes. This is a sensitive issue but we shouldn't use it to create a discourse that city-dwellers look down on provincial folks."

Thirayuth didn't specify how long the struggle would continue, but said perhaps PDRC leaders should also think about taking a break for themselves and their supporters and resume the fight later after the Bangkok "shutdown", since it has so far failed to remove the caretaker Yingluck administration from power.

Thirayuth, who held a press conference at the Thai Journalists Association, said the chance of military intervention is slimmer this time as even some members of the PDRC made it clear they would not go home if there was a military coup. He said the chance of His Majesty the King intervening to end the crisis was also very slim, adding that it would be best to leave the Palace out of the feud.


-- The Nation 2014-01-16

[smutcakes]

How old is this 'scholar'? He would plead with them?? is he serious?

[Nowhereman60]

The southern thugs are getting home sick the numbers are down. But they will have help on the weekend when the Bangkok weekend warroris come out.

[whybother]

The southern thugs are getting home sick the numbers are down. But they will have help on the weekend when the Bangkok weekend warroris come out.

The same sort of thing happened in 2010. That didn't stop them from hanging around for 2 months.

[Thai at Heart]

renowned scholar

Yes. He's telling what any foreigner with half a brain has known for 5 years.

Kop khun krap.

.

This is a sensitive issue but we shouldn't use it to create a discourse that city-dwellers look down on provincial folks."

So when oh dear genius pooyai would you like to have that discussion. These numpties are patronising even when they think they are being reasonable.

Edited January 16, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[Spalpeen]

Sad to see that the low standards in Thai education extend all the way to the top. No doubt this 'renowned scholar' wants to be on Sutheps fascist council of 'good people'. Anyone know what his academic specialty is? Rocket science?

[Prbkk]

"I admit that we're not the majority voice, that we are not the voice of the whole nation. But no revolution is ever carried out by the majority," said Thirayuth.

Something never acknowledged by the obsessive, maniacal fringe. The strategy is not to reason, present an alternative, work for change but rather to bully, threaten and intimidate. It won't work

[englishoak]

Sad to see that the low standards in Thai education extend all the way to the top. No doubt this 'renowned scholar' wants to be on Sutheps fascist council of 'good people'. Anyone know what his academic specialty is? Rocket science?

He was lead part of the 1970s protests and one of the ones that sparked the 1073 protests and present at the student massacre of 76.

He led The NSCT which as an example led tens of thousands of people in public protests against the regimes. However, one of the first activities of the NSCT was a 10-day boycott against Japanese products, in protest against Japanese investments in Thailand.

He was also an anti monarchist but later renounced socialism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirayuth_Boonmee

you might say he has been reformed.

[Tatsujin]

"I admit that we're not the majority voice, that we are not the voice of the whole nation. But no revolution is ever carried out by the majority," said Thirayuth.

Something never acknowledged by the obsessive, maniacal fringe. The strategy is not to reason, present an alternative, work for change but rather to bully, threaten and intimidate. It won't work

Why not? It's worked before . . . welcome to Thai politics!

[Spalpeen]

Sad to see that the low standards in Thai education extend all the way to the top. No doubt this 'renowned scholar' wants to be on Sutheps fascist council of 'good people'. Anyone know what his academic specialty is? Rocket science?

He was lead part of the 1970s protests and one of the ones that sparked the 1073 protests and present at the student massacre of 76.

He led The NSCT which as an example led tens of thousands of people in public protests against the regimes. However, one of the first activities of the NSCT was a 10-day boycott against Japanese products, in protest against Japanese investments in Thailand.

He was also an anti monarchist but later renounced socialism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirayuth_Boonmee

you might say he has been reformed.

.

Indeed........"Faculty of Sociology". So not exactly a rocket scientist then.

[pookiki]

I am very dismayed that the PDRC has targeted the average government civil servant in their war to unseat the current administration. What purpose does it serve to issue ultimatums to workers that they will be forcibly dragged from their offices if they don't join the demonstrations. Is this democracy in action? These workers are just trying to do their best to serve the interests of all Thai people and probably something they have been doing for many years under many government administrations. The tactic of bullying people who are your potential allies does nothing to further your cause. It only serves to display that there is no political space for opposing views or alternatives being offered. As long as there is a sense of blind 'righteousness' by any group or political party, no solution to the current impasse will be found.

[JAG]

Sad to see that the low standards in Thai education extend all the way to the top. No doubt this 'renowned scholar' wants to be on Sutheps fascist council of 'good people'. Anyone know what his academic specialty is? Rocket science?

He was lead part of the 1970s protests and one of the ones that sparked the 1073 protests and present at the student massacre of 76.

He led The NSCT which as an example led tens of thousands of people in public protests against the regimes. However, one of the first activities of the NSCT was a 10-day boycott against Japanese products, in protest against Japanese investments in Thailand.

He was also an anti monarchist but later renounced socialism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirayuth_Boonmee

you might say he has been reformed.

Or you might say "he has an eye on the main chance".

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[englishoak]

Sad to see that the low standards in Thai education extend all the way to the top. No doubt this 'renowned scholar' wants to be on Sutheps fascist council of 'good people'. Anyone know what his academic specialty is? Rocket science?

He was lead part of the 1970s protests and one of the ones that sparked the 1073 protests and present at the student massacre of 76.

He led The NSCT which as an example led tens of thousands of people in public protests against the regimes. However, one of the first activities of the NSCT was a 10-day boycott against Japanese products, in protest against Japanese investments in Thailand.

He was also an anti monarchist but later renounced socialism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirayuth_Boonmee

you might say he has been reformed.

Or you might say "he has an eye on the main chance".

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

He probably could'nt afford Dubai back then and the hotels there at that time didnt even have aircon

[poisonus]

Thirayuth said civil war was still a possibility although he believed Thais were not that violent. "I hope it won't happen."

I have been around quite a lot (over 30 countries), trust me.... Thais are among the most violent people I have ever interacted with. They have very short fuses and many carry lethal weapons and use them at the drop of a hat. Once a Thai flips his/her lid, they are capable of going 'all the way'.

[comeondoit]

of course you are a minority because you are not paying 500BHT a day as the red shirts do...right now they are spreading the word through our villages hear in the deapest Northeast offering to the people if they are going to BKK 500BHT a day. And it is true for many the best what they can do to get some money and it has nothing to do with their political ideas...they have none

[DocN]

"Thirayuth said civil war was still a possibility although he believed Thais were not that violent. "I hope it won't happen."

Angels, pure as freshly fallen snow- all of them!

[spare5]

BBC reported more than 6 millions on the street in Bangkok itself, and you call that minority?

We have not even counter those who did not come out, at work, overseas, and those outside Bangkok.

Easily adds up to 10 times that figure.

[whybother]

BBC reported more than 6 millions on the street in Bangkok itself, and you call that minority?

We have not even counter those who did not come out, at work, overseas, and those outside Bangkok.

Easily adds up to 10 times that figure.

Don't feed the troll.

[englishoak]

Thirayuth said civil war was still a possibility although he believed Thais were not that violent. "I hope it won't happen."

I have been around quite a lot (over 30 countries), trust me.... Thais are among the most violent people I have ever interacted with. They have very short fuses and many carry lethal weapons and use them at the drop of a hat. Once a Thai flips his/her lid, they are capable of going 'all the way'.

You havnt been to the places I have then thais have a very long fuse but have a tendency to flip when they flip without warning ill agree with you there, and then yes they often go all the way and over the top but..........

Thailand is not a warlike nation its people and culture arnt bred for conflict and violence but rather its mainly domestic and mob violence. you will rarely see a 1 on 1 here usually its one vs a load of others or people jump in.

Trust me when respected thais will take more crap than any other nationality i know, where the danger does lay is they will put trust in others blindly and switch off to other points of view or ideas, they are one of the most stubborn people when they wish to be theres no denying that but the average thai is not violent in the sense of they go looking for it. Not in my experience anyway.

Its true there is a slow fuse burning here and has been a long time, if it does go off it will likely not be prolonged but it certainly could be very destructive, I don't see the thais going so far as to have it all collapse they have a very strong national pride and togetherness which when push comes to shove after any initial blow up they settle down when the horrors of it become clear very rapidly.

this is a good thing because it allows reality to settle in, I dont fear a massive problem just any bloodshed is too much, it scars a generation

[15Peter20]

BBC reported more than 6 millions on the street in Bangkok itself, and you call that minority?

We have not even counter those who did not come out, at work, overseas, and those outside Bangkok.

Easily adds up to 10 times that figure.

Your comments would simply be a waste of space if there was not the minute possibility that someone somewhere might actually believe a small portion of your drivel. Do you enjoy lying on an anonymous forum?

[choff56]

Thirayuth said civil war was still a possibility although he believed Thais were not that violent. "I hope it won't happen."

I have been around quite a lot (over 30 countries), trust me.... Thais are among the most violent people I have ever interacted with. They have very short fuses and many carry lethal weapons and use them at the drop of a hat. Once a Thai flips his/her lid, they are capable of going 'all the way'.

A product of their pent-up repression.

[Honkie]

BBC reported more than 6 millions on the street in Bangkok itself, and you call that minority?

We have not even counter those who did not come out, at work, overseas, and those outside Bangkok.

Easily adds up to 10 times that figure.

Go easy on the Chang and Take your MEDICATIONS !!!

[Spalpeen]

of course you are a minority because you are not paying 500BHT a day as the red shirts do...

.

Broken record alert!

[Nowhereman60]

He must have Bluesky confused for BBC.

[crazykopite]

Just shows the lack of good education in Thailand if these words are coming from a renowned scholar.

[JoeThePoster]

Thirayuth Boonmee

A "reformed" socialist with a "scholar" tag.

Edited January 16, 2014 by JoeThePoster

[Nickymaster]

The southern thugs are getting home sick the numbers are down. But they will have help on the weekend when the Bangkok weekend warroris come out.

Why do you call them thugs? A bit nasty no? Calling peaceful protestors thugs. You should be ashamed of yourself. Maybe it's still time to give yourself some well needed proper education.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thug

Edited January 16, 2014 by Nickymaster

[icommunity]

BBC reported more than 6 millions on the street in Bangkok itself, and you call that minority?

We have not even counter those who did not come out, at work, overseas, and those outside Bangkok.

Easily adds up to 10 times that figure.

You, liar.

[Nickymaster]

Just shows the lack of good education in Thailand if these words are coming from a renowned scholar.

Which words coming from Thirayuth show a lack of good education according to you?

[GreenSnapper]

I visited Suthep's walk yesterday. Maybe 1000-2000 supporters. This is his hardcore group. Quite ridiculous.

In evenings and weekends they are more, but still a tiny minority. Most Bangkokians are annoyed by being denied to live their lifes, go to work or make a living.

Taking hostage a whole city is not "peaceful", btw.