Red shirts in Chiang Mai in favour of new capital in case of coup

[tonneke breda]

"We are not afraid. All the red groups will unite. We are willing to sacrifice our lives," said Kawang, president of the alumni association of Yupparaj school in Chiang Mai where Yingluck was once a student.

Nice to hear, so after you all scarified your lives, there will not be any unemployment in the country, great news…..

[arthurwait]

Think twice Red shirts! Yingluck might not have THB 780,000,000,000 to spend anymore on populist policies...

Yes, the north would be more like Laos and Burma without Bangkok and the south. But if that's what they want, why not. Both side should happy. Other countries have split amicably. e.g. Czech & Slovakia.

Yep and when the new republic of corruption have to pay back all the stolen money what will they pay it with ? Rice ?

[Jingthing]

Thaksinistan does have a certain ring to it ...

[Nickymaster]

Some red shirts are getting a bit emotional. I don't think they represent most red shirts nationwide.

Some are getting a bit emotional?? Good one.

Well, compared to Suthep's protesters over the last 3 months I think most red shirts have been positively stoic, wouldn't you agree?

Just waiting for orders (and over due money for their rice) I guess. If the police would do it's job, maybe a certain protest leaders' dead would be linked with a few from Samut Prakarn.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Nickymaster

[Thailand]

Great idea, I think!

Once they're landlocked I wonder how they will get products, etc. delivered.

But they can try selling their rice 40% above market value. Any industry that produced would likely move to "South Thailand" (if there is North & South Thailand as the new states) where the minimum wage would probably be reversed to a level that reflects the actual qualification of workers.

Wonder how they will finance this new country then!

That's an easy one: SHIN-CASINOS INC. ! ! ! ! ! !

Not so far from the truth. It almost happened in late 2005 with talks in Chiang Mai with Macao tycoons getting to a late stage in negotiations with the subsequent 2006 coup putting the mockers on it as it would have been of no benefit to the south.

Look for negotiations to be reopened when PTP if /when return to power. And major construction projects in and around the northern provinces with a new Chiang Mai airport likely to be the main one.

[Just1Voice]

I have heard rumors and open talk about this since I first retired here 6 years ago, so this isn't anything new to me. There is no love lost between the Northern "Lanna Thai", and the BKK "Siam Thai", believe me. I also talk to people over the North and North East, and many of them also espouse the same thing. One of these is a professor of Economics at Khon Kaen Univ, who took the time to outline a map of the "New Lanna KIngdom", which is much like the old Lanna Kingdom maps. He also pointed out the closer connection to China, as well as Vietnam via Lao and Cambodian roads, thus the ocean connection. The one problem is Manufacturing, which the north & northeast are short on. However, this can be offset, slightly, by the fact that it is the north & northeast that feeds BKK, so they (BKK) would have to buy their food from the New Lanna Kingdom.

My wife also has a friend who is a real estate agent, and this woman claims that 7 out of 10 houses and properties she's sold over the past 2 years have been to BKK residents looking to get out of BKK.

I have to admit that, on the one hand, I would like to see it. On the other, financially I don't think it's possible.

[tonneke breda]

put yourselves in the shoes of people from isaan for example.....Each time your democratically elected government by huge majority gets overthrown by upperclass coups, then surely your logical course of action would be to want autonomy.

Could you explain this matter to the people in the most southern part of the kingdom, who were killed by Thaksin's orders, they wanted the same…..

[Jingthing]

This is the kind of idea that fuels ACTUAL civil wars!

[winstonc]

The friendliest people, the prettiest girls and a better quality expat live in the North and North East. Foreign investment would be relocate there due to the low risk of flooding and good communications with Lao. Already many companies are moving to Khon Kaen and the Chinese are buying land like like it was going out of fashion. Without the racist Democrats (ha ha) a better relationship would be forged with Cambodia. The North and North East would retain its land of smiles. The South would be run by corrupt nationalists, where everyone is fighting to get to the trough.

utter crap...stick to the real world this aint hogwarts..

[bigbamboo]

" The Post quoted Supon, a former policeman as saying "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok."

Yeah right. Then you will end up like other land locked metropolis' such as Loas, Afghanistan, South Sudan etc etc

Yup they really struggle in Leichtenstein Andorra and Switzerland the richest countries in Europe,Vatican,Austria not doing too bad either.

Once the Slowvaks checked out even the Bohemians are doing fine albeit recovering from decades of Russian serfdom.

I think a soul cotrolled by geography is limited.As to your substantive point I think the split unlikely as America wouldn''t like it.This is why the Chinese may encourage a new "Lanna" planner .Interesting times.

Interesting how most of the countries you mention are tax havens for the rich. That would certainly appeal to the new ruler of Shinland.

[Beetlejuice]

This is great news as now the Chiang Mai authorities may relax their rules and open a Nana Plaza here.

[BlueNoseCodger]

" The Post quoted Supon, a former policeman as saying "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok."

Yeah right. Then you will end up like other land locked metropolis' such as Loas, Afghanistan, South Sudan etc etc

Are you sure? According to the last election results, it seems to me that Bangkok would be the almost land locked metropolis in such a scenario. Even the entire North East of Bangkok is red:

From your OWN image: Bangkok results: Democrats 23, Pheu Thai 10

Plus every bye election since 2010 PTP have lost I believe.

But how is it possible to lose a by-election if the vote is rigged and PT simply buy votes?!

Edited January 30, 2014 by metisdead
Bold font removed.

[Jingthing]

What are the financial requirements for retirement visas?

[coma]

" The Post quoted Supon, a former policeman as saying "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok."

Yeah right. Then you will end up like other land locked metropolis' such as Loas, Afghanistan, South Sudan etc etc

Are you sure? According to the last election results, it seems to me that Bangkok would be the almost land locked metropolis in such a scenario. Even the entire North East of Bangkok is red:

From your OWN image: Bangkok results: Democrats 23, Pheu Thai 10

Who has hold of Bangkok right now ?

[manonthemon]

A recipie for a bloodbath...

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

" The Post quoted Supon, a former policeman as saying "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok."

Yeah right. Then you will end up like other land locked metropolis' such as Loas, Afghanistan, South Sudan etc etc

Are you sure? According to the last election results, it seems to me that Bangkok would be the almost land locked metropolis in such a scenario. Even the entire North East of Bangkok is red:

To assume that the 2012 election results reveal the true red/yellow(blue in this case) division of the nation is pure folly. Certainly this map no longer reflects the current political sentiments of the country. An unpopular ruling party will always distort the picture. Case in point, Obama's 2008 landslide. With Yingluck's and PTP's recent missteps, I would think there would be a lot of areas that favor neither of the two major parties.

[HannahD]

" The Post quoted Supon, a former policeman as saying "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok."

Yeah right. Then you will end up like other land locked metropolis' such as Loas, Afghanistan, South Sudan etc etc

Yup they really struggle in Leichtenstein Andorra and Switzerland the richest countries in Europe,Vatican,Austria not doing too bad either.

Once the Slowvaks checked out even the Bohemians are doing fine albeit recovering from decades of Russian serfdom.

I think a soul cotrolled by geography is limited.As to your substantive point I think the split unlikely as America wouldn''t like it.This is why the Chinese may encourage a new "Lanna" planner .Interesting times.

[Mosha]

The friendliest people, the prettiest girls and a better quality expat live in the North and North East. Foreign investment would be relocate there due to the low risk of flooding and good communications with Lao. Already many companies are moving to Khon Kaen and the Chinese are buying land like like it was going out of fashion. Without the racist Democrats (ha ha) a better relationship would be forged with Cambodia. The North and North East would retain its land of smiles. The South would be run by corrupt nationalists, where everyone is fighting to get to the trough.

utter crap...stick to the real world this aint hogwarts..

Good communications with Laos. Yes I can see that being a major consideration.

[BlueNoseCodger]

" The Post quoted Supon, a former policeman as saying "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok."

Yeah right. Then you will end up like other land locked metropolis' such as Loas, Afghanistan, South Sudan etc etc

Are you sure? According to the last election results, it seems to me that Bangkok would be the almost land locked metropolis in such a scenario. Even the entire North East of Bangkok is red:

From your OWN image: Bangkok results: Democrats 23, Pheu Thai 10

Who has hold of Bangkok right now ?

I wonder that too, I mean technically central Bangkok is Democract. But given Suthep seems to have an incredible influence on the people running the vote, he snaps his fingers and polling stations are closed on the first sign of his protestors, registrations block, polling stations in the south closed without even protestors visible. I don't trust the vote.

I wonder who really won Bangkok.

'It's not the people who vote that count; It's the people who count the votes' - Joseph Starlin

[added, I see on Pantip people are also asking that question, they see these officials carrying off the voting box, and wonder if it isn't swapped, given the recent behavior of some of these officials.]

Edited January 30, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[bobdown1]

As strange as it sounds, it might be the best solution to Thailand's yellow / red conflict. It will never end, because if yellow has the power, red will protest and if red has the power, yellow will protest.

Make North Thailand and South Thailand. Problem solved.

Yes it worked in Korea okay didnt it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stoneboy]

Nonsense ideology….these people are living in their own world. Totally brainwashed by Thaksin.

[Mr Yim]

Ridicule the North and Isaan as much as you like, but a separation would likel result in these regions prospering, whereas the South would likely decline. There are close ties with Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China in the North. The South simply has tourism and a problem with Muslim insurgents. A lot of industry around Bangkok would likely relocate to the North.

[whatsupdoc]

I have heard rumors and open talk about this since I first retired here 6 years ago, so this isn't anything new to me. There is no love lost between the Northern "Lanna Thai", and the BKK "Siam Thai", believe me. I also talk to people over the North and North East, and many of them also espouse the same thing. One of these is a professor of Economics at Khon Kaen Univ, who took the time to outline a map of the "New Lanna KIngdom", which is much like the old Lanna Kingdom maps. He also pointed out the closer connection to China, as well as Vietnam via Lao and Cambodian roads, thus the ocean connection. The one problem is Manufacturing, which the north & northeast are short on. However, this can be offset, slightly, by the fact that it is the north & northeast that feeds BKK, so they (BKK) would have to buy their food from the New Lanna Kingdom.

My wife also has a friend who is a real estate agent, and this woman claims that 7 out of 10 houses and properties she's sold over the past 2 years have been to BKK residents looking to get out of BKK.

I have to admit that, on the one hand, I would like to see it. On the other, financially I don't think it's possible.

BKK would have to buy food from the north and northeast????

That's how the rice scam started; they thought they could control the market... Last time I checked they weren't very successful in selling rice.

[HannahD]

The real fly in the ointment is China. More than likely they would absolutely love to get a foothold in the newly constituted state of Lanna and the Shinawatras would turn to China to protect Lanna from the central government. The Chinese might even promise to throw in Shan State like the Japanese did just to get back at the Burmese for turning away from China's warm embrace. And then there is the matter of the up country Army garrisons. Would they or could they remain loyal to Bangkok?

[tullynagardy]

Whilst TV likes to follow closely the bastion of un biased press that is the Nation, I thought Id bring up an article from another Newspaper to give the same viewpoint.

http://www.economist...way-ill-go-mine

They have been saying this for some time - http://www.economist...olitical-crisis

It would make an interesting situation to see how the respective countries would perform. Would Issan for example continue to massively outstrip Bangkok in its growth figures after the plug of Bangkok help is pulled? Would foreign aid and support continue to pour into what was an effective dictatorship in the new Southern Thailand state? Would ASEAN plans be placed on hold? Would the baht collapse and what currency would they both have? Too many questions.

I`m personally not convinced the scenario will ever happen and we`ll get to find out.

First of all its important to note that culturally Thailand has always been divided and a mismatch of ethnic groups. However, this split wouldnt be along those lines and Lao speaking Issan would be joined with the Thai speaking North. It isnt a natural collaboration and most in Issan would see Korat or the likes of Udon as their natural successor capital city rather than the distant Chiang Mai most have never set foot in.

Secondly the article fails to mention the powerful unifying nature of the monarchy in Thailand. I am limited in what i can say here but suffice to say that all over the Nation Thais would hate to break away from their King.

Thirdly another omission is the growing discontent in Northern areas with the government over failed rice payments and the amnesty bill. The Thaskin bond isnt as unbreakable as they lead you to believe. I still think (and hope) and unifying middle ground will emerge and clean up and rid the country of its Abshits, Sutheps, Thaskin and Yinglucks.

Lastly the article fails to mention that the Muslim South of Thailand would see any such break away as their big chance for freedom. The new Southern Thai state would be plunged into yet more violence and likely be split further.

Whatever will pan out I think now is crunch time and in 2 weeks time all will be clear. Sit back and enjoy the ride. (or bombs more likely)

[ramrod711]

The friendliest people, the prettiest girls and a better quality expat live in the North and North East. Foreign investment would be relocate there due to the low risk of flooding and good communications with Lao. Already many companies are moving to Khon Kaen and the Chinese are buying land like like it was going out of fashion. Without the racist Democrats (ha ha) a better relationship would be forged with Cambodia. The North and North East would retain its land of smiles. The South would be run by corrupt nationalists, where everyone is fighting to get to the trough.

better quality expat, really, has there been a survey? I live just outside Chiang Mai, when i go into the old city and see the drunks misbehaving and manhandling the girls, "better quality" doesn't come to mind.

[ppmacready]

Sadly enough this might be the only solution.

Cut a piece off the south for the Muslims too.

If ever there was a right time for them to rise up against their elite masters, its approaching soon!

Amusingly we have front row seats.

We Falang may need 3 visas to visit what's left of Thailand.

[whybother]

Some red shirts are getting a bit emotional. I don't think they represent most red shirts nationwide.

But, he said "The majority of redshirts really like the idea of a separate state. If they stage a coup, we can live without Bangkok." It must be true if he said it.

[BlueNoseCodger]

Sadly enough this might be the only solution.

Cut a piece off the south for the Muslims too.

If ever there was a right time for them to rise up against their elite masters, its approaching soon!

Amusingly we have front row seats.

We Falang may need 3 visas to visit what's left of Thailand.

I like that graphic, but if Surat Thani officials won't hold a vote featuring the opposition party, then the vote is corrupt as hell down in the south. Not holding a ballot at all, is just the extreme of vote rigging.

Swapping a ballot box or two in secret is nothing compared to doing a full on election block in public!

So that cut line would be way way way South...

Edited January 30, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Robby nz]

What happened when Pakistan separated from India, how many million died ?

There would be a mass movement to the south of those who didn't want to live under red rule and some from the south would move north.

Anyway where would you draw the line, who would decide ?

Not just about BKK and Chang Mai there is a hell of a lot in between and that in between is where most of the rice is grown and most industry is situated.

Consider, would you want to live under a red dictatorship ?

Stupid idea.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Robby nz