Bangkok: White-shirt group calls for peace and quick election

[whybother]

an injection of a 'Middle Way' is in dire need - if this movement can bring peace and new ideas I'm all for it

"This movement" ... you mean the red shirts that have changed to white shirts?

With us or against us right?. Why couldn't there be a group unaffiliated to the either of these groups.

Sent from my GT-S7562 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Well, the red shirts did state that they were changing into white shirts for the "candle light" demonstrations.

But besides that, it just highlights the point that pro red/government/Thaksin people are very quick to label anyone that is anti-government/Thaksin/red shirt as a yellow shirt.

[JAG]

Where are the Brown Shirts...?

I think they call them ""PDRC security guards" these days!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited February 22, 2014 by JAG

[djjamie]

LOL red apologists are just amusing.

People want to overthrow Poo because she's incompetent, leads a corrupt and ineffectual government and is a puppet for her murdering fugitive brother. It's not because she has a vagina.

It would be most remarkable if she didn't have one.

What has that got to do with anything anyway? When she was elected the world media cheered her on for "empowering women across Asia" etc. her being the first female PM here was seen as a great PR boost to Thailand, a symbol of progressive politics. So if anything we are judging her despite her gender, not because of it, as it was originally touted as a major positive factor.

With all due respect Yunla, since your posts are always most reasonable, but I believe the world 'cheering' was more due to the novelty factor.

Yingluck Shinawatra had never sacrificed anything of her life to be the P.M.

She was parachuted into the position by her brother's orders. Her looks are her greatest asset since her oratorical skills leave much to be desired.

Other female Asian politicians have fought harder IMHO. Aung San Suu Kyii stands head and shoulders above the rest, but Indira Gandhi, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Benazir Bhutto, Aquino and Arroyo among whom Yingluck Shinawatra stands small in the shadows.

It was a PR boost as you say, but the icing on the cake is only covering and in Yingluck's case, the cake has few ingredients. Her being dubbed as a puppet P.M. did nothing for her symbolism as a progressive politician,merely a cute one.

While SE Asia has had a lot of female leaders, their success seems to have less to do with their individual merits than with their family connections to powerful men. Both her critics and supporters point out that she was elected not because she is a woman, but because her older brother is thaksin.

​It is pertinent to add that Abhisit has done more for the women's movement that yingluck ever has.

The honorable elected Abhisit government actively promoted women's rights by:

- Approving 15-day paternity leave for government officials to allow them to help their wives take care of their babies in the period immediately following birth.

(Approved by Cabinet on 8 February 2011)

- Promoting the creation of day care centers in offices.

- All government agencies were required to establish mechanisms to deal effectively with sexual harassment, in line with the Civil Service Act 2008.

yinglucks government did nothing. She was on a TV show though called "Smart Woman", but that was more a PR stunt for yingluck than furthering women's rights.

When yingluck became PM the comments were;

“How can we be proud? The whole world knows it’s about Thaksin,” said Sutada Mekrungruengkul, director of the Gender and Development Research Institute (GDRI) of Thailand.

“She might have the anatomy of a woman, but she thinks like a man and I don’t think she will do anything extraordinary for women,” said Arpaporn Sumrit, a lecturer at the Women’s Studies Centre at Chiang Mai University. (Turns out she was right too)

The list goes on.

History has already judged yingluck and NO that judge can't be kidnapped.

Edited February 22, 2014 by djjamie

[ShannonT]

While SE Asia has had a lot of female leaders, their success seems to have less to do with their individual merits than with their family connections to powerful men. Both her critics and supporters point out that she was elected not because she is a woman, but because her older brother is thaksin.

​It is pertinent to add that Abhisit has done more for the women's movement that yingluck ever has.

The honorable elected Abhisit government actively promoted women's rights by:

- Approving 15-day paternity leave for government officials to allow them to help their wives take care of their babies in the period immediately following birth.

(Approved by Cabinet on 8 February 2011)

- Promoting the creation of day care centers in offices.

- All government agencies were required to establish mechanisms to deal effectively with sexual harassment, in line with the Civil Service Act 2008.

yinglucks government did nothing. She was on a TV show though called "Smart Woman", but that was more a PR stunt for yingluck than furthering women's rights.

When yingluck became PM the comments were;

“How can we be proud? The whole world knows it’s about Thaksin,” said Sutada Mekrungruengkul, director of the Gender and Development Research Institute (GDRI) of Thailand.

“She might have the anatomy of a woman, but she thinks like a man and I don’t think she will do anything extraordinary for women,” said Arpaporn Sumrit, a lecturer at the Women’s Studies Centre at Chiang Mai University. (Turns out she was right too)

The list goes on.

History has already judged yingluck and NO that judge can't be kidnapped.

Just some facts to back up your statements:

- Sutada Mekrungruengkul is a prominent Democrat.

- Arpaporn Sumrit is a personal friend of Abhisit. They know each other since their time together in the UK.

And no, HISTORY hasn't judged Yingluck yet ...only YOU have, because this is your personal opinion, which is pretty much worthless, just like mine.

[SamMunich]

Kikoman thinks:

I think that many had overlooked in this attempt to overthrow PM Yingluck government, is the fact that she is a female PM in a male dominated society, were women do not have many of the same rights their counterpart have in other countries.

The attack on a woman's right to be a elected leader of her country, coupled with the attack on the unwashed masses of the north is clearly the corner stone of the Suthep fascist movement!

Cheers

__________________________________

So if she were a man instead of a woman, attacking her status as a dummy of her elder brother would be o.k. then? C'mon, her being a woman is not an achievement nor a fault, it's a folly of nature, if you want. But that doesn't mean she is not to be critizised. There are enough "strong" women around nowadays to refute the claim, that women are the weaker gender.

And stop talking about Suthep being a fascist, you are only ridiculing yourself. And boring others.

[SamMunich]

whybother:

an injection of a 'Middle Way' is in dire need - if this movement can bring peace and new ideas I'm all for it

"This movement" ... you mean the red shirts that have changed to white shirts?

No, they just used the wrong washing powder, now all the red color is washed out...

And that "middle way" always reminds me of the "only a little bit pregnant" joke. It is either Taksins way or the other way, there is no other way in between, else we'll have the same situation in no time again.

[englishoak]

I would submit that someones sex is or should be irrelevent and making comments and ridicule based on it is not criticising that persons ability or lack of it but is in fact just plain old sexual abuse.

As for Suthep the PDRC movement is a fascist one, been over all the reasons and examples, if you dont like a spade being called a spade thats just too bad.

Edited February 22, 2014 by englishoak

[SamMunich]

Red shirt, white shirt yellow shirt or any other color, the real question is:

Whether Thailand should be governed by a guy living permanently outside Thailand,

not being elected to any poltical position,

being sentenced (final) to 24 months in prison and

being on the run from the law.

Another question is, if normal Thais are allowed to hold dual or multiple nationalities. And if so, if they are still allowed to play politics, provided they are in Thailand and out of prison etc.

I know of at least 3 other former PMs, who were ousted in a coup and who resigned themselves to wash their hands off poltics in Thailand.

[englishoak]

Red shirt, white shirt yellow shirt or any other color, the real question is:

Whether Thailand should be governed by a guy living permanently outside Thailand,

not being elected to any poltical position,

being sentenced (final) to 24 months in prison and

being on the run from the law.

Another question is, if normal Thais are allowed to hold dual or multiple nationalities. And if so, if they are still allowed to play politics, provided they are in Thailand and out of prison etc.

I know of at least 3 other former PMs, who were ousted in a coup and who resigned themselves to wash their hands off poltics in Thailand.

The question to your highlighted part is how can you stop it in a globalist world ? its a real puzzle and will no doubt get more so globally when you can run almost any business from any location in the world now, I do. Seriously how can you stop it ?

Seems many outside politics that has been in it still play politics here anyway, even well connected or rich not necessarily in any party still use their influence in a political way.

Edited February 22, 2014 by englishoak

[Bakseeda]

It is sick the sexist diatribe that has been coming from the stage at times... keeping it political and focused on failings in the job only has been a major problem for a lot, including here.

That is why ive said this protest has been violent from the beginning, violence is not just physical.

Ya Basta.....

[smutcakes]

Do they really think that elections will mean that the protesters will go home? Where have they been for the last 4 months?

Do the protesters really think getting rid of Shins and PTP will mean an end to the problems?

The 'educated' again set a ridiculous precedent which will be followed and surpassed when the Govt are overthrown.

I expect we will really see what 6 million looks and feels like in 9 months.,

Not heard much reform talk from the Democrats lately? What are they doing to improve their party and cut out the corruption whilst the impasse is here? Nothing again?

[whybother]

Do they really think that elections will mean that the protesters will go home? Where have they been for the last 4 months?

Do the protesters really think getting rid of Shins and PTP will mean an end to the problems?

The 'educated' again set a ridiculous precedent which will be followed and surpassed when the Govt are overthrown.

I expect we will really see what 6 million looks and feels like in 9 months.,

Not heard much reform talk from the Democrats lately? What are they doing to improve their party and cut out the corruption whilst the impasse is here? Nothing again?

They seem to think that. IMO, it's a step in the right direction.

[Mudcrab]

Do they really think that elections will mean that the protesters will go home? Where have they been for the last 4 months?

The protest leaders need to go to jail, an election should be held with international monitors, to assure a free, open and transparent election, the military need to guard the polling places to assure all Thai's can participate and exercise their right to vote, as per their constitutional rights.

The majority political party indicated by the election results, to set up a reform committee to cleans Thailand of all the forms of corruption that has been practiced in Thailand for hundreds of years!, not only political corruption, all forms of corruption!

Cheers!

Why do the protest leaders need to go to jail? Because they have the balls to stand up to a corrupted Government?

So jail the people who actually brought the situation to fruition that could lead to your free, open and transparent election?

You are suggesting to remove all dissent and then have free, open and transparent elections?

Something wrong with your logic in my opinion.

Could work in the Peoples Democratic Republic Of Korea though.

Mind you there are some unpleasant side effects to this particular form of democracy, apparently.

Unless you are part of the ruling elite.

Unfortunately this is unlikely to be a position that a farang in Thailand can aspire to.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Mudcrab

[Mudcrab]

Election right now is the last thing that will bring an end to the dispute. Realistically, that won't happen until Missy has resigned, Suthep has gone or retired, and people can begin to talk constructively.

That ain't gonna be any time soon, methinks.

I think expressions like "missy" are similar to the ones being objected to by (most) people who have been brought up in 1st world, developed countries... (like some people on this board.), they are sexist, condescending and patronizing, use these words in the workplace in said 1st world countries, and you'd (a male) be out on your ar$e... Pat. Don't get me wrong, I'm a bloke, but I'm smart enough to realize that chicks can run businesses, and even countries...

Politics is a tough business. If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen. Maggie Thatcher was one tough woman and cannot be compared to many other female leaders, YL and Julia Gillard , the ex PM of Australia, in particular. Both useless and very poor leaders.

Using the sex card just shows how weak they really are. When it comes to leadership we need leaders irrespective of their sex.

[Mudcrab]

LOL red apologists are just amusing.

People want to overthrow Poo because she's incompetent, leads a corrupt and ineffectual government and is a puppet for her murdering fugitive brother. It's not because she has a vagina.

It would be most remarkable if she didn't have one.

What has that got to do with anything anyway? When she was elected the world media cheered her on for "empowering women across Asia" etc. her being the first female PM here was seen as a great PR boost to Thailand, a symbol of progressive politics. So if anything we are judging her despite her gender, not because of it, as it was originally touted as a major positive factor.

Not for all "females" in Thailand as I suspect a few TV members have found out during their nightly sojourns.

[patjem]

While SE Asia has had a lot of female leaders, their success seems to have less to do with their individual merits than with their family connections to powerful men. Both her critics and supporters point out that she was elected not because she is a woman, but because her older brother is thaksin.

​It is pertinent to add that Abhisit has done more for the women's movement that yingluck ever has.

The honorable elected Abhisit government actively promoted women's rights by:

- Approving 15-day paternity leave for government officials to allow them to help their wives take care of their babies in the period immediately following birth.

(Approved by Cabinet on 8 February 2011)

- Promoting the creation of day care centers in offices.

- All government agencies were required to establish mechanisms to deal effectively with sexual harassment, in line with the Civil Service Act 2008.

yinglucks government did nothing. She was on a TV show though called "Smart Woman", but that was more a PR stunt for yingluck than furthering women's rights.

When yingluck became PM the comments were;

How can we be proud? The whole world knows its about Thaksin, said Sutada Mekrungruengkul, director of the Gender and Development Research Institute (GDRI) of Thailand.

She might have the anatomy of a woman, but she thinks like a man and I dont think she will do anything extraordinary for women, said Arpaporn Sumrit, a lecturer at the Womens Studies Centre at Chiang Mai University. (Turns out she was right too)

The list goes on.

History has already judged yingluck and NO that judge can't be kidnapped.

Just some facts to back up your statements:

- Sutada Mekrungruengkul is a prominent Democrat.

- Arpaporn Sumrit is a personal friend of Abhisit. They know each other since their time together in the UK.

And no, HISTORY hasn't judged Yingluck yet ...only YOU have, because this is your personal opinion, which is pretty much worthless, just like mine.

I judge her by her performance as a leader (or lack thereof, to be more accurate)

- leading parliamentary debates: epic FAIL

- impartial decision making rather than for family benefits: epic FAIL

- rice scam: epic FAIL

- appointing capable people to minister positions: epic FAIL

- multiple-trillion off-the-books devious loan: epic FAIL

- amnesty bill: epic FAIL.

The list goes on.

Thank you three times for memories.

[Benji S]

Just some facts to back up your statements:

- Sutada Mekrungruengkul is a prominent Democrat.

- Arpaporn Sumrit is a personal friend of Abhisit. They know each other since their time together in the UK.

And no, HISTORY hasn't judged Yingluck yet ...only YOU have, because this is your personal opinion, which is pretty much worthless, just like mine.

This is the most ridiculous fact ever! "Their time together" Who gave you this piece of s*** information!

Arpaporn is my friend for 20 years and she started her course at LSE in 2003 so that way long after Abhisit's time in the UK!

btw I would be really appreciate, if you can answer me who gave you this fact.

I have to register here to correct your fact.

Edited March 4, 2014 by Benji S