Thai Army Chief denounces new UDD Chairman Jatuporn

[Mackie]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

You either provide a credible link for the nonsense you post or you're just spreading rumuours. A single shred of evidence. If you think that people will take Jatuporn's or your word for it, then you are more deluded than I thought. Why would media pay any extra attention to a common thug like Jatuporn? Don't be ridiculous, please.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Mackie

[whybother]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

Did Jatuporn have any evidence of any payments for any soldiers in Bangkok, or did he just make it up?

[Fryslan boppe]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

Did Jatuporn have any evidence of any payments for any soldiers in Bangkok, or did he just make it up?

I don't know.

I don't even know if it is true what Jatuporn said in this regard. Just what I have been told by a proverbial "source"

It is why I would love to see a fully translated version of his speech and let us decide.

Perhaps we should have some independent investigative journalism here.

[whybother]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

Did Jatuporn have any evidence of any payments for any soldiers in Bangkok, or did he just make it up?

I don't know.

I don't even know if it is true what Jatuporn said in this regard. Just what I have been told by a proverbial "source"

It is why I would love to see a fully translated version of his speech and let us decide.

Perhaps we should have some independent investigative journalism here.

So, you're no better than The Nation, quoting sources as if it's fact.

[Old Man River]

My money is on the army and I am not hedging my bet. They have the guns, logistics, training, discipline, and most of all, the authority to do what needs to be done, There will be no resistance and, therefore, little or no bloodshed. The worst that will happen is a low-level insurgency with occasional bombs and shootings until Thaksin becomes an old, old man.

Ramet, the issue is not whether the Army can take control, but what they do with the Country after.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Govern with less corruption.

I don't disagree with you, but this is the big question.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Just so you know where I stand, I want the Army to stay out of politics and would rather officers would keep their opinions to themselves. This is Thailand, though and the Army holds a certain position in the society. I have to accept the reality as it is. If the Yingluck government had worked selflessly for ALL the people for the first two years without scandal, I'm positive that Dr. Thaksin would be forgiven by most and be allowed to return and even involve himself in politics as an 'elder statesman' figure. Impatience if one of Dr. Thaksin's flaws and corruption is a way of keeping all the varied parties on board the government train so that didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin is a very charismatic person and I believe he could have laid out a long-term strategy that would have kept corruption to a minimum until their power was more secure and still kept his backers on board. That didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin also suffers from over-confidence (he is very talented and intelligent) and he made a terrible mistake in Spring of 2006 by dissolving Parliament with the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate). He didn't expect the Democrats to boycott and put a monkey wrench in his plans. PM Yingluck, no doubt at Thaksin's request, also made a mistake dissolving Parliament last December in the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate again). Surprise, surprise, Democrats used the same tactic they used in 2006 and now the Yingluck government in in Limbo with care-taker status and little power to guide their own future. This kind of bungling cannot be rewarded. They have become much richer and it is time for them to move on and for a new bunch to govern/rip off Thailand. I doubt very much that Suthep's PDRC will actually effect a cleanup of corruption as ALL the powers that be have molded their business practices to that status quo and are more likely to sabotage any efforts in that direction. I hope we can find some common ground so we can debate, with rational positions, the pros and cons of certain individuals' actions.

You sound like you have met Thaksin. A number of us have and talk to people he still talks to (they visit him,or through emissaries). You are right in that he is impatient. It is his personality.

Decentralization is a the key, with the King as head of State. Still a lot to be worked out, but Thaksin doesn't want it, YL doesn't want it, Jaruporn doesn't want it etc. Right now the National government holds all power with the King as Head of State. Imagine it was like the US where each State had its own powers, it's own government, not persuaded to vote as they are told by the Central government. With State and some federal money, they can upgrade their own educational systems and infrastructure etc. dictators would fall by the wayside. Decentralized police means no national police force supporting civil war.

A lot to gain by this.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Fryslan boppe]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

You either provide a credible link for the nonsense you post or you're just spreading rumuours. A single shred of evidence. If you think that people will take Jatuporn's or your word for it, then you are more deluded than I thought. Why would media pay any extra attention to a common thug like Jatuporn? Don't be ridiculous, please.

So you don't like the message, and challenge the messenger.....I live in a UDD/RS world, and that is the view you get from me, while also being equally exposed to the PAD-Dem's, and their views of the world via their media.

PAD-Dem mantra's discrediting UDD/RS sources is arrogance to the extreme. It is in part why they are so electorally challenged. Ya don't alienate voters if one has electoral ambitions. It is just exposing extreme prejudice to the Thailand electorate.

Back to my comment.....Why are we hearing every utterance of Prayuth, and no response from the individual he maligned?. When that was made at length yesterday..........That individual is the leader of a huge swath of the Thai electorate, whether PAD-Dem's and Prayuth like it or not......

To avoid his response makes it appear Prayuth' statements are gospel.

If independent political entities challenge military thinking,.... investigate....That is why we supposedly have independent journalism, and as you know, I use that characterization loosely.

I am in no position to explore these charges on location, but journalists are....And keep in mind, I am referencing only one comment made in this speech made by a political leader who was maligned by the military....There were others......Why are we not reading about them in impartial reports, but being exposed to everything the General said..........

Time for some truly Independent investigative journalism.

Prayuth picked on the wrong guy.....The huge UDD/RS electoral element of the electoral majority still has very fresh memories of the R'song military attack ordered by a coup-rooted Govt....To now attack its' leader is not smart and does nothing to dispel the impression by many, that the Thai military is no different from a foreign occupation force.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[Fryslan boppe]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

Did Jatuporn have any evidence of any payments for any soldiers in Bangkok, or did he just make it up?

I don't know.

I don't even know if it is true what Jatuporn said in this regard. Just what I have been told by a proverbial "source"

It is why I would love to see a fully translated version of his speech and let us decide.

Perhaps we should have some independent investigative journalism here.

So, you're no better than The Nation, quoting sources as if it's fact.

But no comment about the issue raised by a leader of a huge swath of the electorate, that I alluded to, and would like verified by independent investigative journalism.

Are you not equally interested in checking the veracity fo these charges, in addition to many other's (supposedly) made in Jatuporn's speech?

And please-thank you, to avoid more denigration of UDD/RS leadership, and Posters, as a feeble attempt to avoid the message in this instance.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[whybother]

But no comment about the issue raised by a leader of a huge swath of the electorate, that I alluded to, and would like verified by independent investigative journalism.

Are you not equally interested in checking the veracity fo these charges, in addition to many other's (supposedly) made in Jatuporn's speech?

And please-thank you, to avoid more denigration of UDD/RS leadership, and Posters, as a feeble attempt to avoid the message in this instance.

The comment about the issue raised by an idiot is "Where's the evidence?".

If he can produce some sort of evidence, then there might be something to investigate.

It's a waste of everyone's time if investigations are done every time some one makes some half arsed claim on a protest stage.

[SICHONSTEVE]

My money is on the army and I am not hedging my bet. They have the guns, logistics, training, discipline, and most of all, the authority to do what needs to be done, There will be no resistance and, therefore, little or no bloodshed. The worst that will happen is a low-level insurgency with occasional bombs and shootings until Thaksin becomes an old, old man.

Ramet, the issue is not whether the Army can take control, but what they do with the Country after.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Govern with less corruption.

I don't disagree with you, but this is the big question.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Just so you know where I stand, I want the Army to stay out of politics and would rather officers would keep their opinions to themselves. This is Thailand, though and the Army holds a certain position in the society. I have to accept the reality as it is. If the Yingluck government had worked selflessly for ALL the people for the first two years without scandal, I'm positive that Dr. Thaksin would be forgiven by most and be allowed to return and even involve himself in politics as an 'elder statesman' figure. Impatience if one of Dr. Thaksin's flaws and corruption is a way of keeping all the varied parties on board the government train so that didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin is a very charismatic person and I believe he could have laid out a long-term strategy that would have kept corruption to a minimum until their power was more secure and still kept his backers on board. That didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin also suffers from over-confidence (he is very talented and intelligent) and he made a terrible mistake in Spring of 2006 by dissolving Parliament with the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate). He didn't expect the Democrats to boycott and put a monkey wrench in his plans. PM Yingluck, no doubt at Thaksin's request, also made a mistake dissolving Parliament last December in the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate again). Surprise, surprise, Democrats used the same tactic they used in 2006 and now the Yingluck government in in Limbo with care-taker status and little power to guide their own future. This kind of bungling cannot be rewarded. They have become much richer and it is time for them to move on and for a new bunch to govern/rip off Thailand. I doubt very much that Suthep's PDRC will actually effect a cleanup of corruption as ALL the powers that be have molded their business practices to that status quo and are more likely to sabotage any efforts in that direction. I hope we can find some common ground so we can debate, with rational positions, the pros and cons of certain individuals' actions.

You sound like you have met Thaksin. A number of us have and talk to people he still talks to (they visit him,or through emissaries). You are right in that he is impatient. It is his personality.

Decentralization is a the key, with the King as head of State. Still a lot to be worked out, but Thaksin doesn't want it, YL doesn't want it, Jaruporn doesn't want it etc. Right now the National government holds all power with the King as Head of State. Imagine it was like the US where each State had its own powers, it's own government, not persuaded to vote as they are told by the Central government. With State and some federal money, they can upgrade their own educational systems and infrastructure etc. dictators would fall by the wayside. Decentralized police means no national police force supporting civil war.

A lot to gain by this.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

They don't want it because it doesn't suit THEM - how about thinking what would be best for Thailand!!!!!!

This country isn't about THEM it is about all Thai's, not that they would appreciate this.

[Fryslan boppe]

But no comment about the issue raised by a leader of a huge swath of the electorate, that I alluded to, and would like verified by independent investigative journalism.

Are you not equally interested in checking the veracity fo these charges, in addition to many other's (supposedly) made in Jatuporn's speech?

And please-thank you, to avoid more denigration of UDD/RS leadership, and Posters, as a feeble attempt to avoid the message in this instance.

The comment about the issue raised by an idiot is "Where's the evidence?".

If he can produce some sort of evidence, then there might be something to investigate.

It's a waste of everyone's time if investigations are done every time some one makes some half arsed claim on a protest stage.

For you to criticise this issue for lack of 'evidence', doesn't mean there was no evidence.

Just you saying it,

To characterize a speech by the leader of a major Political Movement who was attacked by the military is not "some half arsed claim on a protest stage".

To start with, it was not on a protest stage. Keep in mind who attacked whom.....Prayuth launched an attack on the leadership of a major political movement, thereby maligning millions of Thai people for whom this leadership is very meaningful.

To deep-six the response by the leader of those millions is kowtowing to the military, and a PAD-Dem agenda, IMHO.

To check your claim of lacking evidence, let's check it out....That is why we have exhorbitantly paid journalists

[rametindallas]

My money is on the army and I am not hedging my bet. They have the guns, logistics, training, discipline, and most of all, the authority to do what needs to be done, There will be no resistance and, therefore, little or no bloodshed. The worst that will happen is a low-level insurgency with occasional bombs and shootings until Thaksin becomes an old, old man.

Ramet, the issue is not whether the Army can take control, but what they do with the Country after.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Govern with less corruption.

I don't disagree with you, but this is the big question.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Just so you know where I stand, I want the Army to stay out of politics and would rather officers would keep their opinions to themselves. This is Thailand, though and the Army holds a certain position in the society. I have to accept the reality as it is. If the Yingluck government had worked selflessly for ALL the people for the first two years without scandal, I'm positive that Dr. Thaksin would be forgiven by most and be allowed to return and even involve himself in politics as an 'elder statesman' figure. Impatience if one of Dr. Thaksin's flaws and corruption is a way of keeping all the varied parties on board the government train so that didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin is a very charismatic person and I believe he could have laid out a long-term strategy that would have kept corruption to a minimum until their power was more secure and still kept his backers on board. That didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin also suffers from over-confidence (he is very talented and intelligent) and he made a terrible mistake in Spring of 2006 by dissolving Parliament with the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate). He didn't expect the Democrats to boycott and put a monkey wrench in his plans. PM Yingluck, no doubt at Thaksin's request, also made a mistake dissolving Parliament last December in the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate again). Surprise, surprise, Democrats used the same tactic they used in 2006 and now the Yingluck government in in Limbo with care-taker status and little power to guide their own future. This kind of bungling cannot be rewarded. They have become much richer and it is time for them to move on and for a new bunch to govern/rip off Thailand. I doubt very much that Suthep's PDRC will actually effect a cleanup of corruption as ALL the powers that be have molded their business practices to that status quo and are more likely to sabotage any efforts in that direction. I hope we can find some common ground so we can debate, with rational positions, the pros and cons of certain individuals' actions.

You sound like you have met Thaksin. A number of us have and talk to people he still talks to (they visit him,or through emissaries). You are right in that he is impatient. It is his personality.

Decentralization is a the key, with the King as head of State. Still a lot to be worked out, but Thaksin doesn't want it, YL doesn't want it, Jaruporn doesn't want it etc. Right now the National government holds all power with the King as Head of State. Imagine it was like the US where each State had its own powers, it's own government, not persuaded to vote as they are told by the Central government. With State and some federal money, they can upgrade their own educational systems and infrastructure etc. dictators would fall by the wayside. Decentralized police means no national police force supporting civil war.

A lot to gain by this.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Meeting him is not the same as knowing him. I have close friends who are close to him and, they being Thai, cannot help but gossip about him. I judge him by his actions. He is not evil but he has been bitten by the 'power' bug and it is a heady and addictive drug.

Texas, where I live most of the time, is a little larger than Thailand so you are asking me to consider giving each county the power of a state as a comparison. Yes, Bangkok does wield too much power over the provinces but Washington DC wields too much power over the states and the Central EU government is slowly doing the same in Europe. The current trend is for centralized power in the name of 'standardized' education, pay, taxes, regulation, etc. No one, currently holding even a little bit of power in Thailand, wants to change the system; they only want to change the players. I hope you realize that I'm not arguing with you.

[rametindallas]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

You either provide a credible link for the nonsense you post or you're just spreading rumuours. A single shred of evidence. If you think that people will take Jatuporn's or your word for it, then you are more deluded than I thought. Why would media pay any extra attention to a common thug like Jatuporn? Don't be ridiculous, please.

So you don't like the message, and challenge the messenger.....I live in a UDD/RS world, and that is the view you get from me, while also being equally exposed to the PAD-Dem's, and their views of the world via their media.

PAD-Dem mantra's discrediting UDD/RS sources is arrogance to the extreme. It is in part why they are so electorally challenged. Ya don't alienate voters if one has electoral ambitions. It is just exposing extreme prejudice to the Thailand electorate.

Back to my comment.....Why are we hearing every utterance of Prayuth, and no response from the individual he maligned?. When that was made at length yesterday..........That individual is the leader of a huge swath of the Thai electorate, whether PAD-Dem's and Prayuth like it or not......

To avoid his response makes it appear Prayuth' statements are gospel.

If independent political entities challenge military thinking,.... investigate....That is why we supposedly have independent journalism, and as you know, I use that characterization loosely.

I am in no position to explore these charges on location, but journalists are....And keep in mind, I am referencing only one comment made in this speech made by a political leader who was maligned by the military....There were others......Why are we not reading about them in impartial reports, but being exposed to everything the General said..........

Time for some truly Independent investigative journalism.

Prayuth picked on the wrong guy.....The huge UDD/RS electoral element of the electoral majority still has very fresh memories of the R'song military attack ordered by a coup-rooted Govt....To now attack its' leader is not smart and does nothing to dispel the impression by many, that the Thai military is no different from a foreign occupation force.

Why are we hearing every utterance of Prayuth, and no response from the individual he maligned?. When that was made at length yesterday

OK, I'll bite. What was Jatuporn's response to General Prayuth? Was there a response by Jatuporn? It not, how can the story be one-sided? Is it not news when General Prayuth speaks in an outspoken way? Instead of just making charges against the people you feel are against you, please give information. Thank you.

[Old Man River]

My money is on the army and I am not hedging my bet. They have the guns, logistics, training, discipline, and most of all, the authority to do what needs to be done, There will be no resistance and, therefore, little or no bloodshed. The worst that will happen is a low-level insurgency with occasional bombs and shootings until Thaksin becomes an old, old man.

Ramet, the issue is not whether the Army can take control, but what they do with the Country after.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Govern with less corruption.

I don't disagree with you, but this is the big question.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Just so you know where I stand, I want the Army to stay out of politics and would rather officers would keep their opinions to themselves. This is Thailand, though and the Army holds a certain position in the society. I have to accept the reality as it is. If the Yingluck government had worked selflessly for ALL the people for the first two years without scandal, I'm positive that Dr. Thaksin would be forgiven by most and be allowed to return and even involve himself in politics as an 'elder statesman' figure. Impatience if one of Dr. Thaksin's flaws and corruption is a way of keeping all the varied parties on board the government train so that didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin is a very charismatic person and I believe he could have laid out a long-term strategy that would have kept corruption to a minimum until their power was more secure and still kept his backers on board. That didn't happen. Dr. Thaksin also suffers from over-confidence (he is very talented and intelligent) and he made a terrible mistake in Spring of 2006 by dissolving Parliament with the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate). He didn't expect the Democrats to boycott and put a monkey wrench in his plans. PM Yingluck, no doubt at Thaksin's request, also made a mistake dissolving Parliament last December in the expectation of quickly forming a new government (mandate again). Surprise, surprise, Democrats used the same tactic they used in 2006 and now the Yingluck government in in Limbo with care-taker status and little power to guide their own future. This kind of bungling cannot be rewarded. They have become much richer and it is time for them to move on and for a new bunch to govern/rip off Thailand. I doubt very much that Suthep's PDRC will actually effect a cleanup of corruption as ALL the powers that be have molded their business practices to that status quo and are more likely to sabotage any efforts in that direction. I hope we can find some common ground so we can debate, with rational positions, the pros and cons of certain individuals' actions.

You sound like you have met Thaksin. A number of us have and talk to people he still talks to (they visit him,or through emissaries). You are right in that he is impatient. It is his personality.

Decentralization is a the key, with the King as head of State. Still a lot to be worked out, but Thaksin doesn't want it, YL doesn't want it, Jaruporn doesn't want it etc. Right now the National government holds all power with the King as Head of State. Imagine it was like the US where each State had its own powers, it's own government, not persuaded to vote as they are told by the Central government. With State and some federal money, they can upgrade their own educational systems and infrastructure etc. dictators would fall by the wayside. Decentralized police means no national police force supporting civil war.

A lot to gain by this.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Meeting him is not the same as knowing him. I have close friends who are close to him and, they being Thai, cannot help but gossip about him. I judge him by his actions. He is not evil but he has been bitten by the 'power' bug and it is a heady and addictive drug.

Texas, where I live most of the time, is a little larger than Thailand so you are asking me to consider giving each county the power of a state as a comparison. Yes, Bangkok does wield too much power over the provinces but Washington DC wields too much power over the states and the Central EU government is slowly doing the same in Europe. The current trend is for centralized power in the name of 'standardized' education, pay, taxes, regulation, etc. No one, currently holding even a little bit of power in Thailand, wants to change the system; they only want to change the players. I hope you realize that I'm not arguing with you.

Well, Rametindallas is kind of a giveaway about your Texas connections. I lived in Dallas for 20+ years, so I understand where you are coming from. I am sure Goat Roper has a similar background. On Thaksin, when I joined TV years ago I said I had friends on both sides. It hasn't changed.

You would be surprised at how little power the Governor of Bangkok has. I learned this from a former Bangkok Governor, who told me he couldn't even stop the construction in front of his house.

There are many in Thailand with power that want a decentralized system. Almost all of them are democrats who see this as a way of breaking Thaksin's power. I hope you realize that I am not arguing with you. It is OK if we disagree. That is how we learn, Yee Haw!

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[Dogmatix]

Jatuporn's house attacked with assault rifles

BANGKOK: -- An unknown number of attackers attacked a house of United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan at noon Wednesday, Thai PBS reported.

The house is located in Bangkok's Sai Mai district.

No one was injured.


-- The Nation 2014-03-19

Looks like the factional fighting amongst the red shirts has already started. There must have been a lot of people close to Thida who were unhappy with her undemocratic ouster from the red shirt leadership.

Being close to red shirt leaders is good for various types of businesses, including protection rackets. Someone who was close to Nattawut in 2010 boasted to a Thai friend he could get anyone killed - no problem and no police follow up.

[HonestQuietBob]

Jatuporn's house attacked with assault rifles

BANGKOK: -- An unknown number of attackers attacked a house of United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan at noon Wednesday, Thai PBS reported.

The house is located in Bangkok's Sai Mai district.

No one was injured.

-- The Nation 2014-03-19

Looks like the factional fighting amongst the red shirts has already started. There must have been a lot of people close to Thida who were unhappy with her undemocratic ouster from the red shirt leadership.

Being close to red shirt leaders is good for various types of businesses, including protection rackets. Someone who was close to Nattawut in 2010 boasted to a Thai friend he could get anyone killed - no problem and no police follow up.

So which yellow faction has been lobbing grenades a Sutheps' misses?

[kuthow]

With this article yesterday, hanging on every word Prayuth said, shows Media links supporting the military, in whatever way one wants to characterize it. Where is the report outlining Jatuporn's lengthy response in his speech on AsiaUpdate?......Unless I missed it, and that could be.

I've heard some smatterings from the UDD/RS. One point Jatuporn made was accusing Prayuth of corruption. Something to the effect of questioning why he has all these military bunkers in BKK, and paying over 700.00 baht each soldier for this duty, at around 100 soldiers per bunker............In fact, they are manned by only around 10 soldiers.

And what is this thing about paying soldiers 250.00 Baht for southern duty, and 700.00 baht in BKK.

Anyway, that is what I am hearing......what is the truth here, and what about the rest of what Jatuporn spoke about........

Attacking Jatuporn is attacking a huge electoral block in Thailand, and not smart.....For Prayuth to get into a war of words with a Political leader, is a losing proposition for him..He will be out-of-his-depth, .especially when this political leader is independent of the military, not beholden to them, and not a "yes and Amen" element, like most other key elements of the political establishment.

There will be zilch reluctance for the UDD/RS's to expose all matters military and political in this instance.

You either provide a credible link for the nonsense you post or you're just spreading rumuours. A single shred of evidence. If you think that people will take Jatuporn's or your word for it, then you are more deluded than I thought. Why would media pay any extra attention to a common thug like Jatuporn? Don't be ridiculous, please.

So you don't like the message, and challenge the messenger.....

Actually he challenged the message the messenger put forth without any corroboration or validation.

You still haven't provided any.