Redshirts in Isaan keep faith with benefactor Thaksin

[webfact]

Redshirts in Isan, north-east Thailand, keep faith with benefactor Thaksin
Rural minority support the return of the exiled former prime minister, who improved their standard of living
Bruno Philip
Guardian Weekly

(Thailand) Chaineuk Phokachang, 74, says: "In Bangkok they think people from north-east Thailand are fools. But though we're poor and not as well off as the people in the capital and the central plains, we nevertheless represent a force. After all, the army no longer dares attempt a putsch because they know that we – the redshirts, who defend the government – are not afraid of tanks ..."

We had this conversation in the middle of February, in the yard outside a house in Na Ke, a village in the Isan region, which comprises about 20 provinces and has a separate identity from Bangkok and the rest of the country.

Phokachang, and the villagers around him that evening, belong to the redshirt movement. They support former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted by the military in 2006.

These rural activists also back the present premier, Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister. Elected in 2011, she has faced constant unrest since December. Her opponents aim to force her to resign, accusing her of running a corrupt regime and being manipulated by her brother, who has been in exile in Dubai since 2008 to avoid a two-year prison sentence.

"Thaksin is a genius," Phokachang adds. "It's the first time a prime minister has ever honoured his promises to the poor." The response from the Isan farmers and their almost unquestioning support for both brother and sister are emblematic of the rift dividing the country. Thailand (population: 70 million) is split between the north and north-east on the one hand, and the south and the capital on the other; between upper and lower classes, between city and countryside. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/24/thailand-redshirt-movement-isan-activists

-- theguardian 2014-03-24

[rubl]

And of course telling those Isaan people the unvarnished and economic truth about Thaksin the Saviour and his business sense will not help, will simply not be believed. He stole some money, so what. He gave us some money, that's what counts.

BTW why are those poor still poor?

Edited March 24, 2014 by rubl

[whybother]

"Thaksin is a genius," Phokachang adds. "It's the first time a prime minister has ever honoured his promises to the poor."

Thaksin IS a genius, in that he worked out how to give a little bit of money to the poor and then use them to get an absolute fortune for himself.

[The Deerhunter]

And he has already made up my mind for me so don't bother me with the facts.

[Scamper]

It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him. The poor remain poor not because Thaksin doesn't know the story of teaching how to fish rather than buying a fish. The poor remain poor because Thaksin benefits far more if they remain poor. He needs them to come back again and again. Self-sufficiency is the last thing Thaksin wants for the poor. And he doesn't want them informed either. He needs them indoctrinated by red shirt radio, so that each day they are told that the people of Bangkok don't like them. Not only that, but they're " elite ". " Us " versus " them " works for Thaksin. He needs both dependency and anger. As long as the people remain poor and uninformed, Thaksin maintains the base he wants. He can feed both the dependency and the anger. The problem for Thaksin is not that the farmers have become rich. The problem for Thaksin is that they have become informed.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Scamper

[cooked]

This is another uninformed report about Isaan. The guys around here don't give a monkey's wank about red shirt /yellow shirt , they just want their <deleted>￦¢§ng rice money. If they do march on Bangkok then look out, no ideology just that.

Buriram sends salutations.

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Tapatalk 2

[Tatsujin]

<Thai language removed>
naam pheung reuua seuua pheung bpaa
"You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

Edited March 24, 2014 by metisdead
Thai language edited out of post. This is an English language forum, English is the only acceptable language, except in the Thai language forum where Thai language is allowed.

[Asiantravel]

It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him. The poor remain poor not because Thaksin doesn't know the story of teaching how to fish rather than buying a fish. The poor remain poor because Thaksin benefits far more if they remain poor. He needs them to come back again and again. Self-sufficiency is the last thing Thaksin wants for the poor. And he doesn't want them informed either. He needs them indoctrinated by red shirt radio, so that each day they are told that the people of Bangkok don't like them. Not only that, but they're " elite ". " Us " versus " them " works for Thaksin. He needs both dependency and anger. As long as the people remain poor and uninformed, Thaksin maintains the base he wants. He can feed both the dependency and the anger. The problem for Thaksin is not that the farmers have become rich. The problem for Thaksin is that they have become informed.

" It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him."

Let's not fool ourselves it even worked for Obama

[Cricketnut]

IMO only, and so they should, yes the government has made some very tragic yet well intentioned policies that have seen then suffer. But suffer and suffering are two completely different words. The suffering that they have endured under Democratic rule is real suffering. Has anyone noticed in recent poles that the people in Issan are the happiest people in all of Thailand, despite their meagre incomes they don't want the materialism of the middle class nor the greed, but seem rather a lot happier following the way of Buddhism in general and sharing what they have. I personally have experienced this happiness and understand their reasoning. Its not like the western governments have not made similar errors.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Cricketnut]

And of course telling those Isaan people the unvarnished and economic truth about Thaksin the Saviour and his business sense will not help, will simply not be believed. He stole some money, so what. He gave us some money, that's what counts.

BTW why are those poor still poor?

Geographical location has a lot to explain on this item where life is hard. Similar to cattle graziers and farmers in parts of Australia. Geography explains a lot, though doesnt explain the same voting trends in Australia where they still vote Liberal/ National party and not labour. Its called life and getting on with it as best one can Cheer up, if it were that bad they would simply vote differently.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[rubl]

And of course telling those Isaan people the unvarnished and economic truth about Thaksin the Saviour and his business sense will not help, will simply not be believed. He stole some money, so what. He gave us some money, that's what counts.

BTW why are those poor still poor?

Geographical location has a lot to explain on this item where life is hard. Similar to cattle graziers and farmers in parts of Australia. Geography explains a lot, though doesnt explain the same voting trends in Australia where they still vote Liberal/ National party and not labour. Its called life and getting on with it as best one can Cheer up, if it were that bad they would simply vote differently.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"Cheer up, if it were that bad they would simply vote differently."

So, they're satisfied with their lot and condemning their offspring to more of the same? Is that why the offspring treks towards the cities where there are possibilities for those who are willing to work for it?

[dcutman]

Redshirts in Isaan keep faith with benefactor Thaksin

Its no wonder why these people have such labels put on them. I guess one has to assume these people are truly that stupid.

[ramrod711]

The issue isn't how much money Thaksin gives them, it's the fact that the people who are paying the money, the taxpayers, are not getting proportional representation. I think most people, in most countries, would like to help make their peers more prosperous. It makes sense, they make money they pay taxes, they don't need a handout. One family decided, to give a disproportional amount of money to a very poor region to gain their loyalty, They decided that the rest of the country should pay and pay, and get nothing for their money. If they held a tax protest, refused to pay their taxes the flow of money would stop. We have all seen how far Thaksin reached into his own pocket to help the farmers. Nice to see him on the worlds richest people list though, while farmers commit suicide.

[winstonc]

IMO only, and so they should, yes the government has made some very tragic yet well intentioned policies that have seen then suffer. But suffer and suffering are two completely different words. The suffering that they have endured under Democratic rule is real suffering. Has anyone noticed in recent poles that the people in Issan are the happiest people in all of Thailand, despite their meagre incomes they don't want the materialism of the middle class nor the greed, but seem rather a lot happier following the way of Buddhism in general and sharing what they have. I personally have experienced this happiness and understand their reasoning. Its not like the western governments have not made similar errors.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

hahahahahaha stupidity at its best..poor as a church mouse but they all got the latest phones course they dont want materialism come to ubon and smell the poverty its real.they aint all red up in isaan ..a very poor attempt there golden duck for you sonny jim..

[kimamey]

I live in Isaan but I don't know what people think of Thaksin but I don't see any of his calenders anymore. I'm sure some have changed their minds abut him.

[Fryslan boppe]

A charming little diversionary article.

Seeking to reinforce the notion by unelectables, that they are not unelectable due to their own failings, but because these idiot voters politically, are unidimensional buffalo's. Uneducated dolts who don't appreciate the divine political inspiration that comprises PAD-Dem political awareness.

Attributing a unidimensional Thaksin focus on this electoral majority via an interview with a couple villagers, accompanied by an ingrained belief about educational deficiencies, may feed PAD-Dem arrogance, but is their political grave.

They don't seem to grasp the degree of politicization that has occurred, since the 2006 coup caper deprived these people of the Govt. they selected, which the amart is attempting to repeat now.

Not recognizing this fact, and continuing to be mired in this self-deception, prevents them from politically reforming themselves to the degree that at some point in the foreseeable future, they could become electorally competitive.

Such self-deception is also the impetus behind this self-righteous indignant mantra of 'Reforms before elections"...They just cannot conceive that possessing the political gospel, reform can possibly apply to them. It has to be systemic in their self-important thinking.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[xminator]

Rural minority. Did the journalist check the numbers lately?

[sweatalot]

It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him. The poor remain poor not because Thaksin doesn't know the story of teaching how to fish rather than buying a fish. The poor remain poor because Thaksin benefits far more if they remain poor. He needs them to come back again and again. Self-sufficiency is the last thing Thaksin wants for the poor. And he doesn't want them informed either. He needs them indoctrinated by red shirt radio, so that each day they are told that the people of Bangkok don't like them. Not only that, but they're " elite ". " Us " versus " them " works for Thaksin. He needs both dependency and anger. As long as the people remain poor and uninformed, Thaksin maintains the base he wants. He can feed both the dependency and the anger. The problem for Thaksin is not that the farmers have become rich. The problem for Thaksin is that they have become informed.

Reason enough to change the election system.

(and to support education, integrity and information)

[Dogmatix]

Thaksin thinks you are fools too. That's why he doesn't trust you to be leaders of his red shirts or have any significant positions in his PT party. All positions of responsibility are reserved for Chinese and Southerners. You are just cannon fodder.

[whybother]

Rural minority. Did the journalist check the numbers lately?

Yep. They did. 8 million votes.

[Loles]

Of course, if some-one has stolen a lot like the Chinawattra family can be very easy a benefactor who gives breadcrumbs for idiots ....

[metisdead]

A nonsense post containing derogatory generalization toward Thai Isaan people has been removed as well as the replies.

[fab4]

And of course telling those Isaan people the unvarnished and economic truth about Thaksin the Saviour and his business sense will not help, will simply not be believed. He stole some money, so what. He gave us some money, that's what counts.

BTW why are those poor still poor?

The same reason why the poor in Bangkok, are still poor probably. In the UK FIVE families own more wealth than the poorest 20% of the population, but they haven't got a Thaksin figure to demonise.

Why don't you bitch about these guys and ask them what they're doing about the poor

Dhanin Chearavanont & family

Chirathivat family

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

Yoovidhya family

Krit Ratanarak

Chamnong Bhirombhakdi & family

Vanich Chaiyawan

Vichai Maleenont & family

Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth

[whybother]

And of course telling those Isaan people the unvarnished and economic truth about Thaksin the Saviour and his business sense will not help, will simply not be believed. He stole some money, so what. He gave us some money, that's what counts.

BTW why are those poor still poor?

The same reason why the poor in Bangkok, are still poor probably. In the UK FIVE families own more wealth than the poorest 20% of the population, but they haven't got a Thaksin figure to demonise.

Why don't you bitch about these guys and ask them what they're doing about the poor

Dhanin Chearavanont & family

Chirathivat family

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

Yoovidhya family

Krit Ratanarak

Chamnong Bhirombhakdi & family

Vanich Chaiyawan

Vichai Maleenont & family

Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth

They're not out there claiming to be the saviour of Thailand's poor.

[Ianatlarge]

Ok, with all the comments on Mr T, let us agree that he was the principal beneficiary of his largess, however, the article makes it clear that there is a large social divide in Thailand. Of that there is no doubt. This will be an on going problem for the country, until it changes.

[whybother]

Ok, with all the comments on Mr T, let us agree that he was the principal beneficiary of his largess, however, the article makes it clear that there is a large social divide in Thailand. Of that there is no doubt. This will be an on going problem for the country, until it changes.

Like ... changes to be like the US (or pick a western country) ... where everyone is so equal??

[rametindallas]

It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him. The poor remain poor not because Thaksin doesn't know the story of teaching how to fish rather than buying a fish. The poor remain poor because Thaksin benefits far more if they remain poor. He needs them to come back again and again. Self-sufficiency is the last thing Thaksin wants for the poor. And he doesn't want them informed either. He needs them indoctrinated by red shirt radio, so that each day they are told that the people of Bangkok don't like them. Not only that, but they're " elite ". " Us " versus " them " works for Thaksin. He needs both dependency and anger. As long as the people remain poor and uninformed, Thaksin maintains the base he wants. He can feed both the dependency and the anger. The problem for Thaksin is not that the farmers have become rich. The problem for Thaksin is that they have become informed.

" It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him."

Let's not fool ourselves it even worked for Obama

"When you rob Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on Paul's support" George Bernard Shaw.

[Roadman]

IMO only, and so they should, yes the government has made some very tragic yet well intentioned policies that have seen then suffer. But suffer and suffering are two completely different words. The suffering that they have endured under Democratic rule is real suffering. Has anyone noticed in recent poles that the people in Issan are the happiest people in all of Thailand, despite their meagre incomes they don't want the materialism of the middle class nor the greed, but seem rather a lot happier following the way of Buddhism in general and sharing what they have. I personally have experienced this happiness and understand their reasoning. Its not like the western governments have not made similar errors.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

<snip>

Nothing holds people back in poverty more than ignorance. And especially more so when Thailand sits as one of the world's consistently strong economies.

It's a pity YIngluck was not an Isaarn daughter. Perhaps then she would have found some morals and values.

Edited March 24, 2014 by soundman
Reported - offensive.

[rametindallas]

It seems only reasonable that if someone throws a lot of ( other ) people's money at you, you're going to like him. The poor remain poor not because Thaksin doesn't know the story of teaching how to fish rather than buying a fish. The poor remain poor because Thaksin benefits far more if they remain poor. He needs them to come back again and again. Self-sufficiency is the last thing Thaksin wants for the poor. And he doesn't want them informed either. He needs them indoctrinated by red shirt radio, so that each day they are told that the people of Bangkok don't like them. Not only that, but they're " elite ". " Us " versus " them " works for Thaksin. He needs both dependency and anger. As long as the people remain poor and uninformed, Thaksin maintains the base he wants. He can feed both the dependency and the anger. The problem for Thaksin is not that the farmers have become rich. The problem for Thaksin is that they have become informed.

To all the Thaksin supporters:

The poor remain poor not because Thaksin doesn't know the story of teaching how to fish rather than buying a fish.

Thai farmers, by every measure, are the least productive farmers in ASEAN. Did Thaksin's policy(ies) help them be more productive or did it/(they) make them more dependent on Thaksin's largess? If you truly care about the poor, you know in your heart, the truth.

Two quotes from Abraham Lincoln: "You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong", "You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred".

[fab4]

And of course telling those Isaan people the unvarnished and economic truth about Thaksin the Saviour and his business sense will not help, will simply not be believed. He stole some money, so what. He gave us some money, that's what counts.

BTW why are those poor still poor?

The same reason why the poor in Bangkok, are still poor probably. In the UK FIVE families own more wealth than the poorest 20% of the population, but they haven't got a Thaksin figure to demonise.

Why don't you bitch about these guys and ask them what they're doing about the poor

Dhanin Chearavanont & family

Chirathivat family

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

Yoovidhya family

Krit Ratanarak

Chamnong Bhirombhakdi & family

Vanich Chaiyawan

Vichai Maleenont & family

Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth

They're not out there claiming to be the saviour of Thailand's poor.

Nor is Thaksin currently. Can you tell me when that claim was last made, and I don't mean the cheap references to it in posts to attract "likes" on this forum ?