Academics recruited to NLA share anti-Thaksin outlook

[Lite Beer]

Academics recruited to NLA share anti-Thaksin outlook
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- High-profile academics who have made it onto the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) clearly have one thing in common - a stance against the so-called "Thaksin regime".

Most of these academics also played an active political role during the protests against the government of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra, which rocked the country for about six months from late last year.

Among these academics are the top executives of higher-educational institutes, namely, Somkid Lertpaitoon of Thammasat University (TU), Rajata Rajatanavin of Mahidol University, Chalermchai Boonyaleepun of Srinakharinwirot University, Wutisak Lapcharoensap of Ramkhamhaeng University, and Pirom Kamolratanakul of Chulalongkorn University.

The academics expressed their stance against the Yingluck-led government mostly under the banner of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT).

From late last year through to February, the CUPT issued six statements on politics. The first condemned the House of Representatives' rush to pass the amnesty bill, which was widely believed to favour fugitive former prime minister Thaksin, and called on Yingluck to dissolve the House.

These academics also opened their campus grounds for people interested in joining an anti-Yingluck march on December 9 led by the group that is today known as the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Moreover, they ordered the temporary closure of their campuses on some days, citing risks of violence from the political turmoil. Their move, however, was widely interpreted as a tactic to heap more pressure on the Yingluck-led administration.

After she called for the House's dissolution, the CUPT still recommended the postponement of the general election and urged the formation of a national government.

The council's sixth statement also recommended that the caretaker government led by Yingluck following the House's dissolution step down to take responsibility for the political violence.

Although Yingluck did not heed the CUPT's calls, the prolonged political unrest finally nudged the military into intervening in May.

Since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) staged a coup on May 22, efforts have taken off in a bid to restore peace and order. With the interim constitution in place and the NLA ready for functioning, the second stage of the NCPO's road map has now started.

So far, observers can't help noticing that the many academics now on the legislative bench are the once-familiar faces in the movement against Yingluck and her brother.

Somkid is also a drafter of the 2007 Constitution, which was introduced in the wake of the 2006 coup.

Taweesak Suthakavatin, head of the lecturers' council of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), has also been appointed an NLA member. People who are against the "Thaksin regime" will have heard his name before, too.

A few years ago, he co-founded the political group Siam Prachapiwat to press for political reform and a tough crackdown on corruption.

When the PDRC took to the streets, he also often appeared on its stage.

Other academics recruited to the NLA are Kittichai Triratanasirichai, president of Khon Kaen University, Niwes Nantachit, president of Chiang Mai University, Wuttichai Kapinkan, president of Kasetsart University, Pradit Wanarat, president of NIDA, and Noranit Setabutr, president of the TU Council.

The NLA, all of whose members are selected under NCPO rules, has just one representative from non-government groups working on social and environmental causes - Wallop Tangkananurak of the Foundation for the Better Life of Children.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Academics-recruited-to-NLA-share-anti-Thaksin-outl-30240062.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-02[/thenation]

[noitom]

Sharing the anti-Thaksin outlook is of utmost importance. Paramount. Instead of sharing an outlook for law and order, equal justice for all, due process, freedom of speech, individual and equal opportunity for all, they are most concerned with "selecting" those holding anti-Thaksin views.

[kriswillems]

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

Edited August 1, 2014 by kriswillems

[saakura]

Unfortunately, this does not bode well for the future of Thailand. An all inclusive group should have equal representation from all sides, and then hammer out the differences with the army watching over them but being strictly neutral. Otherwise this will only bring about a temporary truce.

[jaidam]

 If you were to ask the average Joe/Somchai on the street what he thought about common-or-garden cults such as Jonestown,Manson family,Joe Carroll etc he would answer that he feels a mix of revulsion and ghoulish intrigue. Why then do some posters expect that neutral bystanders would have positive thoughts about the cult of Shinawat? Indeed, if any of the NLA thought it appropriate that a family of billionaire criminals are the only suitable leaders for a sovereign nation for ever, that would be the real surprise.

 

 To put it succinctly there is no place in government for a billionaire criminal cabal no matter how much they spend on global PR. End of.

[kriswillems]

 If you were to ask the average Joe/Somchai on the street what he thought about common-or-garden cults such as Jonestown,Manson family,Joe Carroll etc he would answer that he feels a mix of revulsion and ghoulish intrigue. Why then do some posters expect that neutral bystanders would have positive thoughts about the cult of Shinawat? Indeed, if any of the NLA thought it appropriate that a family of billionaire criminals are the only suitable leaders for a sovereign nation for ever, that would be the real surprise.

 

 To put it succinctly there is no place in government for a billionaire criminal cabal no matter how much they spend on global PR. End of.

The people that are selected are not just Thaksin haters - they are part of the Suthep camp.

People choosen for the NLA should be neutral, or if that's not possible, they should choose people from each side.

Edited August 2, 2014 by kriswillems

[kriswillems]

Thaksin is just a symbol used in a fight.

 

The real fight is a fight between the old powers and the poor masses.

Basically the old powers don't want to give full democratic rights to the poor masses, because they would loose power.

Thaksin is used as an excuse for not giving democratic rights to the poor masses.

 

Even if there would be no Thaksin, the conflict would still be there, but the old powers would have to choose a different symbol to fight.

 

Edited August 2, 2014 by kriswillems

[daoyai]

 If you were to ask the average Joe/Somchai on the street what he thought about common-or-garden cults such as Jonestown,Manson family,Joe Carroll etc he would answer that he feels a mix of revulsion and ghoulish intrigue. Why then do some posters expect that neutral bystanders would have positive thoughts about the cult of Shinawat? Indeed, if any of the NLA thought it appropriate that a family of billionaire criminals are the only suitable leaders for a sovereign nation for ever, that would be the real surprise.

 

 To put it succinctly there is no place in government for a billionaire criminal cabal no matter how much they spend on global PR. End of.

What a laughably simplistic way to view the situation.

[WitawatWatawit]

Who from the red side should have been selected for "balance"? The Nittirat (enlightened jurists) group? I hope not. Any academic who could stand by and even support the rape and pillage of the country is not fit to sit in parliament. Perhaps our red friends would like to see the following in the NLA:

Surapong
Plodprasop
Kittirat
Chalerm
Nattawut
Boonsong
Jatuporn
Veera
Weng

Edit: Oops, I forgot Mr Parkour himself, Arisman. Edited August 2, 2014 by WitawatWatawit

[klauskunkel]

Sharing the anti-Thaksin outlook is of utmost importance. Paramount. Instead of sharing an outlook for law and order, equal justice for all, due process, freedom of speech, individual and equal opportunity for all, they are most concerned with "selecting" those holding anti-Thaksin views.

...unless of course those sharing the anti-Thaksin outlook do possess all those virtues you outlined in your post above. If they do or don't, we don't know yet. However, we do know that pro-Thaksin inclined members of society share quite different 'virtues'...must be a virus, time to get a check-up?

[moe666]

The Red Shirts big mistake was aligning themselves with Big T who never gave a thought to real reform he only wanted to replace the old order with his new one which in the end would have been the same but with him in charge

[robblok]

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

Kris,

 

But the red shirts were responsible for 90% of the deaths during this violence. You can't deny that anymore before you could, by saying it was self inflicted (ridiculous of course with violent animals like those red shirt militants nobody has to inflict anything on themselves). Now guns are matched fingerprints and bulets are matched. It is clear its the reds that killed the children in Trad and BKK. Itc clear that they shot grenades at the anti government protesters. How can you call getting the people responsible for violence bias. 

 

The anti government criminal elements have been arrested too and are waiting for their day in court. When the guards did thing that could not be tolerated they were handed over for prosecution. Now if anyone shown bias it was the previous government who protected the murdered of children in their ranks. (protecting terrorists is an act of terrorism). 

 

They can't create a democracy where "red shirts" cant win unless they take away the votes. They can however create a democracy where the government has to live by the rules and take into account the minority too. (kinda like a real democracy not a winner takes it all Taksin style one). 

 

With luck the anti corruption stance of the army will go on they even go after their own when they go out of line (recent news patpong). I have not seen the reds do that one time. All they seem to do is go for populist policies full of corruption that cant be sustained (rice scam). Every organisation warned them about this but they still did it.... they did not budget money for it it was cost neutral according to them but they lost 800 billion baht. (had they budgeted for it it was not a loss but just part of spending but they did not). They did not budget it because then they could not go for all the other vote buying stuff they did because by law they can't have a huge deficit in a budget. 

 

My point is they are creating a democracy where people have to play by the rules.. and that these Academics have an anti-Taksin outlook is a good thing, because if there is one thing that Taksin hated were rules that came between him and the absolute power to rape the country. 

[geodesic]

Sharing the anti-Thaksin outlook is of utmost importance. Paramount. Instead of sharing an outlook for law and order, equal justice for all, due process, freedom of speech, individual and equal opportunity for all, they are most concerned with "selecting" those holding anti-Thaksin views.

 

The two ideals are not mutually exclusive. They are different facets of the same whole.  Anyone who is for equal justice for all, due process, freedom of speech and equal opportunity will necessarily also be anti-Thaksin.

 

It is simply the old story of a journalist in the role of a blind man describing only one aspect of an elephant.

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2014 by geodesic

[bobmac10]

Thaksin is just a symbol used in a fight.

 

The real fight is a fight between the old powers and the poor masses.

Basically the old powers don't want to give full democratic rights to the poor masses, because they would loose power.

Thaksin is used as an excuse for not giving democratic rights to the poor masses.

 

Even if there would be no Thaksin, the conflict would still be there, but the old powers would have to choose a different symbol to fight.

 

 

I absolutely agree.

I listened to the general's speech last night.

It was full of soothing words about ensuring an inclusive reconcilliation between the opposing political camps.

Now this.

This coup and the previous coup were all about pulling power away from the masses who supported Thaksin and a more modern Thailand and giving it back to the people who have run Thailand from the start.

Who are they?

It's the old Bangkok families. The "old guard" born into privilege, with obscene wealth obtained from hundreds of years of titled land ownership, warrants granted to them to run the first industrialised businesses, (remember Thailand supported Japan during the second world war).

This aristocracy have their tentacles into every facet of the Thai economy.

Thaksin came from the North, he started his own business outside of the establishment, made billions in satelite communications before he entered politics, didn't owe the old guard any favours.

When he was elected he began freeing up the economy, allowing the poor to borrow for business, allowing children from poor rural families to get a university education.

And worst of all, began to tell the army what to do (as we do in the West). Too much change too fast.

He threatened the status quo and they had to act.

The problem for the general is that he doesn't understand, you cant put the genie back into the bottle.

They might turn back the clock for 20-30 years, but in the end Bangkok isn't Thailand and the people there who suck up to this regime (read educated government employees) don't have the slightest clue what the rest of the Thai population think or want.

They are living in a fantasy bubble with money supplied by the establishment.

The people will wait patiently at first then if there's not real change and real opportunities for the rural poor, there could be a violent revolution here.

At the moment, I'm not optimistic.

 

 

 

[HUAHIN62]

Who from the red side should have been selected for "balance"? The Nittirat (enlightened jurists) group? I hope not. Any academic who could stand by and even support the rape and pillage of the country is not fit to sit in parliament. Perhaps our red friends would like to see the following in the NLA:

Surapong
Plodprasop
Kittirat
Chalerm
Nattawut
Boonsong
Jatuporn
Veera
Weng

Edit: Oops, I forgot Mr Parkour himself, Arisman.

 

We don't need to see any of them, we need to end color coded politics and thus need an inclusive reform process that will end the cycle of violence in the country. That was what was promised by the junta, if anything less than that is delivered the reforms will be a lost opportunity and the cycle of violence will be restarted in future.

 

[Roadman]

Headline and item with the anti Thaksin wording designed to stir the debate?

If the headline and item had said 

 "High-profile academics who have made it onto the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) clearly have one thing in common - a stance against lawlessness and corruption"

then the headline and item would still have been true but then would that have had both sides of the fence quickly on their keyboards slamming the Junta or pointing out the lawless lot who are not being selected.

Naughty The Nation. I can see why the Junta finds it as a requirement to control sections of the media while implementing the required reforms. 

Would say that those selected look the correct goods with more so Thailand's interests at hearts rather than whats it in for them. That will make a refreshing change from the garbage that have been governing trashing Thailand since 2001 until earlier this year. 

 

[leesgems]

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

Which is exactly what is needed. The Reds have already proven beyond the shadow of doubt that they cannot be trusted with any power. Red is dead.

[Paulzed]

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).
 
They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

"They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again"

The red shirts are not a political party!!! and should never be allowed to win anything. they are an illegal militant group that is employed by the shins to
disrupt the democratic proceses, cause political, social and civil unrest including stand over tactics and murder.

They should be rounded up and made an example of, there is no place for militant groups in a democracy. Edited August 2, 2014 by Paulzed

[FangFerang]

 If you were to ask the average Joe/Somchai on the street what he thought about common-or-garden cults such as Jonestown,Manson family,Joe Carroll etc he would answer that he feels a mix of revulsion and ghoulish intrigue. Why then do some posters expect that neutral bystanders would have positive thoughts about the cult of Shinawat? Indeed, if any of the NLA thought it appropriate that a family of billionaire criminals are the only suitable leaders for a sovereign nation for ever, that would be the real surprise.

 

 To put it succinctly there is no place in government for a billionaire criminal cabal no matter how much they spend on global PR. End of.

I agree. Can't you red fools see?  Democracy doesn't matter.  Fairness doesn't matter.  All that matters is that the hierarchy is accepted and forever established, and we should all kneel and kiss the Good General's feet, all of us, even Jesus.  Thaksin invented corruption, and a Dusit poll proved it.  He and the other mad political scientists even travelled back in time and invented malaria.  It's a fact -- just check the new history books.

 

Thaksin invented Thai corruption.

Thaksin invented kick backs .

Thaksin invented gambling and drug running and even TVF...just to confuse his opponents.

Thaksin went back in time, as before, and invented human trafficking.

Thaksin invented graft.

Thaksin invented stolen rice, all the way back to before he was born.

Thaksin, dire bugger, invented hiccups.

 

Death to the ear medicine guzzling bag toting red thug loving Dubai caddy shack serving graft inventing Shins.

 

We have a new one, just for him.  Several generations can now be held accountable for their grandfather's debts, so we now have a way to make all Thaksin's non-Thai.  

 

Put that in your pipes and smoke it!  Ah, the aroma of truth...take a good whiff.

[tomross46]

Anti-Thaksin is pro Thai. The Shinawat clan has turned into an organized crime family.

[Pi Sek]

Sharing the anti-Thaksin outlook is of utmost importance. Paramount. Instead of sharing an outlook for law and order, equal justice for all, due process, freedom of speech, individual and equal opportunity for all, they are most concerned with "selecting" those holding anti-Thaksin views.

 

It would not be too far of a throw to suggest an anti-Thaksin outlook is an outlook for all those important things you mention.

[AleG]

 

Thaksin is just a symbol used in a fight.

 

The real fight is a fight between the old powers and the poor masses.

Basically the old powers don't want to give full democratic rights to the poor masses, because they would loose power.

Thaksin is used as an excuse for not giving democratic rights to the poor masses.

 

Even if there would be no Thaksin, the conflict would still be there, but the old powers would have to choose a different symbol to fight.

 

 

I absolutely agree.

I listened to the general's speech last night.

It was full of soothing words about ensuring an inclusive reconcilliation between the opposing political camps.

Now this.

This coup and the previous coup were all about pulling power away from the masses who supported Thaksin and a more modern Thailand and giving it back to the people who have run Thailand from the start.

Who are they?

It's the old Bangkok families. The "old guard" born into privilege, with obscene wealth obtained from hundreds of years of titled land ownership, warrants granted to them to run the first industrialised businesses, (remember Thailand supported Japan during the second world war).

This aristocracy have their tentacles into every facet of the Thai economy.

Thaksin came from the North, he started his own business outside of the establishment, made billions in satelite communications before he entered politics, didn't owe the old guard any favours.

When he was elected he began freeing up the economy, allowing the poor to borrow for business, allowing children from poor rural families to get a university education.

And worst of all, began to tell the army what to do (as we do in the West). Too much change too fast.

He threatened the status quo and they had to act.

The problem for the general is that he doesn't understand, you cant put the genie back into the bottle.

They might turn back the clock for 20-30 years, but in the end Bangkok isn't Thailand and the people there who suck up to this regime (read educated government employees) don't have the slightest clue what the rest of the Thai population think or want.

They are living in a fantasy bubble with money supplied by the establishment.

The people will wait patiently at first then if there's not real change and real opportunities for the rural poor, there could be a violent revolution here.

At the moment, I'm not optimistic.

 

 

 

Just to show how wrong this post is, one example:

 

Thaksin came from the North, he started his own business outside of the establishment, made billions in satelite communications before he entered politics, didn't owe the old guard any favours.

 

Sunthorn Kongsompong, the general that ousted democratically elected PM Chatchai Chunhawan in the 1991 coup handed Thaksin not just a concession, but a monopoly on satellite communications. He made his billions by using his wife's family patronage network to  gain a monopoly in providing computer services to the police (while he was still a policeman), then by getting a cell phone monopoy from a military junta, and then the satellite monopoly.

Old fashioned cronysm, not by some fabled business genious and very much by seeking and paying back favours. Sunthon had 150 million dollars to his name when he died, not bad for someone on a general's salary.

[kriswillems]

 

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

Kris,

 

But the red shirts were responsible for 90% of the deaths during this violence. You can't deny that anymore before you could, by saying it was self inflicted (ridiculous of course with violent animals like those red shirt militants nobody has to inflict anything on themselves). Now guns are matched fingerprints and bulets are matched. It is clear its the reds that killed the children in Trad and BKK. Itc clear that they shot grenades at the anti government protesters. How can you call getting the people responsible for violence bias. 

 

The anti government criminal elements have been arrested too and are waiting for their day in court. When the guards did thing that could not be tolerated they were handed over for prosecution. Now if anyone shown bias it was the previous government who protected the murdered of children in their ranks. (protecting terrorists is an act of terrorism). 

 

They can't create a democracy where "red shirts" cant win unless they take away the votes. They can however create a democracy where the government has to live by the rules and take into account the minority too. (kinda like a real democracy not a winner takes it all Taksin style one). 

 

With luck the anti corruption stance of the army will go on they even go after their own when they go out of line (recent news patpong). I have not seen the reds do that one time. All they seem to do is go for populist policies full of corruption that cant be sustained (rice scam). Every organisation warned them about this but they still did it.... they did not budget money for it it was cost neutral according to them but they lost 800 billion baht. (had they budgeted for it it was not a loss but just part of spending but they did not). They did not budget it because then they could not go for all the other vote buying stuff they did because by law they can't have a huge deficit in a budget. 

 

My point is they are creating a democracy where people have to play by the rules.. and that these Academics have an anti-Taksin outlook is a good thing, because if there is one thing that Taksin hated were rules that came between him and the absolute power to rape the country. 

 

Ok, fair enough.

And how about the red shirts that were shot in the 2010 uprising?

I don't see anyone going to jail for that.

 

Don't misunderstand me, I hate all extremist sides (red and yellow, Thaksin and Suthep) and I also agree there was a lot as mismanagement during the Yingluck government.  but it's very clear to me the army is choosing sides (which should not be the case in a democracy). Big parts of the population (the majority) have voted for the red shirt politicians. They can't just be ignored if you want to create a stable democracy.

 

The academics that were selected are not just anti-Thaksin (which is a good thing), but they are Pro-Suthep (which is a bad thing, taking into account the history of Suthep).

Edited August 2, 2014 by kriswillems

[SICHONSTEVE]

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

 

 Brilliant news!!!

 

 Eliminate Thaksin/Yingluck and their cronies with all the damage that they have caused, from Thai life for the betterment of Thailand and it's people.

 

 I have to say that what General Prayuth has done to date exceeds all of my expectations and statues of him shouldn't be too far off as he has radically changed the whole substance of Thai life in a few short months. I even agree with what he has done with the press and media.

[KhnomKhnom]

There are only two reasons to be pro-Thaksin......

1.  you get Thaksin originated money or

2.  you are a deluded knee jerk believing in simplistic answers for a complex Thailand problem.

 

Thaksin was and now is the most evil force for destruction of the nation.  His influence needs a root-canal extraction.  That hurts, makes you sick for a while, but it heals up and you can be ok again.  Same for Thailand.

Relax knee jerks.

[WitawatWatawit]

 If you were to ask the average Joe/Somchai on the street what he thought about common-or-garden cults such as Jonestown,Manson family,Joe Carroll etc he would answer that he feels a mix of revulsion and ghoulish intrigue. Why then do some posters expect that neutral bystanders would have positive thoughts about the cult of Shinawat? Indeed, if any of the NLA thought it appropriate that a family of billionaire criminals are the only suitable leaders for a sovereign nation for ever, that would be the real surprise.
 
 To put it succinctly there is no place in government for a billionaire criminal cabal no matter how much they spend on global PR. End of.

I agree. Can't you red fools see?  Democracy doesn't matter.  Fairness doesn't matter.  All that matters is that the hierarchy is accepted and forever established, and we should all kneel and kiss the Good General's feet, all of us, even Jesus.  Thaksin invented corruption, and a Dusit poll proved it.  He and the other mad political scientists even travelled back in time and invented malaria.  It's a fact -- just check the new history books.
 
Thaksin invented Thai corruption.
Thaksin invented kick backs .
Thaksin invented gambling and drug running and even TVF...just to confuse his opponents.
Thaksin went back in time, as before, and invented human trafficking.
Thaksin invented graft.
Thaksin invented stolen rice, all the way back to before he was born.
Thaksin, dire bugger, invented hiccups.
 
Death to the ear medicine guzzling bag toting red thug loving Dubai caddy shack serving graft inventing Shins.
 
We have a new one, just for him.  Several generations can now be held accountable for their grandfather's debts, so we now have a way to make all Thaksin's non-Thai.  
 
Put that in your pipes and smoke it!  Ah, the aroma of truth...take a good whiff.

Creative sarcasm is not one of your strengths. That requires a bit of intelligence. You forgot - Thaksin created petulent little boy whimpishness. And crying like a baby.

[robblok]

 

 

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

Kris,

 

But the red shirts were responsible for 90% of the deaths during this violence. You can't deny that anymore before you could, by saying it was self inflicted (ridiculous of course with violent animals like those red shirt militants nobody has to inflict anything on themselves). Now guns are matched fingerprints and bulets are matched. It is clear its the reds that killed the children in Trad and BKK. Itc clear that they shot grenades at the anti government protesters. How can you call getting the people responsible for violence bias. 

 

The anti government criminal elements have been arrested too and are waiting for their day in court. When the guards did thing that could not be tolerated they were handed over for prosecution. Now if anyone shown bias it was the previous government who protected the murdered of children in their ranks. (protecting terrorists is an act of terrorism). 

 

They can't create a democracy where "red shirts" cant win unless they take away the votes. They can however create a democracy where the government has to live by the rules and take into account the minority too. (kinda like a real democracy not a winner takes it all Taksin style one). 

 

With luck the anti corruption stance of the army will go on they even go after their own when they go out of line (recent news patpong). I have not seen the reds do that one time. All they seem to do is go for populist policies full of corruption that cant be sustained (rice scam). Every organisation warned them about this but they still did it.... they did not budget money for it it was cost neutral according to them but they lost 800 billion baht. (had they budgeted for it it was not a loss but just part of spending but they did not). They did not budget it because then they could not go for all the other vote buying stuff they did because by law they can't have a huge deficit in a budget. 

 

My point is they are creating a democracy where people have to play by the rules.. and that these Academics have an anti-Taksin outlook is a good thing, because if there is one thing that Taksin hated were rules that came between him and the absolute power to rape the country. 

 

Ok, fair enough.

And how about the red shirts that were shot in the 2010 uprising?

I don't see anyone going to jail for that.

 

Don't misunderstand me, I hate all extremist sides (red and yellow, Thaksin and Suthep) and I also agree there was a lot as mismanagement during the Yingluck government.  but it's very clear to me the army is choosing sides (which should not be the case in a democracy). Big parts of the population (the majority) have voted for the red shirt politicians. They can't just be ignored if you want to create a stable democracy.

 

The academics that were selected are not just anti-Thaksin (which is a good thing), but they are Pro-Suthep (which is a bad thing, taking into account the history of Suthep).

 

Did you see any red shirts in jail for being on stage telling them to burn BKK ? Leaders seem to be off free still. Anyway they have to prove that Abisith and Suthep ordered these things and it was too much. They are going to court.. that still has not been stopped.

 

As for 2010 everyone who was here knows that the redshirts were not peaceful actually their actions now against the anti government proved that. I mean gunning down kids is as low as it gets. Then on stage applauding on this (though they did not know kids were shot but thought adults only). Still Abisith and Suthep are still on trial we will see I think they are innocent anyway. (given the black shirts and red shirt violence this was the only thing to do). Do you see Charlem and YL up for murder for the deaths caused when they wanted to clear the anti government ? Same thing not ?

[SICHONSTEVE]

 

 

I hope that Thaksin doesn't come back, but the fact that the new leaders are mostly part of the Suthep camp and that mainly red-shirt leaders are the ones blamed for all the deaths and injuries, clearly shows that the army is not a neutral player (and never was).

 

They are clearly preparing a "democracy???" in which one side (the red shirt side) can never win again.

Kris,

 

But the red shirts were responsible for 90% of the deaths during this violence. You can't deny that anymore before you could, by saying it was self inflicted (ridiculous of course with violent animals like those red shirt militants nobody has to inflict anything on themselves). Now guns are matched fingerprints and bulets are matched. It is clear its the reds that killed the children in Trad and BKK. Itc clear that they shot grenades at the anti government protesters. How can you call getting the people responsible for violence bias. 

 

The anti government criminal elements have been arrested too and are waiting for their day in court. When the guards did thing that could not be tolerated they were handed over for prosecution. Now if anyone shown bias it was the previous government who protected the murdered of children in their ranks. (protecting terrorists is an act of terrorism). 

 

They can't create a democracy where "red shirts" cant win unless they take away the votes. They can however create a democracy where the government has to live by the rules and take into account the minority too. (kinda like a real democracy not a winner takes it all Taksin style one). 

 

With luck the anti corruption stance of the army will go on they even go after their own when they go out of line (recent news patpong). I have not seen the reds do that one time. All they seem to do is go for populist policies full of corruption that cant be sustained (rice scam). Every organisation warned them about this but they still did it.... they did not budget money for it it was cost neutral according to them but they lost 800 billion baht. (had they budgeted for it it was not a loss but just part of spending but they did not). They did not budget it because then they could not go for all the other vote buying stuff they did because by law they can't have a huge deficit in a budget. 

 

My point is they are creating a democracy where people have to play by the rules.. and that these Academics have an anti-Taksin outlook is a good thing, because if there is one thing that Taksin hated were rules that came between him and the absolute power to rape the country. 

 

Ok, fair enough.

And how about the red shirts that were shot in the 2010 uprising?

I don't see anyone going to jail for that.

 

Don't misunderstand me, I hate all extremist sides (red and yellow, Thaksin and Suthep) and I also agree there was a lot as mismanagement during the Yingluck government.  but it's very clear to me the army is choosing sides (which should not be the case in a democracy). Big parts of the population (the majority) have voted for the red shirt politicians. They can't just be ignored if you want to create a stable democracy.

 

The academics that were selected are not just anti-Thaksin (which is a good thing), but they are Pro-Suthep (which is a bad thing, taking into account the history of Suthep).

 

 

 How can they jail Thaksin when he is in Dubai!!!

[sweatalot]

So far, observers can't help noticing that the many academics now on the legislative bench are the once-familiar faces in the movement against Yingluck and her brother

What is wrong with this?
Being for true democracy, against terror, against cronyism, against nepotism, against corruption, against brainwashing -
does this (in Thailand) not automatically include being against Yingluck and her brother and "UDD" ?

In Thailand this should be a "conditio sine qua non" - sorry for the Latin, it translates an absolutely necessary condition








edited for correcting a typo Edited August 2, 2014 by sweatalot

[sweatalot]

Unfortunately, this does not bode well for the future of Thailand. An all inclusive group should have equal representation from all sides, and then hammer out the differences with the army watching over them but being strictly neutral. Otherwise this will only bring about a temporary truce.

So criminals and anti-democratic elements (even if they call themselves wrongly democratic) should be equally represented?