Muzzled opposition reduced to song in post-coup Thailand

[webfact]

Muzzled opposition reduced to song in post-coup Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- His trademark televised diatribes have given way to misty-eyed songs, but in Thailand's stifling post-coup climate, the firebrand leader of the once mighty "Red Shirts" welcomes any chance to reach his supporters.

Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the Red Shirt street movement which backed the toppled government of Yingluck Shinawatra, is back on the small screen after the ruling junta lifted a ban on Thailand's sharply polarised political channels.

For years his rabble-rousing rhetoric on television was staple viewing in the Red heartlands of northern Thailand where Yingluck -- and her billionaire brother Thaksin Shinawatra -- are adored for their pro-poor policies.

Rebranded as 'Peace TV', Jatuporn now espouses the virtues of love and Buddhism in melancholic verses, a far cry from the tirades against the 'ammart' -- or Bangkok-based elite -- and its supporters who loathe the Shinawatra clan.

"The road is not strewn with roses," 49-year-old Jatuporn croons in a pre-recorded song between programmes. "But we must continue to dream, no matter how difficult it is."

Tucked inside a multi-storey shopping centre in north Bangkok, the channel is one of the few public outlets available to opponents of the coup.

Anti-coup voices, including lawmakers from the former ruling Puea Thai party, academics and students' groups, have been silenced after the army summoned dissenters, outlawed political gatherings and censored the media.

For those attuned to the political realities of a kingdom under military rule, Jatuporn's return to television is symbolic -- suggesting anti-coup forces are dormant but not dead.

But even Jatuporn concedes these days he can only meet fellow Red leaders at "funerals or weddings".

- 'Moving cautiously' -

Since grabbing power in May, coup leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha has vowed to heal Thailand's caustic divide and has muted all political discussions.

Prayut retired as army chief last month, but remains head of the junta and is also prime minister heading a hand-picked military dominated government.

The Red Shirts, known officially as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), have seen their leaders either renounce the cause, flee into self-exile or -- like Jatuporn -- agree to abandon politics.

Even Red Shirt funerals, including one taking place this week of core leader Apiwan Wiriyachai, are tightly monitored in case they morph into a political meeting -- banned under strict martial laws.

Red Shirt leaders fear a repeat of 2010 when an army crackdown on rallies in the heart of Bangkok left more than 90 people dead and hundreds wounded.

"We are moving cautiously," said Jatuporn, who is permitted to broadcast despite facing a terrorism charge linked to those protests.

Even ex-premier Yingluck has mostly stayed out of the public eye -- surfacing recently to sign a book of get-well wishes for the hospitalised king.

Yet discontent with the coup lingers.

While any hint of dissent is swiftly stamped down -- including raids on university seminars on democracy -- an overseas collection of Red Shirts, ex-Puea Thai officials and academics have formed the 'Free Thai' exile group.

Some analysts predict an eventual revival of the Red cause in a nation where parties led-by or aligned-to the Shinawatras have won every poll since 2001.

A "greater opposition will emerge that combines Red Shirts, student groups, independent academic groups, and other pro-democracy" activists, according to analyst David Streckfuss.

- Remoulding Thailand -

The junta has other ideas.

To his enemies Thaksin, who was toppled as premier in another coup in 2006, has warped Thai society with massive corruption and populist policies.

A junta-appointed reform council bulging with anti-Thaksin members is due to begin work next week on remoulding Thai politics.

"The 2006 coup was an attempt by a royalist-led military to quickly replace Thaksin, return to democracy and continue business as usual," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in Chiang Mai.

"The 2014 coup is different because the military is fully in charge of everything... (and) is likely to stay for a long time."

The military's reach into Thai politics is being driven by anxiety over what happens once the six-decade reign of the revered 86-year-old king Bhumibol Adulyadej ends, say observers.

The king remains in a Bangkok hospital after being admitted on October 4 for a gall bladder operation. Discussion of succession matters is restricted under a royal defamation law.

Prayut is on an extensive public relations campaign to extol the junta's work and prep the nation for major reforms ahead.

Every Friday he delivers a televised address to the nation that opens with a "returning happiness to Thailand" song, penned by the leader.

In contrast, even after his Peace TV broadcasts, Jatuporn remains coy over the Red Shirts' future.

"We accepted these restrictions," he said.

"It was the only way to communicate with our supporters."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-10-16

[webfact]

Kind reminder

NCPO: All suspects in lese majeste cases, national security cases, violators of NCPO orders will face court martial

Due to the fluid situation in Thailand and the pressure being placed on the media, Thaivisa will temporarily impose strict limitations on any comments that can be construed as being negative about the imposition of Martial Law, the Coup or phrasing which paints the current governmental structure in a negative light. 'Posts using terms such as military dictatorship when referring to the PM or his administration or other anti-junta remarks will be removed and a posting suspension could be issued Posters will also not be permitted to make references to the royal family.

It is the hope of Thaivisa that this will be a temporary situation. Thaivisa will continue to monitor the situation and it is our wish that in a short while we will be able to less strict in the policy concerning posting. Posts contravening the policy will be removed without notice.

Please exercise extreme care in your posts. The same rules applies to Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Thaivisa Forum guidelines/rules: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

/Admin

[Neeranam]

Long Live The NCPO!

Where's the smiley with a hand over his mouth?

[15Peter20]

Long Live The NCPO!

[h90]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

[Neeranam]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

What about the Chuan Leekpai government - can you really compare this 'government' ?

The problem when the truth muzzled is that people believe what they read in the newspapers. Not power hungry?

Yes, Taksin caused tremendous damage to the country and has to be exiled at all costs.

[JOC]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

So what you are saying is, that Thailand is not ready for democracy, but need a strong man under patronage of the highest power??

And I would like a link to where Thaksin spoke about a one-party-system and publicly endorses corruption!

It is still beyond me, how any posters here can support a non-elected government, no matter how incompetent and corrupt the elected ones have proven to be. But at least the Thai people have had a say in, who is stealing from them.

Remember democracy in our countries didn't appear overnight!!

[TVGerry]

I'm glad to see that idiot Jatuporn reduced to what he has always been but pretended not to be, a bloody clown. Carry on singing your songs and stop preaching your hate and this country has a real chance of reconciliation.

[Commerce]

Jatuporn's singing, and Chalerm's still alive. What a week!

[taony]

We love you NCPO!

[Cuchulainn]

Now he's singing for Dirhams?

Dear God, will this ar5ehole sink to any length to get his name in the media and his hands on (more) of his puppet-master's dirty money?

I'd love him to come to my house and sing. He'd never leave.

[ramrod711]

But even Jatuporn concedes these days he can only meet fellow Red leaders at "funerals or weddings".

Hopefully more of the former than the latter.

[klauskunkel]

Jatuporn the Busking Buffoon.

[kaobang]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

it does not matter.that government was voted by the majority of thais

nobody voted this government

[yellowboat]

"For years his rabble-rousing rhetoric on television was staple viewing in the Red heartlands of northern Thailand where Yingluck -- and her billionaire brother Thaksin Shinawatra -- are adored for their pro-poor policies."

Is there not a 60% block who feel less than happy having elected governments deposed ? Isn't the muzzling of student groups and the press going to make reconciliation more difficult ? So far the upside to all the coup is unclear.

[Robespiere]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

This post lacks logic....... nuff said.

[Chris Lawrence]

No opposition, no press. No democratic rule.

Whats the new General thinking?

[fobuff]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

CRAPOLA

[Fatty123]

Well, everyone who doesn't like this government, should recall how corrupt and incompetent the Yingluck government was.

Abhisit government....wasn't impressive

Samak?

Thaksin acted like a dictator and don't forget his remarks: "Democracy is not my goal" and that he often spoke about a one party system with huge corruption everywhere.

And almost civil war.

So it is almost impossible that this government isn't better. They didn't go in power for being power hungry. They were forced to prevent a civil war.

Reduced to singing? Maybe you need to play his records backwards?

All politicians are corrupt, I'll give you that much. I have little time for any of those you mention.However, how many elections have Abhisit or Prayuth actually won?

In Thailand,under the new 'party' you have:

Martial law

Very little feedom of speech.

Very little academic freedom.

No real change in corruption levels.

The end of democracy, as those able to be in parliament are chosen by the leader.

Interference in the education of children. More nationalistic values instilled into the kids.

Positions of importance taken up by the wrong people. Education minister is an admiral. That's ridiculous.

Increase in xenophobia. Examples include visa clampdowns, ''A Thai would never commit a crime like this'' and comments about 'bad foreigners' within weeks of taking office. Blaming crimes on migrant workers. Rounding up and DNA testing migrant workers at the drop of a hat while ignoring possible Thai suspects.

The almost certain end of the 30 baht hospital card. A lifeline for most Thais needing urgent medical care.

The almost certain end of the 500 baht payments to the elderly.

Any oppositon or even criticism is met by intimidation (ie arrest/jail).

Possible police cover ups/corruption still taking place.

Like I said, I have no time for Thaksin or PT. As corrupt as the rest.

Are things really much better for Thailand? Then again, most of you wanted it. Happy now?

[Bluespunk]

Ah, how sad it is when violent street thug militia leaders lose their power.

My heart bleeds.

[thaiguzzi]

I can't believe the replies to this post. Jesus Christ. Oh, yes i can, it;s Thai Visa. Clueless, absolutely clueless.