Three-way strife may be likely now

[jayboy]

While taking into account your uncritical devotion to the General, your statement is just childish.Most Thais are neither hardcore red or yellows; it is they who have become disillusioned.More critically in my view though not mentioned in the article are the elite internal divisions.

While taking into account your condescending BS, did I say anything about ALL Thais?

Did I?

I didn't even say anything about MOST Thais.

No you didn't.I did.

[jayboy]

Elite, internal divisions? So the article should read four-way strife? More info pls.

I don't normally feed trolls, especially the more asinine ones.However there may be serious members who wish to research on line the growing evidence of Priv C unhappiness with developments.

[Wilsonandson]

Elite, internal divisions? So the article should read four-way strife? More info pls.

I don't normally feed trolls, especially the more asinine ones.However there may be serious members who wish to research on line the growing evidence of Priv C unhappiness with developments.

So why reply to me? You just need to take it out on someone who asks you a simple question.

[Scott]

Please stop with the personal remarks and stick to the topic.

[ggt]

I have been concerned that the coup did nothing to stop the slow boil of some people in this country toward the central powers in Bangkok...

The turmoil may not be over yet...martial law is like a lid on top of a pot that is trying to boil over...martial law may soon be lifted by the people refusing to go along with it...

[heybruce]

Agreed... give the government a chance.

Nothing could be worse than a return to organized criminality on a massive scale.

After the 2006 coup corruption peaked and its on its way up again (the oil block allocation and mega projects thats been approved without any transparency) . The coup is the worst thing that could have happened to Thailand as the junta will not leave before the big change has happened and it could take another 5 years or more. By that time the country will be on the edge of a civil war. The economy will be run down with atleast 4 of the next 5 years spend in recession if the world economy maintain its present course. The military have never been able to unite the country, they have only devided it (you can go back to the 70's). The coup was not about reform, nor fighting corruption nor stability, it was and is about being in power when the change takes place. For those who are being fooled by the media and hollow words spoken by semi-politicians, please wake up to reality.

this is the TRUTH we cannot speak about...

I have no idea what you two are going on about.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to watch "Game of Thrones".

[HUAHIN62]

Agreed... give the government a chance.

Nothing could be worse than a return to organized criminality on a massive scale.

After the 2006 coup corruption peaked and its on its way up again (the oil block allocation and mega projects thats been approved without any transparency) . The coup is the worst thing that could have happened to Thailand as the junta will not leave before the big change has happened and it could take another 5 years or more. By that time the country will be on the edge of a civil war. The economy will be run down with atleast 4 of the next 5 years spend in recession if the world economy maintain its present course. The military have never been able to unite the country, they have only devided it (you can go back to the 70's). The coup was not about reform, nor fighting corruption nor stability, it was and is about being in power when the change takes place. For those who are being fooled by the media and hollow words spoken by semi-politicians, please wake up to reality.

this is the TRUTH we cannot speak about...

I have no idea what you two are going on about.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to watch "Game of Thrones".

As long as you keep your fingers clenched in a fist you okay, but if 3 slips out you can be arrested/abducted, re-orientated and brought before a kangaroo court (not to be confused with an Oz court).

[nong38]

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Prayuth is discovering that a military timetable is not the same as political one, he is also finding out that some people are not doing what he thought they were, a classic case is the ever popular lottery, the tickets were supposed to come to 80 bts and they did for a while now they are back at 110 and nobody noticed?

This running the country is not as easy as it looked when he was a General.

For sure the people have been patient so far but I wonder how long that will last and will we see the other political groups looking to exploit situations? I do hope that is not the case, but, Prayuth does need to get things moving, the reforms need to be seen to be being put in place, the reforms need to be accepted by one and all.

There is till much to be done and we are 6 months down the road, are we on track or do we think we are?

I hope the people give him time to carry out his plans and that after that time we will see a different Thailand emerge. It is probably asking to much to envisage a startlingly different democracy but lets hope for some improvement that can be worked on. Education is a much bigger problem, he will meet much resistance here from the old school who dont want to change the system, but, change it must to prepare the young for the world of the future not the world of the past or the country will be left behind, we all know what the problems are in the system but in a system where everyone passes its difficult to accept that change is required for a future outside of the borders where a "different" type of English is used, where modern business methods are employed, where there are different ways of doing things which are easier and more efficient.

Prayuth has big job on to enforce these changes to people who live in their own world and cannot themselves be bothered to look at change, I wish him well but the job is getting more and more difficult now.

"Prayuth has big job on to enforce these changes to people"

When change is willingly accepted, it will be embraced. But when change is enforced by military might, it will be resisted. Prayuth's initiated change as he foresaw it, motivated it through his NCPO controlled NLA, NRC and CDC, and will enforce it upon the unwilling population. And once again we'll hear him say, "They do not understand" when his change is resisted.

You take my words out of context, it is valid only with the whole statement, the education system and most of their teachers need to change and they dont seem to be that willing to me, that is what he needs to enforce. The teachers are not that willing to change, its makes hard work fo them to change that is what he must enforce, to change the education system. Anyone who has had any dealings with the education system will recognize what I am saying.

[Alwyn]

It is simple, three parties are better than 2, in a real democracy it needs more than a 2 party system. it is the balance of power and a working control system which is needed, but you cannot get it if the freedom of expression is not guaranteed

Yup, that 3-party system, Democracy, the balance of power, etc are working out real well over the other side of the world currently ... and just as badly as in my home country.

As for what they stand for, well, just take a look at Colorado State Legislator, Gordon Klingenschmitt (anti-gay, anti-everything), who campaigned (partly) on his belief that Obama is possessed by a demon ... and he won. (Go check the Colbert Report video on YouTube).

I thought he was deluded, but as for those that voted for him ... speechless ... I'm not sure who is more insane, these morons that "represent the people" (get paid by big business to promote their agenda's) or those that actually vote for them.

The USA has a 3 party system? Republicans, Democrats and..?

[Alwyn]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Prayuth is discovering that a military timetable is not the same as political one, he is also finding out that some people are not doing what he thought they were, a classic case is the ever popular lottery, the tickets were supposed to come to 80 bts and they did for a while now they are back at 110 and nobody noticed?

This running the country is not as easy as it looked when he was a General.

For sure the people have been patient so far but I wonder how long that will last and will we see the other political groups looking to exploit situations? I do hope that is not the case, but, Prayuth does need to get things moving, the reforms need to be seen to be being put in place, the reforms need to be accepted by one and all.

There is till much to be done and we are 6 months down the road, are we on track or do we think we are?

I hope the people give him time to carry out his plans and that after that time we will see a different Thailand emerge. It is probably asking to much to envisage a startlingly different democracy but lets hope for some improvement that can be worked on. Education is a much bigger problem, he will meet much resistance here from the old school who dont want to change the system, but, change it must to prepare the young for the world of the future not the world of the past or the country will be left behind, we all know what the problems are in the system but in a system where everyone passes its difficult to accept that change is required for a future outside of the borders where a "different" type of English is used, where modern business methods are employed, where there are different ways of doing things which are easier and more efficient.

Prayuth has big job on to enforce these changes to people who live in their own world and cannot themselves be bothered to look at change, I wish him well but the job is getting more and more difficult now.

"Prayuth has big job on to enforce these changes to people"

When change is willingly accepted, it will be embraced. But when change is enforced by military might, it will be resisted. Prayuth's initiated change as he foresaw it, motivated it through his NCPO controlled NLA, NRC and CDC, and will enforce it upon the unwilling population. And once again we'll hear him say, "They do not understand" when his change is resisted.

You're 100% spot on! people don't like stuff forced upon them wherever they may be. UK is a good example, we get laws etc forced upon by the EU, we're told we cannot deport terrorists back to where they come from by the EU and most Brits don't either like or appreciate it! People are people over the World we eat, we crap just the same. The thing is, a deal is not a deal unless both parties are happy. End of!

[Chris Lawrence]

Six months isn't long enough to turn a Country around, I don't think it's enough time to judge the progress. Certain upcoming rulings from the government will demonstrate whether they are sincere or not. One thing I am sure about is that I don't want to see a return to this.

Agreed... give the government a chance.

Nothing could be worse than a return to organized criminality on a massive scale.

After the 2006 coup corruption peaked and its on its way up again (the oil block allocation and mega projects thats been approved without any transparency) . The coup is the worst thing that could have happened to Thailand as the junta will not leave before the big change has happened and it could take another 5 years or more. By that time the country will be on the edge of a civil war. The economy will be run down with atleast 4 of the next 5 years spend in recession if the world economy maintain its present course. The military have never been able to unite the country, they have only devided it (you can go back to the 70's). The coup was not about reform, nor fighting corruption nor stability, it was and is about being in power when the change takes place. For those who are being fooled by the media and hollow words spoken by semi-politicians, please wake up to reality.

Good point Huahing2, the other thing to that is military spending has also increased in past coups. The military grow stronger while Thailand grows somewhat weaker.

[longway]

EDITORIAL

Three-way strife may be likely now

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prayut must not let things deteriorate

Some used to say it could not get any worse than Thais being divided to the brink of civil war. The coup in May, according to its leader and interim Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, was meant to pre-empt what could be a political bloodbath. First there was hope in the wake of the coup, but with the military junta struggling to keep public faith, new fears are looming. Thais can basically split into three camps instead of two currently. That will make national strife a lot more complicated, if not worse.

The latest case of media intimidation is undermining Prayuts pledge to bring about genuine reform. But what happened at the Thai PBS is not the only hindrance to efforts to bring political peace to Thailand. Prayuts interim government has alienated a lot of supporters with energy policies that seem to lean toward big money rather than public interests. Anti-corruption promises have been in danger of falling through, although the jury is very much out on how the controversial rice scheme of the Yingluck administration is addressed. The red shirts are not happy, and neither are the yellow shirts. Those in between may still be willing to give Prayut a chance, but scepticism is eating into their patience.

If Thailand is politically split into "three kingdoms", romance is out of question. Yet the possibility of a three-camp political landscape that is looking increasingly likely and it will be anything but healthy. It used to be a pro- and anti-Thaksin divide but a third movement may soon emerge and say no to both the military and tainted democracy. If reform is hard when Thais are split down the middle, imagine the difficulties a three-way strife can present.

During the political turmoil last year and earlier this year, the military escaped blame. But the Armed Forces stuck its neck out with the coup and now will have to bear the brunt of criticism if the situation worsens. Much depends on what Prayut does next, as he now wields the biggest political power.

Make no mistake, genuine reform means hes bound to galvanise many foes and lose many friends. But if he is sincere and carry out his agenda with integrity, it will be his best protection. Prayuts relatively high approval rating in the aftermath of the coup did not reflect a pro-military or pro-dictatorship stand among Thais, but it showed how much hope politically weary Thais had for positive changes. Intimidating the media and stirring doubts regarding such mammoth issues as energy and corruption eradication are certainly not the way to go. Reform is painful, but the pain must be where its worth it.

Vested interests groups are abundant in Thailand, and many of them are internationally connected. Speculation has already begun about those at the very top of Thailands political war successfully dividing the cake, leaving the "colours" to continue their ideological fight. Its this kind of speculation, and the likes of the Thai PBS incidents, that will hasten the formation of the "third movement". Like the anti-Thaksin camp, they wont accept the Shinawatras return to power. But like the pro-Thaksin camp, they will also find the military playing a leading role in politics unacceptable.

In normal political circumstances, such a third movement can create a healthy environment in which everybody is kept on his toes. In Thai circumstances, where Prayut is reigning supreme, it can make his "reform" agenda a lot more difficult and contribute to a major deadlock. With Thailands neighbouring countries preparing themselves economically for the upcoming era of the Asean Economic Community, Thais will practically limp into the new regional territory.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Three-way-strife-may-be-likely-now-30248300.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-22

Whats so bad about a 3rd group? The whole 2 side divide was always a nonsense anyway, the last national survey i know about showed that 85% were neither red nor yellow, and of the 15% only a tiny minority ever went to a protest in all the last 8-10 years or so, its about time the neutrals make their voice heard over the bs spouted by the reds and yellows.

[MarkmBha]

Whatever the outcome is, it will be a very messy road ahead, indeed.

[longway]

Agreed... give the government a chance.

Nothing could be worse than a return to organized criminality on a massive scale.

After the 2006 coup corruption peaked and its on its way up again (the oil block allocation and mega projects thats been approved without any transparency) . The coup is the worst thing that could have happened to Thailand as the junta will not leave before the big change has happened and it could take another 5 years or more. By that time the country will be on the edge of a civil war. The economy will be run down with atleast 4 of the next 5 years spend in recession if the world economy maintain its present course. The military have never been able to unite the country, they have only devided it (you can go back to the 70's). The coup was not about reform, nor fighting corruption nor stability, it was and is about being in power when the change takes place. For those who are being fooled by the media and hollow words spoken by semi-politicians, please wake up to reality.

this is the TRUTH we cannot speak about...

I have no idea what you two are going on about.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to watch "Game of Thrones".

Tosh. Its about setting up a stable foundation for the country after the big event has taken place. Its not about being in power when the event occurs. The coup would not have been possible without Thaksin's vile attempt to get himself amnesty. You guys watch too much tv. Edited November 22, 2014 by longway

[Chris Lawrence]

What heads of agreement have been signed to start any infrastructure spending outside of Bangkok? A number of major projects are reported, but they are then consumed by the next round of reporting.

Generals are trained to run armies? Not countries.

The Thai legal system remains unchanged.

The disclosure of assets show discrepancies in the wealth of those in charge or have they been explained how on military/police salary’s millions have been made by the current crop of hand-picked politicians? Read this article that sets out the fortunes in the top military/police: https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/tag/preecha-chan-ocha/

Opportunity has been made available to prosecute those involved in human trafficking but the score remains: prosecutions of bad guys 0, prosecution of journalists that expose trade 1?

No one is to demonstrate against the current duly elected (elected between buddies) government, as directed by the General. So why didn't he impose this against Suthep? Makes you wonder if this coup had its planning long before the official coup date?

The people involved with drafting the constitution are hand-picked, and appear to be academics. Not a bad thing to be an academic, but some got the gurnsey in 2006/07? Representation by a minority appear to be on the planning committee.

The problems down south are continuing with little being reported.

'The truth of the matter is that corruption and nepotism can only be abolished (and they have not yet been abolished in Western democracies) by empowering ordinary people, expanding the democratic space and using drastic but democratic measures to create economic equality. This would also involve abolishing the free-market which allows the rich to constantly accumulate wealth at the expense of the poor. 'http://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/tag/preecha-chan-ocha/

So what is different between the leaders Thaksin and Prayut? Two peas from the same pod? Time will tell.

But I do like the theory put forward by the Uglytruth-Thailand; it is going to take an ordinary person to change Thailand. So if three parties bring this together, not a bad thing.

[HUAHIN62]

"Tosh. Its about setting up a stable foundation for the country after the big event has taken place. Its not about being in power when the event occurs. The coup would not have been possible without Thaksin's vile attempt to get himself amnesty. You guys watch too much tv."

According to Suthep the coup was in the making since 2010, which means the amnesty bill was the red herring they were looking for to put their plan into action, which ended as planned in the coup. Constitutionaly (2007 one) there was a way that parliament could make a change against tradition difficult. Thus they need to be in power at the time of change not there after. The NRC will be writing a constitution which will be rejected by the NCPO (if the change dont take place). The NRC will then be fired and a new one appointed. All in an attempt to buy time until their person is in place. That is the reason the NCPO was not disbanded when the NLA was formed. Another way to delay the return to an elected government will be instability instigated by the traditional elites (like last year). This instability will then be used as a reason for martial law and for not holding elections. A well scripted Thai soap opera is playing out infront of your eyes.

Edited November 22, 2014 by HUAHIN62

[Local Drunk]

Six months isn't long enough to turn a Country around, I don't think it's enough time to judge the progress. Certain upcoming rulings from the government will demonstrate whether they are sincere or not. One thing I am sure about is that I don't want to see a return to this.

Agreed... give the government a chance.

Nothing could be worse than a return to organized criminality on a massive scale.

After the 2006 coup corruption peaked and its on its way up again (the oil block allocation and mega projects thats been approved without any transparency) . The coup is the worst thing that could have happened to Thailand as the junta will not leave before the big change has happened and it could take another 5 years or more. By that time the country will be on the edge of a civil war. The economy will be run down with atleast 4 of the next 5 years spend in recession if the world economy maintain its present course. The military have never been able to unite the country, they have only devided it (you can go back to the 70's). The coup was not about reform, nor fighting corruption nor stability, it was and is about being in power when the change takes place. For those who are being fooled by the media and hollow words spoken by semi-politicians, please wake up to reality.

this is the TRUTH we cannot speak about...

Then why say it?

[heybruce]

After the 2006 coup corruption peaked and its on its way up again (the oil block allocation and mega projects thats been approved without any transparency) . The coup is the worst thing that could have happened to Thailand as the junta will not leave before the big change has happened and it could take another 5 years or more. By that time the country will be on the edge of a civil war. The economy will be run down with atleast 4 of the next 5 years spend in recession if the world economy maintain its present course. The military have never been able to unite the country, they have only devided it (you can go back to the 70's). The coup was not about reform, nor fighting corruption nor stability, it was and is about being in power when the change takes place. For those who are being fooled by the media and hollow words spoken by semi-politicians, please wake up to reality.

this is the TRUTH we cannot speak about...

I have no idea what you two are going on about.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to watch "Game of Thrones".

Tosh. Its about setting up a stable foundation for the country after the big event has taken place. Its not about being in power when the event occurs. The coup would not have been possible without Thaksin's vile attempt to get himself amnesty. You guys watch too much tv.

It's about certain group of people's idea of what kind of stable foundation should be in place. It is most definitely about being in power before, during, and after the event, for however long is necessary. I'm sure the plan is to keep military government and martial law in place until the elite is confident that the new person will be accepted and there will be no attempt to change the status quo.

[binjalin]

Then why say it?

hoping, against hope, that you and others are bright enough to know it

[seajae]

hahahaha, poor journalists are upset they cant just make up bullsh*t stories and instigate problems for people so they are trying to blame the coup, typical o0f the pathetic people that think they are important when we all know they are actually scum struggling to get anywhere in life. They make up stories otr use innuendo to try to get readership, everyone knows they are full of sh*t and then when they are caught out trying to stir up trouble so they can get an even bigger readership they spit the dummy, the reporters/journo's are no better than whinging 5 year olds, they really need to tell someone that cares what they think.

[WhizBang]

What changed me from being a supporter to NOT being a supporter,. was the Koh Tao debacle. The PM had the opportunity to reign in the police, and even discipline them, but instead choose to praise them. It showed me that vested intrests still are in control and nothing is going to really change. What a shame, such an opportunity lost.

[trianglechoke]

Six months isn't long enough to turn a Country around, I don't think it's enough time to judge the progress. Certain upcoming rulings from the government will demonstrate whether they are sincere or not. One thing I am sure about is that I don't want to see a return to this.

Why not, Thailand was much better aBOUT 11 YEARS AGO

[gemini81]

There is one main real strife going on at the moment, but I know we cant discuss it on here and they dont know how it will turn out...... the real news is what isn't usually in the news is it? Gotta talk to locals.

Edited November 25, 2014 by gemini81

[lildragon]

What are the yellows unhappy about?

[whybother]

Six months isn't long enough to turn a Country around, I don't think it's enough time to judge the progress. Certain upcoming rulings from the government will demonstrate whether they are sincere or not. One thing I am sure about is that I don't want to see a return to this.

Why not, Thailand was much better aBOUT 11 YEARS AGO

There was a global financial boom about 11 years ago. Since 2008 the global economy has been terrible. I'm not sure Thaksin being PM, and then not being PM, had that much of an effect on the global economy.