To Secretary Daniel Russel: Please open your mind and be fair

[jpduggan]

Don't think he reads Thai visa and I don't read mail addressed to others.

[kieran2698]

The elephant in the room is that the military are just as corrupt as the politicians or the RTP. Just maybe somewhat less consipcuous about it.

The military are NOT doing this for the good of the country, but from orders much higher up. Surely no one believes the general acted on his own?

One should also ask, how did career military men become so rich? Or is the pay grade for generals in Thailand really really (REALLY) good?

Even Suthep has admitted that the general did not act alone:

http://asiancorrespondent.com/124077/suthep-prayuth-and-i-have-been-planning-a-coup-since-2010/

This is from wiki:

In his mandatory 2014 asset disclosure to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the prime minister listed THB128.6 million (US$3.9 million) in assets and THB654,745 baht (US$20,000) in liabilities. His assets include a Mercedes Benz S600L car, a BMW 740Li Series sedan, luxury watches, rings, and several pistols. He also reported the transfer of THB466.5 million (US$14.3 million) to other family members. As army chief, prior to his retirement at the end of September, the general received a THB1.4 million (US$43,000) annual salary

[Fat Haggis]

The problems with many Thai's is they simply cannot handle the truth, whether it be positive or negative.

[kieran2698]

Don't think he reads Thai visa and I don't read mail addressed to others.

It isn't actually mail.

[rickirs]

"it is hard to comprehend how you could equate elections with liberal democracy."

Yes, it is since it is you who do not understand the full implications of a democratic society. A form of governance that exists successfully in constitutional monarchies, republics, and even islamic nations. Yet, except for a few seconds on the face of the nation's clock of history, democracy cannot survive in Thailand given the entrenchment of nondemocratic institutions of Thai power that are beyond Thai's docile reach.

A good understanding of democracy requires an academic and nonpolitical examination of the variety of democratic nations. Nations whose democracies did not magically occur through the generosity of some elite class but through the direct efforts of its own PEOPLE. You should open your mind to the whole world that surrounds Thailand for demonstrations of what constitutes democratic societies. There is no "Thainess" about them. Instead there is humanity about them. Yes, a messy, conflicting, and bias behavior of peoples whose fabric of their society still binds them in a common respect for rule of law in their sungular pursuit of personal rights and liberties. Happiness is not mandatory but an option. You live with what you make- you have choices. It is okay to be angry, unhappy, sad - it's okay to be human.

Totalitarian ideology is the mumification of the body and mind. Democracy is the ideological song of the soul. If Japan can break from its centuries of culture to reform itself into a democratic society, so can Thailand. Eight hundred years ago in English history another society began its path to democracy.

Be fair to yourself and to you fellow Thais. Move beyond the past and be brave. Discard the opium of mental dullness and embrace the passion of being alive. Take democracy once a day and you'll live better.

Edited January 29, 2015 by rickirs

[canuckamuck]

It is hard to have democracy in a culture that embraces privilege.

[connda]

I think it says a lot when the news topic "SWAT team sent in to arrest light-fingered Thai ladyboy" gets twice as many views as this post about US Sec Daniel Russel.

Edited January 29, 2015 by connda

[Fatty123]

Pathetic, brown nosing, creeptastic article. Pure fecal matter. 'Journalism' at its worst.

[Thai at Heart]

Oh dear.

The two wrongs makes a right solution.

The "we needed to undo democracy to save it" solution.

Its an opinion, a small part of Thai society thinks it knows best, so be it, the proof will be in the pudding. Sensitive bunch this lot aren't they.

So far, not exactly a roaring success and reform is going very slowly so far. Reform to what end is also a bit murky. GDP is stalling, exports are stalling, FDI is stalling, everyone is tapping their fingers waiting for something useful to happen. As yet, still waiting. Yinglucks bunch will probably still clean up, and the hand wringing will start all over again. Yingluck convicted by a hand picked military biased committee, and they get annoyed that anyone dare mention that this might not be representative?

P**s ups and breweries come to mind.....

Since when did the Thai military give too hoots what anyone though.

Note to journalist. The money wasnt' lost. It was borrowed by the government and has been SPENT!

Edited January 29, 2015 by Thai at Heart

[gamini]

It was a very good and true article about the real situation in Thailand. Unfortunately most of TV posters who responded negatively haven't got any idea how Thais feel and just can't accept the fact that the Government has very wide support by the majority of Thais.

[heybruce]

It was a very good and true article about the real situation in Thailand. Unfortunately most of TV posters who responded negatively haven't got any idea how Thais feel and just can't accept the fact that the Government has very wide support by the majority of Thais.

Perhaps you could identify the true parts of the article, what I read is mostly nonsense. While you're at it you can explain on what you base your claim of "very wide support by the majority of Thais".