Red shirts have little faith in reconciliation

[webfact]

Red shirts have little faith in reconciliation
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ALL EFFORTS to achieve national reconciliation will fail as long as the red shirts are not treated fairly and political rivals are not given a chance to iron out their differences, a red-shirt leader said at a public hearing in Udon Thani province over the weekend.

"How can we reconcile when the red shirts are summoned to 'attitude adjustment' sessions every time we express our political opinions, while the yellow shirts can give politically related interviews freely?" hardline red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said.

He was airing his frustration over the violation of his right to free speech to Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Dr Borwornsak Uwanno in an informal chat over lunch.

"The military should be neutral and not publicly paint the red shirts as villains. People should stop attacking Pheu Thai and defaming or ridiculing Yingluck Shinawatra, because the more they do that, the more sympathy we will have for her. If this continues, reconciliation will not materialise," he said.

He also called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to bring both political sides together at the negotiating table to settle their differences and encourage them to respect each other.

Kwanchai said Borwornsak did not reject his proposal, but also did not agree to help coordinate a meeting of political groups.

Borwornsak chaired a public hearing organised by the CDC and the National Reform Council in Udon Thani province - a red-shirt stronghold - over the weekend. This event attracted more public and media attention than similar hearings on the junta-ordered constitution in other provinces.

Looking for solutions

Some 160 political activists were chosen to attend the hearing along with some 40 representatives from religious groups, civil servants and local leaders. They had come together to help find solutions to the country's decades of political wrangling and deep-rooted conflicts.

Attendees were asked to present their proposals anonymously on national reconciliation and were promised that each suggestion would be taken into consideration.

Village headman Nattayot Phachuang, who is also a red-shirt leader in Udon Thani, said red-shirt supporters were generally not interested in a referendum on the new charger because they believed the CDC had already made its own assumptions and judgements.

"We don't think our proposals will be adopted or our problems solved, but we were satisfied when Borwornsak said the CDC would accept proposals from us," he said.

Thamrongsak Ngoyputhorn, a village headman from Sakhon Nakhon province, said a new parliamentary election system was required, adding that the existing one was a failure. He said that in the past MPs would visit their constituents after being elected, but more recently they disappeared after winning.

"Nobody comes back to take up our complaints and problems," he said.

Attendee Sukanya Kena-uppara said reviving local culture would help create harmony and cut down on political conflicts.

"Ill feelings among people from different political colours has subsided with time. People in the villages have stopped talking about politics, and are instead living in peace and helping one another," she said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Red-shirts-have-little-faith-in-reconciliation-30254244.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-17

[Somtamnication]

So do I. Everybody hates everybody. Similarity between the reds and yellows and the shia and sunnis. Same same.

[Johnniey]

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.

They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

[uppo]

"hardline red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana"

This habitually very violent criminal is the absolutely last person to speak about reconciliation.

If the red shirts want to progress, they need to dump these thugs and miscreants (including Thaksin) that supposedly are speaking for them.

Until such time, they remain tainted by the despicable actions of those that are seen as in charge of them.

.

Edited February 17, 2015 by uppo

[siampolee]

Whining babies who are demanding that which they happily denied to others.

[dickyknee]

With reconciliation, both factions would no longer have a reason to exist, so why would their leaders want it?

[ExPratt]

If they do come out of an election with many feeling the constitution is rigged against them , It doesn't bode well for the future. However distasteful it may feel they need to talk to each other now or they will keep going down the same road

Edited February 17, 2015 by ExPratt

[lildragon]

They poor need to move away from this mob. They'll always give people sticks to beat them with while they are associated with thugs And hypocritical 'revolutionaries' that are millionaires.

I detest the yellow mob but Thaksin And the reds time is over. Take some of the empowerment from that time and start afresh.

Edited February 17, 2015 by lildragon

[thesetat2013]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

[JCauto]

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

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.
They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

That's the spirit of reconciliation! Thailand will definitely have a bright future with attitudes like this. After all, there's only one thing you can do with evil, that's eliminate it. So when's the big purge?

I am sure that corruption and all other evil things stopped the moment the Reds were ousted, and we're back to living in a paradise again. Phew!

[binjalin]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow thugs taking the airport? blocking elections? AHF (Amazing Hypocritical Farangs) who come from democracies yet support a junta and decry anyone who tried to find a pathway to peace and reconciliation

you think it can be achieved by controlling the majority of Thai's who vote again and again and again for what THEY want? and what THEY want is not what AHF's want

you think ignoring the majority, in the long run, will bring 'happiness' to the people? dream on

[robblok]

Whining babies who are demanding that which they happily denied to others.

Correct the Shins did exactly the same.. and now they are begging for reconciliation. I am past that now.. there will never be reconciliation. They will always want it all so we can only support the side we choose as its the lesser evil (in our eyes).

So go on neutering the red shirts and Shins.. make sure they can't do damage for a while. They will be back and inflict the same damage back. They shown that they want full control too and don't care about rules en democracy. There was never a true democracy here its always abused. So I just go with the party who i think is least damaging.

[monkeycountry]

"The military should be neutral and not publicly paint the red shirts as villains."

The red shirts did a great job publicly painting themselves as villains all by themselves.

[thesetat2013]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow thugs taking the airport? blocking elections? AHF (Amazing Hypocritical Farangs) who come from democracies yet support a junta and decry anyone who tried to find a pathway to peace and reconciliation

you think it can be achieved by controlling the majority of Thai's who vote again and again and again for what THEY want? and what THEY want is not what AHF's want

you think ignoring the majority, in the long run, will bring 'happiness' to the people? dream on

This topic was not about the yellow shirts so you are misdirecting it.

Aren't the people being controlled by the red leaders and Thaksin by use of manipulation using force, money, hatred, social status, and many other forms of control?

[thesetat2013]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow thugs taking the airport? blocking elections? AHF (Amazing Hypocritical Farangs) who come from democracies yet support a junta and decry anyone who tried to find a pathway to peace and reconciliation

you think it can be achieved by controlling the majority of Thai's who vote again and again and again for what THEY want? and what THEY want is not what AHF's want

you think ignoring the majority, in the long run, will bring 'happiness' to the people? dream on

This topic was not about the yellow shirts so you are misdirecting it.

Aren't the people being controlled by the red leaders and Thaksin by use of manipulation using force, money, hatred, social status, and many other forms of control?

[bridge2bridge]

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.

They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

Yes the only thing the Red Shirts have faith in is CORRUPTION.

[Pi Sek]

"hardline red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana"

This habitually very violent criminal is the absolutely last person to speak about reconciliation.

If the red shirts want to progress, they need to dump these thugs and miscreants (including Thaksin) that supposedly are speaking for them.

Until such time, they remain tainted by the despicable actions of those that are seen as in charge of them.

.

Indeed. It was his actions of leading 200 Red Shirts to attack the 1st Infantry barracks on the afternoon of 10 April 2010 that prompted the attempted clearance operation that evening that saw Thailand's worst bloodshed in decades. In my opinion, this assault was intended to provoke a military operation, which is why the MiB were able to plan their reaction so effectively.

It was also his attempt in leading a large column of "peaceful protesters" to break some of his comrades out of Pathum Thani police station that prompted yet another gunfight near to Don Muang later that month.

Kwanchai Praiphana is indeed the very last person to talk about reconciliation, or democracy for that matter. Even the most odious Jatuporn has more credibility.

When Red Shirts with brains, manners and a desire for peace like Veera Musikapong or Sombat Boonngamanong have something to say about reconciliation, then great... we should take note. But the Kwanchais and Arisamans really would serve their movement better if they left the tricky business of reconciliation to those who actually care about other people.

[seajae]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow thugs taking the airport? blocking elections? AHF (Amazing Hypocritical Farangs) who come from democracies yet support a junta and decry anyone who tried to find a pathway to peace and reconciliation

you think it can be achieved by controlling the majority of Thai's who vote again and again and again for what THEY want? and what THEY want is not what AHF's want

you think ignoring the majority, in the long run, will bring 'happiness' to the people? dream on

yes you are right, the yellows are no good either but the big difference is they do not start killing, burning down and blowing up people and buildings if they dont get their way. They also do not threaten to make their own state and secede from the rest of the country, this is the difference. While they both whinge and bitch the reds resort to violence to get their way, they are paid terrorists for thaksin/the ptp and this is the problem. If they actually represented the people without having a criminal tell them what to do and pay them maybe they could get somewhere and become more mainstream but they need to remove their violent tendencies and threats of bombings, burning down buildings and random killings along with their blind following of thaksin/ptp, they need to show that they are not simply their pawns but an independant group.

[Anon999]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow thugs taking the airport? blocking elections? AHF (Amazing Hypocritical Farangs) who come from democracies yet support a junta and decry anyone who tried to find a pathway to peace and reconciliation

you think it can be achieved by controlling the majority of Thai's who vote again and again and again for what THEY want? and what THEY want is not what AHF's want

you think ignoring the majority, in the long run, will bring 'happiness' to the people? dream on

"Attendee Sukanya Kena-uppara said reviving local culture would help create harmony and cut down on political conflicts.

"Ill feelings among people from different political colours has subsided with time. People in the villages have stopped talking about politics, and are instead living in peace and helping one another," she said."

The most important quote of the whole article is that above. It shows that people are at last beginning to realise that politics are not the be all and end all and are once again living as villages should do. Given more time they will realise the criminals that have no other interest than to create trouble, conflict and divisiveness amongst the poor are not worth the time of day, if they have not realised that already.

[kingalfred]

"Painted as villains " because the leadership are! This group want their fugitive criminal ex pm to have an amnesty. Fact is in any future general election their has to be a long list of those reds ineligible to stand.

[micmichd]

lildragon:

How many poor people and how many red shirts do you *personally* know?

I know quite a few personally, and I understand that eg Issan folks contributed a lot to Thailand, and now they want a fair share.

Many red shirt activists stood up against their own elite, especially the Thaksin family. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[uppo]

"The military should be neutral and not publicly paint the red shirts as villains."

The red shirts did a great job of publicly painting themselves as villains all by themselves.

"hardline red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana"

This habitually very violent criminal is the absolutely last person to speak about reconciliation.

If the red shirts want to progress, they need to dump these thugs and miscreants (including Thaksin) that supposedly are speaking for them.

Until such time, they remain tainted by the despicable actions of those that are seen as in charge of them.

Indeed. It was his actions of leading 200 Red Shirts to attack the 1st Infantry barracks on the afternoon of 10 April 2010 that prompted the attempted clearance operation that evening that saw Thailand's worst bloodshed in decades. In my opinion, this assault was intended to provoke a military operation, which is why the MiB were able to plan their reaction so effectively.

Two posts with one photo to reflect both.

Red shirts on April 10, 2010:

http://nsnbc.me/2014/05/15/thailand-collapsing-regime-turns-terrorism/

[binjalin]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow thugs taking the airport? blocking elections? AHF (Amazing Hypocritical Farangs) who come from democracies yet support a junta and decry anyone who tried to find a pathway to peace and reconciliation

you think it can be achieved by controlling the majority of Thai's who vote again and again and again for what THEY want? and what THEY want is not what AHF's want

you think ignoring the majority, in the long run, will bring 'happiness' to the people? dream on

This topic was not about the yellow shirts so you are misdirecting it.

Aren't the people being controlled by the red leaders and Thaksin by use of manipulation using force, money, hatred, social status, and many other forms of control?

Simple answer is NO No Thais I know who voted PTP ever took money, were threatened or subdued by social status. You have been deceived by propaganda and obfuscation to take your attention away from the real issues.

Demonizing Thaksin has been the prime weapon of deceit by the elite. Do i support him? NO do I think he should come back? NO do i believe that this is anything about him? NO

[DiamondKing]

He is spot on the BIAS is much that how could any opposition supporter see that they are being treated fairly its so one sided its laughable and of course they cannot express that else its off the the reajustment center LOL

All I can see here is not reconciliation but a calculated goal of eliminating any contender for the next election for the opposition so that the only choice will be the choice of the current government.

[wprime]

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.

They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

It's this kind of thinking that keeps Thailand divided. A majority of the red shirts are good people who believe they're helping Thailand. There's not doubt that numerous self-proclaimed red shirts have committed violent terrorist attacks to further their cause but we cannot judge the majority on the mistakes of a minority, if we do that then we are all guilty.

[MrPerfect]

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.

They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

The Red Shirts are the future! Fight progress as much as you want, discriminately persecute and unjustly prosecute everyday Reds day and night, ban their leaders and their parties from the political process over and over again - no matter how hard you try, you cannot adjust the attitudes of the majority of the citizenry to support a fading, dying, crippled unwanted ideology and social order. The Red Shirts are the future of this nation and they will eventually make it free, open, progressive, egalitarian, just and fair.

[uppo]

This is the same political party who refused, threatened, and coerced any opposition from speaking the truths about them or from completing a job that went against them. I think they dont have room to talk about this to anyone.... They used it all burning coffins and blocking the justices and threatening judges and other very very bad things. They would not know what reconciliation was unless it freed them from the responsibility of facing criminal charges against them for their actions.

funny... just like the yellow

This topic was not about the yellow shirts so you are misdirecting it.

Aren't the people being controlled by the red leaders and Thaksin by use of manipulation using force, money, hatred, social status, and many other forms of control?

Simple answer is NO No Thais I know

So if you didn't personally see it within your own very limited demographic circle, it's impossible that it happened anywhere at anytime and others saying differently, with very detailed specifics, must be falsely propagandizing and lying.

yeah, ok.

Edited February 17, 2015 by uppo

[lildragon]

lildragon:

How many poor people and how many red shirts do you *personally* know?

I know quite a few personally, and I understand that eg Issan folks contributed a lot to Thailand, and now they want a fair share.

Many red shirt activists stood up against their own elite, especially the Thaksin family. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I am very much on their side. I realize that they are the true back bone of Thailand and if they so wished, could grind Thailand to a halt if they striked en masse, that would really cripple the BKK elite that sneer and look down on them so.

My point is that the red movement is now associated with terrorism. That's no fault of the genuine people who are non violent and are looking for change, but the red shirts are now tainted, I'd love for the genuine activists to break away and make a new movement totally disassoicated with Thaksin and his ilk. Because as long as they are red people will always use the terrorist stick to beat them with.

I've lived here for awhile and now many Thais wanting equality but also see Thaksin for what he is.

[uppo]

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.

They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

It's this kind of thinking that keeps Thailand divided. A majority of the red shirts are good people who believe they're helping Thailand. There's not doubt that numerous self-proclaimed red shirts have committed violent terrorist attacks to further their cause but we cannot judge the majority on the mistakes of a minority, if we do that then we are all guilty.

There's a simple solution.

Just if red shirts disengaged from those members that are violent, bar the thugs from their movement, criticize and condemn any violent action by any red shirt, revoke leadership roles for those that behave criminally, cooperate with authorities to prosecute those misbehaving, stop financially supporting fugitives and assist in their apprehension. etc. etc.

When none of that happens to any degree (such as up to the present), then they deservedly get painted with the broad brush. By doing nothing to distance themselves from the so-called violent element, it's understandable that others would not think they were sincere in the alleged goals of furthering the poor and rural.

Edited February 17, 2015 by uppo

[billd766]

Bevause the red shirts are evil and have committed terribke crimes under their ousted fugitive leader.

They are dangerous for the future of Thailand.

The Red Shirts are the future! Fight progress as much as you want, discriminately persecute and unjustly prosecute everyday Reds day and night, ban their leaders and their parties from the political process over and over again - no matter how hard you try, you cannot adjust the attitudes of the majority of the citizenry to support a fading, dying, crippled unwanted ideology and social order. The Red Shirts are the future of this nation and they will eventually make it free, open, progressive, egalitarian, just and fair.

You are talking rubbish as usual.

The future of Thailand belongs to NONE of the current generation of any political party.

It belongs to the CHILDREN of Thailand and just look at the political examples they have little choice in looking up to.

Is it any wonder that Thailand is losing its way.

Also Mr Perfect have you any idea how the Thais will value your opinion, my opinion or anybody elses opinion on Thai Visa.

We will all be ignored, as we should be, having NO rights to input anything into the discussion other than amongst ourselves.

So shout, scream and rant all you like here as the Thais won't give a flying fart about it.

Edited February 17, 2015 by billd766