Thammasat lecturers rage over Somsak's dismissal

[webfact]

Thammasat lecturers rage over Somsak's dismissal
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION


Somsak Jeamteerasakul

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat lecturers have accused the university's administrators of unfairly dismissing noted Thammasat historian Somsak Jeamteerasakul earlier this week, amidst a denial by its rector, Somkid Lertpaitoon, that the move was politically motivated.

Somsak, a leading critic of lese-majeste law, failed to return to Thailand to resume his teaching after fleeing the country in the aftermath of last year's coup, when he was summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order and also faced arrest under the lese-majeste law.

"The decision [to dismiss Somsak] was unjust," Thammasat economist Assoc Prof Pichit Likitkijsomboon said yesterday, adding that Somsak had fled the Kingdom because of the coup and a threat to his life, as even before the putsch, his house had been attacked by an unknown gunman.

The university administrators should not, therefore, regard this as an intention not to work, he argued.

"The administrators have the duty to protect freedom of expression. University is not elementary or high school … It's apparent that university administrators are ready to use legal means to threaten those who have differing political opinions," said Pichit.

'Politically motivated'

Thammasat political scientist Pongkwan Sawasdipakdi also believes the decision to fire Somsak was politically motivated.

"One can look at it as an attempt to set an example for other [academics] who come out to make a [pro-democracy] move. It's likely about his political stance," she said.

Vipar Daomanee, a former lecturer at Thammasat and a supporter of Somsak, said she could not believe that the administrators had resorted to such a tactic, adding that she viewed the matter as politically motivated.

Somkid insisted yesterday that he had signed an order firing Somsak on Monday not because of Somsak's political stance, or because he was targeted under the lese-majeste law, but because he had failed to report to work for more than 15 consecutive days.

The rector added that two disciplinary committees had been set up before the decision was taken that the historian had abandoned his post.

He said Somsak could, however, appeal the decision within 30 days of the order to dismiss him having been issued.

Posting on his Facebook account in exile in France on Tuesday, Somsak said he had tried to seek sabbatical leave and later asked to resign his position, but these requests had been denied.

He added that fleeing Thailand was a matter of principle, as he could not accept the legitimacy of the military junta, which staged the coup last May, summoned him and subsequently issued an arrest warrant against him for allegedly violating lese-majeste law.

"I have the necessity and legitimate right to protect my life and liberty by not consenting to the military junta, which seized power like those committing high treason, to arrest and harm me," Somsak argued in the posting.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Thammasat-lecturers-rage-over-Somsaks-dismissal-30254878.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-26

[NeverSure]

"Somsak, a leading critic of lese-majeste law, failed to return to Thailand to resume his teaching after fleeing the country in the aftermath of last year's coup, when he was summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order and also faced arrest under the lese-majeste law."

"The decision [to dismiss Somsak] was unjust," Thammasat economist Assoc Prof Pichit Likitkijsomboon said yesterday, adding that Somsak had fled the Kingdom because of the coup and a threat to his life, as even before the putsch, his house had been attacked by an unknown gunman."

Happiness to the people. Get the education establishment on your butt and you have a problem. Apparently the "government" doesn't realize that not everyone is happy.

Edited February 25, 2015 by NeverSure

[englishoak]

Thailands loss

Im sure other reputable universities abroad will be only too happy to have Somsak until he can return to teaching in Thailand

[zaphod reborn]

Seems pretty straightforward. Without an approved sabbatical, they have to remove him for not showing up to work. It's a job after all.

[tbthailand]

Seems pretty straightforward. Without an approved sabbatical, they have to remove him for not showing up to work. It's a job after all.

he applied for the sabbatical.

The administration denied his request.

Then the administration demanded that he return to teach.

Knowing full well that he would be jailed the moment he returned to Thailand.

So, yeah, it's pretty straight forward, as you put it...

ah, yes, and to add to that, he apparently asked to resign his position - that would have allowed him to keep his retirement - and the administration denied that request too. Then they dismissed him... so it's not just "straight forward", not just political, but seems somewhat vengeful as well....

Edited February 26, 2015 by tbthailand

[rametindallas]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Edited February 26, 2015 by rametindallas

[maxme]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Being pro-democratic is the same as being a communist? What world are you living in? Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

[yellowboat]

The number of people who believe in usurping power, quashing freedom of speech and the derailment of due process on this forum is chilling.

What most of you do not understand is that you can still learn from those who have a different opinion, and that debate is good for the mind.

[billd766]

If the lecturers are so upset about it then why don't they resign en masse in disgust and find other jobs?

That way they are showing solidarity with Somsak Jeamteerasakul.

quote "The decision [to dismiss Somsak] was unjust," Thammasat economist Assoc Prof Pichit Likitkijsomboon said yesterday, adding that Somsak had fled the Kingdom because of the coup and a threat to his life, as even before the putsch, his house had been attacked by an unknown gunman."

How strange that Abhisit is still here in the country even when his car was attacked, his house attacked, blood and filth strewn everywhere. He has been charged with murder, is facing impeachment yet he is STILL in Thailand.

[Baerboxer]

The number of people who believe in usurping power, quashing freedom of speech and the derailment of due process on this forum is chilling.

What most of you do not understand is that you can still learn from those who have a different opinion, and that debate is good for the mind.

Debate is indeed good for the mind.

Shame Yingluck never tried it.

[heybruce]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

He wasn't called in for attitude adjustment, though that would be bad enough. He was charged with LM and faced 15 years in prison.

[ldiablo]

The latest poll conducted by some bozo in Bangkok's financial district suggests that 99.9% of academics support the ruling Junta. News at 11.

[JAG]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Im not too impressed with people who label those whose political views they oppose (because they are to the left on the political spectrum) as communists, when they are nothing of the sort.

[DM07]

If the lecturers are so upset about it then why don't they resign en masse in disgust and find other jobs?

That way they are showing solidarity with Somsak Jeamteerasakul.

quote "The decision [to dismiss Somsak] was unjust," Thammasat economist Assoc Prof Pichit Likitkijsomboon said yesterday, adding that Somsak had fled the Kingdom because of the coup and a threat to his life, as even before the putsch, his house had been attacked by an unknown gunman."

How strange that Abhisit is still here in the country even when his car was attacked, his house attacked, blood and filth strewn everywhere. He has been charged with murder, is facing impeachment yet he is STILL in Thailand.

Maybe...just maybe...he is still here, because he knows, he has nothing to fear, because he wears the right colors?

I know...could not possibly be, right?!

[yellowboat]

The number of people who believe in usurping power, quashing freedom of speech and the derailment of due process on this forum is chilling.

What most of you do not understand is that you can still learn from those who have a different opinion, and that debate is good for the mind.

Debate is indeed good for the mind.

Shame Yingluck never tried it.

Neither did Bush nor does Obama, but they were both, like Yingluck, voted into office. In Yingluck's case nobody ever went to jail for vote buying. Debate was never outlawed under Yingluck as it is now. Anger at Yingluck substantiates nothing other your ability to hate.

[Bluespunk]

.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Bluespunk

[mikemac]

"Somsak, a leading critic of lese-majeste law, failed to return to Thailand to resume his teaching after fleeing the country in the aftermath of last year's coup, when he was summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order and also faced arrest under the lese-majeste law."

"The decision [to dismiss Somsak] was unjust," Thammasat economist Assoc Prof Pichit Likitkijsomboon said yesterday, adding that Somsak had fled the Kingdom because of the coup and a threat to his life, as even before the putsch, his house had been attacked by an unknown gunman."

Happiness to the people. Get the education establishment on your butt and you have a problem. Apparently the "government" doesn't realize that not everyone is happy.

Got news for you, the people who are happy don't give a rat's ass about the people who are not happy.

When the Shins are back in power everything will be back to the way they like it and a different band of people will be unhappy. No matter who rules, not everyone will have it their way.

That is the way of the world mate.

[rametindallas]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Being pro-democratic is the same as being a communist? What world are you living in? Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

When Communists hide behind the democracy banner, they are still Communists.

The Democratic Party in the US has been taken over by so-called 'progressives' who are laying the groundwork for Marxist government. The CPT (Communist Party of Thailand) has been co-opted by Thaksin and folded in to the leadership of the UDD. Thaksin and the Communists share a common hate for the Monarchy and thus have no problem working together, Thaksin would destroy them after he got the power, though. How naive are you that you don't know that people disguise their true intentions under the cloak of respectability? Spend some time on any university campus in the world and you will see how pervasive the Communist movement is among the faculty. Given a choice between Fascism and Communism, I'll choose Fascism where I can at least improve my condition. Communism brings everyone down to the lowest common denominator except for the elite. I don't know if history interests you or not but if you were to look at the living conditions of people under Communist led governments as opposed to Capitalist led countries, the difference is clear. The living conditions of Thai people have improved so much since the 1970s, when Communism was squelched, that the EU has recently taken Thailand off the list of poor countries that get special trading privileges.

Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

Believe it or not, the current government is doing something that, previously, has been done haphazardly and inefficiently. It is building a proper foundation where democracy has a chance to beat the kleptocracy of the past. Prayut is an educated man and he loves his King and Thailand. He is tired of both being abused by self-serving politicians who work a crooked system that deprives common folk of basic civil rights. He knows that if the current Client/Patron/quid pro quo system isn't replaced with rule of law, the politicians will go back to their old ways of controlling and abusing the common people. Read this OP for your edification, please. It is truly sad the way the word democracy is used when, in truth, the power in the provinces is anything but democratic.

Granted that Ms Yingluck, as an elected government official, "symbolised" democracy, no matter how shallow the word had become in that context, but her conviction was by no means equivalent to the death of democracy. Democracy in Thailand has been terminally ill for more than a decade, and one of its afflictions is corruption of epidemic proportions. Money politics, ignorance caused by a dysfunctional education system and deep-rooted fraud in its ministry, self-serving insidious propaganda, cronyism and culture of impunity have for years incubated the country's political malaise. With it, democracy in Thailand has turned slowly into kleptocracy and mob rule. If democracy has died in Thailand, it did not die on the day of Yingluck's conviction, it did not die on May 22 with the military coup; it died a long time ago. Yes, we have had elections, but they meant little more to democracy than a ventilator does to a body that is clinically dead, its chest being pumped up and down by the machine, though there's no brain activity and all other vital organs have failed.

And if any of the Western media and NGOs so keen on human rights practised what they preached, their hearts would go out to the many Thais - and not just the "urban elite, but the downtrodden citizens in the heartland whose lands were stolen at gun point by politicians who think they are above the law. These individuals had no wherewithal to protest because surviving was already hard. Villagers kept voting for candidates they knew were rotten to the core, because, if they didn't, they knew they would get into trouble down the road with canvassers and local politicians who they were and where they lived. To them, human rights were a luxury they neither had nor knew not how to acquire. Every year, with little or no money left, they had to buy new seeds for the planting season, because the GMO seeds they bought last year from large conglomerates with deep pockets and tight political ties were made not to reproduce. Money was paid to government officials to look the other way. Human rights, anyone?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803679-thai-opinion-hitler-does-not-live-here-nor-does-mao-or-mussolini/

[scorecard]

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

Thailands loss

Im sure other reputable universities abroad will be only too happy to have Somsak until he can return to teaching in Thailand

Not fact, just your attempt to spin the situation. Do some research re Thammasat, quite a few of the lecturers in political science and in law have opinions that are way off rational thinking.

[Paulc01]

Response of 99.9 percent of all academics worldwide to this situation? Thamma-what?

[tbthailand]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Being pro-democratic is the same as being a communist? What world are you living in? Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

When Communists hide behind the democracy banner, they are still Communists.

The Democratic Party in the US has been taken over by so-called 'progressives' who are laying the groundwork for Marxist government. The CPT (Communist Party of Thailand) has been co-opted by Thaksin and folded in to the leadership of the UDD. Thaksin and the Communists share a common hate for the Monarchy and thus have no problem working together, Thaksin would destroy them after he got the power, though. How naive are you that you don't know that people disguise their true intentions under the cloak of respectability? Spend some time on any university campus in the world and you will see how pervasive the Communist movement is among the faculty. Given a choice between Fascism and Communism, I'll choose Fascism where I can at least improve my condition. Communism brings everyone down to the lowest common denominator except for the elite. I don't know if history interests you or not but if you were to look at the living conditions of people under Communist led governments as opposed to Capitalist led countries, the difference is clear. The living conditions of Thai people have improved so much since the 1970s, when Communism was squelched, that the EU has recently taken Thailand off the list of poor countries that get special trading privileges.

Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

Believe it or not, the current government is doing something that, previously, has been done haphazardly and inefficiently. It is building a proper foundation where democracy has a chance to beat the kleptocracy of the past. Prayut is an educated man and he loves his King and Thailand. He is tired of both being abused by self-serving politicians who work a crooked system that deprives common folk of basic civil rights. He knows that if the current Client/Patron/quid pro quo system isn't replaced with rule of law, the politicians will go back to their old ways of controlling and abusing the common people. Read this OP for your edification, please. It is truly sad the way the word democracy is used when, in truth, the power in the provinces is anything but democratic.

Granted that Ms Yingluck, as an elected government official, "symbolised" democracy, no matter how shallow the word had become in that context, but her conviction was by no means equivalent to the death of democracy. Democracy in Thailand has been terminally ill for more than a decade, and one of its afflictions is corruption of epidemic proportions. Money politics, ignorance caused by a dysfunctional education system and deep-rooted fraud in its ministry, self-serving insidious propaganda, cronyism and culture of impunity have for years incubated the country's political malaise. With it, democracy in Thailand has turned slowly into kleptocracy and mob rule. If democracy has died in Thailand, it did not die on the day of Yingluck's conviction, it did not die on May 22 with the military coup; it died a long time ago. Yes, we have had elections, but they meant little more to democracy than a ventilator does to a body that is clinically dead, its chest being pumped up and down by the machine, though there's no brain activity and all other vital organs have failed.

And if any of the Western media and NGOs so keen on human rights practised what they preached, their hearts would go out to the many Thais - and not just the "urban elite, but the downtrodden citizens in the heartland whose lands were stolen at gun point by politicians who think they are above the law. These individuals had no wherewithal to protest because surviving was already hard. Villagers kept voting for candidates they knew were rotten to the core, because, if they didn't, they knew they would get into trouble down the road with canvassers and local politicians who they were and where they lived. To them, human rights were a luxury they neither had nor knew not how to acquire. Every year, with little or no money left, they had to buy new seeds for the planting season, because the GMO seeds they bought last year from large conglomerates with deep pockets and tight political ties were made not to reproduce. Money was paid to government officials to look the other way. Human rights, anyone?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803679-thai-opinion-hitler-does-not-live-here-nor-does-mao-or-mussolini/

hey, guy, ... I was really tempted to stop right at this point...

The Democratic Party in the US has been taken over by so-called 'progressives' who are laying the groundwork for Marxist government.

but I did keep reading.

It didn't get better...

There is something wrong with every statement that you make, but there is a basic, glaring and fundamental error in your perspective when you state:

Thaksin and the Communists share a common hate for the Monarchy

With regards to Thaksin, nothing could be further from the truth and that is key to understanding the current situation. Regarding the communists, that point is irrelevant to the current situation besides which I can't imagine who you could be calling a communist today in Thailand.

I'll leave your comments regarding the General ... whew, ... and just skip to the OP that you quote... That OP is 100% grade A Thai Elite Drivel. The lady who wrote that was born and bred in the elitist circles of privilege and like so many from this small clique, she floats in a world that is quite short on the oxygen of reality that nurtures the rest of us. There is nothing in that OP that is not a fabrication of elitist propaganda.

[Johpa]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic.

Rubbish!, along with the even more ridiculous musings of your subsequent post. There has been a long line of Thai academics who have been forced into exile and been branded as "communists" for being a voice against those in power. For example, there is the case of Puey Ungpakorn (former Governor of Bank of Tbailand and former associate of the Rockefeller Foundation, two raging communists organization, eh?) who fled to England and then there is the most absurd case of pro-Royalist Achaan Sulak Srivaraksa fleeing into exile fleeing on lese majeste charges. Nothing scares those in power, or more specifically those behind the scenes, than to have a university academic provide rational arguments against the status quo. The quickest solution for those threatened is to brand them communists or something equally preposterous and force them into exile to remove their voices from immediate publication. Of course if it is foreign journalists making people think then you just threaten their children.

[baboon]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Being pro-democratic is the same as being a communist? What world are you living in? Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

When Communists hide behind the democracy banner, they are still Communists.

The Democratic Party in the US has been taken over by so-called 'progressives' who are laying the groundwork for Marxist government. The CPT (Communist Party of Thailand) has been co-opted by Thaksin and folded in to the leadership of the UDD. Thaksin and the Communists share a common hate for the Monarchy and thus have no problem working together, Thaksin would destroy them after he got the power, though. How naive are you that you don't know that people disguise their true intentions under the cloak of respectability? Spend some time on any university campus in the world and you will see how pervasive the Communist movement is among the faculty. Given a choice between Fascism and Communism, I'll choose Fascism where I can at least improve my condition. Communism brings everyone down to the lowest common denominator except for the elite. I don't know if history interests you or not but if you were to look at the living conditions of people under Communist led governments as opposed to Capitalist led countries, the difference is clear. The living conditions of Thai people have improved so much since the 1970s, when Communism was squelched, that the EU has recently taken Thailand off the list of poor countries that get special trading privileges.

Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

Believe it or not, the current government is doing something that, previously, has been done haphazardly and inefficiently. It is building a proper foundation where democracy has a chance to beat the kleptocracy of the past. Prayut is an educated man and he loves his King and Thailand. He is tired of both being abused by self-serving politicians who work a crooked system that deprives common folk of basic civil rights. He knows that if the current Client/Patron/quid pro quo system isn't replaced with rule of law, the politicians will go back to their old ways of controlling and abusing the common people. Read this OP for your edification, please. It is truly sad the way the word democracy is used when, in truth, the power in the provinces is anything but democratic.

Granted that Ms Yingluck, as an elected government official, "symbolised" democracy, no matter how shallow the word had become in that context, but her conviction was by no means equivalent to the death of democracy. Democracy in Thailand has been terminally ill for more than a decade, and one of its afflictions is corruption of epidemic proportions. Money politics, ignorance caused by a dysfunctional education system and deep-rooted fraud in its ministry, self-serving insidious propaganda, cronyism and culture of impunity have for years incubated the country's political malaise. With it, democracy in Thailand has turned slowly into kleptocracy and mob rule. If democracy has died in Thailand, it did not die on the day of Yingluck's conviction, it did not die on May 22 with the military coup; it died a long time ago. Yes, we have had elections, but they meant little more to democracy than a ventilator does to a body that is clinically dead, its chest being pumped up and down by the machine, though there's no brain activity and all other vital organs have failed.

And if any of the Western media and NGOs so keen on human rights practised what they preached, their hearts would go out to the many Thais - and not just the "urban elite, but the downtrodden citizens in the heartland whose lands were stolen at gun point by politicians who think they are above the law. These individuals had no wherewithal to protest because surviving was already hard. Villagers kept voting for candidates they knew were rotten to the core, because, if they didn't, they knew they would get into trouble down the road with canvassers and local politicians who they were and where they lived. To them, human rights were a luxury they neither had nor knew not how to acquire. Every year, with little or no money left, they had to buy new seeds for the planting season, because the GMO seeds they bought last year from large conglomerates with deep pockets and tight political ties were made not to reproduce. Money was paid to government officials to look the other way. Human rights, anyone?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803679-thai-opinion-hitler-does-not-live-here-nor-does-mao-or-mussolini/

Glenn Beck has joined Thaivisa! Doing a runner from Obama's nation of islam?

[JAG]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Being pro-democratic is the same as being a communist? What world are you living in? Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

When Communists hide behind the democracy banner, they are still Communists.

The Democratic Party in the US has been taken over by so-called 'progressives' who are laying the groundwork for Marxist government. The CPT (Communist Party of Thailand) has been co-opted by Thaksin and folded in to the leadership of the UDD. Thaksin and the Communists share a common hate for the Monarchy and thus have no problem working together, Thaksin would destroy them after he got the power, though. How naive are you that you don't know that people disguise their true intentions under the cloak of respectability? Spend some time on any university campus in the world and you will see how pervasive the Communist movement is among the faculty. Given a choice between Fascism and Communism, I'll choose Fascism where I can at least improve my condition. Communism brings everyone down to the lowest common denominator except for the elite. I don't know if history interests you or not but if you were to look at the living conditions of people under Communist led governments as opposed to Capitalist led countries, the difference is clear. The living conditions of Thai people have improved so much since the 1970s, when Communism was squelched, that the EU has recently taken Thailand off the list of poor countries that get special trading privileges.

Pray tell, what ideology is the current administration following?

Believe it or not, the current government is doing something that, previously, has been done haphazardly and inefficiently. It is building a proper foundation where democracy has a chance to beat the kleptocracy of the past. Prayut is an educated man and he loves his King and Thailand. He is tired of both being abused by self-serving politicians who work a crooked system that deprives common folk of basic civil rights. He knows that if the current Client/Patron/quid pro quo system isn't replaced with rule of law, the politicians will go back to their old ways of controlling and abusing the common people. Read this OP for your edification, please. It is truly sad the way the word democracy is used when, in truth, the power in the provinces is anything but democratic.

Granted that Ms Yingluck, as an elected government official, "symbolised" democracy, no matter how shallow the word had become in that context, but her conviction was by no means equivalent to the death of democracy. Democracy in Thailand has been terminally ill for more than a decade, and one of its afflictions is corruption of epidemic proportions. Money politics, ignorance caused by a dysfunctional education system and deep-rooted fraud in its ministry, self-serving insidious propaganda, cronyism and culture of impunity have for years incubated the country's political malaise. With it, democracy in Thailand has turned slowly into kleptocracy and mob rule. If democracy has died in Thailand, it did not die on the day of Yingluck's conviction, it did not die on May 22 with the military coup; it died a long time ago. Yes, we have had elections, but they meant little more to democracy than a ventilator does to a body that is clinically dead, its chest being pumped up and down by the machine, though there's no brain activity and all other vital organs have failed.

And if any of the Western media and NGOs so keen on human rights practised what they preached, their hearts would go out to the many Thais - and not just the "urban elite, but the downtrodden citizens in the heartland whose lands were stolen at gun point by politicians who think they are above the law. These individuals had no wherewithal to protest because surviving was already hard. Villagers kept voting for candidates they knew were rotten to the core, because, if they didn't, they knew they would get into trouble down the road with canvassers and local politicians who they were and where they lived. To them, human rights were a luxury they neither had nor knew not how to acquire. Every year, with little or no money left, they had to buy new seeds for the planting season, because the GMO seeds they bought last year from large conglomerates with deep pockets and tight political ties were made not to reproduce. Money was paid to government officials to look the other way. Human rights, anyone?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803679-thai-opinion-hitler-does-not-live-here-nor-does-mao-or-mussolini/

"The Democrats in the US.....are laying the groundwork for Marxist government. "

All of a sudden lots of things make sense!

[geriatrickid]

Thammasat has always been a hotbed of Communists who are anti-monarchy but posing as democratic. I hope they don't take their rage out on their student's education. Had Mr. Somsak gone in for his little interview like everyone else, he would still be in his classroom teaching; but nooooo, he had to make a political statement by fleeing the country and many of his pointy-headed colleagues are upset he didn't get 'special' privileges. I never did like Communists, fellow travelers, or their useful idiots.

Ahh yes, the bogeyman is identified: Commies. The accusation is made by a supporter of one of the USA's noted loonies, Ron Paul.

Thammasat has never been a "hotbed of Communists" as you painfully put it. No doubt you probably consider left of centre western political parties such as the UK's Labour commies too. Please take the time and educate yourself as to the history of the popular uprising against the military rule. The 1973 protests led to the departure of the cruel dictator "Field Marshall" Thanom Kittikachorn and the establishment of a civilian government. If you wish to call people who support civilian government commies, that is your prerogative, but you are wrong, very, very wrong..

Thammasat is more famous for its 1976 massacre when hundreds were beaten, tortured, mutilated, raped and murdered by paramilitary and police agents. The victims were part of a nation wide protest against the return of the despot "Field Marshal".

If democratic expression, and fundamental liberties, continue to be denied to the people, then yes, there is fertile ground for more activist political views to grow. If you want to see the spread of communism, continue to support groups who deny basic civil liberties and freedoms and force people to look to groups and ideologies that offer a hope of freeing them from the yoke of oppression. There are Thai people who share an outlook similar to the American independence advocate, Patrick Henry. His words that swung the 1775 Virginia Conference vote to support an armed rebellion against the British colonial government were, Give me liberty, or give me death. I believe that you wiil find many Thais share that sentiment. They are no more communist than Patrick Henry was.

Signed, a conservative

[rubl]

So, now that the University dismissed k. Somsak, they have a vacancy which can be filled benefitting the students.

Any indication who will be appointed in this vacant chair? I don't think I've seen names circulating?

[heybruce]

So, now that the University dismissed k. Somsak, they have a vacancy which can be filled benefitting the students.

Any indication who will be appointed in this vacant chair? I don't think I've seen names circulating?

Whenever an OP puts the junta in a bad light we can count on rubl to try to steer discussion into a more benign direction.

No rubl, I don't know who will be appointed to the vacant chair. Nobody on this forum knows that. It's possible the administration at Thammasat don't know that. I see no point on speculating, unless you're thinking of applying for the position.

[Thai at Heart]

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Thailands loss

Im sure other reputable universities abroad will be only too happy to have Somsak until he can return to teaching in Thailand

Not fact, just your attempt to spin the situation. Do some research re Thammasat, quite a few of the lecturers in political science and in law have opinions that are way off rational thinking.

He might be a nutjob but being anti less majeste is a good thing in my book.

[rubl]

Thailands loss

Im sure other reputable universities abroad will be only too happy to have Somsak until he can return to teaching in Thailand

Not fact, just your attempt to spin the situation. Do some research re Thammasat, quite a few of the lecturers in political science and in law have opinions that are way off rational thinking.

He might be a nutjob but being anti less majeste is a good thing in my book.

So, a good nutjob? Being a nutjob suggest that being for or against something doesn't really have a well-founded meaning.

Mind you, if Thai at heart you might be against someone committing Lese Majeste as in insulting the Monarchy. Of course as usual with cases like this what may or may not have been committed which was deemed LM we will not be told by law abiding news outlets in Thailand.

[englishoak]

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Thailands loss

Im sure other reputable universities abroad will be only too happy to have Somsak until he can return to teaching in Thailand

Not fact, just your attempt to spin the situation. Do some research re Thammasat, quite a few of the lecturers in political science and in law have opinions that are way off rational thinking.

Not really anything unusual, the whole point of political science is to challenge students minds and open them to all kinds of opinions.

You do understand the point of studying political science and various forms and opinions I hope.

Even the ones that are fringe opinions carry value from a study point of view, besides we have no idea what the actions for the LM stitch up claim are. Probably he was just teaching.

Hes left due to LM charges, no other reason. Anyone speaking out against this uncivilised, immoral, barbaric excuse of a law is absolutely right to be as public and vocal as possible. It is only with victims standing up and speaking out that anything will ever change.

And if its one thing that MUST change for any major social progress is the barbaric stoneage LM law

Edited February 27, 2015 by englishoak