PM vows to uphold democracy, with Thai features

[micmichd]

Hang on, Western constitutions are full of core values, too.

And no country will force Thailand to implement Western core values 1:1, of course not.

Westerns should look careful at their own political systems and check in how many cases they violate their own core values before pointing fingers on Thailand.

[atsiii]

"So, next time, please elect a good government into power.

Presumably he means: elect a government comprised of the wealthy and elite in Bangkok, who already own and run everything else in the country, or there will be another coup. And we will keep having coups until you, the electorate, learn to do things our way right.

[bangon04]

He is fixated on "western" democracy. Does not even bother acknowledging certain Asian countries have viable, representative governments. His preachy, bossy tone is nauseating as well.

The westerner lovers of all things coup have been rather quiet as of late.

Not the western model: "but don't bring a bomb or an M-16 onto the street. That should not be part of democracy," he said."

or the carpet bombing....... Shock and Awe, anyone?

Let's keep the blanket electronic surveillance though....

[JAG]

"So, next time, please elect a good government into power.

Presumably he means: elect a government comprised of the wealthy and elite in Bangkok, who already own and run everything else in the country, or there will be another coup. And we will keep having coups until you, the electorate, learn to do things our way right.

That's about the sum f it yes.

[Aussieroaming]

Excellent....so will he step down and hand power back to the democratically elected party

[NeilSA1]

"So, next time, please elect a good government into power.

Presumably he means: elect a government comprised of the wealthy and elite in Bangkok, who already own and run everything else in the country, or there will be another coup. And we will keep having coups until you, the electorate, learn to do things our way right.

So, in your opinion, was the previous government 'good'?

Not talking elected , democracy etc

[klauskunkel]

"So, next time, please elect a good government into power."

...and if you don't, you can always count on the military to set things right again.

Who decides which government is good? Don't you worry your pretty, little head about that...trust the Force!

[NeilSA1]

He is fixated on "western" democracy. Does not even bother acknowledging certain Asian countries have viable, representative governments. His preachy, bossy tone is nauseating as well.

The westerner lovers of all things coup have been rather quiet as of late.

Similarly, I don't see many anti coup TV members' comments on the article "NACC wants additional graft charges"

[MILT]

Unless the Prayut administration is a talking point with any of the major world media programs

which as far as I can see there is nothing mentioned about the Prayut Admin.

I think the the governing world body understands...not unlike some of our TV members...

[lucky11]

Excellent....so will he step down and hand power back to the democratically elected party

Democratically elected party?

Not sure that you have a very good grasp of politics my friend!!

[oztaurus]

"PM vows to uphold democracy, with Thai features"

so it will be more of a "Thai-mock-crazy" then ........

[laocowboy2]

One man, one vote (his), once - Thainess.

[laocowboy2]

Excellent....so will he step down and hand power back to the democratically elected party

Yes - soon after I lose 20kg, get all my hair back and peace breaks out all over the Middle East.

[JAG]

"So, next time, please elect a good government into power.

Presumably he means: elect a government comprised of the wealthy and elite in Bangkok, who already own and run everything else in the country, or there will be another coup. And we will keep having coups until you, the electorate, learn to do things our way right.

So, in your opinion, was the previous government 'good'?

Not talking elected , democracy etc

I can't speak for "atsii", but in my opinion the previous government was not particularly good. It was however chosen by the electorate ( I know you don't want to talk about elections etc but they are central to the point). If the electorate decided it was not good then they could dismiss it.

The previous government, faced with significant opposition, offered itself for reelection, in an entirely constitutional way ( let us not forget the election was promulgated by Royal decree). Knowing that they could not win that election the opposition, or to be more accurate its establishment backers, engineered the coup which installed the present regime, which is now working flat out to ensure that the people will never have the opportunity to select their own government again.

[laocowboy2]

Compared with earlier statements made by him I finally got it: only a 100% democracy is a trap.

If I subtract 10 % for each point bruce64 mentioned in his post there is nothing left to be named- unless you accept "Cryness" for a Zero

Not so - you are left with something like China on one of its better days.

[Thai at Heart]

Oh dear oh dear..democracy with Thai features

I have visions of some drag queen done up Shirley Bassey. Thai features.

Which are these specific Thai features? The bits that take away the power of the people? How very duplicitous of him

[laocowboy2]

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"We have to put Thai elements into the democracy"

Appointed Senate

Appointed PM

Appointed EC

Appointed NACC

Appointed CC

Appointed Judges

Appointed Top Bureaucrats

Appointed State Board Members

Appointed Reform Committee (after election)

Appointed People's Assembly (after election)

...and one neutered, gerrymandered elected House of Representatives who do none of the appointing.

That is a lot of Thai element and very little democracy.

Can't see it working without an appointed electorate

That's probably coming as well - franchise limited by property and/or education level perhaps? That should keep most of Isaan out.

[jerojero]

Yes, reporters must ask less questions. The General is expert in all economic, social, political and finance matters. He is all knowing and must be followed without question. Yes yes.

[brucec64]

He is fixated on "western" democracy. Does not even bother acknowledging certain Asian countries have viable, representative governments. His preachy, bossy tone is nauseating as well.

The westerner lovers of all things coup have been rather quiet as of late.

Similarly, I don't see many anti coup TV members' comments on the article "NACC wants additional graft charges"

You are right. Under the unelected junta, corruption is now over in Thailand, jet ski scams are a thing of the past, taxis pick up all customers, and lottery tickets are 80 baht.

[arrowsdawdle]

Orwell would be vomiting on his shoes right now...

You think so?...or, would he be too busy gloating, "I told you so," to vomit?

[SLESQ]

It's such a pity this nation that once appeared to be really great can't keep up that appearance and sees no reason to do more than just pretend. We who see the "controllers" are naked, as the fabled emperor who wore no clothes, are told to shut up because we don't understand the culture of the nation. Well, every nation gets the government it deserves. It's such a pity, really.

[maidee]

why they insist of still calling this a democracy ???

it is not, never was (freedom of speech , real freedom, never excisted)

[Stray]

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed yesterday that he was building democracy for the country - but said it would not be 100 per cent like democracy in Western countries.

So not democracy then.

correct like the man said not 100% but who wants that anyway ??

According to all the happiness/approval polls it will only be 3% of the population that will not be happy.

97% democracy for 97% of the population, 97% of the time.

The remaining 3% of the 'unhappy' populace can be imprisoned and have their attitudes adjusted, or be deported.

[Baerboxer]

He is fixated on "western" democracy. Does not even bother acknowledging certain Asian countries have viable, representative governments. His preachy, bossy tone is nauseating as well.

The westerner lovers of all things coup have been rather quiet as of late.

There's only one poster who regularly posts complimentary comments that could be taken as flattering to the current government. And I'm not sure if he's really serious or just got a wicked black sense of humor.

However, plenty of posts on many threads running that comment about the very non democratic criminally led former regime whose family led nepotistic kleptocracy was neither democratic nor justice based. If that's what you're eluding to.

Asian counties - noted for their viable representative governments - and which ones would those be? Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia? Or India the worlds biggest and most corrupt democracy?

Western countries aren't perfect, by a long way, and many are arguable heading in the wrong ways, but at least their law and justice systems so necessary in underpinning democracy mostly work. Not true for most of Asia.

[tigermonkey]

Prayuth said that "it would not be 100 per cent like democracy in Western countries". This statement alone makes us aware that he knows nothing about democracies. Exactly what is "democracy in Western countries "? Could he be talking about republic in the US of A , the UK parliamentary system, the Swiss Canton system, the French republic, or a host of other permutaions right down to the democratically appointed government of the Ukraine. If you eliminate that myriad of possibilities as models. it leaves little else other than a one party system, or a non-party system with an appointed electorate.

Perhaps he does know what he is talking about - that is a scary thought.

[gemguy]

So...does that means to say when the democratic principles are upheld and applied by the future democratically elected governments then does the General agree that he will also address the issues of his accountability and or his political malfeasance and or any corruption and or any policies failures during his illegal tenure.

In other words, will the rules of engagement also apply to him and will he agree to be proven innocent or guilty and stand trail to do so.

Just curios to know....how about you??

Cheers

Edited March 21, 2015 by gemguy

[Baerboxer]

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed yesterday that he was building democracy for the country - but said it would not be 100 per cent like democracy in Western countries.

So not democracy then.

correct like the man said not 100% but who wants that anyway ??

According to all the happiness/approval polls it will only be 3% of the population that will not be happy.

97% democracy for 97% of the population, 97% of the time.

The remaining 3% of the 'unhappy' populace can be imprisoned and have their attitudes adjusted, or be deported.

Some may just be happy they are not being shot at, beaten, assaulted, murdered and having grenades thrown at them for daring to protest about a criminal trying to subvert the legal parliamentary processes and grant himself, family and friends blanket amnesty to effectively put them above and beyond the law.

Some may be happy the protests and murderous attacks on them have been stopped.

Some are very unhappy that they've been removed from the gravy train they so enjoyed and maybe are a little worried they may be held accountable now.

Democracy would be great for Thailand and something completely new for the Thai people.

[Lupatria]

Yes, reporters must ask less questions. The General is expert in all economic, social, political and finance matters. He is all knowing and must be followed without question. Yes yes.

Well the guy surprised me by adding some christian values to "Cryness" :

Thou shalt have no other gods before me [the first commandment from the King James Version]

[yellowboat]

He is fixated on "western" democracy. Does not even bother acknowledging certain Asian countries have viable, representative governments. His preachy, bossy tone is nauseating as well.

The westerner lovers of all things coup have been rather quiet as of late.

There's only one poster who regularly posts complimentary comments that could be taken as flattering to the current government. And I'm not sure if he's really serious or just got a wicked black sense of humor.

However, plenty of posts on many threads running that comment about the very non democratic criminally led former regime whose family led nepotistic kleptocracy was neither democratic nor justice based. If that's what you're eluding to.

Asian counties - noted for their viable representative governments - and which ones would those be? Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia? Or India the worlds biggest and most corrupt democracy?

Western countries aren't perfect, by a long way, and many are arguable heading in the wrong ways, but at least their law and justice systems so necessary in underpinning democracy mostly work. Not true for most of Asia.

Was thinking of Taiwan and Japan

[Baerboxer]

So...does that means to say when the democratic principles are upheld and applied by the future democratically elected governments then does the General agree that he will also address the issues of his accountability and or his political malfeasance and or any corruption and or any policies failures during his illegal tenure.

In other words, will the rules of engagement also apply to him and will he agree to be proven innocent or guilty and stand trail to do so.

Cheers

He is the legal, officially endorsed, PM of Thailand.

Like it or lump it, your opinion doesn't matter one hoot. But stop posting that his tenure is illegal - that's a lie and against forum rules.

Do you consider it a 'legal tenure" for a non elected criminal fugitive to be running the country via a puppet PM and cabinet who simply handed power to him?

Edited March 21, 2015 by Baerboxer