Isaan activists slam martial law

[Lite Beer]

Isaan activists slam martial law
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Groups tell thammasat forum the law threatens their work and violates their basic rights

Eight Northeast activist groups say martial law poses a threat to their movements and violates their fundamental right, while academics have called for the revocation of martial law and the establishment

of a Community Rights Act to solve social problems.

The activist groups have united under the banner Isaan Mai (New North Eastern) as a strategy to help one another in what they have described as a campaign for their fundamental rights.

"We shall build the new Isaan with the hands of Isaan people. The development must come from the people, who must also determine their own future on the basis of rights, freedom and democracy," Isaan Mai stated in a statement.

On Friday, eight representatives of the groups addressed the "Isaan in the City" forum at Thammasat University.

They claimed that after the coup the authorities had aligned with capitalists

to pressure the groups to stop their activities.

They also claimed people were forced to move from their lands by individuals who cited they were acting on National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) orders under martial law.

Porntip Hongchai, a representative from Loei's Wang Saphung district, said her neighbourhood had suffered from pollution from a nearby gold mine since 2002.

She said the locals managed to halt its operations in 2013, but the situation was reversed following the coup.

"After martial law was in effect, the soldiers came to our village to beat up the people and took some people into custody with no charges," she said.

"Our group has been banned, even having meals together of up to eight people was forbidden. We were forced to let the mine use the road and all our rights have been ignored."

A similar story was told by Pakorn Sakaewtung, a villager from Ban Na Moon in Khon Kaen.

He said a petroleum-drilling operation, which villagers fear is releasing lethal hydrogen sulphide gas into the atmosphere, was only 1.5 kilometres from his village.

The site's owner did not inform locals about the potential environmental impact prior to the commencement of drilling, he said.

"We were forced to accept a fake public hearing. We cannot do anything to protect our rights while martial law is in effect," he said. "The bailiff told us once that there were no community rights during this time."

Paitoon Soisod, a villager from Ban Kao Bart in Buri Ram, said his village was set up in the 1970s but had been given to a forestry business by the government.

He said their lands were within the Dong Yai conservation forest area, leading to a dispute with the Royal Forestry Department too.

"Earlier, there were several efforts to drive us from our land but, after the coup, soldiers pressured us harder by force, citing NCOP order numbers 64 and 66, and thus our community is gone," he said.

Premkamon Sangbanluerit, who said villagers had the right to live at the Phu Langka conservation forest in Chaiyaphum, echoed a similar fate of enduring alleged abuse by the authorities in response to calls for a community forest.

Wichai Jermpuk endorsed that viewpoint in relation to Tadton National Park in Chaiyaphum.

The other environmental and community rights movements also claimed the authorities had forbade their activities by citing martial law.

Those groups are Rabeab Kangkhan, which campaigned for the protection of the Khon Kaen wetland in the face of industrial development; Nimit Harnlapan, which held a march for just water management in Roi Et; and Wilai Ngamjai's Chaiyaphum-based group, which battled in the Pongnampeth Dam land dispute.

After hearing the groups' problems, scholars pointed out that these problems were because martial law took away people's fundamental rights while allowing almost unlimited power to the authorities.

"The right to peacefully demonstrate, which is the most powerful tool for citizen movements, was taken away by the NCPO's seventh announcement," Mahasarakham University professor Alongkorn Akkasaeng said, adding the activists could help one another proceed with their campaigns.

"According to international standards, the martial law is used only under the severe threat to a nation's survival and for a limited period of time," Mahidol University's human rights expert Benjarath Saechua said. "There is no legitimacy to using martial law now. The use of martial law must end."

On the jurisprudence issue, Surachai Throngngam, of the EnLAW Foundation, said there was still hope.

He explained that according to the Section 5 of interim constitution, community rights were still in effect and there were a few examples in which the authorities were found guilty of acting improperly in the deep South despite martial law being in effect there.

"The martial law gives a power to the authorities to do lawful actions. If they are found guilty of a wrongdoing, they will have to face a punishment," he said. "The solution for the long term is to pass the Community Rights Act."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Isaan-activists-slam-martial-law-30256508.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-22

[chooka]

Do you think the rich hiso's running the country give a damn about you dirty little peasants? The only time they ever think of you is when they need a new toilet licker to clean the marks of the bowl. Thailand stops at Bangkok and everything outside is insignificant and it is going to get a lot worse for you little people.

[NongKhaiKid]

Some powerful statements, so will they go unanswered and I don't mean a point by point debate ?

[ourmanflint]

General Prayuth really should take the opportunity to help Thailands environment whilst he is in office if this kind of thing is getting worse post-coup

[zaphod reborn]

The re-branded Lanna nation. Where have we seen this before? I'm sure they have plenty of evidence to back up the claim that the Junta is responsible for the alleged environmental issues and not the Yingluck government. After all, this must have happened in the last 6 months rather than the last 3 years. Yingluck wouldn't let such things harm her power base.

[TheAppletons]

The re-branded Lanna nation. Where have we seen this before? I'm sure they have plenty of evidence to back up the claim that the Junta is responsible for the alleged environmental issues and not the Yingluck government. After all, this must have happened in the last 6 months rather than the last 3 years. Yingluck wouldn't let such things harm her power base.

You should really try reading the article before espousing your "I love the junta" mantra. When you don't, it just makes your sycophant recitals even less relevant than usual.

"Porntip Hongchai, a representative from Loei's Wang Saphung district, said her neighbourhood had suffered from pollution from a nearby gold mine since 2002.

She said the locals managed to halt its operations in 2013, but the situation was reversed following the coup."

[Robby nz]

while martial law doesn't effect me personally it has obviously had an adverse effect on others, particularly in regards to environmental concerns.

I have every sympathy for the villagers and those who have protested against mines and such, whose rights have been abrogated or diminished by martial law.

I have less for the so called activists and the groups who would take advantage of the lifting of martial law for their own selfish political ends.

A great example of this is the recent bombings by a group who were out to make trouble.

Actions like these can only extend martial law to the detriment of everyone.

The sooner martial law is lifted the better but as long as there are those out there who are prepared to cause trouble then unfortunately it will probably stay.

[NeilSA1]

Do you think the rich hiso's running the country give a damn about you dirty little peasants? The only time they ever think of you is when they need a new toilet licker to clean the marks of the bowl. Thailand stops at Bangkok and everything outside is insignificant and it is going to get a lot worse for you little people.

Interesting. Where can I get a 'toilet licker' from? It sounds so much easier than the toilet brush that I, and billions of civilized people around the world commonly use.

[lewy67]

What's the point of having a military coup if you can't enrich your industrialist mates at the expense of a few lowly villagers?

[willyumiii]

Do you think the rich hiso's running the country give a damn about you dirty little peasants? The only time they ever think of you is when they need a new toilet licker to clean the marks of the bowl. Thailand stops at Bangkok and everything outside is insignificant and it is going to get a lot worse for you little people.

You are correct but confused.

The real Thailand stops at Bangkok and lies to the north of Bangkok.

From Bangkok south is just a westernized copy of the rest of the world...not the real Thailand!

[Warpath]

The voices of those opposed to the Junta are slowly getting louder and louder and bolder and bolder, one senses the dam walls may soon burst. The tide is fast going out on this latest effort to rid Thailand of democracy. When the time comes, lets hope the Genereals have the good grace to accept defeat and walk away without forcing more bloodshed upon the long suffering citizenry.

[givenall]

Isaan activists slam martial law

Pratch Rujivanarom

The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Groups tell thammasat forum the law threatens their work and violates their basic rights

Eight Northeast activist groups say martial law poses a threat to their movements and violates their fundamental right, while academics have called for the revocation of martial law and the establishment

of a Community Rights Act to solve social problems.

The activist groups have united under the banner Isaan Mai (New North Eastern) as a strategy to help one another in what they have described as a campaign for their fundamental rights.

"We shall build the new Isaan with the hands of Isaan people. The development must come from the people, who must also determine their own future on the basis of rights, freedom and democracy," Isaan Mai stated in a statement.

On Friday, eight representatives of the groups addressed the "Isaan in the City" forum at Thammasat University.

They claimed that after the coup the authorities had aligned with capitalists

to pressure the groups to stop their activities.

They also claimed people were forced to move from their lands by individuals who cited they were acting on National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) orders under martial law.

Porntip Hongchai, a representative from Loei's Wang Saphung district, said her neighbourhood had suffered from pollution from a nearby gold mine since 2002.

She said the locals managed to halt its operations in 2013, but the situation was reversed following the coup.

"After martial law was in effect, the soldiers came to our village to beat up the people and took some people into custody with no charges," she said.

"Our group has been banned, even having meals together of up to eight people was forbidden. We were forced to let the mine use the road and all our rights have been ignored."

A similar story was told by Pakorn Sakaewtung, a villager from Ban Na Moon in Khon Kaen.

He said a petroleum-drilling operation, which villagers fear is releasing lethal hydrogen sulphide gas into the atmosphere, was only 1.5 kilometres from his village.

The site's owner did not inform locals about the potential environmental impact prior to the commencement of drilling, he said.

"We were forced to accept a fake public hearing. We cannot do anything to protect our rights while martial law is in effect," he said. "The bailiff told us once that there were no community rights during this time."

Paitoon Soisod, a villager from Ban Kao Bart in Buri Ram, said his village was set up in the 1970s but had been given to a forestry business by the government.

He said their lands were within the Dong Yai conservation forest area, leading to a dispute with the Royal Forestry Department too.

"Earlier, there were several efforts to drive us from our land but, after the coup, soldiers pressured us harder by force, citing NCOP order numbers 64 and 66, and thus our community is gone," he said.

Premkamon Sangbanluerit, who said villagers had the right to live at the Phu Langka conservation forest in Chaiyaphum, echoed a similar fate of enduring alleged abuse by the authorities in response to calls for a community forest.

Wichai Jermpuk endorsed that viewpoint in relation to Tadton National Park in Chaiyaphum.

The other environmental and community rights movements also claimed the authorities had forbade their activities by citing martial law.

Those groups are Rabeab Kangkhan, which campaigned for the protection of the Khon Kaen wetland in the face of industrial development; Nimit Harnlapan, which held a march for just water management in Roi Et; and Wilai Ngamjai's Chaiyaphum-based group, which battled in the Pongnampeth Dam land dispute.

After hearing the groups' problems, scholars pointed out that these problems were because martial law took away people's fundamental rights while allowing almost unlimited power to the authorities.

"The right to peacefully demonstrate, which is the most powerful tool for citizen movements, was taken away by the NCPO's seventh announcement," Mahasarakham University professor Alongkorn Akkasaeng said, adding the activists could help one another proceed with their campaigns.

"According to international standards, the martial law is used only under the severe threat to a nation's survival and for a limited period of time," Mahidol University's human rights expert Benjarath Saechua said. "There is no legitimacy to using martial law now. The use of martial law must end."

On the jurisprudence issue, Surachai Throngngam, of the EnLAW Foundation, said there was still hope.

He explained that according to the Section 5 of interim constitution, community rights were still in effect and there were a few examples in which the authorities were found guilty of acting improperly in the deep South despite martial law being in effect there.

"The martial law gives a power to the authorities to do lawful actions. If they are found guilty of a wrongdoing, they will have to face a punishment," he said. "The solution for the long term is to pass the Community Rights Act."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Isaan-activists-slam-martial-law-30256508.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-22

Where were they when all the stealing and crouption were going on during previous PM.

[issanaus]

Within these groups there are some very genuine people with very real concerns, however there are also some who would be better being branded political opportunist who seek to capitalise on the misfortune and suffer of other people. The reality is that Thailand has the government that it has at this time and the laws that it has (well those that are being enforced). Learning how to work within the system that exist will bring faster resolution in most cases rather than waiting for the system to change. This is especially true in Thailand where the more things change the more they appear to stay the same. The problem is that some will put their political ambitions first and the interests of the "supporters" a distant second.

The PM at times has been ridiculed for changing his mind/policy direction but this is a sign that he is willing to listen to other peoples points of view (except on any matter that related to "National Security"). I wonder what approaches the concerned groups have made to the Military and government?

As to the issue of developing a new regional voice for Isaan that would appear to be a way forward in the longer term - but I can not help and be cynical about who is behind it. The reality is that if the poor and regionally disadvantaged are to have their interests protected then a new political grouping will need to emerge from the grass roots..

[geriatrickid]

The re-branded Lanna nation. Where have we seen this before? I'm sure they have plenty of evidence to back up the claim that the Junta is responsible for the alleged environmental issues and not the Yingluck government. After all, this must have happened in the last 6 months rather than the last 3 years. Yingluck wouldn't let such things harm her power base.

Read the article again. Prior to the coup, people who disagreed were able to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their communities. Now they cannot. When the polluters tried to operate prior to the coup, the local communities were able to interfere with the illegal dumping. Now, these people cannot even meet to discuss day to day community issues.

[geriatrickid]

The voices of those opposed to the Junta are slowly getting louder and louder and bolder and bolder, one senses the dam walls may soon burst. The tide is fast going out on this latest effort to rid Thailand of democracy. When the time comes, lets hope the Genereals have the good grace to accept defeat and walk away without forcing more bloodshed upon the long suffering citizenry.

Dream on.

The military rulers this time are very different. They are in it for the long haul with the emphasis on the long term goal of removing elected civilian rule by way of a new constitution. People are starting to experience the joys of attitude readjustment on a regular basis. I anticipate that we will soon have special training work camps to hold some people.

[Robby nz]

The re-branded Lanna nation. Where have we seen this before? I'm sure they have plenty of evidence to back up the claim that the Junta is responsible for the alleged environmental issues and not the Yingluck government. After all, this must have happened in the last 6 months rather than the last 3 years. Yingluck wouldn't let such things harm her power base.

Read the article again. Prior to the coup, people who disagreed were able to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their communities. Now they cannot. When the polluters tried to operate prior to the coup, the local communities were able to interfere with the illegal dumping. Now, these people cannot even meet to discuss day to day community issues.

That Gerry would be like the meetings that were held regarding the water management plans where only invited guests were allowed to be present and they were paid a 400b travelling allowance.

That's the ones where a deputy PM called concerned villagers who wanted to complain "Garbage"

And like the farmers who were protesting about non payment for their rice whose families got visits from the reds, that's these ones :

http://www.nationmul...t-30225548.html

Unpaid rice farmers allege intimidation as protest ends. A protest by farmers that lasted for days at the Indochina intersection in Phitsanulok has ended in tears.

Yep ordinary people sure did have a say under PT, if they dared.

[aussieinthailand]

Do you think the rich hiso's running the country give a damn about you dirty little peasants? The only time they ever think of you is when they need a new toilet licker to clean the marks of the bowl. Thailand stops at Bangkok and everything outside is insignificant and it is going to get a lot worse for you little people.

Care to clarify your statements ? are you serious in your description of the people of the north and that is what you actually think?

Or are you taking the p*ss?

The dividing of class of people is a major problem here and in other counties and cultures wear class system is observed, it is nothing more than repression a disenfranchising of a group of people so as to maintain a power base and keep the status quo.

The sooner this CLASS SNOT can come to an end the better for the people who suffer under it and the country as a whole.

Seeing you have an Aussie footy team as your avatar, and (Chooka) is a very Aussie nick name, I'm guessing you are an Aussie, There for you have enjoyed freedom of speech and the right to protest for all your time you are there, and if a factory was dumping toxic waste out the back of your family home where wife and kids are your lucky enough to have the rights to do something about it, but in Thailand at the moment it is not the case, and that's why there are problems. Now do you think this class BS would fly in OZ? Answer YES it dose and still is in use now,

The Aboriginal Australian people are very much like the selected sections of the populous in Thailand, They are from birth at a disadvantage because of the class problem,

ie, Ask any person that comes from BKK and the south in Thailand and they give their thoughts on the people of the north which would be very much like your post.

I would bet the Sydney Harbor Bridge that most of these BKK and others as well as the HI-SO and elites would understand the concept of the word BIGOT, and the same goes for many Aussies as well. But happy to say OZ is a little further down the track of eradicating the Class system than the LOS is.

[Warpath]

Isaan activists slam martial law

Pratch Rujivanarom

The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Groups tell thammasat forum the law threatens their work and violates their basic rights

Eight Northeast activist groups say martial law poses a threat to their movements and violates their fundamental right, while academics have called for the revocation of martial law and the establishment

of a Community Rights Act to solve social problems.

The activist groups have united under the banner Isaan Mai (New North Eastern) as a strategy to help one another in what they have described as a campaign for their fundamental rights.

"We shall build the new Isaan with the hands of Isaan people. The development must come from the people, who must also determine their own future on the basis of rights, freedom and democracy," Isaan Mai stated in a statement.

On Friday, eight representatives of the groups addressed the "Isaan in the City" forum at Thammasat University.

They claimed that after the coup the authorities had aligned with capitalists

to pressure the groups to stop their activities.

They also claimed people were forced to move from their lands by individuals who cited they were acting on National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) orders under martial law.

Porntip Hongchai, a representative from Loei's Wang Saphung district, said her neighbourhood had suffered from pollution from a nearby gold mine since 2002.

She said the locals managed to halt its operations in 2013, but the situation was reversed following the coup.

"After martial law was in effect, the soldiers came to our village to beat up the people and took some people into custody with no charges," she said.

"Our group has been banned, even having meals together of up to eight people was forbidden. We were forced to let the mine use the road and all our rights have been ignored."

A similar story was told by Pakorn Sakaewtung, a villager from Ban Na Moon in Khon Kaen.

He said a petroleum-drilling operation, which villagers fear is releasing lethal hydrogen sulphide gas into the atmosphere, was only 1.5 kilometres from his village.

The site's owner did not inform locals about the potential environmental impact prior to the commencement of drilling, he said.

"We were forced to accept a fake public hearing. We cannot do anything to protect our rights while martial law is in effect," he said. "The bailiff told us once that there were no community rights during this time."

Paitoon Soisod, a villager from Ban Kao Bart in Buri Ram, said his village was set up in the 1970s but had been given to a forestry business by the government.

He said their lands were within the Dong Yai conservation forest area, leading to a dispute with the Royal Forestry Department too.

"Earlier, there were several efforts to drive us from our land but, after the coup, soldiers pressured us harder by force, citing NCOP order numbers 64 and 66, and thus our community is gone," he said.

Premkamon Sangbanluerit, who said villagers had the right to live at the Phu Langka conservation forest in Chaiyaphum, echoed a similar fate of enduring alleged abuse by the authorities in response to calls for a community forest.

Wichai Jermpuk endorsed that viewpoint in relation to Tadton National Park in Chaiyaphum.

The other environmental and community rights movements also claimed the authorities had forbade their activities by citing martial law.

Those groups are Rabeab Kangkhan, which campaigned for the protection of the Khon Kaen wetland in the face of industrial development; Nimit Harnlapan, which held a march for just water management in Roi Et; and Wilai Ngamjai's Chaiyaphum-based group, which battled in the Pongnampeth Dam land dispute.

After hearing the groups' problems, scholars pointed out that these problems were because martial law took away people's fundamental rights while allowing almost unlimited power to the authorities.

"The right to peacefully demonstrate, which is the most powerful tool for citizen movements, was taken away by the NCPO's seventh announcement," Mahasarakham University professor Alongkorn Akkasaeng said, adding the activists could help one another proceed with their campaigns.

"According to international standards, the martial law is used only under the severe threat to a nation's survival and for a limited period of time," Mahidol University's human rights expert Benjarath Saechua said. "There is no legitimacy to using martial law now. The use of martial law must end."

On the jurisprudence issue, Surachai Throngngam, of the EnLAW Foundation, said there was still hope.

He explained that according to the Section 5 of interim constitution, community rights were still in effect and there were a few examples in which the authorities were found guilty of acting improperly in the deep South despite martial law being in effect there.

"The martial law gives a power to the authorities to do lawful actions. If they are found guilty of a wrongdoing, they will have to face a punishment," he said. "The solution for the long term is to pass the Community Rights Act."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Isaan-activists-slam-martial-law-30256508.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-22

Where were they when all the stealing and crouption were going on during previous PM.

There was no noticeable uptick in stealing and corruption going on under the previous administration - those claims are just false propaganda spread by and only believed by the very few that support the current illegal regime.

Wasn't there ?

Have a look at this graph and see the increase in corruption in the time of the PT Govt.:

576x544xCorruption-Perceptions-Index-THAILAND-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.NKNgav0HXt1.jpg

If you want farther proof you only have to look at the rice pledging scheme.

You should note that in the time of the Dems Govt that in spite of having to take on the small parties they still managed to get corruption on the way down.

The turning point is very clear.

The graph starts during the Thaksin administration and clearly shows a consistent trend towards less corruption, and then what happened in 2006. Yes, it was a coup. Corruption after the 2006, regardless of who was in power remained greater than during Thaksins 2001 - 2006 administration. It is the military that are the corrupt ones - your graph proves it. From 2006 until the present the military have exerted undue influence over Thai politics and corruption has thrived.

What is so fascinating about your graph is how it so thoroughly guts the main accusation your side makes against Thaksin - that he is / was stupendously more corrupt than any other Thai leader. Your graph proves that in the last 12 years the least corrupt period in Thailand was when Thaksin was PM. Explain that!

I think ypu need to learn to read the scales on graphs before commenting, just in case you make yourself look silly.

I think ypu need to learn to read the scales on graphs before commenting, just in case you make yourself look silly.

You'd best heed your own advice.

The lower the score on the vertical axis = less corruption.

So,

Pre coup - From 2002 until 2006 the level hovered around 60 = (less corrupt)

Post coup - From 2006 until 2013 the level hovered around 80 = (more corrupt)

[Robby nz]

Where were they when all the stealing and crouption were going on during previous PM.

There was no noticeable uptick in stealing and corruption going on under the previous administration - those claims are just false propaganda spread by and only believed by the very few that support the current illegal regime.

Wasn't there ?

Have a look at this graph and see the increase in corruption in the time of the PT Govt.:

576x544xCorruption-Perceptions-Index-THAILAND-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.NKNgav0HXt1.jpg

If you want farther proof you only have to look at the rice pledging scheme.

You should note that in the time of the Dems Govt that in spite of having to take on the small parties they still managed to get corruption on the way down.

The turning point is very clear.

The graph starts during the Thaksin administration and clearly shows a consistent trend towards less corruption, and then what happened in 2006. Yes, it was a coup. Corruption after the 2006, regardless of who was in power remained greater than during Thaksins 2001 - 2006 administration. It is the military that are the corrupt ones - your graph proves it. From 2006 until the present the military have exerted undue influence over Thai politics and corruption has thrived.

What is so fascinating about your graph is how it so thoroughly guts the main accusation your side makes against Thaksin - that he is / was stupendously more corrupt than any other Thai leader. Your graph proves that in the last 12 years the least corrupt period in Thailand was when Thaksin was PM. Explain that!

That graph proved your statement wrong, once again, that is the whole point.

But as you want to change the subject there is a good explanation.

In Thaksins first term he did a lot for the country while consolidating his position by installing his own people and corruption was well concealed, during his second term suspicions started to arise.

When the military took over the corruption was revealed, this is clearly shown in their short time in power.

The proxy parties were relatively clean for there had just been a purge on corruption by the military.

When Abhisith took over (no his was not a military Govt) corruption started to improve.

Then look at the Yingluck years, bang, corruption to unprecedented levels, you cant blame the military for that.

[issanaus]

Do you think the rich hiso's running the country give a damn about you dirty little peasants? The only time they ever think of you is when they need a new toilet licker to clean the marks of the bowl. Thailand stops at Bangkok and everything outside is insignificant and it is going to get a lot worse for you little people.

Care to clarify your statements ? are you serious in your description of the people of the north and that is what you actually think?

Or are you taking the p*ss?

The dividing of class of people is a major problem here and in other counties and cultures wear class system is observed, it is nothing more than repression a disenfranchising of a group of people so as to maintain a power base and keep the status quo.

The sooner this CLASS SNOT can come to an end the better for the people who suffer under it and the country as a whole.

Seeing you have an Aussie footy team as your avatar, and (Chooka) is a very Aussie nick name, I'm guessing you are an Aussie, There for you have enjoyed freedom of speech and the right to protest for all your time you are there, and if a factory was dumping toxic waste out the back of your family home where wife and kids are your lucky enough to have the rights to do something about it, but in Thailand at the moment it is not the case, and that's why there are problems. Now do you think this class BS would fly in OZ? Answer YES it dose and still is in use now,

The Aboriginal Australian people are very much like the selected sections of the populous in Thailand, They are from birth at a disadvantage because of the class problem,

ie, Ask any person that comes from BKK and the south in Thailand and they give their thoughts on the people of the north which would be very much like your post.

I would bet the Sydney Harbor Bridge that most of these BKK and others as well as the HI-SO and elites would understand the concept of the word BIGOT, and the same goes for many Aussies as well. But happy to say OZ is a little further down the track of eradicating the Class system than the LOS is.

He was being sarcastic.

He always support the disadvantaged - even shows in the VFL team he supports. 55

[Sawan Chan 7]

Even foreigners I know believe Prayuth is doing good.

Absolute mock of Democracy.

[smedly]

Do you think the rich hiso's running the country give a damn about you dirty little peasants? The only time they ever think of you is when they need a new toilet licker to clean the marks of the bowl. Thailand stops at Bangkok and everything outside is insignificant and it is going to get a lot worse for you little people.

if you read very carefully what they are saying is that the usual mob rule is not being allowed, TBH it shouldn't be allowed regardless, the typical way for Thais to solve issues is to gather a large crowd and threaten with violence, that is not the answer either, there should be laws and administrations to support the laws - mob rule and violence is not the answer, proper due process applications and approvals based on law is the only way

I'm not saying that martial law is the answer either - far from it but it is forcing these people to address issues in a more civil manner which isn't a bad thing

[smedly]

The re-branded Lanna nation. Where have we seen this before? I'm sure they have plenty of evidence to back up the claim that the Junta is responsible for the alleged environmental issues and not the Yingluck government. After all, this must have happened in the last 6 months rather than the last 3 years. Yingluck wouldn't let such things harm her power base.

You should really try reading the article before espousing your "I love the junta" mantra. When you don't, it just makes your sycophant recitals even less relevant than usual.

"Porntip Hongchai, a representative from Loei's Wang Saphung district, said her neighbourhood had suffered from pollution from a nearby gold mine since 2002.

She said the locals managed to halt its operations in 2013, but the situation was reversed following the coup."

it would be interesting to see if the claim is fact or just hot air manipulation and lies from a group trying to create trouble - I was under the understanding that it was courts and local admin that managed cases like these

[96tehtarp]

Any and all political rallies are forbidden now, under martial law.

[robblok]

If those grievances are true.. and some might be twisted to suit the purpose of the group representing them then yes martial law is bad and it should not be there. Maybe if their fellow red-shirts stopped planting bombs it would not be needed. So in a fact its their own that make this necessary.

But I have read about the mine and stuff and of course I am pro the villagers there and in other cases too. Its sad that they are a victim of martial law. That is one of the things I don't like about it. But as long as we have hot head red-shirts trying to plant bombs and wanting to disturb the peace its needed. Too bad there will always be innocents a victim of measures that are needed because of threat of violence.

I hope something is done for the plight of these villages. But this is running so long.. to politicize it now while the YL government did nothing is stupid.

[JOC]

As per usual, when someone dare to question the less than democratic actions by the present "government", the junta-lovers comes out with their standard-mantra: "But Yingluck, but Thaksin"..............

The only way forward for a future prosperous Thailand is a Thailand for all Thais!!

It is still beyond me, that posters from democratic countries can support a leadership, which only goal is the keep the elite at the trough.

[robblok]

As per usual, when someone dare to question the less than democratic actions by the present "government", the junta-lovers comes out with their standard-mantra: "But Yingluck, but Thaksin"..............

The only way forward for a future prosperous Thailand is a Thailand for all Thais!!

It is still beyond me, that posters from democratic countries can support a leadership, which only goal is the keep the elite at the trough.

Maybe because its less bad as the previous one.. Its crazy to think there was ever a real democracy here. The things the last government did would not be accepted in any democratic country in the west.

It is still beyond me that posters from democratic countries don't see that there was never a functioning democracy here.

Do I want one.. sure.. do I see it happening here with the ingrained corruption .. no.. and if it happens it will go slow. So any progress.. and I see the junta as progress compared to the previous bunch of criminals.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[geriatrickid]

As per usual, when someone dare to question the less than democratic actions by the present "government", the junta-lovers comes out with their standard-mantra: "But Yingluck, but Thaksin"..............

The only way forward for a future prosperous Thailand is a Thailand for all Thais!!

It is still beyond me, that posters from democratic countries can support a leadership, which only goal is the keep the elite at the trough.

They may be from democratic countries, but they support groups such as the National Front, Swiss People's Part, Flemish First, LDPR, SRP, Golden Dawn, National Alliance etc. Dictatorship sympathizers like to join political parties which exploit the democratic process, but do not support it.

Ever notice that the most vocal foreign supporters of military coups and the like usually have no active military experience? I expect it comes from envy over the uniforms and medals. Perhaps if they had some active military service experience they would understand why armies should not be running governments. The less likely to have seen combat, the more likely to advocate a draconian violent approach.

[Jip99]

As per usual, when someone dare to question the less than democratic actions by the present "government", the junta-lovers comes out with their standard-mantra: "But Yingluck, but Thaksin"..............

The only way forward for a future prosperous Thailand is a Thailand for all Thais!!

It is still beyond me, that posters from democratic countries can support a leadership, which only goal is the keep the elite at the trough.

Maybe because its less bad as the previous one.. Its crazy to think there was ever a real democracy here. The things the last government did would not be accepted in any democratic country in the west.

It is still beyond me that posters from democratic countries don't see that there was never a functioning democracy here.

Do I want one.. sure.. do I see it happening here with the ingrained corruption .. no.. and if it happens it will go slow. So any progress.. and I see the junta as progress compared to the previous bunch of criminals.

I agree entirely and I hope the junta will be a stepping stone to the next phase of democracy in Thailand.

That next stage needs to be significantly different from the last one (that Robblok so accurately described) and the start point is reducing the level, and acceptance, of corruption and graft,