Thai politics: Attitudes cannot be 'adjusted' through force and fear

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Attitudes cannot be 'adjusted' through force and fear
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IT IS difficult to understand why the junta is resorting to arbitrarily detaining its critics to "adjust" their attitudes, when it keeps insisting that its main aim is to bring the country closer to democracy and reconciliation.

What sort of democracy will Thailand end up with if her citizens are not able to express themselves? And how can gagging critics possibly restore harmony?

Last week, the junta detained several politicians and a journalist, taking them to unknown locations to have their attitudes adjusted as they had been too critical of the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). They were released yesterday.

Earlier, a former minister's passports were revoked because he had criticised the draft charter - the same charter that the junta chief did not like either.

Junta-chief-cum-PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned that anybody voicing dissent will be taken in for attitude adjustment - this is despite the fact that Prayut and his crew know that the international community will attack them for limiting people's rights and freedom.

Ironically, next week Prayut will be in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where democracy and human rights are taken very seriously. As expected, people are planning to rally against him outside the UN headquarters and many international human rights groups and media associations have already voiced concerns about the detentions.

Perhaps UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon could mention this when he meets Prayut. Also, it's time the PM's team realised that simply putting the detentions down to maintaining law and order is not convincing, especially since those detained posed no threats to national security - they were just talking.

It is likely that our prime minister will come home embarrassed and the New York trip will be nothing more than a waste of taxpayers' money, if he is not able to adjust his attitude first. Of course, he always has the option of declaring that "Thailand will never be a democratic country".

As for changing people's attitudes, the junta would do well to realise that people can't be changed through force. In fact, arbitrary detentions will only make people more angry and critical.

The military already has experience of this in the South - where it has been busy detaining people for the sake of security for a decade now, yet it has not been able to win the people's hearts and minds. The military will never be the people's hero - not until it changes its attitude.

Similarly, people in the rest of the country will never consider the junta and the military-backed government as neutral agents who can bridge the deep political divide, as they will always be seen as elite players who stepped in to suppress them and perpetuate power.

Looking closely, the arbitrary detention could be put down to the junta's insecurity and desperation, but it's still unclear how throwing people behind bars can make it feel more secure.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Attitudes-cannot-be-adjusted-through-force-and-fea-30268880.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-16

[baboon]

Well what did you think was going to bloody well happen when a military who is well known for turning its guns on its own citizens seized power for the umpteenth time, a communal picnic or what?

You wanted it, you got it.

Edited September 15, 2015 by baboon

[Wilsonandson]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

[phoenixdoglover]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

"they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again."

You are trying to justify the preemptive suppression of basic human rights with the flimsiest of excuses.

[Assurancetourix]

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

Are you serious ?

Maybe a little journey to North Korea is what you need ...

[bino]

Where I come from, we call this an attitude adjustment.

Maybe Prayuth should try one of these.

[MZurf]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

"All hail the Chief" sounds more like it.

[ikke]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

You mean as in North Korea, there is also no political turmoil... Right ?

[MaxLee]

BURNING ISSUE

Attitudes cannot be 'adjusted' through force and fear

Yep, because for VIP influentials it just means a slap on the wrist... Surprised?

Edited September 16, 2015 by MaxLee

[2fishin2]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

You mean as in North Korea, there is also no political turmoil... Right ?

No, actually as in Thailand....

[waldroj]

"the floggings will continue until morale improves ..."

[fred Kubasa]

" Attitudes" can be adjusted as Cuba and N. Korea proved decades ago.

[retarius]

Sadly, to generals all problems have exactly the same solution: the use of force

[lildragon]

Well what did you think was going to bloody well happen when a military who is well known for turning its guns on its own citizens seized power for the umpteenth time, a communal picnic or what?

You wanted it, you got it.

Fools on here were actually cheering it on, willing for it to happen.

Those huge cheerleaders seem to have disappeared these days. To embarrassed now I imagine.

[tigermoth]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

I seem to remember that Adolf Hitler had the same ideas back in 1934.

[ldiablo]

With the threats of seizing your assets and putting you in jail can certainly change peoples attitudes, at least publicly.

[Laughing Gravy]

" Attitudes" can be adjusted as Cuba and N. Korea proved decades ago.

What a load of rubbish. The Cuban people and economy are now following a capitalist was of life and if given free elections they would vote out the communist party. As for North Korea the people are not given a choice. Their attitude has not been adjusted just suppressed so much. Give them a vote and see what happens!

I understand everyone is entitled to an opinion but what you have stated is absolutely ridiculous.

[Srikcir]

The military doesn't need to be the people's hero. It just needs to be the obediant democratic soldier who RESPECTS and DEFENDS the people's constitution.

Until the military has no ability to subjugate the Thai people's rights and liberties nor the power to bypass their Rule of Law, the military will remain the antithesis to the Thai people's soverneignty. No number of re-written constitutions and coups will change Thailand's political landscape for a better democracy.

[h90]

yes they should put in jail and banned from politics.

[JAG]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

I'm always intrigued why the slogan "our home, our country, stronger together" are splashed in English on the backdrop to TV news (channel 7 ?).

Only a relative few of the audience will understand the slogan, and since the news is read in Thai few foreigners will watch it. I see it because Best Beloved watches it at breakfast.

[MockingJay]

Well what did you think was going to bloody well happen when a military who is well known for turning its guns on its own citizens seized power for the umpteenth time, a communal picnic or what?

You wanted it, you got it.

First post in reply to the topic hits the nail right on the head, good and proper! Kudos to Baboon!

Edited September 16, 2015 by MockingJay

[JAG]

Well what did you think was going to bloody well happen when a military who is well known for turning its guns on its own citizens seized power for the umpteenth time, a communal picnic or what?

You wanted it, you got it.

Fools on here were actually cheering it on, willing for it to happen.

Those huge cheerleaders seem to have disappeared these days. To embarrassed now I imagine.

To be fair there are a few ( very few) who have come out and said that they prefer a military d*ct*t*rsh*p to an elected government.

The ones who tied themselves in knots trying to justify a coup, junta and appointed legislature as an admirable act of selfless sacrifice and democratic reform on the part of the military and their backers do appear to have run out of steam.

[NCC1701A]

i love the chaos of Thailand.

the only thing you can be certain of is the tourist numbers will be higher every year.

any flooding in Bangkok last night?

[Thai at Heart]

You don't say.... Such incredible insight.

[elgordo38]

During the great flood of 2011 the military were the heros. As for the southern unrest, they are the peacekeepers and with the attitude adjustment they are imo trying to stop critics of the coup from sparking off new protests, causing political turmoil again.

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

Yes sounds good but why are we in a divide and conquer state? Implement them properly you say? you draw up a constitution and then you deliberately snafu it begs the question where are you coming from? again my divide and conquer theory comes into play here not your stronger together. This whole thing looks like a mental chess game no sorry checkers you move and they jump you.

[elgordo38]

Reform is still in its early stages and time is needed to implement them properly.

Stronger, together, are the words we need to follow.

Are you serious ?

Maybe a little journey to North Korea is what you need ...

Your to late he has already been there. I think they have those education camps there to only a little more brutal. Reform will always be in its early stages. After you draw up a constitution and then snafu it tells you what is happening. Ever play snakes and ladders.

[chickenslegs]

" Attitudes" can be adjusted as Cuba and N. Korea proved decades ago.

What a load of rubbish. The Cuban people and economy are now following a capitalist was of life and if given free elections they would vote out the communist party. As for North Korea the people are not given a choice. Their attitude has not been adjusted just suppressed so much. Give them a vote and see what happens!

I understand everyone is entitled to an opinion but what you have stated is absolutely ridiculous.