Army unit helps Isaan folk find 'correct political understanding'

[Lite Beer]

Army unit helps Isaan folk find 'correct political understanding'
JITTRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- "CORRECT" political understanding has been given to people in 20 provinces in the Northeast - with good feedback received, Lt-General Thawat Sookplang, the commander of the Second Army Area, said yesterday.

The Second Army Area undertook the mission through the Centre for Reconciliation and Reform, sending staff to talk with people of different political opinions.

The feedback had been good, Thawat said, with little or no opposition. He also looked forward to using this approach to explain the upcoming charter draft, he said.

Building "correct understanding" is one of the Army areas' duties to support the military-led regime, according to Army commander-in-chief General Theerachai Nakawanich's policies.

Another success is the government-funded "One Tambon One Million Baht" project, aiming to ease the impact of drought through the distribution of Bt1 million per affected district.

Facilitated by the Second Army Area, the project went so well that its budgets eventually received approval from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.

"People are content with the measure," Thawat said. "How the budgets were well received can be a good model of transparent budget management."

The Second Army Area's other duties include staff support for the Interior Ministry's Damrongdhama Centres and recent peaceful border-guard duties in the Northeast.

In a related development, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, as leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), approved a new list of members of the junta's Strategy Steering Committee, with the NCPO vice leader, Deputy PM and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, as chairman.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, and Education Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan were appointed as the committee's vice chairmen.

The rest of committee consists of the permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry, all military commanders-in-chief, secretary-general to the PM General Wilas Aroonsri, adviser to the defence minister Air Chief Marshal Thaworn Maneepruk, secretary to the Cabinet Ampon Kittiampon, and the secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board.

Energy Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat was appointed as the committee secretary, with Lt-General Nattapon Nakpanich as his assistant.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Army-unit-helps-Isaan-folk-find-correct-political--30270591.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-10

[noitom]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

[deckape]

Puff piece by The Nation lapdogs...good boy.

[NongKhaiKid]

I suppose this is the same programme reported on in an Isan news site not long after the coup had taken place.

One of the army personnel involved in the ' re-education ' was asked if villagers complained during the meetings and he supposedly replied " they wouldn't dare. "

Is this part of the Thainess that the govt spokesman criticised the EU for not understanding ? An army unit in villages ' teaching ' correct understanding seems very clear to most of us I suspect.

[shirtless]

Democracy at its finest , These guys know no boundaries.Next re education

[ramrod711]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Some red shirts did need to be educated regarding democracy. They had the idea that democracy involved preventing the opposing party from campaigning in their ridings. They did this by throwing rocks, bricks, potted plants (seriously), home made bombs etc., they used trucks with loud speakers to drown out politicians during rallies. Clearly those people had a misunderstanding of how democracy should work. The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave. Truth is, most Thais don't understand real democracy, because they have never experienced it.

[Oziex1]

Darker days are drawing near.

[selftaopath]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Some red shirts did need to be educated regarding democracy. They had the idea that democracy involved preventing the opposing party from campaigning in their ridings. They did this by throwing rocks, bricks, potted plants (seriously), home made bombs etc., they used trucks with loud speakers to drown out politicians during rallies. Clearly those people had a misunderstanding of how democracy should work. The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave. Truth is, most Thais don't understand real democracy, because they have never experienced it.

And I expect NEVER will. Lost cause.

[Bluespunk]

Welcome to the new world order.

You have the right to think what we tell you to think.

[dominique355]

I just wonder who more urgently needs a correct understanding? The people our there or the military?

[phoenixdoglover]

Army official says Army doing wonderful job.

In other news, dog scratches fleas.

[sungod]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Funny statement when you consider politicians have been doing this for years!

[Thailand]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Some red shirts did need to be educated regarding democracy. They had the idea that democracy involved preventing the opposing party from campaigning in their ridings. They did this by throwing rocks, bricks, potted plants (seriously), home made bombs etc., they used trucks with loud speakers to drown out politicians during rallies. Clearly those people had a misunderstanding of how democracy should work. The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave. Truth is, most Thais don't understand real democracy, because they have never experienced it.

I guess this has to be an attempt at sarcasm?

[JAG]

Darker days are drawing near.

If the army is going round the villages pointing out "the error of their (political) ways" to people then dark days are here.

What hope is there for a free election?

[MZurf]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Some red shirts did need to be educated regarding democracy. They had the idea that democracy involved preventing the opposing party from campaigning in their ridings. They did this by throwing rocks, bricks, potted plants (seriously), home made bombs etc., they used trucks with loud speakers to drown out politicians during rallies. Clearly those people had a misunderstanding of how democracy should work. The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave. Truth is, most Thais don't understand real democracy, because they have never experienced it.

I guess this has to be an attempt at sarcasm?

I sincerely hope so for his sake.

"The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave."

[MZurf]

"The feedback had been good, Thawat said, with little or no opposition."

Now that's a shocker!

[Oziex1]

Soon we will hear, the cries from the mothers of the disappeared.

[Valentine]

It seems many of you conveniently forget the red shirt villages with their education centres where anyone against them were afraid to speak out. It will be interesting to actually get a first hand account from someone who has been to one of the army meetings.

[ramrod711]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Some red shirts did need to be educated regarding democracy. They had the idea that democracy involved preventing the opposing party from campaigning in their ridings. They did this by throwing rocks, bricks, potted plants (seriously), home made bombs etc., they used trucks with loud speakers to drown out politicians during rallies. Clearly those people had a misunderstanding of how democracy should work. The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave. Truth is, most Thais don't understand real democracy, because they have never experienced it.

I guess this has to be an attempt at sarcasm?

The PDRC part was, the rest of it I'm very serious about.

[MZurf]

It seems many of you conveniently forget the red shirt villages with their education centres where anyone against them were afraid to speak out. It will be interesting to actually get a first hand account from someone who has been to one of the army meetings.

What the he!! has that got to do with what's happening today?? Don't you junta lovers see that everything the junta does is not excused by the existence of the bogeyman in Dubai?? When you were a kid and broke a window did your mother buy the argument that "Somchai did it first so it's OK"?

[Songhua]

Welcome to 1960's PRC

[baboon]

Army official says Army doing wonderful job.

In other news, dog scratches fleas.

'Dog licks its anus during dinner' would be a more appropriate way of putting it, in my humble opinion...

[yellowboat]

Having the army backing a political view point shows what lengths the junta will go to get what they want. The army and the courts need to be a-political if the country is going to be governed fairly.

[Lupatria]

Sounds like there is a mobile brainwashing team at work.

[Carlosm]

I wounder what would happen if this country was attacked... after all, the army is in a new job now !

[Always18]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Funny statement when you consider politicians have been doing this for years!

.....with a couple of minor differences - politicians are generally elected and unarmed, the military junta are most certainly not elected and are able to impose their will with all the firepower they choose............

[upena]

I feel slighted. Wife and I not invited

[soalbundy]

Welcome to the new world order.

You have the right to think what we tell you to think.

No, you nod and say yes but you can think what you like

[selftaopath]

Darker days are drawing near.

If the army is going round the villages pointing out "the error of their (political) ways" to people then dark days are here.

What hope is there for a free election?

The elections here were not free for the red shirt mob. It cost them approx Bt 300 per vote.

Actually a very good investment b/c of the exhortation amount of money they "acquired."

I can see the "mock" counting game now. Bt 300 for you and Bt 300,000 for us .......

[Muirton]

Thai army manipulating the ordinary majority of Thais by "helping" them to "correctly" understand the political situation. Thi is a shame for Thailand. Taking advantage of the poor by undue influence.

Some red shirts did need to be educated regarding democracy. They had the idea that democracy involved preventing the opposing party from campaigning in their ridings. They did this by throwing rocks, bricks, potted plants (seriously), home made bombs etc., they used trucks with loud speakers to drown out politicians during rallies. Clearly those people had a misunderstanding of how democracy should work. The PDRC, on the other hand merely blocked access to voting booths which is a much more democratic way to behave. Truth is, most Thais don't understand real democracy, because they have never experienced it.

I guess this has to be an attempt at sarcasm?

It was an attempt at thinking.