Prayut has democracy wish for the New Year

[yellow1red1]

How? in the Sam Heck, can anyone expect democracy to be succesful in Thailand, when it's not working anywhere else in the World? eh

“However political parties may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”― George Washington

[Zolt]

The current government has done more good for the people of Thailand, than any democratically elected government have done in the last 20 years. I certainly do not miss the corrupt democracy Thailand used to have!!

Yeah for sure, an even more corrupt autocracy is preferable!

[soalbundy]

"If people do not follow the law, the law will be less sacred. Please do not break the law. How can we live in a lawless land?" he said.

Oh the irony.

Yes i found that funny as well, especially the sacred bit, like it's f...ing holy now

[Snig27]

the real good solution is a simple one - having a solid constitution that prevents elected governments from abusing power that then causes unrest and eventually involves the military having to step in to keep the peace, the key is having a properly written constitution that cannot be changed without either a referendum of the people or a 2/3 majority in both houses and even having some critical important single aspects of the constitution that """"must"""" go to the people to change

when Thaksin/PTP couldn't find a way to achieve their abusive goals because the constitution prevented it they then set about changing the constitution which as it happens was relatively easy to do - that is where the problem is, if the rules don't allow us to abuse power then we will change the rules - the typical mentality "we are the government we will do what we want" this is fundamentally wrong and flawed - it is the peoples constitution and only they can approve certain critical amendments

a fine example is the complexity and difficulty involved in getting amendments to the US and Australian constitution - it is almost impossible and that is how it should be

That's the flaw in your thinking right there. They never had to step in, all they had to do was to stop sitting on the fence and instead restore order by aiding the government in controlling the situation. We were never anywhere near on the brink of a civil war or a situation that was running completely out of control. They chose to step in (just like they chose to do nothing during the unrest). They never had to.

wrong, restoring order would not have got rid of the faulty system that caused the problem in the first place, PTP had to go and reforms made before any election could take place - exactly the process we are in now, where we differ in opinion is whether or not the outcome of the process will for the first time in Thai history "stop the rot" - the endless cycle of government abuse and failure, one thing I do know is that something had to change, the question remains - will they get it right this time - who knows ? I don't and neither does anyone posting here (some think they do lol)

"PTP had to go". Who are you to decide that a PTP (a Thai political party) "has to go"?

Who are the army or their backers to decide that PTP "has to go"

The PTP government, elected according to the constitution, in elections even their opposing party (The Democrats) accepted as free and fair, submitted themselves, in a wholly constitutional manner, to a general election, which would have allowed the Thai electorate to choose whether or not they should "go".

That election was trashed by a vocal minority, who whilst claiming to be a legitimate opposition, were not prepared to participate in an election, and were prepared to use violence to prevent it. Sirbergan is absolutely right, they could have ensured that the constitutional democratic process was followed by getting off the fence and ensuring that the election went ahead. Instead they chose to stage a coup, and install themselves in power, where they evidently intend to remain.

The "faulty system" is that the Thai military and those who they serve/answer to cannot and will not accept the will of the people, and are determined to deny them the right to select their own government. You obviously feel the same.

The people decided PTP had to go

PTP were elected under a flawed and faulty system that allowed them to abuse in so many ways it was shocking

It is fortunate That Thailand has a safety valve called the army when things get out of hand, what do you think would have happened if the army had not stepped in when they did - and don't lecture about elections and other nonsense that you keep repeating, there was no point in holding elections until the system is repaired

How does the system get repaired, well if you believe in the current process then it is underway, I don't know the outcome and neither does anyone here

I don't agree with some of the things the current government are doing but I am willing to put up with it for now if the end result is a good one

I do not have an affiliation to any particular faction here, I see it as I see it unlike some posters here who are very obviously more involved

What an absurd post. "The people" decided nothing of the sort, unless you were gullible enough to believe the equally absurd claims of millions in the street. "The people" had an opportunity to decide but it was stripped from them by a self-serving mechanism designed to protect a very small minority of Thais.

[elgordo38]

Easily done. Use powers you have granted yourself to reinstate the 1997 constitution with effect from today, lift the ban on political campaigning and freedom of assembly, call an election for 6 weeks time (17 January), . Accept and abide by the result, however much you may dislike it. Any disputes, decisions and disagreements about the election to be handled by the courts, with no interference.

Sorted, by 19 January you will have your wish - three weeks into the new year!

And 2017 we have the first demonstrations because the new Shinawatra government is extreme corrupt.

2018 the first shootings on the demonstrators and the first tear gas. Summer 2018 Thailand is on the brink to civil war. Autumn 2018 there is a coup as last resort to prevent civil war.

Great idea

There must be a real good solution to prevent that unfortunately Prayut is a kind of male version of Yingluck and won't be able to do it.

He could try to find someone smart and resign....Or he could ask the royal institutions "I have complete failed, please help repairing the country"

The single thing most likely to lead to a civil war in this country (and heaven forbid there is one, I have seen one at first hand, former Yugoslavia); is repeatedly overturning the government that the people have elected, and refusing to let them decide, through the ballot box, who is to form its replacement. Four times in nine years now isn't it?

Democracy, with the military subordinate (and willing to carry out the lawful instructions of) an elected civilian government will not lead to a civil war.

Your dreaming brother. It may not lead to civil war but endless coups. The past shows you the way the future unwinds. The coups will be endless with short breaks for democracy trials. The military lets you have enough rope and when the obvious happens they say "see we told you so democracy does not work"

[smedly]

What an absurd post. "The people" decided nothing of the sort, unless you were gullible enough to believe the equally absurd claims of millions in the street. "The people" had an opportunity to decide but it was stripped from them by a self-serving mechanism designed to protect a very small minority of Thais.

that is your interpretation which in my opinion is seriously flawed

The country was going down the (deleted) but your solution was to carry on with the system and structure that put it there, sorry but that would have fixed nothing and you know it

Thailand needs a strong constitution providing a solid uncorruptable framework that keeps these rogue abusive governments under tight control, the lies cheating abusing law breaking corruption needs to stop, the people that will eventually get voted into office need to realise what their actual function is as an elected government - serving all of the people, running the country in an open and transparent manner - uphold the law and understand that they will be punished severely if they abuse their sworn office

This country has modern aspects, all of which have been introduced developed and run from outside of Thailand, take that away and unfortunately what's left is still in the dark ages, it is a disgrace that they have not progressed and developed in a similar way as some of their neighbours - greed and corruption rules here and so far nothing has been able to prevent it, will the current PM succeed were so many have failed ? well we will have to wait and see, there are going to be a lot of losers if he does.

I'd like to see Thailand follow the Singapore model and development process - it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message,

[elgordo38]

What an absurd post. "The people" decided nothing of the sort, unless you were gullible enough to believe the equally absurd claims of millions in the street. "The people" had an opportunity to decide but it was stripped from them by a self-serving mechanism designed to protect a very small minority of Thais.

that is your interpretation which in my opinion is seriously flawed

The country was going down the (deleted) but your solution was to carry on with the system and structure that put it there, sorry but that would have fixed nothing and you know it

Thailand needs a strong constitution providing a solid uncorruptable framework that keeps these rogue abusive governments under tight control, the lies cheating abusing law breaking corruption needs to stop, the people that will eventually get voted into office need to realise what their actual function is as an elected government - serving all of the people, running the country in an open and transparent manner - uphold the law and understand that they will be punished severely if they abuse their sworn office

This country has modern aspects, all of which have been introduced developed and run from outside of Thailand, take that away and unfortunately what's left is still in the dark ages, it is a disgrace that they have not progressed and developed in a similar way as some of their neighbours - greed and corruption rules here and so far nothing has been able to prevent it, will the current PM succeed were so many have failed ? well we will have to wait and see, there are going to be a lot of losers if he does.

I'd like to see Thailand follow the Singapore model and development process - it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message,

Quote it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message, unquote. Methodoligy seems the same but they are looking for a different outcome here. The message is not so palpable.

[smedly]

What an absurd post. "The people" decided nothing of the sort, unless you were gullible enough to believe the equally absurd claims of millions in the street. "The people" had an opportunity to decide but it was stripped from them by a self-serving mechanism designed to protect a very small minority of Thais.

that is your interpretation which in my opinion is seriously flawed

The country was going down the (deleted) but your solution was to carry on with the system and structure that put it there, sorry but that would have fixed nothing and you know it

Thailand needs a strong constitution providing a solid uncorruptable framework that keeps these rogue abusive governments under tight control, the lies cheating abusing law breaking corruption needs to stop, the people that will eventually get voted into office need to realise what their actual function is as an elected government - serving all of the people, running the country in an open and transparent manner - uphold the law and understand that they will be punished severely if they abuse their sworn office

This country has modern aspects, all of which have been introduced developed and run from outside of Thailand, take that away and unfortunately what's left is still in the dark ages, it is a disgrace that they have not progressed and developed in a similar way as some of their neighbours - greed and corruption rules here and so far nothing has been able to prevent it, will the current PM succeed were so many have failed ? well we will have to wait and see, there are going to be a lot of losers if he does.

I'd like to see Thailand follow the Singapore model and development process - it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message,

Quote it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message, unquote. Methodoligy seems the same but they are looking for a different outcome here. The message is not so palpable.

again that is your opinion, like I said in an earlier post, I will give it time before I reach an opinion for now you and everyone else is guessing the outcome, so far even though I disagree with certain things this government is doing the process is on course and I see no reason to doubt that - time will tell

[waitforusalso]

What an absurd post. "The people" decided nothing of the sort, unless you were gullible enough to believe the equally absurd claims of millions in the street. "The people" had an opportunity to decide but it was stripped from them by a self-serving mechanism designed to protect a very small minority of Thais.

that is your interpretation which in my opinion is seriously flawed

The country was going down the (deleted) but your solution was to carry on with the system and structure that put it there, sorry but that would have fixed nothing and you know it

Thailand needs a strong constitution providing a solid uncorruptable framework that keeps these rogue abusive governments under tight control, the lies cheating abusing law breaking corruption needs to stop, the people that will eventually get voted into office need to realise what their actual function is as an elected government - serving all of the people, running the country in an open and transparent manner - uphold the law and understand that they will be punished severely if they abuse their sworn office

This country has modern aspects, all of which have been introduced developed and run from outside of Thailand, take that away and unfortunately what's left is still in the dark ages, it is a disgrace that they have not progressed and developed in a similar way as some of their neighbours - greed and corruption rules here and so far nothing has been able to prevent it, will the current PM succeed were so many have failed ? well we will have to wait and see, there are going to be a lot of losers if he does.

I'd like to see Thailand follow the Singapore model and development process - it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message,

Quote it was long, hard hitting and ruthless at first until people eventually got the message, unquote. Methodoligy seems the same but they are looking for a different outcome here. The message is not so palpable.

again that is your opinion, like I said in an earlier post, I will give it time before I reach an opinion for now you and everyone else is guessing the outcome, so far even though I disagree with certain things this government is doing the process is on course and I see no reason to doubt that - time will tell

"I will give it time"

Duh! It's been given 18 times already & has made Thailand what it is today, i.e. "going down the (deleted)"

Has an extended period of democracy ever been tried to sort out the rogue politicians? NO.

If policies fail, people will not support that party, even with 500 Baht incentives. Check out what Korn Chatikavanij had to say; "A number of the old TRT MPs in the Northeast defected to the new party Puea Paendin and “they outspent PPP three to one and they still lost”.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/2013/12/vote-buying-thaksin-and-the-democrats/

PTP would have been judged by their performance if an election had been allowed, but the army & yellows decided on this familiar route, which just sets Thailand back, this time a long way back!