BURNING ISSUE
Chasing after minor issues does junta more harm than good
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN

BANGKOK: -- NORMALLY, people visiting a park or “liking” and sharing cynical infographics on social media do not make headlines. But headlines pop up in big letters when military men try and stop people from doing these things. And as a junta that has struggled, perhaps, to justify its seizure of power, headlines that draw flak

In the past week, the crackdown on any and all anti-junta sentiment has reached a level of madness. On Monday, a group of people and military officers blocked activists from heading to Rajabhakti Park. The activists were only going to the park to hold a symbolic protest against the non-transparent probe into the questionable construction of the park. This protest would have been meaningless, as it would do nothing to expose those who may be behind the scandal surrounding the park.

News about this campaign would normally be "buried" and gain little public attention. Also, talks and activities organised by the students would barely have raised an eyebrow, if it wasn't for the junta's actions.

When officers began pulling students off the train, it caught everybody's attention, with some high-profile individuals, including an envoy, issuing statements and making comments.

This behaviour has done little to remove the doubts hanging over the Rajabhakti Park project, nor has it made the junta's roadmap to democracy any more achievable.

After the park incident, the junta decided to run after those who liked and shared the infographic on social media and slap them with sedition charges.

To many, these actions look more like sweeping the dirt under the rug, which may work for as long as the absolute power of the interim charter's Article 44 is in place, but in long run, this "dirt" may start becoming visible.

With all these "skeletons" waiting to jump out of the closet, as it were, the junta might want to reconsider whether people should be allowed the freedom to express themselves.

Surely, granting people a little liberty will not hurt - if anything it will keep them quiet enough to turn a blind eye to certain things.

Once people are given the freedom to exchange views, the junta may be able to achieve its aim to bring back peace and reconciliation. After all, this "established sovereignty" has the social contract to return normality after "a transitional period of time".

At the moment though, the junta should concentrate on the tasks at hand, instead of chasing after and blowing up over every minor issue.

So far, there does not seem to be an opposition force strong enough to bring the junta down, though the authorities may ruin things for themselves if they continue to overreact and feel insecure.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Chasing-after-minor-issues-does-junta-more-harm-th-30274943.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-15

Whoever wrote that article will probably have their attitude adjusted soon.

They are incapable of what the OP suggests.

They simply need more time to implicate themselves by their own stupidity on their roadmap to self-destruction.

Which country is Kasamakorn seeking political asylum in?

They go after the small stuff because they are either not interested or are incapable of addressing the real issues or corruption and lawlessness.

"To many, these actions look more like sweeping the dirt under the rug...."

With all these "skeletons" waiting to jump out of the closet..."

Dirt under the rug and skeletons in the closet - that just about sums this junta up.

I think The Nation are going to receive an angry and threatening phone call today....

No issue is minor for the Prayut government.

"From the fact that all ideologies are of equal value, we Fascists conclude that we have the right to create our own ideology and to enforce it with all the energy of which we are capable.' - Benito Mussolini in "The Lasting" (1921).

No issue is too small and they only get bigger as paranoia sets in.

Which country is Kasamakorn seeking political asylum in?

Australia. I haven't seen any mention of this in the free Thai press.

They are incapable of what the OP suggests.

They simply need more time to implicate themselves by their own stupidity on their roadmap to self-destruction.

This is so incredibly true. They have made so many bad moves time and time again, but they can't see the wrong they are doing. They are either too self-absorbed, too blind or maybe just fill with their own self-importance to the point of not listening too the people they are supposed to be serving. It is patently obvious the only people they are serving are their own self-interests and their arrogance makes them feel they have the right to do anything they want...right or wrong.

"Chasing after minor issues does junta more harm than good"

Hopeless...for now & probably a long time to come. So much corruption, so many people becoming educated due to the internet, yet the junta lives in the 1970's or earlier.

It's sad is what it is. They have article 44 & this is what they use it for, instead of using it for the greater good, like flood & drought control projects.

Stifle the masses & buy submarines seems to be their goal.

Now that is an overdue discovery.

Sadly I am firmly convinced they don't know what is important.

I refuse to comment on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

LOS means Land of Seafoodslaves and Land of Sedition and Land of Sillylesemajesty (go ahead, charge the diplomats with it, just so everyone can have a great laugh at your elitist expense).....

"Chasing after minor issues does junta more harm than good"

Hopeless...for now & probably a long time to come. So much corruption, so many people becoming educated due to the internet, yet the junta lives in the 1970's or earlier.

It's sad is what it is. They have article 44 & this is what they use it for, instead of using it for the greater good, like flood & drought control projects.

Stifle the masses & buy submarines seems to be their goal.

1970's, is about right - just around 1976 I fear.

I think decisions were taken when the Envoy got investigated .

The US had decided ""enough is enough""

LM in this country is akin to Salem witch hunts .

I envision sanctions will follow .

First seafood.

Aviation .

Trade on products .

Tourism.

And then warnings directly to military that they are now committing acts deemed oppressive and crimes against humanity.

This might all take two years to unfold .

By then the most fierce supporters of them here will be perhaps more enlightened.?

But the obvious stance they have taken has placed them on a collision course with the west

Mountains out of molehills and molehills out of mountains.