Arrested anti-NCPO activists handed over to the police by the military

[heybruce]

I read here they were being paid to be activists....as i said in other post.. normal people would not risk it.. but paid ones for sure..

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

First, you are assuming they did something stupid that could get them locked up. We don't know because the junta has not, and will not, release the website posts that are supposedly illegal. We just have to trust the junta to enforce the law in a fair and unbiased manner. Some of us have trust issues with the junta. Apparently you don't.

Second, by your logic, every volunteer who fights injustice against the odds is doing something stupid. I'm trying to think of a past or present hero or religious leader who isn't stupid in your eyes. None come to mind.

[robblok]

"It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it."

I'm speechless!

More info in the Bangkok post revealed that they are hired by Jattuporn, so I was right. They were paid for reds with a lot to gain from it. They were close with those who directly benefited from PTP rule. Like i said before.. one should have pretty good motivation to do something this stupid and ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk.

Seems I was right and you can stay speechless.

".....ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk."

What made me speechless was not your claim that they were paid but that there are no one who protest against the junta just because they feel it's the right thing to do. I still can't wrap my head around someone saying that without attempting to troll.

I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good. Too much risk to be put in jail and that is jut not worth it for most. If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians.

Call me cynical but that is how i see it, so far the percentage of ordinary people who have been arrested is low compared to those who do this for a living.

Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations. If it gets worse for people here.. that changes or if the Junta stops arresting people.. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it.

[robblok]

I read here they were being paid to be activists....as i said in other post.. normal people would not risk it.. but paid ones for sure..

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

please explain how being paid to run a website erases your human rights...

your turn at the podium of junta-logic...

Please read my posts.. I said in one of the first posts i made it was not about being right or wrong I make no statements about that. All I am saying is that the normal people are not protesting because the risk / reward does not justify it. (i am not going to put that disclaimer in all the posts here I expect posters to read )

[robblok]

I read here they were being paid to be activists....as i said in other post.. normal people would not risk it.. but paid ones for sure..

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

First, you are assuming they did something stupid that could get them locked up. We don't know because the junta has not, and will not, release the website posts that are supposedly illegal. We just have to trust the junta to enforce the law in a fair and unbiased manner. Some of us have trust issues with the junta. Apparently you don't.

Second, by your logic, every volunteer who fights injustice against the odds is doing something stupid. I'm trying to think of a past or present hero or religious leader who isn't stupid in your eyes. None come to mind.

Of course its stupid to go against the junta at this moment and to work for the likes of Jatuporn.. It gets people arrested..

Second I am saying that only when it becomes real bad the normal people and heroes will fight. Now its just paid for people and they have a far lower flash point because they gain higher rewards.

Is it that hard to make an analysis..

Risk * reward = (influences action)

So the rewards factor is much higher in those who get paid or stand to benefit.. do you agree that the people like Jattuporn stand far more to gain when the PTP is in power as ordinary people ? I think so.. same as I think that higher up in any political party always gain far more as the normal people and here corruption plays a big part.

So that explains why the people who are paid start before the big masses with protesting. only when people think the situation is really bad will they act. People are not acting.. so the risk is just not worth the reward as of yet.

[robblok]

I read here they were being paid to be activists....as i said in other post.. normal people would not risk it.. but paid ones for sure..

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

First, you are assuming they did something stupid that could get them locked up. We don't know because the junta has not, and will not, release the website posts that are supposedly illegal. We just have to trust the junta to enforce the law in a fair and unbiased manner. Some of us have trust issues with the junta. Apparently you don't.

Second, by your logic, every volunteer who fights injustice against the odds is doing something stupid. I'm trying to think of a past or present hero or religious leader who isn't stupid in your eyes. None come to mind.

Of course its stupid to go against the junta at this moment and to work for the likes of Jatuporn.. It gets people arrested..

Second I am saying that only when it becomes real bad the normal people and heroes will fight. Now its just paid for people and they have a far lower flash point because they gain higher rewards.

Is it that hard to make an analysis..

Risk * reward = (influences action)

So the rewards factor is much higher in those who get paid or stand to benefit.. do you agree that the people like Jattuporn stand far more to gain when the PTP is in power as ordinary people ? I think so.. same as I think that higher up in any political party always gain far more as the normal people and here corruption plays a big part.

So that explains why the people who are paid start before the big masses with protesting. only when people think the situation is really bad will they act. People are not acting.. so the risk is just not worth the reward as of yet.

[MZurf]

"It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it."

I'm speechless!

More info in the Bangkok post revealed that they are hired by Jattuporn, so I was right. They were paid for reds with a lot to gain from it. They were close with those who directly benefited from PTP rule. Like i said before.. one should have pretty good motivation to do something this stupid and ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk.

Seems I was right and you can stay speechless.

".....ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk."

What made me speechless was not your claim that they were paid but that there are no one who protest against the junta just because they feel it's the right thing to do. I still can't wrap my head around someone saying that without attempting to troll.

I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good. Too much risk to be put in jail and that is jut not worth it for most. If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians.

Call me cynical but that is how i see it, so far the percentage of ordinary people who have been arrested is low compared to those who do this for a living.

Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations. If it gets worse for people here.. that changes or if the Junta stops arresting people.. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it.

"I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good."

1. You say most, so that must mean there are some that do, right?

2. You say the "risk reward situation" is not good at the moment. Surely this is a subjective assessment so obviously people who come to a different conclusion are just as correct.

"If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians."

I must say I'm impressed by your deep insight into what drove those people to protest against the junta! Tell me, in what way will they gain from this and how did you come by this knowledge?

"Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations."

Again, every person is calculating the risks rewards as you do????

".. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it."

"Obviously"? I must admit that I've lost a lot of the respect I had for you just through one post.

[dominique355]

What is the legal relevance of being paid for publishing an opinion?

Is it a crime now e.g. to be a PR agent or making advertising or publishing a "letter to the editor" ?

But on a more serious side; why do these government people and its defenders think that in the whole wide universe of Thai politics there is only one person with an opinion (residing in Dubai, for the slow thinkers), and no one else in Thailand has an idea of his own? Everybody opposing the military regime MUST be paid to do so.

I find this kind of insulting to Thai people, who - I believe - are perfectly capable of thinking on their own (except perhaps those who blindly follow uniforms and armed power).

[robblok]

More info in the Bangkok post revealed that they are hired by Jattuporn, so I was right. They were paid for reds with a lot to gain from it. They were close with those who directly benefited from PTP rule. Like i said before.. one should have pretty good motivation to do something this stupid and ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk.

Seems I was right and you can stay speechless.

".....ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk."

What made me speechless was not your claim that they were paid but that there are no one who protest against the junta just because they feel it's the right thing to do. I still can't wrap my head around someone saying that without attempting to troll.

I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good. Too much risk to be put in jail and that is jut not worth it for most. If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians.

Call me cynical but that is how i see it, so far the percentage of ordinary people who have been arrested is low compared to those who do this for a living.

Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations. If it gets worse for people here.. that changes or if the Junta stops arresting people.. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it.

"I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good."

1. You say most, so that must mean there are some that do, right?

2. You say the "risk reward situation" is not good at the moment. Surely this is a subjective assessment so obviously people who come to a different conclusion are just as correct.

"If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians."

I must say I'm impressed by your deep insight into what drove those people to protest against the junta! Tell me, in what way will they gain from this and how did you come by this knowledge?

"Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations."

Again, every person is calculating the risks rewards as you do????

".. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it."

"Obviously"? I must admit that I've lost a lot of the respect I had for you just through one post.

I am just far more cynical than you about people's motives.

First of you lost a lot of respect just now too, if you don't understand how people who are connected closer to the political power benefit in this country.. (corruption and in PTP case rewards from Dubai) Those in power take care of their own (as we have seen here on all sides) So it is not hard to imagine how those who have shown to be valuable (protesting making the news) will be rewarded. (Jatuporn made his name in the riots and look what it got him)

If you have looked deeper in those who got arrested most are political activists and close connected to the PTP.. see previous paragraph how they are to benefit. For the ordinary people farmers and the like a regime chance might be beneficial but still does not give them the rich rewards that those closer to the PTP reap (see first paragraph).

So that is why those people who are paid protest before the normal people unless it gets real bad because then the reward factor goes up.

No not everyone calculates the risk reward the same, but I have followed the news quite well and have yet to see busloads of ordinary people protesting. All i see are the usual ones who are far more political active as the majority of people and stand far more to gain. You got some students protesting, who were already political active.. making a name for themselves, i would not be surprised if they benefit from that later.

There might be discontent but the risks of getting locked up for a long time are just not worth it. If the government was not so repressive about protests things might have been different. Because then the risk is lower.

I guess you don't like to hear these things but people are motivated usually by what is good for themselves.. there are only a few genuine people around who do stuff selflessly. (Ghandi comes to mind)

Edited May 2, 2016 by robblok

[tbthailand]

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

please explain how being paid to run a website erases your human rights...

your turn at the podium of junta-logic...

Please read my posts.. I said in one of the first posts i made it was not about being right or wrong I make no statements about that. All I am saying is that the normal people are not protesting because the risk / reward does not justify it. (i am not going to put that disclaimer in all the posts here I expect posters to read )

The risk / reward is always in play in Thailand juntas. Historically it has been left up to the students and Aunts to take to the streets first because they have the least to lose and it is harder, although not impossible, to intimidate them via family. All the things that you see here.

But historically and in this junta, being "paid" has little to do with the people who are protesting. They take the risk of jail or "disappearing" because the reward of a more just society is worth it to them. The New Democracy movement and Resistant Citizen are good examples. Even hard core red shirts protest not because Thaksin pays them, but because they believe in the cause. The fantasy that Red Shirts only protest against the junta because of Thaksin is an illusion / paranoia created and promoted by the junta and junta huggers.

edit: I still am interested in your perspective on human rights.

Edited May 2, 2016 by tbthailand

[greenchair]

I read here they were being paid to be activists....as i said in other post.. normal people would not risk it.. but paid ones for sure..

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

"It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it."

I'm speechless!

More info in the Bangkok post revealed that they are hired by Jattuporn, so I was right. They were paid for reds with a lot to gain from it. They were close with those who directly benefited from PTP rule. Like i said before.. one should have pretty good motivation to do something this stupid and ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk.

Seems I was right and you can stay speechless.

The current government pays employees to produce brochures and at one time he had a weekly newspaper to explain his policies. He has a weekly tv show to explain his policies and express his upset about other parties. All political parties have a public information team on their staff. Their duty is to create websites and information sites to promote their own party and policy, it is also their duty to discredit other parties so as to make their own look better. Donald Trump, Obama, bush, Clinton, puttin, Blair and every other politician and political party have a media management team. These youths are facing ten years in prison for something that wasn't even a law 2 months ago. They took the sites down and made their apologies. They deserve a second chance to chain their mouths.

[robblok]

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

please explain how being paid to run a website erases your human rights...

your turn at the podium of junta-logic...

Please read my posts.. I said in one of the first posts i made it was not about being right or wrong I make no statements about that. All I am saying is that the normal people are not protesting because the risk / reward does not justify it. (i am not going to put that disclaimer in all the posts here I expect posters to read )

The risk / reward is always in play in Thailand juntas. Historically it has been left up to the students and Aunts to take to the streets first because they have the least to lose and it is harder, although not impossible, to intimidate them via family. All the things that you see here.

But historically and in this junta, being "paid" has little to do with the people who are protesting. They take the risk of jail or "disappearing" because the reward of a more just society is worth it to them. The New Democracy movement and Resistant Citizen are good examples. Even hard core red shirts protest not because Thaksin pays them, but because they believe in the cause. The fantasy that Red Shirts only protest against the junta because of Thaksin is an illusion / paranoia created and promoted by the junta and junta huggers.

edit: I still am interested in your perspective on human rights.

My perspective on human rights is that people should be allowed to protest (as long as its done in a peaceful way and does not disrupt the life of others). So no blockading and stuff. The junta is not allowing this, I can understand it partly as we have seen how violent the reds get with their protests. But if they can have a peaceful protest that does not block anything they should be allowed too. Let them all gather somewhere in Isarn or so and protest there.

Yes the risk is now quite high.. so not worth the reward for the normal people. I disagree with you that the reds are not paid.. people like Jatuporn certainly are and certainly stand to gain when they get in power financially. If you believe otherwise your naive.

[Khun Han]

".....ordinary people would not just do it because they feel its right.. far to much risk."

What made me speechless was not your claim that they were paid but that there are no one who protest against the junta just because they feel it's the right thing to do. I still can't wrap my head around someone saying that without attempting to troll.

I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good. Too much risk to be put in jail and that is jut not worth it for most. If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians.

Call me cynical but that is how i see it, so far the percentage of ordinary people who have been arrested is low compared to those who do this for a living.

Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations. If it gets worse for people here.. that changes or if the Junta stops arresting people.. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it.

"I am saying most normal people wont protest because the risk reward situation is not good."

1. You say most, so that must mean there are some that do, right?

2. You say the "risk reward situation" is not good at the moment. Surely this is a subjective assessment so obviously people who come to a different conclusion are just as correct.

"If you look at all who were arrested almost all were quite active PTP supporters or those who really stood to gain from it. I have yet to see groups of normal people doing the same because its just not worth it to them. Only those that really start to gain (those connected to PTP and red shirts and get paid) seem to protest. Even the students that got caught are just trying to make a name for themselves and join the ranks of politicians."

I must say I'm impressed by your deep insight into what drove those people to protest against the junta! Tell me, in what way will they gain from this and how did you come by this knowledge?

"Basically I am saying its not bad enough for them to protest because the risks are too high. I guess you never heard of risk reward calculations."

Again, every person is calculating the risks rewards as you do????

".. but right now obviously the risk reward calculation makes it not worth it."

"Obviously"? I must admit that I've lost a lot of the respect I had for you just through one post.

I am just far more cynical than you about people's motives.

First of you lost a lot of respect just now too, if you don't understand how people who are connected closer to the political power benefit in this country.. (corruption and in PTP case rewards from Dubai) Those in power take care of their own (as we have seen here on all sides) So it is not hard to imagine how those who have shown to be valuable (protesting making the news) will be rewarded. (Jatuporn made his name in the riots and look what it got him)

If you have looked deeper in those who got arrested most are political activists and close connected to the PTP.. see previous paragraph how they are to benefit. For the ordinary people farmers and the like a regime chance might be beneficial but still does not give them the rich rewards that those closer to the PTP reap (see first paragraph).

So that is why those people who are paid protest before the normal people unless it gets real bad because then the reward factor goes up.

No not everyone calculates the risk reward the same, but I have followed the news quite well and have yet to see busloads of ordinary people protesting. All i see are the usual ones who are far more political active as the majority of people and stand far more to gain. You got some students protesting, who were already political active.. making a name for themselves, i would not be surprised if they benefit from that later.

There might be discontent but the risks of getting locked up for a long time are just not worth it. If the government was not so repressive about protests things might have been different. Because then the risk is lower.

I guess you don't like to hear these things but people are motivated usually by what is good for themselves.. there are only a few genuine people around who do stuff selflessly. (Ghandi comes to mind)

Your first sentence would make far more sense if you inserted the word 'selectively' between the words 'more' and 'cynical'. Edited May 2, 2016 by Khun Han

[heybruce]

Yes, sure, if that makes you feel any better. Very credible!

BTW, you're right that normal people don't risk jail for their beliefs. That's why those who do are called activists....

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

First, you are assuming they did something stupid that could get them locked up. We don't know because the junta has not, and will not, release the website posts that are supposedly illegal. We just have to trust the junta to enforce the law in a fair and unbiased manner. Some of us have trust issues with the junta. Apparently you don't.

Second, by your logic, every volunteer who fights injustice against the odds is doing something stupid. I'm trying to think of a past or present hero or religious leader who isn't stupid in your eyes. None come to mind.

Of course its stupid to go against the junta at this moment and to work for the likes of Jatuporn.. It gets people arrested..

Second I am saying that only when it becomes real bad the normal people and heroes will fight. Now its just paid for people and they have a far lower flash point because they gain higher rewards.

Is it that hard to make an analysis..

Risk * reward = (influences action)

So the rewards factor is much higher in those who get paid or stand to benefit.. do you agree that the people like Jattuporn stand far more to gain when the PTP is in power as ordinary people ? I think so.. same as I think that higher up in any political party always gain far more as the normal people and here corruption plays a big part.

So that explains why the people who are paid start before the big masses with protesting. only when people think the situation is really bad will they act. People are not acting.. so the risk is just not worth the reward as of yet.

As I stated earlier, the junta decides what is and is not a legal internet posting, and then prosecutes without telling us what the internet posting is. In short, unlimited power in the hands of the junta, no freedom of expression for the people. Some people consider that "real bad". Some people think it's better to act now than to wait until Thailand descends into the kind of dark hole that Burma is now trying to climb out of.

You're entire argument seems to be that since website managers were paid, it's ok to prosecute them in a closed military court without right to appeal. You think that people who may have posted views the junta finds objectionable (as noted, we don't know what the offending information is) should not accept payment for work they think is worthwhile. Neither should people who have views they think worthy of consideration hire professionals to help them disseminate their views.

Does that extend to other areas? Should doctors who think savings lives a worthwhile activity work for free? Should people who don't want to die not be allowed to pay doctors to save their lives?

[robblok]

It was reported in the Pro red Khaosod.. so not sure how not credible it is.

It would explain it to me because why else do stupid things that can get you in jail for a long time if you don't profit from it.

First, you are assuming they did something stupid that could get them locked up. We don't know because the junta has not, and will not, release the website posts that are supposedly illegal. We just have to trust the junta to enforce the law in a fair and unbiased manner. Some of us have trust issues with the junta. Apparently you don't.

Second, by your logic, every volunteer who fights injustice against the odds is doing something stupid. I'm trying to think of a past or present hero or religious leader who isn't stupid in your eyes. None come to mind.

Of course its stupid to go against the junta at this moment and to work for the likes of Jatuporn.. It gets people arrested..

Second I am saying that only when it becomes real bad the normal people and heroes will fight. Now its just paid for people and they have a far lower flash point because they gain higher rewards.

Is it that hard to make an analysis..

Risk * reward = (influences action)

So the rewards factor is much higher in those who get paid or stand to benefit.. do you agree that the people like Jattuporn stand far more to gain when the PTP is in power as ordinary people ? I think so.. same as I think that higher up in any political party always gain far more as the normal people and here corruption plays a big part.

So that explains why the people who are paid start before the big masses with protesting. only when people think the situation is really bad will they act. People are not acting.. so the risk is just not worth the reward as of yet.

As I stated earlier, the junta decides what is and is not a legal internet posting, and then prosecutes without telling us what the internet posting is. In short, unlimited power in the hands of the junta, no freedom of expression for the people. Some people consider that "real bad". Some people think it's better to act now than to wait until Thailand descends into the kind of dark hole that Burma is now trying to climb out of.

You're entire argument seems to be that since website managers were paid, it's ok to prosecute them in a closed military court without right to appeal. You think that people who may have posted views the junta finds objectionable (as noted, we don't know what the offending information is) should not accept payment for work they think is worthwhile. Neither should people who have views they think worthy of consideration hire professionals to help them disseminate their views.

Does that extend to other areas? Should doctors who think savings lives a worthwhile activity work for free? Should people who don't want to die not be allowed to pay doctors to save their lives?

I never said it was right what the junta did, i said it explains to me why they are protesting.. their risk reward is different for those that are paid as for those who are not. I just could not imagine normal people who are not paid or will not gain a lot would go against the junta right now with all the risk involved. That was my argument.. nothing else.

[Khun Han]

But you go to extraordinary lengths with your selective cynicism to justify your POV: that people who are not directly being paid to protest are doing so for payment further down the line when they are older. It's a circular POV, and can be applied to just about anyone, so is pointless (unless one is selectively trying to discredit one particular faction, of course).

[robblok]

But you go to extraordinary lengths with your selective cynicism to justify your POV: that people who are not directly being paid to protest are doing so for payment further down the line when they are older. It's a circular POV, and can be applied to just about anyone, so is pointless (unless one is selectively trying to discredit one particular faction, of course).

Just look at the evidence... look at what happened to Jattuporn after the riots.. he rose.. he got paid.. ect. So its quite clear that political activism pays here. Are you disputing this ?

My second point is that for the normal people its not bad enough right now to rise because the risks are high. That is why I am not surprised that these got paid that changes it all.

I am not saying this does not happen on the other side too (look at the nephew of Prayut ) What I am saying is that right now most of the political activist do so for their own gain because, its not worth it for the normal people given the risks right now.

[Khun Han]

Popular uprisings happen because of one key event or one charismatic leader appearing, not because the masses all dig out their slide rules and calculate the percentages.

Some of the leading current protestors are, as you point out, the same old faces. But the cynicism shown to new faces is a bit pathetic and unwarranted.