@ Leah: No one disputes the Red Shirt movement has intrinsically valid concerns. No objective spectator would claim otherwise. I live here in Bangkok. I understand their angst, in ways they largely cannot (and I do not intend such a claim to sound patronising or dismissive). Of course there is a two-tier society in Thailand, where the ‘haves’ can get away with murder and the ‘have-nots’ struggle to make ends meet. I assure you there are few more cognisant to this unacceptable situation than I.
But here is the crux of the thing: although Thaksin’s highly-paid PR spin team is attempting to frame it so…the injustice borne out by the inequality simply does not have its roots in any kind of ‘caste’ system or “aristocrat v proletariat” struggle. The gross injustices which are prevalent in Thai society are a result of disparities in wealth between Rich and Poor. Those with money make a mockery of Justice and run amok. Those without money are (quite understandably) furious about it.
Here’s where the Class Warfare / Social Upheaval argument is left in tatters: Thaksin, the broke police officer who first had commercial success via cronyism (contract to supply the police with leased computers…whilst he was *in* the police department), then entered into politics (whilst in ‘public service’, he generated his billion-dollar fortune – sigh), who then used his illegitimately-acquired wealth to simply buy sitting MPs for tens of millions of baht / head, along with using taxpayer revenue to simply buy village heads across Isaan for ‘development loans’ (sans associated repayment requirements), along with using taxpayer revenue to splurge out on long-ignored disenfranchised rural voters with populist (but largely positive – at least in result, if not intent) social welfare programs…who, whilst in power, suppressed free speech, instigated a “drug war” in which 3000 innocents were killed extra-judiciously as a result of undeniable pressures on police to meet arbitrary quotas, who parked billions of Shin Corp shares in his driver’s and maid’s names to avoid tax (then – ahem – ‘convinced’ the Supreme Court to deliver an 8-7 acquittal when 8 justices apparently believed his defence argument which was more or less comprised of “oops, innocent mistake”), who tirelessly and brazenly abused power to increase his personal wealth whilst positioning himself to negate any future democratic threats to his vice-like grip on power by simply generating bidding wars to buy up….Parliament…..
…Thaksin represents EVERYTHING a genuine class struggle would be fighting against. He stirs up anti-amataya sentiment in people who adore the apex of that amataya. Whilst he plays dumb and pretends he’s not attempting to refashion the political sphere into a Republic (with himself sitting on that Presidential throne). This is not out of fear of lese majeste mind (he is a fugitive from justice, and will rightfully face charges of funding / inciting terrorism should he return)….no, he plays dumb about the whole amataya / royalty contradiction because if he admitted the obvious, he would lose literally 95% of his support base instantly.
This is NOT a class struggle. This is NOT a republican movement. Not for the vast majority of Red Shirts. They simply love the King. And no matter how earnestly Amsterdam attempts to spin the facts otherwise, or how predisposed Western liberals are to preconceived ideas regarding what constitutes democracy, self-determination and rule of law, nothing can change that fact.
They love the King, but they hate injustice. Injustice of the kind for which there is no more shocking purveyor of…than Thaksin himself!!
How have things got so wrong that some of us believe that trying to shut people up and ignore them instead of listening to them and incorporating their concerns is the foundation for political stability? Isn’t it stark ravingly obvious that the opposite is the case? Why can’t these people see that? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Well, isn’t that just wonderful, Thailand is up there with Burundi on these two consecutive tweets from the Media Legal Defence Initiative. Tough competition, but our boys are surely up to it!
Earlier today, #Prachatai director Chiranug Premchaiporn was arrested at Bangkok airport on new lese majeste charges. Still in detention now
41 minutes ago via web
Reply Retweet
Burundian journalist Jean-Claude Kavumbagu has been in detention since July 17 for criticising the army. The… http://fb.me/y9Dzclgo
about 18 hours ago via Facebook
You’ve clearly protected Crispin on this occasion as you seem to be personally associated with him. I stand by the fact that my comments were not personally abusive and certainly were not beyond some of the attacks you’ve allowed on other contributors (eg against StanG).
Crispin is now becoming a bit of a byword for a joke in many quarters as his analysis is so obviously myopic and one-eyed. If you can’t bear to publish such a comment about your friend because he is your friend, fair enough. But then you need to state your association with him openly and clearly so that all are aware of it. Hiding behind the line that my attacks on Crispin were not “civil” while you gave him more protection than you would usually afford other commentators undermines your avowed position as independent, academic arbitors. Which is also fine – just be open about your associations.
As I live in Bangkok, I must choose my words…delicately. I think you might be surprised at how closely our views align on a variety of issues. I have been outspoken – in ways perhaps ill-advised – in my firm belief that resorting to lese majeste laws whilst facing a genuine State of Emergency (a genuine national crisis which threatens a great deal more than the sitting government, the domestic economy or the tentative / uneasy ‘peace’ of the last few years) has perhaps been a strategic error; allowing Thailand’s enemies an issue they can seize upon to score easy points in the international arena whilst cultivating otherwise-non-existent revolutionary / violent sentiment amongst the historically disenfranchised but very much conflicted rural classes.
I cannot accept that the writers of Thailand’s constitution ever intended their respectful deference in noting the King’s inviolability (very much representative of Thai culture and almost-universal sentiment, it’s important to note) to be applied in ways which could lead some to mistakenly assume either the King or the monarchy required such protection. Regardless of Western preconceptions towards monarchies (a bias to which I admit I initially subscribed), the simple, undeniable truth is that the vast majority of Thais adore their King and are fiercely proud of the Royal Institution and that neither requires protection. And whilst I respect the fact that freedom-loving, oligarch-wary, tyrant-hating Western liberals (I was – and will always remain – one) will obviously struggle to accept the validity of the below statement, I fervently plead with you all to understand that it is Truth:
There is a tyrant seeking to impose his iron will onto Thailand – a tyrant who believes he is inviolable and above the law – but that tyrant is certainly NOT the beloved King. No, the tyrant who would rend asunder the very fabric of Thai culture if it suits him; an oligarch who is nonchalant about ‘sacrificing’ thousands or tens of thousands of lives in his egomaniacal pursuit of power; willing even to allow – nay, endeavouring to architect – a bloody Civil War purely to satisfy his seething desire for retribution / revenge (though no doubt he hopes for more fanciful end results)….that tyrant is currently, tragically deceiving honourable, decent lovers of liberty into believing that he is the ‘victim’, the ‘oppressed’ premier-in-exile, a democratically-elected ‘patriot’ who was deemed such a threat to the oppressive and ruthless amataya, they tore up the Constitution and sent in the tanks to protect the status quo.
I can understand how and why upstanding, decent folk can be fooled by his rhetoric (scripted by Spin 4 Hire Inc and blasted onto the Western consciousness via unsolicited essays that well-written, but largely fictitious misrepresentation of the realities).
I swear on my life he is the greatest threat to freedom Thailand will face in a very long time. And it – pains me – to see his shills gain traction with those who stand against literally everything he truly represents.
LedAbbey – 2
Thaksin drove Nation TV off the air at ITV while his cronies tried to buy the company to consolidate his contr0l of the press
You get your fact wrong there (I assumed you got it from ASTV). Thanksin never want to buy ITV or get involve with the Nation in the first place but Suthichai Yoon ran ITV to the ground and many of the ITV shareholders at that time (you figured it out who) literally beg Thaksin raise his stake in ITV. Unable to refuse the demand Thaksin bought a stake in ITV and Suthichai Yoon lost control of ITV because Thaksin kick him out of the job. This is happen back in the day not long after the economic crisis that’s why Nation was never be in good term with Thaksin even until today. Furthermore, there’s no reason for Thaksin to raise his stake in ITV since he has channel 5 and NBT under his (then) control anyway.
Chang Noi is published at The Nation too. The Nation is a business and Pravit and Chang Noi lend it an aura of respectability that is otherwise completely lacking. I don’t know what the Thai end of Chang Noi’s connections are, but someone said that Pravit is a blue-blood and so cannot be snuffed as would a mere mortal writing what he does.
The Nation is not just a purveyor of opinion as news, they also often actively dis-inform. They are now unmistakably a gutter publication, although prior to the coup they were a garden variety, “respectable”, neo-liberal rag.
I don’t know what happened to them, but it’s the same thing that’s happened to Thailand. Make that Bangkok. The Democrat Party, not to mention the PAD/NPP, went nuts once it had seized power. Rather once they became the front for the back to the future Thai Military Dictatorship. They are glorying in the return to authoritarianism and are aggressively thumbing their noses and thumping their chests at the same time.
It will be a pleasure to see them collapse and crumble as they must. There’s nothing so satisfying as seeing the bully-boys go down.
I definitely appreciate PPT’s perspective more and more as time goes on and as they persevere. They had some very solid links to just the sort of archival material as you refer to a week or so ago. And Prachatai is steadfast and stalwart as ever.
Pravit is good, but don’t confuse Pravit and The Nation. Frank Rich writes for the NYTimes, too, but it’s still a stinking bed on neo-con lies, innuendo, and treachery. A lot like The Nation in Thailand, although The Nation has not the bogus heft of the NYTimes.
Thanks for the useful Facebook link. This is a very clear statement of red views and helps counter the ignorant view that they are nothing more than a Thaksin funded personality cult without purpose or ideology.
However, your link implied that this would be the flier or a translation. But the Facebook page appears to be an article written by Mark Teufel, whoever that is.
It would be helpful if you could help clarify authorship, and ideally point to some actual translations of red materials.
Thanks for repeating the “Aphisit promised elections canard”. It has been a few days since the last regime-apologist dumped this discredited line on the table.
Aphisit did lead the public on to believe that there was a real opportunity to hold elections in exchange for stopping protests. This heavily tethered trial balloon was aired frequently, but it was no more than that. It is very clear the the red shirts saw this as a trap. I agree with that. You don’t have to, but to make it sound like a firm commitment on paper that would have happened is propaganda.
This government was not elected. It was assembled out of elected politicians. Anuphong, Suthep and others have admitted enough about their discussions at the time to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the muscle of the state apparatus, not the will of the people, was the driving force.
Yes, Jonny, you are right. The Muslim cartoons are an apt analogy with nascent attempts at Thai political speech. I agree that how a person views the repression of dissent by one fundamentalist ideology should be the same as the way one views the repression of dissent by other fundamentalist ideologies.
If one was appalled by the calls for violence and punishment against the cartoonists, one should be appalled by the calls for violence against those who insult the monarchy. And this is not merely a few polite letter to Youtube. There have been massive censorship programs, long prison terms, vigilante campaigns, and the intentional creation of a climate of fear around even mentioning “you know who”.
The cultural relativism argument here is a red herring. This has nothing to do with feet. You could go to prison for suggesting that the Thai people have the right to participate in decisions regarding what form of government they have. This isn’t about hurting people’s feelings, it is about having a public discussion on issue that impact the country’s citizens.
But please do keep pushing the Islam argument. Throw the Catholic Church in there. I don’t agree with the overall point you are trying to make, but recognizing the similarity of reactions among fundamentalist cults under threat will provide immense value. I’ll follow eagerly.
Have you ever read Maung Htin’s famous book Nga-Ba? This is what Kye-Mon U Thaung (Aung-Bala) wrote about Nga-Ba.
The sad story is about Nga Ba whose family and life was cruelly destroyed by the Fascist Japanese Army. Simple Nga Ba had nothing in his mind but to work his small farm till his back broke just to feed his poor family he dearly loved.
But the story has also revealed the real villains much much worse than the Fascist Japs.
Because of Phyo-Toke who earlier became a Thakhin by paying just quarter-a-kyat (25 pyas) to the Doh-Bama Organization, Nga-Ba’s life was forever ruined. The writer pointed out the fact that the thakhins like Phyo-Toke was more devious than the Japanese.
Not just the poor Burmese like Nga Ba’s family Thakhin Phyo-Toke also gave troubles to Indians, Chinese, and other poor too. But the writer avoided explaining the exact details about Thakhin Phyo-Toke.
Phyo-Tokes are none other than the group of people who invited Japs into Burma and sacrificed the Burmese people as their prey. The same group of people who fought the Japs for the so-called freedom of people like Nga Ba.
Phyo-Tokes are the thakhins, BIA, Socialists, and Communists. Maung Htin just simply wrote that the villains who provided Nga Bas to the Japs to torture are in the power now in 1947 as the so-called saviors of Nga Bas.
The next Thai national elections are in less than two months: November 2010. I’m surprised that so many otherwise well-informed and intelligent political commentators were unaware of this fact?
Ah, you all must forgive me…it seems I was being fanciful. Like John Lennon, I was merely trying to imagine such an idealistic scenario playing out…
Of course, the reality on the ground is that the Abhisit ‘regime’ (what a cute turn of phrase for a government elected rather than…purchased) offered November 2010 elections to the Red Shirts, the offer was accepted, then (???), and suddenly the Red Shirts reneged. Can someone remind me of their stated reasons again? For accepting then rejecting November 2010 elections and the Roadmap for Peace?
Could it be – and I am guilty of imagining once again – but could it possibly be that someone did not want peace?
So the Nation gets some applause for a change. Funny as for some on the left the Nation has exactly the opposite position to Thaksin.
Taking the pivot point as being 2006, prior to this date the Nation was good and Thaksin was bad. After 2006 the Nation is bad and Thaksin is good, (OK maybe just not as bad.) Saint to sinner and sinner to saint.
It’s worth remembering that almost from day one of Thaksin becoming prime minister the Nation has consistently been at odds with Thaksin. Thaksin drove Nation TV off the air at ITV while his cronies tried to buy the company to consolidate his contr0l of the press. Now during the same period Thaksin has been consistent in his contempt for democracy and legal process.
They have both been fairly consistent so who has been inconsistent I wonder?
In Thai culture, feet are synonymous with dirt, shame, disrespect and offence. The head is considered sacred; it represents honour, respect and dignity. Regardless of one’s position on the monarchy or lese majeste or censorship; the simple fact stands: those particular videos were intended to be just about as offensive to the Thai culture as is feasibly possible.
Now, if you supported the censorship of Jyllands-Posten cartoons of the Prophet out of consideration for Muslim religious sensitivities…you are compelled to support the censorship of these videos. Or your position would be indefensible. The level of ‘offence’ is roughly comparable; if equally trite. As every grown-up understands, ‘offence’ must be managed at receiver’s end.
The only real difference between the two examples of provocative media can be found in the stark disparity in the nature of the reactions of the offended parties upon exposure to comparatively provocative insults. One party politely requested the offending videos be disabled from view; the other guys rioted, set embassies on fire, and tried to slaughter the ‘offending’ journalists / cartoonists.
Perhaps something to consider….unless, of course, you assess the severity or legitimacy of an offence by the levels of ‘rabid’ and / or ‘violent’ in the offended party’s response?
Oh, I’m sure Chulalongkorn had over 100. I just estimated 100 as a modern aspirational standard for patriarchal non-royal Thai men.
Doesn’t the film director Chatrichalerm (“Suriyothai”) have several dozen? Makes you wonder why the press is crucifying “Film” over having one baby out of wedlock.
It’s up to you but depending on how many pictures you have we can post them on NM. You can send them across to us via the usual addresses and Andrew and I will take care of the rest.
The Thai lese majesty law and the Thai monarchy are the social stagnation characteristic of agrarian circumstances. The feet at Pumipon’s head simply reflect the conditions for exit from that world; the repressive world of subjecting Thai people and society to a state of subjugation is cruel and inhumane. It shows the courage to challenge repressive status quo with the implication for regime change.
By forcing Thai patriotic leaders in exile and putting some others in jail, the Thai monarchy has thus moved its institution to the position of direct confrontation with the Thai people. As a result, it is inevitable that the country is in transition toward democratization via Presidential System; the President is elected directly by the people and is answerable to the voters. Regime change will bring about a desired political transformation for the country.
Social change is driven by cultural, religious, economic, and technological forces, it is a progressive force for which we should welcome and adjust upon it. Socio-cultural evolution has been moving society forward by dialectic means. The situation and crisis in Siam/Thailand reflects the phenomenon of large-scale social change.
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Thai elections in 2010, or 2011, or 2012, or 2013, or 2014, or 2015, or 2016, or 2017, or 2018, or ….
@ Leah: No one disputes the Red Shirt movement has intrinsically valid concerns. No objective spectator would claim otherwise. I live here in Bangkok. I understand their angst, in ways they largely cannot (and I do not intend such a claim to sound patronising or dismissive). Of course there is a two-tier society in Thailand, where the ‘haves’ can get away with murder and the ‘have-nots’ struggle to make ends meet. I assure you there are few more cognisant to this unacceptable situation than I.
But here is the crux of the thing: although Thaksin’s highly-paid PR spin team is attempting to frame it so…the injustice borne out by the inequality simply does not have its roots in any kind of ‘caste’ system or “aristocrat v proletariat” struggle. The gross injustices which are prevalent in Thai society are a result of disparities in wealth between Rich and Poor. Those with money make a mockery of Justice and run amok. Those without money are (quite understandably) furious about it.
Here’s where the Class Warfare / Social Upheaval argument is left in tatters: Thaksin, the broke police officer who first had commercial success via cronyism (contract to supply the police with leased computers…whilst he was *in* the police department), then entered into politics (whilst in ‘public service’, he generated his billion-dollar fortune – sigh), who then used his illegitimately-acquired wealth to simply buy sitting MPs for tens of millions of baht / head, along with using taxpayer revenue to simply buy village heads across Isaan for ‘development loans’ (sans associated repayment requirements), along with using taxpayer revenue to splurge out on long-ignored disenfranchised rural voters with populist (but largely positive – at least in result, if not intent) social welfare programs…who, whilst in power, suppressed free speech, instigated a “drug war” in which 3000 innocents were killed extra-judiciously as a result of undeniable pressures on police to meet arbitrary quotas, who parked billions of Shin Corp shares in his driver’s and maid’s names to avoid tax (then – ahem – ‘convinced’ the Supreme Court to deliver an 8-7 acquittal when 8 justices apparently believed his defence argument which was more or less comprised of “oops, innocent mistake”), who tirelessly and brazenly abused power to increase his personal wealth whilst positioning himself to negate any future democratic threats to his vice-like grip on power by simply generating bidding wars to buy up….Parliament…..
…Thaksin represents EVERYTHING a genuine class struggle would be fighting against. He stirs up anti-amataya sentiment in people who adore the apex of that amataya. Whilst he plays dumb and pretends he’s not attempting to refashion the political sphere into a Republic (with himself sitting on that Presidential throne). This is not out of fear of lese majeste mind (he is a fugitive from justice, and will rightfully face charges of funding / inciting terrorism should he return)….no, he plays dumb about the whole amataya / royalty contradiction because if he admitted the obvious, he would lose literally 95% of his support base instantly.
This is NOT a class struggle. This is NOT a republican movement. Not for the vast majority of Red Shirts. They simply love the King. And no matter how earnestly Amsterdam attempts to spin the facts otherwise, or how predisposed Western liberals are to preconceived ideas regarding what constitutes democracy, self-determination and rule of law, nothing can change that fact.
They love the King, but they hate injustice. Injustice of the kind for which there is no more shocking purveyor of…than Thaksin himself!!
Prachatai manager arrested
How have things got so wrong that some of us believe that trying to shut people up and ignore them instead of listening to them and incorporating their concerns is the foundation for political stability? Isn’t it stark ravingly obvious that the opposite is the case? Why can’t these people see that? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Prachatai manager arrested
Well, isn’t that just wonderful, Thailand is up there with Burundi on these two consecutive tweets from the Media Legal Defence Initiative. Tough competition, but our boys are surely up to it!
Earlier today, #Prachatai director Chiranug Premchaiporn was arrested at Bangkok airport on new lese majeste charges. Still in detention now
41 minutes ago via web
Reply Retweet
Burundian journalist Jean-Claude Kavumbagu has been in detention since July 17 for criticising the army. The… http://fb.me/y9Dzclgo
about 18 hours ago via Facebook
Prachatai manager arrested
Wow, using false charges to detain her twice, before using the Com-munist… *cough* sorry, Computer law to arrest her.
This is a new low for the Loony bin they called a state.
Thai elections in 2010, or 2011, or 2012, or 2013, or 2014, or 2015, or 2016, or 2017, or 2018, or ….
Nich and Andrew
You’ve clearly protected Crispin on this occasion as you seem to be personally associated with him. I stand by the fact that my comments were not personally abusive and certainly were not beyond some of the attacks you’ve allowed on other contributors (eg against StanG).
Crispin is now becoming a bit of a byword for a joke in many quarters as his analysis is so obviously myopic and one-eyed. If you can’t bear to publish such a comment about your friend because he is your friend, fair enough. But then you need to state your association with him openly and clearly so that all are aware of it. Hiding behind the line that my attacks on Crispin were not “civil” while you gave him more protection than you would usually afford other commentators undermines your avowed position as independent, academic arbitors. Which is also fine – just be open about your associations.
Google and Thailand’s lese majeste law
As I live in Bangkok, I must choose my words…delicately. I think you might be surprised at how closely our views align on a variety of issues. I have been outspoken – in ways perhaps ill-advised – in my firm belief that resorting to lese majeste laws whilst facing a genuine State of Emergency (a genuine national crisis which threatens a great deal more than the sitting government, the domestic economy or the tentative / uneasy ‘peace’ of the last few years) has perhaps been a strategic error; allowing Thailand’s enemies an issue they can seize upon to score easy points in the international arena whilst cultivating otherwise-non-existent revolutionary / violent sentiment amongst the historically disenfranchised but very much conflicted rural classes.
I cannot accept that the writers of Thailand’s constitution ever intended their respectful deference in noting the King’s inviolability (very much representative of Thai culture and almost-universal sentiment, it’s important to note) to be applied in ways which could lead some to mistakenly assume either the King or the monarchy required such protection. Regardless of Western preconceptions towards monarchies (a bias to which I admit I initially subscribed), the simple, undeniable truth is that the vast majority of Thais adore their King and are fiercely proud of the Royal Institution and that neither requires protection. And whilst I respect the fact that freedom-loving, oligarch-wary, tyrant-hating Western liberals (I was – and will always remain – one) will obviously struggle to accept the validity of the below statement, I fervently plead with you all to understand that it is Truth:
There is a tyrant seeking to impose his iron will onto Thailand – a tyrant who believes he is inviolable and above the law – but that tyrant is certainly NOT the beloved King. No, the tyrant who would rend asunder the very fabric of Thai culture if it suits him; an oligarch who is nonchalant about ‘sacrificing’ thousands or tens of thousands of lives in his egomaniacal pursuit of power; willing even to allow – nay, endeavouring to architect – a bloody Civil War purely to satisfy his seething desire for retribution / revenge (though no doubt he hopes for more fanciful end results)….that tyrant is currently, tragically deceiving honourable, decent lovers of liberty into believing that he is the ‘victim’, the ‘oppressed’ premier-in-exile, a democratically-elected ‘patriot’ who was deemed such a threat to the oppressive and ruthless amataya, they tore up the Constitution and sent in the tanks to protect the status quo.
I can understand how and why upstanding, decent folk can be fooled by his rhetoric (scripted by Spin 4 Hire Inc and blasted onto the Western consciousness via unsolicited essays that well-written, but largely fictitious misrepresentation of the realities).
I swear on my life he is the greatest threat to freedom Thailand will face in a very long time. And it – pains me – to see his shills gain traction with those who stand against literally everything he truly represents.
Sanitising Thai political history
LedAbbey – 2
Thaksin drove Nation TV off the air at ITV while his cronies tried to buy the company to consolidate his contr0l of the press
You get your fact wrong there (I assumed you got it from ASTV). Thanksin never want to buy ITV or get involve with the Nation in the first place but Suthichai Yoon ran ITV to the ground and many of the ITV shareholders at that time (you figured it out who) literally beg Thaksin raise his stake in ITV. Unable to refuse the demand Thaksin bought a stake in ITV and Suthichai Yoon lost control of ITV because Thaksin kick him out of the job. This is happen back in the day not long after the economic crisis that’s why Nation was never be in good term with Thaksin even until today. Furthermore, there’s no reason for Thaksin to raise his stake in ITV since he has channel 5 and NBT under his (then) control anyway.
Sanitising Thai political history
Chang Noi is published at The Nation too. The Nation is a business and Pravit and Chang Noi lend it an aura of respectability that is otherwise completely lacking. I don’t know what the Thai end of Chang Noi’s connections are, but someone said that Pravit is a blue-blood and so cannot be snuffed as would a mere mortal writing what he does.
The Nation is not just a purveyor of opinion as news, they also often actively dis-inform. They are now unmistakably a gutter publication, although prior to the coup they were a garden variety, “respectable”, neo-liberal rag.
I don’t know what happened to them, but it’s the same thing that’s happened to Thailand. Make that Bangkok. The Democrat Party, not to mention the PAD/NPP, went nuts once it had seized power. Rather once they became the front for the back to the future Thai Military Dictatorship. They are glorying in the return to authoritarianism and are aggressively thumbing their noses and thumping their chests at the same time.
It will be a pleasure to see them collapse and crumble as they must. There’s nothing so satisfying as seeing the bully-boys go down.
I definitely appreciate PPT’s perspective more and more as time goes on and as they persevere. They had some very solid links to just the sort of archival material as you refer to a week or so ago. And Prachatai is steadfast and stalwart as ever.
https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/commentary/general-political-background/
Pravit is good, but don’t confuse Pravit and The Nation. Frank Rich writes for the NYTimes, too, but it’s still a stinking bed on neo-con lies, innuendo, and treachery. A lot like The Nation in Thailand, although The Nation has not the bogus heft of the NYTimes.
Thai elections in 2010, or 2011, or 2012, or 2013, or 2014, or 2015, or 2016, or 2017, or 2018, or ….
Lily Baker,
Thanks for the useful Facebook link. This is a very clear statement of red views and helps counter the ignorant view that they are nothing more than a Thaksin funded personality cult without purpose or ideology.
However, your link implied that this would be the flier or a translation. But the Facebook page appears to be an article written by Mark Teufel, whoever that is.
It would be helpful if you could help clarify authorship, and ideally point to some actual translations of red materials.
Thai elections in 2010, or 2011, or 2012, or 2013, or 2014, or 2015, or 2016, or 2017, or 2018, or ….
Jonny,
Thanks for repeating the “Aphisit promised elections canard”. It has been a few days since the last regime-apologist dumped this discredited line on the table.
Aphisit did lead the public on to believe that there was a real opportunity to hold elections in exchange for stopping protests. This heavily tethered trial balloon was aired frequently, but it was no more than that. It is very clear the the red shirts saw this as a trap. I agree with that. You don’t have to, but to make it sound like a firm commitment on paper that would have happened is propaganda.
This government was not elected. It was assembled out of elected politicians. Anuphong, Suthep and others have admitted enough about their discussions at the time to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the muscle of the state apparatus, not the will of the people, was the driving force.
Google and Thailand’s lese majeste law
Yes, Jonny, you are right. The Muslim cartoons are an apt analogy with nascent attempts at Thai political speech. I agree that how a person views the repression of dissent by one fundamentalist ideology should be the same as the way one views the repression of dissent by other fundamentalist ideologies.
If one was appalled by the calls for violence and punishment against the cartoonists, one should be appalled by the calls for violence against those who insult the monarchy. And this is not merely a few polite letter to Youtube. There have been massive censorship programs, long prison terms, vigilante campaigns, and the intentional creation of a climate of fear around even mentioning “you know who”.
The cultural relativism argument here is a red herring. This has nothing to do with feet. You could go to prison for suggesting that the Thai people have the right to participate in decisions regarding what form of government they have. This isn’t about hurting people’s feelings, it is about having a public discussion on issue that impact the country’s citizens.
But please do keep pushing the Islam argument. Throw the Catholic Church in there. I don’t agree with the overall point you are trying to make, but recognizing the similarity of reactions among fundamentalist cults under threat will provide immense value. I’ll follow eagerly.
Burma in Limbo, Part 3
Moe Aung,
Have you ever read Maung Htin’s famous book Nga-Ba? This is what Kye-Mon U Thaung (Aung-Bala) wrote about Nga-Ba.
The sad story is about Nga Ba whose family and life was cruelly destroyed by the Fascist Japanese Army. Simple Nga Ba had nothing in his mind but to work his small farm till his back broke just to feed his poor family he dearly loved.
But the story has also revealed the real villains much much worse than the Fascist Japs.
Because of Phyo-Toke who earlier became a Thakhin by paying just quarter-a-kyat (25 pyas) to the Doh-Bama Organization, Nga-Ba’s life was forever ruined. The writer pointed out the fact that the thakhins like Phyo-Toke was more devious than the Japanese.
Not just the poor Burmese like Nga Ba’s family Thakhin Phyo-Toke also gave troubles to Indians, Chinese, and other poor too. But the writer avoided explaining the exact details about Thakhin Phyo-Toke.
Phyo-Tokes are none other than the group of people who invited Japs into Burma and sacrificed the Burmese people as their prey. The same group of people who fought the Japs for the so-called freedom of people like Nga Ba.
Phyo-Tokes are the thakhins, BIA, Socialists, and Communists. Maung Htin just simply wrote that the villains who provided Nga Bas to the Japs to torture are in the power now in 1947 as the so-called saviors of Nga Bas.
http://bamakyel.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/14231985-remembering-kyemon-u-thaung-collection-of-aricles.pdf
You can read Nga Ba on Stephen’s blog site Laphet-Waine.
http://myanmar-teacircle.blogspot.com/p/myanmar-texts-in-pdf.html
Thai elections in 2010, or 2011, or 2012, or 2013, or 2014, or 2015, or 2016, or 2017, or 2018, or ….
The next Thai national elections are in less than two months: November 2010. I’m surprised that so many otherwise well-informed and intelligent political commentators were unaware of this fact?
Ah, you all must forgive me…it seems I was being fanciful. Like John Lennon, I was merely trying to imagine such an idealistic scenario playing out…
Of course, the reality on the ground is that the Abhisit ‘regime’ (what a cute turn of phrase for a government elected rather than…purchased) offered November 2010 elections to the Red Shirts, the offer was accepted, then (???), and suddenly the Red Shirts reneged. Can someone remind me of their stated reasons again? For accepting then rejecting November 2010 elections and the Roadmap for Peace?
Could it be – and I am guilty of imagining once again – but could it possibly be that someone did not want peace?
Sanitising Thai political history
So the Nation gets some applause for a change. Funny as for some on the left the Nation has exactly the opposite position to Thaksin.
Taking the pivot point as being 2006, prior to this date the Nation was good and Thaksin was bad. After 2006 the Nation is bad and Thaksin is good, (OK maybe just not as bad.) Saint to sinner and sinner to saint.
It’s worth remembering that almost from day one of Thaksin becoming prime minister the Nation has consistently been at odds with Thaksin. Thaksin drove Nation TV off the air at ITV while his cronies tried to buy the company to consolidate his contr0l of the press. Now during the same period Thaksin has been consistent in his contempt for democracy and legal process.
They have both been fairly consistent so who has been inconsistent I wonder?
Google and Thailand’s lese majeste law
In Thai culture, feet are synonymous with dirt, shame, disrespect and offence. The head is considered sacred; it represents honour, respect and dignity. Regardless of one’s position on the monarchy or lese majeste or censorship; the simple fact stands: those particular videos were intended to be just about as offensive to the Thai culture as is feasibly possible.
Now, if you supported the censorship of Jyllands-Posten cartoons of the Prophet out of consideration for Muslim religious sensitivities…you are compelled to support the censorship of these videos. Or your position would be indefensible. The level of ‘offence’ is roughly comparable; if equally trite. As every grown-up understands, ‘offence’ must be managed at receiver’s end.
The only real difference between the two examples of provocative media can be found in the stark disparity in the nature of the reactions of the offended parties upon exposure to comparatively provocative insults. One party politely requested the offending videos be disabled from view; the other guys rioted, set embassies on fire, and tried to slaughter the ‘offending’ journalists / cartoonists.
Perhaps something to consider….unless, of course, you assess the severity or legitimacy of an offence by the levels of ‘rabid’ and / or ‘violent’ in the offended party’s response?
Sanitising Thai political history
Don’t forget Political Prisoners in Thailand. They have been doing a great job!
Sulak on Buddhism and the red shirts
Oh, I’m sure Chulalongkorn had over 100. I just estimated 100 as a modern aspirational standard for patriarchal non-royal Thai men.
Doesn’t the film director Chatrichalerm (“Suriyothai”) have several dozen? Makes you wonder why the press is crucifying “Film” over having one baby out of wedlock.
The power of art and symbols against authoritarianism
Hi Tom,
It’s up to you but depending on how many pictures you have we can post them on NM. You can send them across to us via the usual addresses and Andrew and I will take care of the rest.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
The power of art and symbols against authoritarianism
I’d be happy to put them up John . Where’s a good place for it?
Google and Thailand’s lese majeste law
The Thai lese majesty law and the Thai monarchy are the social stagnation characteristic of agrarian circumstances. The feet at Pumipon’s head simply reflect the conditions for exit from that world; the repressive world of subjecting Thai people and society to a state of subjugation is cruel and inhumane. It shows the courage to challenge repressive status quo with the implication for regime change.
By forcing Thai patriotic leaders in exile and putting some others in jail, the Thai monarchy has thus moved its institution to the position of direct confrontation with the Thai people. As a result, it is inevitable that the country is in transition toward democratization via Presidential System; the President is elected directly by the people and is answerable to the voters. Regime change will bring about a desired political transformation for the country.
Social change is driven by cultural, religious, economic, and technological forces, it is a progressive force for which we should welcome and adjust upon it. Socio-cultural evolution has been moving society forward by dialectic means. The situation and crisis in Siam/Thailand reflects the phenomenon of large-scale social change.