I have really enjoyed the pod cast series.
I found it interesting listening to the young Thai students talk about the crisis in Thailand. I also found it interesting what they could’nt or would’nt say. Just from their body language you could tell answering some of the questions proved difficult.
The young hidtory student and his freind in the middle did start to open up towards the end when they were asked if they would enter politics. The history student claimed he would’nt as he does’nt have enough ‘money’.
This alongside his freinds’ comment on the nature of the elites control or influence in the country was starting to bring the real origins of past and presents conflicts out. yet they did’nt expand on these issues.
Authoritarian rule and or governance is historically entwined into Thai social culture. Reverence to ‘puu yai’ or elders who run institutions and businesses have been distorted this once revered cultural practice. Wealth and influence now rule the ‘patronage’ system that was once meant to maintain a sense of security for all different classes.
The Thai students all know of how this distortion has allowed corruption to thrive , yet speaking out against the elite or those that work for them is seen as disrespecting the patron or ‘puu yai’ no matter their actions or intentions.
Yet if those that govern and control the economy lack the ethics and morals to reform the social injustices that have evolved due to their own selfish nature and assumed superiority, the reconicillation process will all be in vain.It will just be a facade with the status quo continued through further media and freedom of speech restrictions.
This years crisis brought an awakening in strength to the many people who previously were too scared to speak out againts a society that trully has evolved into one with obvious double standards.
Thailand is a democracy not an oligarchy. The elite have no right to assume control over the people. A true democracy is one that works for all the people not just the few.
Of course Thaksin haters would say that this guy Sombat is being paid by Thaksin to tie red ribbons at Ratchaprasong.
Actually the court’s decision not to release Sombat is a blessing in disguise because it shows the true nature of this country, which is approaching Burma and North Korea.
Suwicha released !!!
from the most humble – Thank you, your Majesty King Bumiphol.
Bumiphol – a truly great King – has himself argued, in both words and actions, against the LM laws.
The Criminal Court on Friday rejected a request for the release on bail of political activist Sombat Boonngamanong who has been charged with violating the emergency decree.
Mr Sombat was arrested on June 26 while tying strips of red cloth to a billboard at Ratchaprasong intersection.
He already faced an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly violating the emergency decree on May 21 by gathering with dozens of red shirt sympathisers on Lat Phrao Road.
After the arrest, Mr Sombat, president of the Mirror Foundation and a former leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, was detained at the Region 1 Border Patrol Police headquarters in Pathum Thani province.
Police took Mr Sombat to the court on Friday to seek permission to detain him for another seven days from July 2-7.
The court gave permission for his further detention and refused his bail application.
After thinking about the imperfections of democracy, for example, the length of time between chances for the people to hold a government accountable.
Then please re-read the last 6 paragraphs of my #51 for my view of Thaksin as a legitimately elected PM trying to do his job and transition Thailand from a feudalistic ruled by amart/military to a democratic state ruled by regularly elected and probably changing governments.
It was another Sondhi scare story that Thaksin was going to rule forever. It doesnt happen in democracies. Unlike military/amart dictatorships democratic governments come and go at the whim of the people.
There is no way Thaksin would still be ruling at 90 like Prem!
I guess you are going to say Thaksin was not democratic, thats just another Sondhi scare story… he was elected in 2001, reelected in 2005 and went to the people for another election in 2006 (twice) when he was challenged.
Its the people you have to deal with, not Thaksin.
Don’t know what StanG is on about here; isn’t clear to me. Maybe this from PPT (still blocked in Thailand) helps:
“On 28 April 2009, Reporters Without Borders wrote to Thailand’s king asking him to pardon Suwicha .Talking from prison, Suwicha told RWB: “I posted a video of the king on the Internet…. The police should have told me what I was doing was wrong. It is not right to be sentenced to 10 years in prison for this. I am not a problem for the country or its security. I am in prison for nothing.”
When the prosecution decided to appeal the sentence, seeking a heavier penalty, this meant that Suwicha’s family could not seek a royal pardon.
After a month, in early June 2009, the public prosecutor decided not to appeal Suwicha’s sentence meaning he could begin the process of requesting a royal pardon. Nothing has been heard of the pardon since then.”
It seems that once you get a chance to request a pardon you then have to fawn and so does your family, recant and prostrate in order to get a pardon.
Not really if the aim is to break up the power centers in the police department. Now the provincial police chief would be responsible to the local governor. What this does is demilitarize the police to some extent. Putting civilian control in at a lower level.
I have to admit I wouldn’t be that keen on local politicians controlling the police due their own involvement in crime.
For another interesting discussion on Chinese involvement along the region see Mark Buntaine’s paper entitled ‘Trade, Interdependence, and Bargaining with China over Environmental Cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin’ here.
Chinese territory produces 16 percent (conservative) of the Mekong’s flow, whereas Laos produces 42(?) percent (liberal). When we are talking about China’s influence over the Mekong, I think there is a tendency to conflate Beijing’s increasingly influential role in the region with (what should be) neutral river management. And with Chinese state-owned companies becoming prevalent players in infrastructure development along the lower portions of the river, perhaps this ‘hegemonic’ assertion is required for ‘image conscious’ and ‘soft power’ focused Beijing to be concerned enough to be cooperative?
Also, an element requiring consideration when referring to Beijing’s relationship with the MRC is that China has many international rivers. In this context, if there are benign concessions or agreements made to/with the MRC (or perhaps more pragmatically to the governments of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) in China’s Southeast Asian ‘charm offensive’, it potentially creates management or diplomatic precedents for rivers it shares with other states which, of course, may not be in Beijing’s strategic interests.
When he was arrested and then sentenced Suwicha was defiant, it was a couple of months after conviction that his lawyers dropped the appeals which paved the way for the pardon request.
Judging from the blog timeline, it was still a few months more before the moment when he could have actually started “waiting for pardon” which probably meant “waiting to apply for pardon”, a phase that lasted probably half a year itself.
[…] ANU College of Asia and the Pacific PhD students Nattakant Akarapongpisak, Pongphisoot Busbarat and Preedee Hongsaton who each offer their perspectives on Thailand’s future. There is also a discussion with […]
They will dib. dib. dib. They will dob . dob. dob.
Will they get big hats, woggles, shorts and forked sticks one wonders? Will there be extra badges for drunken orgies of cyber genocide, lynching, looting and raping?
Nothing like a uniformed shindig to add a bit of sanuk to the occasion. Bondage continues to tie this country’s aspirations up in unravellable knots. One might be inclined to label it National Socialism, if it weren’t for the fact that any form of socialism is deemed unmentionable by the fascists on either side of the succession struggle.
When all other subterfuge fails, this country’s fashionistas will always revert to traditional ensembles of uniformed chic. Indeed, even the radical chic of the redshirts is little more than a uniform for those who continually crave uniformity. I mean, any damned fool can dress up to look like a Willy Nelson lookalike.
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Jakrapob on the state within the state
#56 ‘Its the people you have to deal with, not Thaksin.”
Tell that to the succession contenders DB.
Thailand in Crisis: Episode 6
I have really enjoyed the pod cast series.
I found it interesting listening to the young Thai students talk about the crisis in Thailand. I also found it interesting what they could’nt or would’nt say. Just from their body language you could tell answering some of the questions proved difficult.
The young hidtory student and his freind in the middle did start to open up towards the end when they were asked if they would enter politics. The history student claimed he would’nt as he does’nt have enough ‘money’.
This alongside his freinds’ comment on the nature of the elites control or influence in the country was starting to bring the real origins of past and presents conflicts out. yet they did’nt expand on these issues.
Authoritarian rule and or governance is historically entwined into Thai social culture. Reverence to ‘puu yai’ or elders who run institutions and businesses have been distorted this once revered cultural practice. Wealth and influence now rule the ‘patronage’ system that was once meant to maintain a sense of security for all different classes.
The Thai students all know of how this distortion has allowed corruption to thrive , yet speaking out against the elite or those that work for them is seen as disrespecting the patron or ‘puu yai’ no matter their actions or intentions.
Yet if those that govern and control the economy lack the ethics and morals to reform the social injustices that have evolved due to their own selfish nature and assumed superiority, the reconicillation process will all be in vain.It will just be a facade with the status quo continued through further media and freedom of speech restrictions.
This years crisis brought an awakening in strength to the many people who previously were too scared to speak out againts a society that trully has evolved into one with obvious double standards.
Thailand is a democracy not an oligarchy. The elite have no right to assume control over the people. A true democracy is one that works for all the people not just the few.
“Opposing the atrocious Thailand Reform Plan”
NM is following a foolishly, too far-Left agenda here – and on other issues.
You need to be far more careful.
Tie a red ribbon for Sombat
Of course Thaksin haters would say that this guy Sombat is being paid by Thaksin to tie red ribbons at Ratchaprasong.
Actually the court’s decision not to release Sombat is a blessing in disguise because it shows the true nature of this country, which is approaching Burma and North Korea.
Suwicha Thakor still locked up
Suwicha released !!!
from the most humble – Thank you, your Majesty King Bumiphol.
Bumiphol – a truly great King – has himself argued, in both words and actions, against the LM laws.
Thailand in Crisis: Episode 6
р╣Ар╕Бр╣Ир╕Зр╕Ир╕▒р╕Зр╣Ар╕ер╕в
Suwicha Thakor still locked up
Hi everyone, I would like to express the good news that Suwicha Thakor has been pardoned recently. He is doing well.
Thank you all for your support.
Regards….
Tie a red ribbon for Sombat
Outrageous! From the Bangkok Post:
The Criminal Court on Friday rejected a request for the release on bail of political activist Sombat Boonngamanong who has been charged with violating the emergency decree.
Mr Sombat was arrested on June 26 while tying strips of red cloth to a billboard at Ratchaprasong intersection.
He already faced an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly violating the emergency decree on May 21 by gathering with dozens of red shirt sympathisers on Lat Phrao Road.
After the arrest, Mr Sombat, president of the Mirror Foundation and a former leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, was detained at the Region 1 Border Patrol Police headquarters in Pathum Thani province.
Police took Mr Sombat to the court on Friday to seek permission to detain him for another seven days from July 2-7.
The court gave permission for his further detention and refused his bail application.
Jakrapob on the state within the state
Fred Korat #54
After thinking about the imperfections of democracy, for example, the length of time between chances for the people to hold a government accountable.
Then please re-read the last 6 paragraphs of my #51 for my view of Thaksin as a legitimately elected PM trying to do his job and transition Thailand from a feudalistic ruled by amart/military to a democratic state ruled by regularly elected and probably changing governments.
It was another Sondhi scare story that Thaksin was going to rule forever. It doesnt happen in democracies. Unlike military/amart dictatorships democratic governments come and go at the whim of the people.
There is no way Thaksin would still be ruling at 90 like Prem!
I guess you are going to say Thaksin was not democratic, thats just another Sondhi scare story… he was elected in 2001, reelected in 2005 and went to the people for another election in 2006 (twice) when he was challenged.
Its the people you have to deal with, not Thaksin.
Suwicha Thakor still locked up
Don’t know what StanG is on about here; isn’t clear to me. Maybe this from PPT (still blocked in Thailand) helps:
“On 28 April 2009, Reporters Without Borders wrote to Thailand’s king asking him to pardon Suwicha .Talking from prison, Suwicha told RWB: “I posted a video of the king on the Internet…. The police should have told me what I was doing was wrong. It is not right to be sentenced to 10 years in prison for this. I am not a problem for the country or its security. I am in prison for nothing.”
When the prosecution decided to appeal the sentence, seeking a heavier penalty, this meant that Suwicha’s family could not seek a royal pardon.
After a month, in early June 2009, the public prosecutor decided not to appeal Suwicha’s sentence meaning he could begin the process of requesting a royal pardon. Nothing has been heard of the pardon since then.”
It seems that once you get a chance to request a pardon you then have to fawn and so does your family, recant and prostrate in order to get a pardon.
Jakrapob on the state within the state
Fred Korat #54
I think you miss the point, and I think this is an issue that many Thai people fall over
noone expects democracy to be paradise
its not perfect, its just better than other ways of organising the government of a country
its definitely better for almost all the people than being ruled by a few operating symbiotically with an out of control military
and the main reasons that it is better are:
-all the people have the right to pass judgement on their Members of Parliament on a regular basis
-the government is only composed of elected people
-the whole process is controlled by a stable Constitution that is created and only modified by a free and fair vote of all the people
-all institutions, including the military and the monarchy operate under control of the government operating with the authority of the people.
regular elections means accountability!
noone is always happy but everyone every 3 or 4 years has the opportunity to register their choice for their MP and hence the government.
see for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_system
Tie a red ribbon for Sombat
Tench #6. Thank you. I finally got it.
Thai institutions: Police
Tarrin – 27
Not really if the aim is to break up the power centers in the police department. Now the provincial police chief would be responsible to the local governor. What this does is demilitarize the police to some extent. Putting civilian control in at a lower level.
I have to admit I wouldn’t be that keen on local politicians controlling the police due their own involvement in crime.
Thailand in Crisis: Episode 6
I think the 6 Episode is the best of all, especially the conclusion which is made by Andrew Walker.
A Chinese perspective on the damned Mekong
For another interesting discussion on Chinese involvement along the region see Mark Buntaine’s paper entitled ‘Trade, Interdependence, and Bargaining with China over Environmental Cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin’ here.
Chinese territory produces 16 percent (conservative) of the Mekong’s flow, whereas Laos produces 42(?) percent (liberal). When we are talking about China’s influence over the Mekong, I think there is a tendency to conflate Beijing’s increasingly influential role in the region with (what should be) neutral river management. And with Chinese state-owned companies becoming prevalent players in infrastructure development along the lower portions of the river, perhaps this ‘hegemonic’ assertion is required for ‘image conscious’ and ‘soft power’ focused Beijing to be concerned enough to be cooperative?
Also, an element requiring consideration when referring to Beijing’s relationship with the MRC is that China has many international rivers. In this context, if there are benign concessions or agreements made to/with the MRC (or perhaps more pragmatically to the governments of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) in China’s Southeast Asian ‘charm offensive’, it potentially creates management or diplomatic precedents for rivers it shares with other states which, of course, may not be in Beijing’s strategic interests.
Suwicha Thakor still locked up
When he was arrested and then sentenced Suwicha was defiant, it was a couple of months after conviction that his lawyers dropped the appeals which paved the way for the pardon request.
Judging from the blog timeline, it was still a few months more before the moment when he could have actually started “waiting for pardon” which probably meant “waiting to apply for pardon”, a phase that lasted probably half a year itself.
Thai institutions: Police
LesAbbey – 25
Provincial authority usually came from the selection of the ministry of interior affair, so your suggestion defeat the purpose.
Chuck wow: How the Thai elite loved flying kites
[…] ANU College of Asia and the Pacific PhD students Nattakant Akarapongpisak, Pongphisoot Busbarat and Preedee Hongsaton who each offer their perspectives on Thailand’s future. There is also a discussion with […]
“Opposing the atrocious Thailand Reform Plan”
It seems their campaign has had little effect on the US house of representatives who have backed the Abhisit plan.
From Village Scouts to Cyber Scouts
They will dib. dib. dib. They will dob . dob. dob.
Will they get big hats, woggles, shorts and forked sticks one wonders? Will there be extra badges for drunken orgies of cyber genocide, lynching, looting and raping?
Nothing like a uniformed shindig to add a bit of sanuk to the occasion. Bondage continues to tie this country’s aspirations up in unravellable knots. One might be inclined to label it National Socialism, if it weren’t for the fact that any form of socialism is deemed unmentionable by the fascists on either side of the succession struggle.
When all other subterfuge fails, this country’s fashionistas will always revert to traditional ensembles of uniformed chic. Indeed, even the radical chic of the redshirts is little more than a uniform for those who continually crave uniformity. I mean, any damned fool can dress up to look like a Willy Nelson lookalike.