Tarrin, I’ll leave you with your fantasy where the army chief has no control over the army but is in control of civilian cabinet instead. It’s too convoluted to consider seriously.
The history of the last coup is that even after taking power the generals need democracy, and they have no desire to run the country themselves.
Tarrin, weren’t you the one arguing that army chiefs have no control over such basic things like the size of the army and they are entirely in the civilian Cabinet domain?
Yep, and it is still the case. When I said the chief of Army has no control over things like size of the army, I really mean it and that’s what it still is today, but I didn’t say the army chiefs doesn’t have “influence” over the cabinet, its a 2 separate issue here.
“What was the contribution of Sritanonchai in #39? Nothing, just further personalizing the discussion.”
Since when is peculiarly personal blah blah called a “discussion”? Don’t readers have any human rights on this blog, or should this be “readers’ rights”? Should there be, in addition to quality assessment points, also a “readers’ charter”?
By the way, you haven’t congratulated NM yet, which provides you with yet another outlet for your highly instructive commentary.
thank you all involved: initiating, maintaining, contributing and using
its a great site with great people and, sadly, needed especially because of the censorship and restrictions on free and fair communication, existing in Burma and growing worse in Thailand
Same old sad stories of Burma and her poor people told and retold again and again in last 60 years?
Hundreds of thousands of desperate Burmese dreaming of making decent bucks in foreign countries have to go through same old route Brian had gone through. Many end up being killed, some end up living better lives in Singapore and Japan or even here in Aus, but most end up doing harsh labor jobs in Thailand and Malaysia.
At least our Brian is alive and well and teaching English back home and having occasional chats with inquisitive tourists like Huw from ANU.
Shan saopha Sao Kya Seng was known to have been taken to the local army battalion, killed during a torturous interrogation section, and body thrown into an unmarked grave as many other victims of Ne Win’s brutal regime just after the 1962 coup.
My point is rather clear and simple – the “military wants to destroy the democracy” theory has no supporting evidence even in the most detailed description of what is going on in the ranks, and neither does the theory that all Thai power plays boil to a single issue of succession.
What was the contribution of Sritanonchai in #39? Nothing, just further personalizing the discussion.
What is Webair International, btw. I couldn’t find any references to it on the Internet, only quotes from David Brown’s standard question he posted at least twice.
You have done many impressive works. I admire all members people who work at the field, in real place, real situation.
The truth and insight fact are what people need today. I thank you especially those who are interested in Thailand, whatever topic is. At least, I think we all are living in the same roof now.
In the first paragraph reads: “…unasked question is how were the protests and their outcome even possible?” During the protest, not even a Red Shirts leader proclaimed his goals after victory; the leaders just mentioned about bringing Thaksin back. However, common people in Thailand knew that the Red Shirts’ protest aimed at toppling the Thais’ beloved king or, in general, the monarchy because a lot of community radio stations directly or indirectly attacked the king and the monarchy. The question, “How will their outcome be possible?, is totally not worth to be asked? Why not? Most of the Thais are still very very monarchists. Believe me that toppling the monarchy is not as easy as the simple task of peeling a banana and eating it.
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The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
Tarrin, I’ll leave you with your fantasy where the army chief has no control over the army but is in control of civilian cabinet instead. It’s too convoluted to consider seriously.
The history of the last coup is that even after taking power the generals need democracy, and they have no desire to run the country themselves.
The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
Well, since no discussion on military plans for world domination is forthcoming I’ll just take my coat.
As I said earlier – I engage with some of you people here out of sheer stupidity.
New Mandala turns four
Let me add my congratulations and appreciation. NM goes from strength to strength – a contribution that’s needed now more than ever.
Here lies a toppled god – Bangkok
Sattahibo – 17
Yep not easy at all, but its not impossible.
New Mandala turns four
Happy Birthday NM.. hope you will stay with us forever.
The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
StanG – 40
The past 18 coup detat is in itself evident enough to prove that the military is anti democracy.
The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
StanG – 38
Tarrin, weren’t you the one arguing that army chiefs have no control over such basic things like the size of the army and they are entirely in the civilian Cabinet domain?
Yep, and it is still the case. When I said the chief of Army has no control over things like size of the army, I really mean it and that’s what it still is today, but I didn’t say the army chiefs doesn’t have “influence” over the cabinet, its a 2 separate issue here.
New Mandala turns four
Best best wishes, to the front room and the back room. Perhaps the best praise is that it’s hard to remember or imagine when NM wasn’t there.
The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
StanG #40
“What was the contribution of Sritanonchai in #39? Nothing, just further personalizing the discussion.”
Since when is peculiarly personal blah blah called a “discussion”? Don’t readers have any human rights on this blog, or should this be “readers’ rights”? Should there be, in addition to quality assessment points, also a “readers’ charter”?
By the way, you haven’t congratulated NM yet, which provides you with yet another outlet for your highly instructive commentary.
New Mandala turns four
thank you all involved: initiating, maintaining, contributing and using
its a great site with great people and, sadly, needed especially because of the censorship and restrictions on free and fair communication, existing in Burma and growing worse in Thailand
please be aware how much you are all appreciated
keep committed and safe
The Teacher and the Princess: Dissidence in Burma
Same old sad stories of Burma and her poor people told and retold again and again in last 60 years?
Hundreds of thousands of desperate Burmese dreaming of making decent bucks in foreign countries have to go through same old route Brian had gone through. Many end up being killed, some end up living better lives in Singapore and Japan or even here in Aus, but most end up doing harsh labor jobs in Thailand and Malaysia.
At least our Brian is alive and well and teaching English back home and having occasional chats with inquisitive tourists like Huw from ANU.
Shan saopha Sao Kya Seng was known to have been taken to the local army battalion, killed during a torturous interrogation section, and body thrown into an unmarked grave as many other victims of Ne Win’s brutal regime just after the 1962 coup.
New Mandala turns four
Happy birthday and congratulations. Great work
New Mandala turns four
Congrats! & thank you all for keeping us informed.
The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
My point is rather clear and simple – the “military wants to destroy the democracy” theory has no supporting evidence even in the most detailed description of what is going on in the ranks, and neither does the theory that all Thai power plays boil to a single issue of succession.
What was the contribution of Sritanonchai in #39? Nothing, just further personalizing the discussion.
What is Webair International, btw. I couldn’t find any references to it on the Internet, only quotes from David Brown’s standard question he posted at least twice.
New Mandala turns four
Happy Birthday NW!
You have done many impressive works. I admire all members people who work at the field, in real place, real situation.
The truth and insight fact are what people need today. I thank you especially those who are interested in Thailand, whatever topic is. At least, I think we all are living in the same roof now.
Keep going.
The challenges for Thailand’s arch-royalist military
StanG #38
You belong to the type of member of the “commentariat” who can come up with a comment even though he has to say nothing…
New Mandala turns four
Habby birday too yoo; Habby birday too yoo; Habby birday, habby birday; Stay out of da poo!
New Mandala turns four
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear New Mandala, happy birthday to you!!!!
Here lies a toppled god – Bangkok
In the first paragraph reads: “…unasked question is how were the protests and their outcome even possible?” During the protest, not even a Red Shirts leader proclaimed his goals after victory; the leaders just mentioned about bringing Thaksin back. However, common people in Thailand knew that the Red Shirts’ protest aimed at toppling the Thais’ beloved king or, in general, the monarchy because a lot of community radio stations directly or indirectly attacked the king and the monarchy. The question, “How will their outcome be possible?, is totally not worth to be asked? Why not? Most of the Thais are still very very monarchists. Believe me that toppling the monarchy is not as easy as the simple task of peeling a banana and eating it.
New Mandala turns four
Congrats & thanks for all the work Andrew and Nich and everyone else involved. Great site. (But why does the picture only have 3 candles?)
-Ricardo