When a prime minister needs to hold a special TV broadcast to assure watchers that his government is united and in control, it is often the opposite message that is conveyed.
Behind the propaganda war lies the larger issue of the military’s distress about where it now finds itself.
whuahahahahahaha ! how Abhisit & Panitan are gonna freak out because of this. and I bet Kasit will go totally “nuclear” coz of his rage and accuse BBC too of “intervention in Thailand’s affairs”! (as he slammed Germany & Russia recently)
“There are some divisions in the armed forces,” said Prof Surachart Bumrungsuk, a military and politics expert at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.
“Some units don’t want to be involved in such a crackdown, others wanted it to be more assertive.
“It is no secret that General Prayuth Chan-ocha would have liked a harder crackdown,” he said.
Gen Prayuth is the deputy armed forces commander and supposedly in line to take the top army job after Gen Anupong’s retirement in September.
That transition could be derailed if a military-friendly government is no longer in place to oversee it…
“In April 2009 during the reds’ uprising, he was nominally in charge but Gen Prayuth appeared effectively in command of dispersing the red protesters… Gen Prayuth and the “tiger soldiers”, otherwise known as the “eastern tigers” – the 2nd, 12th and the 21st infantry divisions – are seen as more hardline…
“Dissension in the army stems from resentment against these privileged soldiers whose career mobility is more promising. It would be unsurprising if other army units would oppose Gen Prayuth’s hard-line approach,” believes Prof Thitinan.
There is also a new concern within the military, not of division at the top but of a divorce between the top brass and the ordinary soldiers.
“The fear on Friday was that they might lose control of the rank and file. That was new, and very, very frightening [and contributed to] the stupid, chaotic blood-letting on Saturday,” says political analyst Chris Baker…
Certainly the deep divisions in Thai society – the military included – are not going away.
“Saturday night made it clear that there are elements within the military providing the opposition with tactical information and that on the other side of the divide there are elements with good military training and equipment,” says Anthony Davis, an analyst with Janes Defence Weekly.
now, these are not some Nation or Bkk Post reporters speculating. apparently this matter has been closely observed by some international specialists.
If these figures are accurate then in my view this represents a very significant defeat for the military; surely the worst suffered in one day in peace-time, and more serious even than the losses the military has sustained in one day in its operations against the insurgents in southern Thailand.
I think more correct would be to say not :
“very significant defeat for the one faction of military from another faction of it”
Seh Daeng makes no secret of it (see Nation article), as well as many others – who also despise Anupong & Prayuth as completely forgetting even how to hold a gun, because they are mostly busy playing golf … however they hold their cozy (and profitable) positions, while sending others who’re not from their group to some remote areas (as S. Thailand or some border).
so, as I’ve been telling before – there is not just crisis of red-shirts holding anti-government protests, but also of some “jockeys” (the famous 4 years old metaphor) not willing to get off the “horse”, and other (or more than one?) trying to pull them down.
that’s I think explains why Anupong finally made public appearance and started to talk.
And god, 9 protesters shot from a distance-in a clear assassination mass murder style around a single place – like what the sh1t is this failure to notice systemic killing? Hey get this, the big thing in Thailand right now-is who is responsible for this mass systemic killing. Like mass murder not on top of the report but some crummy half baked about riot at Parliament?
Kasit’s comments remind me of a conference at Chiang Mai University weeks before the 2006 coup when one prominent Thai academic spent 20 minutes comparing Thaksin to Hitler using Freud’s notion of megalomania. He of course failed to cite evidence of any racist ideology, foreign conquest, gas chambers, or millions of innocent deaths to make the case.
The immature and parochial political attitudes of many educated elites in Thailand exacerbate the divide and impossibility of a durable reconciliation. Does anyone outside the yellow shirt camp really think foreign audiences find such Thaskin/Hitler comparisons credible? If Kasit was attempting to gain foreign understanding, he failed miserably. He only cemented outsider perspectives that Thailand is truly deteriorating and led by histrionic elites. His credibility is now shot in foreign policy circles.
here some quotes from Suthep, Seh Daeng, and Chat Kulladilok (UDD leader) on “terrorists”
“[Suthep] said he was worried about the red shirts killing each other“
?! o^O
the nerve guy has ! 😉
“Khattiya Sawasdipol, retorted by saying that hunters could also be hunted before he branded Suthep as a terrorist. He added that the armed men were not the redshirt guards, nor were they fighters under his command. “They were sent in to infiltrate the red shirts and tarnish their public image,” he said.”
I am surprised that Nation has decided to publish it.
“Chat Kulladilok, said the armed men belonged to two groups from the military: those wanting to rule the country after a bloodbath and those who are discontent with officers allied with Army commander General Anupong Paochinda”
Straits Times has more info on Kasit’s comments about role of monarchy, key highlights follows:
‘I think we have to talk about the institution of the monarchy, how it would have to reform itself to the modern globalised world,’ Mr Kasit said, citing the examples of Britain and the Netherlands as countries where the role of the royal family has been adapted.
‘Everything is now becoming in the open,’ he added. ‘Let’s have a discussion. What type of democratic society would we like to be?’
Human Rights Watch has a report out on the Thai violence. Some interesting tid-bits:
– Video footage and still photos showed some soldiers firing M16 and TAR21 assault rifles in the air with live ammunition throughout that afternoon. Human Rights Watch has obtained photos showing that magazines of those assault rifles were loaded with the live ammunition (green-tipped 5.56-mm ball M855 ammunition). Teargas canisters were thrown from a military helicopter at the protesters, risking death and serious injuries among protestors from the falling canisters.
– The situation on April 10 became more violent after nightfall as both sides engaged in gunfights. The protesters regrouped and fought back with metal pipes and sharpened bamboo sticks. Some of them hurled petrol bombs at the soldiers, while others attacked the soldiers with improvised explosive devices. Some soldiers were filmed shooting with live ammunition directly at the protesters with M16 and TAR21 assault rifles.
– On the night of April 10, protesters armed with M16 and AK47 assault rifles fired upon soldiers at Khok Wua Intersection on Rajdamnoen Road. Some of them fired M79 grenades and threw M67 hand grenades at the soldiers. Video footage showed that these gunmen operated with a high degree of skill and coordination. Some of their attacks appeared to be aimed specifically at killing and maiming commanding officers of the army units involved in crowd dispersal operations.
– Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that some UDD protesters stopped ambulances on their way to hospitals. They dragged injured soldiers out of the ambulances and beat them.
– UDD leader Nathawut publicly urged protesters to loot and destroy high-end shopping malls in that area. While under pressure from the military to clear the area, Abhisit ordered the government not to attempt to disperse the UDD protesters at Ratchaprasong intersection for fear of heavy casualties and damages.
– “Prime Minister Abhisit’s announcement that he will investigate the conduct of the security forces is unprecedented, but he needs to show the will and ability to follow through,” said Adams. “At the same time, regardless of their stated grievances, those in the UDD responsible for crimes must be brought to justice. The UDD’s leaders should understand that when they use violence, they cannot claim to be a peaceful movement.”
@michael: I thought the bulletwounds were identified as being caused by “high-velocity rounds” but not specifically AKs. Could you elaborate on your source for this?
While I commend the signotaries for their active engagement, I have to say that this petition will be like many that went down the gutter. Ahbisit Vej and his pals never looked at any. He didn’t even look at the recent one signed by 303 ‘pro-government’ Thai academics, so don’t expect this one will have any effects.
I personally think there have been too many petitions around. Too many words, not enough actions (but I don’t blame you powerless people).
@ Bh. V.
If you can understand Thai, follow the link given by K. Submarine. In the clip, one leader of Thai farmer organization (which has a network covering 70 provinces) stated that about half of Thailand’s farmers are at the UDD rallies. There are real grievances, otherwise they wouldn’t have traveled all the way to Bangkok. Fact. wake up.
Kasit Pirom is an embarrasment of Thai diplomatic world, period. When the self-centred Ahbisit appointed him as foreign minister, it almost splitted the party. He is a weakest link that had to be included in the cabinet on the quota of PAD. Thanks again to the self-centered Ahbisit. I don’t know what Democrat have ever gained from putting this arrogant juvenile in the Thai Ku Fah. Now Democrat are facing the disbandment in total, thanks again to Ahbisit Vejjajiva.
[…] Like others, PPT doesn’t know what Kasit means, but we welcome the statement. Oddly, in his Johns Hopkins talk, Kasit mentioned the monarchy in the usual way several times at the beginning of the speech. PPT hasn’t been able to hear more than 28 Minutes of the talk so far as the site seems to fail (maybe there’s huge traffic!). Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)New: Kasit on Thaksin […]
Dylanesque, the reception will be fawning and cringing as everyone observes protocol — but they’ll do it with teeth clenched and ice in their hearts. And after the image on them changes, we’ll see more smudged-up, crumpled bank notes than crisp, clean ones.
The video that runs before films should be interesting. They won’t have much footage of benevolent, paternalistic behaviour to choose from. Perhaps images of celebrating the anniversary of a cherished family member’s birth will suffice. Complete with blowing out the candles and a mediocre 80s soundtrack. Should go down a treat with cinema audiences.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Scholars’ press release and letter
[…] the weekend I also signed a petition along with other students and observers of Thai politics calling for an end to the […]
ABC TV on Thai politics
Also want to see. Can you guys post outside Australia?
War at Khao San
looks like this stuff has already made it to international media
Are cracks emerging in Thailand’s military?
whuahahahahahaha ! how Abhisit & Panitan are gonna freak out because of this. and I bet Kasit will go totally “nuclear” coz of his rage and accuse BBC too of “intervention in Thailand’s affairs”! (as he slammed Germany & Russia recently)
now, these are not some Nation or Bkk Post reporters speculating. apparently this matter has been closely observed by some international specialists.
War at Khao San
@Aladdin #99
I think more correct would be to say not :
“very significant defeat for the one faction of military from another faction of it”
Seh Daeng makes no secret of it (see Nation article), as well as many others – who also despise Anupong & Prayuth as completely forgetting even how to hold a gun, because they are mostly busy playing golf … however they hold their cozy (and profitable) positions, while sending others who’re not from their group to some remote areas (as S. Thailand or some border).
so, as I’ve been telling before – there is not just crisis of red-shirts holding anti-government protests, but also of some “jockeys” (the famous 4 years old metaphor) not willing to get off the “horse”, and other (or more than one?) trying to pull them down.
that’s I think explains why Anupong finally made public appearance and started to talk.
War at Khao San
RE “Update” (#99)
someone has already posted an Update on this “Update” ! 🙂
Human Rights Watch failed to watch human rights?
which I think is pretty good
Kasit – role of the monarchy may be revamped
Kasit’s comments remind me of a conference at Chiang Mai University weeks before the 2006 coup when one prominent Thai academic spent 20 minutes comparing Thaksin to Hitler using Freud’s notion of megalomania. He of course failed to cite evidence of any racist ideology, foreign conquest, gas chambers, or millions of innocent deaths to make the case.
The immature and parochial political attitudes of many educated elites in Thailand exacerbate the divide and impossibility of a durable reconciliation. Does anyone outside the yellow shirt camp really think foreign audiences find such Thaskin/Hitler comparisons credible? If Kasit was attempting to gain foreign understanding, he failed miserably. He only cemented outsider perspectives that Thailand is truly deteriorating and led by histrionic elites. His credibility is now shot in foreign policy circles.
War at Khao San
here some quotes from Suthep, Seh Daeng, and Chat Kulladilok (UDD leader) on “terrorists”
?! o^O
the nerve guy has ! 😉
I am surprised that Nation has decided to publish it.
Kasit – role of the monarchy may be revamped
Straits Times has more info on Kasit’s comments about role of monarchy, key highlights follows:
‘I think we have to talk about the institution of the monarchy, how it would have to reform itself to the modern globalised world,’ Mr Kasit said, citing the examples of Britain and the Netherlands as countries where the role of the royal family has been adapted.
‘Everything is now becoming in the open,’ he added. ‘Let’s have a discussion. What type of democratic society would we like to be?’
source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_513968.html
War at Khao San
Human Rights Watch has a report out on the Thai violence. Some interesting tid-bits:
– Video footage and still photos showed some soldiers firing M16 and TAR21 assault rifles in the air with live ammunition throughout that afternoon. Human Rights Watch has obtained photos showing that magazines of those assault rifles were loaded with the live ammunition (green-tipped 5.56-mm ball M855 ammunition). Teargas canisters were thrown from a military helicopter at the protesters, risking death and serious injuries among protestors from the falling canisters.
– The situation on April 10 became more violent after nightfall as both sides engaged in gunfights. The protesters regrouped and fought back with metal pipes and sharpened bamboo sticks. Some of them hurled petrol bombs at the soldiers, while others attacked the soldiers with improvised explosive devices. Some soldiers were filmed shooting with live ammunition directly at the protesters with M16 and TAR21 assault rifles.
– On the night of April 10, protesters armed with M16 and AK47 assault rifles fired upon soldiers at Khok Wua Intersection on Rajdamnoen Road. Some of them fired M79 grenades and threw M67 hand grenades at the soldiers. Video footage showed that these gunmen operated with a high degree of skill and coordination. Some of their attacks appeared to be aimed specifically at killing and maiming commanding officers of the army units involved in crowd dispersal operations.
– Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that some UDD protesters stopped ambulances on their way to hospitals. They dragged injured soldiers out of the ambulances and beat them.
– UDD leader Nathawut publicly urged protesters to loot and destroy high-end shopping malls in that area. While under pressure from the military to clear the area, Abhisit ordered the government not to attempt to disperse the UDD protesters at Ratchaprasong intersection for fear of heavy casualties and damages.
– “Prime Minister Abhisit’s announcement that he will investigate the conduct of the security forces is unprecedented, but he needs to show the will and ability to follow through,” said Adams. “At the same time, regardless of their stated grievances, those in the UDD responsible for crimes must be brought to justice. The UDD’s leaders should understand that when they use violence, they cannot claim to be a peaceful movement.”
full, lengthy report at following address:
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/04/12/thailand-end-political-violence-bring-offenders-justice
ABC TV on Thai politics
Wesley is right. It is locked for viewers in Australia only.
Kasit – role of the monarchy may be revamped
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=205783&id=127739209879&ref=mf
Thaksin went to visit Riyadh on the 10th till 12th so…… is this a sign of things to come??
Scholars’ press release and letter
@michael: I thought the bulletwounds were identified as being caused by “high-velocity rounds” but not specifically AKs. Could you elaborate on your source for this?
Scholars’ press release and letter
While I commend the signotaries for their active engagement, I have to say that this petition will be like many that went down the gutter. Ahbisit Vej and his pals never looked at any. He didn’t even look at the recent one signed by 303 ‘pro-government’ Thai academics, so don’t expect this one will have any effects.
I personally think there have been too many petitions around. Too many words, not enough actions (but I don’t blame you powerless people).
ABC TV on Thai politics
Add my name to those in Thailand wanting to watch this program.
Kasit – role of the monarchy may be revamped
@ Bh. V.
If you can understand Thai, follow the link given by K. Submarine. In the clip, one leader of Thai farmer organization (which has a network covering 70 provinces) stated that about half of Thailand’s farmers are at the UDD rallies. There are real grievances, otherwise they wouldn’t have traveled all the way to Bangkok. Fact. wake up.
Najib’s first year in office, Part II
[…] article first appeared in New Mandala -35.276370 […]
Kasit – role of the monarchy may be revamped
Kasit Pirom is an embarrasment of Thai diplomatic world, period. When the self-centred Ahbisit appointed him as foreign minister, it almost splitted the party. He is a weakest link that had to be included in the cabinet on the quota of PAD. Thanks again to the self-centered Ahbisit. I don’t know what Democrat have ever gained from putting this arrogant juvenile in the Thai Ku Fah. Now Democrat are facing the disbandment in total, thanks again to Ahbisit Vejjajiva.
Najib’s first year in office, Part I
[…] […]
ABC TV on Thai politics
[…] Like others, PPT doesn’t know what Kasit means, but we welcome the statement. Oddly, in his Johns Hopkins talk, Kasit mentioned the monarchy in the usual way several times at the beginning of the speech. PPT hasn’t been able to hear more than 28 Minutes of the talk so far as the site seems to fail (maybe there’s huge traffic!). Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)New: Kasit on Thaksin […]
ABC TV on Thai politics
Dylanesque, the reception will be fawning and cringing as everyone observes protocol — but they’ll do it with teeth clenched and ice in their hearts. And after the image on them changes, we’ll see more smudged-up, crumpled bank notes than crisp, clean ones.
The video that runs before films should be interesting. They won’t have much footage of benevolent, paternalistic behaviour to choose from. Perhaps images of celebrating the anniversary of a cherished family member’s birth will suffice. Complete with blowing out the candles and a mediocre 80s soundtrack. Should go down a treat with cinema audiences.