Thailand needs radical change, the problem is how do we go about getting it. They have a very violent history already with numerous coups, we dont really want more deaths on the streets. To many vested interests, it is supposed to be land of smiles, far from it now.
Funny how disturbance started after court case ruled against thaksin , and shin corp.
Rick Donner #6 – there have been severeal very notable books published on the vast Isaarn and Lanna grassroots, farmers/ local people’s self-organising, self-generating protest movements covering severeal deacades – BEFORE Thaksin became a major force.
I wonder who is using who in the red Shirt movement now.
we all now know that other powers were involved and T’s involvement contesting military and mafia-Amaat interests; it is not as simple as many make out…(who can win over the army- except the army [factions] which are now clearly emerging)…
come on Chris! we all now know that was constructed under a military engineered project in the south and Thaksin tried to displace the power that be (Prem) and emplace police to take control without much success…(who can win over the army- except the army [factions] which are now clearly emerging)…
In all the excellent reporting I’ve seen thus far, there hasn’t been anything on the resources and organization of the Red Shirts. Do we have any information as to how they are actually being organized? Does it begin from upcountry and move into Bangkok? Are there groups of farmers, workers, taxi drivers, etc.? Who are the guards? How much of the financing is directly or indirectly from Thaksin? This would seem to be a critical factor in any explanation of the Red Shirts’ sustainability, their bargaining power, etc.
I admire Eric Campbell dedication, “There are many things in life that will capture your eye, but very few capture your heart. These are the ones to pursue. These are the ones worth keeping.” I respect his passion, “If you have but one opportunity, make it count.”
Eric Campbell has dreamed for a better world, “Never let fear become the boundaries of your dreams.” I want to tell you this, “It only takes a single thought to move the world,” thank you, Aussie Eric Campbell!
Let’s say Abhisit dissolves parliament in a month… who are going to be running for the top office? The scuffle hasn’t really brought light upon a clear leader for the UDD. Would Abhisit run again?
And would the UDD change their name? Having history repeat itself so often, surely people would pick up on a party calling itself against dictatorship and then falling into the same rut of elites that it accuses others of supporting.
” @tulsathit: A red mob led by Arisman had taken Jirayut Rungsrithong, CEO of CAT telecom, to unknown destination.”
Using words like “mob”, “taken” and “unknown destination” imply only one thing – a kidnap or involuntarily movement (eek) of some sort.
So why the constant dissembling StanG? What is your real beef? Why are you even in Thailand? Hardly anyone even reads your blog. The rest just seem to think you’re a fool because your half-baked nonsense is just so obviously transparent.
JFL asks why the Red Shirts don’t go after others than just Abhisit. Well, Thaksin wants to use them, that’s why. They are sensitive people and can get together a lot of money – and votes.
Olive #,10 I agree, this is just another judicial coup. Because if this truly was the EC position that the Democrat party should be dissolved then it was never a decision which could have waited until the 20th of April. “We decided that this party was massively corrupt but that they should stay in
power”. Yeah sure! The puppet masters are jerking the judicial strings again.
If the reds accept this then they deserve the next 20years of misery that will
surely follow. It is time to raise the bid and force the palace and the military
to make much more transparent choices about where their future allegiances are.
This grudging acquiescence is never going to cut it for very long.The reds are going to need a much more profound victory than this if they truly wish
for more profound political change
as I know – yes, the very same one. he said in interview himself that he went on PAD stage in uniform.
nevertheless, at least in his interview he provides some glimpse at current affairs within army. which I guess are rarely shown in local English lang. Media – only may be in Thai lang., and even there to some extent.
as for PAD – what you can expect from them? there was a report that a week ago they went to Hua Hin, to 1st MRC Summit to protest : “Hun Sen – get out !” no more comments.
say, Hun Sen would shake Abhisit’s hand and say: dude, I guess I can’t stya but go back – I’m chased away from here by YOUR people (since Abhisit became PM with their help). that would have been a serious sh1t ! 😀 despite some relations improvement after moron Kasit (also PAD) pissed him off that time.
Dissolving parlament is not going far enough and will not be enough.
They need to dissolve the senate too and the highest court.
And nobody wants to wait months until the dissolution of the DP is done. They have to act now.
I have to say that i’m for a much larger escalation even if the deads are couted with 4 or 5 digit numbers because Thailand needs to get clean one day. And better sooner then later.
Is an election going to solve this ?
“Thailand” is now very close to revolution – and / break-up of the country.
Whichever way the military turns – it is broken.
One name missing from this list is Democrat Party and PAD cheerleader, the Asia Foundation’s very own Dr James Klein PhD.
Just the other day Klein popped up in the FT stating how Abhisit and The Democrats had followed every legal procedure and complied with international laws.
Then today and the EC’s ruling.
I’m sorry Klein but after reading your silly, misguided quote in the FT the other day, and what with you being so damn clever and a Dr with a PhD n’ all, I was wondering how you felt about today’s EC decision?
It kind of, at a stroke, destroys the veracity of your claims that somehow, as he sends 1000s of troops onto the street for the 2nd time in 12months, that Abhisit has a clean pair of hands and has followed every democratic, legal procedure.
He appears to have signed a document that quite possibly reveals both him and his party to be the corrupt little snide crew many of us always thought they were.
But will you miraculously have a Damascene conversion and now decide Abhisit Bad, Constitution Bad and admit, in the face of overwhelming evidence that, once again, you got it wrong?
How can the Asia Foundation, much like Zawacki and Amnesty International, maintain ANY credibility in Thailand when they keep getting it so badly wrong time after time?
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What next?
Thailand needs radical change, the problem is how do we go about getting it. They have a very violent history already with numerous coups, we dont really want more deaths on the streets. To many vested interests, it is supposed to be land of smiles, far from it now.
Funny how disturbance started after court case ruled against thaksin , and shin corp.
ABC TV on Thai politics
Rick Donner #6 – there have been severeal very notable books published on the vast Isaarn and Lanna grassroots, farmers/ local people’s self-organising, self-generating protest movements covering severeal deacades – BEFORE Thaksin became a major force.
I wonder who is using who in the red Shirt movement now.
Scholars’ press release and letter
we all now know that other powers were involved and T’s involvement contesting military and mafia-Amaat interests; it is not as simple as many make out…(who can win over the army- except the army [factions] which are now clearly emerging)…
Scholars’ press release and letter
come on Chris! we all now know that was constructed under a military engineered project in the south and Thaksin tried to displace the power that be (Prem) and emplace police to take control without much success…(who can win over the army- except the army [factions] which are now clearly emerging)…
ABC TV on Thai politics
In all the excellent reporting I’ve seen thus far, there hasn’t been anything on the resources and organization of the Red Shirts. Do we have any information as to how they are actually being organized? Does it begin from upcountry and move into Bangkok? Are there groups of farmers, workers, taxi drivers, etc.? Who are the guards? How much of the financing is directly or indirectly from Thaksin? This would seem to be a critical factor in any explanation of the Red Shirts’ sustainability, their bargaining power, etc.
ABC TV on Thai politics
I admire Eric Campbell dedication, “There are many things in life that will capture your eye, but very few capture your heart. These are the ones to pursue. These are the ones worth keeping.” I respect his passion, “If you have but one opportunity, make it count.”
Eric Campbell has dreamed for a better world, “Never let fear become the boundaries of your dreams.” I want to tell you this, “It only takes a single thought to move the world,” thank you, Aussie Eric Campbell!
ABC TV on Thai politics
Could it have any implications for Thais in Australia ?
Especially those huge anti-Thaksin, Royal and pro-Thaksin Thai bank accounts in Oz.
ABC TV on Thai politics
Thanks The Frog,
Eric Campbell stated (on the TV this morning) that the report was put together without the knowledge of the ABC’s Bangkok office.
It is an intriguing set of circumstances. We now wait for the report…
Best wishes to all,
Nich
What next?
Let’s say Abhisit dissolves parliament in a month… who are going to be running for the top office? The scuffle hasn’t really brought light upon a clear leader for the UDD. Would Abhisit run again?
And would the UDD change their name? Having history repeat itself so often, surely people would pick up on a party calling itself against dictatorship and then falling into the same rut of elites that it accuses others of supporting.
ABC TV on Thai politics
At last – at long last.
I’ve been lobbying Australian journalists for coverage like, for ages now. Congratulations – they’e finally got up to the job.
ABC TV on Thai politics
Could it have any implications for the ABC office at Chit Lom?
War at Khao San
StanG
Your comment (84) is just complete garbage.
Tulsathit tweeted this at roughly 8am Thai time –
” @tulsathit: A red mob led by Arisman had taken Jirayut Rungsrithong, CEO of CAT telecom, to unknown destination.”
Using words like “mob”, “taken” and “unknown destination” imply only one thing – a kidnap or involuntarily movement (eek) of some sort.
So why the constant dissembling StanG? What is your real beef? Why are you even in Thailand? Hardly anyone even reads your blog. The rest just seem to think you’re a fool because your half-baked nonsense is just so obviously transparent.
The Economist stomps on some media taboos
[…] […]
What next?
JFL asks why the Red Shirts don’t go after others than just Abhisit. Well, Thaksin wants to use them, that’s why. They are sensitive people and can get together a lot of money – and votes.
What next?
Olive #,10 I agree, this is just another judicial coup. Because if this truly was the EC position that the Democrat party should be dissolved then it was never a decision which could have waited until the 20th of April. “We decided that this party was massively corrupt but that they should stay in
power”. Yeah sure! The puppet masters are jerking the judicial strings again.
If the reds accept this then they deserve the next 20years of misery that will
surely follow. It is time to raise the bid and force the palace and the military
to make much more transparent choices about where their future allegiances are.
This grudging acquiescence is never going to cut it for very long.The reds are going to need a much more profound victory than this if they truly wish
for more profound political change
War at Khao San
chris beale #85
as I know – yes, the very same one. he said in interview himself that he went on PAD stage in uniform.
nevertheless, at least in his interview he provides some glimpse at current affairs within army. which I guess are rarely shown in local English lang. Media – only may be in Thai lang., and even there to some extent.
as for PAD – what you can expect from them? there was a report that a week ago they went to Hua Hin, to 1st MRC Summit to protest : “Hun Sen – get out !” no more comments.
say, Hun Sen would shake Abhisit’s hand and say: dude, I guess I can’t stya but go back – I’m chased away from here by YOUR people (since Abhisit became PM with their help). that would have been a serious sh1t ! 😀 despite some relations improvement after moron Kasit (also PAD) pissed him off that time.
War at Khao San
Jirayuth also told all workers to go home immediately when he got back to the CAT office because the red shirts might return.
Of course that’s because he didn’t want anyone to be in the way when he held a dance party for the red shirts right?
What next?
Dissolving parlament is not going far enough and will not be enough.
They need to dissolve the senate too and the highest court.
And nobody wants to wait months until the dissolution of the DP is done. They have to act now.
I have to say that i’m for a much larger escalation even if the deads are couted with 4 or 5 digit numbers because Thailand needs to get clean one day. And better sooner then later.
What next?
Is an election going to solve this ?
“Thailand” is now very close to revolution – and / break-up of the country.
Whichever way the military turns – it is broken.
Scholars’ press release and letter
One name missing from this list is Democrat Party and PAD cheerleader, the Asia Foundation’s very own Dr James Klein PhD.
Just the other day Klein popped up in the FT stating how Abhisit and The Democrats had followed every legal procedure and complied with international laws.
Then today and the EC’s ruling.
I’m sorry Klein but after reading your silly, misguided quote in the FT the other day, and what with you being so damn clever and a Dr with a PhD n’ all, I was wondering how you felt about today’s EC decision?
It kind of, at a stroke, destroys the veracity of your claims that somehow, as he sends 1000s of troops onto the street for the 2nd time in 12months, that Abhisit has a clean pair of hands and has followed every democratic, legal procedure.
He appears to have signed a document that quite possibly reveals both him and his party to be the corrupt little snide crew many of us always thought they were.
But will you miraculously have a Damascene conversion and now decide Abhisit Bad, Constitution Bad and admit, in the face of overwhelming evidence that, once again, you got it wrong?
How can the Asia Foundation, much like Zawacki and Amnesty International, maintain ANY credibility in Thailand when they keep getting it so badly wrong time after time?