Hope is not what Najib wants, so the suggestion is basically still born.
If you read the on-line news media, you will find that Najib is using the Police to disrupt any gathering by the PKR without regards to reasons.
The police will arrive with Federal Reserve Units (riot police) complete with water cannons to the gatherings – example, the gathering at a private club to celebrate the Marh 8 election results recently.
I can quote endless examples, but will be repeating myself. With that mentality, it is simply impossible for Najib to sit with PKR.
I believe a “Plan B” scenario will most likely come to pass
A wise man once said that “Telling stories makes us more human.”
I’m just hoping at the end of this New Mandala series something good for humanity will come out and make Burma a better place than I’d witnessed and still painfully remember.
Only some ppl do something like that, i’m asian and mostly asian hate those murderers , they try to hunt something different and they think it’s cool but that is the freakin’ stupid I ever know, i want they die all :/
An indicator of the importance of the red shirts is how the media are creating stories to discredit them and to invent reason why possible violent attacks on them are legitimate. Weapons are found of which nobody knows where they are from, bombers are indentified surprisingly fast etc. It really seems that the entrenched powers are expecting the “final countdown”, after which, as we all know, the sun will shine! (Not such a nice perspective during the hot season and El Nino). The question is, how stupid must the media be that they assume anybody will believe their fairy tales.
“But this [Red Shirt] movement has long outgrown its casus belli, Mr Thaksin’s downfall.” – I’ll believe it when the Thaksin phone-ins from Dubai ceases during any Red Shirt rally.
Personally I believe it was Thaksin’s misfortune that the Thai Supreme Court ruled to return Baht 30 billion of his wealth. Had his total Baht 76 billion of assets been completely seized, Thaksin would have surely generated a lot of sincere sympathy even from those who fervently oppose him.
Had Thaksin lost all his Baht 76 billion and ‘impoverished’ by the Thai court’s ruling, then he could have truly called himself ‘The Champion of the Thai poor”.
Thanks very much Hla Oo for this wonderful reflection. I immensely enjoy your train-ride to the past. Your writing reminds us that the Meaning of History is the memories that count.
The past – painful, poetic, or truncated- is a gift of the next generations. Wrapped in the box and passed it on.
Thanks for the reply Chris.
I’d be interested to know how you would characterize the movement.
Do you believe it actually has ideological unity or is it a number of groups with different vested interests … or.. is it primarily ideologically indifferent individuals being paid to protest?
cb #45 – I don’t wish to engage in a stangtrepish exchange, so I will be brief: 1. I always find Ji’s stuff interesting, although I am not a communist sympathiser & I disagree with some of what he says. The style of rhetoric he often uses is ‘agitprop’. It has its uses; 2. In 1975 I was minding my own business; 3. Sticks & stones may break my bones, etc. 4. re. Laos & China, why on earth would they want to spend the money, upset the diplomatic apple-cart, etc., etc. on a project that would have no return? (Is there, e.g., OIL in Esaan?) It IS a silly, misconceived hypothesis (a wank, in fact). 5. I don’t think your slightly complimentary comments re. *You-Said-Who* will get you off the hook; you’ve already been most unwise, & in print! Shame on you! BTW, it’s extremely unlikely that a coup has been considered in the recent past – the powers that be have their own forms of agitprop, false ‘leaks’ being one of them.
Finally, I believe that there will not be a revolution, or even a popular armed uprising, although it apparently suits some vested interests to give out that there will be. It would take attractive ideas, unity, skillful organisation, a plan about what to do in the event of winning – all of which are absent. It’s all noise.
Extracted from a petition to UN by Human rights group =
” The supreme power for execution, legislation and jurisdiction rests in the hands of the coup leaders believed by the public to be initiated by General Prem Tinnasulanond, the Chairman of the Privy Council. The coup leader, later as the Chairman of the Council of National Security (CNS), General Sondi Bunyaratkarin appointed the Prime Minister, the members of national parliament, the constitutional drafting council, the assets examination committees, the 9 constitutional judges and other independent commissioners to serve the objectives of the coup. ”
I don’t know how many others in the judiciary were appointed, got tired of checking
I’ve read Giles’ various books – and thought the shorter ones better than his far too long-winded Radicalising Thailand.
From all these it does seem to me, that Giles is very influenced by :
1) the appalling ’76 Thammasat :
his father was Rector at that time.
2) his Left-wing, British mother – and the British socialist heyday of pre-Thatcher Britain, and beyond – to which they fled.
I’d just like to ask Giles if he thinks Thailand is entering some sort of 1970’s Derek and Clive class war-fare, when if a person from one class said “hullo” to a person from a lower class, they would be immediately kicked in the nuts ?
Sadly many of the movement’s leaders appear to sidestep these issues as well.
True, they sometimes pay lip service to helping the poor, but they don’t seem to be able to get past Thaksin – at least not to a large section of the Thai public and the international media who continue to associate the Reds/PTP with him.
If they have, why is he still making phone-ins to the rallies ?
Why are members of the Reds /PTP stillgoing over to Dubai to seek his blessing, advice, or is it command, on their next moves ?
It’ s not over him at all – that is wishful thinking.
Personally, I would like them to do exactly that and form themselves into a movement, who are genuine about their desire to see major reforms in Thailand.
A movement capable of this, is still some way off.
I don’t think the Red Shirt movement is republican.
The vast majority of their supporters are from Isaarn or Lanna (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai), where the Siamese King Chulalongkorn – who fought a thirty year struggle to free Siamese slaves – is worship universally as a hero-God.
It is writing of this vivid clarity, coalface realism and sensitivity to what details demand elaboration for their historical relevance that most justifies the opportunity which New Mandala readily provides for all three to happen at once . This by-passes terms of reference which on the one hand exclude all but the cognoscenti from the regional specialisations of the professional journals or on the other require authors to dumbdown manuscripts to a level of superficiality which major publishers prefer for best sellers at the airport or other fast selling outlets. “Gdonya “ NM for the multi-part series and congratulations U Hla Oo on the richness of your experience and on the high quality of your literary talent. Thanks for sharing both with us.
I’ve been wondering about this issue myself. To what degree are most media articles that characterize the ‘reds’ as simply followers of Thaksin side-stepping around a more appropriate characterization of them being supporters of a republican movement?
If this is indeed the case, why are (particularly foreign) media outlets reluctant to more directly address the issue?
I try not to leave too much money, and spend too much time, in the Internet cafe in my soi, while having my lunch break. So, if I can, I’ll try to be short, which also doesn’t unduly interrupt the time of those who yearn for more genuine verbosity than I will ever be able to provide.
Michael:
You’ve got a good memory–congratulations (itcha jing jing)! You using “Madame” gave me the idea of adding my marital status to the gender picture (although it should probably have been “Fraeulein,” but the French sounded more appropriate). Not that this would matter in any way, and, as I might add, dichan pen soot tae mai sot kha. 🙂
I’ve read the article and quite agree with the Economist.
At the last sentence of the article, saying that the source from the palace said the court sent some message of “here’s your money, now go away”, is true.
It’s bribery. Do they think that the Red shirt movement is all about Thaksin’s money?
Sadly, many Thai also think the movement is all about Thaksin.
Thanks for all of the positive comments on U Hla Oo’s part 1. This will now be a six part series. I encourage everyone to tune in and spread the word. There is much, much more to come.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
A unity government for Najib?
Greg,
Hope is not what Najib wants, so the suggestion is basically still born.
If you read the on-line news media, you will find that Najib is using the Police to disrupt any gathering by the PKR without regards to reasons.
The police will arrive with Federal Reserve Units (riot police) complete with water cannons to the gatherings – example, the gathering at a private club to celebrate the Marh 8 election results recently.
I can quote endless examples, but will be repeating myself. With that mentality, it is simply impossible for Najib to sit with PKR.
I believe a “Plan B” scenario will most likely come to pass
Giles Ungpakorn on asset seizures, etc
Giles Ungpakorn for President of LOS !!
The scourge of Burma, Part 2
Thanks Micheal & Submarine,
A wise man once said that “Telling stories makes us more human.”
I’m just hoping at the end of this New Mandala series something good for humanity will come out and make Burma a better place than I’d witnessed and still painfully remember.
Lunch?
Only some ppl do something like that, i’m asian and mostly asian hate those murderers , they try to hunt something different and they think it’s cool but that is the freakin’ stupid I ever know, i want they die all :/
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
An indicator of the importance of the red shirts is how the media are creating stories to discredit them and to invent reason why possible violent attacks on them are legitimate. Weapons are found of which nobody knows where they are from, bombers are indentified surprisingly fast etc. It really seems that the entrenched powers are expecting the “final countdown”, after which, as we all know, the sun will shine! (Not such a nice perspective during the hot season and El Nino). The question is, how stupid must the media be that they assume anybody will believe their fairy tales.
The scourge of Burma, Part 2
Hla Oo & NM, thank you so much for this series of absolute gems!
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
“But this [Red Shirt] movement has long outgrown its casus belli, Mr Thaksin’s downfall.” – I’ll believe it when the Thaksin phone-ins from Dubai ceases during any Red Shirt rally.
Personally I believe it was Thaksin’s misfortune that the Thai Supreme Court ruled to return Baht 30 billion of his wealth. Had his total Baht 76 billion of assets been completely seized, Thaksin would have surely generated a lot of sincere sympathy even from those who fervently oppose him.
Had Thaksin lost all his Baht 76 billion and ‘impoverished’ by the Thai court’s ruling, then he could have truly called himself ‘The Champion of the Thai poor”.
The scourge of Burma, Part 2
Thanks very much Hla Oo for this wonderful reflection. I immensely enjoy your train-ride to the past. Your writing reminds us that the Meaning of History is the memories that count.
The past – painful, poetic, or truncated- is a gift of the next generations. Wrapped in the box and passed it on.
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
Thanks for the reply Chris.
I’d be interested to know how you would characterize the movement.
Do you believe it actually has ideological unity or is it a number of groups with different vested interests … or.. is it primarily ideologically indifferent individuals being paid to protest?
Are you kidding me?
cb #45 – I don’t wish to engage in a stangtrepish exchange, so I will be brief: 1. I always find Ji’s stuff interesting, although I am not a communist sympathiser & I disagree with some of what he says. The style of rhetoric he often uses is ‘agitprop’. It has its uses; 2. In 1975 I was minding my own business; 3. Sticks & stones may break my bones, etc. 4. re. Laos & China, why on earth would they want to spend the money, upset the diplomatic apple-cart, etc., etc. on a project that would have no return? (Is there, e.g., OIL in Esaan?) It IS a silly, misconceived hypothesis (a wank, in fact). 5. I don’t think your slightly complimentary comments re. *You-Said-Who* will get you off the hook; you’ve already been most unwise, & in print! Shame on you! BTW, it’s extremely unlikely that a coup has been considered in the recent past – the powers that be have their own forms of agitprop, false ‘leaks’ being one of them.
Finally, I believe that there will not be a revolution, or even a popular armed uprising, although it apparently suits some vested interests to give out that there will be. It would take attractive ideas, unity, skillful organisation, a plan about what to do in the event of winning – all of which are absent. It’s all noise.
Now toddle off to bed & wait for The Knock.
Making sense of the verdict
Patiwat
Extracted from a petition to UN by Human rights group =
” The supreme power for execution, legislation and jurisdiction rests in the hands of the coup leaders believed by the public to be initiated by General Prem Tinnasulanond, the Chairman of the Privy Council. The coup leader, later as the Chairman of the Council of National Security (CNS), General Sondi Bunyaratkarin appointed the Prime Minister, the members of national parliament, the constitutional drafting council, the assets examination committees, the 9 constitutional judges and other independent commissioners to serve the objectives of the coup. ”
I don’t know how many others in the judiciary were appointed, got tired of checking
Giles Ungpakorn on asset seizures, etc
I’ve read Giles’ various books – and thought the shorter ones better than his far too long-winded Radicalising Thailand.
From all these it does seem to me, that Giles is very influenced by :
1) the appalling ’76 Thammasat :
his father was Rector at that time.
2) his Left-wing, British mother – and the British socialist heyday of pre-Thatcher Britain, and beyond – to which they fled.
I’d just like to ask Giles if he thinks Thailand is entering some sort of 1970’s Derek and Clive class war-fare, when if a person from one class said “hullo” to a person from a lower class, they would be immediately kicked in the nuts ?
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
Sadly many of the movement’s leaders appear to sidestep these issues as well.
True, they sometimes pay lip service to helping the poor, but they don’t seem to be able to get past Thaksin – at least not to a large section of the Thai public and the international media who continue to associate the Reds/PTP with him.
If they have, why is he still making phone-ins to the rallies ?
Why are members of the Reds /PTP stillgoing over to Dubai to seek his blessing, advice, or is it command, on their next moves ?
It’ s not over him at all – that is wishful thinking.
Personally, I would like them to do exactly that and form themselves into a movement, who are genuine about their desire to see major reforms in Thailand.
A movement capable of this, is still some way off.
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
I don’t think the Red Shirt movement is republican.
The vast majority of their supporters are from Isaarn or Lanna (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai), where the Siamese King Chulalongkorn – who fought a thirty year struggle to free Siamese slaves – is worship universally as a hero-God.
The scourge of Burma, Part 1
It is writing of this vivid clarity, coalface realism and sensitivity to what details demand elaboration for their historical relevance that most justifies the opportunity which New Mandala readily provides for all three to happen at once . This by-passes terms of reference which on the one hand exclude all but the cognoscenti from the regional specialisations of the professional journals or on the other require authors to dumbdown manuscripts to a level of superficiality which major publishers prefer for best sellers at the airport or other fast selling outlets. “Gdonya “ NM for the multi-part series and congratulations U Hla Oo on the richness of your experience and on the high quality of your literary talent. Thanks for sharing both with us.
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
I’ve been wondering about this issue myself. To what degree are most media articles that characterize the ‘reds’ as simply followers of Thaksin side-stepping around a more appropriate characterization of them being supporters of a republican movement?
If this is indeed the case, why are (particularly foreign) media outlets reluctant to more directly address the issue?
Are you kidding me?
Benny:
I try not to leave too much money, and spend too much time, in the Internet cafe in my soi, while having my lunch break. So, if I can, I’ll try to be short, which also doesn’t unduly interrupt the time of those who yearn for more genuine verbosity than I will ever be able to provide.
Michael:
You’ve got a good memory–congratulations (itcha jing jing)! You using “Madame” gave me the idea of adding my marital status to the gender picture (although it should probably have been “Fraeulein,” but the French sounded more appropriate). Not that this would matter in any way, and, as I might add, dichan pen soot tae mai sot kha. 🙂
The Economist on Red Shirt politics
I’ve read the article and quite agree with the Economist.
At the last sentence of the article, saying that the source from the palace said the court sent some message of “here’s your money, now go away”, is true.
It’s bribery. Do they think that the Red shirt movement is all about Thaksin’s money?
Sadly, many Thai also think the movement is all about Thaksin.
It’s about the fairness, and one standard.
The Allah dilemma in Malaysia
[…] contempt for the legitimate rights of Malaysians (read examples on the caning of Muslim women, the Allah issue, the oil cash payment […]
The scourge of Burma, Part 1
Thanks for all of the positive comments on U Hla Oo’s part 1. This will now be a six part series. I encourage everyone to tune in and spread the word. There is much, much more to come.
Best wishes to all,
Nich