>There is a new update about the mysterious man caught on camera shooting from inside the Dusit Zoo.
OK, I have to say it: this is one of the silliest posts I’ve ever seen here.
Vorapoap. You are a fool. The PAD need muscle to keep their activities on track. They openly carry mostly homemade weapons such as iron bars, and some carry guns. There are numerous witnesses, and some of the guards themselves admit it privately.
The tactic of denying someone is a PAD guard every time he gets caught doing something bad is transparent. You’ll recall that Suriyasai originally denied that the seven dozen people who took over NBT were from the PAD, a fiction that was hard to sustain after they were arrested.
With occasional exceptions, the PAD guards have gotten a fairly free ride in the Thai media. How often do you see mention of the man they beat to death in the September 2 clash with the DAAD? Did you watch any video of that night? Please spare me any rhetoric about the non-violent PAD.
You are totally wasting your time. Your guys aren’t saints, get over it.
Nick #6, I have said that the scenario I’ve laid out is my speculation of PMThaksin’s ideal plan (based on following his premiership for 5 years and his post-coup movements for another 2). I also said that it’s unlikely – and not only because Thai society is uncontrollable for the most part (and I agree with you there). It is also because he has a long documented tendency to monopolize power and seek control whether it be of power, money and media (admittedly, I still kept getting fooled – I totally believe the Bahamas and Bermuda stories). No Thai politician has ever been this ambitious – even if they are, none has been as talented and ruthless… And this is the root of the current crisis.
A large group of urban-based Thais will not let PMThaksin get away with his excesses while PMThaksin want his 73billion assets back (enough money to come very close to controlling Thai society. There’s a good chance that he’ll be able buy out the Democrats this time – having succeeded in only buying a number of Democrat politicians the previous times).
“… TRT/PPP also has many politicians with a clear vision for Thailand’s future who see Thaksin’s popularity under the population as a way to develop democracy and civil society in Thailand.”
Either you are kidding me or they are kidding themselves…
But pray introduce us to these high-minded TRT/PPP pollies (among the majority of greedy, hopeless, unprincipled, self-serving low quality stock) and what exactly they have in mind for Thai Democracy and civil society? Why do they need Thaksin’s popularity AND notoriety to achieve their goals? What will they do with their Capitalist-mafia colleagues?
As anyone knows the game is not between the PAD and the DAAD/UDD/PPP/PTP and alikes. The game is played in another higher table and it will be there that a way forward will be shown on day. Although many people is pushing the military are the one’s less interested in staging a coup. They know what it will take for the country and know what it will take to run it in the difficult days to come with the economic crisis affecting Thailand. But there are some strong pushes that they cannot stop. TS decision to fignt back I think it is welcome. No more this dual mode. “I am out of politics but talk to you and intervene whenever I want” though it may help ignite the slow burning fire. One thing is know to everyone. With the currect actors this farse cannot proceed anymore. They are too bad actors and it is needed a new cast for the novel to get again on top of the audience charter. Looks rusty, smells mould. And meanwhile the Democrat Party concern is with the internet ruling and not with proposing solutions for the future of the nation.
Speak for yourself, Hla Oo, and what a giveaway! No, I never believed U Nu, Kyaw Nyein, Ba Swe, Ne Win or Aung Gyi were socialist save in rhetoric and served by renegades in their PR. It was historically convenient at the time and served their purpose of establishing a ruling class bent on acquiring wealth that came with power at the expense of the Burmese nation. Just as the market economy and globalisation is historically in recent times convenient, nay a godsend, to the generals. The agenda remains unchanged.
Yes, Jon, there can be a yawning gap between what peole actually do and achieve on one hand and rhetoric and PR on the other. I’m sure you of all people do more than merely scratch the surface. It may even be blatantly deceptive and fraudulent as was the case with the “Burmese Way to Socialism” basically seeking ideological legitimacy so they can pursue their own agenda of state capitalism and totalitarian rule.
And no, though I look forward to Michael Charney’s book I definitely do not have to wait for it to have a good grasp on what’s been going on in my own country.
There is a new update about the mysterious man caught on camera shooting from inside the Dusit Zoo.
The update is from “the senator’s committee for investigating incident on October 7 .”
That mysterious man seemed to hang the out-of-date PAD Guard ID card. This card was the third revision and was terminated on September 24. The new one have been issued on the same date.
The third revision card was terminated because 2 main reasons
1. Several reported losing this card.
2. This third revision card can be faked easily
Well, in this political battle, the PAD has already managed once to first force new elections a few days after Chamlong has openly broken with Thaksin and joined up, and created enough turmoil to inspire the military to stage a coup.
Since it’s re-appearance last year PAD has been called almost defeated many times. Facts though speak for itself – two violent clashes, several violent incidents, many members of Senate and “independent” organisations still in strong support of PAD.
Just because presently there are at most less than 1000 PAD protesters in Government House does not mean that PAD is defeated. Before Chamlong and Chaivat were arrested, there were also very few people in Government House.
Underestimating the PAD has already cost the government and Police a lot. I would suggest not making this mistake. This is far from over.
“Sidh S.”
Thaksin never was in “total control”, and never will be. He may make a come back, or likely not, but total control will not happen. He won’t even be able to control his own party. He never was in this position. This is impossible – Thailand is made up of too many factions of power, some far more powerful as any elected politician, yet, as we can see, not anymore powerful enough to solely dominate the scene ignoring the will of the increasingly political aware population of previously apolitical sectors of society.
There may be many greedy and self serving politicians in TRT/PPP, as there are in any other political party in Thailand including the Democrats, but TRT/PPP also has many politicians with a clear vision for Thailand’s future who see Thaksin’s popularity under the population as a way to develop democracy and civil society in Thailand. They are aware of the difficulties, and that uncomfortable compromises have to be made along this way.
The drug war is the most misinterpreted example of Thaksin’s rule.
The drug war, as it was done, was only possible because all different groups of power have agreed on this course of action. In the present political situation, and for the foreseeable future, such an agreement is not possible.
Thaksin alone could have never done the drug war in such a radical fashion.
Any drug war that is or has been announced after the coup, and resulting arrests, is nothing but increased budgets for border units, as it was under Samak, or increased controls of known offenders, and a slight increase in raids, as it is presently now under Somchai.
The only prediction i would dare making is a future of political and social turmoil. Fighting drugs and other problems will take a secondary role at best.
And we can see already now that drugs are making a huge come back. This development will only increase with the coming economical problems.
Jon: A golden journalistic rule says, “Never leave out the concluding sentence of a statement,” which was, “But don’t hold your breath…” So, if you didn’t get the slightly ironic tone of the first part, you should have noticed something with that conclusion.
Nick Nostitz’s comments are a classic example of the rut this site is in. Why bother to label the Chamlong as a “master strategist” when it is so blatantly obvious that his strategy is going nowhere new. One can only be a “master strategist” if one creates a breakthrough situation. Do you really think that Chamlong is capable of such a breakthough? I can’t think of a battle Chamlong ever really won conclusively, either in the military or out.
Your site says ‘new perspectives’, but it seems you are locked into analysing the future moves of those right-wing business, royalist and uniformed groups (and their brainwashed supporters) who have long monopolised Thai politics. To engage in analysis of such a worn-out gramophone groove is to go nowhere. I suggest you climb off the fence and go looking for some genuine alternatives to the current knob-rot of Thai politics and political punditry.
It’s very easy to quote things out of context or in an abbreviated form in order to misrepresent. I have read Shadow Warrior and though Dave Everett mentions the haircut scenario, he definitely gives further reasons.
TRT/PPP/PT are clearly gearing up for a new election and with PMThaksin’s direct media campaign through “Truth Today” roadshow around the country, might even secure a majority in the next elections. They will still need minor parties to guarantee that constitutional changes get passed – and, if the win is big enough, amnesty for PMThaksin. They might even be confident enough to fire the top military brass and put all their men in place.
They will have to move quickly, as even the best qualified/prepared government (which they are clearly not) will struggle to deal with the very possible, serious recession next year. But not to worry for Thaksin’s fans – PMThaksin, master of turning crisis into opportunities, will order house dissolution after he is cleared to return to politics, and come back as prime minister to ‘solve’ the crisis.
PMThaksin will not leave anything to chance this time and will want TOTAL control. We’ll have the biggest societal purge in history where the Thai Police will play a very prominent role. We’ll have lots of ‘collateral damage/deaths’ from War on Drugs and lots of kidnappings/disappearances. PAD leaders and their sympathizers will go into exile in England but Thaksin will make sure they pay for what they did to him with interest… PMThaksin will not have to apologize for his “honest mistakes” anymore.
For South East Asian politics, a new breed of prominent Prime Minister Oligarchs in Myanmar, Cambodia – following the Thai model – rise to reap the economic benefits of ‘mutual cooperation’.
No, I am actually clueless on what will happen – and will agree with Nick that Thai Politics will have to be religiously followed on a day-to-day basis (maybe even hour-to-hour). I have just only outlined my educated guess of PMThaksin’s plans – at least the ideal version.
I’m afraid it is a plan which will never work – and not because of PAD’s resistance and that no one should meddle with the military reshuffle for politics anymore – but because PMThaksin is served by unloyal, greedy, self-serving politicians maximizing on his electoral popularity. Once in power, their agenda will take priority over his and they will mess up – like last time. The next TRT/PPP cabinet better be filled with his immediate family – Yinglak, Payap, Chaisit, his three children, his nieces and nephews… If they have the appetite for ugly, divisive politics that is…
HC Lau, you just keep missing the details. PMThaksin’s convictions (and KYPotjaman’s before that) was also based on the 1997 Constitution (plus 1999 anti-corruption clauses) which PMThaksin worked under.
I think you still owe us a discussion on Malaysian politics (I agree, you went to far with Myanmar – pretty sensationalizing) – as there seem to be intriguing parallels in PMMahathir, UMNO and Anwar Ibrahim saga e.g. PMThaksin wanting to rule on the Mahathir mould, but now wants to refashion himself as the champion of liberal democracy against what he terms “undemocratic elites” (how ironic!). Anyway, I have enough respect for Anwar not to compare PMThaksin with him. Here’s a man who faced his fate (argubly truly unfair, unlike PMThaksin who clearly broke the law) bravely, through torture and years of jail term. Please do correct me on those points HCLau, I probably miss many details in Malaysian politics.
Rembrandt#9, I am really looking forward to hearing PMThaksin naming names. It should be along the lines of “yes, I broke the law – but my enemies, …, …, …, etc. are also guilty of abuse of power, corruption, conflict of interests…”…
So far the PAD always had some ace up their sleeve, and with a Master strategist like Chamlong i would not call its demise yet. Many times in the past people have expressed the wish that PAD might simply fade away. There are still many supporters both – private citizens glued on ASTV, and institutional.
There are many possible strategies, and i would not dare making any prediction on what may happen. As long as PAD still occupies Government House, and PPP threatened with dissolution, anything is possible, and the situation has to be watched day by day.
I believe the pro one-person one-vote democracy people have strength of the big majority of Thai people and should stay calm and, as much as possible, ignore the PAD
(I have to keep using the one-person one-vote descriptor because the PAD, and others, keep trying to twist the meaning of democracy)
The PAD are declining in support and, if left alone, I think will fade away with some desperate death throes.
The traditional powers in Thailand will have to accept this tactical defeat and hopefully, like similar military-industrial right wing forces in other country will gradually learn to manage their own place in the political scene.
John is dead right spot on, Moe Aung. As a son, or a daughter, of a Communist, you know very well that!
Assassinated General Aung San, the founder of post-independence Burma and the martyr father of revered ASSK, is also one of the founders and the first-ever General Secretary of now outlawed Burmese Communist Party.
Communist and Fabian socialist influences had undeniably played the huge roles in establishing the miserably-failed Ne Win’s Burmese Way to Socialism in the sixties. Most pre-war Burmese then were, or still are, left-leaning because of that left-wing Nagani books and the progressive ideologies from then colonial brother India. Add the dormant warlike mentality of Burmese to that and Burma got a socialist-military government she really desired and deserved back then.
Almost all the Burmese writers then were lefties and even then prime-minister U Nu wrote many trashy anti-capitalist, anti-market, anti-landlords, pro-socialist novels and plays. I don’t know about you, but I was hugely influenced by his books back then, and now I am still wondering why the bloody hell U Nu, supposedly the father of democracy and free markets in Burma, had done that silly thing.
At least the army’s seen the light and rid of that socialist thing from the past. One thing I would like to emphasize is the men and officers of that supposedly thuggish army haven’t abandoned our country and they are still fighting for what they really believe in. Which is the survival of race and religion, and the integrity of the mother country.
Unlike you and me and many thousands of other Burmese who’ve abandoned the country and settled in the west for the comparatively luxurious lives, they stayed and suffered together with their fellow countrymen in war-torn, sanctions-ravaged, desperately-poor Burma.
Sidh: My comment on Sulak is that he has a personalised view of LM. Which is what you say as well about his perspective. The problem is that by personalising LM for his own case, he cannot take the principled stand and oppose the law. Indeed, he seems to argue that the draconian law should be applied to others but not him. But as I noted, this is what one has come to expect from Sulak.
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What happened on 7/10/2008?
>There is a new update about the mysterious man caught on camera shooting from inside the Dusit Zoo.
OK, I have to say it: this is one of the silliest posts I’ve ever seen here.
Vorapoap. You are a fool. The PAD need muscle to keep their activities on track. They openly carry mostly homemade weapons such as iron bars, and some carry guns. There are numerous witnesses, and some of the guards themselves admit it privately.
The tactic of denying someone is a PAD guard every time he gets caught doing something bad is transparent. You’ll recall that Suriyasai originally denied that the seven dozen people who took over NBT were from the PAD, a fiction that was hard to sustain after they were arrested.
With occasional exceptions, the PAD guards have gotten a fairly free ride in the Thai media. How often do you see mention of the man they beat to death in the September 2 clash with the DAAD? Did you watch any video of that night? Please spare me any rhetoric about the non-violent PAD.
You are totally wasting your time. Your guys aren’t saints, get over it.
What next in Thai politics?
Nick #6, I have said that the scenario I’ve laid out is my speculation of PMThaksin’s ideal plan (based on following his premiership for 5 years and his post-coup movements for another 2). I also said that it’s unlikely – and not only because Thai society is uncontrollable for the most part (and I agree with you there). It is also because he has a long documented tendency to monopolize power and seek control whether it be of power, money and media (admittedly, I still kept getting fooled – I totally believe the Bahamas and Bermuda stories). No Thai politician has ever been this ambitious – even if they are, none has been as talented and ruthless… And this is the root of the current crisis.
A large group of urban-based Thais will not let PMThaksin get away with his excesses while PMThaksin want his 73billion assets back (enough money to come very close to controlling Thai society. There’s a good chance that he’ll be able buy out the Democrats this time – having succeeded in only buying a number of Democrat politicians the previous times).
“… TRT/PPP also has many politicians with a clear vision for Thailand’s future who see Thaksin’s popularity under the population as a way to develop democracy and civil society in Thailand.”
Either you are kidding me or they are kidding themselves…
But pray introduce us to these high-minded TRT/PPP pollies (among the majority of greedy, hopeless, unprincipled, self-serving low quality stock) and what exactly they have in mind for Thai Democracy and civil society? Why do they need Thaksin’s popularity AND notoriety to achieve their goals? What will they do with their Capitalist-mafia colleagues?
What next in Thai politics?
As anyone knows the game is not between the PAD and the DAAD/UDD/PPP/PTP and alikes. The game is played in another higher table and it will be there that a way forward will be shown on day. Although many people is pushing the military are the one’s less interested in staging a coup. They know what it will take for the country and know what it will take to run it in the difficult days to come with the economic crisis affecting Thailand. But there are some strong pushes that they cannot stop. TS decision to fignt back I think it is welcome. No more this dual mode. “I am out of politics but talk to you and intervene whenever I want” though it may help ignite the slow burning fire. One thing is know to everyone. With the currect actors this farse cannot proceed anymore. They are too bad actors and it is needed a new cast for the novel to get again on top of the audience charter. Looks rusty, smells mould. And meanwhile the Democrat Party concern is with the internet ruling and not with proposing solutions for the future of the nation.
Ashley South on liberal-democratic interventions
Speak for yourself, Hla Oo, and what a giveaway! No, I never believed U Nu, Kyaw Nyein, Ba Swe, Ne Win or Aung Gyi were socialist save in rhetoric and served by renegades in their PR. It was historically convenient at the time and served their purpose of establishing a ruling class bent on acquiring wealth that came with power at the expense of the Burmese nation. Just as the market economy and globalisation is historically in recent times convenient, nay a godsend, to the generals. The agenda remains unchanged.
Yes, Jon, there can be a yawning gap between what peole actually do and achieve on one hand and rhetoric and PR on the other. I’m sure you of all people do more than merely scratch the surface. It may even be blatantly deceptive and fraudulent as was the case with the “Burmese Way to Socialism” basically seeking ideological legitimacy so they can pursue their own agenda of state capitalism and totalitarian rule.
And no, though I look forward to Michael Charney’s book I definitely do not have to wait for it to have a good grasp on what’s been going on in my own country.
What happened on 7/10/2008?
There is a new update about the mysterious man caught on camera shooting from inside the Dusit Zoo.
The update is from “the senator’s committee for investigating incident on October 7 .”
That mysterious man seemed to hang the out-of-date PAD Guard ID card. This card was the third revision and was terminated on September 24. The new one have been issued on the same date.
The third revision card was terminated because 2 main reasons
1. Several reported losing this card.
2. This third revision card can be faked easily
More information with pictures can be found on my site
What next in Thai politics?
“Clean out of magic bullets!?”
Well, in this political battle, the PAD has already managed once to first force new elections a few days after Chamlong has openly broken with Thaksin and joined up, and created enough turmoil to inspire the military to stage a coup.
Since it’s re-appearance last year PAD has been called almost defeated many times. Facts though speak for itself – two violent clashes, several violent incidents, many members of Senate and “independent” organisations still in strong support of PAD.
Just because presently there are at most less than 1000 PAD protesters in Government House does not mean that PAD is defeated. Before Chamlong and Chaivat were arrested, there were also very few people in Government House.
Underestimating the PAD has already cost the government and Police a lot. I would suggest not making this mistake. This is far from over.
“Sidh S.”
Thaksin never was in “total control”, and never will be. He may make a come back, or likely not, but total control will not happen. He won’t even be able to control his own party. He never was in this position. This is impossible – Thailand is made up of too many factions of power, some far more powerful as any elected politician, yet, as we can see, not anymore powerful enough to solely dominate the scene ignoring the will of the increasingly political aware population of previously apolitical sectors of society.
There may be many greedy and self serving politicians in TRT/PPP, as there are in any other political party in Thailand including the Democrats, but TRT/PPP also has many politicians with a clear vision for Thailand’s future who see Thaksin’s popularity under the population as a way to develop democracy and civil society in Thailand. They are aware of the difficulties, and that uncomfortable compromises have to be made along this way.
The drug war is the most misinterpreted example of Thaksin’s rule.
The drug war, as it was done, was only possible because all different groups of power have agreed on this course of action. In the present political situation, and for the foreseeable future, such an agreement is not possible.
Thaksin alone could have never done the drug war in such a radical fashion.
Any drug war that is or has been announced after the coup, and resulting arrests, is nothing but increased budgets for border units, as it was under Samak, or increased controls of known offenders, and a slight increase in raids, as it is presently now under Somchai.
The only prediction i would dare making is a future of political and social turmoil. Fighting drugs and other problems will take a secondary role at best.
And we can see already now that drugs are making a huge come back. This development will only increase with the coming economical problems.
“Now, Western tourists are the kings and queens”
Be careful! They may also be corrupting elements.
A provocative article on The Lady
What about the other lady in Thailand? Some comment should be in order.
On Thaksin
Jon: A golden journalistic rule says, “Never leave out the concluding sentence of a statement,” which was, “But don’t hold your breath…” So, if you didn’t get the slightly ironic tone of the first part, you should have noticed something with that conclusion.
What next in Thai politics?
Nick Nostitz’s comments are a classic example of the rut this site is in. Why bother to label the Chamlong as a “master strategist” when it is so blatantly obvious that his strategy is going nowhere new. One can only be a “master strategist” if one creates a breakthrough situation. Do you really think that Chamlong is capable of such a breakthough? I can’t think of a battle Chamlong ever really won conclusively, either in the military or out.
What next in Thai politics?
Your site says ‘new perspectives’, but it seems you are locked into analysing the future moves of those right-wing business, royalist and uniformed groups (and their brainwashed supporters) who have long monopolised Thai politics. To engage in analysis of such a worn-out gramophone groove is to go nowhere. I suggest you climb off the fence and go looking for some genuine alternatives to the current knob-rot of Thai politics and political punditry.
Dave Everett and fighting for the KNLA
It’s very easy to quote things out of context or in an abbreviated form in order to misrepresent. I have read Shadow Warrior and though Dave Everett mentions the haircut scenario, he definitely gives further reasons.
What next in Thai politics?
TRT/PPP/PT are clearly gearing up for a new election and with PMThaksin’s direct media campaign through “Truth Today” roadshow around the country, might even secure a majority in the next elections. They will still need minor parties to guarantee that constitutional changes get passed – and, if the win is big enough, amnesty for PMThaksin. They might even be confident enough to fire the top military brass and put all their men in place.
They will have to move quickly, as even the best qualified/prepared government (which they are clearly not) will struggle to deal with the very possible, serious recession next year. But not to worry for Thaksin’s fans – PMThaksin, master of turning crisis into opportunities, will order house dissolution after he is cleared to return to politics, and come back as prime minister to ‘solve’ the crisis.
PMThaksin will not leave anything to chance this time and will want TOTAL control. We’ll have the biggest societal purge in history where the Thai Police will play a very prominent role. We’ll have lots of ‘collateral damage/deaths’ from War on Drugs and lots of kidnappings/disappearances. PAD leaders and their sympathizers will go into exile in England but Thaksin will make sure they pay for what they did to him with interest… PMThaksin will not have to apologize for his “honest mistakes” anymore.
For South East Asian politics, a new breed of prominent Prime Minister Oligarchs in Myanmar, Cambodia – following the Thai model – rise to reap the economic benefits of ‘mutual cooperation’.
No, I am actually clueless on what will happen – and will agree with Nick that Thai Politics will have to be religiously followed on a day-to-day basis (maybe even hour-to-hour). I have just only outlined my educated guess of PMThaksin’s plans – at least the ideal version.
I’m afraid it is a plan which will never work – and not because of PAD’s resistance and that no one should meddle with the military reshuffle for politics anymore – but because PMThaksin is served by unloyal, greedy, self-serving politicians maximizing on his electoral popularity. Once in power, their agenda will take priority over his and they will mess up – like last time. The next TRT/PPP cabinet better be filled with his immediate family – Yinglak, Payap, Chaisit, his three children, his nieces and nephews… If they have the appetite for ugly, divisive politics that is…
On Thaksin
HC Lau, you just keep missing the details. PMThaksin’s convictions (and KYPotjaman’s before that) was also based on the 1997 Constitution (plus 1999 anti-corruption clauses) which PMThaksin worked under.
I think you still owe us a discussion on Malaysian politics (I agree, you went to far with Myanmar – pretty sensationalizing) – as there seem to be intriguing parallels in PMMahathir, UMNO and Anwar Ibrahim saga e.g. PMThaksin wanting to rule on the Mahathir mould, but now wants to refashion himself as the champion of liberal democracy against what he terms “undemocratic elites” (how ironic!). Anyway, I have enough respect for Anwar not to compare PMThaksin with him. Here’s a man who faced his fate (argubly truly unfair, unlike PMThaksin who clearly broke the law) bravely, through torture and years of jail term. Please do correct me on those points HCLau, I probably miss many details in Malaysian politics.
Rembrandt#9, I am really looking forward to hearing PMThaksin naming names. It should be along the lines of “yes, I broke the law – but my enemies, …, …, …, etc. are also guilty of abuse of power, corruption, conflict of interests…”…
Ashley South on liberal-democratic interventions
I think my Kachin friends in Burma wish the guys in the military had joined you Hla Oo.
What next in Thai politics?
So far the PAD always had some ace up their sleeve, and with a Master strategist like Chamlong i would not call its demise yet. Many times in the past people have expressed the wish that PAD might simply fade away. There are still many supporters both – private citizens glued on ASTV, and institutional.
There are many possible strategies, and i would not dare making any prediction on what may happen. As long as PAD still occupies Government House, and PPP threatened with dissolution, anything is possible, and the situation has to be watched day by day.
What next in Thai politics?
I believe the pro one-person one-vote democracy people have strength of the big majority of Thai people and should stay calm and, as much as possible, ignore the PAD
(I have to keep using the one-person one-vote descriptor because the PAD, and others, keep trying to twist the meaning of democracy)
The PAD are declining in support and, if left alone, I think will fade away with some desperate death throes.
The traditional powers in Thailand will have to accept this tactical defeat and hopefully, like similar military-industrial right wing forces in other country will gradually learn to manage their own place in the political scene.
Swedes love Thailand…and Australia in second place
here is my story for surgery in thailand for a nose job in 2007
http://www.pigott.id.au/thailand-plastic-surgery-holiday-my-story.html
Ashley South on liberal-democratic interventions
John is dead right spot on, Moe Aung. As a son, or a daughter, of a Communist, you know very well that!
Assassinated General Aung San, the founder of post-independence Burma and the martyr father of revered ASSK, is also one of the founders and the first-ever General Secretary of now outlawed Burmese Communist Party.
Communist and Fabian socialist influences had undeniably played the huge roles in establishing the miserably-failed Ne Win’s Burmese Way to Socialism in the sixties. Most pre-war Burmese then were, or still are, left-leaning because of that left-wing Nagani books and the progressive ideologies from then colonial brother India. Add the dormant warlike mentality of Burmese to that and Burma got a socialist-military government she really desired and deserved back then.
Almost all the Burmese writers then were lefties and even then prime-minister U Nu wrote many trashy anti-capitalist, anti-market, anti-landlords, pro-socialist novels and plays. I don’t know about you, but I was hugely influenced by his books back then, and now I am still wondering why the bloody hell U Nu, supposedly the father of democracy and free markets in Burma, had done that silly thing.
At least the army’s seen the light and rid of that socialist thing from the past. One thing I would like to emphasize is the men and officers of that supposedly thuggish army haven’t abandoned our country and they are still fighting for what they really believe in. Which is the survival of race and religion, and the integrity of the mother country.
Unlike you and me and many thousands of other Burmese who’ve abandoned the country and settled in the west for the comparatively luxurious lives, they stayed and suffered together with their fellow countrymen in war-torn, sanctions-ravaged, desperately-poor Burma.
Anti-democracy in Thailand
Sidh: My comment on Sulak is that he has a personalised view of LM. Which is what you say as well about his perspective. The problem is that by personalising LM for his own case, he cannot take the principled stand and oppose the law. Indeed, he seems to argue that the draconian law should be applied to others but not him. But as I noted, this is what one has come to expect from Sulak.