Sorry to disagree. As far as I can tell there is considerable dissatisfaction with the way the present regime operates. I do not have figures and do not know where the 80% approval rate referred to comes from unless it is taken from the over-privileged, over-rich clique that resists any effort to remove their snout from their trough of wealth. From those I speak to the military are in the forefront of greed and corruption as much as any of the elected politicians.
The country needs to be run by Secular law. Religion and government cannot mix. Everyone has a right to his/her own beliefs for as long as his/her beliefs do not and will not affect the rights of non believers
If the lives of the Filipinos have improved after the Marcoses, then we won’t be having this conversation now.
But because the Marcoses were just replaced by the likes of Estrada’s, Arroyo’s, and the likes, then we just opened the door for the Marcoses to return.
addendum:*as congratulations, the military just gave themselves a nice pay rise, and a Maj-Gen for instance can now take home (–less any “extra” income of course) of over Baht 70,000/month. Not a bad basic pay for a bunch for individuals intent on suppressing democracy and spending the national wealth on dodgy schemes, disappearing folk or brain washing them, and even shooting their own nationals.
A big factor is those who replaced Marcos were all greedy selfish SOBs anyway. So how can you even claim there was a difference? They are all the same. Dirty thieves.
Yes, why is it that many in SE Asia playing this game from cradle to grave over and over. Philippine is by no means exclusive. Neighbouring Indonesia also has its Sohartos who still enjoy fruits of their labor even after genocide and revolutions. Is it possible that there is a deep flaw at the base of their psyche which unables them to digest circumstances directing their fate?
A good try, even if totally unconvincing! Perfectly correct, of course, about the mother country’s intellectual and moral superiority. But surely this can’t be intended as irony as well? Have pity on your many slower-reacting readers: we just can’t keep up with the spriteliness of Aussie academia.
I see the point of dystopia (which seems a lot like a Chinese-styled dystopia), but, at the same time I wonder if Alice in Wonderland is the best comparison. The moral of her story seems to be a different one. It seems to me it is about how a child can build confidence and be independent enough to navigate the grown-up’s crazy world, which I think is what Carroll’s Wonderland is meant to stand for (grown-ups doing many senseless things under nonsensical rules). Correct me if I am wrong in my reading of Alice in Wonderland but this all seems to become very clear when at the very end of the story Alice is finally able to say, confidently, “Yes, I am confident.”
dictator marcos & cronies were intimidated if there are lots of thinking class and so they started dispersing the Filipinos globally , offering them jobs and the cronies the recruiter$. they made the filipinos look like slaves while they are busy collecting taxes fr their hard earned monies >:( and consequently stealing fr the kaban ng bayan>:( the poor middle class desperate to earn a living , were fooled by these recruiter$ and so the poor Filipinos have to sell their land to seek greener pasture fr other countries .
While the marcos martial rule silently abusing the Filipinos and as a quick as a flash , was able to greedily get his power & control the citizens & the nation.He made the Filipinos maim & live in fear while he , his family & cronies live lavishly, parties & shopping spree$ with their loots fr the kaban ng bayan & the taxpayers money. They live happily ever after even though some loots were recovered , not enough to compensate the living conditions of the poor Filipinos. Education is a must and more work in the Philippines should be the main focus of the present & next govt. But why cant they do that ? I guess they want the citizens look like an idiot & be just followers. whatever a leader & the cabinet members say , citizens will just say AMEN :/
The author’s description of conditions in Thailand would be unrecognizable to almost anyone living there, as I do. Eighty percent of Thais solidly and consistently approve of the current government – even in the North, Red Shirt country – where I live. I have neither seen nor heard of any ‘suppression’ whatever.
It is possible that American NGOs operating within Thailand are attempting to play their usual ‘human rights’ card, and to otherwise browbeat the military into reinstating the corrupt, incompetent ‘democratic’ government, but Thais aren’t buying it.
Whoever I am, I really must stop using irony to get my message across. It seems to go over the heads of some readers, particularly the slower-reacting ones.
I won’t stop whingeing, though. What else can an Aussie do when faced with the mother country’s intellectual and moral superiority?
One of the best analysis I have read anywhere. Great Job! I was disturbed by Nick’s nastiness. Felix is on target from my vantage point of view. The comment by Cantal is totally out of touch with the reality on the ground in the northern regions of Thailand.
The Prayuth regime wanted the world to know that they were compelled to take over as the PRDC street protests had brought Bangkok to a standstill. Reconciliation was a bold face lie from the start and what seemed to be a valid excuse to take over. In the 2 years since the coup, do you see any real reconciliation taking place. I don’t. Many of the yellow shirts and PRDC are waking up to the fact that the military is here to stay. They will not give up power easily and instead are infiltrating all areas in Thailand. It’s obvious they are running a tight ship and will nip in the bud any form of protest, or gathering that questions their legitimacy.
The Western governments are not naive and know what’s going on but have chosen to work through back channels and not use sanctions or heavy hand, since Thailand has been a long time faithful friend and supporter of those very same governments. Yes, they want to see democracy restored, but have decided to wait and see approach.
This time around, it’s obvious the Prayuth regime plans to complete the unfinished business that the 2006 coup left undone. Prayuth and his henchmen will do whatever it takes to not make the same mistakes that were made by the 2006 coup leaders. He has learned from their errors and it is evident how this junta is going about purging, harassing, threatening, repressing, curtailing, all forms of freedom across the board. They have threatened and instilled fear across the board and every one, esp. the Red Shirts have been laying low. Even the arrogant Thaksin has gone quiet as he knows that they have a tight noose around Yingluck’s neck, with their trumped up charges and finding her guilty. They are using any and all means necessary to severely curtail and even wipe out his influence he may still have.
Lastly, I might add that in my conversations with ordinary Thais all over the country, it is clear to me that they are being hard pressed from all sides. The economy has tanked and millions of Thais are hurting economically. Thailand is a dynamite keg waiting to erupt. The majority of hard working Thais has been suppressed for decades, while the elites, royalists, and military reap all the benefits. History will repeat itself again, as this cannot go on for too long. All hell will break loose once the King passes and the period of mourning is over. It will be a sad day for Thailand.
Cheerleaders for Adolf Hitler! Whoever Ken Ward is, this is as intelligent as saying that the Bodyline Tests were designed to destroy the British Empire. Come off it, you whinging Aussies.
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Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
Sorry to disagree. As far as I can tell there is considerable dissatisfaction with the way the present regime operates. I do not have figures and do not know where the 80% approval rate referred to comes from unless it is taken from the over-privileged, over-rich clique that resists any effort to remove their snout from their trough of wealth. From those I speak to the military are in the forefront of greed and corruption as much as any of the elected politicians.
The politics of hudud in Malaysia
The country needs to be run by Secular law. Religion and government cannot mix. Everyone has a right to his/her own beliefs for as long as his/her beliefs do not and will not affect the rights of non believers
Saturday red, Sunday yellow: the temperature rises again
The costumes look like what you would find in any moo lam concert…
It takes a nation to raise a dictator’s son
SIR, i suggest that this article be translated to Filipino. Para po mas marami ang maabit ng mensahe niyo. Salamat po
Horror headlines, tourism and the Thai junta
“The fact that they are Asians is hardly relevant, but does seem to affect the way the discourse is shaped.”
what a profound and super intelligent statement! Typical Mandala
It takes a nation to raise a dictator’s son
If the lives of the Filipinos have improved after the Marcoses, then we won’t be having this conversation now.
But because the Marcoses were just replaced by the likes of Estrada’s, Arroyo’s, and the likes, then we just opened the door for the Marcoses to return.
Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
addendum:*as congratulations, the military just gave themselves a nice pay rise, and a Maj-Gen for instance can now take home (–less any “extra” income of course) of over Baht 70,000/month. Not a bad basic pay for a bunch for individuals intent on suppressing democracy and spending the national wealth on dodgy schemes, disappearing folk or brain washing them, and even shooting their own nationals.
It takes a nation to raise a dictator’s son
A big factor is those who replaced Marcos were all greedy selfish SOBs anyway. So how can you even claim there was a difference? They are all the same. Dirty thieves.
It takes a nation to raise a dictator’s son
Yes, why is it that many in SE Asia playing this game from cradle to grave over and over. Philippine is by no means exclusive. Neighbouring Indonesia also has its Sohartos who still enjoy fruits of their labor even after genocide and revolutions. Is it possible that there is a deep flaw at the base of their psyche which unables them to digest circumstances directing their fate?
A lesson for researchers
A good try, even if totally unconvincing! Perfectly correct, of course, about the mother country’s intellectual and moral superiority. But surely this can’t be intended as irony as well? Have pity on your many slower-reacting readers: we just can’t keep up with the spriteliness of Aussie academia.
Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
I see the point of dystopia (which seems a lot like a Chinese-styled dystopia), but, at the same time I wonder if Alice in Wonderland is the best comparison. The moral of her story seems to be a different one. It seems to me it is about how a child can build confidence and be independent enough to navigate the grown-up’s crazy world, which I think is what Carroll’s Wonderland is meant to stand for (grown-ups doing many senseless things under nonsensical rules). Correct me if I am wrong in my reading of Alice in Wonderland but this all seems to become very clear when at the very end of the story Alice is finally able to say, confidently, “Yes, I am confident.”
It takes a nation to raise a dictator’s son
dictator marcos & cronies were intimidated if there are lots of thinking class and so they started dispersing the Filipinos globally , offering them jobs and the cronies the recruiter$. they made the filipinos look like slaves while they are busy collecting taxes fr their hard earned monies >:( and consequently stealing fr the kaban ng bayan>:( the poor middle class desperate to earn a living , were fooled by these recruiter$ and so the poor Filipinos have to sell their land to seek greener pasture fr other countries .
While the marcos martial rule silently abusing the Filipinos and as a quick as a flash , was able to greedily get his power & control the citizens & the nation.He made the Filipinos maim & live in fear while he , his family & cronies live lavishly, parties & shopping spree$ with their loots fr the kaban ng bayan & the taxpayers money. They live happily ever after even though some loots were recovered , not enough to compensate the living conditions of the poor Filipinos. Education is a must and more work in the Philippines should be the main focus of the present & next govt. But why cant they do that ? I guess they want the citizens look like an idiot & be just followers. whatever a leader & the cabinet members say , citizens will just say AMEN :/
Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
The author’s description of conditions in Thailand would be unrecognizable to almost anyone living there, as I do. Eighty percent of Thais solidly and consistently approve of the current government – even in the North, Red Shirt country – where I live. I have neither seen nor heard of any ‘suppression’ whatever.
It is possible that American NGOs operating within Thailand are attempting to play their usual ‘human rights’ card, and to otherwise browbeat the military into reinstating the corrupt, incompetent ‘democratic’ government, but Thais aren’t buying it.
Red buckets and red alerts
Are we “Desensitised”??
This rather attractive mature lady, faces 7 horrifying years in a Thai Prison, which are known to be dehumanising, disease ridden facilities.
Here people are sent to prison “for” punishment, whereas many countries use the term “sent to prison “as” punishment”. The difference is not semantic!
Despite this and the inevitable family ramifications, Mish’s article attracts no comment.
Sometimes I am bewildered by my fellow humans. Most of whom are incredible people…
It takes a nation to raise a dictator’s son
so it is our responsibilty to educate even as we are not teachers.
Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
IMO a good article with an exceptional comment.
Another recent post on NM about “Red Bowls” has received no comment, same phenomena in play??
Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
Sir,
Without extrapolation “indeed” could mean you scorn the comment or you concur.
Please consider clarifying your contribution.
A lesson for researchers
Whoever I am, I really must stop using irony to get my message across. It seems to go over the heads of some readers, particularly the slower-reacting ones.
I won’t stop whingeing, though. What else can an Aussie do when faced with the mother country’s intellectual and moral superiority?
A state of madness
One of the best analysis I have read anywhere. Great Job! I was disturbed by Nick’s nastiness. Felix is on target from my vantage point of view. The comment by Cantal is totally out of touch with the reality on the ground in the northern regions of Thailand.
The Prayuth regime wanted the world to know that they were compelled to take over as the PRDC street protests had brought Bangkok to a standstill. Reconciliation was a bold face lie from the start and what seemed to be a valid excuse to take over. In the 2 years since the coup, do you see any real reconciliation taking place. I don’t. Many of the yellow shirts and PRDC are waking up to the fact that the military is here to stay. They will not give up power easily and instead are infiltrating all areas in Thailand. It’s obvious they are running a tight ship and will nip in the bud any form of protest, or gathering that questions their legitimacy.
The Western governments are not naive and know what’s going on but have chosen to work through back channels and not use sanctions or heavy hand, since Thailand has been a long time faithful friend and supporter of those very same governments. Yes, they want to see democracy restored, but have decided to wait and see approach.
This time around, it’s obvious the Prayuth regime plans to complete the unfinished business that the 2006 coup left undone. Prayuth and his henchmen will do whatever it takes to not make the same mistakes that were made by the 2006 coup leaders. He has learned from their errors and it is evident how this junta is going about purging, harassing, threatening, repressing, curtailing, all forms of freedom across the board. They have threatened and instilled fear across the board and every one, esp. the Red Shirts have been laying low. Even the arrogant Thaksin has gone quiet as he knows that they have a tight noose around Yingluck’s neck, with their trumped up charges and finding her guilty. They are using any and all means necessary to severely curtail and even wipe out his influence he may still have.
Lastly, I might add that in my conversations with ordinary Thais all over the country, it is clear to me that they are being hard pressed from all sides. The economy has tanked and millions of Thais are hurting economically. Thailand is a dynamite keg waiting to erupt. The majority of hard working Thais has been suppressed for decades, while the elites, royalists, and military reap all the benefits. History will repeat itself again, as this cannot go on for too long. All hell will break loose once the King passes and the period of mourning is over. It will be a sad day for Thailand.
A lesson for researchers
Cheerleaders for Adolf Hitler! Whoever Ken Ward is, this is as intelligent as saying that the Bodyline Tests were designed to destroy the British Empire. Come off it, you whinging Aussies.