Hi Don – we used to work together at Mahidol U. Somewhat tangentially to the main discussion, I would like to say that IMO Thailand hasn’t had a good government for 40 years i.e. not since PM M.R. Kukrit Pramoj.
This coup seems to be very vicious compared to the last one that has been compared to silk. No government appointed by the military should get any international recognition.I imagine that local Thais who dare to protest against this coup do so at great risk. I admire their courage. One cannot argue with a machine gun stuck close to your face.
The article gives an insightful analysis of the underlying “fault lines” in the socio-political landscape of what is Malaysia and Malaysian, no doubt. However, the eruptions that appear to be taking place appear to be happening unnaturally and one can’t dismiss the orchestration of some unseen hands. It’s debatable if “authoritative figures” are unable to put a stop to such eruptions. It’s a question of political will. The fact that the authorities have not acted sooner begs the question why. It appears a dangerous game of politics is being played unfortunately and what is Malaysia being put at risk. I hope I am wrong.
A very praiseworthy declaration of support by academics outside Thailand in defence for the voiceless. Here is hoping that the coup is a temporary pyrrhic victory for the elites in the face of worldwide condemnation.
The general impression I get from talking to middle-class Thais here in Bangkok (this includes Esarn people, is that everyone hopes the pain is worth the gain. Disclaimer: These days I avoid any sort of political discussion with extremists because I have found them to have closed minds. There’s no real language barrier – they have mental barriers.
Timor is not let into ASEAN mainly because it doesn’t meet the ASEA’s requirements. That has nothing to do with current ASEAN Chair Burma. One ASEAN’s requirement Timor hasn’t met is to be able to open embassies in each and every ASEAN country. Timor doesn’t even have financial and human resources to fulfill that critical requirement. May be Australia the savior of Timor will help Timor out if Timorese people ask Australia nicely again.
The writer belongs to one of the great pillars of Global True Terrorism, Global Cabal which is propped up by the “elected” governments, Academia and the “independent” media of making the WMD kind. Everywhere they have been there follow deaths, destruction, smoldering landscape, poisoned fields and waters and coast, loss of identity, loss of social and communal cohesion, but mind you advanced!
Information is flowing through FB and twittering. Unless they shut these down they will not control the social media. If they try there will be an uproar and things will get ugly.
Hi Nicholas, since the declaration of Martial law on monday of this week, I’ve been pondering the same variability of “coup counts” that you outline in the beginning of this article, and started doing some research. this article and its comments was one of the sources that I found and the most useful. the results of merging the info on this article with many other sources is summarised in a post on my blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Juristocracy. Nice term. Thank you for the article. One has a sense of courts functioning in a biased way, but it takes some narrative skill to put it together in a pattern that can be observed and judged. I find speaking into the current maelstrom of emotions here on NM to be a very difficult thing. Thanks to Prof. Merieau for braving the storm.
р╣Гр╕Ир╣Ар╕вр╣Кр╕Щр╣Жр╕Щр╕░, Khun Vichai and friends.
Calling for an “immediate” return to constitutional rule by a civilian government is a pipe-dream. Even a concrete time line is impossible this early in the proceedings. The fact that the General didn’t follow convention seeking an audience with the King is indicative of the Monarch’s inability to be an influence as before. Accordingly this General took power which is more absolute than other coups. Clearly, Suthep’s agenda has been met by throwing out the Thaksin controlled government and placing most of the key figures under Army control. Paying the farmers as a first priority is to appease them for now. It’s a temporary measure to give them time to set things in motion and set their agenda for minimising the rural electorate. Come September when Prayuth supposed to retire , he may form a political party and become a candidate for PM if there is an election or just become one wearing a suit instead of uniform. This was the way of other Generals previously.Two things set the scenario apart from history. The monarchy is in limbo now with no satisfactory succession and the Red shirts movement are an established force to be reckoned with. If the General can neutralise them with concessions which the Democrats failed at and take away Thaksin’s constituency he may actually be seen as a saviour. It remains to be seen how good a strategist this General is. In the meantime Thaksin will do whatever it takes to undermine him. None of this had to happen had Abhisit embraced the Red Shirts and not let the rabbid dog Suthep kill them. The Democrats need a better electoral strategy instead of just refusing to partake in elections. There has to be a softening stance
by the elite towards the country people otherwise coups will be the only circuit breakers.
Very well written and to the point. I am not optimistic about the advice being taken. The monarchy/military have too much control and they will not relinquish that control.
As much as I appreciate the condemnation of the coup, as much do I regard such an open letter as of little use. You can’t discuss with a tank, and to discuss with the driver of the tank, who received orders from others, is of limited use too. Is it a coup by Prayuth, or was he finally pushed by “dark influences” to stage the coup, after the legal coup failed? If this is the case, Prayuth is the driver of the tank, whose agency remains limited, and thus the letter adressed to the wrong person. I think, the tendency is to overestimate the current agency of the military.
Funny how a country that wages war against ethnic minorities and engages in ethnic cleansing can be considered a “middle power”. I wonder if this has anything to do with Myanmar opening itself up to Western businesses?
See what happens when a country makes nice with the West. It all of a sudden becomes a “respected member” of the international community. I fail to see how a government that tolerates ethnic cleansing in its territories and wages war against other ethnic minorities can be considered a respected member of anything. Funny about this praise of Myanmar. I do hope that the writer is aware that Myanmmar still remains firmly in the Chinese sphere of influence and that the Tatmadaw has no intention of ever relinquishing their power.
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ANU No Coup
Follow this up not with another appeal to the leadership but with an appeal to the rank and file of the army.
Counting Thailand’s coups
Hi Don – we used to work together at Mahidol U. Somewhat tangentially to the main discussion, I would like to say that IMO Thailand hasn’t had a good government for 40 years i.e. not since PM M.R. Kukrit Pramoj.
Condemnation of the coup
What, are you trying to get even more people arrested?
ANU No Coup
This coup seems to be very vicious compared to the last one that has been compared to silk. No government appointed by the military should get any international recognition.I imagine that local Thais who dare to protest against this coup do so at great risk. I admire their courage. One cannot argue with a machine gun stuck close to your face.
Examining ISMA’s Nam Tien ideology
The article gives an insightful analysis of the underlying “fault lines” in the socio-political landscape of what is Malaysia and Malaysian, no doubt. However, the eruptions that appear to be taking place appear to be happening unnaturally and one can’t dismiss the orchestration of some unseen hands. It’s debatable if “authoritative figures” are unable to put a stop to such eruptions. It’s a question of political will. The fact that the authorities have not acted sooner begs the question why. It appears a dangerous game of politics is being played unfortunately and what is Malaysia being put at risk. I hope I am wrong.
Condemnation of the coup
A very praiseworthy declaration of support by academics outside Thailand in defence for the voiceless. Here is hoping that the coup is a temporary pyrrhic victory for the elites in the face of worldwide condemnation.
Thailand’s information war
The general impression I get from talking to middle-class Thais here in Bangkok (this includes Esarn people, is that everyone hopes the pain is worth the gain. Disclaimer: These days I avoid any sort of political discussion with extremists because I have found them to have closed minds. There’s no real language barrier – they have mental barriers.
Myanmar as middle power
Timor is not let into ASEAN mainly because it doesn’t meet the ASEA’s requirements. That has nothing to do with current ASEAN Chair Burma. One ASEAN’s requirement Timor hasn’t met is to be able to open embassies in each and every ASEAN country. Timor doesn’t even have financial and human resources to fulfill that critical requirement. May be Australia the savior of Timor will help Timor out if Timorese people ask Australia nicely again.
Return to the fold
The writer belongs to one of the great pillars of Global True Terrorism, Global Cabal which is propped up by the “elected” governments, Academia and the “independent” media of making the WMD kind. Everywhere they have been there follow deaths, destruction, smoldering landscape, poisoned fields and waters and coast, loss of identity, loss of social and communal cohesion, but mind you advanced!
Thailand’s information war
Information is flowing through FB and twittering. Unless they shut these down they will not control the social media. If they try there will be an uproar and things will get ugly.
Counting Thailand’s coups
Hi Nicholas, since the declaration of Martial law on monday of this week, I’ve been pondering the same variability of “coup counts” that you outline in the beginning of this article, and started doing some research. this article and its comments was one of the sources that I found and the most useful. the results of merging the info on this article with many other sources is summarised in a post on my blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
http://goo.gl/hrWFeF
Thailand’s juristocracy
Juristocracy. Nice term. Thank you for the article. One has a sense of courts functioning in a biased way, but it takes some narrative skill to put it together in a pattern that can be observed and judged. I find speaking into the current maelstrom of emotions here on NM to be a very difficult thing. Thanks to Prof. Merieau for braving the storm.
р╣Гр╕Ир╣Ар╕вр╣Кр╕Щр╣Жр╕Щр╕░, Khun Vichai and friends.
Condemnation of the coup
Calling for an “immediate” return to constitutional rule by a civilian government is a pipe-dream. Even a concrete time line is impossible this early in the proceedings. The fact that the General didn’t follow convention seeking an audience with the King is indicative of the Monarch’s inability to be an influence as before. Accordingly this General took power which is more absolute than other coups. Clearly, Suthep’s agenda has been met by throwing out the Thaksin controlled government and placing most of the key figures under Army control. Paying the farmers as a first priority is to appease them for now. It’s a temporary measure to give them time to set things in motion and set their agenda for minimising the rural electorate. Come September when Prayuth supposed to retire , he may form a political party and become a candidate for PM if there is an election or just become one wearing a suit instead of uniform. This was the way of other Generals previously.Two things set the scenario apart from history. The monarchy is in limbo now with no satisfactory succession and the Red shirts movement are an established force to be reckoned with. If the General can neutralise them with concessions which the Democrats failed at and take away Thaksin’s constituency he may actually be seen as a saviour. It remains to be seen how good a strategist this General is. In the meantime Thaksin will do whatever it takes to undermine him. None of this had to happen had Abhisit embraced the Red Shirts and not let the rabbid dog Suthep kill them. The Democrats need a better electoral strategy instead of just refusing to partake in elections. There has to be a softening stance
by the elite towards the country people otherwise coups will be the only circuit breakers.
Condemnation of the coup
Very well written and to the point. I am not optimistic about the advice being taken. The monarchy/military have too much control and they will not relinquish that control.
Condemnation of the coup
As much as I appreciate the condemnation of the coup, as much do I regard such an open letter as of little use. You can’t discuss with a tank, and to discuss with the driver of the tank, who received orders from others, is of limited use too. Is it a coup by Prayuth, or was he finally pushed by “dark influences” to stage the coup, after the legal coup failed? If this is the case, Prayuth is the driver of the tank, whose agency remains limited, and thus the letter adressed to the wrong person. I think, the tendency is to overestimate the current agency of the military.
Condemnation of the coup
do u have a list of NATIONAL scholars condemning the coup….
Coup? What coup?
You will feel the heat soon Mr Vichai and you will have deserved it, the reds are preparing indeed but Ratchaprasong is not the target this time
Myanmar as middle power
Funny how a country that wages war against ethnic minorities and engages in ethnic cleansing can be considered a “middle power”. I wonder if this has anything to do with Myanmar opening itself up to Western businesses?
Return to the fold
See what happens when a country makes nice with the West. It all of a sudden becomes a “respected member” of the international community. I fail to see how a government that tolerates ethnic cleansing in its territories and wages war against other ethnic minorities can be considered a respected member of anything. Funny about this praise of Myanmar. I do hope that the writer is aware that Myanmmar still remains firmly in the Chinese sphere of influence and that the Tatmadaw has no intention of ever relinquishing their power.
Condemnation of the coup
Waste of time. Do they care who you are? I think you should write to States dept instead.