Rod (#8.1.1.1.8), the most dangerous kind of king is one that is hard-working and benevolent. People take their eyes off the bullies, creeps, and conspirators that pack the hierarchy of his underlings. The best kind of king is so vain, incompetent, and unpopular that a better system of government evolves. That is how modern democracy originated, during the 100 years of unpopular Georges in England. Thailand’s tragedy is that all that remains of Bhumibol’s reign are the bullies, creeps, and conspirators.
Rod,
Where is your proof that the Red Shirts are using M-79 grenades and that Thaksin’s aim is to wage a civil war? For you to suggest that Arthurson cleaned his M-79, this only serves to convince me and most of the people here that you are an evil person. I have been following your posts for sometimes and your posts are nothing but hatred toward Yingluck, her government, and the Red Shirts. As I had asked you before on the previous post: why so much hate toward YL and Thaksin? What say you, rod? Are you a paid propagandist for Suthep and Co.? If that is how you are making the living, so be it.
And what evidence makes you think that “men in black” are the Red Shirts. People had seen and photographed these men back in 2010 shooting and murdering unarmed civilians, execution style. Their skill indicates that they were military-trained personnel. The people who ordered the massacre are still running around giving lip service and using sinister means to bring down the government. I will not be surprised if ordinary Thais, including the Red Shirts, take up arms to fight injustice, this time around. Why should they fight empty-handed or poorly armed, when the guys on the other side drive tanks? No one wants to live under lies, oppression, and injustice. Do you, Rod?
Questions about the type of voting system are a bit irrelevant when part of the problem with Thai ‘democracy’ is that it is functioning more like the american republic where opposing political elites are conducting an increasingly polarised battle, than a constitutional monarchy where there is a presumption of the monarchy providing a stabilising influence. Either the ‘monarchy’ part of the constitution is part of the process or it isn’t, but if it is invisible because any discussion about it is censored out of existence, why is it surprising that chaos reigns? At least the americans have a grudging respect for freedom of speech.
How many Gotees are leading the Red Shirts? Answer: Many … too many.
Very recent Red violence and hatred: “… In the early evening hours, unknown gunmen fired grenades and automatic weapons at the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) demonstration in the province of Trat. They targeted the area on the perimeter of the demonstration, killing two five-year-old girls who were helping their respective mothers at their noodle stands. At the same time the little girls were shot and killed, the core members and leaders of Thaksin’s red shirt supporters were meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima. One of the Red Shirt leaders, “Dab Daeng” took the stage and proceeded to announce: “I have good news to tell my red shirt brothers and sisters from all provinces. The PDRC members of Suthep at the protest stage in Khao Saming (Trat) were deservedly given a reception by the locals. Five PDRC people were killed and over 30 injured. The locals welcomed them because they love Suthep a lot…” Upon hearing this news, many of the Red Shirts cheered, pumping their fists in the air and applauding. While the Red Shirts were cheering the cold blooded murder of two five year old girls, the rest of Thailand wept. This was Saturday night, February 24, 2014.
For Thai people, crying time was not over. On Sunday afternoon, three people, including two more children, were murdered in front of a shopping mall they had just left. They were waiting to get on a “tuk-tuk” to return home when they were blasted apart by M-79 grenades. This took place at the far edge of a central Bangkok rally location. Thailand continued to weep. To this date (March 25) no one has been arrested …..”
Fancy words Jim#2 this elusive “equitable wealth distribution” that neither communists nor socialists at any country had been able to achieve; yet your faith that the corrupt billionaire (and growing!)Thaksin and his rah-rah Red followers could succeed?
Explain two things Jim#2: (a) what ‘equitable wealth distribution’ is, and (b) why you believe Thaksin the insatiable corrupt could succeed.
In the meantime the rah-rah Red believers gather at Phutamonthon and whaddaya know, it seems the believers appear to be predominantly Khmers or Burmese or other suspect ‘illegals’ caught inking their thumbs to get their attendance or ‘loyalty’ fees from Jatuporn. (I suspect Jatuporn is cheating Thaksin by hiring very cheap illegals to the Phutamonthon Red gathering, hah!)
Supporting the “red” movement is not difficult for those of us who welcomed TRT successes in support of the working-class majority of Thais. These successes came at the expense of elitist interests – interests that will not rest until the last vestige of equitable wealth distribution is smashed, and the elitist pigs are again free to feed unhindered at the public trough.
R.N.England writes with pretensions on top of pretensions, but the short of it is: he abhors the Thai monarchy. Arthurson writes with less pretensions perhaps, but remains deceitful nonetheless, but surprise yes surprise: Arthurson thinks the CP is o.k. because the CP is a closet Red sympathizer at heart.
Now why would there be a monarchist hater (R.N.England) and a monarchist adulator (Arthurson), when both are bona fide Red sympathizers? Answer: R.N. England hates the Thai monarchy, specifically HMK, because HMK won’t give Thaksin a royal amnesty. While Arthurson thinks the CP would grant Thaksin a swift royal amnesty when the CP is crowned.
In short, there is no real ideology that binds R.N. England or Arthurson both. Only their undying affection for Thaksin is what binds R.N. England or Arthurson to color themselves true deep Red.
This great bit of research reveals the extent to which public life in Indonesia has become Jakarta-centric. An enormous share of economic activity, media production and political advocacy takes place in the one city, making it much tougher for people from other parts of the country to feel like they are in the thick of things without coming to the capital.
The research seems like a great demonstration of the need to decentralise not just government decision-making, but commercial and cultural activity as well.
Great piece. Always interesting to hear from people on the ground in Papua.
Political-parties-as-brands is a great explanation for the relationship between people and parties in Indonesia. Given that in most product categories a handful of brands dominate, one wonders whether Indonesian politics needs to go through a period of mergers and consolidation.
Jokowi has certainly been quiet on policy commitments, but then so has just about every other candidate. Seems like he and his PDI-P advisers are pursuing a small-target strategy, hoping to avoid saying anything that upsets the momentum.
Given the lack of sophistication in the way voters make up their minds, it seems like a smart strategy. The challenge for improving the state of Indonesian democracy is fostering a class of journalists, NGOs and ultimately voters that ask tough questions on policy and expect answers. Only then will candidates really be put to the test.
Interesting piece. It’s a bit dispiriting that the legislative campaign has become so presidential in style, with policies and local candidates failing to attract much attention.
Tempo last week profiled La Ode Ota as one of 11 high-quality legislative candidates across the country. It’ll be worth noting whether he and the others get over the line. Prospects don’t appear great, given he and the others seem to be having trouble getting heard about the “noise” of the campaign.
Rod (#8.1.1.1.6), I am red sympathiser too. That is because I have concluded that the Reds are less corrupt and dangerous than the monarchists. The Thai monarchy is like the monarchies of pre-Enlightenment Europe. It demands blind, unquestioning loyalty in the face of evidence. Unquestioning loyalty sets the scene for unlimited corruption and severe oppression. The Thai monarchy is an integral part of traditional Thai culture, which like other pre-Enlightenment cultures, in the West and the East, is weak in the face of unrestrained power, and fundamentally corrupt.
Enlightenment values are gradually infiltrating the East. The Reds are taking them up. They support a group of politicians who are prepared to submit to the moral scrutiny of the electorate, and be judged by them. That limits the power of those politicians to oppress and deceive the Thai people, whereas there is no such constraint on the monarchy, and on those who exploit the absolute loyalty of the unenlightened in the quest for power.
I did not read this article beyond the second paragraph because it is waste of my time, written by your typical economist who measure growth by using economic indicator(s) that mean nothing to any real person. Even if a country achieved high GDP, does it translate into even distribution of wealth for all its citizens? What is so violent for me, and I am sure to most of you, is that economists, politicians, and supra-national institutions (like the IMF, WB, etc, and of course business institutions have appropriated indicators of this and that to make their arguments. Isn’t it time to question, not only the validity of these indicators that alleged to portray social realities, but also the very notion of indicator itself?
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Jokowi the party man
why everyone idolizing him?
He doesn’t finish his job as jakarta’s number one person.
Network monarchy’s twilight
Rod (#8.1.1.1.8), the most dangerous kind of king is one that is hard-working and benevolent. People take their eyes off the bullies, creeps, and conspirators that pack the hierarchy of his underlings. The best kind of king is so vain, incompetent, and unpopular that a better system of government evolves. That is how modern democracy originated, during the 100 years of unpopular Georges in England. Thailand’s tragedy is that all that remains of Bhumibol’s reign are the bullies, creeps, and conspirators.
Network monarchy’s twilight
Rod,
Where is your proof that the Red Shirts are using M-79 grenades and that Thaksin’s aim is to wage a civil war? For you to suggest that Arthurson cleaned his M-79, this only serves to convince me and most of the people here that you are an evil person. I have been following your posts for sometimes and your posts are nothing but hatred toward Yingluck, her government, and the Red Shirts. As I had asked you before on the previous post: why so much hate toward YL and Thaksin? What say you, rod? Are you a paid propagandist for Suthep and Co.? If that is how you are making the living, so be it.
And what evidence makes you think that “men in black” are the Red Shirts. People had seen and photographed these men back in 2010 shooting and murdering unarmed civilians, execution style. Their skill indicates that they were military-trained personnel. The people who ordered the massacre are still running around giving lip service and using sinister means to bring down the government. I will not be surprised if ordinary Thais, including the Red Shirts, take up arms to fight injustice, this time around. Why should they fight empty-handed or poorly armed, when the guys on the other side drive tanks? No one wants to live under lies, oppression, and injustice. Do you, Rod?
Thailand’s fairest reform?
Questions about the type of voting system are a bit irrelevant when part of the problem with Thai ‘democracy’ is that it is functioning more like the american republic where opposing political elites are conducting an increasingly polarised battle, than a constitutional monarchy where there is a presumption of the monarchy providing a stabilising influence. Either the ‘monarchy’ part of the constitution is part of the process or it isn’t, but if it is invisible because any discussion about it is censored out of existence, why is it surprising that chaos reigns? At least the americans have a grudging respect for freedom of speech.
Bangkok’s last Red Shirt fortress
How many Gotees are leading the Red Shirts? Answer: Many … too many.
Very recent Red violence and hatred: “… In the early evening hours, unknown gunmen fired grenades and automatic weapons at the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) demonstration in the province of Trat. They targeted the area on the perimeter of the demonstration, killing two five-year-old girls who were helping their respective mothers at their noodle stands. At the same time the little girls were shot and killed, the core members and leaders of Thaksin’s red shirt supporters were meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima. One of the Red Shirt leaders, “Dab Daeng” took the stage and proceeded to announce: “I have good news to tell my red shirt brothers and sisters from all provinces. The PDRC members of Suthep at the protest stage in Khao Saming (Trat) were deservedly given a reception by the locals. Five PDRC people were killed and over 30 injured. The locals welcomed them because they love Suthep a lot…” Upon hearing this news, many of the Red Shirts cheered, pumping their fists in the air and applauding. While the Red Shirts were cheering the cold blooded murder of two five year old girls, the rest of Thailand wept. This was Saturday night, February 24, 2014.
For Thai people, crying time was not over. On Sunday afternoon, three people, including two more children, were murdered in front of a shopping mall they had just left. They were waiting to get on a “tuk-tuk” to return home when they were blasted apart by M-79 grenades. This took place at the far edge of a central Bangkok rally location. Thailand continued to weep. To this date (March 25) no one has been arrested …..”
Source: http://www.globalresearch.ca/thailand-thaksins-red-shirts-and-the-ongoing-violence/5376310
Network monarchy’s twilight
Fancy words Jim#2 this elusive “equitable wealth distribution” that neither communists nor socialists at any country had been able to achieve; yet your faith that the corrupt billionaire (and growing!)Thaksin and his rah-rah Red followers could succeed?
Explain two things Jim#2: (a) what ‘equitable wealth distribution’ is, and (b) why you believe Thaksin the insatiable corrupt could succeed.
In the meantime the rah-rah Red believers gather at Phutamonthon and whaddaya know, it seems the believers appear to be predominantly Khmers or Burmese or other suspect ‘illegals’ caught inking their thumbs to get their attendance or ‘loyalty’ fees from Jatuporn. (I suspect Jatuporn is cheating Thaksin by hiring very cheap illegals to the Phutamonthon Red gathering, hah!)
The king’s birthday speech
Whose picture appears at the top of the article?
Akanat “six degrees” Promphan
Actually, go speak perfect “Queen’s English” in a political campaign in Thailand and see how many votes you get!!??
Get real guys, Yingluck is the PM of Thailand NOT Oz or USA… DUH!
Network monarchy’s twilight
Supporting the “red” movement is not difficult for those of us who welcomed TRT successes in support of the working-class majority of Thais. These successes came at the expense of elitist interests – interests that will not rest until the last vestige of equitable wealth distribution is smashed, and the elitist pigs are again free to feed unhindered at the public trough.
Network monarchy’s twilight
R.N.England writes with pretensions on top of pretensions, but the short of it is: he abhors the Thai monarchy. Arthurson writes with less pretensions perhaps, but remains deceitful nonetheless, but surprise yes surprise: Arthurson thinks the CP is o.k. because the CP is a closet Red sympathizer at heart.
Now why would there be a monarchist hater (R.N.England) and a monarchist adulator (Arthurson), when both are bona fide Red sympathizers? Answer: R.N. England hates the Thai monarchy, specifically HMK, because HMK won’t give Thaksin a royal amnesty. While Arthurson thinks the CP would grant Thaksin a swift royal amnesty when the CP is crowned.
In short, there is no real ideology that binds R.N. England or Arthurson both. Only their undying affection for Thaksin is what binds R.N. England or Arthurson to color themselves true deep Red.
The Out-of-Towners
This great bit of research reveals the extent to which public life in Indonesia has become Jakarta-centric. An enormous share of economic activity, media production and political advocacy takes place in the one city, making it much tougher for people from other parts of the country to feel like they are in the thick of things without coming to the capital.
The research seems like a great demonstration of the need to decentralise not just government decision-making, but commercial and cultural activity as well.
Indonesia’s Political Football
Can’t help but note that in the kampungs kids are far more likely to be sporting the jerseys of European clubs than of local teams.
Such a shame that the Powers That Be in Indonesia can’t leverage local enthusiasm into a strong local league, and ultimately a strong national team.
Bersih2014: A New Political Movement is Born
It was great to see the Tempo cover story last week profiling 11 candidates that arose, in part, through the Bersih2014 initiative.
All power to the candidates – they sound like they would make great representatives. I’ll watch with keen interest to see how they go.
Bemused Spectators and Political Animals at the Tolikara Trough
Great piece. Always interesting to hear from people on the ground in Papua.
Political-parties-as-brands is a great explanation for the relationship between people and parties in Indonesia. Given that in most product categories a handful of brands dominate, one wonders whether Indonesian politics needs to go through a period of mergers and consolidation.
Jokowi the party man
Jokowi has certainly been quiet on policy commitments, but then so has just about every other candidate. Seems like he and his PDI-P advisers are pursuing a small-target strategy, hoping to avoid saying anything that upsets the momentum.
Given the lack of sophistication in the way voters make up their minds, it seems like a smart strategy. The challenge for improving the state of Indonesian democracy is fostering a class of journalists, NGOs and ultimately voters that ask tough questions on policy and expect answers. Only then will candidates really be put to the test.
Jokowimania: a dispatch from Southeast Sulawesi
Interesting piece. It’s a bit dispiriting that the legislative campaign has become so presidential in style, with policies and local candidates failing to attract much attention.
Tempo last week profiled La Ode Ota as one of 11 high-quality legislative candidates across the country. It’ll be worth noting whether he and the others get over the line. Prospects don’t appear great, given he and the others seem to be having trouble getting heard about the “noise” of the campaign.
Network monarchy’s twilight
Rod (#8.1.1.1.6), I am red sympathiser too. That is because I have concluded that the Reds are less corrupt and dangerous than the monarchists. The Thai monarchy is like the monarchies of pre-Enlightenment Europe. It demands blind, unquestioning loyalty in the face of evidence. Unquestioning loyalty sets the scene for unlimited corruption and severe oppression. The Thai monarchy is an integral part of traditional Thai culture, which like other pre-Enlightenment cultures, in the West and the East, is weak in the face of unrestrained power, and fundamentally corrupt.
Enlightenment values are gradually infiltrating the East. The Reds are taking them up. They support a group of politicians who are prepared to submit to the moral scrutiny of the electorate, and be judged by them. That limits the power of those politicians to oppress and deceive the Thai people, whereas there is no such constraint on the monarchy, and on those who exploit the absolute loyalty of the unenlightened in the quest for power.
Bemused Spectators and Political Animals at the Tolikara Trough
Jokowi break the paradigm of corruption ?
I think you mean bridge the paradigm of corruption.
Malaysia – a multigear, multiengine economy
I did not read this article beyond the second paragraph because it is waste of my time, written by your typical economist who measure growth by using economic indicator(s) that mean nothing to any real person. Even if a country achieved high GDP, does it translate into even distribution of wealth for all its citizens? What is so violent for me, and I am sure to most of you, is that economists, politicians, and supra-national institutions (like the IMF, WB, etc, and of course business institutions have appropriated indicators of this and that to make their arguments. Isn’t it time to question, not only the validity of these indicators that alleged to portray social realities, but also the very notion of indicator itself?
Myanmar up for the count
Nick
“There is also far too much ‘zombie information’; this needs to be killed off once and for all.”
Please define ‘zombie Information’ with a few good examples. May be we all here at New Mandala can start killing them off, en mass.
Is this an example?
http://www.newmandala.org/2007/01/30/volunteering-to-fight-in-burma/