How to stop the Thaksin system?
Have it written that any PM can serve two terms maximum.
When Thaksin was PM I had the feeling he was setting himself up for the long haul by inserting his own people into positions of power. He even floated the idea of a one party system, something that would suit Mr. T very well as long as he could have the top spot.
In 2006 Thaksin was half way through his second term, if he had been limited to two terms he would have had only two years to go. In that case powers that be might have been able to resist the urge to stage a coup.
Also Thasin has been desperate to get back to power since the coup. If he knew he could only get another two years he would not have spent so much time and effort.
Hi Andrew and Roger~~ just randomly saw those post~~
i’m gonna say Wow~~! you guys know this place which I call it as my hometown much more than I do.
So just want to say~according to my very limited knowledge and experience in Sipsongpanna and being a half Tai Lue, I feel so sad about this place and these people. Regardless academic theories (because I know few…), they seem hardly to find a position in China’s overwhelming Han culture, neither in Laos and Thailand. They have no where to go but being marginalized and assimilated silently. With time goes on, a totally different new ethnic group which fits the authorities’ expectations may be created in each side of the boarder line.
It is at least encouraging that the military budget now forms part of the National Budget, was scrutinised by the all civilian Public Accounts Committee earlier this year and was even debated, after a fashion, in Parliament. The Tatmadaw made it clear that they expected to see their budget approved without change, and it was. In that respect, the process was scarcely different from what happens in Thailand, or Vietnam or indeed anywhere else in SE Asia.
On the published figures, expenditure on the military in Myanmar is on a par with expenditure in other countries in the region, calculated in terms of GDP per head. The SIPRI figures, by my calculation, show US$ 14.05 for the Philippines, 19.99 for Myanmar, 20.78 for Indonesia, 26.06 for Vietnam and 64.28 for Thailand in 2011. I doubt that the figures for 2012 would show any significant change. I have no particular reason to suppose, though I may suspect, that the regime has access to other funding. But in those circumstances I would expect the World Bank, IMF and ADB, who are thick on the ground inside Myanmar, to have a pretty good idea of what is happening. On the face of it, Myanmar needs to treble its defence expenditure in real terms just to keep up with the Thais, their historical enemies.
Last year The Economist – See article at http://www.economist.com/node/21551056 – examined the military shopping spree then taking place in Asia. Almost every country, except Myanmar, was mentioned. What conclusions should we draw from this omission?
You are right about Suu Kyi pointing out, as indeed we all do, that little of the new money flowing into Myanmar has yet trickled down to the ordinary Burmese. From my own observation, I would say that the urban population are seeing some gains. There is movement into the towns, where there are some new employment opportunities, as happened in Vietnam in the 1990s. But Suu Kyi has also said that, more generally, Western investors are coming to Myanmar and examining prospects, but not concluding contracts – and on that she is quite wrong as she is on many things relating to finance and the economy.
My own sources of information do not support your general thesis, but it is important that all analyses should be shared. Without debate, we cannot hope to get at the truth.
Perhaps worth a few moments’ reflection why Suthep’s “followers despise Thaksin and condemn the influence he has upon the government of his sister, Yingluck” and what the government could do to dispel the distasteful image of a government bent on massive mismanagement of public finance, corrupt and personal interests.
Apologising for the Amnesty Bill fiasco and a major review of the ruinous rice pledging scheme would be a good start but there is no inclination to even acknowledge there is a problem. Therefore, if they win this time, there will just kick the can down the run and another outrageous decision in future will ignite things again.
You could read many things into this, including that the government should cease working for their own personal interests and work for the common good of all Thais instead. It was not a call to revolution for sure.
Glaring error on my part – thanks for pointing it out…
I believe Pundit was putting forward similar numbers and forms of calculation on twitter and speed-read Vichai’s comment above.
However, I’d still hold to my calculations and would suggest anything over 200k is fantasy. I would imagine the total figure would be more like 150k – 850k short of the 1million the Democrats have been repeatedly claiming.
Ms Holzer had another letter published in The Nation more recently openly advocating a military coup. If she is really living in Thailand under that name, she must be crazy. Anyway I guess it would require a court order to force The Nation to provide evidence of who sent them the letter, if they still have it.
I think it is crucial to remember Suthep’s past and his current situation. To allow him to hoodwink people into believing this is about an interpretation of democratic principles and a bid to end corruption is off the mark.
Suthep himself has a history of corruption dating back to the early 1990s when he swindled farmers who were to receive government land by giving much of it to wealthy friends and neighbors. That brought down the government but Suthep got off scot free; as he has for others transgressions throughout the years.
Feeling invulnerable he probably also believed he would never be accused by any court of the 2010 murders of unarmed protestors. But…Suthep is now under indictment for murder.
If he succeeds in bringing down the elected government he will point the finger at their lack of legitimacy and use that as a pretense for his own benefit, to avoid standing trial.
The democrats are not wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are fascists in hawk’s wings that have been clipped by the old, traditional power elite.
As we can see from the comment above by Ged Allen when people buy into the Spiel it is all about Thaksin, they lose sight of what it is really about. Just about every single “point” referred to about Thaksin is cliche; repeated ad nauseum.
Also blatant error in suggesting corruption went down after the 2006 coup when in fact, it has been seen to have gone up. Not to mention the rise in people charged with article 112 by about 1,600%.
PS I personally have little regard for Thaksin but he was toppled in an antidemocratic, anti-constitutional and illegal coup. Then he was convicted by a military dominated kangaroo court. Put the wealthiest families in the country under the same microscope and then see if any will be seen to have been cleaner than Thaksin. Probably none. They have been milking the country dry for over three quarters pif a century.
You are uninformed. Abhisit has publicly declared he will take over if Suthep fails. This is probably just another lie from the man who seems unable to grasp the truth.
That such a muddle-headed and grammatically poor post gets a 13-0 indicates that the writer has produced far more heat than light, thus making the post rather counter-productive – and probably self-defeating if one assumes the sentiments expressed are genuine.
Step 3: Rightly (if you follow the Supreme Court’s commentary on the Constitution Court’s manifest failings) convict Thaksin of asset concealment and therefore bar him from taking premiership
Just before the final battles around Rajprasong in 2010, Thaksin pleaded with Bangkok people to accept him, promising he would give them modern transportation and modern education. Well, like the best efforts at education reform, nearly all the modern or modernized transport was from the Democrats, while Thaksin has done little or nothing ever about either.
As for the previous disingenuous and misleading comment about the relationship between education and democratic outcomes, you sir, are part of the problem.
We rally to oust the government who do not accept the order of the constitution court. The Yingluk MPs declared 1 day prior to the ruling of the court that they will not accept the court order. I’m just curious that is it common to do so in other civilized countries.
Well, all the media buying thing should be limited to Khun Thaksin, otherwise it will be an evil? Thaksin has been and still buying media both locals and internationals. He hires an international PR agency to paint himself as a self exile, actually he was imposed on corruption(well some might criticized that the case was during the military government, but the court is nothing to do with the government?). He buys everything from the redshirt supporter (lots clips in Youtube show the line of people handed for 200 Baht before loaded into the buses in several occasion e.g. 2009 and 2013 gathering) He bought small political parties (р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕лр╕зр╕▒р╕Зр╣Гр╕лр╕бр╣И Party of Pol. Gen. Chavalit, Chartpattana Party of Chartchai/ Suvat, Kijsangkom party) to be Thai Ruk Thai and so forth Palung Prachachon and Peu Thai. That why Peu Thai can win several elections in the past years (Thai vote for their MP not party). So not to be naive on Thai politicians esp. who came from a business tycoon with pocket full of money.
р╣ЙHow about an government who publicly announced their abandon the order of the constitution court and still claimed themselves legitimacy, is it OK to do so in Australia?
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Who can stop the Thaksin system?
How to stop the Thaksin system?
Have it written that any PM can serve two terms maximum.
When Thaksin was PM I had the feeling he was setting himself up for the long haul by inserting his own people into positions of power. He even floated the idea of a one party system, something that would suit Mr. T very well as long as he could have the top spot.
In 2006 Thaksin was half way through his second term, if he had been limited to two terms he would have had only two years to go. In that case powers that be might have been able to resist the urge to stage a coup.
Also Thasin has been desperate to get back to power since the coup. If he knew he could only get another two years he would not have spent so much time and effort.
Rethinking Sipsongpanna
Hi Andrew and Roger~~ just randomly saw those post~~
i’m gonna say Wow~~! you guys know this place which I call it as my hometown much more than I do.
So just want to say~according to my very limited knowledge and experience in Sipsongpanna and being a half Tai Lue, I feel so sad about this place and these people. Regardless academic theories (because I know few…), they seem hardly to find a position in China’s overwhelming Han culture, neither in Laos and Thailand. They have no where to go but being marginalized and assimilated silently. With time goes on, a totally different new ethnic group which fits the authorities’ expectations may be created in each side of the boarder line.
Thailand’s stark choice
The issue is whether Abhisit has stated that he wants the unelected people’s council. Do you have evidence for this?
Myanmar’s military: Money and guns
It is at least encouraging that the military budget now forms part of the National Budget, was scrutinised by the all civilian Public Accounts Committee earlier this year and was even debated, after a fashion, in Parliament. The Tatmadaw made it clear that they expected to see their budget approved without change, and it was. In that respect, the process was scarcely different from what happens in Thailand, or Vietnam or indeed anywhere else in SE Asia.
On the published figures, expenditure on the military in Myanmar is on a par with expenditure in other countries in the region, calculated in terms of GDP per head. The SIPRI figures, by my calculation, show US$ 14.05 for the Philippines, 19.99 for Myanmar, 20.78 for Indonesia, 26.06 for Vietnam and 64.28 for Thailand in 2011. I doubt that the figures for 2012 would show any significant change. I have no particular reason to suppose, though I may suspect, that the regime has access to other funding. But in those circumstances I would expect the World Bank, IMF and ADB, who are thick on the ground inside Myanmar, to have a pretty good idea of what is happening. On the face of it, Myanmar needs to treble its defence expenditure in real terms just to keep up with the Thais, their historical enemies.
Last year The Economist – See article at http://www.economist.com/node/21551056 – examined the military shopping spree then taking place in Asia. Almost every country, except Myanmar, was mentioned. What conclusions should we draw from this omission?
You are right about Suu Kyi pointing out, as indeed we all do, that little of the new money flowing into Myanmar has yet trickled down to the ordinary Burmese. From my own observation, I would say that the urban population are seeing some gains. There is movement into the towns, where there are some new employment opportunities, as happened in Vietnam in the 1990s. But Suu Kyi has also said that, more generally, Western investors are coming to Myanmar and examining prospects, but not concluding contracts – and on that she is quite wrong as she is on many things relating to finance and the economy.
My own sources of information do not support your general thesis, but it is important that all analyses should be shared. Without debate, we cannot hope to get at the truth.
November rain for democracy in Thailand
Abuse of state power for personal financial gain vs ‘corruption’…there’s a difference?
What a crock.
November rain for democracy in Thailand
Oh I imagine he received a couple of million for his support…
Don’t be so bloody ridiculous, jeez.
Thailand’s stark choice
Perhaps worth a few moments’ reflection why Suthep’s “followers despise Thaksin and condemn the influence he has upon the government of his sister, Yingluck” and what the government could do to dispel the distasteful image of a government bent on massive mismanagement of public finance, corrupt and personal interests.
Apologising for the Amnesty Bill fiasco and a major review of the ruinous rice pledging scheme would be a good start but there is no inclination to even acknowledge there is a problem. Therefore, if they win this time, there will just kick the can down the run and another outrageous decision in future will ignite things again.
The king’s birthday speech
You could read many things into this, including that the government should cease working for their own personal interests and work for the common good of all Thais instead. It was not a call to revolution for sure.
Thailand’s stark choice
Pff123
Glaring error on my part – thanks for pointing it out…
I believe Pundit was putting forward similar numbers and forms of calculation on twitter and speed-read Vichai’s comment above.
However, I’d still hold to my calculations and would suggest anything over 200k is fantasy. I would imagine the total figure would be more like 150k – 850k short of the 1million the Democrats have been repeatedly claiming.
Assault on Nick Nostitz
Ms Holzer had another letter published in The Nation more recently openly advocating a military coup. If she is really living in Thailand under that name, she must be crazy. Anyway I guess it would require a court order to force The Nation to provide evidence of who sent them the letter, if they still have it.
Thailand’s stark choice
I think it is crucial to remember Suthep’s past and his current situation. To allow him to hoodwink people into believing this is about an interpretation of democratic principles and a bid to end corruption is off the mark.
Suthep himself has a history of corruption dating back to the early 1990s when he swindled farmers who were to receive government land by giving much of it to wealthy friends and neighbors. That brought down the government but Suthep got off scot free; as he has for others transgressions throughout the years.
Feeling invulnerable he probably also believed he would never be accused by any court of the 2010 murders of unarmed protestors. But…Suthep is now under indictment for murder.
If he succeeds in bringing down the elected government he will point the finger at their lack of legitimacy and use that as a pretense for his own benefit, to avoid standing trial.
The democrats are not wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are fascists in hawk’s wings that have been clipped by the old, traditional power elite.
As we can see from the comment above by Ged Allen when people buy into the Spiel it is all about Thaksin, they lose sight of what it is really about. Just about every single “point” referred to about Thaksin is cliche; repeated ad nauseum.
Also blatant error in suggesting corruption went down after the 2006 coup when in fact, it has been seen to have gone up. Not to mention the rise in people charged with article 112 by about 1,600%.
PS I personally have little regard for Thaksin but he was toppled in an antidemocratic, anti-constitutional and illegal coup. Then he was convicted by a military dominated kangaroo court. Put the wealthiest families in the country under the same microscope and then see if any will be seen to have been cleaner than Thaksin. Probably none. They have been milking the country dry for over three quarters pif a century.
Thailand’s stark choice
You are uninformed. Abhisit has publicly declared he will take over if Suthep fails. This is probably just another lie from the man who seems unable to grasp the truth.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
That such a muddle-headed and grammatically poor post gets a 13-0 indicates that the writer has produced far more heat than light, thus making the post rather counter-productive – and probably self-defeating if one assumes the sentiments expressed are genuine.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
Step 1: Invent Time Machine
Step 2: Go back to 2001
Step 3: Rightly (if you follow the Supreme Court’s commentary on the Constitution Court’s manifest failings) convict Thaksin of asset concealment and therefore bar him from taking premiership
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
‘All mouth, no trousers’
Just before the final battles around Rajprasong in 2010, Thaksin pleaded with Bangkok people to accept him, promising he would give them modern transportation and modern education. Well, like the best efforts at education reform, nearly all the modern or modernized transport was from the Democrats, while Thaksin has done little or nothing ever about either.
As for the previous disingenuous and misleading comment about the relationship between education and democratic outcomes, you sir, are part of the problem.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
Come on Prachathai is Thaksin’s voice.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
We rally to oust the government who do not accept the order of the constitution court. The Yingluk MPs declared 1 day prior to the ruling of the court that they will not accept the court order. I’m just curious that is it common to do so in other civilized countries.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
Well, all the media buying thing should be limited to Khun Thaksin, otherwise it will be an evil? Thaksin has been and still buying media both locals and internationals. He hires an international PR agency to paint himself as a self exile, actually he was imposed on corruption(well some might criticized that the case was during the military government, but the court is nothing to do with the government?). He buys everything from the redshirt supporter (lots clips in Youtube show the line of people handed for 200 Baht before loaded into the buses in several occasion e.g. 2009 and 2013 gathering) He bought small political parties (р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕лр╕зр╕▒р╕Зр╣Гр╕лр╕бр╣И Party of Pol. Gen. Chavalit, Chartpattana Party of Chartchai/ Suvat, Kijsangkom party) to be Thai Ruk Thai and so forth Palung Prachachon and Peu Thai. That why Peu Thai can win several elections in the past years (Thai vote for their MP not party). So not to be naive on Thai politicians esp. who came from a business tycoon with pocket full of money.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
Then let’s Thaksin rule Australia and suck your country dry to the bone, then hope you still happy with your tax payer.
Who can stop the Thaksin system?
р╣ЙHow about an government who publicly announced their abandon the order of the constitution court and still claimed themselves legitimacy, is it OK to do so in Australia?