Public perceptions of political figures in Thailand or anywhere, Tom Hoy, are reinforced or eroded out of the continuing conduct of those figures themselves. Surely Tom Hoy you must be aware of how the reputation “Thaksin-the-mother-of-Thai-corruption” grew and been reinforced: (1) the Snoh revelations of the Thaksin-Potjaman elaborate system of take-it-or-leave ‘cuts’ on government projects/contracts, (2) the Thaksin’s buying of small political parties, (3) the outrageous “Baht 2 million sandwiches” Thaksin’s bribes to the Constitution Court judges that got his lawyers jailed, (4) Thaksin’s TRT being outlawed because his Deputy PM was caught again ‘bribing’ small parties to circumvent election rules, (5) Thaksin’s many known and unknown offshore bank accounts, and many more.
To, Hoy you deceive yourself if you think Tida or any of the Red leaders had roused their Red followers to anarchy (and their deaths) in year 2010 because these Red leaders are of “democratic minds”. Those Red leaders pockets bulge with Thaksin ‘maintenance fees’.
I don’t blame those Red leaders Tom Hoy. After all those Red leaders are ready to lay their lives for Beloved Leader Thaksin whose mantra: “It is cool to be corrupt in Thailand”.
The Red Shirts cause is a dead cause, because “Thaksin is the Red Shirts cause.”
As a longtime expat resident in Bangkok and someone keenly interested in the politics of Thailand I found Nick’s reporting to be absolutely excellent – and something badly needed given the very very lame and partial reporting of the mainstream English press here. His treatment yesterday was sickening and the Facebook page and the comments by the middle class mob even more appalling. I hope he comes back to his work with renewed energy after this nasty episode. Thank you Nick for your courageous work.
Yes, today’s typical barely literate corporate journalist would have referred to the people smashing and burning the shops, synagogues, and homes of Jews 80 years ago as “protesters”.
I was totally outraged when I read that it was Nick that was attacked, I was unaware of the hate campaign against him. He has always been fair to both sides in every situation, and I always know I can wait a few days for an impartial report from him, accompanied by his excellent photos. And even worse, they broke his glasses and camera.
Seem like being label “Redshirt” is the new “Juden”. Redshirt protest against news station was barbaric, but Black/Blue/Yellowshirt protest is civil disobediance?
It’s 2013 and Thai people still believe in Good vs. Evil. Yeah, the world is in black&white, and side of good people can do no wrong. Wow, just…. wow.
What a shame to lose someone who knows the language and culture so well. Nick is a real street hound always right there in the middle of things. It’s a loss for Thailand…
Nick Nostitz has been attacked this afternoon at anti-government rally, according to The Nation (Nov. 25, 6:33 p.m.):
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand has voiced concern following an attack on a German photojournalist on Monday, allegedly after he was identified as a “redshirt” at a rally.
Nick Nostitz, a freelance cameraman who has written two books about political turbulence in Thailand in recent years, was allegedly punched after being singled out by a speaker.
The FCCT issued a statement Monday that said: “An accredited foreign journalist was today assaulted by anti-government protesters while doing his job covering the ongoing protests.
“Details are not clear but initial reports say a speaker from the stage singled him out, triggering the assault. The incident was also featured on Blue Sky TV, and Internet comments continued to target the journalist.
“The FCCT deplores this in the strongest possible terms, and calls upon protest leaders to unequivocally and publicly state that the rights of journalists, foreign or Thai, should be respected.”
According to Thai Political Prisoners, our colleague Mr. Nostitz was being targeted with racist and violent comments on the Democrat Party’s Blue Sky Channel Facebook page, apparently before the physical attack on him.
Ah so the impressions you have are as good as solid evidenced facts. I have the impression for instance that Tida is not corrupt. Perhaps I’m wrong. But you treat your impressions as absolute proof.
I suppose the proof that Pheau Thai won the election corruptly is the impression you have that they all received 500 baht. It must be a handy argumenting tool when you can just trot out your impressions as though they are divine revelations.
Chang Dek you are just the man that could settle an arithmetic debate I am having with my wife. After pocketing that Baht 800 (I am presuming you are a male) at Democracy Monument, you must have enough opportunity to count how many protesters there were at Democracy Monument?
The police estimates 70,000. Deputy PM Chalerm Y. estimates definitely less than 100,000. BangkokPundit says maybe 150,000 but definitely less than 175,000. The protesters themselves of course are just dishonest, floating 300,000 to 400,000 estimates.
Chang Dek give your dishonest estimate too, and at least earn your keep for that Baht 800!
Amazingly very peaceful and very disciplined protests, considering the numbers. So far no bombings, grenade attacks, shootings or arson.
On the sidelines at Democracy Monument last night, I was told the going rate for a male protester is now THB 800 and THB 500 for a female. Sexism at play?
I think the family of street vendor Eng Sokhom who was shot by the incompetent “modernising…Cambodian police” would find it “useful to talk about human rights”. Further Australia which is providing $AUD 84 million in development assistance to Cambodia in 2012–13 can play a part in that discussion.
Get a life. Asking if you were a staff member was a minor mistake with zero practical implications and zero malicious intent.
I hope your academic research deals with matters more serious than this… it’s disturbing to see an otherwise intelligent individual waste their time on such trivialities.
Racism should be fought where it matters (e.g. Burmese treatment of Rohingya), not exaggerated where it might exist in trace amounts… unless you subscribe to homeopathy theory where the more diluted and undetectable it is, the more potent it gets.
“Thanks to the Democrat Party network, lese majeste has been weaponized against political speech, making it difficult for citizens to articulate their policy demands without fear of criminal charges.”
What has Pheua Thai done to correct this after promising to reform the law before taking office? The government has shown wholehearted support for Section 122 and refused to include LM offenders in the Amnesty Bill but included thousands of crimes of corruption that had nothing whatsoever to do with political expression. Your client also showed himself to be an enthusiastic proponent of Thailand’s equally antiquated criminal defamation laws which he used vigorously, while in office, to try to suppress criticism.
The interesting thing is that the Democrats have realised that they need not be at a disadvantage in the numbers game when it comes to street mobs, even though they cannot win the popular vote. Previously they didn’t organise their own mobs but relied on the PAD and other affiliates who drew support from bangkok’s middle classes. Now they have decided to mimick Pheua Thai and get their MPs to mobilise supporters from the South. It doesn’t matter much that the Northeast and the North have larger populations. The South has easily enough people to fill up the streets of Bangkok and paralyse the government. That is what is happening now.
None of this would have happened without Thaksin’s insistence on trying to ram through the Amnesty Bill. It is like 2006 when he was too pig headed and greedy to make a voluntary donation in lieu of tax avoided on the Shin Corp deal which would have pre-empted the coup. A organisation like the red shirts that has little ideology aside from supporting one very mercurial man and receiving funding from him directly and indirectly is bound to have its ups and downs but must ultimately collapse.
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Uprooting the Thaksin regime
Public perceptions of political figures in Thailand or anywhere, Tom Hoy, are reinforced or eroded out of the continuing conduct of those figures themselves. Surely Tom Hoy you must be aware of how the reputation “Thaksin-the-mother-of-Thai-corruption” grew and been reinforced: (1) the Snoh revelations of the Thaksin-Potjaman elaborate system of take-it-or-leave ‘cuts’ on government projects/contracts, (2) the Thaksin’s buying of small political parties, (3) the outrageous “Baht 2 million sandwiches” Thaksin’s bribes to the Constitution Court judges that got his lawyers jailed, (4) Thaksin’s TRT being outlawed because his Deputy PM was caught again ‘bribing’ small parties to circumvent election rules, (5) Thaksin’s many known and unknown offshore bank accounts, and many more.
To, Hoy you deceive yourself if you think Tida or any of the Red leaders had roused their Red followers to anarchy (and their deaths) in year 2010 because these Red leaders are of “democratic minds”. Those Red leaders pockets bulge with Thaksin ‘maintenance fees’.
I don’t blame those Red leaders Tom Hoy. After all those Red leaders are ready to lay their lives for Beloved Leader Thaksin whose mantra: “It is cool to be corrupt in Thailand”.
The Red Shirts cause is a dead cause, because “Thaksin is the Red Shirts cause.”
Yesterday, tomorrow, Thailand
As a longtime expat resident in Bangkok and someone keenly interested in the politics of Thailand I found Nick’s reporting to be absolutely excellent – and something badly needed given the very very lame and partial reporting of the mainstream English press here. His treatment yesterday was sickening and the Facebook page and the comments by the middle class mob even more appalling. I hope he comes back to his work with renewed energy after this nasty episode. Thank you Nick for your courageous work.
Yesterday, tomorrow, Thailand
Sadly yesterday is only the physical culmination of several years of harassment Nick has faced. When he says ongoing, he means it.
Yesterday, tomorrow, Thailand
Yes, today’s typical barely literate corporate journalist would have referred to the people smashing and burning the shops, synagogues, and homes of Jews 80 years ago as “protesters”.
Say what, cakap apa?
Hmmm bringing smelly food to office may not be a good idea and it shows that you are not sensitive to other people or culture.
My 2cents… We all have to be a little more sensitive and less selfish.
Yesterday, tomorrow, Thailand
I was totally outraged when I read that it was Nick that was attacked, I was unaware of the hate campaign against him. He has always been fair to both sides in every situation, and I always know I can wait a few days for an impartial report from him, accompanied by his excellent photos. And even worse, they broke his glasses and camera.
Yesterday, tomorrow, Thailand
Seem like being label “Redshirt” is the new “Juden”. Redshirt protest against news station was barbaric, but Black/Blue/Yellowshirt protest is civil disobediance?
It’s 2013 and Thai people still believe in Good vs. Evil. Yeah, the world is in black&white, and side of good people can do no wrong. Wow, just…. wow.
Yesterday, tomorrow, Thailand
What a shame to lose someone who knows the language and culture so well. Nick is a real street hound always right there in the middle of things. It’s a loss for Thailand…
What is to be done in Thailand?
Terrible news. An outrageous attack that has no excuse.
I wish Mr. Nostitz a speedy recovery and that justice be done in apprehending those who assaulted him.
Although, I realize the second wish shall occur right after the proverbial freezing temperatures in Hades.
What is to be done in Thailand?
Nick Nostitz has been attacked this afternoon at anti-government rally, according to The Nation (Nov. 25, 6:33 p.m.):
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand has voiced concern following an attack on a German photojournalist on Monday, allegedly after he was identified as a “redshirt” at a rally.
Nick Nostitz, a freelance cameraman who has written two books about political turbulence in Thailand in recent years, was allegedly punched after being singled out by a speaker.
The FCCT issued a statement Monday that said: “An accredited foreign journalist was today assaulted by anti-government protesters while doing his job covering the ongoing protests.
“Details are not clear but initial reports say a speaker from the stage singled him out, triggering the assault. The incident was also featured on Blue Sky TV, and Internet comments continued to target the journalist.
“The FCCT deplores this in the strongest possible terms, and calls upon protest leaders to unequivocally and publicly state that the rights of journalists, foreign or Thai, should be respected.”
According to Thai Political Prisoners, our colleague Mr. Nostitz was being targeted with racist and violent comments on the Democrat Party’s Blue Sky Channel Facebook page, apparently before the physical attack on him.
Uprooting the Thaksin regime
Ah so the impressions you have are as good as solid evidenced facts. I have the impression for instance that Tida is not corrupt. Perhaps I’m wrong. But you treat your impressions as absolute proof.
I suppose the proof that Pheau Thai won the election corruptly is the impression you have that they all received 500 baht. It must be a handy argumenting tool when you can just trot out your impressions as though they are divine revelations.
What is to be done in Thailand?
Chang Dek you are just the man that could settle an arithmetic debate I am having with my wife. After pocketing that Baht 800 (I am presuming you are a male) at Democracy Monument, you must have enough opportunity to count how many protesters there were at Democracy Monument?
The police estimates 70,000. Deputy PM Chalerm Y. estimates definitely less than 100,000. BangkokPundit says maybe 150,000 but definitely less than 175,000. The protesters themselves of course are just dishonest, floating 300,000 to 400,000 estimates.
Chang Dek give your dishonest estimate too, and at least earn your keep for that Baht 800!
Amazingly very peaceful and very disciplined protests, considering the numbers. So far no bombings, grenade attacks, shootings or arson.
Say what, cakap apa?
Will have to agree but we as the future and our children should learn what is right and wrong and how to respect each other.
What is to be done in Thailand?
On the sidelines at Democracy Monument last night, I was told the going rate for a male protester is now THB 800 and THB 500 for a female. Sexism at play?
Strikes, violence and modernity
I think the family of street vendor Eng Sokhom who was shot by the incompetent “modernising…Cambodian police” would find it “useful to talk about human rights”. Further Australia which is providing $AUD 84 million in development assistance to Cambodia in 2012–13 can play a part in that discussion.
Say what, cakap apa?
Get a life. Asking if you were a staff member was a minor mistake with zero practical implications and zero malicious intent.
I hope your academic research deals with matters more serious than this… it’s disturbing to see an otherwise intelligent individual waste their time on such trivialities.
Racism should be fought where it matters (e.g. Burmese treatment of Rohingya), not exaggerated where it might exist in trace amounts… unless you subscribe to homeopathy theory where the more diluted and undetectable it is, the more potent it gets.
What is to be done in Thailand?
“Thanks to the Democrat Party network, lese majeste has been weaponized against political speech, making it difficult for citizens to articulate their policy demands without fear of criminal charges.”
What has Pheua Thai done to correct this after promising to reform the law before taking office? The government has shown wholehearted support for Section 122 and refused to include LM offenders in the Amnesty Bill but included thousands of crimes of corruption that had nothing whatsoever to do with political expression. Your client also showed himself to be an enthusiastic proponent of Thailand’s equally antiquated criminal defamation laws which he used vigorously, while in office, to try to suppress criticism.
The end of the Red Shirts?
The interesting thing is that the Democrats have realised that they need not be at a disadvantage in the numbers game when it comes to street mobs, even though they cannot win the popular vote. Previously they didn’t organise their own mobs but relied on the PAD and other affiliates who drew support from bangkok’s middle classes. Now they have decided to mimick Pheua Thai and get their MPs to mobilise supporters from the South. It doesn’t matter much that the Northeast and the North have larger populations. The South has easily enough people to fill up the streets of Bangkok and paralyse the government. That is what is happening now.
None of this would have happened without Thaksin’s insistence on trying to ram through the Amnesty Bill. It is like 2006 when he was too pig headed and greedy to make a voluntary donation in lieu of tax avoided on the Shin Corp deal which would have pre-empted the coup. A organisation like the red shirts that has little ideology aside from supporting one very mercurial man and receiving funding from him directly and indirectly is bound to have its ups and downs but must ultimately collapse.
Just a Lady – Part I
The portrayal of Uncle Leo sounds pretty accurate.
What is to be done in Thailand?
Ron,
your observation of everyday corruption in action neatly sums up what everyone should really be protesting about.
This or that party, this or that politician, this or that whatever are all irrelevant as long as corruption continues unabated.
Cheers.