Perhaps. But maybe the clarity is there, but the reader’s mind is unclear.
A creative framework asks different things of a reader. A too easy clarity may not be what an author is pursuing.
Hemingway felt that his readers should feel more than they understood, for instance.
Perhaps Koret is able to reveal more with this style than anything else written in his book written in a more straightforward manner. Academic writing has its limitations at getting to the truth of anything.
I am tempted to reply to SR with this glib remark: Not if the ‘serious reader’ is obtuse. However, that’s kind of a cheap shot. I will say that is not the writer’s responsibility to be dull because some readers equate that with clarity.
In this case, having read Peter Koret’s book and thoroughly enjoyed it, clarity is not an issue. It’s a matter of reading with the capacity to appreciate writing that is written to inform and entertain, not to please a dissertation committee. I encourage people to read this book, loosen up the sphincters a bit, and enjoy.
Yes .There is Alternative.
The Initiation of an United Democratic People’s government Conditional to :
It Needs to Start on a Clean Slate,with the Consent of Pakatan Members .
At Least 30 MPs including from Sabah/Sawarak, and few from W. Malaysia Can be Convinced to join a new United Democratic People’s Association ( UDPA) that Excludes the Umno /Bn of the Stale Unity Brand.
If Anwar, Ku Li and Pakatan can Firmly Deliver( the most difficult part) the 30 MPs, the Malaysian Dream of a Potentially Good Governance Government is Within Reached.
Cabinet Positions Can be Easily Compromised Because All are in a TEAM WORKING as ONE , Always, For the Benefits of the Rakyat, is the Core Value and Essence.
…and perhaps with Initially Anwar as PM, Ku Li as 1st DPM and a 2nd Dpm Nominated by Pakatan.(this is based on Seniority that Anwar Had been a DPM and both are Experienced)
After 3 years , Anwar Resigns.
Ku Li Assumes the PM Positions for the Remaining 2 years, and for a further 2 years, if health permits and winning the 14 Ge…
…meeting the Aspirations of Anwar and Ku Li for having become PM and at same time Taking Pride in Serving the Nation and its People for a Better Malaysia in Posterity.
Most IMPORTANTLY, it is to Groom Competent and Capable Successors who are Sincere and Dignified.The Scenario Fits the Bill for this Transition Period and Will Quickly Rid of the Prevailing Uncertanties that Investors Foriegn or Local Hated Most.
This is, Perhaps, a the Best Gift to Majority of the Rakyat ,Post 505.
I noticed your reply did not answer any of my questions. If all you can do is spread lies about peoples political stance, spread innuendos about thier personal pasts or even slag everyone off who supports the abolish 112 campaign, I suggest you consult a psychiatrist to sort out your warped mind.
Hi Roy, either you are a paid apologist of thaksin’s or else you have a deep seated H8 against the institution that has never done any wrong to you or yours. What will changing the law do for the country? Will it help to fix the problem of those real culprits to bad democracy – politicians?
You seem to be educated but can’t or won’t get the point of “tyranny of the majority” or “democratic dictatorship”. You fixation blinds you to the evident fact that thaksin and his surrogates are bleeding the country dry with their “majority”. Democracy does not give you the right to lord it over the masses. It does not give you the right to impose your will, with your facist police and double standards, upon the minority.
You guys are so hateful and fixated on 112 that you can see the forest from the trees. Your excuses is mouthed over and over agin, “well it’s been like this and corruption is prevalent, blah blah blah… “So Childish in your naive. Answer my questions not distract and divert to your useless finger-pointing of ultra-royalist or military lover! And you guys? Thaksin lovers and and leftist socialist who don’t know and cannot understand the issues beyond 112.
As you like to issult everyone who disagrees with your idiotic theory of “Democratic Thranny” there are some questions I would like to ask.
As this idiotic theory is also used by Cod, are you actually just Cod with another name?
Are you being paid to spread this rubbish theory by the military?
Why not reveal your true identity as anyone can insult people HIDING behind another name?
So, it would seem that not very much of what is talked about has actually changed very much. There would not have to be a lot of words changed to describe the current situation, government officials, politicians, etc. are doing pretty much the same.
I agree with Khun Thorn. The Guy Fawkes mask is THE symbol of the Occupy movement, seen recently in the mass protests in Turkey and Brazil, which is by nature populist, anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist, AND anti-monarchy. The White Mask movement people are deeply confused if they think they can lift this symbol of the Left for their reactionary cause, which seems to be advocating nothing more than the overthrow of the government by another military coup, the same old message of the Yellow Shirts, the Multi-colored shirts, Siam Samarkhi and Pitak Siam.
It can’t help that this morning it was front page news that two men wearing Guy Fawkes masks robbed a local convenience store, stealing around 1600 Baht from the register and two bottles of whiskey. They dropped and smashed one of the bottles on the way out. The White Mask movement needs to be more careful about who they give out the masks to, as there are some who are willing to sully the cause for very petty gains.
The driving force behind any initiatives of the current Govt is personal greed. Until Malaysia gets a leadership and technocrats that are not driven by just greed, I don’t see any real up lifting of sustainable rural development.
The author’s suggestions are not new as are many others’, but the above paragraph shows the real impediment to implementation of ideas
One man’s reaction to Dr Koret’s reaction to this excellent review: if a serious reader fails to understand a writer’s point, it is up to the writer to learn how to be clearer.
But what about now? Thailand’s democracy is being reborn into that of democratic tyranny of the majority. A democratic dictatorship under thaksin.
Will changing 112 resolve this? The reds are running rampant. Ministers are lying. And there is Double standard for the inners and losers. We have fascist police force, under the sway of thaksin, protecting his rights but not those of the people, who thy are charged to protect and serve.
Hi Bernd, ok and so what? It still no excuse for you and other posters to make snide, crude, and cynical remarks in a hateful way. Of course not to say that you are guilty of such abuses.
It’s just the past 60+ years have any of you done anything of value for your fellow human beings? It’s so easy to criticize. But what has given you or the haters here the right to criticize, when you yourselves haven’t proven your own humanity towards others.
In your democratic thinking do you rely on elections and right to rule based on majority? And in this majority does it give the right of the majority to impose its will on the minority? What rights does your democracy give to the rights of the minority? Democracy is about ensuring that even the civil rights of the minority are protected isn’t it? So what does changing 112 do to protect tax paying Thais for the tyranny of the majority that we are now seeing under this thaksin led government?
Your biases and false concerns are so narrow that you don’t see the real issues facing the country. That corruption is rampant and that we are headed towards a Democratic dictatorship that will be even worse than your hated 112.
and here also something to think about – recalls the 24.06.1932
ppt today:
On parliament and people
It is perhaps fitting that PPT’s 4,000th post comes on 24 June, the day when the Khana Ratsadon or People’s Party ended the personalistic rule of the monarchy in Thailand in 1932.
The initial constitution soon followed this event, in July 1932. King Prajadhipok, the toppled king was aghast and hastily scrawled “provisional” on it yet it is the version that most clearly reflected the view of the revolutionists and Pridi Phanomyong. They said:
Article 1: The supreme power in the country belongs to the people.
Article 4: The person who is the king of the country is King Prajadhipok. The succession will proceed in accordance with the Royal Household Law on the Succession of 1924 and with the approval of the Assembly.
Article 5: If there is any reason that the king is unable temporarily to carry out his duties, or is not in the capital, the Committee of the People will execute the right on his behalf.
Article 6: The king cannot be charged in a criminal court. The responsibility for a judgement rests with the Assembly.
As we do every year, PPT invites readers to read or re-read the People’s Party Announcement No. 1. PPT has extracted and lightly edited this document from the excellent book Pridi on Pridi, translated by Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker, and published by Silkworm Books. It is now available from the new Pridi/Phoonsuk website.
Memorial of the Revolution on the Royal Plaza: “…р╕У р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Щр╕╡р╣Й 24 р╕бр╕┤р╕Цр╕╕р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Щ 2475 р╣Ар╕зр╕ер╕▓р╕вр╣Ир╕│р╕гр╕╕р╣Ир╕З р╕Др╕Ур╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕йр╕Ор╕г р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Бр╣Ир╕нр╕Бр╕│р╣Ар╕Щр╕┤р╕Фр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Щр╕╣р╕Н р╣Ар╕Юр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Нр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤”; “…here, in the dawn of 24 June 1933, the Khana Ratsadon has brought forth a constitution for the glory of the nation” (From Wikipedia)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S PARTY, NO. 1 (1932)
All the people
When this king succeeded his elder brother, people at first hoped that he would govern protectively. But matters have not turned out as they hoped. The king maintains his power above the law as before. He appoints court relatives and toadies without merit or knowledge to important positions, without listening to the voice of the people. He allows officials to use the power of their office dishonestly, taking bribes in government construction and purchasing, and seeking profits from changes in the price of money, which squanders the wealth of the country. He elevates those of royal blood (phuak chao) to have special rights more than the people. He governs without principle. The country’s affairs are left to the mercy of fate, as can be seen from the depression of the economy and the hardships of making a living – something the people know all about already.
The government of the king above the law is unable to find solutions and bring about recovery. This inability is because the government of the king has not governed the country for the people, as other governments have done. The government of the king has treated the people as slaves (some called phrai, some kha) and as animals. It has not considered them as human beings. Therefore, instead of helping the people, rather it farms on the backs of the people. It can be seen that from the taxes that are squeezed from the people, the king carries off many millions for personal use each year. As for the people, they have to sweat blood in order to find just a little money. At the time for paying government tax or personal tax, if they have no money, the government seizes their property or puts them on public works. But those of royal blood are still sleeping and eating happily. There is no country in the world that gives its royalty so much money as this, except the Tsar and the German Kaiser, in nations that have now overthrown their thrones.
The king’s government has governed in ways that are deceiving and not straightforward with the people. For example, it said it would improve livelihood in this way and that, but time has passed, people have waited, and nothing has happened. It has never done anything seriously. Further than that, it has insulted the people – those with the grace to pay taxes for royalty to use – that the people don’t know as much as those of royal blood. But this is not because the people are stupid, but because they lack the education which is reserved for royalty. They have not allowed the people to study fully, because they fear that if the people have education, they will know the evil that they do and may not let them farm on their backs.
You, all of the people, should know that our country belongs to the people – not to the king, as has been deceitfully claimed. It was the ancestors of the people who protected the independence of the country from enemy armies. Those of royal blood just reap where they have not sown and sweep up wealth and property worth many hundred millions. Where did all this money come from? It came from the people because of that method of farming on the backs of the people! The country is experiencing hardships. Farmers and soldiers’ parents have to give up their paddy fields because cultivating them brings no benefit. The government does not help. The government is discharging people in floods. Students who have completed their study and soldiers released from the reserves have no employment. They have to go hungry according to fate. These things are the result of the government of the king above the law. It oppresses the minor government officials. Ordinary soldiers and clerks are discharged from employment, and no pension is given. In truth, government should use the money that has been amassed to manage the country to provide employment. This would be fitting to pay back the people who have been paying taxes to make royalty rich for a long time. But those of royal blood do nothing. They go on sucking blood. Whatever money they have they deposit overseas and prepare to flee while the country decays and people are left to go hungry. All this is certainly evil.
Therefore the people, government officials, soldiers, and citizens who know about these evil actions of the government, have joined together to establish the People’s Party and have seized power from the king’s government. The People’s Party sees that to correct this evil it must establish government by an assembly, so that many minds can debate and contribute, which is better than just one mind.
From Wikipedia
As for the head of state of the country, the People’s Party has no wish to snatch the throne. Hence it invites this king to retain the position. But he must be under the law of the constitution for governing the country, and cannot do anything independently without the approval of the assembly of people’s representatives. The People’s Party has already informed the king of this view and at the present time is waiting for a response. If the king replies with a refusal or does not reply within the time set, for the selfish reason that his power will be reduced, it will be regarded as treason to the nation, and it will be necessary for the country to have a republican form of government, that is, the head of state will be an ordinary person appointed by parliament to hold the position for a fixed term.
By this method the people can hope to be looked after in the best way. Everyone will have employment, because our country is a country which has very abundant conditions. When we have seized the money which those of royal blood amass from farming on the backs of the people, and use these many hundreds of millions for nurturing the country, the country will certainly flourish. The government which the People’s Party will set up will draw up projects based on principle, and not act like a blind man as the government which has the king above the law has done. The major principles which the People’s Party has laid out are:
1. must maintain securely the independence of the country in all forms including political, judicial, and economic, etc.;
2. must maintain public safety within the country and greatly reduce crime;
3. must improve the economic well-being of the people by the new government finding employment for all, and drawing up a national economic plan, not leaving the people to go hungry
4. must provide the people with equal rights (so that those of royal blood do not have more rights than the people as at present);
5. must provide the people with liberty and freedom, as far as this does not conflict with the above four principles;
6. must provide the people with full education.
All the people should be ready to help the People’s Party successfully to carry out its work which will last forever. The People’s Party asks everyone who did not participate in seizing power from the government of the king above the law to remain peaceful and keep working for their living. Do not do anything to obstruct the People’s Party. By doing so, the people will help the country, the people, and their own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The country will have complete independence. People will have safety. Everyone must have employment and need not starve. Everyone will have equal rights and freedom from being serfs (phrai) and slaves (kha, that) of royalty. The time has ended when those of royal blood farm on the backs of the people. The things which everyone desires, the greatest happiness and progress which can be called si-ariya, will arise for everyone.
it’s not about “Hate” or “Love”
– if the majority of the Thai people want to have a constitutional monarchy – then that’s fine
but
-then there must be a
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY !
-and a real democracy
– a uniform court practice
– separation of powers
– equal Opportunities
– observance of human rights
– and the military has no place in politics
Regarding your claim: With this, the rural-urban divide within Malaysia has been growing, where substantially very little is being done to directly alleviate the problem…
I just want to highlight this
… even as any sharp distinction between urban and rural ways of life has become increasingly blurred, the social and political implications of our imagination of rural and urban difference have, if anything, intensified.
From the introduction of this soon(?) to be published book, titled Cleavage, Connection and Conflict in Rural, Urban and Contemporary Asia
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Can there be a national unity government in Malaysia?
Dear kllau,
You note that it needs to start with a clean slate — and note that Mr Anwar Ibrahim and Tengku Razaleigh to lead.
How is this a clean slate for Malaysia.
Why not choose someone not associated with either of the coalitions — someone who is known to be principled and competent?
Why Thailand needs its king
@notdisappointed –
– can you tell me what form of government do you prefer?
– and what are the advantages of your preferred form of government?
Review of Man who accused king
Perhaps. But maybe the clarity is there, but the reader’s mind is unclear.
A creative framework asks different things of a reader. A too easy clarity may not be what an author is pursuing.
Hemingway felt that his readers should feel more than they understood, for instance.
Perhaps Koret is able to reveal more with this style than anything else written in his book written in a more straightforward manner. Academic writing has its limitations at getting to the truth of anything.
Review of Man who accused king
I am tempted to reply to SR with this glib remark: Not if the ‘serious reader’ is obtuse. However, that’s kind of a cheap shot. I will say that is not the writer’s responsibility to be dull because some readers equate that with clarity.
In this case, having read Peter Koret’s book and thoroughly enjoyed it, clarity is not an issue. It’s a matter of reading with the capacity to appreciate writing that is written to inform and entertain, not to please a dissertation committee. I encourage people to read this book, loosen up the sphincters a bit, and enjoy.
Can there be a national unity government in Malaysia?
Yes .There is Alternative.
The Initiation of an United Democratic People’s government Conditional to :
It Needs to Start on a Clean Slate,with the Consent of Pakatan Members .
At Least 30 MPs including from Sabah/Sawarak, and few from W. Malaysia Can be Convinced to join a new United Democratic People’s Association ( UDPA) that Excludes the Umno /Bn of the Stale Unity Brand.
If Anwar, Ku Li and Pakatan can Firmly Deliver( the most difficult part) the 30 MPs, the Malaysian Dream of a Potentially Good Governance Government is Within Reached.
Cabinet Positions Can be Easily Compromised Because All are in a TEAM WORKING as ONE , Always, For the Benefits of the Rakyat, is the Core Value and Essence.
…and perhaps with Initially Anwar as PM, Ku Li as 1st DPM and a 2nd Dpm Nominated by Pakatan.(this is based on Seniority that Anwar Had been a DPM and both are Experienced)
After 3 years , Anwar Resigns.
Ku Li Assumes the PM Positions for the Remaining 2 years, and for a further 2 years, if health permits and winning the 14 Ge…
…meeting the Aspirations of Anwar and Ku Li for having become PM and at same time Taking Pride in Serving the Nation and its People for a Better Malaysia in Posterity.
Most IMPORTANTLY, it is to Groom Competent and Capable Successors who are Sincere and Dignified.The Scenario Fits the Bill for this Transition Period and Will Quickly Rid of the Prevailing Uncertanties that Investors Foriegn or Local Hated Most.
This is, Perhaps, a the Best Gift to Majority of the Rakyat ,Post 505.
Why Thailand needs its king
I noticed your reply did not answer any of my questions. If all you can do is spread lies about peoples political stance, spread innuendos about thier personal pasts or even slag everyone off who supports the abolish 112 campaign, I suggest you consult a psychiatrist to sort out your warped mind.
Why Thailand needs its king
Hi Roy, either you are a paid apologist of thaksin’s or else you have a deep seated H8 against the institution that has never done any wrong to you or yours. What will changing the law do for the country? Will it help to fix the problem of those real culprits to bad democracy – politicians?
You seem to be educated but can’t or won’t get the point of “tyranny of the majority” or “democratic dictatorship”. You fixation blinds you to the evident fact that thaksin and his surrogates are bleeding the country dry with their “majority”. Democracy does not give you the right to lord it over the masses. It does not give you the right to impose your will, with your facist police and double standards, upon the minority.
You guys are so hateful and fixated on 112 that you can see the forest from the trees. Your excuses is mouthed over and over agin, “well it’s been like this and corruption is prevalent, blah blah blah… “So Childish in your naive. Answer my questions not distract and divert to your useless finger-pointing of ultra-royalist or military lover! And you guys? Thaksin lovers and and leftist socialist who don’t know and cannot understand the issues beyond 112.
Why Thailand needs its king
As you like to issult everyone who disagrees with your idiotic theory of “Democratic Thranny” there are some questions I would like to ask.
As this idiotic theory is also used by Cod, are you actually just Cod with another name?
Are you being paid to spread this rubbish theory by the military?
Why not reveal your true identity as anyone can insult people HIDING behind another name?
Why Thailand needs its king
oh – and please explain : democratic diktatorship….
Why Thailand needs its king
So, it would seem that not very much of what is talked about has actually changed very much. There would not have to be a lot of words changed to describe the current situation, government officials, politicians, etc. are doing pretty much the same.
Why Thailand needs its king
Never mind. You’d never understand beyond your H8 and biases. Stick with your fetish 112.
A sign of progress?
I agree with Khun Thorn. The Guy Fawkes mask is THE symbol of the Occupy movement, seen recently in the mass protests in Turkey and Brazil, which is by nature populist, anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist, AND anti-monarchy. The White Mask movement people are deeply confused if they think they can lift this symbol of the Left for their reactionary cause, which seems to be advocating nothing more than the overthrow of the government by another military coup, the same old message of the Yellow Shirts, the Multi-colored shirts, Siam Samarkhi and Pitak Siam.
It can’t help that this morning it was front page news that two men wearing Guy Fawkes masks robbed a local convenience store, stealing around 1600 Baht from the register and two bottles of whiskey. They dropped and smashed one of the bottles on the way out. The White Mask movement needs to be more careful about who they give out the masks to, as there are some who are willing to sully the cause for very petty gains.
Reinvigorating rural Malaysia – new paradigms needed
The driving force behind any initiatives of the current Govt is personal greed. Until Malaysia gets a leadership and technocrats that are not driven by just greed, I don’t see any real up lifting of sustainable rural development.
The author’s suggestions are not new as are many others’, but the above paragraph shows the real impediment to implementation of ideas
Why Thailand needs its king
“… democratic tyranny of the majority. A democratic dictatorship …”
Pardon?
Review of Man who accused king
One man’s reaction to Dr Koret’s reaction to this excellent review: if a serious reader fails to understand a writer’s point, it is up to the writer to learn how to be clearer.
Why Thailand needs its king
So simplistic and naive.
But what about now? Thailand’s democracy is being reborn into that of democratic tyranny of the majority. A democratic dictatorship under thaksin.
Will changing 112 resolve this? The reds are running rampant. Ministers are lying. And there is Double standard for the inners and losers. We have fascist police force, under the sway of thaksin, protecting his rights but not those of the people, who thy are charged to protect and serve.
You’re just another hater with blinders on.
Why Thailand needs its king
Hi Bernd, ok and so what? It still no excuse for you and other posters to make snide, crude, and cynical remarks in a hateful way. Of course not to say that you are guilty of such abuses.
It’s just the past 60+ years have any of you done anything of value for your fellow human beings? It’s so easy to criticize. But what has given you or the haters here the right to criticize, when you yourselves haven’t proven your own humanity towards others.
In your democratic thinking do you rely on elections and right to rule based on majority? And in this majority does it give the right of the majority to impose its will on the minority? What rights does your democracy give to the rights of the minority? Democracy is about ensuring that even the civil rights of the minority are protected isn’t it? So what does changing 112 do to protect tax paying Thais for the tyranny of the majority that we are now seeing under this thaksin led government?
Your biases and false concerns are so narrow that you don’t see the real issues facing the country. That corruption is rampant and that we are headed towards a Democratic dictatorship that will be even worse than your hated 112.
Why Thailand needs its king
and here also something to think about – recalls the 24.06.1932
ppt today:
On parliament and people
It is perhaps fitting that PPT’s 4,000th post comes on 24 June, the day when the Khana Ratsadon or People’s Party ended the personalistic rule of the monarchy in Thailand in 1932.
The initial constitution soon followed this event, in July 1932. King Prajadhipok, the toppled king was aghast and hastily scrawled “provisional” on it yet it is the version that most clearly reflected the view of the revolutionists and Pridi Phanomyong. They said:
Article 1: The supreme power in the country belongs to the people.
Article 4: The person who is the king of the country is King Prajadhipok. The succession will proceed in accordance with the Royal Household Law on the Succession of 1924 and with the approval of the Assembly.
Article 5: If there is any reason that the king is unable temporarily to carry out his duties, or is not in the capital, the Committee of the People will execute the right on his behalf.
Article 6: The king cannot be charged in a criminal court. The responsibility for a judgement rests with the Assembly.
As we do every year, PPT invites readers to read or re-read the People’s Party Announcement No. 1. PPT has extracted and lightly edited this document from the excellent book Pridi on Pridi, translated by Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker, and published by Silkworm Books. It is now available from the new Pridi/Phoonsuk website.
Memorial of the Revolution on the Royal Plaza: “…р╕У р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Щр╕╡р╣Й 24 р╕бр╕┤р╕Цр╕╕р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Щ 2475 р╣Ар╕зр╕ер╕▓р╕вр╣Ир╕│р╕гр╕╕р╣Ир╕З р╕Др╕Ур╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕йр╕Ор╕г р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Бр╣Ир╕нр╕Бр╕│р╣Ар╕Щр╕┤р╕Фр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Щр╕╣р╕Н р╣Ар╕Юр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Нр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤”; “…here, in the dawn of 24 June 1933, the Khana Ratsadon has brought forth a constitution for the glory of the nation” (From Wikipedia)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S PARTY, NO. 1 (1932)
All the people
When this king succeeded his elder brother, people at first hoped that he would govern protectively. But matters have not turned out as they hoped. The king maintains his power above the law as before. He appoints court relatives and toadies without merit or knowledge to important positions, without listening to the voice of the people. He allows officials to use the power of their office dishonestly, taking bribes in government construction and purchasing, and seeking profits from changes in the price of money, which squanders the wealth of the country. He elevates those of royal blood (phuak chao) to have special rights more than the people. He governs without principle. The country’s affairs are left to the mercy of fate, as can be seen from the depression of the economy and the hardships of making a living – something the people know all about already.
The government of the king above the law is unable to find solutions and bring about recovery. This inability is because the government of the king has not governed the country for the people, as other governments have done. The government of the king has treated the people as slaves (some called phrai, some kha) and as animals. It has not considered them as human beings. Therefore, instead of helping the people, rather it farms on the backs of the people. It can be seen that from the taxes that are squeezed from the people, the king carries off many millions for personal use each year. As for the people, they have to sweat blood in order to find just a little money. At the time for paying government tax or personal tax, if they have no money, the government seizes their property or puts them on public works. But those of royal blood are still sleeping and eating happily. There is no country in the world that gives its royalty so much money as this, except the Tsar and the German Kaiser, in nations that have now overthrown their thrones.
The king’s government has governed in ways that are deceiving and not straightforward with the people. For example, it said it would improve livelihood in this way and that, but time has passed, people have waited, and nothing has happened. It has never done anything seriously. Further than that, it has insulted the people – those with the grace to pay taxes for royalty to use – that the people don’t know as much as those of royal blood. But this is not because the people are stupid, but because they lack the education which is reserved for royalty. They have not allowed the people to study fully, because they fear that if the people have education, they will know the evil that they do and may not let them farm on their backs.
You, all of the people, should know that our country belongs to the people – not to the king, as has been deceitfully claimed. It was the ancestors of the people who protected the independence of the country from enemy armies. Those of royal blood just reap where they have not sown and sweep up wealth and property worth many hundred millions. Where did all this money come from? It came from the people because of that method of farming on the backs of the people! The country is experiencing hardships. Farmers and soldiers’ parents have to give up their paddy fields because cultivating them brings no benefit. The government does not help. The government is discharging people in floods. Students who have completed their study and soldiers released from the reserves have no employment. They have to go hungry according to fate. These things are the result of the government of the king above the law. It oppresses the minor government officials. Ordinary soldiers and clerks are discharged from employment, and no pension is given. In truth, government should use the money that has been amassed to manage the country to provide employment. This would be fitting to pay back the people who have been paying taxes to make royalty rich for a long time. But those of royal blood do nothing. They go on sucking blood. Whatever money they have they deposit overseas and prepare to flee while the country decays and people are left to go hungry. All this is certainly evil.
Therefore the people, government officials, soldiers, and citizens who know about these evil actions of the government, have joined together to establish the People’s Party and have seized power from the king’s government. The People’s Party sees that to correct this evil it must establish government by an assembly, so that many minds can debate and contribute, which is better than just one mind.
From Wikipedia
As for the head of state of the country, the People’s Party has no wish to snatch the throne. Hence it invites this king to retain the position. But he must be under the law of the constitution for governing the country, and cannot do anything independently without the approval of the assembly of people’s representatives. The People’s Party has already informed the king of this view and at the present time is waiting for a response. If the king replies with a refusal or does not reply within the time set, for the selfish reason that his power will be reduced, it will be regarded as treason to the nation, and it will be necessary for the country to have a republican form of government, that is, the head of state will be an ordinary person appointed by parliament to hold the position for a fixed term.
By this method the people can hope to be looked after in the best way. Everyone will have employment, because our country is a country which has very abundant conditions. When we have seized the money which those of royal blood amass from farming on the backs of the people, and use these many hundreds of millions for nurturing the country, the country will certainly flourish. The government which the People’s Party will set up will draw up projects based on principle, and not act like a blind man as the government which has the king above the law has done. The major principles which the People’s Party has laid out are:
1. must maintain securely the independence of the country in all forms including political, judicial, and economic, etc.;
2. must maintain public safety within the country and greatly reduce crime;
3. must improve the economic well-being of the people by the new government finding employment for all, and drawing up a national economic plan, not leaving the people to go hungry
4. must provide the people with equal rights (so that those of royal blood do not have more rights than the people as at present);
5. must provide the people with liberty and freedom, as far as this does not conflict with the above four principles;
6. must provide the people with full education.
All the people should be ready to help the People’s Party successfully to carry out its work which will last forever. The People’s Party asks everyone who did not participate in seizing power from the government of the king above the law to remain peaceful and keep working for their living. Do not do anything to obstruct the People’s Party. By doing so, the people will help the country, the people, and their own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The country will have complete independence. People will have safety. Everyone must have employment and need not starve. Everyone will have equal rights and freedom from being serfs (phrai) and slaves (kha, that) of royalty. The time has ended when those of royal blood farm on the backs of the people. The things which everyone desires, the greatest happiness and progress which can be called si-ariya, will arise for everyone.
Khana Ratsadon
[People’s Party]
24 June 1932
http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/on-parliament-and-people/
Why Thailand needs its king
@notdisappointed
it’s not about “Hate” or “Love”
– if the majority of the Thai people want to have a constitutional monarchy – then that’s fine
but
-then there must be a
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY !
-and a real democracy
– a uniform court practice
– separation of powers
– equal Opportunities
– observance of human rights
– and the military has no place in politics
Reinvigorating rural Malaysia – new paradigms needed
Hi Murray, thanks for your post.
Regarding your claim: With this, the rural-urban divide within Malaysia has been growing, where substantially very little is being done to directly alleviate the problem…
I just want to highlight this
… even as any sharp distinction between urban and rural ways of life has become increasingly blurred, the social and political implications of our imagination of rural and urban difference have, if anything, intensified.
From the introduction of this soon(?) to be published book, titled Cleavage, Connection and Conflict in Rural, Urban and Contemporary Asia
http://ap4.fas.nus.edu.sg/fass/socect/Thompson%20et%20al%202013%20Intro%20Urban%20and%20Rural%20Asia%20(Proofs).pdf
One of the authors, Eric Thompson, also wrote an interesting piece just recently for New Mandala, too, which can be found here: http://www.newmandala.org/2013/05/14/ge13-and-the-politics-of-urban-chauvinism/