Asia Sentinel

When insulting replaces argumenting
written by Belgian Phitsanulok , December 20, 2008

Sorry for meddling, I am just a concerned farang. But the "comments " made by Gai, Mitchbkk, Daniel and Chang Yai are the evidence that some of the thai elites have no other arguments than insulting Giles Ji Ungpakorn !
Now, the last developments of the thai political situation are showing blatantly how Dr. Ungpakorn is right ! Thank you Dr. for demonstrating that not all the Thai academics are desperately "bourgeois"
Sincerely yours

Royal mingles
written by Krathingdaeng , December 14, 2008

Just waiting for Bhumibhol to go then anachy.

...
written by homeboy , December 04, 2008

To LongTimeVisiter: You hit the nail right on the head. Bravo brother.

Royal sanctioned Chaos
written by Sirikit , December 04, 2008

The economic chaos created by PAD to paralyse the government will further send the country on the slippery road of under-development and poverty. Their main victims as usual will be millions of rural poors who will be called upon to send their wives and daughters to Thailand famed Service industry. In such a sharp class divide, the army will be again advised by Royals to save the country.

Fellow Travellers
written by Bad Dog , December 04, 2008

Despite PM Thaksin's vigorous, unapologetic and largely successful efforts to comprehensively roll back all constitutional and democratic check and balance mechanisms, a recent article in the the Bangkok Post by the above Prof. Ungpakorn contained only one main criticism of Thaksin and his years o f"ugly crony capitalism" i.e. Thaksin's equally despicable and well-documented grossd human rights violations.

Although academia both inside Thailand and out is not short of self-serving and dishonest careerists willing to present a white-washed history of Thaksin and his anti-democratic and anti-intellectual leadership, Prof. Ji's stance seems a particularly questionable one both ethically and politically for a tenured professor of politics to take .

Whatever one may wish to claim about a distorted Constitutional drafting process, the fact remains that the current constitution was clearly validated by national referendum. Furthermore, those now bleating about a "judicial coup" have so far offered little or no evidence to support such wild, irresponsible claims beyond attempting to distort and discredit the well-known public efforts of the king to bolster the courage and integrity of the judiciary in carrying out their duties in strict accordance with the rule of law - or to make way for those who were ready, willing and able to do so.

So here's an idea for Prof. Ji and his fellow travellers : be honest with the Thai public about your now-all-too-obvious hidden agenda to establish a republic and thereby actually put your trust in the people to debate the pros and cons of such a goal or direction on merit instead of the usual condescending, greed-driven and vision-free hollow rhetoric that has been Thaksin's hallmark to date.

Then Thaksin or one of his clones like Chaturon or clowns like Chalerm might actually be able to sell a real comprehensive and inclusive reform agenda: Change we can believe in - for a change.

EXCELLENCE ARTICLE
written by LongTimeVisitor , December 04, 2008

Thank you very much again for your great analysis. This is totally about the truth.
I really do not know how much this will cost to Thailand and Asian economic. This is PRICELESS. Justice system, Laws/Orders are ROTTING. Police was requested to stand the PAD's activist by using just a plastic shield. Simultaneously, military just sit and do totally nothing, even though police request them for helping to solve the issues. In fact, they are doing things, for instance bluffing legally elected government to resign, which now most of Thai's are asking who military is working for?! Their salary are people taxes but they are not protecting Thai's civilians but instead as time goes on it obviously appears that they are protecting the high ranking, royalist conservative groups/business men, dictators, and notorious people who lose their controls during Thaksin was the prime minister, including the media. Their goals is pretty much just to stay away from TRUE democracy as far as possible.

They are working as a team. PAD's activities, judicial coup (yesterday), and some other will coming to an ended of Thailand democracy. Actually, in Thailand yesterday, most of Thai know that the mob was "suppressed" by its owner. In fact, after the judicial coup, which resulting in the collapsing of the key government parties. Right after the announcement, PAD still announce that they will continue to take over the airports and other bldg. They said it out loud that they need 70/30 government and that is why PAD is misnomer. However, after midnight of Tuesday, after the call of invisible hands, all the things have to be ended by the call of its owners. So now Thai people ask, should the PAD owner pay for all the charges and DAMAGES to the country over all, i.e. the country tourism business and Thailand international airports, the thrust/reliability to Thailand overall, the damages to the government bldg, the faint in justice system, etc .. These are just to name a few. Most importantly the ROTTING of democracy. The answer is I don't think so. Probably to improve their (already) lousy image, they may just throw in a couple their dimes. He is probably the richest guy in the world (off the record) and in fact with just a couple of dimes from his Swiss bank account would not hurt him but definitely he will not do that. The one who really have to pay for all these, including its suffering as a consequences (for free), are the whole people in the country. I could be wrong here but seems like everyone taxes are their happiness, plus their privilege to be above the law/order.

All these are exchanged to the VERY well being of just a small group of people who just care about themselves, their images, their security, and their legacy, NO OTHERS. Anyway, in my opinion, I see this is just a learning process for Thai's people and will not be ended and as one say it is just started. What right is always right and vise versa. As a result, this is why most of the Thai submit the open letter to UN and requesting for help. There are numerous of e.mail since last Sunday and the official letter to UN representative in Thailand yesterday. We desperately need help UN to make a call on this. This is the reason that keep Thai as a developing country and be in the third world. Actually, now we are at the 7th worst/dangerous country to visit.

PAD activists have been saying it out loud that they are the soldiers of “the untouchable”. They shoot innocence cap drivers who love the way of democracy with his picture behind. They are very well organize, when mob move from one location to others, its supply chain goes right after, including the security system, equipment/weapon, planning etc.. Regarding International airports, this is not only in hands of Thailand security unit but has to follow international regulation as well, like free zone areas, etc. Only PAD cannot do this alone. So invisible hands come to the equation. It has been there all along, actually. The pictures are getting clearer who are behind this. They may be able to close eyes n’ ears of people in Thailand but not the rest of the world. We are in 20 century era.

Late yesterday, most of the royalist business men, PAD key supporters, are now making noise to switch the political poles to switch away from LEGALLY elected government, which has been voted by most of the Thailand people. I really do not know and understand what is going on with this country and that is why Thailand people are seriously needed help from UN or other countries, who see the true democracy is the right approach.

SINCERELY,

How these actions help the poor?
written by A concerned Thai , December 03, 2008

Royalist said:

"1. The PAD's actions reduced costly excesses of the Taksin/PPP government, benefiting the social welfare. "

I can't think of any way in which this statement is true. Instead its very opposite is true. PAD's actions have cost the country untold millions of lost opportunities, stagnation, and much of everything else. How these losses could help the poor baffles me.

"2. Populist/corporatist programs risk already good institutions. (A side note, the poor do not benefit from monopolistic practice.)"

Believe it or not. The 30 baht scheme or its offshoots will dominate public health policy in Thailand for a foreseeable future. Surely there's the downside, as the easier availability of public health care increased demand for it, resulting in people taking advantage of the system with illnesses that are not too serious and there is increased expectancy. And there is the strain on the doctors and nurses who have to work hard. But at least the increased expectancy points to the systems' success.

This success makes it very unlikely that any successor government will abandon this system. Perhaps there will be revisions, but not total reversal. Ask your colleague in public health.

"3. Modernizing the Thai economy has meant collatoralizing things of real value (land) for non-producing modern, Western assets. When those new assets (cars, etc) do not turn a profit, the poor lose their land."

This statement is not about suggesting a way to help the poor, but a criticism of a policy that is designed just for the poor. So it does not count. And in fact no. 2 above on public health policy is in the same vein.

To prove the success of the policy on turning land to capital needs careful research and measurement. I am sure there are some studies on this. But to say that the poor will just squander the capital is to look down on them and to lose touch with reality.

Another comment on education.

This is also an area where the poor are being disenfranchised. Look at the level of investment on education for the poor. Look at the cost per person of a student in the countryside, at a public school in a village, and an urban student studying in a well known government school.

To Pik
written by Athita , December 03, 2008

Can you show me some solid evidence that Thailand would be like Agentina? Who said that?

The guy who brainwashed that Thailand would turn to be like Agentina is "Nitipoom Nawarat", a journalist, and a self-esteem ex-cop, and ex-tutor. But let me tell you, Mr. Nitipoom borrowed money from one of his senior who he respected as mother, about 1 million Baht. She's 70s something living in Chonburi province. And he never pay back the debt.

Nitipoom is a tricky man as he can fire on any sides he doesn't like. He claimed that EGAT (Electrical Authority), once be privatized by Thaksin government, it would make no benefit to people.

But look what the EGAT people have done to this country. They shut off the Parliament power line during their people seized the House and they blocked the airports.

For what? Just you hate Thaksin? C'mon man, Be smarter, if you're really "white collar".

I have seen the EGAT people take benefit from people. You know how much salary for the EGAT driver? It's 30,000 Baht + bonus!!

Don't believe me. Go check it

Coup for the Rich and the Military
written by kay , December 03, 2008

Dear Pik,

You are right. It's not just a coup for the rich, but for the military as well. And guess who's being used in the front lines........simpletons who cannot analyse or refuse to, prejudiced followers, old men and women, defenseless children, and thugs in the guise of PAD guards.

You're all being brainwashed to die for a so called cause but it's not a cause at all. You're all brainwashed to die for the elites and rich to remain in power. Pathetic followers!!! Wake up people before you end up in body bags!

"History repeats itself"
written by homeboy , December 03, 2008

I think you guys ought to read W. Scott Thompson's article in IHT (International Herald Tribune) regarding the crisis in Thailand.

Amazing Thailand, isn't it?
written by R.C. , December 03, 2008

I am glad the Professor Ji wrote this article. And please, you PAD people, you think you are the righteous one, but you cannot even listen to different opinions and repect those who don't "think" like you. I am not sure what kind of democratic alliance you are. I am NOT the only one who is so so frustrated with the PAD, including its confusing political agenda and the outrageous actions at the Suvarnabhumi international airport. My stance is clear. There is simply NO justification for what the PAD has done. Nevertheless, I am even more frustrated with the reactions from the prominent people, the socalled educated milddle class, high-profile academia and the people who continue to support the PAD. I am in awe of their comments, particularly those who think they are in the better position to preach the rural poor. Who are you to think that your list of priorities is more important than others? You must be proud that Amazing Thailand is ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the world right next to Congo and Somalia.

...
written by Royalist , December 03, 2008

Reynard has it right, if you're poor, there is no good choice among Thai politicians today,

"Hadn't you noticed that Thaksin and his so-called reformers are just another greedy faction of the elite? Blame them all without compromise! "

Thank you Reynard.

The following comment by Sirikit is highly speculative,

"The economic fallout from PAD insurgency especially in Tourism and exports sectors over the last 6 or so months is slowly being tallied. Thailand is expected to be hit hard by a another looming economic crisis similar to 1998 started in Thailand and which was adriotly solved by then PM Thaksin. The new crisis will be more serious than 1998 especially when coinciding with the worst world economic crisis since 1930. One unsavourly outcome could be the outflows of the famed Thai sex workers around the world to offset the reduced tourism and export receipts. "

It is true that Thailand's tourist industry will be affected by the airport closures. However, the closure was voluntary on the part of the AoT/PPP. Somchai used the presence of the protesters to close the airlines and magnify the "apparent damage caused by the PAD." Is the PAD to blame? Yes. But clearly the government didn't want an economically reasonable solution to the problem; they were playing politics and Somchai/PP must share blame. Second, Thailand's export business primarily relies on overseas shipping, not air transport; it should not be significantly affect by the closing. Any future export/tourism slowdown will have to be weighed in the context of a global economic downturn. The 1998 Asian economic crisis was not solved by Taksin; he was elected to PM much later and his ownership of futures contracts means that he profited at the expense of every Thai citizen during the baht devaluation. Furthermore, Thaksin quickly removed IMF oversight that would have brought much needed increased transparency to Thailand. Furthermore, Thailand has already experienced the shocks that should have caused a new crisis without much impact. Recently Thai markets are less volatile, probably because of recognized existing under-valuations, than one might expect given recent global economic turmoil.

Finally, the "outflows of sexworkers" -- this is simply fear mongering. From a Thai perspective -- why is it more "unsavory" to have sexworkers overseas than in Thailand? In a global economic downturn, why would being in a country other than Thailand necessarily be better? Why would this change the "outflows"? And Thai sexworkers have some competition from bankrupting Eastern European states.

As as long as the Thai economy is based on agriculture and real goods, there is a limit to amount that the Thai economy can fall. This was true in 1998 and (thankfully) this is still true today. This is not true of economies like Singapore and Hong Kong and Iceland and Wall Street, whose output is mostly paper. [Indeed, this is why Taksin's effort at Singaporizing the Thai economy are so offensive and wrong and misguided for the welfare of the poor.]

As Bill Gates once remarked, at present, Thailand offers some of the best living standards in the world for the least (US) Dollars per day in the entire world. We are doing something right.

I know I am just one person, and I don't have teams of PR people (Edelman) to post and vote on comments. I humbly await your downvotes.

Royalists for the Poor
written by Royalist , December 03, 2008

A concerned Thai wrote,

"I have searched in all the comments that favor the royalist rule and the anti-Thaksin rhetoric and have not found one, even one, concern for the plight of the poor."

A few snippets,

1. The PAD's actions reduced costly excesses of the Taksin/PPP government, benefiting the social welfare.

"The political outcome to-date is of course entirely unsatisfactory but the judicial resolution helped defuse the crisis temporarily and hopefully would allow Thailand to take-in all the political opinions from all sides (left, right, center and colors of all shades) to forge a new democratic path, without the excesses of the past Thaksin government."

2. Populist/corporatist programs risk already good institutions. (A side note, the poor do not benefit from monopolistic practice.)

"Thaksin's changes to the already good public health care system basically ensured its future bankruptcy and the rise of more expensive private medical service and pharmaceutical delivery... Thaksin used his position to strengthen his business, crowd out competitors, and try to sell off state property."

3. Modernizing the Thai economy has meant collatoralizing things of real value (land) for non-producing modern, Western assets. When those new assets (cars, etc) do not turn a profit, the poor lose their land.

"Sadly, most of Thailand seem to be uninterested in the wealth that they own -- a beautiful country with vast natural resources...The poor believe that collateralizing their land to buy western trinkets has value. See for example, AEON vendors in every mall. "

4. ExPat thinks all is not lost for the poor,

"There is only one leader in Thailand with the poor in mind.. monarchy, which solves the agency problem"

5. Misesian thinks that blindly following a European model for the poor will hurt Thailand,

"Well intentioned but naive Thai socialists like Professor Giles think Thailand can copy European and American socialism without ill effects, despite Thailand not having the advantage of printing the world reserve currency nor having a huge capital inheritance to deplete. All that is required is a leader who (1) sincerely understands true democratic socialism and (2) is incorruptible. Good luck finding this new messiah. He does not exist"

6. Genedi sees education as a pre-requisite for a healthly democracy (and a moral imperative),

"I believe that the basis of democracy is education and information...Therefore, I think it is not wise to expect anything good coming out of a democratic election from un-educated, mis-informed people having a choice between PAD (elite driven royal supporters) and Taksin & Co (me first and whatever is left-over for the people)....neither have the people's wellfare at heart, only their own."

7. Uneducated decision making can result in the wrong type of revolution,

"Real democracy requires education, individual equality, the rule of law and the continuity of institutions, and balance of power. Pursuit of a Thai revolution without these elements would hand the keys of the Kingdom to a thief; it would bring change for the worse."


I hope that clears thing up for you, "A concerned Thai".

It is nonsense to imagine what a dead person would think or would do.
written by W.N. , December 03, 2008

ExPat, what is you point talking about Prof. Giles' father? You can't think for Prof. Puey. Not even when he was alive! In fact, HE IS DEAD! Your comment is nonsense.

bring them to world court
written by John Lim , December 03, 2008

I urge all parties, men, women, anyone who ware affected by this chaos to sue the PAD, their leaders who guided and protected them from back of the curtain, the Thai army, air force and navy. Those tourists who were forced to take shelters. All walks of lifes who were supposed to be home to celebrate their Easter, who were supposed to be back in their offices, who were supposed to make a lot more money should bring all of them to World Court. Please do not sue them in Thai court, you will never find any justice with the kangaroo court in Thailand. Please sue them anywhere, sue them in United States of America, sue them in England, sue them in any International Court. Do not worry, the PAD boss is one of the richest family in the world. They have plenty of money to pay. If the court finds them guilty, all the money in the Swiss Bank will be frozen. This kind of case happened to Bin Laden. Assets that belonged to Bin Laden were frozen after he ordered the attack of World Trade Centre.

Who will help the poor?
written by A concerned Thai , December 03, 2008

I have searched in all the comments that favor the royalist rule and the anti-Thaksin rhetoric and have not found one, even one, concern for the plight of the poor. Not one concrete recommendation on how to improve their lot. Giles Ungpakorn is right when he said that the protesters for the PAD do not have to work. This alone underscores the class distinction that has been around in Thailand for as long as one remembers.

So long as the interest of the poor is not taken into account, the PAD and its supporters cannot win.

Blame the Complete Elite Full Stop
written by Reynard , December 03, 2008

Hadn't you noticed that Thaksin and his so-called reformers are just another greedy faction of the elite? Blame them all without compromise! They assume that only they are fit to run the country and they have collectively made a complete hash of it

Economic fallouts
written by Sirikit , December 03, 2008

The economic fallout from PAD insurgency especially in Tourism and exports sectors over the last 6 or so months is slowly being tallied. Thailand is expected to be hit hard by a another looming economic crisis similar to 1998 startedin Thailand and which was adriotly solved by then PM Thaksin. The new crisis will be more serious than 1998 especially when coinciding with the worst world economic crisis since 1930. One unsavourly outcome could be the outflows of the famed Thai sex workers around the world to offset the reduced tourism and export receipts.

To Genedi
written by mae , December 03, 2008

Genedi dear, you're just a follower! Enough said!

What is the rules and laws
written by homeboy , December 03, 2008

Before we go any further, please re-examine if all people in Thailand can accept the rules and laws written. Whether it is written in the constitutions or traffic laws. Can we all obey those law consistently? If we can, we will get pass all this nonsense.

I agree that certain people, powerful figure behind the PAD, especially, the 17 families or so who are very rich and have close-tie with the monarch or related. Yes, they want to maintain what they believe that it is their right to rule, to decide what is good for this country.

As a regular citizen, what can be done is make as much noise as possible, to form as many interest groups as possible and let the interest of your country, your towns and your communities to be heard as much as you can. I guess, ones will have to attract the medias to get coverage, so set up a joined public relation coordinators to lobby your interests. The saying of who ever cry the loudest will get the attention. People make your voice heard and please don't be afraid to express your opinion.

I went out the last couple of days on a side of the Chiang Mai-Fang road with a sign saying "Democracy is being robbed". I got a lot of supports, people came up to me later said that I am the only one in town who is not afraid of expressing my opinion. It could be the way we were were raised, the way we were taught in school etc. So it's not just education but the attitude of doing what is right and standing up for what you believe. It's all started in the family. I am lucky to having a chance to live in the U.S. for 30 years, so I know how the American think and react in term of personal right and political right. Get up and make your voice heard, the louder the better!!!

By George (Orwell) !
written by Bad Dog , December 03, 2008

Orwell, a committed democratic socialist like Ji once wrote (from memory),

" Throughout civilization there have only ever been three classes: the rich, the middle class and the poor" and that ,
"the middle class has always sided with either the poor or the rich according to its own self interest".

My question for Prof. Ji is, if he agrees with the gist of the above, then what else can he realistically expect of the middle class when their opinion-makers i.e. "most middle-class academics" jumped off the Thaksin bandwagon years ago. By now - either you can see that the wanna be emperor has no clothes or you can't - or you're playing politics yourself.

Bad Dog Out.

To the Elites --------- Your Time is Almost Up!
written by tao , December 03, 2008

I agree with Ty that those supporting democracy need to start wearing red shirts. And by the way democracy is not all about Thaksin. Get the man out of the equation!

Reading all this stuff here about how awful Thaksin and his corruption blah blah blah is, makes me wonder why these people are sooooooooo naive and prejudiced. Just mere hatred and contempt for Thaksin makes them so willingly choose to abandon the principles of democracy and shamefully welcome feudalism and dictatorhsip. Are you simply nuts fellows?????

Sorry folks but hatred and contempt for one man in exhange for a country destined for serfdom, feudalism, and dictatorship is simply not worth it. We all need to look beyond ourselves and our egos and realize there's a country out there that's in desperate need of a democracy. 65 million Thais cannot be subject to serfdom with only a few handful elites and their cronies doing as they please. This is unethical and very embarssing as, in case your memory fails you, there's a whole world watching.

To the royalists haunting this article, grow up and stop being so selfish. Your time is almost up!!! An entire nation is waiting for what;s legitimally theirs - democracy.

Hmmmm........by the way good job acharn ji!!!!!!!! I truly appreciate your standing for the right cause!!!

Democracy
written by Genedi , December 02, 2008

I believe that the basis of democracy is education and information.

Without education, it is almost impossible to question anything intelligently (including choosing those who represent you and being able to determine what they are really aiming at, your well-being or their own wealth).

Without information (freedom of speech, unbiased and uncontrolled), no-one, educated or not, can make intelligent choices !!!

In what is called "civilized countries", these are the 2 "sectors" which are the worst off.
- Drastic financial cuts on education (the easiest way to manipulate people is to keep them "stupid", stops them from asking embarrassing questions and/or understanding their answers) .
- Monopole on the media (the easiest way to manipulate people - even the educated - is to misinform them; and believe me, I've been working for television for 25 years, this is not bogus, there truly is a will to "direct" information in such a way that people will react in a certain "way") !

All this to say that democracy in "civilized countires" is going down (deliberately) and that "newborn" democracies elsewhere are unfortunately bound to be "dead born" (even more so if -as it is in Thailand- the majority of the people are not educated and there is no true freedom of the press, I'm reffering here to the ban on criticism of the royal family who plays, in the actual crisis, a major role).

Therefore, I think it is not wise to expect anything good coming out of a democratic election from un-educated, mis-informed people having a choice between PAD (elite driven royal supporters) and Taksin & Co (me first and whatever is left-over for the people)....neither have the people's wellfare at heart, only their own.

Thailand needs a Barak Obama (don't we all ?), I'm no fan of America but let's be honest, they do keep surprising us, in good and bad (or should I say bad and good...Bush and Obama) !

I have a dream (as did MLK), naîve and childish as it may seem, unrealistic and unfathomable as it may seem; that all colours and races, countries and continents, you and me, would finally understand we are all one, living on one planet, that each person's happiness depends on everyone's happiness,this is my dream.

Research Austrian Economics
written by Misesian in Thailand , December 02, 2008

Well intentioned but naive Thai socialists like Professor Giles think Thailand can copy European and American socialism without ill effects, despite Thailand not having the advantage of printing the world reserve currency nor having a huge capital inheritance to deplete. All that is required is a leader who (1) sincerely understands true democratic socialism and (2) is incorruptible.

Good luck finding this new messiah. He does not exist (Thaksin's claims to be him notwithstanding). The incentive structure of the deceptive plutocrats inevitably elected to run democratic socialism guarantee it.

For people unsure about the real nature and course of democratic socialism, I urge research into Austrian Economics. Read thorough debunkings of the glorious claims of socialism, including its democratic form, in landmark books such as The Road to Serfdom and Democracy: The God That Failed. Visit http://www.mises.org.

...
written by Athita , December 02, 2008

Daniel

Can you tell me how much Thaksin or his people have made from corruption you mentioned, how much Thailand lost its stake?

And

Can you tell me how much Thailand lost from what the PAD and elites have done?

I heard many people say....ah..Thaksin corrupts, something like that..How much? 76,000 Million Baht? That's all?

What about the PAD? Or when CNS was in power, you know how much they got?

Tell me please.

Thank you prof. Giles
written by W.N. , December 02, 2008

I think prof. Giles has the first-hand experience about what he wrote. He has right to express his opinion and he is very brave to say it out loud. I saw many unbelievable comments here which prove that education is not the issue to understand democracy. For example: ExPat who believes in rumor and thinks one-person-one vote doesn't work. Oh (someone else's) God!

Thailand = Failed State + Banana Republic
written by 9 , December 02, 2008

With the elites desperate to do anything to cling on to power, Thailand is on its way to becoming a filed state and a banana republic.

Wake up Thailand!

ELITE HORSE MANURE
written by me , December 02, 2008

Can the elites please back off and let democracy take its course?

The Thai population really doesn't need nor deserve all this nonsnese. It's all about holding on to power and keeping the fairy tale system alive --- all at the expense of 63 million Thais. I'm sorry but any educated individual with an ounce of common sense who agrees with this elitist movement and the "New Politics" horse manure of 80% appointed and 20% elected parliament NEEDS TO GET THEIR HEAD EXAMINED. If this is not dictatorship in a thinly disguised veil, it's feudalism so into your face. Whatever you call it, the crux of the matter is the Thai citizen will be stripped of their very basic democratic rights!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, in Thailand, a Thai citizen is NOT a citizen. They're merely "subjects". And this is the brutal truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!

you deserved your magsaysay award
written by Great Article. Finally the truth , December 02, 2008

I am glad there is someone as respected as prof giles willing to write openly and truthfuly about the political situation in thailand. Keep it up. The so called Elites are merely trying to treat the rest as slaves in the 21st century. Democracts and Elites lost election despite it was under Military rule. SO cannot say it was vote buying. Election Commision and Courts totally corrupted and bias and shown their bias against the poor and PPP.

GREAT INFORMATIVE ARTICLE
written by ty , December 02, 2008

I have to thank Giles for daring to bring forth the truth. It is so blatant as to who is supporting the PAD. The cops and army aren't doing their jobs in removing these PAD terrorists, and the common Joe in the streets of Thailand knows who is behind the PAD.

The only way out of this mess if for the public to voice their stand by wearing red shirts in the name of democracy. The yellows are a sign of the feudalistic past and filthy dictatorship. It's sickening and despicable to see how the PAD and their supporter(s) have torn the country apart whilst the authorities can only watch and then turn the other way.

To the democracy-inclined Thailand population who have chosen to remain quiet.................................If you make enemies in the process of making your political statement via a red shirt, be proud for you've stood up for something, some time in your life.

Good Judgement
written by Chamthongkul , December 02, 2008

Now that the constitutional court have decided and Somchai is out, will the PAD be satisfy and allow the country to be governed by an elected legislature? Otherwise we might as well make Limthongkul and Chamlong as Lord Protectors of Thailand to protect Royalists previleges and power.