Wrong. My wife is from Isaan, and if you look at some of my previous posts you'll certainly see I don't support the reds. With that said, I don't support the yellows either. In situations such as this, I would rather support a strong military leader who could restore law and order. When the yellows took the airport, I couldn't help but laugh. In my country that sort of thing would have been dealt with very swiftly, and I can assure you the yellows would have been out in the first day. The same applies to the reds, in that they would have been sent home licking their wounds long ago.cozza wrote:Everyone has their views (even myself) that others see differently or similarly, cant make everyone happy!
To be extremely stereotypical (not meaning to single anyone out or be judgmental) but those with Issan partners seem to be sympathetic to the Reds. I would love to be told or proved otherwise though...
I personally found it very insightful, good to see you write as you see it.
I follow the local Sydney Morning Herald, which keeps saying that is the poor vs bangkok elite...shits me.
Once you've been warned, and yet you still decide to ignore the instructions, you only have yourself to blame for whatever comes your way. A few shotgun shells filled with course salt rather than buckshot soon gets people moving when they're being naughty.....
This country is grinding to a standstill, and it's about time a hard-line approach is taken. Not happy with the government, then make your opinions known when there's an election. After all, does it really make such a difference whether elections are held in three month's time or whether they're held in eight month's time? All this trouble simply over a matter of five months? Maybe this general needs an early retirement so that a certain other one can get on with his job.
What about all the ordinary people trying to earn a living, and who cannot do so because of the demonstrations? How would these reds like it if half of Bangkok went and camped out on their rice fields come planting or harvesting time?
Also, every country in the world pumps more money into the major cities rather than into rural areas - Thailand is no different. Not all reds are upset because they don't have better schools and more jobs. Many are upset because they simply want more free hand-outs. I've seen many who get a good job here in Hua-Hin, with good pay and good working conditions, and yet after a few months they disappear back up country for the easy life. Do I blame them? No, not really, but if that's the choice you make then don't complain. For many, being able to sit around all day doing nothing is far more enjoyable than having to get up early and work all day. In fact, it makes me wander just how many Thais would be living on the dole if Thailand had the same system as the UK. After all, look how many able bodied people there are in the UK who moan and gripe all day about how hard life is, and yet they'll go to great lengths in order to avoid having to get a job.
Also, look at how many Thais are doing extremely well for themselves,even though they grew up in Isaan. Life is what you make of it, irrespective of nationality. Working girls are another example. The excuse is always because they need to support their families. Maybe true in some cases, but not as often as what is quoted. I grew up in an extremely poor family and yet I can't recall my Mom working bars. It's easy money, and unfortunately, the vast majority of Thais like easy money.
BTW....good post STW
Pete 
