BANGKOK - The coordinated bomb blasts in downtown Bangkok on New Year's Eve were a violent sign of things to come at the outset of 2007, Thailand's year of living dangerously. The bombings should be seen as a continuation of the prolonged crisis and confrontation begun last year but that has yet to run its full course, as ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains defiant and determined to overcome the conservative forces of the establishment who deposed him.
Two overriding issues that will dominate Thailand in 2007 are the aftermath of September 19 military coup and the coup makers' vow to return the country to democratic rule with Thaksin's potential comeback lurking in the background. These events will transpire against the backdrop of the country's grand transition, as the royal succession looms in view of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej's turning 80 and his reign exceeding 60 years.
Full Story: Asia Times Online
Bit of a depressing outlook to the year ahead really.
Thailand's year of living dangerously
Thailand's year of living dangerously
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
"People who do ill against the country will be executed". Strong words yesterday from the current military junta! What if you don't pay your taxes? Shot in the head or after a trial? Sounds far fetched? What about the 1,000's of illegal killing on the pretence of drug dealing? I reckon when people sniff power they want to hold on to it no matter what it takes to do so. What's that song ....there may be trouble ahead ...
What is General Chavalit up to?
(bangkokpost.com)
By Veera Prateepchaikul
[Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Pcl, and a commentator for bangkokpost.com]
General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's recent conduct in attacking the Council for National Security and General Surayud Chulanont's government either by himself or through his cronies has raised suspicion among the top brass in the CNS and observers about his real motives.
The latest confrontation bewteen the former prime minister and the CNS stemmed from an allegation by a member of the CNS that he might have a hand in the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok which left three people dead and about 30 others injured. The CNS member reportedly suggested that General Chavalit should be summonsed for ''discussion'' about the bombing incident.
Earlier, General Chavalit criticised the CNS of self-rewarding themselves by taking up executive positions in profitable state enterprises. He also suggested that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be allowed to return home in order that the CNS would be able to closely monitor his movements rather than letting him go around unchecked. One of his close aides also launched an attack against Prime Minister Surayud, accusing him of owning a fleet of luxurious train carriages at a forest retreat in Nakhon Ratchasima. The case is now being hotly pursued by a Thai Rak Thai member, Kamol Bandaipetch, a former member of General Chavalit's New Aspiration party.
Shortly after the bomb attacks in Bangkok, General Chavalit claimed he had video clips believed taken by surveillance cameras showing suspected bombers at one of the scenes of bomb attacks. Based on the claimed evidence, the general suggested that the bombings could be the work of southern insurgents. This went against the theory of the government and the CNS that the incidents were perpetrated by elements of the old power clique.
The suspicion of General Chavalit's political motives was also fuelled by a rumour that he was recently in Beijing briefly for an undisclosed mission. The Chinese capital has, of late, been chosen as a second home for Mr Thaksin. It was not known whether the two had met in Beijing or not.
General Chavalit's cronies were also suspected of spreading the rumour of a second coup which gripped Bangkok last week. The rumour was later denied by General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the CNS chairman.
In light of the confrontation between General Chavalit and the CNS, Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda stepped in to try to mend fence between the two protagonists, but to no avail, so far. A close aide of General Chavalit reportedly suggested that the CNS should apologise the general for accusing him of having a hand in the recent bombings.
Whether the rift will be mended remains to be seen, but it is obvious that General Chavalit has emerged as a new destabilising factor on top of the Thaksin factor for both the CNS and the government.
(bangkokpost.com)
By Veera Prateepchaikul
[Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Pcl, and a commentator for bangkokpost.com]
General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's recent conduct in attacking the Council for National Security and General Surayud Chulanont's government either by himself or through his cronies has raised suspicion among the top brass in the CNS and observers about his real motives.
The latest confrontation bewteen the former prime minister and the CNS stemmed from an allegation by a member of the CNS that he might have a hand in the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok which left three people dead and about 30 others injured. The CNS member reportedly suggested that General Chavalit should be summonsed for ''discussion'' about the bombing incident.
Earlier, General Chavalit criticised the CNS of self-rewarding themselves by taking up executive positions in profitable state enterprises. He also suggested that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be allowed to return home in order that the CNS would be able to closely monitor his movements rather than letting him go around unchecked. One of his close aides also launched an attack against Prime Minister Surayud, accusing him of owning a fleet of luxurious train carriages at a forest retreat in Nakhon Ratchasima. The case is now being hotly pursued by a Thai Rak Thai member, Kamol Bandaipetch, a former member of General Chavalit's New Aspiration party.
Shortly after the bomb attacks in Bangkok, General Chavalit claimed he had video clips believed taken by surveillance cameras showing suspected bombers at one of the scenes of bomb attacks. Based on the claimed evidence, the general suggested that the bombings could be the work of southern insurgents. This went against the theory of the government and the CNS that the incidents were perpetrated by elements of the old power clique.
The suspicion of General Chavalit's political motives was also fuelled by a rumour that he was recently in Beijing briefly for an undisclosed mission. The Chinese capital has, of late, been chosen as a second home for Mr Thaksin. It was not known whether the two had met in Beijing or not.
General Chavalit's cronies were also suspected of spreading the rumour of a second coup which gripped Bangkok last week. The rumour was later denied by General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the CNS chairman.
In light of the confrontation between General Chavalit and the CNS, Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda stepped in to try to mend fence between the two protagonists, but to no avail, so far. A close aide of General Chavalit reportedly suggested that the CNS should apologise the general for accusing him of having a hand in the recent bombings.
Whether the rift will be mended remains to be seen, but it is obvious that General Chavalit has emerged as a new destabilising factor on top of the Thaksin factor for both the CNS and the government.
Just more BS Asian political power struggle with the hidden agenda of easy money for the guys in power
I really wish some of these Asian politicians would think of there country first and try and do the right thing by it, Singapore probably a good example, Lee Kuan Yew had some faults but at least he was high on personal integrity and done what was best for Singapore
I really wish some of these Asian politicians would think of there country first and try and do the right thing by it, Singapore probably a good example, Lee Kuan Yew had some faults but at least he was high on personal integrity and done what was best for Singapore
Both Chavalit and Banharn are old school. So far Banharn is being a good boy but perhaps for Chavalit, a last grasp for recognition after he screwed up so badly as PM the last time. Who knows, I think he's 75-78 years old.
Many of you remember Khun Annan who stepped in and did a splendid job as PM years ago, I think after the Suchinda coup, and was the head of the 1997 Constitution drafting committee. He's too old now to get involved again unfortunately but indeed a good man among so many bad men.
Some of us did a statistical analysis back then based upon Khun Annan's education, experience, public accdeptance, intelligence etc., just a loose analysis on the data we had. The result was that based upon Thailand's population at the time, there should be 307 men or women like him who could step forward and be a good PM like he was.
We then determined that most of these 307 are now wealthy and residing overseas and really have no interest in returning to Thailand, at least not until the reach retirement age. Sad. Pete
Many of you remember Khun Annan who stepped in and did a splendid job as PM years ago, I think after the Suchinda coup, and was the head of the 1997 Constitution drafting committee. He's too old now to get involved again unfortunately but indeed a good man among so many bad men.
Some of us did a statistical analysis back then based upon Khun Annan's education, experience, public accdeptance, intelligence etc., just a loose analysis on the data we had. The result was that based upon Thailand's population at the time, there should be 307 men or women like him who could step forward and be a good PM like he was.
We then determined that most of these 307 are now wealthy and residing overseas and really have no interest in returning to Thailand, at least not until the reach retirement age. Sad. Pete