The politics of revenge in Thailand

Post by **buksida** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:02 pm

Hopes that last December's elections - which on the surface brought back democracy and at least symbolically sent the military back to the barracks - would restore political stability and usher in a new era of national reconciliation have already yielded to new worries of a sustained and potentially more violent political conflict.

Full Story: Asia Times Online

Thought: A good summary of the current state of Thai politics in general and one that indicates that the country is far from stable and even further from democratic.

Post by **Hobiecat** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:20 pm

Couldn't have been better said.

I'm bracing myself for the civil unrest.

I hope they can get s^*t together soon.

Post by **Vital Spark** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:03 pm

Democracy does not work in Thailand.

I know this sounds like a sweeping statement, but after having yet another hugely frustrating meeting (with Thais) it's true.

If you're in power you dictate (very happy dictator), if you're not in power you don't have to make decisions (very happy followers). Why, oh why, do Western countries try to enforce democracy on other countries that are not ready, or able, or want to, accept it?

VS

Post by **Jockey** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:09 pm

Vital Spark wrote: Why, oh why, do Western countries try to enforce democracy on other countries that are not ready, or able, or want to, accept it?

VS

Yes - its very undemocratic of them isn't it!

Post by **barrys** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:28 am

I suppose it all depends on your definition of democracy

Post by **Vital Spark** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:08 am

Well Barry, according to Wikipedia democracy is:

In political theory, Democracy describes a small number of related forms of government and also a political philosophy. A common feature of democracy as currently understood and practiced is competitive elections. Competitive elections are usually seen to require freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and some degree of rule of law. Civilian control of the military is often seen as necessary to prevent military dictatorship and interference with political affairs. In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights.

I've underlined bits relevant to Thailand

.

VS

Post by **buksida** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:48 am

Spot on VS, as far as I can see Thailand has none of these which is why it cannot be classified as "democratic" in a western sense although not many Asian countries can.

Post by **Jockey** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:13 am

Vital Spark wrote:Well Barry, according to Wikipedia democracy is:

In political theory, Democracy describes a small number of related forms of government and also a political philosophy. A common feature of democracy as currently understood and practiced is competitive elections. Competitive elections are usually seen to require freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and some degree of rule of law. Civilian control of the military is often seen as necessary to prevent military dictatorship and interference with political affairs. In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights.

I've underlined bits relevant to Thailand .

VS

So VS let's compare this with "Democratic America"

Competitive elections - OK if you want to vote for a millionaire who represents multi nationals or a millionare who represents multi nationals. Both must be devout Christians, in a warmongering arms dealing sort of way.

Freedom of speech - Allowed as long as you are not seen to be unpatriotic, in which case you can be locked up in a secret jail and legally tortured to check if you know anyone else with similar views.

Freedom of the press - yes the USA has such freedom of press as long as they represents the multi nationals. Rupert Murdoch springs to mind.

Rule of law - yes - USA pass with flying colours.

Civilian control of the military - eh? Isn't it the military who control the civilians?

Prevent military dictatorship - who needs that when you've got GWB? Anyway, isn't it the CIAs job to go around the world creating military dictatorships?

Equal rights - sure, as long as your a white christian middle class straight male etc. etc. etc.

Incidentally, I?m not blaming the American people for their government. It?s not as if they have a real choice, any more than we do in Britain. But that?s the price of freedom.

Post by **acerockolla** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:39 am

Jockey I agree with almost everything you said except this bit:

Equal rights - sure, as long as your a white christian middle class straight male etc. etc. etc.

eerhh Positive Discrimination anyone? - somebody from a 'minority; who is not the best qualified person for the job gets given it anyway.

The politics of madness!

Post by **sandman67** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:23 am

Ah come on now folks.....lets look who else lives in the neighborhood....

Burma....erm...George Orwell meets Hitler....not my bag.

Cambodia....well the place is run by an international crime lord and ex Khmer Rouge murderer.....what do you expect? Course it looks a bit run down.....

Vietnam...is it communist, is it capitalist, ... who knows? Do you have free speech...or do you lock up all the Christians again....who knows? Them wacky Vienamese.....

Singapore.....costs an arm and a leg to live in a capitalists wet dream police state....you can be arrested for chewing gum....can only drive your car on set days....live in titchy flats.....zzzzzzzzz

Laos....great history, love the sites ... but hang on you have that mad Maoist government don't you?

Indonesia....got bored of not being involved in "international Islamic terrorism" and have started burning other minority muslim sect's mosques and killing their members.....madness. Prisons used to house terrorists are of course supplied with at least three handy easy ways out....and of course the police are all busy trying to stop one big part of the population from wiping out a minority, so no need to hide too hard. Lovely...

Taiwan.... could be a winner...but could be the next part of the PRC. Thats not cool. Lovely women mind......

Hong Kong.....was cool when we ran the joint, then we had to shut down and some Chinese takeaway moved in.....shame really.....lovely old place. Bet they miss us letting them say and think what they liked now eh?

China....no really...come on...hey they got the Olympics!

Malaysia .. hmmmmm..... doesnt look that bad really..... looks like the only other option.

....ahhhh hang on they just passed some mad internet monitoring laws....thats me out.

Bugger.....looks like Thailand is home for better or worse.... its a hard life

And if there is a coup then I could see it being like this:

"5 across....sounds like...Whats that angel? Theres been a military coup? Oh dear....Whos on the run? Mr Samak...ah well that nice Mr Thaksin can put him up in London for a while.

Now...5 across....yes angel I'd love some more tea..."

Post by **Chas** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:27 am

I enjoyed that sandman. Nice post.

Post by **nevets** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:31 am

Yes it would seam that Thailand can have as many government changes as it likes it just means , a different lot to pick up the TEA MONEY.