Flashermac Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Michael Yon Any answer will be complex, but there appear to be a few main reasons. I posed this question recently to a foreign correspondent who has been here for 14 years. He agrees with me that PDRC and Whistleblowers have the moral high ground by far, and that UDD commonly commits acts of terrorism. Red Shirts are more media savvy. He went on to explain -- and I fully agreed with him -- that when he covered the 2010 fighting and was out with Reds, the leaders were extremely approachable. In fact, they approached him (and me). The Red leaders nurture press like they are raising crops. I was there in 2010 and this was the truth. And so any correspondents who strongly respond to ego-stroking fertilizer are raised like rows of corn. Meanwhile, PDRC and other Whistleblowers -- while still being professional with the media -- often are more aloof. You typically must schedule talks, and often there is no free time in the schedule. I have far greater access than most because I am here more than most. But writers who are drifting through probably will not get much audience at PDRC, while the Reds will welcome the man-corn for lunch. And so while both sides are approachable, the Reds are like farmers who grow media corn. It is true now that it is difficult for many foreigners to meet with PDRC leadership. The correspondent I was speaking with -- who believes that PDRC is the best side in this struggle -- has a hard time getting with leaders, but he can go to the Reds and meet anyone any time. Much of this is about access, and that Reds actively walk over to correspondents and veritably grab them by the ears. PDRC seems to feel so strongly that they have the moral high ground against PTP and UDD, that it is self-evident and there is little need to explain it. In my view, PDRC and Whistleblowers in general, do own the moral high ground, but they still get pummeled by the media-corn that is fertilized by the UDD 'farmers.' The UDD leadership, for all their faults, wins in the media by raising corn. https://www.facebook...FanPage?fref=nf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 There is also the fact that foreign media mostly report to citizens of democratic countries where army coup's are a no-no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jitagawn Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Agreed- I think the essential issue is that Farang countries have a naïve view that the electoral process here is legit. I have no idea why they would believe this as its not really legit anywhere IE BUsh Fla etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Democracy is not perfect anywhere. Buts its better than the alternatives. Also, BBC news in the UK is reporting that they have been closed down in Thailand. That is certain to piss them off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 They probably think they're Man U supporters and feel sorry for them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCorinthian Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Stupidity comes to mind. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baa99 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Well, you have one group that is just as corrupt but also wants to eliminate elections determining the leadership. Remember unexplained wealth is not solely the province of the civilian leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 Nobody wants to eliminate elections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baa99 Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 Nobody wants to eliminate elections. Good joke Flash. Who blocked the polling stations in the last election? Who boycotted the elections? Who wants an appointed ruling council? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pom Michael Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 Democracy is not perfect anywhere. Buts its better than the alternatives. Also, BBC news in the UK is reporting that they have been closed down in Thailand. That is certain to piss them off. All TV stations are off the air - no matter if news or entertainment. I hope this doesn't last much longer. I seem to remember back in 2006 it was similar but not sure if the cable channels were off for more than one day. Anyone with a good memory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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