limbo Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE We have to ensure that Thaksin does not return The Nation 27/02/2006 The Thai people must not let caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra divide and lead them onto the warpath. His nationwide TV address following Parliament's dissolution on Friday was too polarising, inflammatory and inimical. I would even consider it as a form of hate speech. It showed his utter lack of understanding or appreciation of democratic processes and practices. No wonder, for he continues to dwell in his increasingly isolated world of self-indulgence, ignoring the popular sentiment mounting against him. Using a textbook propaganda technique in his speech, Thaksin branded those opposed him "rogue elements" that "operate outside the parliamentary framework". He also declared that they were trying to oust him. Citing intelligence sources, he said that ill-intentioned elements might incite violence at massive rallies. As the huge rally at Sanam Luang showed, congregation and freedom of expression are important features of democracy. The outpouring of people was indicative of the strength of public opinion which has not been covered by major polls. They want embattled Thaksin to resign, knowing full well that a new election will not solve the long-term problems or answer the vexing questions about the Shinawatra family's fortune and corruption-related scandals. Indeed it is not wrong to say that the atmosphere yesterday represented a kind of rough justice for Thaksin. Those who showed up used to be strong Thaksin supporters who believed in his brand of economic nationalism, but they feel they have been betrayed by the tax-free Bt73.3-billion Shin Corp-Temasek Holdings mega-sale. They wanted to show their disapproval by attending the rally. Alas, Thaksin still does not get it. Unbelievably, he is still in denial as he continues to reiterate his commitment to democratic values as he calls for a snap election on April 2 in order to "return the power to the people". To hell, he implied, with all those demonstrations of the past five months. He should have heeded what Mahatma Gandhi famously said long ago: "Even the most powerful cannot rule without the cooperation of the rule." In more ways than one, the House's dissolution also quelled months of speculations about coups, counter-coups, assassination plots and palace interventions (made famous by Thaksin's comment that he would step down if the King whispered in his ear). What we are seeing here is the contest for legitimacy between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and Thaksin. Of course, Thaksin is no longer the formidable leader he once was. Just over a year into his second term, he has already seriously undermined himself through a series of lies, seeming acts of corruption and not-so-cosy relations with the Privy Council. Unfortunately, his most remarkable achievement has been the way he has changed Thai society's perception of truth. He has away scotch-free in so many dubious undertakings. His position at present is a far cry from his heyday of power and public confidence in 2001. In the past six years he has single-handedly butchered every aspect of Thailand's democratic progress and process, especially within the parliamentary system. As the first Thai leader controlling an absolute majority in the House, he has made himself - and he's proud of it too! - the only big boss or chao poh in Thai politics. He has set his own ground rules to attain his objectives. By winning 19 million votes, he contends, he has secured a mandate and is entitled to do anything he wants with Thailand. Grounded in a culture of relativism and deception, he has inculcated the notion that moral authority does not count and ethnical issues are meaningless. Remember those famous words he once uttered: "Democracy is a means not an end." And he has fixed an immutable dichotomy, dicing the Thai public into Thaksin supporters - the faceless voters - and his enemies. Others do not matter. It is a clever ploy seeing as it has already created the impression that the demonstrators are nuisances wanting to pressure him to quit because they are thuggish and refuse to play by the rules. Worse, some of them are against him due to personal grudges. He has even faulted Chamlong Srimuang for joining the PAD. Thaksin accused his former mentor of trying to get even with him because of past disagreements over financial contributions. Thaksin hopes that his Thai Rak Thai Party will win the snap polls with its new populist policies. In the past weeks he has announced new handout schemes for students and the middle class who were not covered by existing populist policies. But somehow this time around the public is no longer gullible, as demonstrated by growing calls for his resignation. They are more sceptical of Thaksin's policies and motives. As Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said last week, the Thai people no longer trust Thaksin and view everything he does with a suspicious mind. In a democracy, Abhisit said, one has to respect popular sentiment, which is the barometer of leadership legitimacy. For the sake of the common good, we have a great responsibility to ensure that Thaksin and his cronies do not come back into our political lives. Kavi Chongkittavorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stickman Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Taksin will come straight back into power.....almost certain, I reckon.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 And more arrogant than ever ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 "A fully contested election would probably award Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party and its allies a much reduced but workable majority. Thaksin has presided over economic recovery, flirts with a rather crude nationalism and is adept at money politics. But an opposition boycott combined with continued street protests in Bangkok is likely to prolong the crisis and put Thai democracy at risk. Thaksin will not have forgotten the role of the metropolis in the changes of government in 1973 and 1992. A sustained impasse could result in a repeat of the kind of military intervention last seen in 1991, with the tacit backing of the monarchy and some of a Bangkok elite, which now despises Thaksin as much as it once despised the generals. Although the military's role in Thai society is now much diminished, it still sees itself as the ultimate guardian of national cohesion" (Philip Bowring, Intern. Her.Tribune today). The dynamics of Bangkok in shaping events will thus continue and escalate, even though Thaksin can manipulate passive rural voters to win the election. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 If my TGF has a say in it, Mr. Taksin will remain. He has done some things to win the average Thai over to his camp: 30 Baht medical BTS (sky train) New Subway Many projects out in Isaan and northern Thailand. What does the opposition offer? They have a better plan? or just a lot of aimless talk??? For me, I am very impressed with HM, the King and all the respect he receives! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 cavanami said:If my TGF has a say in it, Mr. Taksin will remain. He has done some things to win the average Thai over to his camp: 30 Baht medical BTS (sky train) New Subway Many projects out in Isaan and northern Thailand. A) 30 Baht medical, just a populist step that make Thailand go bankrupt. Who will pay this bill? Under the 30 Baht medicine, you will become Aspirin for your internal stomach bleeding. (i know such a case, this is not the only one) 15'000 Baht loans - most not open a small business, but buy Handphones and motorbikes. Who will pay that bill? C) BTS has nothing, really nothing to do with TRT, this is an old project started under the Chuan Leekpai Government. D) New Subway system building has started before TRT was founded. E) Isarn projects, all former Governments made that before. But also TRT spent wrong fertilizer to poor farmers. Thaksin made nothing in the whole South Thailand. He is angry to win just one little seat in the whole South, childish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous_Dog Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Do we want the other side? Did you see the cartoon in the paper, my mates in the Thai press regularly send me photos', but a lot of them are even more xenaphobic than Thaksin! When will Thailand realise that its not Farangs who are their enemies, but their own people? DOOG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 A) 30 Baht medical, just a populist step that make Thailand go bankrupt. Who will pay this bill? Under the 30 Baht medicine, you will become Aspirin for your internal stomach bleeding. (i know such a case, this is not the only one) 15'000 Baht loans - most not open a small business, but buy Handphones and motorbikes. Who will pay that bill? C) BTS has nothing, really nothing to do with TRT, this is an old project started under the Chuan Leekpai Government. D) New Subway system building has started before TRT was founded. E) Isarn projects, all former Governments made that before. But also TRT spent wrong fertilizer to poor farmers. All true, but how many thai "voters" realize this, and not just see what has come about recently ( no matter how long it was in the works) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Sounds like the old line from the Pogo cartoon: "We have met the enemy, and he is us." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Oh, my ... On THE NATION's coverage of the scond day: 11:09 pm: The crowds cheer and applaud when Wutthipong Piapjariyawat announces that former interior minister Purachai Piumsomboon joins the anti-Thaksin coalition and has come to the back of the stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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