Mentors Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Sun, 28/03/2010 - 21:55 Supalak Ganjanakhundee An understanding should have been made among the red shirts beforehand that this is not ‘the last battle’, and the goal should have been to sound out their opponents. The red shirts should be aware of the fact that their force, which has just been rebuilt after the devastating defeat during Songkran last year, is not yet strong enough to finish the war once and for all. Good leaders should know when to make a tactical retreat to preserve their strength, and after discerning the strengths and flaws of the opponents, make adjustments accordingly. This move of the red-shirt army has not yet managed to gain the upper hand over their opponents, but the red shirts have learned a few lessons which are very useful in their proclaimed class war to overthrow the rule of the ammat. (If what the red-shirt leaders have said is not what they really mean, stop reading now.) [color:red]The awakening of the lower classes to injustice is so scary that the higher classes have to come out in denial of phrai and ammat. The government and its mouthpieces have tried to seek explanations to deny any social hierarchy. Some have even consulted the dictionary in a desperate bid to refute this.[/color] Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who will never be able to distinguish grass from rice, showed his ignorance about classes in Thai society when he tried to hit back that Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the red phrai have fought for, was probably more of an ammat than himself. What the red shirts have said hits hard at the elite. Their big problem, however, is that they cannot clearly elaborate how the demand for House dissolution can solve the problem of ammat versus phrai. In fact, the discourse of ‘one man, one vote’ is clear enough, and can help get rid of the ammat from Thai politics. The red shirts should make their point to society that their right to choose political leaders should be equal to that of the elite. That means, when the people choose someone through election, the winners, good or bad, should be able to run the country throughout an agreed term. The use of military power or illegitimate legal power to override the political mandate which the people have given to politicians through the elections is utterly unfair and undemocratic. This can be explained. But it is a pity that the red shirts’ speakers on stage have talked aimlessly and wasted time on denunciations. They should have tried to seek good speakers to refute the discourse of ‘a few good men’ which the ammat have advertised every day. This will help regarding their relationship with Thaksin. No one denies that the red shirts and Thaksin are almost inseparable. Thaksin is as much a liability as an asset for the red shirts. To stress principles will make Thaksin less of a liability. The issue of double standards apparently troubles the middle class. If an alliance with the middle class is to be sought, why not press this issue? In Thailand, there are a myriad of cases similar to Gen Surayud Chulanont’s Khao Yai Thiang. To make this point clear will embarrass the middle class in Bangkok for having long been fooled by the elite and supported the wrong cause. So far, the red shirts have scored some points by not seizing any premises, in comparison with the tactics of the yellow shirts. Hawkish red shirts may not be pleased, but they have to understand that the space they have to seize is the political space of public perception. [color:red]Nevertheless, the red shirts cannot finish the fight at one go. There are only two groups of people who can bring down the government: politicians like Newin and Banharn, and the military. As long as they get along with one another, Abhisit will surely stay until the last day of Parliament.[/color] Hawkish means to grab power by force would be suicide. The red shirts have been in Bangkok for two weeks now, and cannot move further. Why don’t they consider a tactical retreat to make improvements on a few of the above issues? Frankly, the red shirts this time have prepared only the numbers, but have not prepared any tactics or strategies. Strategically speaking, they have not planned what steps have to be taken in overthrowing the ammat. No one can explain how the demand for House dissolution will overthrow the ammat, or why now. What is their proposal for an ammat-free political structure? Now they are clearly at their wit’s ends, as they struggle to keep coming up with something to do every day: blood splashing, moving around Bangkok, head shaving. On stage, there’s hardly anything new, with the likes of Jatuphorn, Natthawut and Veera coming up several times a day rehashing the same old talk. Country singers and folk artists are good, because they are not as pretentious as those used-to-be progressive yellow artists. But there has to be more. One night it was good for Dao Bandon to come up to sing Man Riding a Buffalo, as it contrasted starkly with a Channel 11 programme about poverty reduction aired at the same time. Clearly, the song was much more impressive than Abhisit’s speech on Sufficiency Community. If possible, the parade on the upcoming 27 March [which was cancelled – Prachatai] should be a farewell to thank Bangkokians, who are indeed mostly their fellows from upcountry (no matter how long this taxi driver has been driving around Bangkok, he’s still Isaan.) And the red shirts should go back to make adjustments to their movement. They can come back after Songkran with new ideas. Believe me. Staying on, you’ll never win. P.S. – Enough is enough with the delirious dream about a heavenly power to help. It does not work and is not worth it. The yellows have done exactly just that, and dragged the country backward. Don’t you see? http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/1694 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who will never be able to distinguish grass from rice, showed his ignorance about classes in Thai society when he tried to hit back that Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the red phrai have fought for, was probably more of an ammat than himself. Abhisit was educated at Eton and Oxford. Thaksin was educated at Montford College in Chiangmai. So who is more of an ammat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted March 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva' date=' who will never be able to distinguish grass from rice, showed his ignorance about classes in Thai society when he tried to hit back that Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the red phrai have fought for, was probably more of an ammat than himself.[/quote'] Abhisit was educated at Eton and Oxford. Thaksin was educated at Montford College in Chiangmai. So who is more of an ammat? Mr. T. knows how rice is looking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Expecting the Red leaders to THINK before they act is asking a bit much, isn't it? Let's get realistic, shall we! Bloody hell, we're back in the 1970s again. Farking wonderful - I remember very well what happened the last time around. ---------------------------- Man with man work the fields In the way of man. Man with buffalo work the fields In the way of the buffalo. Man working with buffalo Is rooted deep in our history. They've worked together for ages. But it works out alright. (repeat) Come, let's go now! Come, let's go! Carry our plows and guns to the fields! Poverty and weariness endured too long! Bitter tears held back too long! Hardships and troubles so heavy, But whatever the burden, we will not fear! Here is the song of death, The death of our humanity. The rich eat our labor, Set one against the other, As we peasants sink deeper in debt. And they call us savages! We must destroy this system! (repeat first four lines of song simultaneously with last four lines) Come, let's go now! ---------------------- http://www.ijigg.com/songs/V2CADE44PA0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva' date=' who will never be able to distinguish grass from rice, showed his ignorance about classes in Thai society when he tried to hit back that Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the red phrai have fought for, was probably more of an ammat than himself.[/quote'] Abhisit was educated at Eton and Oxford. Thaksin was educated at Montford College in Chiangmai. So who is more of an ammat? Mr. T. knows how rice is looking... Yep. Abhisit's parents were Thai MDs ... scum of the earth and should have been sent to the guillotine! Dear Takky's daddy was only a poor proletarian wealthy capitalist in Chiang Mai who sent his children out to plant rice in the fields with the rest of "prai". :content: Ironically, both Mark and Maeo's families are of Hakka Chinese origin. Mark's came to LOS in the late 18th century, Maeo's in the 1860s. But not to worry, maybe Takky will get back in and bring back Khun Purachai's to fix the nightlife once more. Then all the Takkyites on the board can be happy and content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiHome Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 A statement by the author: Basically, the government holds the legitimacy since it obtained the people’s mandate from the election. Dissolution of an elected government involves a clear procedure in accordance with the Constitution. … Calling a street protest to topple the coalition without solid allegations has no legitimacy. Link He said this in May 2008 about the PAD demonstrations. Since the exact same members of parliament are in office as were in May 2008, and who besides electing Abhsit as PM previously elected Samak and Somchai why was this statement true in 2008 and not now? TH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 You just don't understand! Get with the programme and STOP THINKING LOGICALLY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 I'm curious how Thais who are not ammat could afford what is effectively 120,000 Baht per month school fee for sending a boy to Eton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted March 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 I'm curious how Thais who are not ammat could afford what is effectively 120,000 Baht per month school fee for sending a boy to Eton? Abhisit's father, Athasit Vejjajiva, was a physician, President of Mahidol University, and was appointed Deputy Public Health Minister by the the National Peace Keeping Council military junta. Athasit's grandfather, Phra Bamrad Naradura, or Long Vejjajiva, had previously served as public health minister 50 years ago.[20]. Athasit was also President of the Royal Institute of Thailand, and during Abhisit's Premiership, Director of Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thailand's largest agribusiness firm, and part of the Charoen Pokphand Group, a large family-owned agribusiness, retail, and telecommunications conglomerate.[21][22] The Vejjajivas are members of a prominent family of Thai Chinese that are of Hakka origin that maintained good relationships with the Thai ruling elite from as early as the late 18th century.[23][24][25] The family's Chinese surname is Yuan (Chinese: è¢Â; pinyin: Yuán).[26][27] In the reign of Rama VI, the surname "Vejjajiva" was bestowed upon Yuan-clan Lopburi provincial physician Sub-Lieutenant Dr. Long (Thai: à ¸«à ¸¥à ¸‡), his father and grandfather."[28] Mr. Abhisit was born in Newcastle, England and educated at Eton. He then went on to gain a bachelor degree in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE), first class honor, and a master degree in economics, both from Oxford University.[29] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhisit_Vejjajiva more questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pom Michael Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 He won a scholarship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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