Thailand Heads Toward Thuggish Dictatorship

[Coss]

My link

 

Opinion

 

In 1966, a group of students in Beijing named themselves "Chairman Mao's Red Guards." Mao's support for them led to the name "Red Guard" being adopted by groups who were sanctioned by Mao and his supporters to "rebel against the system" all over China. Sworn to protect Mao and his revolutionary line, the Red Guards and other, older revolutionary rebels caused havoc, resulting in great destruction and considerable loss of life.

While young participants in the Cultural Revolution are commonly referred to simply as Red Guards, in reality they were originally one specific group of students. These students decided to call themselves Red Guards, hong weibing; they saw themselves as soldiers (bing) fighting to protect (wei) the revolution and Mao.

 

Headlines from The Nation, August 31:

 

"We will act as a bodyguard for the government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra": red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai party-list MP Kokaew Pikulthong.

 

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan on Wednesday told red office-holders to work and strengthen the red-shirt movement in order to advance democracy and ensure justice.

 

Are we witnessing the rise of a Red Guard movement in the form of the red shirts here in Thailand? Are we now in the grip of the beginning of a reign of suppression against anyone or any organisation that disagrees with the Pheu Thai/red-shirt government?

 

Can and will the power possessed by the red shirts evolve into something similar to that of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who have advanced the doctrines advocated by China's Red Guard to the point that they are almost in total control of the government and people.

 

Jatuporn and other red-shirt leaders preach democracy and reconciliation while suppressing anyone who presents ideas not in support of their own. Think of the two students who were attacked in front of Parliament while laying a wreath in protest. Think of the Channel 7 reporter accosted for doing her job of asking questions of PM Yingluck - questions the red shirts considered to be both embarrassing and inappropriate. Consider as well the follow-up protest against her by red shirts in front of the Channel 7 office. Are these the actions to be the basis for reconciliation, justice and democracy?

 

I fear that the Thai people are living in times fraught with both confusion and suppression. Hopes are being smashed and voices of dissent silenced. What does the future hold when people are faced with such an atmosphere of intimidation?

 

William Reynolds

 

Chiang Mai

 

[Julian2]

I'll denounce the Mrs when they march through the village, she's been known to criticise the Great Leader on occasions.

I can get a little sanuk in while she's away being re-educated.

[ozpharlap]

I'll denounce the Mrs when they march through the village, she's been known to criticise the Great Leader on occasions.

I can get a little sanuk in while she's away being re-educated.

Nice to have your priorities sorted out in advance

[Flashermac]

Pracha creates panel on pardon petition

 

 

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok has formed a committee to help him handle a petition for a royal pardon for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

The move came as a key coalition partner warned yesterday that moving forward on the issue could drive a wedge in society.

 

Mr Pracha assigned the committee to study facts, laws, regulations, the details of petitioners and the work of officials related to the petition, to find out if it complies with laws and regulations.

 

The panel will present its recommendations on the submission of the petition and it is authorised to order individuals and representatives of state agencies to testify or provide information.

 

Assistant Prof Wuthisak Lapcharoensap, rector-elect of Ramkhamhaeng University, is the panel's chairman.

 

Other committee members include former Supreme Court judge and Constitution Court judge Jumpol na Songkhla; Prof Thongthorng Chandrangsu, secretary-general of the Education Council; Thanapit Mulphruek, director-general for special litigation; Asst Prof Srisombat Chokeprajakchad, chief supervisor of the criminology, justice administration and society curricula at Mahidol University; justice inspector-general Nathee Jitsawang; and Corrections Department director-general Chartchai Suthiklom.

 

The petition was signed by 3.5 million red shirt supporters. The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) filed the petition with the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary on Aug 17, 2009, to seek a royal pardon for Thaksin, whom the Supreme Court sentenced to two years in prison in 2008.

 

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found him guilty of abusing his authority as prime minister to help Khunying Pokemon, his former wife, buy a prime plot of land in the Ratchadaphisek area at a discount in 2003. He fled the country before the court announced its verdict.

 

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart, a list MP with coalition party Chartthaipattana, yesterday warned the petition could cause conflicts among the people and state authorities would have to deal with these. He also said that he had never seen a pardon granted to a convict who had not served at least part of a jail term.

 

Veerakarn Musikapong, a UDD leader, said yesterday a royal pardon had been granted to one person who had never served a jail term, but he did not specify exactly who. He also said the petition was a constitutional right of all criminals. The decision rested with the King, and parties who were not involved should shut the fuck up.

 

 

Bangkok Post

[Coss]

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart, a list MP with coalition party Chartthaipattana, yesterday warned the petition could cause conflicts among the people and state authorities would have to deal with these. He also said that he had never seen a pardon granted to a convict who had not served at least part of a jail term.