Protests update

[Up2U]

From the General : CIA'S torture in Thailand is a USA internal matter.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/new ... 2130010005 (http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5712130010005)

perhaps you can share with us ... It's much more fun teasing the morally bankrupt.

[lego]

Like voting, you mean? How can "citizenship rights" (whatever they are) be enforced without governments accountable to their citizens?
Voting rights can be returned, because people were allowed to vote at some point(s). Human rights cannot be returned. You can only return what was there in the first place. That's all.

[thaiguest]

The present regime jumped in because people forgot their TABLE MANNERS.
Time at the feeding trough must be shared (no over- staying!) to maintain balance and harmony.

Like voting, you mean? How can "citizenship rights" (whatever they are) be enforced without governments accountable to their citizens?
Voting rights can be returned, because people were allowed to vote at some point(s). Human rights cannot be returned. You can only return what was there in the first place. That's all.
No one mentioned returning rights but enforcing rights. Both words have 3 syllables so in your world I guess that means they're equivalent.

[Up2U]

Opinion from the Asiancorrespondent: Post-coup oppression teaches Thais a lesson on human rights.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/129138/op ... an-rights/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/129138/opinion-post-coup-oppression-teaches-thais-a-lesson-in-human-rights/)

[Up2U]

Rumors, only rumors.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... p-on-power (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/450555/rumours-won-t-loosen-prayut-firm-grip-on-power)

[Oliver]

Thanks for posting this; there are reasons for optimism.
And what of Chiang Mai and Isaan? when will the Red Shirts rise again?

[bkkguy]

when will the Red Shirts rise again?

р╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤р╕лр╕Щр╣� �р╕▓р╕Хр╕нр╕Щр╕Ър╣Ир╕� ��р╕вр╣Ж

bkkguy

[Up2U]

when will the Red Shirts rise again?

р╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤р╕лр╕Щр╣� �р╕▓р╕Хр╕нр╕Щр╕Ър╣Ир╕� ��р╕вр╣Ж

bkkguy
or,
р╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤р╕лр╕Щр╣� �р╕▓

[Up2U]

Thanks for posting this; there are reasons for optimism.
And what of Chiang Mai and Isaan? when will the Red Shirts rise again?
Until they have a true champion the prospects look pretty bleak.

[Up2U]

From Forbes : Thai junta destroys democracy,.......

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/ ... ging-them/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/22/thailands-military-junta-destroys-democracy-enjoys-exercising-power-generals-postpone-elections-before-rigging-them/)

when will the Red Shirts rise again?If Up2U knows the answer to this question then so does the Army who will be ready for it???

[Oliver]

Remember Colonel Daeng who was assassinated by the fascists during the Red Shirt demonstrations? There may be other middle-ranking Army officers who wish to serve the people of Thailand rather than its plutocracy. And remember that many of the the rank and file are the children of the poor. They are the ones who have to do National Service, after all.
Perhaps, somewhere in an isolated army base in the hills of Chiang Rai province, a Thai Hugo Chavez sits, waiting.....we can only hope!

Perhaps, somewhere in an isolated army base in the hills of Chiang Rai province, a Thai Hugo Chavez sits, waiting.....we can only hope!You must really, really hate the Thais and wish the worst for Thailand if that is your hope, Oliver.

The latest news from Caracas: "The sprawling street market that radiates outward from the metro station in Petare, CaracasтАЩs largest slum, is the retail equivalent of an anti-Target. ThereтАЩs no organization to it. Tube socks and school supplies are sold beside giant pyramids of pineapple and piled yucca. Leopard-print hot pants stretch over mannequin buttocks next to the stinky stalls of fishmongers.

The bazaar was known until this month as one of the cityтАЩs biggest open-air black markets, the place to find all the scarce items that shoppers must queue up for hours to get in supermarkets, or canтАЩt find at all. Earlier this year, toilet paper and corn┬нmeal were scarce; lately itтАЩs diapers and deodorant that have тАЬgotten lost,тАЭ as Venezuelans say.

Authorities mostly turned a blind eye to the informal commerce, but late last month Venezuelan President Nicol├бs Maduro went on TV to decree a ban on street sales of coffee, eggs, shampoo and some 50 other тАЬregulatedтАЭ items whose prices┬н are capped by the government. He ordered the National Guard to police market stalls for such items as mayonnaise and powdered milk, and threatened to prosecute recidivist violators." http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the ... story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/with-goods-scarce-in-caracass-stores-street-sales-boom-and-officials-glower/2014/11/13/95b79f52-87da-442b-b7b3-cb0989903dd7_story.html)

Or perhaps you'd like the democratic style of the Hamas-Fatah situation in Palestine to be taken up in Thailand? How do you distinguish Abbas, who was elected to serve until 9 January 2009, but due to Palestinian Internal conflict unilaterally extended his term for another year and continues in office even years after that second deadline expired, from Prayuth?

[Oliver]

Abbas? He's a collaborator with the Zionists. None of my comrades in Palestine have any respect for him. A US poodle. in eleven years of staying there, I can't remember meeting anyone who trusts him....and that includes members of his own party.

I'm a PFLP man. I thought you'd have worked that out.

As for Thailand, let the people choose....all the people , not just the rich and powerful. I'd support the result- would you? Or is democracy too dangerous?

I'm a PFLP man. I thought you'd have worked that out.I've always taken you to be a complete fool. I thought you'd have worked that out.
As for Thailand, let the people choose....all the people , not just the rich and powerful. I'd support the result- would you? Or is democracy too dangerous?You mean like "all the people" chose against Scotland becoming independent this year, but the minority battles on? What is "all the people"? Compulsory voting (like Australia)? An Electoral College (like the USA)? First-past-the-post (like the UK)? Slogans are easy - and meaningless.

[Smiles]

Poor old Ollie's last successful hero was Joseph Stalin, a murdering maniac who kicked the bucket too early to be granted a World Court life in prison sentence ... but who really should have been hanged.

Other Oliver's list of losers:

~ Castro: Started off in the right vein but gave in to the Communist's love of Personality Cultists and 7-hour speeches which bored every Cuban to death. His brother seems to understand things a bit more than Fidel, but will have to wait until The Big 'F' pops the Big One to actually get some serious tidying up done.

~ Hugo Chavez: Already mentioned, and good riddance. An uneducated buffoon who never got anything right. Venezuela may perhaps survive after his pre-picked #2 buffoon is handed his walking papers ... but great damage was done to this country under these two fools).

~ Robert Mugabe. One of my absolute fav monsters. Started off as a kind of socialist (thus Oliver's devotion), but turned out to be a corrupt megalomaniac and dictator of the worst kind: a very nasty piece of work indeed. Zimbabwe is now one of the world's quintessential basket cases using just about any metric one wishes to employ. Another demented African Boss Man who should be in the dock at The Hague.

~ Hamas: Terrorists at their very black hearts ~ the top echelon that is, their 'soldiers' are nothing but cannon fodder ~ this pack of heroes known well for tossing their captive PLO brothers off rooftops ~ and other funny-buggers ~ during the The Troubles where the two groups squared off a few years ago. They won an election, once ... big deal. They're frightened out of their boots to call another considering the shamozzle they've made of their promised responsibilities and their never-ending rocketeering. They have done well on the propaganda department ... fooling everyone, which after all is the one and only point of propaganda. At least Abbas ~ granted, he's no Lincoln ~ desires peace (one of theses bloody days) ... wherein Hamas's infatuation with never-ending war leads straight to Ollie's dream world.

~ Mao Tse Tung: Dead, well-forgotten, killed million of his own people. Ollie's touchstone of revolution ... "some folks just have to bloody-well die to reach the Promised Land ... ": Collateral damage, anyone?

~ Pol Pot: This one I must say is debatable. I have never actually read whether Oliver held this animal up to the shining light. But ... Pol Pot did regard himself as socialist, and quoted Marx and Lenin (poor Karl will be rolling in his grave over that one) just before every mass slaughter. Consequently, Oliver by inference should find him to have at least some human qualities worth lauding. I wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

Welcome to Ollie's World ... defending the obviously indefensible.

[marti]

Poor old Ollie's last successful hero was Joseph Stalin, a murdering maniac who kicked the bucket too early to be granted a World Court life in prison sentence ... but who really should have been hanged.

Other Oliver's list of losers:

~ Castro: Started off in the right vein but gave in to the Communist's love of Personality Cultists and 7-hour speeches which bored every Cuban to death. His brother seems to understand things a bit more than Fidel, but will have to wait until The Big 'F' pops the Big One to actually get some serious tidying up done.

~ Hugo Chavez: Already mentioned, and good riddance. An uneducated buffoon who never got anything right. Venezuela may perhaps survive after his pre-picked #2 buffoon is handed his walking papers ... but great damage was done to this country under these two fools).

~ Robert Mugabe. One of my absolute fav monsters. Started off as a kind of socialist (thus Oliver's devotion), but turned out to be a corrupt megalomaniac and dictator of the worst kind: a very nasty piece of work indeed. Zimbabwe is now one of the world's quintessential basket cases using just about any metric one wishes to employ. Another demented African Boss Man who should be in the dock at The Hague.

~ Hamas: Terrorists at their very black hearts ~ the top echelon that is, their 'soldiers' are nothing but cannon fodder ~ this pack of heroes known well for tossing their captive PLO brothers off rooftops ~ and other funny-buggers ~ during the The Troubles where the two groups squared off a few years ago. They won an election, once ... big deal. They're frightened out of their boots to call another considering the shamozzle they've made of their promised responsibilities and their never-ending rocketeering. They have done well on the propaganda department ... fooling everyone, which after all is the one and only point of propaganda. At least Abbas ~ granted, he's no Lincoln ~ desires peace (one of theses bloody days) ... wherein Hamas's infatuation with never-ending war leads straight to Ollie's dream world.

~ Mao Tse Tung: Dead, well-forgotten, killed million of his own people. Ollie's touchstone of revolution ... "some folks just have to bloody-well die to reach the Promised Land ... ": Collateral damage, anyone?

~ Pol Pot: This one I must say is debatable. I have never actually read whether Oliver held this animal up to the shining light. But ... Pol Pot did regard himself as socialist, and quoted Marx and Lenin (poor Karl will be rolling in his grave over that one) just before every mass slaughter. Consequently, Oliver by inference should find him to have at least some human qualities worth lauding. I wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

Welcome to Ollie's World ... defending the obviously indefensible.
Smiles appears to be a character who is always ready with an attack post lacking logic and mean of spirit.

Smiles appears to be a character who is always ready with an attack post lacking logic and mean of spirit.Looked in the mirror recently?

[Smiles]

" ... Smiles appears to be a character who is always ready with an attack post lacking logic and mean of spirit ... "
:ymparty: Merry Christmas Martini.

[Up2U]

A repressive government gets even more repressive. Invest in a vpn!

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... or-content (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/452954/isps-ordered-to-censor-content)

[bkkguy]

from one repressive government to another:

VPN traffic repositories used by NSA to find keys, crack encryption of target traffic (http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/12/nsa-has-vpns-in-vulcan-death-grip-no-really-thats-what-they-call-it/)

bkkguy

[Oliver]

And neither of them are very keen on those with a darker skin-colour than the ruling class. In fact, their lives and well being aren't worth much to banksters, law-enforcement (sic) officers et al. Red Shirts are needed in Thailand, obviously, but a movement which supported the poor in the US would be of benefit to the whole world.

[Up2U]

from one repressive government to another:

VPN traffic repositories used by NSA to find keys, crack encryption of target traffic (http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/12/nsa-has-vpns-in-vulcan-death-grip-no-really-thats-what-they-call-it/)

bkkguy
Thanks for that link.

[Up2U]

Thai Human Rights Commission slated for downgrading.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1420012276&section=11)

[Up2U]

Will ripples of dissent turn tidal?

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/will- ... turn-tidal (http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/will-ripples-dissent-thailand-turn-tidal)

[Up2U]

Andrew MacGregor Marshall reports on his FB page:

[Up2U]

Proposal for direct election of cabinet.

http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/2015011 ... of-cabinet (http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20150115-Living-with-terror/Politics-Economy/Thai-junta-proposes-direct-election-of-cabinet)

[Up2U]

Panel seeks criminal charges for Yingluck.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... r-yingluck (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/458484/panel-seeks-criminal-charges-for-yingluck)

[Oliver]

A warning to anyone who may consider political office and doesn't represent the ruling elite; even if you win a democratic election, eventually you will be imprisoned.
And if you choose direct action, expect a sniper's bullet.

[bkkguy]

A warning to anyone who may consider political office and doesn't represent the ruling elite; even if you win a democratic election, eventually you will be imprisoned.
And if you choose direct action, expect a sniper's bullet.

that's what I like to see - someone who doesn't let their political leanings distort their view of reality

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Yingluck impeachment verdict due in Thailand.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/j ... t-thailand (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/22/yingluck-shinawatra-impeachment-verdict-thailand)

Yingluck impeachment verdict due in Thailand. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/j ... t-thailand (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/22/yingluck-shinawatra-impeachment-verdict-thailand)Not sure why anyone would be holding their breath; the verdict is not only a foregone conclusion, it's already been announced (before the official vote was taken) that she'll be prosecuted.

[Up2U]

Yingluck impeached by NLA.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... om-survive (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/459554/yingluck-impeached-somsak-nikom-survive)

[Up2U]

Yingluck's post impeachment statement in English.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 06&section (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1422007143&typecate=06&section)

[Oliver]

So no more elections. The junta knows that if democracy were restored, it is they who would be facing trial.

[Up2U]

Some analysis from the BBC (Jonathan Head) on the current situation in Thailand.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30974131

[Up2U]

No plan to lift martial law: Prayuth

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 52770.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-plan-to-lift-martial-law-Prayut-30252770.html)

and U. S. Asst. Secretary of State speaks and comments at Chulalongkarn University about politically driven impeachment:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 52708.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/US-Impeachment-politically-driven-30252708.html)

[Up2U]

I found this article somewhat depressing to read. Thailand's return to authoritarianism:

http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/th ... map=%5B%5D (http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-return-authoritarianism/?fb_action_ids=10205059271135666&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B647990118660831%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D)

[Up2U]

Freedom House lowers Thailand's score from "partly free" to "not free".

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom ... Mnuy9Fuv5I (https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/thailand#.VMnuy9Fuv5I)

[bkkguy]

I found this article somewhat depressing to read. Thailand's return to authoritarianism:

http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/th ... map=%5B%5D (http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-return-authoritarianism/?fb_action_ids=10205059271135666&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B647990118660831%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D)

if you are not too depressed perhaps you could translate this paragraph from the article into English for the sake of us poor non-political scientists in an ivory tower:



The electoral victories of ThaksinтАЩs parties, the Palang Prachachon in 2007 and the Pheu Thai in 2011, informed the royalist elite that they could no longer afford to abide by the principle of majoritarian democracy. The discourse of anti-majoritarian democracy, crusaded by the anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirt movements, has now been now adopted by the military-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).

but even ignoring such gems as "[t]he discourse of anti-majoritarian democracy" I agree the article is fairly depressing for anyone who was expecting a reasonable analysis of the current situation - it starts with:



Instead of trying to win the hearts and minds of the electorate by introducing popular and positive policies, the entrenched elite appears to prefer an aggressive manipulation of the electoral system through rewriting the Constitution.

which at least nails her colours to the mast upfront and then continues with 20 paragraphs selectively focusing on some of the worst aspects of the back and forth of the constitution drafting debate presenting it almost as a fait accompli, as if the new constitution was already drafted and ready to be implemented tomorrow, with constant back-references to the 2007 "People's Constitution" as if this was the country's only hope of salvation, when it patently wasn't!

she does at least redeem herself at the end (though not necessarily in the way she intends):



Corruption charges and self-serving dictatorial rulers tend to be crucial factors effectively mobilizing the middle class to topple the government.

and I don't necessarily disagree with her conclusion (though again perhaps not for the reason she hopes):



The prospect for ThailandтАЩs democracy is dim. The conservative middle class and its movements have helped usher the old powers, especially the military, back on to the center stage of Thai politics. The longer Thai society remains deeply divided, the more expansive the militaryтАЩs power will be. The new Constitution, the new electoral system, the judiciary and the armed forces will help them retain their domination.

Thailand will evolve into a full authoritarian regime in disguise. This is not one of the reasons the NCPO claimed for staging a putsch but it is the great consequence that Thai society will have to live with.

but unlike you I don't find that any more depressing then the "progress" experienced under the "democracy" Thailand supposedly practiced under the various Taksin governments - or indeed any other government - since the 1930's

I think she, and many others on both sides, need to take their blinkers off and finally acknowledge that it is not just the "deep divisions" in Thai politics that are the problem, democracy is fundamentally incompatible with Thailand's patronage-based hierarchical social structure and nobody seems to be seriously interested in addressing that - not even the US and other western countries who loudly demand that "democracy" be "restored" ASAP in Thailand

bkkguy

[Smiles]

" ... democracy is fundamentally incompatible with Thailand's patronage-based hierarchical social structure ... "
Nice nutshell Bkkguy.
I suggest we all take a deep breath and try to relax: Thailand will never change just because western democracies want it to, or have sentimental hopes that it will.

It's just so obvious those little brown people aren't capable of adapting the way us clever whiteys have. You've only got to look at ... oh, say, Burma ... to see that.

[Oliver]

Isn't it odd that, decades, colonialism and racism have been on the defensive and yet here they are, in a new guise, telling us the same old story..."we know best and you little people must do as you are told."
And interesting that the language of the Boers and the white supremacists of the US finds its way onto this board.

[bkkguy]

And interesting that the language of the Boers and the white supremacists of the US finds its way onto this board.

perhaps the moderators could look into making the use of an extended range of emoticons compulsory for the sake of those forum readers whose sarcasm and chain-jerking filters are not functioning?

bkkguy

[Up2U]

From the Economist: Thaksin times

http://www.economist.com/news/asia/2164 ... ksin-times (http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21641294-thailands-coup-makers-punish-two-former-prime-ministers-thaksin-times)

[Up2U]

No plan to lift martial law: Prayuth

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 52770.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-plan-to-lift-martial-law-Prayut-30252770.html)

and U. S. Asst. Secretary of State speaks and comments at Chulalongkarn University about politically driven impeachment:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 52708.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/US-Impeachment-politically-driven-30252708.html)


There was considerable feedback in the Thai press about Sec. Russell's comments at Chulalongkarn.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... ed-stories (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/461206/prayut-says-us-hears-one-sided-stories)

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... t-comments (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/461168/foreign-ministry-summons-us-over-visiting-diplomat-comments)

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1422430089&section=11)

[Up2U]

Human Rights in Free fall (the truth is of course banned in Thailand).

http://m.hrw.org/news/2015/01/29/thaila ... -free-fall (http://m.hrw.org/news/2015/01/29/thailand-human-rights-free-fall)

[Up2U]

Opinion: Junta's agenda clearer after Yingluck verdict.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/opinio ... t-20150129 (http://www.straitstimes.com/news/opinion/eye-the-world/story/juntas-agenda-clearer-after-yingluck-verdict-20150129)

[Up2U]

More flack from Sec. Russel's comments. NLA wants U.S. envoy to explain.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... to-explain (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/463092/nla-wants-us-envoy-to-explain)

[Up2U]

Remember the rice scheme and Yingluck's impeachment, now we have the rubber scheme. Of course, the rubber tappers are from the south and were marching in support of Suthep.

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/02/02/r ... rket-price (http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/02/02/rubber-scheme-gov-consider-spending-billions-buy-farmers-stock-market-price)

[bkkguy]

Remember the rice scheme and Yingluck's impeachment, now we have the rubber scheme. Of course, the rubber tappers are from the south and were marching in support of Suthep.

from the headline of the linked article "the government is to consider...", from the body of the article some public servants "will ask the government to consider...", but according to you "now we have..." a rubber scheme - why don't we wait for an actual scheme to be implemented before we start dropping non-subtle hints about where rubber is grown in Thailand

and from the article the government is being asked to spend a one-off THB6 billion to buy rubber at market price - I think you and the Cocunuts news reporter (and I use the term "news reporter" loosely) are the ones who could benefit from a reminder of the details of Yingluck's rice scheme

did you post this link because you seriously thought it would help others understand the situation in Thailand? or because you thought it may challenge some people to think about and to see through such shallow manipulative reporting? or the whole thing was just a joke and it is my sarcasm and chain-jerking filter that needs replacing?

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Remember the rice scheme and Yingluck's impeachment, now we have the rubber scheme. Of course, the rubber tappers are from the south and were marching in support of Suthep.

from the headline of the linked article "the government is to consider...", from the body of the article some public servants "will ask the government to consider...", but according to you "now we have..." a rubber scheme - why don't we wait for an actual scheme to be implemented before we start dropping non-subtle hints about where rubber is grown in Thailand

and from the article the government is being asked to spend a one-off THB6 billion to buy rubber at market price - I think you and the Cocunuts news reporter (and I use the term "news reporter" loosely) are the ones who could benefit from a reminder of the details of Yingluck's rice scheme

did you post this link because you seriously thought it would help others understand the situation in Thailand? or because you thought it may challenge some people to think about and to see through such shallow manipulative reporting? or the whole thing was just a joke and it is my sarcasm and chain-jerking filter that needs replacing?

bkkguy

The article pointed out the parallels between the two schemes, one of course led to the impeachment of the PM Yingluck. This report is based on the linked report within the article from the government's news website which you may wish to read so I provided the link. The rubber growers plan to converge on the Government House if their requests are not met.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/new ... 2010010010 (http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5802010010010)

[bkkguy]

The article pointed out the parallels between the two schemes, one of course led to the impeachment of the PM Yingluck. This report is based on the linked report within the article from the government's news website which you may wish to read so I provided the link.

I won't waste my time asking again why you make such posts

bkkguy

[prospero]

I would say your sarcasm and chain-jerking feature definitely needs replacing, Up2U. Your posting is more bombastic and pedantic than ironic -- and the chain you're jerking is your own.

[Up2U]

The article pointed out the parallels between the two schemes, one of course led to the impeachment of the PM Yingluck. This report is based on the linked report within the article from the government's news website which you may wish to read so I provided the link.

I won't waste my time asking again why you make such posts

bkkguy
I make such posts to keep others informed on the latest political situation in Thailand. As you know I usually provide just links without editorializing and let people make up their minds. The Bangkok coconuts article caught my eye since it illustrates in my mind the lack of fair play and double standards. They took the official government news story and suggested the politics at work behind the scenes. I know you like only reputable news sources so here's one for you from the WSJ. The junta is fooling no one except perhaps you.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/thailands-d ... 1422924940 (http://www.wsj.com/articles/thailands-dictators-in-denial-1422924940)

[Up2U]

..... chain you're jerking is your own.
As a gay man I have always been accused of jerking my own chain. Thanks for reminding me.

[Smiles]

Your link to the Wall Street Journal is of little use unless one subscribes: https://buy.wsj.com/offers/pages/offerS ... ition=apac (https://buy.wsj.com/offers/pages/offerSubOvrApac?trackCode=aaqkhokd&edition=apac)

Copy & paste it? No one will tell.

[Up2U]

Your link to the Wall Street Journal is of little use unless one subscribes: https://buy.wsj.com/offers/pages/offerS ... ition=apac (https://buy.wsj.com/offers/pages/offerSubOvrApac?trackCode=aaqkhokd&edition=apac)

Copy & paste it? No one will tell.
I had to use screenshots..... :-ss

[BenCH]

ThailandтАЩs Dictators in Denial

The Wall Street Journal Europe
3 Feb 2015

The U.S. offered muted criticism of ThailandтАЩs military coup last MayтАФ no doubt because the country is designated a тАЬmajor non-NATO allyтАЭ and the coup plotters promised to restore democracy quickly. But the juntaтАЩs decision last month to abandon political reconciliation and impeach former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged corruption has prompted the Obama administration to speak up.

Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, the most senior U.S. official to visit Thailand since last MayтАЩs coup, used a speech at ThailandтАЩs most prestigious university last week to call for an end to martial law and restrictions on free speech and assembly. With classic diplomatic understatement he warned that тАЬthe international community is left with the impression that [the prosecution of Ms. Yingluck] could be politically driven.тАЭ The U.S. has also scaled back the annual тАЬCobra GoldтАЭ joint military exercise.

The junta responded with outrage, while the pro-government media whipped up a frenzy of anti-American anger at this supposed interference in ThailandтАЩs internal affairs. If that accusation has a Chinese ring, it is no coincidence: Beijing has seized the opportunity to cozy up to the junta. Dictator Prayuth Chan-ocha visited Beijing to meet President Xi Jinping on Dec. 23. While the U.S. Embassy fields complaints and protests, Chinese companies sign contracts to build railways.

Meanwhile, on Sunday night two small improvised bombs exploded outside BangkokтАЩs busiest shopping mall, injuring one person. Nobody claimed responsibility, but the incident is reminiscent of a 2010 episode in which largely peaceful antigovernment protests were disrupted by mysterious men firing military weapons. These so-called тАЬblack shirtsтАЭ were never caught, and their activities provided a justification for the military to clear the streets at the cost of about 100 lives.

In December, a former Prime Minister and Army chief Chavalit Yongchaiyudh warned of the possibility that a faction of the military could attempt a counter-coup. That remains unlikely, but reports of political divisions within the Army have filtered out steadily since the last coup in 2006. That may have helped push the junta to become more hard-line.

This hasnтАЩt stopped public discussion of the contradictions underlying military rule. Ms. Yingluck is accused of corruption for a massive effort to boost the incomes of rice farmers and could face 10 years in prison. While undoubtedly bad policy, if the rice program constitutes vote- buying as the junta alleges, most of the worldтАЩs politicians deserve to be locked up.

The junta has also invited derision by inventing its own lexicon, in which military rule is тАЬThai-style democracy.тАЭ Deputy Foreign Minister Don Paramatwinai chided Mr. Russel last week for using the word тАЬcoup.тАЭ тАЬI insist that the military takeover in Thailand is not a coup, theoretically speaking,тАЭ he said. тАЬIt was in fact a revolution to install stability.тАЭ

The generals continue to close avenues to compromise and a return to democracy. As ThailandтАЩs friend and ally, the U.S. has a duty to warn that a show trial and imprisonment of Ms. Yingluck would undermine stability.

The countryтАЩs elite may not like the populism that Ms. Yingluck represents, but she remains popular with the majority of the population. The coup plotters justified their illegal overturning of the constitution as necessary for reconciliation, but they have now revealed it to be another naked grab for power.

[Up2U]

Thank you BenCH

[Up2U]

From the Nation: A case of double standards both Thai and American.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 53319.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/A-case-of-double-standards-both-Thai-and-American-30253319.html)

[bkkguy]

The Bangkok coconuts article caught my eye since it illustrates in my mind the lack of fair play and double standards. They took the official government news story and suggested the politics at work behind the scenes.

no, the Coconuts article is a shallow attempt to try to cast aspersions on the current government based on non-existant "parallels" between the actual rice scheme implemented by the previous government on the one hand and suggestions about rubber support schemes that may or may not be implemented by the current or any future government on the other. the fact that it caught your eye says a lot more about you than it does about the quality of the article!

if you want fair play and lack of double standards then lets make a deal - if the current or any future government does implement a rubber support scheme lets get together two years after that and look at the real parallels between the two schemes

if you really want to look at the politics at work behind the scenes then perhaps you need to first remember that Yingluck was not impeached because she was the prime minister who introduced the rice scheme, and she was not impeached because she personally engaged in corrupt activities while the scheme was in operation, she was impeached for dereliction of duty in her role as chair of the committee monitoring the scheme. as the WSJ says the same charge could perhaps be laid against many other governments, but that does not inherently disqualify or disprove the current charge

if you want to argue about the validity of the actual impeachment process and whether it was politically motivated or not there are I think some valid points to be made but that is not the point being made by the article

the corruption cases relating to the rice scheme are a separate issue to the impeachment and if you want to argue that they too are politically motivated again there are I think some valid points to be made but that is not the point being made by the article either



The junta is fooling no one except perhaps you.

if anyone is being fooled here I don't think it is me, and I don't think it is the junta doing the fooling

what is the old saying - there are none so blind ....

bkkguy

[prospero]

If you want to continue your hissy-fit about the Coconuts article, feel free, bkkguy. And your explication of the reason YL was "impeached" is quite enlightening.

But larger issues prevail -- and they are entirely political.

http://isaanrecord.com/2015/02/04/yingl ... -thailand/ (http://isaanrecord.com/2015/02/04/yingluck-shinawatras-impeachment-exposes-concerns-about-the-future-of-democracy-in-thailand/)

As you must know, bkkguy, there is no such thing as "impeachment" in a parliamentary system. As you also must know, that is the system in place when YL was Prime Minister.

тАЬThis country is governed through a parliamentary system in which there is no impeachment motion as this is a characteristic of presidential systems. ItтАЩs like putting the wrong lid on the wrong potтАЭ, explains Dr. Wiboon. тАЬSo it is unclear what governance or legal principles [the NLA] is referring to.

You really can't divorce the "impeachment" from the fact that an illegitimate government is now in place, arbitrarily exercising its power, deriving its sovereignty solely from force of arms and ability to apply violence.

[Up2U]

Reactions from the Northeast on Yingluck's impeachment.

http://isaanrecord.com/

[bkkguy]

As you must know, bkkguy, there is no such thing as "impeachment" in a parliamentary system.

I'd suggest you and Dr Wiboon read Chapter 10 (Sections 291-311) of the popular 1997 "People's Constitution" for example, then perhaps you and he could clarify whether you think this constitution did not include a procedure for impeachment or that this constitution did not establish a parliamentary system of government


As you also must know, that is the system in place when YL was Prime Minister.

again are you claiming that the constitution that was in effect when she was prime minister did not include an impeachment clause or was not a parliamentary system? because just about every discussion of the legality of the impeachment proceedings I have read argued that the constitution (including its impeachment clauses) that covered Yingluck's term in office was abrogated by the junta after the coup and thus could not be used by the current parliament to justify impeachment of members of the previous parliment

Dr Wiboon does at least redeem himself at the end of the article:


Thailand doesnтАЩt understand democracy.

bkkguy

[Up2U]

As you must know, bkkguy, there is no such thing as "impeachment" in a parliamentary system.

I'd suggest you and Dr Wiboon read Chapter 10 (Sections 291-311) of the popular 1997 "People's Constitution" for example, then perhaps you and he could clarify whether you think this constitution did not include a procedure for impeachment or that this constitution did not establish a parliamentary system of government


As you also must know, that is the system in place when YL was Prime Minister.

again are you claiming that the constitution that was in effect when she was prime minister did not include an impeachment clause or was not a parliamentary system? because just about every discussion of the legality of the impeachment proceedings I have read argued that the constitution (including its impeachment clauses) that covered Yingluck's term in office was abrogated by the junta after the coup and thus could not be used by the current parliament to justify impeachment of members of the previous parliment

Dr Wiboon does at least redeem himself at the end of the article:


Thailand doesnтАЩt understand democracy.

bkkguy
Many parliamentary systems use "no confidence" votes to remove officeholders but you are right Chapter 10 Part 3 of the 1997 Constitution does provide an impeachment provision. But in almost the same breath you point out the Constitution is abrogated and as Dr Wiboon notes there is no legal provision in the temporary Constitution. Dr Wiboon does not have to redeem himself, it is Mr. Tul and Mr. Wasan(from the article) that are on shaky legal ground. I have read Chapter 10 and it's a big stretch to prove an impeachable offense. Bad policy, poor management, mismanagement, loosing billions, a system based on corruption (not Yingluck personally) are not impeachable. It's quite simple Yingluck was removed because she was (not is) a political adversary and shame on Sec Russel for reminding the world.

[Up2U]

U. S. alliance depends on democracy.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... s-diplomat (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/468222/thai-alliance-hinges-on-return-to-democracy-us-diplomat)

[fountainhall]

That's no doubt today's joke. US diplomacy has never "depended" on democracy. Indonesia under dictators, The Philippines under a thieving murdering dictator, Taiwan under a crook gangster dictator, South Korea under a series of military dictators, Iraq under a megalomaniac dictator . . . where does the list end? US diplomacy and US foreign policy depends on US interests. With China rising rapidly from centuries of slumber and starting to enter alliances with Russia, the USA is not going to ditch Thailand as an ally, despite the rhetoric.

Perhaps the lady might enlighten the world about democracy in the US biggest ally in the Gulf Region, Saudi Arabia. Whilst she's at it, she might add what merits a US President cutting short a visit to the world's largest democracy, India, to attend the funeral of a Saudi dictator? And to bring along with him a huge panoply of high ranking present and former US mandarins?

[Up2U]

That's no doubt today's joke. US diplomacy has never "depended" on democracy. Indonesia under dictators, The Philippines under a thieving murdering dictator, Taiwan under a crook gangster dictator, South Korea under a series of military dictators, Iraq under a megalomaniac dictator . . . where does the list end? US diplomacy and US foreign policy depends on US interests. With China rising rapidly from centuries of slumber and starting to enter alliances with Russia, the USA is not going to ditch Thailand as an ally, despite the rhetoric.

Perhaps the lady might enlighten the world about democracy in the US biggest ally in the Gulf Region, Saudi Arabia. Whilst she's at it, she might add what merits a US President cutting short a visit to the world's largest democracy, India, to attend the funeral of a Saudi dictator? And to bring along with him a huge panoply of high ranking present and former US mandarins?

Oh yes, please point out American hypocrisy! America will do what it will do in its own self interests.

[bkkguy]

But in almost the same breath you point out the Constitution is abrogated

as you might recall I did say in a previous post there were some valid points to be made about the legality of the actual impeachment process - though I wasn't expecting to be the one to have to make them :-)


Dr Wiboon does not have to redeem himself

true - I mean what's not to like about a man who comes out with gems such as:


Obviously, people like populist policies because they receive benefits through them. And if people like it, whatтАЩs the damage? WhatтАЩs the point of being a government that isnтАЩt popular with the people?

but we are being distracted by the details and missing the big picture...


Bad policy, poor management, mismanagement, loosing billions, a system based on corruption (not Yingluck personally) are not impeachable. It's quite simple Yingluck was removed because she was (not is) a political adversary

like St Paul on the road to Damascus I have finally seen the light - the junta and the Bangkok elite are destroying the country to serve their own petty self-interests, what we really need is to return to the golden days of Thai democracy where great leaders like the Shinawatra family and their associates, acting selflessly and without desire for personal gain but only out of love for the country, can one again focus on the real issues such as giving the long-ignored rural poor a political voice, controlling poverty, corruption and cronyism and of course setting the standard for social equality, respect for the rule of law and respect for human rights

I am sure your enlightening links and knowledgeable posts will continue to help others on the road to truth and understanding of the real situation in Thailand

bkkguy

[bkkguy]

That's no doubt today's joke.

I was actually more amused by Nigel Gould-Davies' recycling of the Parisian joke of the 1950s in the Bangkok Post yesterday


A man walks into a bookshop and asks for a copy of the constitution. "I'm sorry sir," replies the manager, "we don't sell periodicals"

bkkguy

[Up2U]

But in almost the same breath you point out the Constitution is abrogated

as you might recall I did say in a previous post there were some valid points to be made about the legality of the actual impeachment process - though I wasn't expecting to be the one to have to make them :-)


Dr Wiboon does not have to redeem himself

true - I mean what's not to like about a man who comes out with gems such as:


Obviously, people like populist policies because they receive benefits through them. And if people like it, whatтАЩs the damage? WhatтАЩs the point of being a government that isnтАЩt popular with the people?

but we are being distracted by the details and missing the big picture...


Bad policy, poor management, mismanagement, loosing billions, a system based on corruption (not Yingluck personally) are not impeachable. It's quite simple Yingluck was removed because she was (not is) a political adversary

like St Paul on the road to Damascus I have finally seen the light - the junta and the Bangkok elite are destroying the country to serve their own petty self-interests, what we really need is to return to the golden days of Thai democracy where great leaders like the Shinawatra family and their associates, acting selflessly and without desire for personal gain but only out of love for the country, can one again focus on the real issues such as giving the long-ignored rural poor a political voice, controlling poverty, corruption and cronyism and of course setting the standard for social equality, respect for the rule of law and respect for human rights

I am sure your enlightening links and knowledgeable posts will continue to help others on the road to truth and understanding of the real situation in Thailand

bkkguy
Your twists and sarcasm are clever and we obviously disagree on Thailand's future path, but finally we can say you "have seen the light - the junta and the Bangkok elite are destroying the country to serve their own petty self-interests". Praise to St Paul!

[Up2U]

Photos from the Thammasat - Chula football game today.

Approximate translations:
"we ask for democracy ; when will it be returned "
" justice is power; power is not justice" - Puey Ungpakorn

[Oliver]

Thanks....good to see. The junta will be furious.
I see that Babylon has effectively been closed....it's now a meeting place only.

[Up2U]

NYT: The junta drowning the opposion........

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/wo ... ?referrer= (http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/world/asia/thailand-junta-drowning-the-opposition-in-paperwork.html?referrer=)

[Up2U]

The purge continues. Former PM to be prosecuted for yellow shirt crackdown.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1423383178 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1423383178)

and a related article referencing the wiki leaks cables, suggesting that the yellow shirt protesters deliberately baited the police. This saga plays like a broken record. These tactics are employed by both sides.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/43679/the ... ks-cables/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/43679/the-guardians-latest-thailand-related-wikileaks-cables/)

[Up2U]

Junta promises elections within a year.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/47 ... hin-a-year (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/470406/pm-promises-elections-within-a-year)

[Oliver]

And who will be allowed to vote? surely not the buffaloes (sic)....they'd vote for the wrong people.
And where will be the Army be during elections? "ensuring security and stability" I assume....tanks outside the polling stations.

[Up2U]

Opinion: Silencing the Shinawatras.

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/ ... hinawatras (http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/143018/matt-wheeler/silencing-the-shinawatras)

[Up2U]

Thailand slips in World Press Index ranking.

http://index.rsf.org/#!/index-details/THA

[Up2U]

Thai junta to diplomats: lese majeste is a cultural offense.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1423650043 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1423650043)

[Oliver]

Did I misread (I only glimpsed this on the front page of the Bangkok Post) or did the Dear Leader admit that the coup was a mistake?

[Up2U]

Did I misread (I only glimpsed this on the front page of the Bangkok Post) or did the Dear Leader admit that the coup was a mistake?
I didn't see it.

[Up2U]

NCPO plays down military law fears.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... -law-fears (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/474565/ncpo-plays-down-military-law-fears)

[Oliver]

The Guardian has this today.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/f ... t-47657511 (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/thailands-students-defy-military-junta-and-call-for-return-to-democracy#comment-47657511)

[Up2U]

BP: Prayuth not part of unity talks.

http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... nity-talks (http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/477770/prayut-rules-himself-out-of-unity-talks)

[Up2U]

Prayuth wants Yingluck to fight cases in court and not flee country.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 54393.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-wants-Yingluck-to-fight-the-cases-and-not-f-30254393.html)

OAG will not push for a Yingluck travel freeze.

http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... vel-freeze (http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/general/478698/oag-won-t-push-for-yingluck-travel-freeze)

[Up2U]

BP opinion: In the Thai political rule book, not all crimes are equal.

http://www2.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opi ... -are-equal (http://www2.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/478757/in-the-thai-political-rule-book-not-all-crimes-are-equal)

[Up2U]

Washington Post editorial: Thailand's ineffective rule by force.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/thailands-ineffective-rule-by-force/2015/02/19/0c53b660-b863-11e4-a200-c008a01a6692_story.html)

[Up2U]

Bangkok University students defy junta with anti-coup banners.


http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 06&section (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1424340520&typecate=06&section)

[Up2U]

From the Boston Review, Democracy, Thai-style?

http://bostonreview.net/world/sally-mai ... =og.shares (http://bostonreview.net/world/sally-mairs-thailand-democracy?fb_action_ids=1649336358627542&fb_action_types=og.shares)

[Up2U]

Amnesty International appeals to the junta.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/130860/ri ... -monarchy/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/130860/rights-group-slams-jailing-of-2-thai-students-for-insulting-monarchy/)

[Up2U]

No anti-junta polling allowed.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 06&section (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1424762688&typecate=06&section)

[Up2U]

Former PM faces impeachment charges for 2010 crackdown.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1424785706 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1424785706)

[bkkguy]

I'm not sure how you missed this one Up2U since KHAOSOD is one of your favorite sources, but in the interest of balance:

Poll: Thais Not Ready For Post-Coup Election
A vast majority of "community leaders" across Thailand believe that Thai people are not yet ready for a new election, a survey shows.
Khaosod English 23 February 2015 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1424679179&section=11)



The survey was commissioned by a group called the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association (TRICHA) and published on its website yesterday.

The group interviewed "community leaders" in 659 communities across the Kingdom between February 19-21 about a number of political issues, including the question of whether Thailand is ready for a general election.

According to the poll, 71.2 percent of the respondents said Thailand is not ready, citing reasons like "there is still a conflict," "the situation still looks chaotic," "suitable people cannot be found yet," and "the government and the NCPO are doing good works."


as much as they would like us to believe otherwise the Red Shirts may not be the only source of grass roots opinion as the article continues:



Orapin Pongprasert, secretary of TRICHA, told Khaosod English that the "community leaders" interviewed in the survey were local administrators holding the ranks of Village Chief and Kamnan (sub-district head). Both positions are semi-elected according to Thai laws; Kamnans are appointed by Village Chiefs, who are elected once by village residents but allowed to hold their post until the age of 60.

"Our survey intended to trace social trends across different issues," Orapin said. "We believe these leaders are the representatives and voices of their communities."

The number of survey respondents were chosen in proportion to the population in each of Thailand's six regions, Orapin added


I think Fox News also covered this in a special report tonight on how the junta's popularity and support is being misrepresented in the foreign press

bkkguy

[Up2U]

I'm not sure how you missed this one Up2U since KHAOSOD is one of your favorite sources, but in the interest of balance:

Poll: Thais Not Ready For Post-Coup Election
A vast majority of "community leaders" across Thailand believe that Thai people are not yet ready for a new election, a survey shows.
Khaosod English 23 February 2015 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1424679179&section=11)

[quote]
The survey was commissioned by a group called the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association (TRICHA) and published on its website yesterday.

The group interviewed "community leaders" in 659 communities across the Kingdom between February 19-21 about a number of political issues, including the question of whether Thailand is ready for a general election.

According to the poll, 71.2 percent of the respondents said Thailand is not ready, citing reasons like "there is still a conflict," "the situation still looks chaotic," "suitable people cannot be found yet," and "the government and the NCPO are doing good works."


as much as they would like us to believe otherwise the Red Shirts may not be the only source of grass roots opinion as the article continues:



Orapin Pongprasert, secretary of TRICHA, told Khaosod English that the "community leaders" interviewed in the survey were local administrators holding the ranks of Village Chief and Kamnan (sub-district head). Both positions are semi-elected according to Thai laws; Kamnans are appointed by Village Chiefs, who are elected once by village residents but allowed to hold their post until the age of 60.

"Our survey intended to trace social trends across different issues," Orapin said. "We believe these leaders are the representatives and voices of their communities."

The number of survey respondents were chosen in proportion to the population in each of Thailand's six regions, Orapin added


I think Fox News also covered this in a special report tonight on how the junta's popularity and support is being misrepresented in the foreign press

bkkguy[/quote:2z8vfdyd]

Of course, Fox news never "misrepresents" anything as attested to by Bill O'Reilly and their own polling methodology is beyond reproach as we witnessed in the Obama vs Romney election. The TRICHA conveniently made its appearance just after the coup. You may find this article helpful regarding Thai polling methodology.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/126917/wh ... hai-junta/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/126917/why-are-some-opinion-poll-results-so-positive-of-the-thai-junta/)

[Oliver]

If Faux News says it, it must be so......

By the way, who are these "community leaders"? Who appointed them? for whom do they speak? and if everything is so hunky-dory, why the repression? the censorship? surely the junta would be voted back into power by a grateful public were an election to be held? So why delay? And if there was such a yearning for a royalist- militarist government, why were the yellow shirts so spectacularly unsuccessful?

Until the comic-opera generals admitted their support of course...with their guns.

I find this highly-suspect attempt to suggest that the Thai working-class are really just children desperate for father figures telling them what to do and what to think, dispiriting. And, I fear, suspiciously close to the Boer/segregationist view of those whom they consider lower-caste.

[Up2U]

Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) agrees to to indirect selection of the Senate.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... enate-pick (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/483800/cdc-agrees-to-indirect-senate-pick)

[bkkguy]

The TRICHA conveniently made its appearance just after the coup. You may find this article helpful regarding Thai polling methodology.

thanks but I don't need a primer on interpreting Thai polls or a pocket history of TRICHA, but it is just such a wonderful name - "Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association" - I had to check the URL to make sure i hadn't clicked through to The Onion news site by mistake!

I keep forgetting you and Oliver don't do sarcasm, but after you constant tirade of sometimes highly suspect anti-junta links I just thought in the interest of balance a highly suspect pro-junta link was in order - and I don't know if I should be pleased or worried that both you and Oliver seem to share my views on Fox News!


By the way, who are these "community leaders"? Who appointed them? for whom do they speak?

you didn't even have to click through to the article for an answer to that, you just had to read the quote in my post, but you couldn't even manage that in your rush to get your usually litany of responses in


I find this highly-suspect attempt to suggest that the Thai working-class are really just children desperate for father figures telling them what to do and what to think, dispiriting.

or is it just dispiriting because Taksin is not the favored father figure?

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Thammasat students light up candles for the fallen lese majeste critic and teacher.

http://prachatai.org/english/node/4821? ... ce=dlvr.it (http://prachatai.org/english/node/4821?utm_source=dlvr.it)

[Up2U]

Poll: Big majority satisfied with the NCPO.

http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... -with-ncpo (http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/general/485149/poll-big-majority-satisfied-with-ncpo)

(and somebody said I don't do sarcasm)

[Up2U]

I could make a sarcastic comment but I will refrain. This letter is from Thailand's new ambassador to the U.S.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/thailand-is-fully-committed-to-democracy/2015/02/27/2878ac90-bd15-11e4-9dfb-03366e719af8_story.html)

[Up2U]

Army issues warning to CDC critics.

http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... dc-critics (http://www2.bangkokpost.com/news/general/485653/army-issues-warning-to-cdc-critics)

[Up2U]

Activists call for NAAC probe of NLA "nepotism".

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/48 ... a-nepotism (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/487753/activist-calls-for-nacc-probe-of-nla-nepotism)

[Up2U]

Mildly surprised to read this opinion piece in the conservative The Nation, "The Emperor has no clothes".

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion ... 55214.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/The-emperor-has-few-clothes-30255214.html)

[Oliver]

In the case of a right-wing rag that was so supportive of the yellow-shirt thugs, as ye sow, so shall ye reap. It doesn't take much of an intellect to be able to predict what happens when a bunch of career military men take control of a country.

[Up2U]

Keeping it in the Family.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/48 ... otism-halt (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/487920/whips-urge-nla-nepotism-halt)

[Up2U]

Junta praises itself on human rights at U.N. assembly.

http://prachatai.org/english/node/4835? ... ce=dlvr.it (http://prachatai.org/english/node/4835?utm_source=dlvr.it)

[Up2U]

El Generalisimo says "the media must do more than report the facts", speaking to journalists on Thailand's National Media Day.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1425556914 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1425556914)

[Up2U]

Analysis from The Diplomat, Thailand's big step backward.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/thailand ... backwards/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/thailands-big-step-backwards/)

[Smiles]

From: Analysis from The Diplomat, Thailand's big step backward.

"How did Thailand come to this? Just a decade ago, Thailand was a beacon of democracy in the region, trusted by Western democracies ... "
Not much of analysis if one actually believes in such an animal as the 'Beacon Hypothesis'. Guess what .... Thailand has never been that.
Westerners ~ mostly Americans ~ keep up this brothers-in-democracy dichotomy hopefulness because it enables their sense of righteousness in terms of the Holy Grail of 'Our Way'': "gee, look at Thailand, it's just like us. Terrific!" Fox News jingoism. Liberal naivet├й.

This particular military dictatorship is pretty well Built-in-Thailand and is about as benign as they come given the nature of the beast. Think about Robert Mugabe and his sweet little version of authoritarianism . . . the country is a complete basket case on every conceivable measure and that senile old fucker has still not been assassinated. Certainly no one deserves it more.
Iraq's new democracy? That went well.

In Thailand at least everyone is going about their business just as they always have done, and in the same fashion. The military are not executing their opponents, there is no blood in the streets, the umbrella stands have only Thursdays in which to take a day off. Thai people do not debate the whole mess over dinner ... they couldn't care less, there is too much in their lives that is more important, more essential, and more necessary to accomplish every day.

[Up2U]

From: Analysis from The Diplomat, Thailand's big step backward.

"How did Thailand come to this? Just a decade ago, Thailand was a beacon of democracy in the region, trusted by Western democracies ... "
Not much of analysis if one actually believes in such an animal as the 'Beacon Hypothesis'. Guess what .... Thailand has never been that.
Westerners ~ mostly Americans ~ keep up this brothers-in-democracy dichotomy hopefulness because it enables their sense of righteousness in terms of the Holy Grail of 'Our Way'': "gee, look at Thailand, it's just like us. Terrific!" Fox News jingoism. Liberal naivet├й.

This particular military dictatorship is pretty well Built-in-Thailand and is about as benign as they come given the nature of the beast. Think about Robert Mugabe and his sweet little version of authoritarianism . . . the country is a complete basket case on every conceivable measure and that senile old fucker has still not been assassinated. Certainly no one deserves it more.
Iraq's new democracy? That went well.

In Thailand at least everyone is going about their business just as they always have done, and in the same fashion. The military are not executing their opponents, there is no blood in the streets, the umbrella stands have only Thursdays in which to take a day off. This people do not debate the whole mess over dinner ... they couldn't care less, there is too much in their lives that is more important, more essential, and more necessary to accomplish every day.

Analysis was my choice of words and not the best. Whether Thailand was a beacon of democracy by Western standards is argumentable, perhaps more like an allied Normandy beachhead when contrasted to its neighbors. That we are living in a banana republic is closer to the truth.

Westerners ~ mostly Americans ~ keep up this brothers-in-democracy dichotomy hopefulness because it enables their sense of righteousness in terms of the Holy Grail of 'Our Way'': "gee, look at Thailand, it's just like us. Terrific!" Fox News jingoism. Liberal naivet├й.Ah yes it's much better (Smiles - who's a white man - has decided so it must be better) that little brown people don't need democracy, it's "Western naivet├й". That, despite Narendra Modi saying recently that democracy offers "the best opportunity for the human spirit to flourish". Modi is the (democratically elected) Prime Minister of India. Or perhaps Smiles believes that Aung San Suu Kyi is a victim of "Fox News jingoism" and the people of Burma ungrateful to their military dictatorship - whom the Thai dictatorship hold in high regard. And let's not mention that Western stooge and Prime Minister of Thailand's most significant investor, Japan - Shinzo Abe - who urges the Thai dictatorship to return to civilian rule and democracy as soon as possible. Just remember, Smiles knows best.

[Smiles]

Just remember, Smiles knows best.
Finally, a realist! B-)

Just remember, Smiles knows best.Finally, a realist! B-)Just ask him, he'll tell you. Known in Australia as a FIGJAM so my second-BFF a447 tells me.

[a447]

Just remember, Smiles knows best.

Funny, I thought you did.


Two months before the coup last year Kommie wrote:
Since there probably isn't going to be a military coup.....

Guess we were both wrong.

FIGJAM!

Two months before the coup last year Kommie wrote:
Since there probably isn't going to be a military coup.....Amazingly (??) a447 has decided on a selective quote to indulge in his favourite pastime, point-scoring. The full quote was "Since there probably isn't going to be a military coup we can now expect a judicial coup as has happened several times recently."
I find it perplexing that Surfcrest has remained silent, because as a member pointed out to me in a PM, it's precisely this type of behaviour which discourages members from posting.

[a447]

So a military coup is a judicial coup??

Ok, whatever you say. I never said you didn't predict a coup; I just thought that someone who comments so profusely on every political situation on the planet would be more astute.

Remember your gaffe on the Scottish "wee lassie?"


Kommie wrote:

I see there's a new wee lassie has taken over from Salmonella. Is she mebbe a caviar socialist?


And the reply?


Kommie , I know all comments you make on Scotland are all bluster and no substance - but this one surely proves it beyond any doubt.

The 'new wee lassie' has been Deputy First Minister for almost 8 years and Deputy Leader of the SNP for 10

See what I mean? Yet another example of you posting on something you know nothing about.

Your constant attacks on me as a poster have had a positive outcome for me, but a rather negative one for you. Many of your clangers, gaffes, zingers - call them what you will - have been posted on forums which get far fewer views than this main forum and, consequently, go unnoticed. I get to post them here and, as a result, everyone gets to read them.

You've set yourself up as the board's intellectual (you even have your own bunch of "undergraduates"..... Lol) who can comment with such confidence and authority on every topic under the sun (with a lot of help from Google). You even tried to tell me from 15000 km away what the situation was in my country. You got that wrong ,too - remember?

So keep up the attacks and I'll keep dragging your gaffes from the minor forums to here for all to see.

Confucius say:

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."

FIGJAM

I never said you didn't predict a coup.
[The facts are immaterial] to the point being made (http://sawatdeenetwork.com/forum/eros-bar-t31267-30.html).

So keep up the attacks and I'll keep dragging your gaffes from the minor forums to here for all to see. new-posting-competition-t32155.html (http://sawatdeenetwork.com/forum/new-posting-competition-t32155.html)

[a447]

[The facts are immaterial]

They are your words, not mine. I never said that.

Now you're getting a little desperate....lol

[The facts are immaterial] They are your words, not mine. I never said that. Gosh! You don't say!!! You could've knocked me over with a feather, guv'nor.

http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/ ... ackets.htm (http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/brackets_round_and_square_brackets.htm)

[a447]

Now you're getting very desperate....lol

Now you're getting very desperate....lolLOL indeed.

[a447]

Sorry, Kommie. I was just....

yanking your chain.

Again.

Lol

[Up2U]

BP: The big issue, consensus on the Constitution.

http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/ ... nstitution (http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/491316/the-big-issue-consensus-on-the-constitution)

[Up2U]

The Nation: Police told of bomb plots by red shirts.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 55607.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Police-told-of-bomb-plots-by-red-shirts-30255607.html)

[Up2U]

BP: Draft charter steals democracy (Abhisit).

http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/491554

BP: Draft charter steals democracy (Abhisit)Sadly Abhisit has not been listening to the one man who knows what's best for Thailand - Smiles. Little brown people are better off without democracy.

[Oliver]

...and that's the view of the US Congress, too. Keep the untermenschen in their place.

Keep the untermenschen in their place.But a447 doesn't even live in Thailand.

[Up2U]

BP: Phue Thai, draft charter could lead to fresh turmoil.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... er-writers (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/492312/pheu-thai-slams-draft-charter-writers)

[Up2U]

No stability, no election Prayuth warns.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1425891626 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1425891626)

[Up2U]

BP: Grenade attack aims to stir chaos, Prayuth warns.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ayut-warns (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/492577/grenade-strike-aims-to-stir-chaos-prayut-warns)

The Diplomat: More bomb blasts planned.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/100-more ... lice-told/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/100-more-bomb-attacks-planned-in-thailand-police-told/)

[Oliver]

How long before the junta comes clean and admits that democracy is not on its agenda and never has been?

[fountainhall]

And yet the last 11 successful coups have returned the country to democracy. What makes this one different?

How long before the junta comes clean and admits that democracy is not on its agenda and never has been?What a naive question. Have you never read Machiavelli's The Prince (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince) or Sun Tzu's Art of War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War)? Even the Dowager Countess of Grantham understood the basic principles:[attachment=0:wir63h4j]NeverComplainNeverExplain.jpg[/attachment:wir63h4j]

[Up2U]

Bipartisan alarm over 'junta's anti-politician' charter.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=00 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1426165679&section=00)

[Up2U]

Political Heavy weights debate Thailand's future...... under heavy scrutiny.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/131312/po ... -scrutiny/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/131312/political-heavyweights-debate-thailands-future-under-heavy-scrutiny/)

[Up2U]

BP: Prayuth, one size does not fit all.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... ot-fit-all (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/496525/prayut-america-one-size-shirt-does-not-fit-all)

[Up2U]

Army warns protesters against weekend march.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSK ... 3?irpc=932 (http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0M90ST20150313?irpc=932)

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1426238838 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1426238838)

[Up2U]

Activist nabbed on 'march for justice'.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/49 ... or-justice (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/496882/acitivist-nabbed-on-march-for-justice)

[Up2U]

Junta to pass law banning homosexuals from monkhood.

http://prachatai.org/english/node/4843

[Up2U]

Prayuth defers decision on charter referendum.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... referendum (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/498185/prayut-defers-decision-on-charter-referendum)

[Up2U]

BP: NRC members hire advisers with same family name.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/50 ... amily-name (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/500580/12-nrc-members-hired-advisers-sharing-family-name)

[Up2U]

Red shirt tv channels summoned for airing "violent" content.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1426661718 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1426661718)

[Up2U]

Thai lawyers call for investigation of bomb suspects' complaints.

http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/id ... 8?irpc=932 (http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN0ME0QB20150318?irpc=932)

[Up2U]

Diplomat: Junta seems ready to delay elections.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/thai-jun ... ff-longer/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/thai-junta-seems-ready-to-put-elections-off-longer/)

[Up2U]

Elections will not solve Thailand's problems with the US alliance.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2015/03/20 ... -alliance/ (http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2015/03/20/elections-wont-solve-thailands-problems-with-the-us-alliance/)

[Oliver]

An interesting article. The junta won't be pleased....but then I've never seen The Guardian on display there. I love the General's comment about opinion polls. The man is a buffoon.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/m ... -democracy (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/22/bangkok-big-brother-politics-ruling-party-democracy)

[Up2U]

Junta asks HRW to 'look at the big picture'.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1427013408&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Wow..... Declaration of the "new Issan".

http://isaanrecord.com/2015/03/22/decla ... new-isaan/ (http://isaanrecord.com/2015/03/22/declaration-of-the-new-isaan/)

EDIT: The link was removed. This was the PDF.

[Up2U]

Charter pushes coalition government.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/504 ... government (http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/504451/charter-pushes-coalition-government)

[Up2U]

'martial law caused tourist numbers to surge'

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 56549.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Martial-law-caused-tourist-numbers-to-surge-30256549.html)

[Up2U]

A good article on human rights..... Its methods and results.

http://sea-globe.com/human-rights-south ... avid-hutt/ (http://sea-globe.com/human-rights-southeast-asia-david-hutt/)

[Up2U]

Mixed views from Thais on LKY.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... -statesman (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/506287/mixed-views-about-thais-from-singapore-statesman)

[Up2U]

'weak, unstable government beckons'

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/50 ... nt-beckons (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/504371/weak-unstable-government-beckons)

[Up2U]

Junta rejects Amnesty allegations on torture.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 56700.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Govt-rejects-Amnesty-allegations-on-torture-30256700.html)

[Up2U]

Two different reports on human trafficking.

BP: PM vows anti-trafficking blitz.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/507 ... king-blitz (http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/507071/pm-vows-anti-trafficking-blitz)

and, junta warns media against reporting on human trafficking.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1427268620 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1427268620)

[Up2U]

Prayuth warns media, he has power to execute reporters.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/i ... dChannel=0 (http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0ML0RV20150325?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0)

[Up2U]

BP: Government denies torture of detainees.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/50 ... -detainees (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/507155/govt-denies-torture-of-detainees)

[Up2U]

CDC endorses article that gives amnesty to NCPO.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 56804.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/CDC-endorses-article-that-will-give-amnesty-to-NCP-30256804.html)

[Up2U]

'report on fishermen abuse hurts Thailand'

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 56843.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Report-on-fishermen-abuse-hurts-Thailand-30256843.html)

[lonelywombat]

This is no longer a report of the activities of 2013 and 2014 It has become a report of what is in the daily news and has no gay content

I think this should be transferred from Gay Thailand to Everything Else forum. Keeping it intact or closing this and opening a new thread

[Up2U]

This is no longer a report of the activities of 2013 and 2014 It has become a report of what is in the daily news and has no gay content

I think this should be transferred from Gay Thailand to Everything Else forum. Keeping it intact or closing this and opening a new thread
I agree with that. The relevance is for gay men who visit Thailand regularly or live here and want to keep abreast of what's happening politically and the current situation. I have this forum (Gay Thailand) bookmarked and is probably the only reason why I first read this thread and followed it continually, and why I post here.

[Up2U]

Thai junta "visits" student activists homes.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSK ... 6?irpc=932 (http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0MM1I520150326?irpc=932)

This is no longer a report of the activities of 2013 and 2014 It has become a report of what is in the daily news and has no gay content. I think this should be transferred from Gay Thailand to Everything Else forum. Keeping it intact or closing this and opening a new threadI see we're back on lonelywombat's favourite hobby-horse. Wombat old boy there used to be a narration under this Forum (now disappeared under the new format) that "Gay Thailand" was about everything to do with Thailand and especially gay activities in Thailand. This thread does NOT belong in the Everything Else forum. The only thing you've got right is that it's no longer a report of the activities of 2013 & 2014, so perhaps it needs a new thread BUT NOT A DIFFERENT FORUM

I should add that I never follow Up2U's links as I've read the story via other sources I follow so it gives me no fresh information but others may find it useful, especially if "Gay Thailand" is the only forum they follow (thus avoiding a447's pornographic posts elsewhere).

[Up2U]

BP: Martial law to be replaced by NCPO order.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/51 ... he-old-law (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/510601/meet-the-new-law-same-as-the-old-law)

[lonelywombat]

I see we're back on lonelywombat's favourite hobby-horse. Wombat old boy there used to be a narration under this Forum (now disappeared under the new format) that "Gay Thailand" was about everything to do with Thailand and especially gay activities in Thailand. This thread does NOT belong in the Everything Else forum. The only thing you've got right is that it's no longer a report of the activities of 2013 & 2014, so perhaps it needs a new thread BUT NOT A DIFFERENT FORUM

I should add that I never follow Up2U's links as I've read the story via other sources I follow so it gives me no fresh information but others may find it useful, especially if "Gay Thailand" is the only forum they follow (thus avoiding a447's pornographic posts elsewhere).

It is just a month after you and others attacked me for posting a report about activities that may not have been totally gay. FFS get it right Your previous posts were bullshit or this is.

I PM'd Surfcrest and told him in advance.He was unsure how to terminate a thread. My suggestion was for a different forum otherwise we will have the daily news reports sometimes more than once a day from Up2u. This has opened it now for discussion.

[Up2U]

I see we're back on lonelywombat's favourite hobby-horse. Wombat old boy there used to be a narration under this Forum (now disappeared under the new format) that "Gay Thailand" was about everything to do with Thailand and especially gay activities in Thailand. This thread does NOT belong in the Everything Else forum. The only thing you've got right is that it's no longer a report of the activities of 2013 & 2014, so perhaps it needs a new thread BUT NOT A DIFFERENT FORUM

I should add that I never follow Up2U's links as I've read the story via other sources I follow so it gives me no fresh information but others may find it useful, especially if "Gay Thailand" is the only forum they follow (thus avoiding a447's pornographic posts elsewhere).

It is just a month after you and others attacked me for posting a report about activities that may not have been totally gay. FFS get it right Your previous posts were bullshit or this is.

I PM'd Surfcrest and told him in advance.He was unsure how to terminate a thread. My suggestion was for a different forum otherwise we will have the daily news reports sometimes more than once a day from Up2u. This has opened it now for discussion.

It is Surfcrest's website and he can do as he pleases. I do see the relevance to gay Thailand although it might be indirect. The most recent post talks about ending martial law (replacing it with article 44) which means tourists both gay and straight can buy travel insurance again without limitations.

[Up2U]

Prayuth: Martial law to be lifted.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 56963.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Martial-law-to-be-lifted-PM-30256963.html)

It is just a month after you and others attacked me for posting a report about activities that may not have been totally gay. I suggest you re-read my comments at the time unless your plan is to misrepresent them all along.

[roguebear]

I like the thread and read it daily. Others post and the thread lives on, so I don't see a problem. The rule mongering seems pedantic and unnecessary.

[Up2U]

The Economist: the pen and the sword.


http://www.economist.com/news/asia/2164 ... -and-sword (http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21647334-juntas-plans-thailands-future-grow-clearer-though-no-more-welcome-pen-and-sword)

[Up2U]

CDC survey - 70% back new charter.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 56968.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Most-Thais-back-new-charter-CDC-chief-30256968.html)

[bkkguy]

The Economist: the pen and the sword.

of course in Europe the problem is more typified by Le Pen - perhaps the EU and French parliaments should be seeking advice from the Thai charter writers about keeping an electoral system on the right (as in correct) path rather than the Right (as in popular) path

bkkguy

[lego]

I like the thread and read it daily. Others post and the thread lives on, so I don't see a problem. The rule mongering seems pedantic and unnecessary.
I agree. This evergreen thread has outlived the protests, that alone is remarkable. Now we're fast approaching the 1st Year Anniversary of the Good General's Selfless Sacrifice, who knows for sure that nothing interesting will happen around that day... ;)

[Up2U]

Two red channels face 7 day ban.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/51 ... -7-day-ban (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/512568/two-red-channels-face-7-day-ban)

[Up2U]

Drafting the constitution in a drought of supporters.

http://isaanrecord.com/2015/03/29/publi ... northeast/ (http://isaanrecord.com/2015/03/29/public-forums-on-the-constitution-drafting-hit-the-northeast/)

[Up2U]

NRC gets 84 hours to debate draft of constitution.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/512 ... nstitution (http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/512851/nrc-gets-84-hours-to-debate-constitution)

[Up2U]

Thailand faces downgrade if NHRC merger goes through.

http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/6xrUe

[Oliver]

At least The Guardian is still reporting Thailand's slide into military dictatorship....

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/m ... article-44 (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/thai-pm-prayuth-chan-ocha-martial-law-dictator-ruling-article-44)

[Up2U]

Thai PM asks king's permission to lift martial law.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSK ... 1?irpc=932 (http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0MR0L220150331?irpc=932)

[Up2U]

With the lifting of martial law this is the latest travel advisory from the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand

[Up2U]

Guardian: Time for the West to get tough on Prayuth.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/a ... are_btn_tw (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/02/thailand-west-get-tough-prayuth-chan-ocha-junta-bangkok?CMP=share_btn_tw)

[Up2U]

NCPO's 14 point order on maintaining national security.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 57320.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NCPOs-14-point-order-on-maintaining-national-secur-30257320.html)

[Up2U]

Thai junta chief threatens to shut down critical media.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/world ... cal-media/ (https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/world/a/26929176/thai-junta-chief-threatens-to-shut-down-critical-media/)

[Up2U]

Press warns on the perils of section 44.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/51 ... section-44 (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/516687/press-warns-on-perils-of-section-44)

[Up2U]

Opinion....... shut up, put up, pay up.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... -up-pay-up (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/517991/our-saviours-say-shut-up-put-up-pay-up)

[bkkguy]

a very astute analysis I think from four Americans in an op-ed piece in the Bangkok Post, and an antidote to things like the crap Guardian article linked above:

Thailand needs a democratic, just society (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/515323/thailand-needs-a-democratic-just-society)


Genuine, sustainable democracy has yet to take root in Thailand. Numerous coups and constitutions enacted and then torn up over the past 83 years tell the story. We ask ourselves, what is this democracy which these well-meaning foreign critics wish Thailand to restore? We wonder what is achieved by demanding Thailand hold elections right away, considering the repeated frustrations and disappointments after the several elections held over the past decade. Is there any reason to believe that yet another election will magically resolve ThailandтАЩs political paralysis?

The authors see themselves as "colour blind" - "we do not see that one side or another of the political fray is more or less virtuous", something that is often lacking in some of the local op-ed and commentary pieces, but regardless of your "colour" preference read the article and decide for yourself the value of their positive but challenging comments about the democratic future Thailand could make for itself

bkkguy

[Up2U]

a very astute analysis I think from four Americans in an op-ed piece in the Bangkok Post, and an antidote to things like the crap Guardian article linked above:

Thailand needs a democratic, just society (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/515323/thailand-needs-a-democratic-just-society)


Genuine, sustainable democracy has yet to take root in Thailand. Numerous coups and constitutions enacted and then torn up over the past 83 years tell the story. We ask ourselves, what is this democracy which these well-meaning foreign critics wish Thailand to restore? We wonder what is achieved by demanding Thailand hold elections right away, considering the repeated frustrations and disappointments after the several elections held over the past decade. Is there any reason to believe that yet another election will magically resolve ThailandтАЩs political paralysis?

The authors see themselves as "colour blind" - "we do not see that one side or another of the political fray is more or less virtuous", something that is often lacking in some of the local op-ed and commentary pieces, but regardless of your "colour" preference read the article and decide for yourself the value of their positive but challenging comments about the democratic future Thailand could make for itself

bkkguy

"Colour blind"..... 'in support of elite politics'

https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/

a very astute analysis I think from four Americans in an op-ed piece in the Bangkok Post
Quite right bkk guy. I'm at one with the author Nuat Namman in his excellent piece America needs Thai-style democracy (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/04/02/america-needs-thai-style-democracy/)


Like Thailand, America is treated very unfairly by international commentators.

Most annoying is the way so many people talk about the strength of American democracy. To quote my four new colleagues, this is тАЬcounter productive and simplistic, revealing inadequate understanding of the cultural, social and political challengesтАЭ that our American friends face.

America needs a real democracy. A sustainable democracy. A Thai-style democracy.

Foreigners need to understand just how problematic American democracy is. Take the President, for example. He is elected for four years. But what about those who didnтАЩt vote for him (or perhaps her, before too long)? In the American system they just have to accept it. How can that majoritarian authoritarianism be fair? ItтАЩs intolerable.

What about the rights of those who back the loser to challenge the legitimacy of the PresidentтАЩs election? Forget about the courts, what about their right to stage aggressive and disruptive protests aimed at overthrowing him?

ShouldnтАЩt Americans also be able to prevent people from going to vote, if they are worried that their side will lose the election?

And why should the army in America remain loyal to the President? ShouldnтАЩt it be able to support those who disrupt the election and then take power because the election was unworkable?

The basic principles of Thai-style democracy have yet to take root in America. Election after election has delivered passive acceptance of majority rule. The rights of electoral saboteurs are casually dismissed.

Foreign commentators need to be much more aware of the failings of American democracy.

Americans who donтАЩt accept majority decisions and who want to spoil the electoral process need to be treated with much more respect by so-called foreign experts.

Echoing my colleagues in the Bangkok Post, I would argue that itтАЩs going to take a massive change in attitude in America to bring about Thai-style democracy. A complacent and easily manipulated citizenry there seems to be willing to accept a smooth and stable electoral process, regardless of its terrible cost.

Hopefully informed foreign commentators can provide some encouragement to those in America whose ambition it is to undermine electoral institutions. Only then will America be able to start to build a sustainable Thai-style democracy.

[Oliver]

In the US, democracy has been bought by the wealthy and the far-right. In Thailand, dictatorship has been brought about by the wealthy and the far-right.
The poor always suffer. And some want to ensure that its stays that way.
Co-incidentally (perhaps), in both countries, the darker your skin, the more likely you are to be denied your human rghts.

[Up2U]

Government to remain in power until goals achieved - spokesman.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/51 ... -spokesman (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/519639/government-to-remain-until-goals-achieved-spokesman)

[Up2U]

WSJ: Thailand's Martial Rule.

ThailandтАЩs military dictator Prayuth Chan-ocha says he realized martial law was hurting the countryтАЩs reputation abroad. So last week he lifted martial law and declared instead that his orders will have the force of law.

Instead of only being able to hold dissidents for seven days without charge, the Thai military can now do whatever it likes. The last dictator to hold such powers, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, used them to summarily execute his opponents in the 1960s.

To the juntaтАЩs dismay, some disloyal Thais have тАЬmisunderstoodтАЭ Gen. PrayuthтАЩs magnanimous lifting of martial law. So Deputy Chairman Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan reassured the public that his bossтАЩs invocation of Article 44 of the military-imposed provisional constitutionтАФwhich allows the junta leader to issue any order deemed necessary for national securityтАФwonтАЩt change anything. It will only be used to тАЬmimicтАЭ the powers granted by martial law.
Advertisement

Military-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam offered an equally compelling reason for optimism: The Article, he said, тАЬcannot be applied to harm anybody until it is used.тАЭ

Gen. Prayuth was more blunt: Those who question his powers forfeit the protections of being Thai citizens. He appreciated the ability to act swiftly тАЬto apprehend people, if an incident occurs, without an arrest warrant.тАЭ But he also explained that he doesnтАЩt want to detain one suspect for even one day. In his heart he is a democrat: Otherwise, why would he have seized power?

Meanwhile, arbitrary detentions and prosecutions for thought crimes are on the rise. The junta has detained journalists and threatened media, most recently last week when Gen. Prayuth promised to close down publications that тАЬdonтАЩt write good things.тАЭ Four bombing suspects last month alleged they were tortured in police custody and smuggled photos of their injuries out of prison. The junta denied torture was used but barred the governmentтАЩs own human-rights body from interviewing the suspects.

Most critics of the junta are keeping their heads down and waiting to see the new permanent constitution it is due to unveil later this month. Enough details of how the charter will restrict democratic rights and perpetuate military control have already leaked that even the pro-coup Democrat Party has split with the generals. If ThailandтАЩs new strongman wants to crush resistance to the constitution, he may need the full power of Article 44.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/thailands-m ... 1428448751 (http://www.wsj.com/articles/thailands-martial-rule-1428448751)

[lego]

Enough details of how the charter will restrict democratic rights and perpetuate military control have already leaked that even the pro-coup Democrat Party has split with the generals.
I doubt it.

[Up2U]

Charter drafters firm on preventing 'one - man rule'.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 57804.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Charter-drafters-firm-on-preventing-one-man-rule-30257804.html)

I doubt it.Did Prayuth tell you that himself last time your nose was firmly up his arse?

[Up2U]

April 10, 2010 anniversary. Prayuth asks media to expose redshirt violence.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1428663115 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1428663115)

[Up2U]

Bomb blast in Koh Samui.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32259612

[Up2U]

Koh Samui blasts "political".

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 57907.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Koh-Samui-blast-political-30257907.html)

Car stolen from the deep south used in Koh Samui blast.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1428737287&section=11)

Wait until someone works out how to pack one of these new low-cost drones with explosives. That's when the fun's really going to start.

[Up2U]

An interesting essay, The Story of Thaksin Shinawatra.

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n12/richard-ll ... shinawatra (http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n12/richard-lloydparry/the-story-of-thaksin-shinawatra)

[Up2U]

NYTimes: Trickery and false promises in Thailand.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/op ... &referrer= (http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/opinion/trickery-and-false-promises-in-thailand.html?_r=0&referrer=)

[Up2U]

Former US envoy to North Korea nominated for post to Thailand. (wonder if there is a hidden message as he has experience in dealing with dictators)

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/former-us-env ... 25835.html (https://sg.news.yahoo.com/former-us-envoy-nkorea-nominated-post-thailand-215825835.html)

[Up2U]

Washington Post : Thai junta enjoys absolute power while opposition quietly bides its time.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/tha ... story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/thai-junta-enjoys-absolute-power-as-opposition-quietly-bides-its-time/2015/04/12/dbaf5592-dc83-11e4-b6d7-b9bc8acf16f7_story.html)

[bkkguy]

the Bangkok Post had a not that interesting article on where Pheu Thai goes from here:

Shinawatras still Pheu Thai 'trademark' (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/527391/shinawatras-still-pheu-thai-trademark)

I was more taken with the reader comments than the article itself, particularly one from Post reader Dystopia:


Imagine any legitimate democracy tolerating its government being run from abroad by a convicted felon on the run. The fact that upwards of 40% of the population think this is perfectly ok says so much about ignorance, self-interest and moral bankruptcy in this country. Is it any wonder that Thailand is such a hopeless mess?

this comment garnered 100 "thumbs up" and 111 "thumbs down" - a country still divided indeed!

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Clash over Samui blast risks probe.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/52 ... isks-probe (http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/528367/clash-over-samui-blast-risks-probe)

[Up2U]

More about the new Ambassador nominee.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 58015.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Obama-announces-new-US-ambassador-30258015.html)

[Up2U]

U. S. scraps Cobra Gold prep meeting.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/52 ... on-meeting (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/528331/us-scraps-cobra-gold-preparation-meeting)

[Up2U]

The Diplomat's take, Car bomb explodes at Thai resort.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/car-bomb ... ai-resort/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/car-bomb-explodes-at-thai-resort/)

[Up2U]

A look inside the Bangkok Post from a foreign reporter's perspective.

Pork, bullets, and the dismal state of journalism in Thailand

http://www.cjr.org/criticism/thailand_bangkok_post.php

[Up2U]

Junta resists "divisive" referendum.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/530 ... referendum (http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/530927/military-resists-divisive-referendum)

[Up2U]

A rebuke from the BP.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -statement (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/530563/bangkok-post-statement)

[Up2U]

BP: Prayuth, Past 6 months a success.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/53 ... -a-success (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/531999/prayut-past-six-months-a-success)

[Up2U]

NYTimes: Trickery and false promises in Thailand.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/op ... &referrer= (http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/opinion/trickery-and-false-promises-in-thailand.html?_r=0&referrer=)

A rebuke from Thai Ambassador. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/op ... ?referrer= (http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/opinion/a-view-from-thailands-ambassador.html?referrer=)

[roguebear]

BP 6 months of success has a very fascist looking photo followed by an illusion to "mussolini made the trains to run on time". Interesting report.

... an illusion to "mussolini made the trains to run on time". Interesting report.I think that really was an illusion (http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/rear-window-making-italy-work-did-mussolini-really-get-the-trains-running-on-time-1367688.html), as any Google search will show.

[Up2U]

Bloomberg: Thai constitution aims to put brakes on political parties.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... -for-polls (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-16/new-thai-charter-to-curb-party-powers-while-paving-way-for-polls)

Newsday: Thai charter, weakening political parties, ready for review.

http://www.newsday.com/news/world/thail ... 1.10283500 (http://www.newsday.com/news/world/thailand-s-new-constitution-draft-ready-for-council-s-review-1.10283500)

[Up2U]

The NRC to endorse "draft" charter. (the first sentence is a must read)

http://m.bangkokpost.com/topstories/532647

[Up2U]

It's a week old but still relevant. "Teflon Thailand starts to flake"

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special ... s-to-flake (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/525703/teflon-thailand-starts-to-flake)

[Up2U]

Poll: Thais unhappy with economic effort. (don't put too much trust in these polls)

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... ffort-poll (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/532987/thais-unhappy-with-economic-effort-poll)

[Up2U]

Unofficial English draft of Thai constitution and 1997 (People's) Constitution (for reference).

[Up2U]

Nikkei Asian Review: What's next for Thailand's new constitution?

http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Persp ... nstitution (http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Perspectives/What-s-next-for-Thailand-s-new-constitution)

[Up2U]

Bloomberg: What's wrong with Thailand's new constitution.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2 ... nstitution (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-20/thailand-needs-elected-leaders-not-a-new-constitution)

[Up2U]

Prayuth's achievement report fails in some critical tests.


http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/tjkcS

[Up2U]

Thailand drops in world tourism rankings.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... m-rankings (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/536583/thailand-drops-in-global-tourism-rankings)

[Up2U]

U. S. ignores own laws to ignore imports of Thai fish caught by slave labor.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/special-rep ... -by-slaves (http://bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/537399/us-ignores-own-law-to-allow-imports-of-thai-fish-caught-by-slaves)

[Up2U]

Opinion: A well intentioned but problematic charter.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... ic-charter (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/539487/a-well-intentioned-but-problematic-charter)

[bkkguy]

A well intentioned but problematic charter.

but it may be achieving somebody's agenda - the major parties are united and it may yet justify election delays until the elephant has left the room

Political foes will accept poll lag
Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/539319/political-foes-will-accept-poll-lag)


Leaders of Pheu Thai, Democrats, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and other political parties and groups were invited by military officers to a meeting of the regime's Reconciliation Centre for Reform. They told the officers that even three more years of military rule would be preferable to "divisive" elections under the proposed constitution.

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Poll delay proposal slammed - the Nation.

http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/vCaDA

Government coy on poll lag plan - BP.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... l-lag-plan (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/540739/govt-coy-on-poll-lag-plan)

[Up2U]

BP: Peace TV (red shirt station) licence revoked.

http://m.bangkokpost.com/latestnews/542939

[Up2U]

BP Opinion : Democracy must be built on the mistrust of "good people".

http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/543679

[Up2U]

First edition of government tabloid newspaper being distributed.

http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/35FHU

[Up2U]

Thai press Assoc : decision to shut down red tv station "disproportionate".

http://prachatai.org/english/node/5007? ... um=twitter (http://prachatai.org/english/node/5007?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

[fountainhall]

There have been no protests/demonstrations for about a year now. Doesn't this thread title now give the wrong impression to a casual reader? Should it be changed?

[Oliver]

I wonder why? Is it possibly the result of Thailand now being a police- state and opposition to the military clowns being illegal?

[fountainhall]

I wonder why? Is it possibly the result of Thailand now being a police- state and opposition to the military clowns being illegal?
Does that make any difference to the thread title?

[Up2U]

There have been no protests/demonstrations for about a year now. Doesn't this thread title now give the wrong impression to a casual reader? Should it be changed?
Threads evolve but you raise a valid point, what title change would you suggest? As Oliver notes, the only reason there are no protests/demonstrations/free discussion is they are outlawed. What we have now is an unfragmented, historical timeline and discussion, and I see that as being a distinct benefit.

[bkkguy]

I wonder why? Is it possibly the result of Thailand now being a police- state and opposition to the military clowns being illegal?
Does that make any difference to the thread title?

it shows the same polarized and polarizing mentality is still in place


What we have now is an unfragmented, historical timeline and discussion, and I see that as being a distinct benefit.

what we have in Thailand is a continuing drift away from both the desire and the possibility of establishing a working democratic system, what we have in this thread is mostly a carefully curated twitter feed of links - the distinct benefit you perceive is probably because you are the curator

bkkguy

[fountainhall]

Threads evolve but you raise a valid point, what title change would you suggest? As Oliver notes, the only reason there are no protests/demonstrations/free discussion is they are outlawed. What we have now is an unfragmented, historical timeline and discussion, and I see that as being a distinct benefit.
A timeline of what is happening can be useful for those not living in Thailand who want to get an idea of what is going on here according to various sources. I just wonder how many readers actually open up any of the links! Personally I always hope to find a brief 3 or 4 line summary provided by the author of a post in addition to the thread itself - but that's just my view. As bkkguy points out, though, this has essentially become a one-poster thread which rather implies few readers feel the posts are worth much comment.

As for title the posts are surely now more accurately concerned with the "Political Situation in Thailand".

[Up2U]

What we have now is an unfragmented, historical timeline and discussion, and I see that as being a distinct benefit.

what we have in Thailand is a continuing drift away from both the desire and the possibility of establishing a working democratic system, what we have in this thread is mostly a carefully curated twitter feed of links - the distinct benefit you perceive is probably because you are the curator

bkkguy
Sorry to disappoint you but the sources are primarily rss news feeds, fb, bp, nation, western news sources, etc. which I suspect most twitter posters also use. Anything about the current political situation I try to post but all of us just by being human have our own biases, prejudices, political leanings, etc. I certainly don't want to be the curator but sharing of information is important and your lucid comments on this budding Thai democracy are always appreciated (remember I don't do sarcasm).

[Up2U]

Threads evolve but you raise a valid point, what title change would you suggest? As Oliver notes, the only reason there are no protests/demonstrations/free discussion is they are outlawed. What we have now is an unfragmented, historical timeline and discussion, and I see that as being a distinct benefit.
A timeline of what is happening can be useful for those not living in Thailand who want to get an idea of what is going on here according to various sources. I just wonder how many readers actually open up any of the links! Personally I always hope to find a brief 3 or 4 line summary provided by the author of a post in addition to the thread itself - but that's just my view. As bkkguy points out, though, this has essentially become a one-poster thread which rather implies few readers feel the posts are worth much comment.

As for title the posts are surely now more accurately concerned with the "Political Situation in Thailand".

Again, the headlines and links are there for informational purposes and I deliberately try not to editorialize but let readers come to their own conclusions. There is enough info in the title if someone wants to open the link and feel inspired to comment. I could make comments about every article and stir the shit if I chose but I view that as counterproductive.

[Up2U]

BP: Democrats, PT slam CDC chairman on trialling new charter

29 Apr 2015

The Democrat and Pheu Thai parties have attacked a suggestion that the new charter be given a trial period of five years, saying Thailand and its people are not guinea pigs.

Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno made the controversial trial run remark while addressing the presidents of provincial administrative organisations from across the country on the topic тАЬThe New Constitution and DecentralizationтАЭ on Tuesday....... (read more)

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/54 ... ew-charter (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/545867/democrats-pt-slam-cdc-chairman-on-trialling-new-charter)

[Up2U]

BP: Referendum risks 90 day poll holdup.
April 30, 2015

A general election will be delayed for about three months if a referendum is to be held on the draft charter.

However, the government and charter drafters are not yet on the same page where the referendum is concerned.

Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno said Wednesday the charter drafters and National Reform Council (NRC) are not authorised to decide whether the referendum should be held.

The final say rests with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the cabinet, he said.

But NCPO chief and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said it is the CDC and NRC's job to decide........(read more)

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ll-hold-up (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/546035/referendum-risks-90-day-poll-hold-up)

[roguebear]

Up2U's efforts to provide these news clips from various sources in one place is appreciated. Easy to stay on top of the news and I click on the links quite often. Having a Red Boyfriend from Isaan myself, I share Up2U's concerns. The Protests update moniker seems to be just as good as any. I do wonder why some posters seem to wander in occasionally and feel a need to tidy it up. Call it what you may, but please keep it up.

[Up2U]

Thai police say more than 200 l├иse majest├й cases closed in 6 months
Sun, 26/04/2015

The Thai police said on Friday that they have closed about 50 per cent of more than 400 l├иse majest├й cases filed with them in the past six months. Also, more than 25,000 websites were closed because of l├иse majest├й.

The police reported their six-month results at a press conference at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Friday.

During the press conference, attended by about 100 civil servants, entrepreneurs, and medical volunteers, the police said they have closed 239 of 443 l├иse majest├й cases in the past six months. There are 76 more cases under the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Attorney General. 128 cases are currently under investigation.

The police added that they closed 25,069 websites disseminating l├иse majest├й content.

They also said that they have continued to monitor online media for l├иse majest├й content.

Since protecting the monarchy is the police's top priority, the police also work hard to help raise the awareness of the Thai people to be loyal to the monarchy. They also continue to follow and support several Royal Projects.

http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/5000

[fountainhall]

the headlines and links are there for informational purposes and I deliberately try not to editorialize but let readers come to their own conclusions. There is enough info in the title if someone wants to open the link and feel inspired to comment. I could make comments about every article and stir the shit if I chose but I view that as counterproductive.
They are your posts and you have every right to post them as and how you wish. It is merely my preference for a slightly longer summery (as per your most recent posts - thank you) as it helps decide whether it's worth opening the links and wading through them or not. But I still think "Protests Update" is an inaccurate heading and could give occasional readers the wrong idea that Bangkok still has regular street protests. Might that put anyone off coming? Perhaps unlikely, but who knows? And with the thread now so long, I doubt any of these will bother looking back to read the first few pages when the title was wholly relevant and particularly informative.