I'm pleased that there has been no real violence to date, and it seems both the government and protesters have learned from the past.
(also more people have camera's at hand now so hopefully any actions by agent provocateur's will quickly be able to be seen as such).
My biggest complaint regarding the media coverage (including many bloggers) is that most are taking a very short term view and cannot see the wood for the trees.
Concentrating on one red herring after another misses the big picture, and plays right into the hands of those who comprise the real power in Thailand.
Most overlook how the current government came into power – no amount of spin can get away from the fact that this government is only in power because of a military & judicial coup.
The lead coalition partner, Abhisit’s (not so) Democrats, refused to participate in elections before the coup, and even after having things rigged in its favour and competitors removed, its still afraid to face the people in an election.
They also fail to look at the history of miltary coups in Thailand, where its always some military General or other deciding a group of ‘corrupt’ politicians need to be removed – the first act of those generals is always to change the constitution to exonerate themselves, and then they move on to enriching themselves and whichever network they are aligned with.
A push then comes for democracy from the people, sometimes elections are held, and sometimes another coup occurs, or even a ’self coup’.
The people are never given the chance to remove governments – The old saying: ‘The rural masses elect the governments and the Bangkok elite removes them’ is a cycle being repeated endlessly.
Like it or not Thaksin's TRT was the only government to win consecutive elections – it should have been left to the people to decide when they want to remove that government.
No lasting good will ever come from a military coup, because two wrongs will never make a right.
If anyone is interested in the background of HOW its been possible for the masses to be continually disenfranchised, they could start with books by Paul Handley & Federico Ferrara.
UPDATE:
In some private contacts it's become apparent that the point I'm trying to make above has again been missed.
For clarification: My point is that democracy has never been ALLOWED to develop in Thailand - since the change from absolute monarchy in 1932, individual players have come and gone (although some have stuck around longer than others:)
Whilst prominent individual politicians have many flaws, the real issue is the system and how military coups have not been delegitimized - ask yourself why is that so? (if you answer that it's because of corrupt politicians, then you are missing the point again:)
4 comments:
Amen, brother!
Hobby
perhaps it is time to Update this your post and your pleased mood ;)
coz apparently violence has already started: yesterday some red-shirts were attacked and beaten (Nation says even injured).
so, as last year Suthep Thugsuban has "let the dogs out" : unleashed same old PADshists to "protests against red-shirts".
the only difference is color - if last year those yellow-shirts were disguised as "blue-shirts", now they have dressed up into pink.
but the same old thuggish fascist cowardly tactics:
attacking singled out lone victims when there is obvious prevalence in numbers.
I don't think this "academics" (as was reported that Chula academics would hold "peace protests") would condone and employ this sort of action. which means - it is same old bunch of fascistic thugs.
and wait for more - Suthep has already arranged some action !
"[Suthep] has received intelligence that there might be some attacks during today's rally..."
notice how Nation described the attack on red-shirts yesterday :
"Chulalongkorn University academics yesterday organised a demonstration of pink shirts to oppose the red shirts. There was a minor clash yesterday while some red shirts were passing Lumpini Park, where the pink group had gathered."
as I know word "clash" implies that 2 parties has exchanged the blows. while it is too clear from TV news reports (there are youtube videos too) and even ASTV website photos - that red-shirt motorcyclist was just repeatedly hit, not even trying to hit back.
now, imagine if it was similar "minor clash" with roles reversed - what a howl it would raise all over Thai media !
tempers are raising. BP has a story about rich rid slamming his fancy Porche car into red-shirts (it was mentioned he had a handgun in a car too)
also, apparently both sides made an ultimatum: UDD to stay at Rajprasong till their demad is met (dissolution) & gov. that UDD must leave area till 9pm "or else"
"The Peacekeeping Operations Command threatened Saturday evening to enforce the Internal Security Act to force the red-shirt protesters to leave the Rajprasong Intersection...
Sansern stopped short of saying that the officials would have to use force to break up the rally, saying he would talk about it when it was time."
well, Sansern as I heard (from Thai Forums) was exact fella who has ordered soldiers on UDD last Songkran. so, I have no doubt that he'll be shy to act as tough this time.
I am curious though what reds prepared - Jatuporn is being quoted daring gov. to declare Emergency. I guess they have already designed some course of actions even before recent "negotiations".
PPT though makes a very good point :
"It would seem impossible to shoot unarmed people on the steps of hi-end shopping centers in full view of thousands of camera phones, so it would seem a blunder to have given the deadline (especially given that the red shirts were scheduled to head over to Silom Sunday morning). I suppose the water cannons and tear gas will be tried first. Even that will create a video/photo montage that travels around the world within minutes."
Pundit & PPT put things into perspective by showing how The Nation treated yellow occupiers of Siam Paragon area back in 2006.
You rightly pointed out that the other very BIG difference was that yellows wanted to stop/avoid an election and sought an appointed PM (or a coup), whereas reds merely want an election to clear the air after some very dubious interventions over the last 4 years.
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