Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

Stephen, Albany, NY — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:42:14 GMT

They're going to turn this into an International incident if it's not already. Just you wait and see.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

Beaumont L. Chicago IL — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:59:22 GMT

sounds like the PAD needs Karl Rove to get people to vote against their interests and for PAD. The stuff that used to work in the USA for the GOP, the 3 Gs (Guns, Gays, and God) would have no chance in Thailand, but there has to be something.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

John Frendly, San Francisco, CA — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:01:12 GMT

A pretty balanced article, except you don't mention that the current government was elected by buying votes across the country. That is why Thaksin is so popular -- he pays cash for votes. Most politicians in Thailand do this, but they are actually trying to change this system. The protestors want real democracy, but don't know how to overcome the corruption to get it.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

mike, Rockville, maryland — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:03:47 GMT

Let me get this straight. They are a democratic alliance that supports the king and wants to overthrow the democratically elected government. Geez, now Facist go by the label of democrats.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

lewis Chicago IL — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:08:35 GMT

The Thai protesters (PAD) are anti-democratic relics of the age when the King was not a constitutional monarch. They would rather rule without a constitution. The government was freely elected - don't be fooled, PAD paid millions to voters who then rejected them.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

Brian Cawley, Yelm, WA — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:20:26 GMT

We were scheduled to fly to Thailand in mid-December. Looks like our trip is in jeopardy. If the Thais cannot get peace and democracy in their country - we may not visit there again. Pity, it was by far our most favorite Asian country (Vietnam is second).

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

Tim, Fort Wayne, IN — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:28:22 GMT

Looks like a bunch of elitists...if I was stranded at the airport, I would give these elite anti-democratic snobs a piece of my mind as well as a kick to the groin!

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

AC Robertson,Jr, Newport, NC & Huey Sam Pad Village #1, Udon Thani — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:28:42 GMT

Thank you for a balanced view of what is currently happening. A further explination of why Thaksin has so much support. Or what the government did for the average Thai, while Thaksin was in office, would have made it even better.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

J. W. Peter, Bangkok, Thailand — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:34:49 GMT

What most people completely misunderstand about the situation in Thailand is that Thaksin wants to be the next King. His values are essentially feudal and undemocratic. When he was in power he gave the police a free pass to murder some 2000+ people without trial for being "drug dealers", strangled the free press and hobbled the independence of the judiciary. He controlled the country like the owner of a patriarchal Chinese family firm, handing out business favours to family members like the present prime minister's wife, Thaksin's sister. Now, due perhaps to a clever publicity machine, he has the world thinking that he is democracy's darling. The protests are simply the inevitable reaction against a blatant attempt by someone rich and powerful to "take over" the country by any means possible, now that the current King is old and the monarchy vulnerable. This really has nothing to do with democracy. It is the traditional Thai feudal fight for kingship.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

A, Sacramento, CA — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:58:02 GMT

I understand their struggle, but they are practically holding people hostage in their country. My cousin is stuck there all alone and she says the violence is getting worse in the streets. We just want her home safely, it's not her fault, she shouldn't have to suffer.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

Suchada Parker, Salt Lake City, UT — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:00:12 GMT

I like the fact that this blog really got down to what this protest is really all about – the survivorship of Thai monarchy. I wish my Thai friends get to read this but again that just means that this page will probably be blocked in Thailand.

As someone who grew up in the northeastern part of Thailand, my most encounter with the "elite Bangkokian" was probably during my years in college in the US. People like me are known to the Bangkokians as "people from other provinces." I don't think that people in Bangkok realize that there at 76 provinces in Thailand. To me, it doesn’t matter what level of education my neighbor has or how many baht he got, his voice still matters. Our family is a middle class but my mother has worked with the poorest of the poor for most of her lifetime. When I asked her about her opinion of how Tuksin corrupts and buys votes, she replied that all politicians do it but this one happens to give back to the community. She said for the first time in her 25-year career as civil servant, she has now see poor people getting a chance of having their own business. I don’t think he was perfect, but comparing to any other prime ministers, he did a pretty good job. The people in the yellow shirts better watch out, I’ve heard from my family back in Thailand that the “people from other provinces” are getting feed up.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

Allen Miller Magnolia New Jersey — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:07:52 GMT

Thai politics have always been an intricate and delicate balance of democracy monarchy military police and political power. With the failing health and age of His Majesty King Rama IX the country's future seems uncertain. In fact, the Thai Chikri Monarchy faces more uncertainty thak the Reginas rule in Great Britain.

What should never be forgotten is Rama the Ninth is the best example of a majestic king and Father to his people. Thailand is a consitutional monocratic demoracy today soley due to his will and over the last 61 years he has done more for his people that one can imagine.

The immediate past prime minister may or may not have done some good but I would question why doesn't he go home to face his trials in court if he is "innocent". he tends to claim the trials are fixed and his political opponents are out to get him yet the very ruling political party is his and the immediate past prime minister wass his brother - in - law as is the current prime minister. This is his government and his political party so how then does he get "unfair" treatment in the legal system???

He was corrupt and is motivated to topple the Chikri dynasty to replace it with a republic or a new dynasty which he controls.

The most unfortunate thing of this whole matter is too many people don't understand what is going on and what is at stake for Thailand.

Likewise, the royals to a great degree have brought this on themselves through poor decisions inappropriate spending and behavior especially in times of crisis.

If the monarchy and Thailand as constitutional moarchy is to survive then it is incumbent upon the royals to publically correct this situation and call upon parliment and the prime minister and his cabinet to reform the very structure of the causes of this descent into anarchy.

Thailand's political maze – a beginners guide

John in Moapa — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:10:56 GMT

PAD sounds like they want the kind of government Iran already has. Rather than causing such a furor why don't they just move ther?