Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Emilio, Madrid, Spain — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:20:07 GMT

His majesty has chosen to keep his royal mouth buttoned. Good idea. It's about time Bhumibol stopped meddling in the democratic process of Thailand.

Even so, I was rather hoping that his majesty would release Harry Nicolaides from prison. Harry has been locked up illegally for months on lese majeste charges, but the man of compassion needs a rest after his 62 years of meddling. Ahhhhhhhh

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Sean — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:57:30 GMT

Thailand will never move forward fully into the modern industrialized world until it moves past its silly worship of the king and forces the whole royal family to get out of politics and become figureheads like the royals in England. Until that time, Thais will suffer in a country that is still living in 1950s Asia in terms of its government. Those idiots PAD cult members have destroyed Thailand's image as a safe place for westerners to travel and tour, and tourism is the second greatest portion of the Thai economy after agriculture. Don't they realize they have caused damage that will haunt Thailand for decades to come?

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Todd Penn — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:06:26 GMT

Certainly, PAD's antics are the reason that yellow has now fallen out of favor in Thailand. I suspect pink will become the new color, as this was the color that represented wishes for the King to recover when he was ill. With the King's health seemingly failing, pink will probably become more and more the color of choice, up until the day when the King passes, at which time I suspect black (obviously, unless there is a more suitable color in Thai customs of which I'm not aware) will become the clothing color of choice. Thai's will wear black almost exclusively for probably a year or so. It will be a great, almost unprecedented, period of mourning.

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Edward Grant — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:32:07 GMT

lese majeste charges are very serious in Thailand, if you speak against the monarchy, it is an act of treason and disrespect. An expat would know how public you can make comments or actions to be in violation, Harry Nicolaides must have crossed the line

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Mawtuan — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:45:21 GMT

Meddling is hardly the term to use in describing the King's role in Thailand. After all, it is a constitutional monarchy. Democracy has prevailed since 1932, but always with the blessing and conviction of the Kings of Thailand. King Bhumibol is the inspiration that breathes life into the country. Not just the government, but the very fabric of Thai culture. Sure, there are those who do not support the King - or continue to honor another branch of the Royal family - but they are in the minority. The great majority of Thais support the King in all aspects of Thai culture. No political process is wholly validated in Thailand without the King's support.

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Curious — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:39:44 GMT

Thailand is about the most democratic state in SE Asia considering the Muslim states adjacent and Cambodia, Vietnam, & Laos aligned as communists. Not to mention Myanmar as a military regime too. It would be a pity to see Thailand slip away in chaos

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Mike — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:42:56 GMT

My mate tells me his Thai friends say they don't wear yellow because they are afraid of being mistaken to be PAD supporter and then get beaten up or attacked by the progovernment thugs.

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Amee — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:34 GMT

There are many people don't agree with any yellow or red for those mess.However the colour of choice now is white relate for good and bless to the King also against those two.

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Bob — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:44:25 GMT

I was among the thousands stranded in Thailand. I love the country, but I don't think they fully comprehend the extent of the damage done by this foolhearted, short-sighted action.

Reading the (yellow) tea leaves in Thailand

Judy, Machipongo, VA — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:54:57 GMT

My guess is neither the king nor the people support the recent tactics of the PAD, which will have a disastrous impact on the economy and tourism. The kings failure to make his annual speech is evidence of his lack of support for the PAD's tactics (though not necessarily of the PAD). The people's failure to wear yellow is also evidence of their lack of support of the PAD - though not of the king, whom they revere.