Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Scott Jones, Knoxville, TN — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:12:34 GMT

Great story! Thailand is a fascinating place, and no doubt more interesting than Britain for a curious reporter.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Khun Lydia — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:16:53 GMT

I wanted to clarify some details mentioned by Mr. Williams "It followed massive protests, largely engineered by the Bangkok elite, and accusations of abuse of power, as well as corruption."

The mass protests lasted 3 months and consisted of unpaid people sitting in the sun and rain fighting for what they believe in. They also protested peacefully and were compelled to do so because it was the *liberal *media who were able to rip the mask from Thaksin's image. It was the liberal media, such as http://www.manager.co.th which brought down Thaksin. Even during military rule the media would not be muzzled. In comparison during Thaksin's regime the media was harassed (research the ITV scandal), people lost their jobs and airtime---that was the catalyst for the media to bite back.

Many western reporters who post info on major sites do not specialize in Thailand, nor are they fluent in the language. Sadly, it prevents them from understanding the depth of Thaksin's wealth and reach within the country. Thaksin can harp all he wants to the easily misled west that he was "democratically" elected when he bought votes and also administrators who oversee the voting process.

Charges against Thaksin lay in the financial realm however he should answer for the murder of Muslims in S. Thailand and premature and heavy handed and unjust crackdown of low level drug dealers (there was a lack of due process in his war on drugs).

Currently, many investigators and key figures who built the case against Thaksin have been transferred from their positions---this is blatant harassment and interference by Thaksin's cronies.

"Thaksin says categorically that he will not return to politics, but nobody believes him, and he is widely assumed to be the puppet-master behind the new government."

The current PM is his nominee candidate and as soon as Thaksin set foot in the country the PM left for Laos soon after. Most of the politicians who had to attend a meeting with the PM, Samak, instead went to great their master, Thaksin at the airport. There is no "assuming" in this matter. What is 'fact' for a 6th grader in Thailand seems to be taken as insightful news in the foreign press.

Lastly, Thaksin's wealth and PR folks are so skilled at their jobs they certainly have done a great job to white wash their master and make him a victim in this matter. While the military coup was ugly, it prevented bloodshed during that specific time period.

Perhaps the foreign press may want to play a game of "catch up" and look into how those same military leaders were bribed and now kowtow to Thaksin and orchestrated his peaceful return to the country. Military leaders and interim PM did NOTHING at all during their time in power to either justify their military actions or address issues which troubled the masses.

Thailand is only fascinating because nothing is as it seems and unless the foreign press becomes more savvy and ally themselves more with the veteran reporters in BKK...they really have very little to offer other than generalizations.

Most non-Thais get their news on this controversy from hi-thaksin.com
guess what...it's a disgusting PR campaign for Thaksin.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Ashby C Robertson Jr — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:13:33 GMT

Sawatdee krap,
Thailand my new home. Where the politicians are expected to be corrupt and the military does the Kings bidding. Both who are loved by the Thai people and who live one of the best lifestyles in the world. If you have never had the pleasure of visiting or living here, I feel sorry for you.
May you be blessed with luck and happiness always.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Frank Cutter, Orange County, CA — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:49:20 GMT

Great commentary! Enlightening when the best of what is provided on most cable and network news channels here in the U.S. are stories about celebrities and gangbangers that provide us no perspective on our understanding of global players and issues. Thank you.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Don, Washington DC — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:22:09 GMT

You can interchange Bush n Thaksin, both are egotistical, power hungry and greedy. Though Thaksin did try to help the poor more than most corrupt tyrants. Like Bush, the answer to everything is secrecy.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Lee Brewer Middletown, NJ 07748 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:47:06 GMT

I live in New Jersey. After spending all of January 08 in the Bangkok, Chaing Mae, Mae Sang, Chaing Rai areas of Thailand, I think I can conclude they are either a lot cleaner than we are in NJ, or a lot better at hiding it. Worrying about their corruption I suspect is something like focusing on the splinter in the other fella while ignoring the log in our eye. Oh well... it was entertaining reading.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

John Doe, Seattle, Washington — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:02:21 GMT

These poor people in Thailand just get abused by everyone, their own landsmen, the fat tourists from everywhere else in the world.. The west has a big finger in game when it comes to the rotten politics in Thailand. Just as an example, USA runs quickly everywhere where the country's economical interests lay and try to make it look like they actually care, but the truth is that they don't even lift an eyebrow when it comes to the real suffering of human beings. I'm noone extreme, I'm just simply not blind to these political games anymore.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

redewenur — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:31:51 GMT

Ah yes, now it's politically correct to publish the facts. Not that MSNBC would do otherwise, of course - but there has, throughout the reign of the illegal government, been a distinct media reticence to present those facts with any notable boldness. So, in this sense, also, Taksin's homecoming is a breath of fresh air.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

John Doe II — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:29:55 GMT

It sad for me to read all these information on thailand saying how great a place it is and even living there is great. I feel sorry for those who haven't travel to other places OUTSIDE OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AREAS and live OUTSIDE THOSE AREAS. I agree with John "the truth is that they don't even lift an eyebrow when it comes to the real suffering of human beings. " You hear all the tourist attractions and how great it is but people its just the little picture. I bet most people don't travel to the little villages that gets pillage by bandits, harrass by the military themselves. For thailand to be a great place its long shot. If you think its a great place, i dare you to travel into the outskirts, and small villages, and live there in there conditions. I for one have been there to visit and live for a month. I too see all the nice tourist attractions by like John Doe i'm not blind. I have relatives who lives there and tells me about the atrocities and violence.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Bernard Akle, Chiang Mai — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:38:01 GMT

What the writer so blatently omitted, in a biased sort of way, is that the current democratically elected government is removing people who were placed in positions of great power by the military coup makers. Relevant as ham with eggs, bread and butter, night and day. By omitting these important truths the writer, biasely, paints a picture of the new massively supported government continuing to do corrupt things. NOT ONE CORRUPTION ALLEGATION BY "THE BANGKOK ELITE" has been proven. Jealousy over losing power is what has and is driving the Thaksin hate mongerers. Take a chill pill folks. Let the voice of the people who have spoken be heard once and for all.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Bernard Akle, Chiang Mai — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:38:02 GMT

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

edric, cerritos, ca. (sent Fri. February 29, 2008 4:15 pm) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:13:19 GMT

too often we judge one to be guilty without all the facts. this PM has not had his day in court, that is called rushing to judgement. i wonder how much and how extensive research you did to arrive at what this article concludes? did your research include people who overwhelmingly elected him to this position?

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

P Lee, Bangkok, Thailand — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:58:28 GMT

There is no doubt that the King made the biggest mistake in his life to 'OK' the coup it just was not nessassary. A coup for The Rich!! "you 40 million
poof farmers just keep quite please, we know best"
its not finnished yet! How can you ever have true democracy with out a Middle class?

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Guy (American in the Middle East, retiring near Chanthaburi) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:05:46 GMT

While comical, it is too bad this reporter decided to take a pot shot at the poor Loa that was driving his cab. What it has to do with the political situation in Thailand; God only knows.

Khun Lydia, you are very well spoken. Bpen kon Thai mai? You seem to have the real story, too bad it has been suppressed and ignored by the media in the west. I wish more people understood and told the correct story, instead of trying to be comical when it comes to one of the poorest, and hence (seemingly) insignificant countries of the world. Too bad this arse had to take the more pompous route to dignify his own existence.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Steve Wick, Davenport, Iowa — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:53:41 GMT

Thailand has not returned to a true democracy. Only 50 percent of the Senators are elected the other 50 percent are appointmented by a team composed of seven members.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Khun Nui, Kruntep, Thailand — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:39:42 GMT

Sooner or later the people of Thailand have to face the fact that after so many coups and so much business as usual, the rest of the world doesn't really care about it anymore. It's old news and the one thing we can count on about Thailand is that it will always be the same story: lies, corruption, no forward progress. While all of this 'drama' goes on, the cities are still the most polluted in the world and getting worse, the kids are still not getting the level of education they deserve and the tiny percentage of mafia elite that own everything continues to get richer while the average Thai worker gets poorer. Meanwhile, the door remains open for the world's backpackers, sex tourists, pedophiles and other people on the run from their own societies. Take a look at Singapore and at how quickly it became a nation with banks that large corporations are depositing money into and a credit rating that is first world. There is no reason why Thailand could not have done the same thing in the same amount of time - even after '97. Thailand as a hardworking well trained and well mannaered workforce that is capable of doing great work. Why are they being held back and who has a vested interest in seeing that they continue to make between $300-500 per month? No matter how hard they work. I think enough people have come to Thailand now to see the reality of how things work here that the rest of the world doesn't really care anymore. Thailand is not really a viable story in the press anymore because it's just too absurd.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

ANdy Wilson — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:04:30 GMT

I soon will probably be moving with my wife and kids there, to be closer to family, but if anyone gets the chance to visit do so. Chan chuea Andy in TENN

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

bruce — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:55:07 GMT

Anyone who would insist on the meter fare from the airport in Bangkok is either a CheapSkate or a Dumbell who has no clue about Bangkok!

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Jonathan Baird, East Haven, Connecticut — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:35:05 GMT

Sawadee Krup, (which means hello, and goodbye in the masculine).
I have had the pleasure of going to Thailand, and traveled throughout the Country, and found so much beauty, there was also poverty, as in many Countries, but whereever we went, we were greeted with smiles. I was saddened to see the changes, and current difficulties in Southern Thailand. As for former Prime Minister Thaksin, he has a large poor, loyal base, however, there were things that occured during his governments rule, that need to be investigated. I hope whatever happens, that this Country "The land of smiles" works through its problems, and preserve the beauty I was blessed to have been exposed to. Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for your many years of blessing your Country, I am sorry that I missed coming to Thailand for your 80th Birthday, on December 5th, 2007! As a Buddist convert, thanks to my many friends in Thailand, and Thailand itself, I will pray for peace, and long life to you! And continued Smiles, for all in Thailand, which I miss seeing daily.
Sawadee Krup, with Love,
Jonathan

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

R. Bourgeous, Shady Grove, PA — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:46:39 GMT

Thanks to Khun Lydia for another side of the story...here in the US it has long been taken for granted by the mainstream media that their view IS the other side of any story, period. Investigation and unbiased or informed reporting of facts, rather than agenda, has become an unimportant inconvenience: agenda is everything. Above all, politics requires at least two sides. Thanks again for the insight and illumination on a complex issue that would otherwise be dismissed as a minor skirmish to those not involved in its realities.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Pat Srivoraphan — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:53:19 GMT

Just to clarify to Khun Lydia-

I am a Thai-American and live in the states forever. I go and visit my grandam once a year who I love very very much for her strong character and compassion. I see no trouble to the Thaksin government or his administration. The people who have problems are the ones jealous of his popular policies and his so called "Thaksanomics". He's a brilliant guy, with a brilliant idea for all Thai people, rather rich, poor, or middle class. Most Thai people don't care how the government runs as long as the country is prospering, no genocidal regime like in Africa or some parts of Europe, and of course you would want no corruption, but every form of government has corruption, no matter America to England to Japan, or Thailand. It's doing business and providing for the best for everyone's interest and order. THAKSIN's Wealth is his wealth, and that is his personal matter. Thailand is one of the best SE Asian nation to allow growth, ingenuity, ideas, and entrepenuership to flourish. THAT IS A Fact. So the people who are harping on his success, just stop the rhetoric already, it's so backwards, childish, and uncalled for. WE NEED to follow the steps of Japan, Taiwan, and many other highly succesfual countries if Thailand wants to sustain itself, that is the KINGS Plan. "Self Sufficeny". When we have that, there well be no wars, no jealsously, no i'm better then you, your better then me.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Ben, Chicago, USA — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:40:48 GMT

"Most non-Thais get their news on this controversy from hi-thaksin.com" -Khun Lydia

Really? I was agreeing with some of your points until I came across that line. You clearly have a tendency to overstatement. Most informed people I know never heard of that site. Sorry.

I am a Westerner married to a Thai woman, and I've been to Thailand about, oh, ten times. I have a house there now. I travelled the length and breadth of the country, and I have lived for months a time with the very poor people that support Thaksin.

One thing I have learned about Thailand is that not just the government is one of the most corrupt in the world, but that the people of Thailand are being corrupted by money as well. The young are abandoning their temples and culture for the glittering new shopping malls. No foreign empire was ever able to conquer Thailand, but the Dollar has done it with ease. It has occupied every aspect of Thai society. It has seized control of hearts and minds. And the rampant greed takes no prisnors. I've even seen monks victimized by it.

Thaksin is simply leveraging and manipulating the people's greed.

What of Thaksin free health care for the poor? Never mind the crippling restrictions to the "free" care (get sick outside your area? Too bad, show me the money or get lost. Want to check your insulin level or any blood anomaly? Pay up...) I have seen the health care that the poor can now get for free, and it is often a pathetic joke. Go to one of these rural hospitals or clinics with ANY ailment, and they will just give you some mystery "tablet" or a mystery "shot" and send you home. No questions allowed. Really, it is very sad. When I have accomponied a sick Thai to such a facility, I often seemed to know more than the medical personnel (and I'm a computer guy), and I had to insist on better treatment, which they in turn provided, if they could. (I remember one "doctor" looking at an x-ray and kept turning it around trying to tell which way was up.

What, really, is the political mindset of the people? Money, Money, Money. That is the dream of so many Thai's, to get money and then show it off, like many poor people do in ghettos everywhere. You could be charitable and say then seek financial security. But that concept is alien to them. They spend what they have and enjoy the moment.

But don't take my word for it. Ask any Thai for an honest answer. They might tell you if they aren't too embarrassed.

Thaksin represents the best and worst of Thailand. He is the product of an ancient culture being destroyed by greed at every level.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

thunkum kitty — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:44:30 GMT

khun Lydia I am a farmer,s daughter, back bone of the country, Taksin might not be the best P.M.,but under his leader we can breath better....atleast he give us back something, he is my hero.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Patana Saint Louis, MO — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:01:09 GMT

Heck, I like your editorial Mr. Williams. Right to the point and fair unlike many Thais. One thing, I'm jealous, I wish I was there in Thailand right now getting ripped-off by a taxi driver!

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

jim doe , tampa — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:20:23 GMT

hey john doe-- if you have ever been to thailand in your life ,then you would know. the country is only good for 2 things. the first being prostitution. the second being corruption. not much to the place, no not at all.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Khun Saniem, Chiangmai, Thailand — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:17:01 GMT

It is interesting to hear what outsiders think of Thai politics. It is more interesting to hear what Thais think of westerners and their politics. Both cultures are so far removed from each other and there is no trust for any news media outlets or "journalist" because they are political puppets as well. It is true that there can be little understood without many years of living in each country, and then you will not understand everything even then. Thais are people like westerners with poor media choices.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Mr Ray — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:22:10 GMT

From message above: You seem to care alot about the poor. Not to mention you sit on your sofa in the USA thinking you have great knowledge of world economic structure.
"These poor people in Thailand just get abused by everyone, their own landsmen, the fat tourists from everywhere else in the world.. The west has a big finger in game when it comes to the rotten politics in Thailand. Just as an example, USA runs quickly everywhere where the country's economical interests lay and try to make it look like they actually care, but the truth is that they don't even lift an eyebrow when it comes to the real suffering of human beings. I'm noone extreme, I'm just simply not blind t
oo these political games anymore. "
Which end are you talking out of top or bottom. You want to help then bring your fat wallet out to Thailand and share your wealth with some poor person and then see who gets abused.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

chamae deosil — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:41:51 GMT

Thailand is a tourist's Asian disneyland. You can ride an elephant, a lady-boy or a lady for hours,days or months. It is mired in corruption. One idiom in Thai: to give over one's child [ usually girl ] for interest on a loan - paraphrased. General searches are common place. Tourist get pinched daily for the silliest things - no motorcycle licence is one example when most Thais never get one or drivers' lessons. If you say anything against the monarchy you can go to jail for long periods - decades - which is fuedalistic. Church and State are bedfellows incestuously. One thing that was not mentioned in the article was that Toxcin would give the poor rural voters one hundred baht to 'help them' get to the polls!! Yes, that's common knowledge there. another open secret: no one likes the prince who will succeed his father, the King. No one can talk about the murder of the previous king - the elder brother of the present one. That would be an extremely grevious mishap. The Land of Smiles is smiling at your wallet/credit card. It is farce to call it a democracy.

Political pantomime returns to Thailand

Caretaker007, Newport, WA — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:18:26 GMT

Wow! Good article. Ian Williams should live in the Land Of Sunshine and regularly report the news.