Thread: Waiting for Democracy...??

This months Far East Economic Review offers a very interesting and open interview with Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajva. Relatively updated {last 2 weeks}, this Q&A session reveals that nothing will change dramatically. He is starting to assert his {the conventional} philosophies....basically, he's forced to play the good old boys game. Makes for fascinating reading, if not scary. Far Eastern Economic Review | New Thai Prime Minister Says People Must Wait for Democracy

Originally Posted by Abhisit Vejjajiva

I know that all politicians admit that they talk to the military, and I believe that the armed forces when they say that all they do is that they express concern about the political situation, [and] that they won’t engage in any partisan politics, and that should be the way.

There are two possibilities here, neither of which are very good. Outright lying, or stupidity.

till he comes clean on how he got power the rest is just so much BS .

lipstick and pigs

fwiw , personally he'd get a lot more respect from me if he dropped the charade of democracy ,

wonder what the cost in trade and international relations would be nationally ??

I'd be curious of your opinion Mid about the immediate future {next 2-3 years} of Thailand....gearing down? More repressive? Another futile coup? We all know the principle reason{s} as to why LOS will not find a path in the coming future. And then there is that event which might change Thai in one way or another....

I see Thailand as way behind the eight ball and well on the back foot .

They are obviously finding it very difficult to continue with the old sweep it under the carpet routine .

Until the reality of equality and the value of human life is respected there's not much room for optimism on improvement.

it is impossible to keep the lid on a pot of boiling water for any length of time .

The concept of equality is understood by very few thais. It goes against everything they believe in and have been taught. For many it's extremely frightening and they'll fight hard to make sure it never happens.

No need for a new coup. The judicial coup seems to have done its work.

Originally Posted by Mid

They are obviously finding it very difficult to continue with the old sweep it under the carpet routine .

Until the reality of equality and the value of human life is respected there's not much room for optimism on improvement.

I find it hard to believe that you actually feel that way, considering your continued hostility towards Abhisit - Abhisit stands a far better chance of making the changes you keep advocating than any of the prior regimes - many of the recent actions of the new government demonstrate that they intend to follow the very path you advocate, yet you keep advocating their removal.

Hypocrisy?

Every farmer in Thailand sees this kunt for what he is.

Nothing but a royally appointed scumbag, status quo imbecile.

He has neither the popular backing nor the qualifications to lead this nation.

He's another puppet. And the show goes on.

Close your eyes and the radio plays....

Originally Posted by Texpat

Every farmer in Thailand sees this kunt for what he is.

Nothing but a royally appointed scumbag, status quo imbecile.

He has neither the popular backing nor the qualifications to lead this nation.

He's another puppet. And the show goes on.

Close your eyes and the radio plays....

I believe so. Seems to me the everyday average Thai - predominately the country folk - aren't that overwhelmed and terribly impress by him. They might see him as the same old show.

Hypocrisy?

comprehension failure on your part , nothing unusual .

let him win a popular mandate or stop referring to themselves as democrats , either one will do .

I believe the government is under attack on an other front too. It’s not the Thai farmers from Isaan and the “uneducated poors” that are setting up the hundreds of website the government is trying to censor. An increasing part of the educated middle class is starting to get fed up with the out dated system the ruling class is trying to impose. But how big is this movement, honestly I’ve no idea.

I think so far nothing has been done, or am I wrong here ? Promises have been made aplenty, but can anyone actually name a result or action ?
So it's still wait and see before we praise his actions. His words definetely don't speak for him..

a bit early, isn't it ? give him at least 6 months,

As best as I can see Abhisits policies seem to consist of copying Thaksin, but greasing the palms of the old guard and current cronies rather than Thaksin cronies- thus keeping those who became nervous by Thaksins apparent centralising of people power happy, and secure.

As long as the elected government of Thailand remains fragmented and weak, and the appropriate palms are greased as per the traditional status quo, I don't think the old elite structure is too much bothered about what else they do. If they step out of line, there is always the Judiciary or the Military to set things back to the old way.

The lesson of Thaksin is that a united government with strong electoral backing is perceived as a threat by the traditional non-elected power structure, and it is the job of the elected Parliament (and Judiciary and military) to serve them and their interests.

^^ Certainly, am not saying at all that he's had enough time to implement new polices, just noting that so far we haven't seen any real actions. Pacification of the divided country, reviving the economy, retrieving lost confidence of tourists and investors, persecution of PAD etc, the only thing that has made headlines so far is the uncovered way the army and police handles burmese refugees. That may not have started under Abhisit, but it certainly doesn't help him downplaying this affair.