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Discussion 1 : 11/09/2012 at 04:15 PM

There is no such thing as fair game in thai politics. It is dirty and corrupted. Khun Abhisit, just a reminder that it is not the same as in the west.

Discussion 2 : 11/09/2012 at 12:43 PM

Disc 74 - Try feeding your Thai relatives Vietnamese rice and listen to the comments quietly muttered in the background. You may get an insight into what I am saying. Price matters but not with rice, Women are often chosen for marriage because of their proficiency in cooking, what else, rice. Also don't believe you are swaying your family's voting decision unless you are standing next to them in the voting booth. Thais are notorious for agreeing with Farang and then doing the exact opposite. I'm betting even your wife voted the way she wanted and it may not of agreed with you.

Discussion 3 : 11/09/2012 at 11:42 AM

True Democracy is everyone gets to vote not by how much education he or she has.

Discussion 4 : 11/09/2012 at 06:52 AM

even with a doctorate or master degree doesn't guarantee that one will vote for the better candidate. it's foolish to give weight to your education and request that your vote be counted twice or thrice than the others! one person = one vote, nothing more nothing less.

Discussion 5 : 11/09/2012 at 05:53 AM

Discussion 66 englishbob : "For the record, the Dems were second in the election....." The fact is that the dems lost in the election irrespective it is the second or third. It is the reality happened.

Discussion 6 : 11/09/2012 at 05:19 AM

AV is pretending that he is politically persecuted and hoping to earn some sympathy.

Discussion 7 : 11/09/2012 at 01:32 AM

@ricefield d69. To the Thai farmer it matters, as he can both eat the rice and make money by selling it. To the Thai office worker in Bangkok the price is much more important than the origin of the rice. If you doubt me, try filling up the shelves at a Tesco anywhere in Thailand with Vietnamese rice, put a pricetag on with half the price of Thai rice, and see what happens! I of course agree that Thais should decide the future of Thailand, but our opinions do matter, even if we cannot vote. I discuss these matters with Thai family and friends, and this of course influences their opinions and thereby votes - just as their opinions influence me. And as foreigners, we can often provide some much needed information regarding how the world outside Thailand works - something especially people in Isaan know shockingly little about. @domdunn d70. I do believe that a decent amount of the red shirts at the Bangkok demonstrations can speak english. But I also believe that most of those actually live and work in Bangkok. Only a small percentage of the upcountry red shirts come to Bangkok to demonstrate, whereas I believe a large percentage of the Bangkok red shirts attend - simply because they are already there and don't have to travel for days to attend. Needless to say, the Bangkok red shirts speak better english .and are better educated than the average red shirt in Isaan.

Discussion 8 : 11/09/2012 at 01:18 AM

kasper D68 I like your idea of voters having to demonstrate education/general knowledge to qualify to vote. I'm thinking that some sort of weighting scheme could be the answer eg. You get one vote if you attended primary, two for secondary, three for a university degree and four for a PhD. It might be an idea to consider double points for any part of the education that was completed overseas, nothing against Thai education but....well, you know what I mean. Come to think of it there should probably be extra points even if you only went to an elite school in Bangkok. This is more complicated than I expected and I haven't even got to the general knowledge bit yet!! Any ideas?

Discussion 9 : 10/09/2012 at 11:13 PM

englishbob D 66 Judging from the report above it doesn't sound like Abhisit thinks that the Dems campaign to win over 2 million PT voters is going that well.

Discussion 10 : 10/09/2012 at 11:10 PM

Englishbob: Democracy isn't about about economic equality (though that is a factor) – it is about political equality. The "taxi drivers, rice farmers, Moto-taxi riders, and children of Isaan" should have an equal say in the direction their country takes that "teachers, doctors, lawyers, businessmen and tax-paying middle class" have. A poor Thai taxi driver may have to take crap for 3 years 364 days out of every 4 years but on just one day in that time frame his vote makes him an equal to the most venal Thai hi-so. But it appears that the military, the Thai elite and you would even take that away.

Discussion 11 : 10/09/2012 at 11:05 PM

kasper D 68 When I attended the UDD rallies in Bangkok in 2009 and 10 I was surprised by how many of the red shirts could speak English. I don't know if this is a sign of education but it enabled them to explain their political goals to me and so I am in no doubt that their choice of PT over the Dems is a sensible and logical one, though whether they will ultimately be disappointed remains to be seen.

Discussion 12 : 10/09/2012 at 10:59 PM

Disc 68 - "Do you think it matters to me, englishbob or anyone else where the rice comes from?" If you were Thai, you would care and that's the point. You and others on this forum should be educated enough to understand that the Thai people, educated or not, should be the one's that chart the destiny of the country: and that your opinion, while welcome, really doesn't make any difference in the way the Thai population votes.

Discussion 13 : 10/09/2012 at 10:28 PM

@ricefield, d67. Do you think it matters to me, englishbob or anyone else where the rice comes from? You talk about being Thai as if it some kind of skill/goal one wants to or needs to obtain/reach? Why is it important if one is Thai or not? A lack of general knowledge/education does not make one a bad person, and it does not make one more or less Thai. It does however make one less qualified to make informed decisions that are important for the future of both oneself and Thailand at election time. If that was not the case, then we might as well let Thai teenagers and even small children vote as well - they don't have much general knowledge either, but they qualify as being Thai! Your statement about a large percentage of PTP voters being educated is pure guesswork I assume. If not, then please refer to some form of source, thanks.

Discussion 14 : 10/09/2012 at 09:45 PM

Disc 66 - englishbob every time I read one of your posts I truly am amazed at the lack of scope and understanding you have of the Thai people especially those in the North and Northeast. You really need to study the history of government in Thailand to know why the people of the North and Northeast have felt disenfranchised and left out to dry until the TRT came along. For your information a large percentage of those that vote PTP are also well educated and professional with links of some kind to those that are less well off. Traditionally the Democrats have never looked after those that are not within their social standing and that's why they are unelectable in the North and Northeast as a party of choice. Just because someone may be less educated or less wealthy does not make them less Thai. No mater how poor or uneducated they are they will always be more Thai than you. Think about that next time you eat rice, because without those rice farmers you'd be eating rice from India, Vietnam or Bangladesh.

Discussion 15 : 10/09/2012 at 06:27 PM

I think a LOT of the Red Shirt friends on here overestimate the popularity of Peua Thai and underestimate the popularity of Dems and especially Abhisit. For the record, the Dems were second in the election - 4 million votes behind Peua Thai. They still represent 30% of the electorate. The 30% they represent are 11 times more likely to have a degree than Peua Thai voters. They are the teachers, doctors, lawyers, businessmen and tax-paying middle class. Peua Thai's stronghold is amongst taxi drivers, rice farmers, Moto-taxi riders, and children of Isaan. In short, the sectors of society that are not self sufficient and NEED the previous 30% to prop up their incomes. 13 months after taking power, Peua Thai have failed to handle floods, terrorism, insurgency, rice and fuel policies, tablets, reconciliation, economy, cronyism, nepotism and corruption. The Dems need only convince 2 million Peua Thai voters that they can do better - and looking at these results, who could do worse?

Discussion 16 : 10/09/2012 at 06:18 PM

D39 Abbub - an independent investigation would be welcome, BUT, you can't limit it to the riots in Bangkok ... it needs to go back to the beginning of Thaksin's term. His acts brought out the PAD in the first place, his acts led to the coup, his puppets brought the PAD back to the streets, his mercenaries took over the streets when things didn't go his way, his new puppets are trying to redirect blame in the opposite direction. Any investigation needs to go through and address the underlying cause, not simply the festering wound that oozed onto the streets at Ratchaprasong.

Discussion 17 : 10/09/2012 at 05:31 PM

Wasn't just in the last few weeks three times the Dems and AV gave the PTP and YS failing grades. Wouldn't you expect to get some kind of political attacks in return?

Discussion 18 : 10/09/2012 at 05:23 PM

subconman D56 I agree entirely. I have been saying for a long time that the strategy of telling voters not to vote for Thaksin/PT because they are bad people (however true that might be) will not work unless you can provide a better alternative whom they can vote FOR. The Dems are not fulfilling this role, not only are they 'seen' as the party of the establishment and the army, they are exactly that and in order to appeal to a wider number of voters they would have to change their policies to the extent that it would alienate their traditional voter base. Add to that the fact that in some peoples minds the party will forever be associated with the deaths of UDD supporters and their situation looks hopeless. I believe that Thailand needs left wing(UDD)/centre left(PT)/centre right(?)/right wing(DEM/PAD) parties, then governments would rise and fall according to the movement of voters between the centre left and centre right parties, the same as in most democracies.

Discussion 19 : 10/09/2012 at 04:59 PM

Why is it that 60 milion people MUST dance to the music of the man in Dubai and his family ? Is this democraZy or dictatorship ? It is hard to accept for Thaksin that he can't bribe Abhisit in to his "reconciliation whitewash". Who is telling the truth to the DSI and who is hiding as MPs and in ministries and in Dubai ?

Discussion 20 : 10/09/2012 at 04:56 PM

Abhisit claimed that the PT had tried to unseat him as leader of his party! Only someone who has been brought up to believe that he is destined to lead could find it surprising that his opponents would try to undermine him.

Discussion 21 : 10/09/2012 at 04:41 PM

For sure your under attack. First of all. What good have you done for Thailand? You are still a threat for Thailands development and future!! We all know what you stand for: Hunting Khun Thaksin. I hope he will come back home and take the jail punishment, Then your gone Mr Aphisit!!!

Discussion 22 : 10/09/2012 at 04:38 PM

mrexpat d54-'I think abhisit actually made more money than thaksin' You are the only person I have ever seen that claimed this. What are your figures????? We still don't know the full extent of thaksins corruption as he has a large backlog of cases pending and he won't come back. Thanks for the laugh!!

Discussion 23 : 10/09/2012 at 04:12 PM

@mrexpat #54: Please give us some example where you suspect Abhisit stole from the Thai people. I don’t even ask for any proof, just your ideas where and when this might have happened. For Thaksin there are newspapers full of stories were it obvious that Thaksin cheated. For Abhisit the newspapers still report that he was and is not perfect but I never read a story which accuses him of stealing from the Thai people. Come on, bring some examples!

Discussion 24 : 10/09/2012 at 04:06 PM

@Dis 55: Agreed. Let me elaborate a bit more. What was the first thing AV did when he came to power? He protected the farm products. As a result, CP shares went through the roof on SET. Needless to mention, AV's father is one of the Directors of CP Group.

Discussion 25 : 10/09/2012 at 03:58 PM

Don't like PT and don't want them to win elections any more ? So just forget about Abhisit and the Dems, find another opposition party. They are completely discredited by the grassroots people (the majority of voters and by far of this country). With reason or not - and it is another debate that readers won't be agree in this forum- Abhisit and the Dems are seen by a large number of people as the party of the establishment and the army. Just ask who they prefer to the guys who are pushing the trolleys in the street, the workers who are constructing the houses opposite yours, the ladies who cook in the street, the farmers and all the others who make the real majority of people of this country . But you need to be a little bit further than Central BKK....

Discussion 26 : 10/09/2012 at 03:50 PM

"i think abhisit actually made more than thaksin" If you believe that, I can get you a good price on any bridge you want in Bangkok.

Discussion 27 : 10/09/2012 at 03:36 PM

adreaust if you beleive abhisit didnt make money from thai people you are very very naive indeed. i think abhisit actually made more than thaksin but hey thats ok he is a yellow shirt hey wake up this is thailand

Discussion 28 : 10/09/2012 at 03:34 PM

This certainly sounds like a person that is not very happy with his job. Making excuses like this simply indicates frustration and the falling apart of ones leadership and cooperation within the party. "I never feel upset when facing hardship from work. This is what I call a standard of political leadership," Mr Abhisit said. Then why all the complaining and accusations.

Discussion 29 : 10/09/2012 at 03:32 PM

kasper dis#50, there is really no difference keeping Taksin in continuous exile as he still is a big influence anywhere. As to him changing the political landscape, there is really no chance in hell that he can do that. To be a PM for life would mean changing the constitution to a republic. He will be charged with treason before he even think about it. And is winning an election is all about vote buying? If it is so easy and escape the scrutiny of international monitoring team, why can't the Democrat do the same with their enormous resources. The voters do have a political opinion and preference and should some money came along, will take it. Even if the Demo pays, voters will take but will not vote for them as their policies are inferior.

Discussion 30 : 10/09/2012 at 02:46 PM

Discussion 39, You cannot compare Abhisit with the fugitive. Abhisit has not taken Thai People money but for the fugitive, the Supreme court has seized 46billion bths and that only what the Court considered as corruption money.

Discussion 31 : 10/09/2012 at 02:25 PM

@Eric d44. I think you have to realise that I, and most likely others, fear that if Thaksin comes back to Thailand and becomes PM (real or by proxy) he will remove all forms of opposition and checks and balances, and change the laws (by bribing the voters using populist policies) so he can stay PM forever. Elections, if held at all, will be similar to those held by the generals in Myanmar. If the above happens, there are only 2 ways to get out of it. A coup like we had in 2006, or a civil war like Syria - given those choices, I much prefer a coup! If Thaksin is jailed in Thailand, the red shirts will literally burn down the country, which is not good either. Therefore I believe that the only way for Thailand to move forward is for Thaksin to stay in exile. PTP can continue to run the country, as they will eventually have to give up on Thaksin if they cannot get him home, and actually run Thailand without Thaksin's influence.

Discussion 32 : 10/09/2012 at 02:24 PM

abbub d39-What would be your definition of an outside, independent commission?

Discussion 33 : 10/09/2012 at 02:17 PM

The comments from all sides are showing how immature parliament is plus the comments made by you all confirm it. The only thing they will succeed in doing is to harm Thailand image in the real world.Both political parties want to grow up stop bitching and get on with governing there is too much politics and not enough governing plus the inevitable big C to drag it even further into the hole it is digging for itself.

Discussion 34 : 10/09/2012 at 02:12 PM

gleentea #35 - Parties that Thaksin supported won elections. PPP won despite the intimidation of military and PTP won landslide, humiliating the Prachathipat party. Thaksin is not desperate. His ideas on democracy, justice and rule of law worked even though he is not the savior of these.

Discussion 35 : 10/09/2012 at 02:08 PM

khunbill D40 I agree that the Bangkok Post holds similar political views to the Dems but I sense that the paper is lukewarm towards Abhisit's leadership.

Discussion 36 : 10/09/2012 at 01:54 PM

@abbub #39: I think lots of people in this country and forum want that people who are responsible for violence and killing people should be held responsible. I think most of us even see that there is no one without blame, only some who are more and some who are less responsible for the current situation in Thailand. In you post you write it should be investigated what happened in 2009/2010. Many other commenters want everything checked from the day of the coup in 2006. Personally I would like to go at least one decade back to the day when Thaksin was declared innocent because he made just an “honest mistake” when he concealed his wealth. The 2010 violence happened in part because the coup in 2006. And the coup in 2006 happened in part because the courts declared Thaksin innocent 2001. One way of the other, Thailand would be different from now without more than 10 years of Thaksin and all his “honest mistakes”.

Discussion 37 : 10/09/2012 at 01:53 PM

Abbud dis#39, your thoughts are at the right place but the deep division will only see either side not accepting the verdict either way. The culture of corruption and patronage for Thailand is too entrenched for either side to accept the verdict to be clean and honest. As much as it is controversial, amnesty is a better way. Trials will go deep into each cases and the truth may be too hard to accept and will likely fuel more anger and division. However a very big factor for peace to be realized is that there must never be another coup which only set politics back and creat more conflicts. I sincerely believed that free election and democracy if allow to proceed is the panacea. Most will accept an election results but no one will accept a coup disruption of democracy.

Discussion 38 : 10/09/2012 at 01:37 PM

I am not an expert about the Thai Democratic Party but I remember that Abhisit resigned from his position of DEM party leader after they lost the election last year. So he clearly showed his (part-) responsibility and he obviously did not cling to his post. Later he was again elected to the same position in his party – as far as I remember with a huge majority. That reminds me: When was Thaksin ever elected to be the head of the PT party?

Discussion 39 : 10/09/2012 at 01:33 PM

One wonder if AV remove himself from Democrat party, will the party or AV be the target of attack?

Discussion 40 : 10/09/2012 at 01:33 PM

Physical attacks on anyone because of their political or religious (or for whatever reason) is unacceptable, and so are threats of violence, it is as simple as that. Any such incidents must be reported to the police and they will have to deal with it according to the law. But politicians must also HTFU as it is not a job direction to take if you are too thin skinned and sensible, then better find something else. Just look at the american campaign to see what kind of abuse the candidates must take, like doubting the presidents birth certificate ... just one of many.

Discussion 41 : 10/09/2012 at 01:09 PM

Ridiculous remarks. We all know BP is pro-Dem, so how can he say media is against him

Discussion 42 : 10/09/2012 at 12:58 PM

It seems: 1) 90% of red shirt/Pheu Thai supporters want to see AV and Suthep and the generals pay. 2) 90% of the red shirt/Pheu Thai/TS haters want to see TS pay. Why not everybody get together and insist on an outside, independent commission to investigate what happened 2009/2010 and openly state we ALL want to see everyone responsible for the violence held accountable. No exceptions! Stop protecting one side for the sake of whitewashing people and a political group one supports and stop blaming the other side exclusively. Unless everyone involved is held accountable Thailand will not find any real. worthy reconciliation. Stop the historic impunity now!

Discussion 43 : 10/09/2012 at 12:21 PM

Talk about not calling on your supporters to promote reconciliation, but instead stirring up hatred and endless division, Abhisit only needs to look in the mirror to establish the truth about that. But still, the more he continues on his present path, the easier it makes the PT's task of consolidating its hold on the middle ground and winning again at the polls. One wonders if he understands that. Or is he more concerned about protecting his own position as Leader of his party by stridently playing the nationalist card?

Discussion 44 : 10/09/2012 at 12:15 PM

It shows the character of lots of PT and red-shirt supporters in this forum that they think and write Abhisit is whining about harassment. Do you all support violence against people with an opposing view? I think it is clear from my post that I don’t like Thaksin and his cronies and I have no problem if people follow him and shout at him because he is such a crook. But I would not support if people would try to physically harm or even kill Thaksin and I think lots of other Thaksin haters think the same. He should go to jail like any other criminal for his current conviction and he should be in front of judges for all his other pending cases. He should not be abused by a lynch mob. And the same is true for Abhisit. If people think he is a criminal then they should go to the police and later to the courts and prove it. Lynch justice is no justice!

Discussion 45 : 10/09/2012 at 12:07 PM

If the BKK post comments can be interpreted as microcosm of the wider Thai society it is possible to see just how far Thailand is away from reconciliation. Reconciliation will be achieved only through forgiveness and understanding, not punishment and fearing. That doesn't not mean we forget. But it is sad when a whole countries fate rests on the rabid howls for justice from those who themselves have played large part creating the unjust situation to begin with. A statement which applies to both ends of the political spectrum. Reconciliation requires the building of trust first and foremost, it is not built through threats and counter threats.

Discussion 46 : 10/09/2012 at 11:38 AM

bula, "He is desperate. He thinks he is the savior of Thailand's democracy, justice, rule of law." Thanks for describing Thaksin, spot on.

Discussion 47 : 10/09/2012 at 11:36 AM

D6: You say you doubt that PT could manipulate the courts to get a result against AV. It is a sad truth that the courts are manipulated every day. For many generations, it has been true that, if you are rich and/or powerful you need not fear the courts unless you have even more powerful enemies. When was the last time you saw a rich person (or a politician from the party in power) go to prison?

Discussion 48 : 10/09/2012 at 11:33 AM

Why does AV keep embarrassing himself? Doesn't he see from the past what people think of his whining?

Discussion 49 : 10/09/2012 at 11:20 AM

Does using the army to oust a democrat elected government qualify as "picking on"?

Discussion 50 : 10/09/2012 at 11:05 AM

Just wait for the important date of September the 17th when Abhisit will learn about his fate no matter how clever he plays with words.

Discussion 51 : 10/09/2012 at 10:56 AM

Six of one and half a dozen of the other. Until everyone accept that no side is entirely to blame and no side is entirely innocent things will never move on. This includes many commenters in BP who seem so set in their beliefs they also cannot accept what is plain and clear to the neutrals. Time for all concerned to 'fess up and quit the endless name calling and get down to the real job in hand.

Discussion 52 : 10/09/2012 at 10:51 AM

@ringmaster, d26. Don't worry. If/when Thaksin comes back, there won't be a next election!

Discussion 53 : 10/09/2012 at 10:49 AM

@joninnak d21. I was thinking exactly the same thing. Lately most articles have been about how the PT government seems to remove every official who actually tries to fight corruption, and not a word from the red shirt supporters on BP. There wasn't many red shirt comments defending the PTP's ridiculous "water pushing machines" either! Seems they only want to participate in discussions about Abhisit, but at least that seems to be standard red shirt behavior :-D

Discussion 54 : 10/09/2012 at 10:43 AM

Many view AV weakness as his inability to compromise and always standing defensive to all opinion from opposition.

Discussion 55 : 10/09/2012 at 10:34 AM

Abhisit sounds like a whiny loser. Not a good way to campaign for your political party. Expect another, bigger loss for the Dems in the next election.

Discussion 56 : 10/09/2012 at 10:30 AM

I cant believe the former PM was educated in England as he seems to react as badly as all Thai politicans like spoilt children that enjoy name calling and fighting.

Discussion 57 : 10/09/2012 at 10:24 AM

"If reconciliation is the target, the truth must be established. Do not try to put pressure on the fact-finding officers," he said. That's ironic considering one fact-finding officer revealed to BBC that there was an order from his government to blame everything that the DSI was investigating on his opposition and it was made into a documentary with Abhisit squirming non-stop in it.

Discussion 58 : 10/09/2012 at 10:13 AM

Noticed that all the reds have been very quiet for a few days. now this is in print and they are absolutely delighted because it is the only thing they can post/brag about

Discussion 59 : 10/09/2012 at 10:12 AM

Everybody knows Dubai has ordered his cronies and red mercenaries to intimidate and harass the dems in order to get his ill gotten billions back under the farce name of reconciliation. So hilarious to read the red posters here applauding what they were condemning a year ago.. its cold hypocrisy!

Discussion 60 : 10/09/2012 at 10:00 AM

yes orange, disc 16 He could quite do that, together with setting up a fortress, setting off RPG's invading hospitals and ransacking/burning malls etc. After-all your brethren did it.

Discussion 61 : 10/09/2012 at 09:59 AM

"They are criticizing us" and they are trying to "discredit me" Abhisit wines. What really makes this absurd is that Abhisit is the leader of a political party who constantly accuse the PT politicians of all sorts of outrageous things, they accuse them of being terrorists, Thaksins puppets, wanting to overthrow the monarchy, destroy the country, Suthep even compared the red-shirts to the Khmer rouge. Like most of AV comments, this makes absolutely no sense.

Discussion 62 : 10/09/2012 at 09:54 AM

RE: D5 When the Democrats were in power they were constantly on the attack, and their goal was to fill every bureaucratic position possible with one of their cronies and then order those appointed to to either harass,arrest, intimidate, or investigate all of the opposition. Can you please tell me what reconciliatory efforts the DP put forward when they were handed power from the military, and not from the voters. I am eagerly awaiting to hear that?

Discussion 63 : 10/09/2012 at 09:47 AM

The UDD and PT need the political divide as it is the only way for their supporters to justify the unjustifiable .

Discussion 64 : 10/09/2012 at 09:42 AM

PT quite rightly get a lot of criticism from the media and the opposition but I do not see any sign of the Democrats being unfairly "criticised by the mainstream media". Where there are any illegal acts, they should be documented (photos and videos are good evidence) and a formal complaint made to the police. Other than that, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". Illegal intimidation and violence should not be tolerated, but politics in Thailand is not a gentle business.

Discussion 65 : 10/09/2012 at 09:32 AM

Will he next be taking to a stage at Ratchaprasong to tell people how he feels picked on ?

Discussion 66 : 10/09/2012 at 09:29 AM

Ahbisit is highly overrated. The Democrat Party can easily survive without him but he can't survive without the party. In fact, he is a liability for the party with his idiosyncratic and arrogant style. Some say he is honest and ethical but if you support a violent group like the PAD and benefit from a coup, you are corrupted. He almost started a war with Cambodia. That's poor ethics. He never listen to party elders and he took uncalculated risks for the party. He is now very isolated even in his own party which caused him great frustration. He will go down in history as a failure.

Discussion 67 : 10/09/2012 at 09:25 AM

Having written what I just wrote I want to add it is evident the PT will try to pressure AV and Suthep into accepting the reconciliation bill, against which I am as it lets everyone off the hook instead of holding them accountable. The pressure the PT are putting on AV is a subtle threat but the threat would hold no water if it were an empty threat. So either AV does have something to be accountable for (IMO he does) or the potential for manipulation of the judiciary is to be fared. However as the courts clearly stand on the side which wants the Pheu Thai out, I doubt this could happen. One grievance against TS is his attempts at manipulating the judiciary. It is to be seriously doubted the PT would start trying the same again. It did not work before, and would not now.

Discussion 68 : 10/09/2012 at 09:15 AM

He is desperate. He thinks he is the savior of Thailand's democracy, justice, rule of law. I don't think he can find a job that will give him 200+ days leave like before.

Discussion 69 : 10/09/2012 at 09:09 AM

This is utterly absurd. AV accomplished absolutely nothing during his time in office and the social divisions grew bigger than ever. But that is a personal evaluation and others are entitled to theirs. Nor have the Pheu Thai accomplished anything now in their first year of office, not making the divisions bigger but betraying their voters and showing they are just as untrustworthy. But the absurdity is, although we realize "attack is often the best form of defense", the MSM media in Thailand as favoring AV, giving him ten times more voice than Yingluck and printing articles that nerves, ever question him about anything. In the eyes of the MSM he is an angel. However if he is referring to the MSM abroad he is right in a sense, they look at him for his deeds and misdeeds, not right-wing son alone.

Discussion 70 : 10/09/2012 at 08:57 AM

Abhisit is right, like most of the time. Imagine how Thailand could look like if it had more honest politicians like him? But then again, it seems like the majority of Thai voters prefer to be led by a fugitive criminal. Sometimes I am not so sure if democracy is the best system for Thailand.

Discussion 71 : 10/09/2012 at 08:53 AM

Android - PTP supporters need to understand reconciliation will never be achieved by 'crushing the Dems' The dems have a huge support base, not as big as PTP, but large nevertheless (11 - 12 million at the last election). The PTP focus on destroying the dems is as much an obstacle to reconciliation as the dems focus on Taksin.

Discussion 72 : 10/09/2012 at 08:52 AM

since AV stopped the fast tracking of this noncense bill to whitewash the fugitive of his crimes and jail sentence ,its been vengence trying to discredit him, as witnessed. by the DF whislt the deep south was burning,where ever he went to speak to the people he been intimidated,thrown rocks,last year his body guard was shot and killed he survived,as comment mention AV studied politics at oxford but the fugitive never wentto reconised uni he started up a protection racket hence the lack of intelligence for politics

Discussion 73 : 10/09/2012 at 08:31 AM

Send in the army to cleanse the red mobs

Discussion 74 : 10/09/2012 at 07:15 AM

Markie, my boy, the shoe is on the other foot now, how does it feel? Now you are saying the same kinds of things you accused Thaksin of, like blaming the media, and everyone else for your problems. And as for the car in Chiang Mai, the driver was not trying to run you down, if it was, you woulda got hit. That is just they way they drive up here, I never return from a trip down to the city without that feeling.

Discussion 75 : 10/09/2012 at 07:13 AM

"Picking on", is a very subjective phrase. As worded, it would suggest a petty, irritating action. Some of the examples in the story would seem to go beyond that. The irritating part is an unfortunate part of the game of politics. When the behavior starts to drift on over into intimidation, assault (simple or otherwise) and general harassment, then the authorities should become involved, assuming a sufficient presentation of proof. Which is it?

Discussion 76 : 10/09/2012 at 07:12 AM

Well, they are picking on them alot less than when the Democrats were in power. That's how they operate, it's a means of saying 'agree with our reconciliation bill and this will all stop and we will finally be at peace'. That's the sort of politics the people of Thailand mostly seem to approve of.

Discussion 77 : 10/09/2012 at 06:55 AM

So what did Abhisit expect ? Before he was elected out of office he did what he could to quell the opposition....forbidding media that was against him and DEM with all kinds of silly excuses .... but they still lost the election...But to say the media is against him...that is an overstatement of dimensions...the english language press is still continuing with the Thaksinphobia and happy to report any initiative trying to discredit TS and his supporters and certainly not holding back in trying to discredit the Government as such...so the english language press is firmly at the side of Mr Abhisit...for the Thai media it is a bit more balanced I should say. But now we would expect a similar exclusive interview with YS so that we can get a balanced view on this piece by AV, is it going to happen...not likely.

Discussion 78 : 10/09/2012 at 06:45 AM

AV and the dem party are the actual ones obstracting the reconciliation, but the oxford graduate distorts by talking reversely.

Discussion 79 : 10/09/2012 at 05:30 AM

"Mr Abhisit said no opposition leaders in the past had done as much as he had accomplished in just one year." This reminds me of the idiom - "Empty vessels make the most noise." However, I am not sure what he has done as an opposition leader in one year. But during his tenure as PM, his only effort was to bring Thaksin back to Thailand so that he would be behind the bars. Needless to mention, AV miserably failed in his mission.

Discussion 80 : 10/09/2012 at 05:13 AM

One day the violence and behaviour of the Red Shirts will prove so tiresome and sickening to people that Thaksin will not be able to return.