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Discussion 1 : 24/09/2012 at 03:18 PM

"Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said he was puzzled by the TRC's recommendation that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra end his political role for the sake of national reconciliation." Why isn't the former PM puzzled by the PT's white wash bill?

Discussion 2 : 23/09/2012 at 11:23 PM

The PTP approach to writing a report is to start with the conclusion they want and then produce the "facts" they need to support it. A dictatorial approach if ever we saw it. The sad thing is there is no effective opposition here.

Discussion 3 : 23/09/2012 at 11:23 PM

At the seminar, copies of two letters composed by Thaksin were also released. In one letter intended for people who lost their loved ones during the political violence between April and May, 2010, Thaksin concluded that the dispersal of the protesters carried out under the Abhisit Vejajiva government had resulted in the highest casualties ever. Is he forgetting the war on drugs???????????

Discussion 4 : 23/09/2012 at 10:51 PM

Maybe it is time for PT to do what they wanted earlier, get outside help. Request expertise from outside (US, Singapore, UK, etc.) to do an independent audit and investigation.

Discussion 5 : 23/09/2012 at 10:32 PM

As far as I can deduced, the mother of all these problems started when “19 small balls” failed in the duties to deliver a clear verdict of “Guilty or Not guilty” in their deliberation of that infamous case. Instead they chose an easy way out: neither Guilty nor Innocent” to appease everyone. Fast forward to today; we need to find a new and creative way to overcome this politic impasse, otherwise events may over takes us to a discourse where we have no control over. To do this, we need political leaders with a strong sense of conviction to improve the lives of the people and propel Thailand as a truly modern, prosperous and democratic society.

Discussion 6 : 23/09/2012 at 10:27 PM

Better the reds/UDD/ Thaksin and its supporters should be deported to Red planet (place of John Carter movie). At least they can have all what they want and enjoy their delusional pathetic attitudes.

Discussion 7 : 23/09/2012 at 10:11 PM

As I understand it people are concerned the report is biased toward the UDD Protestors. Therefore calls are be made for another report that’s impartial that is, not biased toward the UDD protestors. Seems only fair that peoples concerns are addressed, why would anyone have a problem with that?

Discussion 8 : 23/09/2012 at 09:39 PM

I have studied all of the events closely and you are innocent. Please send 100 million baht to my Bangkok Bank account number 55555555 for clearing this matter up. Thank you.

Discussion 9 : 23/09/2012 at 07:52 PM

wakeup Dis#38 , exactly and sadaeng openly bosted that it was the highly skilled men in black who were responsible for the training of the red guards !

Discussion 10 : 23/09/2012 at 07:40 PM

khunbj Dis# 21 "For the vast majority of Thai people this is already history and they get on with their lives...thai politicians, journalists, academics and whoever else still keep stirring up division should do the same". Not so bj , there you go again talking for the Thai people like you represent some sort of magority , the buzz around Bkk at the momment is that the Thai people wish it was history and are fed up with the constant blattant lies and corruption and wish to live without taxsin hanging over there heads , standing over them all with his mobs both red and brown , while the Thai purse is being emptied once again !

Discussion 11 : 23/09/2012 at 07:35 PM

I'm more and more convinced that the Pue Thai party still believe the world is flat and that Thailand is at its very centre.

Discussion 12 : 23/09/2012 at 07:32 PM

Disc35 Commee - "they are only asking to get a new hearing" No... That's not what they are asking. They promised to respect the report's findings. and they backtracked on that promise. Now they are DEMANDING a new report, SPONSORED by Peua Thai and they have already told us what the findings will be - that TRC was wrong about the Black Shirts. How is that a fair report?

Discussion 13 : 23/09/2012 at 07:30 PM

The TRC report seems to be exceptionally fair and balanced and it seems very unlikely that any new commission can produce a result that will be better accepted. However, it must be understood that the TRC was (by design) created without the ability to compel witnesses to testify and was therefore never intended to reveal the complete truth.

Discussion 14 : 23/09/2012 at 07:19 PM

So we can all guess that throwing another 100 million Thai taxpayer baht at it will help achieve the obvious outcome they would prefer , to suit their position of involvement ? Too late when your game is over , to press the reset button only on the perception that the referee is bias ? Wouldn`t you protest this before the game and not after you lost so convincingly ? taxsin/yingluck and their ptp and udd now look like the biggest sore losers in the Kingdom ! Is this really the sort of people that Thais want governing or running their Kingdom ?

Discussion 15 : 23/09/2012 at 06:30 PM

I'm utterly perplexed by the feigned indignation by PTP over the findings of the commission in regards to the militant "black shirts." After all, UDD's "international" spokesman Sean Boonpracong and Seh Daeng both admitted that the terrorists were both heavily armed and working on their behalf. Seh Daeng even described specifically that they numbered 300 and were armed with M-79's! Case closed!

Discussion 16 : 23/09/2012 at 05:32 PM

"Thaksin thanked people whom he described as heroes for their sacrifice and fight for democracy". He still did not get it, like so many, one of the duties of democracy is PAYING TAXES. Anyone who avoids or does not pay taxes should not PLAY the Democracy card ad nausea.

Discussion 17 : 23/09/2012 at 05:30 PM

TS and members of his family was asked to go to overseas to watch, in safety,the burning of BKK in April/May 2010....REMEMBER!!!!

Discussion 18 : 23/09/2012 at 03:14 PM

Reply to Ricardo - As a Thai, to not offer a commentary about the Southern is one of the problem too. And again, they are only asking to get a new hearing.

Discussion 19 : 23/09/2012 at 01:47 PM

Dis # 31 sums it up very correctly. Further hearings just to get the result UDD want to hear is a waste of energy the government would be better spending on the situation down South.

Discussion 20 : 23/09/2012 at 01:37 PM

I suggest PT can spend 1THB for a new report. One single page of paper with the headline “Our Version of the Truth” and the text “Thaksin, PT, the red-shirts and all our affiliates are always right, everybody else is always wrong” is sufficient. Then they can put that piece of paper in a drawer and we can all go on with our lives.

Discussion 21 : 23/09/2012 at 01:16 PM

Reply to whatajoke - They are just asking for a new hearing.

Discussion 22 : 23/09/2012 at 12:40 PM

In my opinion Thaksin bankrolled the UDD attempt to unseat the government and get his tax money back and used the thinly veiled fight for democracy to justify it .The Black shirts were the muscle used to antagonize the Army and do all the dirty work while the farmers who sat on Ratchprasong created the illusion all was peaceful .It wasnt .

Discussion 23 : 23/09/2012 at 12:31 PM

The truth, from this lot. Now there's a good laugh.

Discussion 24 : 23/09/2012 at 12:22 PM

Yes, let's have another 10 million baht 2 year investigation, searching for a new angle on this elusive and subjective 'truth', and might I suggest we start with two critical questions not touched by the panel; 1) subpoena Thaksin for questioning on his role in instigating, financing and guiding the course of events, 2) get to the bottom of decision making by UDD leadership the night they had an about face on accepting the govt's offer to call an early election, for it was at that point on the timeline that things went horribly wrong.

Discussion 25 : 23/09/2012 at 11:45 AM

D @ 21: "The suggestions to bring in the UK or US to lead such a committee just shows the usual farang's feeling of being superior as soon as they set their foot on Thai soil despite where they came from they were rather average." That is not correct! This suggestion reflects the long-standing tradition of 'impartial' inquiry (UK = whitepaper) into significant events. My problem withe the TRT's reaction is that it is more concerned with the historic perspective of 'blame' than with moving forward with much needed reconciliation. Perhaps the attitude reflected in your comment is why the Thai education as well as government operation has not yet attained "International Standards."

Discussion 26 : 23/09/2012 at 11:17 AM

There were no armed red guards, the reds always behaved like peaceful angels, there were no MIB, Col Romklao died peacefully in his bed, the hospital was invaded by ghosts and the 36 buildings burned by over exposure to the sun....LOl and LOL

Discussion 27 : 23/09/2012 at 11:16 AM

Reply to NangrongJ. I agree. It is 400 pages long, according toTRC. I think they're have the right to get a new hearing.

Discussion 28 : 23/09/2012 at 11:09 AM

Disc 21: Leave the commission's result as a view of what happened That's exactly what people are saying. It's your beloved PT who are kicking a tantrum because they didn't get their own way again. You should look past that chip on your shoulder and think a little bit about why most farang are against Thaksin and PT.

Discussion 29 : 23/09/2012 at 11:07 AM

PT MPs and politician should have persuaded the PM Yingluch to dissolve and not fund and support TRC when they came to power If they thought the members of TRC were not impartial. After one year and (if you think it is waste of tax payers 100 million baht)they are complaing of it's findings then then who is fool!

Discussion 30 : 23/09/2012 at 11:01 AM

If anyone who has objections in findings of CRES, they can demand proof which i think Mr. Kanit has plenty in his report. He can not just come up with any fact of his own. If he has written something which can not be backed by proof he will be and must be challanged in court for misreporting the public.

Discussion 31 : 23/09/2012 at 10:38 AM

how can you determine impartiality? by putting your own hand picked people? I don't get it

Discussion 32 : 23/09/2012 at 10:29 AM

You can make one or more truth searching committees and the result will remain biased to one side or the other and everybody will never be satisfied with the result. The suggestions to bring in the UK or US to lead such a committee just shows the usual farang's feeling of being superior as soon as they set their foot on Thai soil despite where they came from they were rather average. Leave the commission's result as a view of what happened and over times the wounds in society will heal, as they have done with all other incidents through Thai history. For the vast majority of Thai people this is already history and they get on with their lives...thai politicians, journalists, academics and whoever else still keep stirring up division should do the same.

Discussion 33 : 23/09/2012 at 10:27 AM

The new committee would aim to prove that the TRC was wrong about its findings on the "men in black" and the trajectories of the bullets fired by security forces during the violence, Mr Jirayu said. Well, that wraps up the 'Truth' part of the new committee before it even starts. PT are such a joke, I cannot even begin to find the words.

Discussion 34 : 23/09/2012 at 10:25 AM

"He said the proposal for the government to form a new investigation panel would be discussed at a party meeting on Tuesday." IMHO, this would be neither productive nor beneficial for a country that needs to look & move forward, not look back... What would be the real value... self-justification...?

Discussion 35 : 23/09/2012 at 10:09 AM

NangrongJ is correct the only way is an independent inquiry.It seems to me this is such an important issue it needs to be resolved and without interference from either party.

Discussion 36 : 23/09/2012 at 10:03 AM

its hard to understand pt and their red mob ,there in power,they have their own men in every high position in state controlled business,they have the police on their side,they have the judges and the courts on their side,AV has been foung to have been responsible indirectly with the violence,yet their master the fugitive have got away with no charges as of yet for being the instigater of the whole affair and they are unhappy ? the whole regime and supporters is just one big white lie to themselves

Discussion 37 : 23/09/2012 at 09:53 AM

A new probe would be paid for by taxpayers and obviously only show how PT and UDD were victims which they werent .What nonsense which is why they havent dont a probe the whole time this one was going on because they knew how guilty they are .Try helping the country and not yourselves .Everyone sees how self serving you are already .

Discussion 38 : 23/09/2012 at 09:44 AM

"The new committee would aim to prove that the TRC was wrong about its findings on the "men in black" " So the findings of the committee have already been decided? There's no point in investigating then. Why not simply write the report now, including whatever fairy tales will make Peua Thai happy?

Discussion 39 : 23/09/2012 at 09:39 AM

No party or side will be happy with the outcome. The only way to resolve this is to have an independent investigation with experts from the UK or/and USA. Then and only then will the truth come out as both sides are afraid of the truth.

Discussion 40 : 23/09/2012 at 09:37 AM

D5 You say " And history will once again record the truth for what it really is. The truth by PTP will no doubt say the reds in Bangkok during April /May 2010 were peaceloving folks singing Kumbaiya who never rampaged through a hospital or fired the M79 that killed an innocent lady at the Silom BTS station and Jatuporn and Nattawut only led the reds in prayer from the stage at Ratchprasong.

Discussion 41 : 23/09/2012 at 08:46 AM

The new committee would aim to prove that the TRC was wrong about its findings on the "men in black" the "fires in Bangkok" the "The protesters blocking the roads with barbwire" and "Seh Daeng security guards" But guess it was Just my imagination, once again running' away with me..

Discussion 42 : 23/09/2012 at 08:26 AM

D5@musashi - thank you for your quotes. I will bear these in mind on the days when I despair that the 'one from far away' will never see the need to stop making this country his personal plaything

Discussion 43 : 23/09/2012 at 08:06 AM

It seems that many PTP MPs resent the truth - In the words of Nelson Mandela " Resentment is like drinking a poison and hoping your enemies will die." Next they'll be pushing for a truth commission to prove the sky is red.

Discussion 44 : 23/09/2012 at 07:57 AM

Somchai says; "Thaksin had done a lot for the country" Uh-huh, a lot of extra-judicial deaths. T has also done a lot to fund and incite destruction of parts of Bangkok in 2009 and 2010. PT only wants the type of 'truth' which whitewashes the illegal activities of their buddies.

Discussion 45 : 23/09/2012 at 07:43 AM

Just like a pack of spoilt children that run around crying when they don't like the Umpire decision. Grow up UDD/PTP and accept that your actions started this whole mess and you kept it going by not accepting the offered election, and your followers committed arson on innocent people in Bangkok.

Discussion 46 : 23/09/2012 at 07:10 AM

'That man' back in the limelight again. Obviously no solar power wherever he is or his calculator should show that 2010 was not the highest number of deaths ever during a government clampdown. Galling to say the least.

Discussion 47 : 23/09/2012 at 06:44 AM

The stumbling block with so many of these reports and books promoting reconciliation and the obvious lack of progress, is perhaps the inclusion of the word, "truth".

Discussion 48 : 23/09/2012 at 06:23 AM

Mahatma Ghandhi once said:"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always." And as the Chinese says "when the tree falls, the monkeys will scatter". It will not be long before the tree that has been rotting for several decades tumbles, a big veil will be lifted, and everyone will then see clearly the reasons of the past 21 coups (not counting judicial coups). And history will once again record the truth, for what it really is.

Discussion 49 : 23/09/2012 at 05:54 AM

"Several academics had also criticised the TRC over its findings that had cost about 100 million baht but had not yielded any benefit to society, he said." PT did not get their share of the 100 million, so it has to be repeated. And most important it has not " yielded any benefit to PT/UDD"

Discussion 50 : 23/09/2012 at 04:55 AM

What a surprise, the report points a few fingers at Thaksin and the UDD, hence it must be biased. Time to form a new PTP/UDD influenced committee to create a new red-sided version. Bottom line ... the UDD and Thaksin will never accept any blame for any aspect of the protests. They have reached such a high level of self-induced delusion that they envision themselves as perfect angels with nary a speck of dirt on their wings.

Discussion 51 : 23/09/2012 at 04:48 AM

If the current report cost 100 million baht and is simply going to be rejected as being untrue, why should I, as a taxpayer, be forced to pay for a second biased report that will also be rejected as being untrue? This is unacceptable and there should be a huge protest by taxpayers against further waste of money. It is clear that nobody is interested in the real truth, and forcing taxpayers to fund even more propaganda is an abuse of power.

Discussion 52 : 23/09/2012 at 03:58 AM

Anybody surprised? I don't think so.