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Discussion 1 : 28/10/2012 at 09:03 AM

Khun Rab.Madar #32, in a pure parliamentary democracy, like Thailand, the 49% are always at the total mercy of the 51%, because the former can make any changes to the Rules of Law (Constitution) to suit them at will. However, under the US Constitution, it will take at least 3/4-supermajority in order to amend it, meaning that the changes must be absolutely necessary because at least 1/2 of the Opposition are willing to go along with it. Is that what PTP are trying to do, to amend the current Constitution. What stopped them is the threat from the Yellow Shirts who promised to raise an absolute hell on the streets (again).

Discussion 2 : 27/10/2012 at 06:50 PM

I have a feeling that tomorrows rally will be as popular as a fart in a spacesuit. I don't think, and also hope they don't get their intended audience.

Discussion 3 : 27/10/2012 at 06:09 PM

I support anything that removes Thaksin .

Discussion 4 : 27/10/2012 at 05:12 PM

D25- Dictators never accept the writing on the wall (re Hitler, Gaddafi, Saddam) They would rather use other people to step into the breach. If they cannot win, they don't mind taking the country and it's people down with them.

Discussion 5 : 27/10/2012 at 04:41 PM

D31 Mr Spiceman, I always thought that representation in the election process was by the amount of votes by the people. Not by the percentage of votes in an area, as is how I understand you are saying.

Discussion 6 : 27/10/2012 at 03:49 PM

The American Founding Fathers got it right after more than 230 years, in order to prevent Tyranny of the Majority by pure majoritarianism, which is in full swing in Thailand right now. They invented the Electoral College System, favoring small and less populist states, which allow them to have better representation in the election process, instead of being steamrolled by the most populist states, like New York, California. In Thailand, the same system can do the same to the South and South East by giving them better representation, instead of being steamrolled by E-Saan all the time.

Discussion 7 : 27/10/2012 at 02:51 PM

The GT200 - that wondrous detector of the fantastic at amazing prices - did at least infallibly point out one thing: the stench of corruption ripping off the Thai state.

Discussion 8 : 27/10/2012 at 01:53 PM

Felixqui #21 I must have missed your comments when the UDD was boasting about having 20,000 monks attending the red protests a few years back.

Discussion 9 : 27/10/2012 at 01:37 PM

D.16 may i remind you that they kicked out: Thaksin, Samak and Somchai. They have been 100 % success with peaceful protest. Maybe Yingluck should travel to Dubai.

Discussion 10 : 27/10/2012 at 01:31 PM

If you agree there is radical wrong with the way this country is being governed and that an election is needed how can you call an election before this lots time is up.You voted them in you must pay the consequences.There dose not seem to be a majority vote in parliament to call a vote of no confidence as they all seem to be urinating in the same pot by making there own rules to suit themselves and there pockets.What a shambles.

Discussion 11 : 27/10/2012 at 12:36 PM

Disc 25 - You like to blame Thaksin for changing the charter to benefit himself, but what's your view on a junta changing the entire constitution just to give amnesty to themselves for overthrowing the government. One is no better or worse than the other. Well actually overthrowing a government is treasonous.

Discussion 12 : 27/10/2012 at 12:10 PM

Just wait until Thaksin changes the Charter to whitewash himself! That's when the big street demonstrations will start. His downfall is inevitable. It's just a matter of how quietly he will go for good and whether he will buy himself back into power at the following election. I think that if he buys victory at the next elections, there will just be more and more demonstrations until he finally goes for good. How badly will he plunder the coffers before he goes for good, though? I wish he could foresee the inevitable and spare the country so much pain and suffering.

Discussion 13 : 27/10/2012 at 11:57 AM

I hope that they succeed in exercising their free speech. Gen Boonlert Kaewprasert tells it like it is and where he stand. He is a man with good principle, he also graduated from military preparatory school class #1. No coup is needed to oust this administration. Thailand just could not afford to be run like family business as it is today. See ya folks who is sick of graft and corruption, otherwise stay away.

Discussion 14 : 27/10/2012 at 11:52 AM

Agreed Rab.Madar, "Dhamma Army" is an oxymoron of the worst type.

Discussion 15 : 27/10/2012 at 11:49 AM

It will take generations and massive problems before corruption is rejected by the majority of Thai people. Even though I understand the anger of those who oppose PTP, the Army lacks the ability and the will (Army Generals benefit too much from corruption) to genuinely fight corruption. To claim that a coup can cure corruption is either a cynical lie or hopelessly naive.

Discussion 16 : 27/10/2012 at 11:45 AM

I seem to have forgotten ... Where is it that the Buddha and Buddhism teach active interference in politics to control other people and force them to do what you want with no regard for any democratic value, with zero respect for persons, and by tarmpling on human rights as you work to overthrow a legitimately elected and popular government? I must have missed that lesson in Buddhist teaching on dhamma.

Discussion 17 : 27/10/2012 at 11:19 AM

In any other truly democratic country, a military leader calling for an illegal overthrow of the government and mobilise people to support them would be arrested and charged with treason. It is called anarchy but Thailand is very familiar with that and that is why it is an internaltional laughing stock. The basis of any democracy - rightly or wrongly - is a government elected by the majority of national citizens (not foreigners who think they have a share of this country) who turned up to vote.

Discussion 18 : 27/10/2012 at 10:48 AM

D17: There is nothing "left" about the Reds. They are about as autocratic, reactionary and intolerant of "non-Reds" as it is possible to be. The old and tired left/right dichotomy no longer works in the west as a valid prism through which to view politics, let alone trying to translate it to the Thai business-as-politics scene. It is perhaps better to think of Thai political parties as "political gangs" and personality cults designed to reinforce class divide - PTP as much or even more so than others.

Discussion 19 : 27/10/2012 at 09:54 AM

D10, Mr Oldairman. Surely overthrowing the government by a coup will not be for the sake of Thailand, nor its people, nor democracy. I would suggest an election is more in line, that way the people have the say, not the army.

Discussion 20 : 27/10/2012 at 09:43 AM

Nothing will change until people learn to respect democracy. Every government gets accused of corruption, it's standard practise now. Everyone has the right to protest but talks of coups are dangerous and provocative (is that the intention). Whenever the left or Reds are elected we will always expect a uniform to instigate a protest blaming corruption to justify a coup. Like it or not, accept it or not, the present government was democratically elected. One can talk of bought votes but that applies to both sides.

Discussion 21 : 27/10/2012 at 09:38 AM

Dhamma Army has a dream that hardly comes true....but they do have the right to dream.

Discussion 22 : 27/10/2012 at 09:15 AM

If it's a numbers game, as in Democracy, they lose, but they have the right to protest, they have a quite legitimate reason (ie 'puppet/proxy govt representing a criminal) and there is a precedent of protest leaders calling to oust a govt. These guys speak coup but it sounds like one without army commitment, it's no different though from the intention of the Ratchaprasong crisis. Both aimed to force out a democratically elected govt by means other than an election. I've always maintained that April 2010 was Thailand's 20th coup attempt, a army with a general was involved, and it failed thankfully.

Discussion 23 : 27/10/2012 at 09:07 AM

change is on the way in a few months .....but will it change someting ??? no . why ?? because its the same people thats r getting the power ....Thailand deserve to have a big positive change with new faces and new way to governe the country ....of course it will not hapend with this family in charge ...the proof is there ..they where in charge before and it didnt work ..why should it work now ?? do Thai people want to repeat the same mistake ???

Discussion 24 : 27/10/2012 at 09:06 AM

freedom of speech is so important, but when a paid red mob,which turned violent,when was told to go home,the burning of people business and looting and killing ,was an act of anarchy and disrespect to others decent people BANGKOK 2010

Discussion 25 : 27/10/2012 at 08:57 AM

The solution is simple, "Dhamma Army" needs to get busy making more babies than the Red Shirts, so they can outvote them. In Democracy, it's a Majority Rule with one-person-one-vote, or do they want a minority rule "Democracy" or something?

Discussion 26 : 27/10/2012 at 08:19 AM

The key members General Boonlert Kaewprasit,General Pathompong Kesornsuk and Ldr Prasong Soonsri, all with known strong powerful ties and a serious urge for a coup d'tat, will only cause further division of the country if they succeed, which to me will be unlikely. Gen Chamlong Srimuang and his Dhamma army, (oxymoron of the worst type), will help greatly with the confusion of the rally. Sonthi Limthongkul is wise to keep out of it. Even although you appear to be supported by Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. I think you will still find difficulty meeting your objective. Lastly gentlemen, what did you achieve by the previ

Discussion 27 : 27/10/2012 at 07:45 AM

The groundswell is starting as many do in a small way. I hope for the sake of Thailand and ALL its people that it succeeds.

Discussion 28 : 27/10/2012 at 07:41 AM

Wow, a horde of pots calling the kettles black...

Discussion 29 : 27/10/2012 at 07:14 AM

Are you sure Dhamma Army is in ultra-conservative religious group? Seems more political than religious. Think about the implications of the name, Dhamma Army. Soldiers for what? For overthrowing governments?

Discussion 30 : 27/10/2012 at 06:54 AM

If they wanting to oust the Government, Thai people welcome that, but through elections in 3 years time na ka, and so that the word they using to describe this Government as 'disgraceful' is not reflected back ka.

Discussion 31 : 27/10/2012 at 06:41 AM

Seems this group should spend so much time getting themselves elected instead of trying to order a coup. A democracy can never be achieved via a coup. They have become a bad joke and an embarrassment to the country.

Discussion 32 : 27/10/2012 at 06:27 AM

They really need to look at recent polling. Unlikely that any rally they hold will have any effect on the current government’s control, especially after the cabinet reshuffle takes place. But this is Thailand, so I guess really anything is possible.

Discussion 33 : 27/10/2012 at 06:07 AM

Since their track record proves conclusively and beyond any reasonable doubt that coups and other anti-democratic means fail utterly to rout Thailand's endemic corruption, perhaps it's time to try something different. Democracy perhaps? Even free speech that allows actual ... truth telling?

Discussion 34 : 27/10/2012 at 05:22 AM

"Dhamma Army enlists in Pitak Siam protest" should read: "Dhamma Army using Pitak Siam as front for fear of losing face" or: "Dhamma Army, a religious safe haven for coup makers"

Discussion 35 : 27/10/2012 at 03:51 AM

So in reality they are just re-branding the PAD/NoColor/MultiColor theme. Nothing new here, they still only represent about 1% of the population. In total not enough to even fill a European football stadium.

Discussion 36 : 27/10/2012 at 03:41 AM

I am think that i not like this government, but not enough to go protest about it, because its good atmosphere and we want peace now. I think also if have free food at protest then I will go join ka.