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3/15/2010
The ultimate test of leadership - Thaksin
A few hundred red shirt protestors are on the streets of Bangkok in support of their democratically elected leader who was robbed of his titled as the PM of Thailand. Several years after being ousted, in exile, found guilty in court, half of his fortune confiscated, Thaksin is still the leader of the rural Thais.
Can anyone doubt that he is a leader of the people, by the people and for the people of Thailand? And it looks like he is going to ride back to power with the people's power behind him.
Ahbisit is now hiding in an army barrack, protected by the military. Would there be a clash between the soldiers and the farmers? Would other farmers and ordinary Thais stand up and take sides, join hands with the farmers? Would the soldiers unite or split and some take sides with Thaksin?
Would Thailand be splitted as a result of the surge of popular support for a leader cut down by the Thai elite and soldiers in Bangkok?
Like him or be against him, Thaksin is sure a formidable leader of the Thai people, to be able to command their support and loyalty to challenge the establishment in Bangkok against all odds. It is a mark of true leaderhip.
Not really. If it is democracy, Thaksin will still be the PM. There was usurpation of power by the Bangkok elite.
ReplyDeleteAnd the democratic forces are now rising to wrestle the power for the people.
Pawns across the chess board of Thai politics.
ReplyDeleteThe Thais should be better off attending to their padi fields or mango trees.
Ahh... My beloved Bangkok. Sigh, I'm missing all the action there.
ReplyDeleteAll politicians and all political processes have a degree of corruption -- this is to be expected -- big money, big power -- big stakes in every respect.
Toxic Shitwater is a politically savvy beast. He is not to be trifled with, and I think the present governers underestimated the "Toxic Shock".
Many people are scratching their heads trying to evaluate the present tom-yum in the context of "democracy" and to do so they've concocted all sorts of intellectual constructs -- mostly nonsense.
There is definitely a wedge being driven right through Thai society pitching the "hip city slickers" against "bucolic rubes". I must say as cruel as it may sound I'm having a good chuckle at the sheer stupidity of it all.
Peasant revolts or uprisings are common throughout history. It seems easy to whip up these folks to a frenzy. This extravaganzas of political entertainment have been played out in the past in medieval England, France, China, Vietnam, Russia...etc.
Go Red Shirts! ive us a good show! :-)
Me hates to see Thailand in trouble, it is a beautiful country and the people are friendly and peace loving if I may say.
ReplyDeleteRedbean, between the incumbent and Thaksin, I believe the latter did try to do something for ordinary folks. I hope Thaksin makes a successful comeback and do more for his people, especially Chiangmai his home town. Maybe mine in the near future.
ReplyDeleteOld dinosaur like me needs a slower pace of life and plenty of domestic help. LOL
if you guys do not know anything much about thai politics other than what you read from the msm, i suggest you keep your mouth shut.
ReplyDeletePray tell me Damien, what you know about Thai politics, so I will reconsider retiring in Chiangmai.
ReplyDeleteMy former Thai colleagues may know less than you and perhaps gave me an inaccurate perspective.
Hi Damien, welcome to the blog. I am happy to know that we have a Thai expert among in our blog. We would be very happy to hear your in depth analysis or views about Thai politics. It will definitely help us to understand Thailand better.
ReplyDeleteBut let me make my rudimentary comments first. Thailand for all these years have been ruled by the small Thai elite in Bangkok with the king as its head, supported by the military. Like all democracies or fake democracies, the minority elite rule the countries by default with the silent majority keeping quiet or in control.
But things will change when the silent majority got agitated enough to rise and challenge the small elite. Thailand is facing the same situation today. The king is fading away. Once this rallying point is gone, the Bangkok elite has no moral authority or legitimacy to rule the country anymore. The prince has been kept underwrap and has little influence over the people than his father. The father is all the Thais looked up to.
And now the silent majority is standing up and they are getting more sympathies from other ordinary Thais. If their rank is swelled by them, the tide will change immediately. As it is, the military is split today, no longer standing on one side. Many are on the side of Thaksin.
This red tide is like a revolution in Thailand. More dramatic changes will take place. We are only seeing the beginning of a new era in Thai politics.
Hi undertaker,
ReplyDeleteChiangmai or Chiangrai is a good alternative to Lijiang. But need to learn to speak Thai. The only Thai word that I know is 'taw rai' : )
Hehe,
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Lijiang has better scenery, wundarful beauties, no communication problems and best of all, I'm back at my roots as a Han.
Whenever I step onto Thai soil, I feel giddy. Don't know whether it's the language, the food, the people or the thugs and pimps who follow me around Patpong.
Wally, I believe your legs went soft too: )
ReplyDeleteWally, what are you doing hanging around Patpong.
ReplyDeleteI avoid the place because I suffer the same giddyness as you do when I go there, so I've made Soi Cowboy my home instead.
Damien, you can save yourself a lot of embarrasment (instead of letting us know what a wanker you are) by turning off your computer and not reading our worthless posts.
Khap Kun Khrap
Hi Redbean, Thanks for the info. Wally is seduced by Lijiang, so it will be my next to visit destination. Quickest is by Silkair to Kunming followed by domestic carrier to Lijiang.
ReplyDeleteI heard from a veteran traveller to China about the beauties in Yunnan, something about their skin that is so smooth, even an ant will fall off. It sounds better in Hokkien. LOL. I must say this is really impressive or this friend is exaggerating lah !
Your comments Wally.
Anyway Bangkok is not the place for the long term. My Thai friends themselves avoid the city centre like Patpong except for a transit stop to get a good rub in a tub.
If everyone thinks like two of you, soon all native Singaporeans will sell out and walk out of paradise.
ReplyDeletedear Mr Chua,
ReplyDeleteHere's a true blue Sporean who has been living in Chiang Mai for the last 1 year. And pollution rather than politics here is what i'm concerned when the PSI hit 200+ this month.
Anyone else considering to retire here???
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/30097416/Chiang-Mai-hit-by-smog-for-five-consecutive-days
http://nationnewmedia.com/2009/02/19/national/national_30096069.php
Hi Joe, Welcome to the blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity that Chiangmai is getting polluted. It is or was definitely a nicer place than Bangkok.
Is that your holiday home or just working there?