Reader Submission: Is Something Wrong in Thailand?
(Adirach Toumlamoon / Shutterstock.com)
Yes, I think something is wrong if the Prime Minister, who claims to have been democratically elected, has to hide behind shipping containers guarded by hundreds of police officers, and does not want to enter into an open dialogue with demonstrators who have different opinions and questions, and ask for government support to fight the pandemic and good vaccines against Covid-19.
Then people are arrested who openly hold a different opinion than the prime minister or government. Then the police attack the peaceful demonstrators with brute force, water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. After this, thousands of demonstrators still remain who want to demonstrate peacefully, but then find roadblocks everywhere in their way, far away from those against whom the protests are aimed.
That leads to frustration if you have the idea that you are not being heard, and this leads to the inexcusable destruction.
Then you expect a police force to act decisively against this, but no, they fire hundreds of tear gas grenades from behind their safe fortress of sea containers and barbed wire and bombard the demonstrators with water cannons and rubber bullets.
Only when the demonstrators withdraw does the defensive wall of the police open, and hundreds of policemen pour out like diarrhea, desperately wondering what to do now, for anyone who follows this on the life streams it is absolutely clear that this is bad trained agents who like a dog do exactly what the leader of the pack tells them to do.
The police don't have to use force at all, because the demonstrators are already gone as soon as they think the police are coming, but the excessive force of the police makes it escalate every time.
(Brickinfo Media / Shutterstock.com)
I saw officers who were posted by their supervisor in the middle of the road, but were then instructed to go more to the left, which they apparently did a little too much, and then had to move 10 centimeters to the right again, typical example of not being able to think for themselves, or more likely not to think. Actually laughable.
Last Friday, demonstrators, or rather rioters, started a fire with a lot of smoke development near a children's home, it turned out that there was a slight panic among the children in that house, but then the "heroic" hermandad did not show up with their water cannons costing millions and had to the reporter of the Reporters via the lifestream ask local residents for extinguishing agents to extinguish the fire.
Yes, in my opinion, there is something wrong in Thailand
Submitted by Rob
Perhaps a good illustration of what is wrong in Thailand is the following.
The National Culture Commission has decided to strip well-known writer Suchart Sawasdsri of his title as National Artist awarded in 2011 for "improperly" supporting the current demonstrations and their demands.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2168683/national-artist-suchart-loses-title-over-protest-support
It clearly shows the pettiness, narrow-mindedness and vindictiveness of this regime.
According to the UN, Thailand is a “Flawed Democracy”.
In fact, the country is ruled by a military junta headed by the same general who staged a coup 6 years ago. In the so-called elections, all parties that could pose a threat were simply pushed aside through legal tricks.
So yes, there is a lot wrong in Thailand and that will not change anytime soon
There is not anything wrong in Thailand. There is a lot wrong in Thailand. The people who dare to protest and therefore constantly dare to make the abuses known, all those people have my sympathy. Change must take place bottom-up. Especially important in Thailand because the social layer already has little to say. It is a pity that Rob negates his argument in the last paragraph by citing an incident and thereby calling protesters rioters.
I think my namesake in that paragraph means to say that the "rioters" are not equal to all protesters. As Khaosod's Prawit wrote in a column this week, the young people who are confronted are teenagers and young adults who see no other way out and are not the kind to engage in extensive debate or listen to one leader or another. They feel powerless and since the police don't exactly go for de-escalation tactics, skirmishes quickly get out of hand. Over and over again you see revenge feelings of wanting to hit back, to want to learn a lesson. Then it goes from throwing water bottles and warnings by police to firing fireworks at police and officers who use the "less lethal" weapons in ways that violate the violence instructions or instructions of the manufacturer (at close range on Shooting the upper body or higher is NOT the intention, but we see it happen anyway).
The changes must indeed come from below, in large numbers, to put the group of self-enriching elite us-know-us networkers at the top of their pedestal. Let democracy prevail. It would help if debate, critical thinking, etc. were promoted. This increases the chance of how an early democracy can mature, that the people's representatives will actually continue to be accountable to a people that want openness and participation. As we know, a critical population that asks questions is not something the current rulers (elite) like to see. For decades, it has been pouring out a propaganda story of a proud nation, paternalism and meekly ignoring those who are higher on the social ladder... Beautiful Thailand and its people have been curtailed in their development for decades. Such a shame, so sad. That must and can be done differently.
- https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2021/08/21/on-thailands-angry-young-protesters/
Dear Rob,
I understand your grief.
Many tourists have enjoyed spending their money in Thailand for decades because it is so nice to stay while they could and can know that the politics are not really cool.15-20% of the income came in through tourism and it is then not so that the tourists have played an important role in maintaining that vague politics?
You solve problems by tackling them at the source and that will cost a price in this one that the demonstrators can never afford. If the economy is down next year, there may be some more options.
It is not so much wrong with Thailand as with a small group of people in Thailand. Some 2% are said to have the economic, financial and political power and want to keep it at all costs.
They are now supported by a slightly larger minority who receive economic and financial benefits for doing so.
But year after year their power is waning. I give them another ten years before there are real democratic elections and Move Forward is the largest party. If Thanathorn is still alive then.
Thais can't take criticism very well, so there is heavy security and tough action.
Students started fighting against government and an untouchable person a year ago.
As a punishment, the students will receive extra lessons about the royal house every week from the next semester.
My daughter is looking forward to it because she has seen and read enough.
She also expects a heavy weight teacher to be set up.
I find that interesting Kos.
Would you/your daughter keep us informed about what is being said in those extra lessons?
Perhaps we can still help her with facts, arguments and sources.
In Thailand there is indeed a lot wrong, criticism is not accepted. Even in our western countries we are no longer allowed to criticize. Normal has become abnormal, Belgium and the Netherlands are really sliding down. In the long run, it may not even be safe anywhere. Unsafe just to have a different opinion than a minority. It is really a minority that imposes its rules, the great majority submits and remains silent. Even if they don't agree. Few dare to speak up, only in private. Rubber bullets are the only difference with the so-called free west. Foolishness currently reigns worldwide. I really get into trouble with the word "democracy". Selfishness and a lot of ignorance, I see that more and more.
I would be careful with statements against the regime, government, etc. We farang must not and may not interfere, and certainly not make negative statements in public. You won't be the first to suffer. Either staying there, or coming in
Frank,
My son is half Thai, half Farang. I sometimes mockingly say 'a half blood' but that is no longer allowed.
He is certainly politically active, living in Thailand. Can you advise me how he should behave?
Nowadays you have to respond under a pseudonym.
Then it becomes harder to trace you, and also a VPN, all for the protection of yourself.
That's why using nicknames on this blog, for example, is a good idea and it's a good thing it's not on a server in Thailand.
I will never be the first to criticize, not even to Thai people I know.
And certainly not respond to strangers who start agitating about the government and the royal family.
I always did, Joost hears. It's about how you do it and how you word it. Never had a problem with it, not even on royal matters.
Yes Frank, you are one who does not open his mouth either, and that is why nothing changes.
Understand what you mean, but I'm Farang and I don't live in Thailand either. I can't change anything.
According to experts here, there are many problems in Thailand, something that cannot and should not be denied.
If it is not the vaccinations, then it is the politics according to many.
Personally, I feel for the Thai people who are severely affected by covid and the policies that have been released on it and whatnot
I can do little to change that, but I can help my fellow man, the Thai, in my own way.
I think that we as farangs achieve little by being critical, because it doesn't solve anything.
I find it cheap to regularly criticize Thailand and everything that comes along from the Netherlands.
Everyone is allowed and can have an opinion, but then take a good look around you and name me a country where nothing is wrong. A country where there is no corruption, political games are played, etc.
And don't forget to look in your own backyard.
Perhaps the entire global system is sick
It's not good here, but it could be worse.
Look at Hong Kong, where the democratically elected government is simply set aside.
There is an authoritarian tendency worldwide that wants the 'interest of the state' to prevail above all.
In Europe we see it in Hungary/Poland, part of the EU, but beyond that we see a new drive for power both in the countries supported by Russia and – here – in Chinese expansion. Taiwan holds its heart…
Myanmar is already in the grip of the colonels; Aung san Su Chi is imprisoned.
The generals here fit this pattern. Whether it would be better with a civilian government is doubtful.
Dear people, I think your reactions are all very justified, it is simply the elite who rule the country. The ordinary person has nothing to say, just keep it stupid, because intellect is not tolerated. The fact that Covid means that children here in my village no longer receive any education at all, sports have also disappeared from the streets, what kind of future do these young people diseased by the Ipad still have? I don't write much on the Thailand blog, because you achieve very little with it, no authority listens to one farang, only fellow countrymen find support from each other.
There is certainly a lot wrong in Thailand. But there is also an ever-growing middle class. Just like in many emerging countries. This middle class cannot be ignored, however much the ruling elite would like it to be.
Eventually, but that could take a long time. compromises will have to be made to keep the country livable for the population.
Surrendering will be difficult, but inevitable, for the elite. Other countries have already preceded Thailand in this.
Moderator: Please keep the discussion to Thailand.
The general who staged a coup pays the servile police hordes and he who pays rules.
It could only be really fun if the horde of police had moved a little left and a little right in a goofy way, the demonstrators could have laughed.
However, now they are rightly angry and can cry about the lousy policy, because now Thailand is crying for the first time and the land of the eternal smile has turned into a grimace.
The people who protest are mostly students, because they think a little further about what is happening, because the Thai citizens are currently only trying hard to survive or do not dare to speak out.
I may wish that it is finally no longer about money and that the police officers behind their containers, screens and masks regain the feeling they had before.
Because then the time has come when they will side with the people and drop their sticks and weapons and turn around, then democracy will be restored and hopefully peace will return.
I hope with you, that one of these days the police are tired of being used as a cat by their superiors to continuously chase the mice completely pointless, and turn around 180 degrees.
Because let's not forget that most cops, anywhere in the world, are human beings, who usually become cops for reasons of justice, precisely to deal with the real crime and not to act against their own people.
But going against an order from a superior is quite a thing, especially in Thailand.
The fact that they are poorly trained agents is because they get that job through connections and family.
High functions can be bought.
Normally an agent should have knowledge of law.
It's not about quality, it's about job security in retirement.
And that is why the dog does exactly what the leader of the pack tells them to do.
Yes Rob, something is (thoroughly) wrong in Thailand, because the nobility, (land) armed forces, financial and economic elite are not willing to give up their privileged position and share power with all Thai people.
Their support for the current (on several levels) incompetent regime of operetta soldiers and their cronies is rapidly falling and I predict they will have left before the end of this year.
But their successors will most likely be just as bad when it comes to democracy, free speech, economics, corruption and caring for the less fortunate Thai.
Unless a large majority of Thais no longer accept the status quo. And I don't see that happening just yet. =(
Is something wrong in Thailand?
A real answer to that question (and not venting primal feelings or not) depends on a number of things:
1. how well do people know what is happening in Thailand. I mean the truth because we all know that the truth is in the middle and that's not the media or the social media;
2. your frame of reference. Is that the Thai context, your own homeland, what is happening in other countries or a personal mixture of values and norms with which you view and judge the world (liberal, social-democratic, Christian, libertine?). Some claim to invoke the universal values of man, of the woman, of the child, but unfortunately those values are open to multiple interpretations.
3. the level of detail of what might be wrong. For example, you can measure the level of democracy by fair and free elections (and then Thailand currently does not score very high) or by the possibility to elect local administrators at village or city level, and then Thailand scores better than the Netherlands.
Great response, Chris! That's how I always did it with my patients.
Piet
'What's wrong with my health, doctor? '
Doctor
'Let's not vent primal feelings, Piet. The truth lies in the middle and depends entirely on how medical science defines health. You have quite a few very healthy organs.
Piet
"Thank you, doctor."
Thailand is a friendly nation of the Netherlands and many other countries, especially the US. The royal families involved have also been friends for centuries.
And we citizens support the current and previous governments with an average of 800.000 Bht per year per person. At one million farang that is say 800 billion Bht.
Either you give the emperor what these emperors are or you sit on a desert island. In Thailand you pay few expenses and you have corresponding benefits. For example, VAT/VAT is only 7%. Living is cheap, health care is relatively cheap, one year visa costs only 19 hundred Bht. Etcetera etcetera.
And no one here is a Thai citizen.
So far I have not found a country where it is better to retire on state pension.
Thailand literally means Freeland.
“Vrijland”, but with some freedom and lust for one than the other. If you were born as a plebeian, if you can't “network” then you don't have the lusts people have at the top. Then poverty trumps and far from an easy, carefree life. With a Dutch pocket money and background, it is quickly nice to stay, but as a satang you were born in Thailand ...
It's that high level of inequality (one of, if not the world's No. 1 country in terms of inequality) and the many periods of suppression of democracy and freedom from the plebs that these protesters are fed up with.
Just another day in Thailand, and then you read the following in today's digital newspapers:
Thai Enquirer: Former Phue Thai member Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, who switched to ruling party Phalang Pracharat, posted on social media that he received "2 Mercedes Benzes as a gift from a bunch of nice people" as a thank you. The opposite wants the anti-corruption unit to investigate this, after all, does that not violate the ban on gifts above 2 thousand baht?
source: 248-21, “Turn-coat MP going after Move Forward Party is biggest irony”
Thisript: ON August 23, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced that they do not have the power to investigate the occupations/wealth of Prime Minister General Prayuth and Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu. “We can't even investigate this,” said NACC President Police General Watcharapol. “We can keep track of things, but if something happens we can't investigate it. We have to sit on it. Not only with regard to these two individuals, but also many others in this category. We can't reveal anything. Because if we did, we risk getting a criminal charge.”
-https://thisrupt.co/current-affairs/the-kingdom-of-kakistocracy/
Why would the plebs be so angry? People are at a loss, some could no longer hold on. And then at the top there are all kinds of strange, remarkable transactions and signs of... a, shall we say, “pleasant and enjoyable life”. (think back to Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit and his “borrowed watches”). But none of that is corruption, it has been investigated and established, or it has simply not been investigated and therefore not established. Nothing wrong, everything is spick and span up there...