People's Revolution

[Ink]

The PM recently stated the “government” will not allow violence or a people’s revolution [Public Radio International]. It has been demonstrated throughout that the “government” part of this statement is the traditional ruling establishment. A people’s revolution has been going on for decades that culminated into the 1997 constitution. Sept 2006 and subsequent events made it clear the ruling establishment will not allow a people’s revolution. Violence, while a highly volatile term that conjures up dramatic images and should never be supported, is not the real issue. A people’s revolution is.

Significant events are on the horizon that will impact each and every single person who calls himself/herself Thai. This is and continues to be about a people’s revolution and the traditional ruling establishment vying to maintain position of control in anticipation.

[Voice]

If the PM (Ahbisit) thinks that he could bring out a new law for this protester I think he could have civil war on his hand. He cannot play an iron hand to the red when he allows himself to overlooked what PAD has done. He has ignored pursuing the legal means that the law would allow him to brought PAD to justice once he took office.

We will continue to have this kind of thing if we cannot stop ourselves from being hothead and take the situation into our own hands. We should learn to let the situation take its course, it not like corruption was a new thing to us. When PAD took the situation into their own hand they has over step their responsibility but with the full consent it was all legal. If they really wanted to do something good for the country then they should stop corrupt everything they touch. The truth and true picture over Thaksin removal is far too fantasy than anyone could have imagined. It was something so small and yet it changes the face of political situation of our country, course by one upset. I am sure Thaksin has stepped onto many of foots and toes along the way, to reach where he was but he hasn’t anticipated the side of the toes he has stepped onto. He isn’t stupid or lazy but his ambitions were far more important to him than those toes he has stepped on.

[villager]

Hi Voice, both Russia and China had a peoples revolution,s did,nt they , only to be replaced by leaders who were fare worse than the originals , how many people died 30/ 40 million? no one will ever know, if the REDS win this one there is no doubt who will rule here again, if not in person but by his "lackeys" who will bow to his every whim,for me this hardly instils confidence for the future of this country, and i will always remember the words of comrade Lenin,when he confided to a close friend that his followers were "useful fools" much the same as the UDD are now , who are just being used as tools to achieve Thaksins lust for power and wealth, for the reds to have Thaksins banners flying and proclaim to the world that they are fighting for Justice, freedom ,and democracy is akin to a turkey voting for Christmas.

[Ian]

I think the Yellow position is a mixture of lies, truths, and misunderstanding. I think the Red position is exactly the same.
What both sides need to do is reject the lies and combine their truths, this will then solve the misunderstandings and allow the country to reunite under a truly democratic banner.
Unfortunately I cannot see this happening soon, if at all.

[villager]

Silly old me,i forgot to add Pol Pots peoples red revolution too, of course every one knows that the average Cambodian benefited immensely from his actions,how many died of torture ,starvation,or just worked till they dropped, the answer to that is like the first two "hero,s" of the "peoples revolution" we will NEVER know , what intrigues me is we see Thaksin nightly in his Video address,s to the red "faithful", spurring them on to fight for justice and Democracy in his name, to my way of thinking anyone swallowing this complete fantasy on Thaksins behalf should go and seek urgent medical help.

[Ian]

I have come to believe that a peoples’ revolution may indeed be underway. But there is today no public group representing this movement. Yellow is tainted by many of its ideas, including the 70/30 voting concept. Red is tainted by the clear association with and support of Thaksin. I believe that there are some under the Yellow banner who do not really support the Yellow political position , but are there only because of their distaste for all things Thaksin. Similarly there are some under the Red banner who really are seeking democracy, not the exoneration and return of Thaksin.

So there may be many Reds and many Yellows who actually are in complete agreement with each other. Too bad that they do not have a common banner under which they can unite for reform.

This seems a universal dilemma, in the USA if you don't favour the Democrats or the Republicans what can you do? In the Uk if you favour neither the Conservatives nor Labour, what can you do? Well, I guess we have the Liberal party, but that is more like a protest vote

Villager, I am starting to wonder if you are really British, perhaps you have been here too long, I can see some merit on both sides, you seem totally blinkered.

[observer]

I think the Yellow position is a mixture of lies, truths, and misunderstanding. I think the Red position is exactly the same.
What both sides need to do is reject the lies and combine their truths, this will then solve the misunderstandings and allow the country to reunite under a truly democratic banner.
Unfortunately I cannot see this happening soon, if at all.

Ian,

Do you ever see the younger generation of Thais entering into politics?

I dont mean the kids of the poli's that are there now, i mean real new blood?

This is what i meant when i said that the protest would be better served in the political arena. If there was a group of "new blood" that preached demoracy, and could make thier ideas stick? would that ever happen? from the people in the forum's opinion, there is support out there for "Democracy" without Mr T!

We dont see any new people come on the scene, just the same old farts that no one trusts? (no offence intended regarding the age thing)

[Ian]

I think the Yellow position is a mixture of lies, truths, and misunderstanding. I think the Red position is exactly the same.
What both sides need to do is reject the lies and combine their truths, this will then solve the misunderstandings and allow the country to reunite under a truly democratic banner.
Unfortunately I cannot see this happening soon, if at all.

Ian,

Do you ever see the younger generation of Thais entering into politics?

I dont mean the kids of the poli's that are there now, i mean real new blood?

This is what i meant when i said that the protest would be better served in the political arena. If there was a group of "new blood" that preached demoracy, and could make thier ideas stick? would that ever happen? from the people in the forum's opinion, there is support out there for "Democracy" without Mr T!

We dont see any new people come on the scene, just the same old farts that no one trusts? (no offence intended regarding the age thing)

Observer, I think it depends how we define young, most people are young to me But let's take around the age of 30 for discussion's sake.
In this forum that would include Ink and FOS, in the Nation blogs that would include about 4 more, there are plenty around but they have several unique obstacles not found in western cultures.
The biggest obstacle I feel is the "Pooyai" culture of respect for the old, even when wrong, one is reluctant to criticise. The other factor is that even in "clean" politics money is important, it cost money to register a party and run a publicity campaign, so young politicians need backers. Who are the most likely backers, more of your "old farts",
Is this not one of Abhasit's problems, he probably fits your concept of young, but is he his own man? I think not, he is controlled by the old farts that finance and manipulate things for him.

[villager]

Ian, i am NOT British i,m English , would you call a Scot or Welshman British , I was born in England i speak, read, and write English, whats good for the Jocks and Taffs is good for me too.

[villager]

Ian , this thread is about peoples revolution, i,ve give you 3 instances were they all failed miserbly with great loss of life, the problem with a peoples revolution is that you always finish up with a dictator and not an elected government, of course i stand corrected.