I’m “phrai”, not “amataya” | Bangkok Post: learning

General news

He has an elite position, but he is not a member of the elite [amataya], Deputy Agriculture Minister Nattawut Saikuar insists.

Please join us on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning

Nattawut Saikuar says he has not forgotten his red shirt roots, despite having been appointed to the cabinet.

Click button to listen to Nattawut and rightclick to download

I’m “prai”, not “amataya”

Like him or hate him, you have to admit that red-shirt leader and now deputy agriculture minister Nattawut Saikuar is an accomplished speaker. He also gives good interviews  and he recently spoke at length with Post Today.

In the excerpts below he explains why he should not be considered a member of the elite [amataya] and his feelings toward Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. You can read the full Bangkok Post story here: http://bit.ly/wpPQhT

"The terms proletarian [phrai] and elite [amataya] do not denote social and economic status, or political posts, but the core political consciousness held by that person.

"If a person perceives a fellow human being as equal, travelling along the democratic road, and as equally important no matter what position one holds, then such person is not amataya.

"However, if a person perceives that most people lack education, are not ready to govern themselves but need to be guided by a leader, or that decisions by the majority still need approval by a particular group, which must take over to steer the country down the right path, then such a person's core consciousness is that of amataya.

"What I have explained does not reflect a person's economic status or position but a person's political beliefs. It is not the fight between individuals or groups but an ideological struggle.

"If the greatest democratic leader of this country, Thaksin Shinawatra, were transported to Mars, or all present leaders of the red shirts were shifted to the Moon, the fight for democracy and equality would still continue, to be taken up by others."

On Gen. Prem: "I never feel personal enmity against anyone, even those with an opposing political stance.

"In fact, I wish them well, and hope we can think well of each other no matter what our beliefs, as we share a common goal of doing what is best for the country –  hoping for a good ending.

cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
admit – to agree that something is true, especially when you are unhappy, sorry or surprised about it  ยอมรับ
deputy – a person whose rank is immediately below that of the leader of an organisation รอง
accomplished - skilled ซึ่งมีทักษะ
excerpt – a part of a longer story, speech, song, text, etc. บทคัดย่อ
elite – (1) of a highly trained group, powerful or influential group ซึ่งดีที่สุด, ยอดเยี่ยมที่สุด (2) the richest, most powerful, most influential group (in this case, in Thai society)  อำมาตย   คนที่มีอภิสิทธิ์ที่สุด
Privy Council – the group of appointed advisors to the King of Thailand   สภาองคมนตรีไทย
proletarian – connected with ordinary people who earn money by working, especially those who do not own any property; common people ไพร่,  เกี่ยวกับคนชนชั้นต่ำ
denote – to represent something มีความหมาย แสดงถึง
status –position in society สถานภาพ
post – a job in a company or organisation ตำแหน่งการงาน
core – the most important or most basic part of something ที่สำคัญที่สุด
consciousness – the ideas and opinions of a person or group  ความคิดและความรู้สึกรวมกัน
perceive – to think of or understand something in a particular way เข้าใจ, รับรู้
equal – having the same rights or being treated the same as other people, without differences such as race, religion or sex being considered เท่าเทียมกัน
majority – more than half of the people in a group ส่วนมาก
approval – official permission การอนุมัต
particular – specific โดยเฉพาะ
steer – to control the direction in which something or someone moves นำทาง
reflect – to show สะท้อน แสดงถึง
individual – a person considered separately rather than as part of a group บุคคล
ideological – of a set of ideas that an economic or political system is based on; a set of beliefs, especially one held by a particular group, that influences the way people behave เกี่ยวกับระบบความคิดอันเป็นรากฐานของสังคม เศรษฐกิจ การเมือง,  เกี่ยวกับความนึกคิด
struggle – a very difficult task that you can do only by making a great effort ความพยายาม
enmity – a feeling of strong dislike or opposition between people ความอาฆาต ความเป็นปรปักษ์
opposing – working, fighting, etc. against each other ซึ่งต่อต้าน
stance – your attitude, views or opinion about an issue ความเห็น , จุดยืน
common – done or shared by two or more people ที่ร่วมกัน
goal – aim; purpose เป้าหมาย จุดมุ่งหมาย

Tell us what you think about this article

Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked it

Share this article

0

0

• More +

• Republishing permission
• Print this

Bangkok Post online classifieds

Try buying & selling goods and properties 24/7 in our classifieds which has high purchasing power local & expatriate audience from within Thailand and around the world.