Call to elect governors in South

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Call to elect governors in South

Chalerm touts idea to better handle unrest

Published: 8 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has proposed that the governors of the three southern border provinces be elected to better deal with the southern unrest.

Mr Chalerm yesterday called for a special form of government for Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat.

The governors of the three southern provinces would be elected and have some degree of autonomy - like the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Pattaya City - but would still come under the control of central government.

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pquinlan
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Discussion 22 : 09 Sep 2012 at 13.2322
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D21: The British solution to Ireland. How well did that go?
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thiswayup
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Discussion 21 : 09 Sep 2012 at 10.0421
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How about a government project to shift 20 Million people from Issan and the rest of the country to migrate to the south and start to build a thriving Buddhist community, essentially outnumbering the Malay residents 15 to 1.

This would cause the small minority of separatists to give up and most likely flee back to Malaysia.

Would also even up the lopsided voting power of Issan.

This shouldn't cost too much and would have many benefits.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 20 : 09 Sep 2012 at 02.1420
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The Dems will oppose the idea.

"Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has told parliament that the government disagreed with the idea of establishing autonomous areas in lower South, as it was not a solution to the problem." - BangkokPost, November 5, 2009
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pquinlan
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Discussion 19 : 08 Sep 2012 at 18.0319
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Interesting that the number of "dislikes" against calls for all governors to be elected, is wildly disproportionate to the number of comments against full democracy. In fact, there are NO comments stating that governors should not be elected.

Is that because those who hold those views are struggling to find a way (that will be even a little bit palatable) to say that they are against democracy? Or is there only one who is doing his usual stacking of numbers?
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charlie77
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Discussion 18 : 08 Sep 2012 at 17.3718
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Gen.Prayuth assures Thais that the Kingdom will never lose the south. Now a voice or two says election of governors in the 3 provinces. What's happening in Thailand is an exact replica of what's happening in Russia. Although anti-communist forces succeeded in dismembering Yugoslavia and USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, remember?), Russia still has an insurgency problem in the remaining Muslim Caucuses, Chechnya and what not. But only a fool will think Russia will grant independence to Muslim-populated states. The same with China and the Zinjiang (Turkic Uighurs) problem. Likewise in Tibet. The same with India in Kashmir. The same with the Philippines in it's far south.
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DickFarang
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Discussion 17 : 08 Sep 2012 at 15.3017
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Too little, too late.
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bern1005
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Discussion 16 : 08 Sep 2012 at 13.4316
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D1:
"When hate is the motivating force of any group, traditional negotiations with the enemy is fruitless"
To believe in the idea that "the enemy" consists of some evil and inhuman group that can only be dealt with by killing them is to start to become exactly what you are fighting against.

Humans are always complex, flawed and have a mixture of reasons for what they do. While it is not easy or comfortable to try to understand those who commit terrible acts, a refusal to do this condemns many innocent people to a hopeless future.

We have tried for many years using military force and it has failed badly, so now it must be time to find genuine alternatives.
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aussie
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Discussion 15 : 08 Sep 2012 at 13.0715
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bikeme Dis #11 , What part of "corrupt to the core" , don`t you get ?
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garabaldi
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Discussion 14 : 08 Sep 2012 at 12.5214
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Yes, this is the way forward. Elected governors for the South first where the need is most urgent. Then as will be necessary for consistency, extend to the whole country. If we wait to rid ourselves of corruption first, the day will never come. Once an election system is in place we can fight against corruption in the three provinces, ultimately in the 77 provinces.
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bystander
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Discussion 13 : 08 Sep 2012 at 12.4113
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When I read this article, my first thought was for the direct election of ALL provincial governors. When I read the comments of others, I guess I was not alone in my thinking.
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