Farce of the Burma vote | Bangkok Post: opinion

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Farce of the Burma vote

There can be no more cynical regime in Southeast Asia than that of Burma's military junta. The generals and colonels who have controlled that poor country since 1962 have looted the economy, mistreated citizens and made Burma a worldwide synonym for tyranny.

It is going to be difficult to top their current cynical move. The generals are about to bring to fruition a manipulated election that will endorse a rigged constitution to give the military control of the country forever. And all this is being passed off as an exercise in democracy.

The breathtaking military "reshuffle" last week is a case in point. No one is sure of the details because the junta has never felt the need to announce its important moves, let alone explain or justify them. But it appears that around six dozen senior officers were moved.

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  • thong

    Discussion 11 : 02/09/2010 at 10:43 AM11

    I don't think it is comparing Burma with Thailand or Thailand with Burma. We all know what is happening in Burma's domestic and International politic. I am helping Burmese through various economic means and 'business connection'.

    It is that Thailand do not have moral right to comment and lecture Burma.

  • Ursus

    Discussion 10 : 02/09/2010 at 03:32 AM10

    It is a fact that Burmas generals and their tatmadaw are he most brutal in the world today. Furthermore it's also a fact that they are mentally sick. Rapig woman and children, torturing opponents and ethnic minorities as a strategy to hold power is really very sick.
    So I think everybody has the right to blame them for their crimes against humanity, yes, even has the duty to help the Burmese People. Everybody who compares Burma with Thailand doesn't understand what's going on in Burma.

  • luca tettoni

    Discussion 9 : 01/09/2010 at 10:38 PM9

    this is the most hilarious piece of journalism I have ever read in any newspaper. Thailand commenting on Burma?

  • dom dunn

    Discussion 8 : 01/09/2010 at 04:00 PM8

    If you substitute Thailand, for Burma, in the first paragraph, the first 2 paragraphs perfectly describe the situation in Thailand.

  • neptunian

    Discussion 7 : 01/09/2010 at 02:04 PM7

    Hai Editor,

    How about Thailand's farce? I think its comparable and has less excuse as Thailand is much richer than Burma. Just count the number of military coup when the govt did not toe the line!

    Pot calling the kettle black perhaps?

  • The future is bright!

    Discussion 6 : 01/09/2010 at 11:16 AM6

    Well who is Thailand to lecture Burma? It is countries like Thailand who have supported the Burmese thugs in charge for decades!

    And as for the military not allowing the winners of the 1990 elections to govern - Thailand is not so much different - every time an elected government here tries to cut the power of the military a coup is staged!

    The circle never ends - if the money does not flow in the right direction the corrupt are ousted by the more corrupt to be replaced by the old - and a few new corrupt.

    I see a bright future in the region!

  • Bangkok Rebel

    Discussion 5 : 01/09/2010 at 10:07 AM5

    I think Burma took the Thai 'democracy' and election process as an example... Army influence, army coup, army budget, army as a state within a state.. As Thai say so nicely: "same, same"...

  • thong

    Discussion 4 : 01/09/2010 at 08:48 AM4

    The same can also say about Thailand.

    There can be no more cynical regime in Southeast Asia than that of Thailand's military. The generals and colonels who have controlled Thailand since 1932 have looted the economy, mistreated citizens and made Thailand a worldwide synonym for tyranny.

    Thailand has no moral right to comment or lecture Burma.

    MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

  • Burma watcher

    Discussion 3 : 01/09/2010 at 08:09 AM3

    I spoke with many Burmese economic and political refugees during a month spent in Mae Sot earlier this year; about this and other Myanmar issues.

    Some of them regretted not having the opportunity to return to their country to vote, even though they knew the election would be a sham.

    Why not talk to some of the 2 million Burmese living in Thailand? It would be interesting to hear in these pages, what they have to say. There are whole communities of Karens here for example. They are not that hard to find.

    Many Burmese living in exile are willing and even eager to express their opinions.

  • Khun Thon

    Discussion 2 : 01/09/2010 at 05:36 AM2

    Junta's election may be a farce.
    But junta bashing also is 'old game' that gets nowhere. This editorial sounds more like "playing to the gallery" than journalism.

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