Building by persuasion

COMMENTARY

Published: 19/06/2011 at 03:18 AM
Newspaper section: News

When you want to ascertain the thoughts and feelings of the people, talk to the "brother" taxi driver or the "auntie" merchant in the market.

With the Honda Civic in the shop and the desire to head home for a Skype date, yours truly hailed a cab from the Bangkok Post building. In the streets, passing all the campaign signs, including a moustached man with a dog in one poster and a baby in another, the taxi driver remarked: ''I like Chuwit. I will vote for Chuwit. At least he tells the truth.''

This sentiment reflects those of many voters, whether working class, middle class or high class _ those who are sick and tired of manipulative political factions and their scheming politicians.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Your comments

loong
Post : 282
Send message

Discussion 45 : 24/06/2011 at 06:15 AM45
Post this to my Facebook
Dao Disc:#35 is right, I agree with his comment completely. Quick cash is GODSEND and no tax attached like in the west.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
loong
Post : 282
Send message

Discussion 44 : 21/06/2011 at 06:49 AM44
Post this to my Facebook
Thaksin gave out cash, 3 taxis for the lucky drawers each month, he was and still is a clever sale man in Thailand. The poor could careless where are those money come from, Thaksin is their God forever!
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
meritocrat
Post : 11
Send message

Discussion 43 : 20/06/2011 at 04:31 PM43
Post this to my Facebook
Isn't it surprising that the Democrat also handed out money as part of their populist policy but they never got to be as popular as the Puer Thai party? Perhaps it's not about the money handouts as claimed by some people here that caused Thaksin to be very popular among the poor. In fact, the first lesson for the Democrat should be 'stop looking down on the poor and/or calling them uneducated'.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
observer 101
Post : 55
Send message

Discussion 42 : 20/06/2011 at 03:35 PM42
Post this to my Facebook
I have also had many conversations with BKK taxi drivers. Most of them speak Thai clear enough with occasional exceptions. My experiences have also found Chuwit to be the better candidate.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
raimund
Post : 221
Send message

Discussion 41 : 20/06/2011 at 11:37 AM41
Post this to my Facebook
Vorani,you lucky guy found a taxi driver who could speak Thai and even explain why he loves PT. Most taxi driver I know speak Isan and like PT or Thaksin because of freebees. In Rayong Phuea Thai arranged new cars for some taxi drivers even some of the drivers I know talked bad about Thaksin. Money does not stink. But fictions stink.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
peterd
Post : 408
Send message

Discussion 40 : 20/06/2011 at 10:06 AM40
Post this to my Facebook
"...maybe he was educated enough, as I said his English was good" (#33)??? What a condescension. Speaking English and disliking T.S is enough to be educated. So high level of intellectualism.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
jack mcgee

Discussion 39 : 20/06/2011 at 09:49 AM39
The taxi driver says: 'You can always pick up the phone or knock on the door. Pheu Thai MPs are always around, always accessible...'
Not true. There is a pheu thai sign blocking the entrance to my Soi. You can't see traffic and traffic can't see you. Almost crashed three times. No phone number on the sign OR the pheu thai website to call and ask them to adjust the sign. Called police who said they didn't want to get involved and called election commission who said they'd do something but of course haven't. So pheu thai doesn't care if I get in an accident- I wish you a big loss!!!
from iPhone application.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Eric
Post : 478
Send message

Discussion 38 : 20/06/2011 at 09:37 AM38
Post this to my Facebook
I still can't understand why did the top executives in the Democratic Party fast track Ahbisit to be PM having know his 'abilities' for most of his adult life. Is it because there is none capable after Chuan or because he has been all the time given the blank check that the highest institutions will back him all the way? If that so, it is indeed a sad day for Thailand democracy. I am just glad ultimately the people's mandate raise above any attempt to design democracy.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Aussie John
Post : 584
Send message

Discussion 37 : 20/06/2011 at 05:38 AM37
Post this to my Facebook
The Thai 'patronage system' is the antithesis of Democracy no matter how 'fluid' it is.
Thai political leaders sell the FACE of their parties and neglect the substance as in all lucrative corrupt 'patronage systems' the substance or policies have always been a families and cronies affair. There will be no democracy as long as this system continues to plague the nation, brainwashing it over decades so the masses come to accept it as Thai style democracy.
Thailand's untouchable 'patrons' will continue to control the kingdom behind the scenes as they have what matters most to the masses; money, power and CONNECTIONS.
The people have never had their own voice. What kind of democracy is it that leaves the people subservient, oblivious and with no real democratic voice???????
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
mr.meldrew
Post : 336
Send message

Discussion 36 : 20/06/2011 at 01:11 AM36
Post this to my Facebook
dao D35 : Absolutely spot on, brilliant post.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment