Two field marshals and a billionaire

COMMENTARY

Two field marshals and a billionaire

Published: 15 Jul 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

A plot to overthrow the monarchy _ that is what the PAD has been calling any move initiated by Thaksin Shinawatra from the time the yellow shirts took to the streets in 2005 up until the Constitution Court ruling on Friday. Where does this fear, hysteria even, come from? Perhaps it's because there have already been two successful plots against the monarchy.

The 1932 coup that ended absolute monarchy happened because winds of change were blowing across the globe. The 20th century was one of revolutions. Thailand was lucky that ours was not bloody. The strategy of the coup makers was well executed and the transformation to a democratic system was relatively smooth; the quick turnabout to fascism was unfortunate.

In 1933, the royalist faction led by Prince Boworadet rebelled against the new regime. The rebellion was successfully crushed by Lt Col Plaek Pibulsongkram and other officers of the military branch of the People's Party that staged the 1932 coup.

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mphilips
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Discussion 26 : 16 Jul 2012 at 16.0126
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The lesson from Thai history is that it doesn't matter how much you make, or even how you make it, just don't get too big for certain people's boots.
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nipper240
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Discussion 25 : 16 Jul 2012 at 12.0225
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Epictitus, I think bkkmatt's #4 Discussion is the one that only just made it in.
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bern1005
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Discussion 24 : 16 Jul 2012 at 08.5724
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Everyone says that all Thai officials are corrupt so I never understood why so many people seem to believe that Thaksin is so much worse than all the other corrupt Thai politicians. This is a good explanation so thank you khun Voranai.
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joe_blow
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Discussion 23 : 15 Jul 2012 at 23.0423
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As Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Santayana.....and many others have said:

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Thanks for reminding us again.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 22 : 15 Jul 2012 at 21.3922
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Oddly enough, not long after Thaksin became PM, a taxi driver I rode with on my way to work went into a long diatribe against Thaksin, saying he was going to be another Pibul Songkram. Since modern Thai history has always fascinated me, I was familiar with everything he said. And most of what he said came true.
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samurai
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Discussion 21 : 15 Jul 2012 at 17.3821
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Well said Khun Voranai.
If only Thaksin took a leaf out of Field Marshal Sarit's book he could have ended up keeping his billions. But I suppose the ego was at play, and comes the unavoidable personality cult development.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 20 : 15 Jul 2012 at 17.0020
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It has often been privately suggest that the 'other' personality cult was seeded by the CIA during the Vietnam war to counter communist ideals among the poor masses. If the cold war was still in place today what would the US do, back a military coup, or back Thaksin for stability, in which case they would be insisting he rein in anything 'red', and I'm guessing he might probably do that for the right amount of financial and diplomatic support.
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epictitus
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Discussion 19 : 15 Jul 2012 at 16.4819
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Fine piece once more from VV. Phrased throughout with some lovely, very very subtle humour. I think it's there the message lies. Good stuff.
To Discussion # 11 - bkkmatt, how right you are, old chap. Bravely said, but then you probably thought it wouldn't get posted. Perhaps things are looking up.
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majority
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Discussion 18 : 15 Jul 2012 at 16.3418
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In the civilized and democratic world, for someone to really command respect, the only way is to earn the respect by one's progressive ideas, hard work, contribution, self-made success, innovation, vision, experience, professionalism, etc. rather than to “earn” pretense of respect achieved by self-made norm, even law or other means, which cannot make such pretense of respect long lasting.
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jerrold
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Discussion 17 : 15 Jul 2012 at 14.1017
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My question reading this story is...
Did mr.Thaksin made a mess of it? or did the mass made a mess out of him?

Was Thailand worse of when mr.Thaksin was in control?

Was he himself orchestrating his mandate's for own profit?

did mr Thaksin made a mess of it?
or did he messed up by following his politically motivated spin doctors and manipulated the mass to make a mess out of his own created cult adoration.????
The answer , for sure , is at hand, but up to your respected own opinion.
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