Help from an ivory tower

COMMENTARY

Published: 6 Aug 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Taking a break from his unusually zealous pursuit of the age-old draft dodging allegation against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwannatat last week floated an idea about a limited curfew in certain areas in the restive deep South and limited air support for ground troops on dangerous missions.

‘‘ ACMSukumpol failed to mention the army’s 350-million-baht surveillance airship bought during the tenure of former army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda but which has never actually been deployed on duty because it has yet to go aloft.

The defence minister's idea came after deadly insurgent attacks since the start of the fasting month of Ramadan about two weeks ago left more than 10 officials dead, including four soldiers killed and two wounded in a drive-by shooting in Mayo district of Pattani as they were returning from a mission to provide protection to teachers.

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bkposter
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Discussion 9 : 06 Aug 2012 at 17.469
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Re: D7 "Wouldn't it be nice if politicians worked for the good of the people instead of corruption, cronyism, nepotism and self interest? Sigh. Good luck with that! There needs to be a more thorough checks and balances - which does not mean clipping the wings of the constitution court or any others who might do so" I must remind you that Corruption,cronyism and nepotism have always exsisted in all parties in Thailand...That is the case pre-TS, and will be the case after TS. The entire entrenched bureaucracy of the country is completely and absolutely full of it and most were installed by the traditional elite. So your premise that only an appointed court and senate provides a check and balance is not a correct one, as it seems to me to remove the checks and balances, not help the situation. The best checks and balances in the end are the people themselves in the election. If you want to remove populist politics from the equation, then you must go to some type of tax system that is fair and effects every person...so that "everyone" is paying for the populist policies, not just the wealthy.
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bula
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Discussion 8 : 06 Aug 2012 at 17.228
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The recent violence did not seem to be the works of the insurgent and separatist movements only. The killing of innocent civilians (monks, teachers, farmers, etc.) were cowardice acts. On the other hands, life does not matter to drug traders. They will silent anyone suspected, trying to work or cooperate with the 'war on drug'. It is a good idea to define clearly the duties of the Army and the Police and areas of joint operations and cooperation on this complicated daily merciless killing by 'law breakers.' These law breakers even have the means to obtain new weapons.
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wakeupnow
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Discussion 7 : 06 Aug 2012 at 16.417
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Disc. 2, PJT, not the same issue, but red shirt intimidation is also preventing people from going about their daily lives without fear or inconveniences. Wouldn't it be nice if politicians worked for the good of the people instead of corruption, cronyism, nepotism and self interest? Sigh. Good luck with that! There needs to be a more thorough checks and balances - which does not mean clipping the wings of the constitution court or any others who might do so...
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mogy71
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Discussion 6 : 06 Aug 2012 at 15.216
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"does not reflect the realities on the ground" - since when has that mattered in Thai politics...
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somchai
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Discussion 5 : 06 Aug 2012 at 14.475
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The fugitive and his regime will never resolve the issues in the south. Their massacres at Tak Bai and Khue Se will never be forgotten by the Thai people.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 4 : 06 Aug 2012 at 14.154
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Veera: "The age old draft dodging allegation", another BP writer who seems to think that getting away with something for years somehow lessens the guilt.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 3 : 06 Aug 2012 at 14.113
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pjt D2.

You ask how many of the injustices would stop if the terrorists laid down their arms. I imagine that the insurgents would reply that injustices perpetrated by the authorities existed long before the present armed conflict began and therefore there is no reason to suppose they would stop if they laid down their arms.
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pjt
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Discussion 2 : 06 Aug 2012 at 08.222
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Khun Veera - it would help if you could explain further what the injustices are and who is perpetrating them. I understand that there are various incidents such at Tak Bai and Krue Se, but that cannot be the whole story. How many of the percieved injustices would be mitigated if the terrorists laid down their arms and entered peaceful resolution processes? We should also not forget that the terrorists are also inflicting injustices through murders, burning of schools and preventing people going about their daily lives without fear
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amazed
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Discussion 1 : 06 Aug 2012 at 07.391
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"The real problem is that the government or authorities have not solved the root cause, which is injustice." Are we still talking about the South?
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Help from an ivory tower | Bangkok Post: opinion