Poor reds lose faith as hopes for homes fade

COMMENTARY

Poor reds lose faith as hopes for homes fade

Published: 3 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

'I'm a red. Totally red," declared Wannee, a Bangkok slum dweller who was among the protesters rallying in front of Government House yesterday.

Some may look at the red movement's attacks on double standards and disparity as mere rhetoric. But for Wannee, the disparity message hit the nail right on the head, which was why she attended the Ratchaprasong rally regularly in 2010 before the violence broke out.

" I also voted Pheu Thai afterward because I thought it could make a difference to the lives of the poor. But now I'm not sure anymore."

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drsmith
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Discussion 11 : 03 Oct 2012 at 11.2211
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Proof positive even the poor are using these political movements to benefit themselves. Joining the red shirts solely to be given low cost loans or access to housing for themselves is no more ethical than vote buying. Too many Thai's thinking about themselves and not the good of the country. Good lesson for the poor to learn.
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jwatch
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Discussion 10 : 03 Oct 2012 at 10.0910
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The longer this government stays in power the better the chances that people can realize that its just a bunch pro-elite millionaires making bank
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phetpeter
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Discussion 9 : 03 Oct 2012 at 08.429
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The reds were fooled by the carrot and stick...now, the carrot is gone! Now again there is only the stick..but, in who's hand will the stick be in the end?(Red, yellow, blue, black or green?)
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 8 : 03 Oct 2012 at 08.198
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D5: interesting argument. So the city will look clean and neat (well, not for Bangkok eventually) and when the floods come, the rich city guys will be kept dry and only the slums in the outer suburbs will be under water. That sounds perfect doesn't it?

My goodness, what an attitude!
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 7 : 03 Oct 2012 at 08.157
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"But things came to a halt when the political violence broke out."

Good to see they start realizing that they eventually hurt themselves and that Phuea Thaksin is not the end of all the problems.
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bluebkk
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Discussion 6 : 03 Oct 2012 at 07.396
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Poor and gullible reds...The elite of the North will not suffer...And look well at the wristwatch of your red leader Nattawut.... you can buy a small flat with that value.....
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johnb
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Discussion 5 : 03 Oct 2012 at 06.395
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Relocation of inner city slums to the outer suburbs is a common and accepted practice around the world
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Renaissance
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Discussion 4 : 03 Oct 2012 at 06.304
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If you vote for someone who has been convicted for corruption; who has fled the country to avoid a jail term; who has a pile of court cases on corruption awaiting his return; who has a reputation of helping the wealthy; and who has difficulty keeping his promises, why on earth would you expect his government to be interested in keeping his promises about how he would help you? The poor need to face up to reality ... he just wanted your vote and you fell for his sweet words. At last people are waking up to this.
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amazed
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Discussion 3 : 03 Oct 2012 at 05.403
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The privileged of Thailand, who run the major parties, are lighting a fuse if history is any indication. The wider the income gap and the more the elite see the poor as only a vote to appeal to on occasion, the more unrest is created. Soon, those who feel they have nothing to lose won't look to those who have lead before. They will decide they can only trust themselves and leaders will emerge from the effected poor. They will realize that there is strength in numbers and demand that those who have failed them, step aside. As often as this scenario is repeated, the elite never seem to learn.
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brilliant
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Discussion 2 : 03 Oct 2012 at 05.212
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Yes, Wanee, you were duped. Sorry that the Thai poor have to be the ones that are duped and lied to to get their vote.
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Poor reds lose faith as hopes for homes fade | Bangkok Post: opinion