A political game played with fear, hatred and anger

Published: 11 Nov 2012 at 02.16
Newspaper section: News

A Shinawatra only has to sneeze, and the entire country catches a cold _ it's a dangerous political game being played.

Two issues were revisited this past week: accusations that former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dodged the draft and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's defence at the Bali Democracy Forum of the actions of the red shirts in May and April 2010. When Mr Abhisit called the findings of the panel appointed by Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat a ``political ploy'', he was correct _ and as a political ploy, it's a dangerous one.

When Ms Yingluck told the Bali audience that in 2010 the people rose up and defended democracy because it had been abused and overthrown, it was also a political ploy and a good one at that. However, she only told a half-truth.

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democrazy
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Discussion 14 : 11 Nov 2012 at 12.2214
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The current Gov. is worse then the coup-makers in 2006.
After 25 YEARS they want to "dismiss Abhisit from military service retroactively, effective June 2, 1988",bec. he doesn't have a piece of paper. 25 Years this was right and now bec. of change of Gov it is wrong ???
Yingluck should fire the defence minister immediately for using his political position to give personal favours to his boss in Dubai.
The current puppet dictatorship gov is illegtimate and is doomed.
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joninnak
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Discussion 13 : 11 Nov 2012 at 11.4613
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ggh Do you honestly think that if there was a military coup here the Americans would send in their troops or is that just wishful thinking to protect your red brethren??
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Renaissance
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Discussion 12 : 11 Nov 2012 at 11.3712
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Thai politics has clearly reached a dead end as neither side wants to compromise and both want a Win-Lose solution. There is no point carrying on like this as disunity is a Lose-Lose situation. But until the Thais demand a third path, nothing will change. Politics by nature divides, but Thailand needs unity. Since politicians won't compromise, the only solution seems to be a new system of administration without the influence of politicians and their cronies. But then the politicians would not allow that as they won't be able to raid the coffers. The Thais must stop being apathetic and create a solution as the politicians can't.
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Asian Hand
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Discussion 11 : 11 Nov 2012 at 11.0611
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All this antagonism reflects a gradual waking up of the population at large and threatens the status quo of the current plutocracy. The symptoms of a changing social order currently in the phase of immaturity.
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ringmaster
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Discussion 10 : 11 Nov 2012 at 10.4810
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Maybe a doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)? It worked for the super powers during the cold war - although they were more level headed than these Thai opponents.
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Ian
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Discussion 9 : 11 Nov 2012 at 10.119
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When politics become vendettas rather than policies there is no future for a nation.
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samurai
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Discussion 8 : 11 Nov 2012 at 09.438
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Spot on K.Voranai
In the here and now, TS political machinery is peerless. He's managed to cash in on years of rural resentment and found political allies only too happy to hop on the gravy train. It's only a matter of time when somebody else's platform trumps his and another cycle of political renewal replaces his.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 7 : 11 Nov 2012 at 09.427
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@discussion 2 - Are you seriously suggesting that the United States Marine Corps would intervene in Thailand to prevent another coup?
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pquinlan
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Discussion 6 : 11 Nov 2012 at 09.346
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D2: Get a grip on reality. There are only 250 marines in the Northern Territory, largely equipped for anti-piracy and rescue missions. This number will build to a maximum of 2,500 over the five years. In any case, do you really think that is about stopping coups in Thailand? The USA has been a thorough supporter of the military, including most coups, since 1949.
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bkposter
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Discussion 5 : 11 Nov 2012 at 09.345
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Re: d2 Only a few months ago I was reading speculative articles that US government had already indicated that they would not be so passive and would act if in fact there was another coup. They do have the economic pressure to bring to the fight and it is a powerful weapon against the elite. Perhaps this threat has reminded the brass metal brigade in country that any coup might be costing more than they get out of it.
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A political game played with fear, hatred and anger | Bangkok Post: opinion