Boonlert and his mission impossible

Published: 20 Nov 2012 at 12.49
Online news: Opinion

Emotions are running high as Pitak Siam's anti-government rally draws near, with pro and anti-government leaders stepping up their rhetoric. For those still undecided about joining the rally, they should ask themselves whether they are willing to be led by a leader with outlandish political ideas.

The much-publicised Pitak Siam rally against the government is only four days away and emotions are already running high to the point of paranoia among red-shirt leaders as they order their people to be on “standby in their barracks”.

Even the “Man in Dubai” is so jumpy about the Pitak Siam protest that he can no longer hide his deep-seated mistrust of the amataya (elite) whom he suspects of being behind the protest and the conspiracy to overthrow the government. Addressing a red-shirt rally in Samut Prakan last weekend in a video phone-in from Dubai, he questioned why Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, didn’t stop his former aide, Adm Jun Tamprateep, from joining the protest.

By the same token, opponents of Thaksin might ask the same question. Why didn’t he stop the Palang Prachachon Party (predecessor of the Pheu Thai Party) executive members, including former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, from joining the red-shirt protest at Ratchaprasong shopping district two years ago?

My answer is that they are all grown-up men and mature enough to make their own decisions about whether to join or not to join a protest. After all, it is their constitutional right to free expression.

Besides those who hate Thaksin and the government and who are expected to join Saturday's rally, I believe that there are many others who, despite their opposition to the fugitive former prime minister and the government, are hesitant to join for different reasons.

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bluebkk
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Discussion 22 : 20 Nov 2012 at 21.1622
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The red mercenaries' sympathizers are going through the roof it seems.... They constantly oppose this rally while they used every excuse to justify the red thug occupation of BKK and the atrocities committed by the reds.... In simple language its called " double standards".....or " short memory"
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edlimym
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Discussion 21 : 20 Nov 2012 at 20.5521
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Let the UN run this country for a few years. Then people from all opposing parties will straighten their mindset. No point having local people run this Country, reason being, any other Party running will face demonstration to get rid of the Government. Elected or not elected is waste of time because these Elites do not bother at all. Beneficial to the Elites, they can stay for a few more months. Non beneficial to the Elites, out you go or better still, protest till you surrender. So please, let the UN run this Country for a while and see what would happen next.
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Bangon
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Discussion 20 : 20 Nov 2012 at 20.4920
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Deedy: I do agree with you, an elected Government governing for the well-being of the Nation within a clear program, and not even needing the permanent agreement of the majority! Did I get you right?
And honest elections: give all people the right to knowingly vote for 'X' (education/information) and no coercion or vote buying (no corruption). This all is democratic. For sure we agree. But which country are we talking about? I say Thailand, and I've seen nothing of the above here! Did you?
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peterd
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Discussion 19 : 20 Nov 2012 at 20.1519
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#15, are you afraid by the word democracy, it just means "power for the people"? To be anti-dictatorship no means to be pro PT or UDD. Read again my posts (and some others posters), i never make proselytism for the people you talk. Anyway the Gvt of Thailand is legitimate, elected by the majority of the voters and confirmed by the EC and it's not because some people don't accept that it changes this reality. Maybe it's to you to understand.
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Deedy
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Discussion 18 : 20 Nov 2012 at 19.5618
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There's a very interesting definition of democracy being used here by many. It seems that their definition is that a government may only do what everyone in the country agrees with. In fact, in the real world, governments don't even have to do what the majority of people in the country agree with after they are elected. You see, what happens is that they only have a set period of time to govern. After that, we have what are known as 'elections'. During these 'elections' people get the chance to vote for someone else if they like and, if that someone else gets more votes, then they become the government for a time. I hope that clarifies things
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domdunnn
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Discussion 17 : 20 Nov 2012 at 19.4817
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bangon D15

You are right that an election victory doesn't give the government the "right" to rule against the minority, but it may leave them with no choice but to rule against the minority if the losers refuse to admit their defeat and allow them to implement their election promises.

Thailand needs serious social and economic re-engineering and the team you seem to support are dead set against it and concerned only with protecting their privileged lifestyle. So here are some hints for you, come up with policies for the benefit of all citizens - get a leader who the voters trust - win an election.
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Eric
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Discussion 16 : 20 Nov 2012 at 19.4016
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Bangon dis#15, speaking for myself I'm not a UDD or PT sympathizer but I am sympathic to democracy and I entrust my belief in people mandate. This may not be the best system as Churchill said but there is no other system better. That PT has the majority is due to Dem Party inability to challenge and the baggage that it carried from the coup. Even if the notion that votes were bought and that will include the Dem Party, all things equal, Dem Party will still not win the hearts and minds of the majority of voters. If you have a read on the history of the DP, you will understand why the poor who are the majority has no faith in them.
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Bangon
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Discussion 15 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.4315
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Dear Android, Eric, bkposter, peterd, and other posting UDD and/or PTP sympathizers: it is your good right to express your opinion but, please, stop using, ab-using, the word: 'Democracy', thank you! Maybe some day, soon I hope, you and your kins will learn to understand that the Government and movement you support and applaud is as undemocratic in its origins as it is in its goals. Just one hint for now: a majority in Parliament does not give the right to form a Government aimed to rule in favour of only the majority, against the rest of the country...
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dickemery
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Discussion 14 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.2214
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70% of the population are with this people movement rally ,they want a no confidence vote in the housee of parliament next week, and to call for new honest election,to be surveyed by an independant body
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peterd
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Discussion 13 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.0913
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#9, power to the people comes by election in democracy, not by noisy carnival. The millions people you talk have to go to vote to remove a Gvt and everyone have to respect the choice of the majority.
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