No threat to democracy?

Postbag

Published: 25 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

I am not an expert in Thai law, but I am familiar with laws in developed countries. So I am confused as to why the court ruled that the Pitak Siam rally posed no threat to democracy and to the democratically elected government. If I recall correctly, this newspaper and other media quoted the Pitak Siam leader, retired general Boonlert Kaewprasit, as stating that he wants a military coup and the closing of the country with suspension of democracy for five years.

In most countries, that is known as sedition, which is defined as ''incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority''. Again, in most countries, this is a serious crime punishable by imprisonment.

Why is it deemed acceptable behaviour in Thailand? Who in their right mind would want democracy suspended for five years? Unless, perhaps, they expected to profit from it.

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robingrant
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Discussion 24 : 26 Nov 2012 at 06.4824
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jcwilcox: No, I am not a reader of the Guardian, on the quality of that newspaper at least, I agree with you. The report was carried on another website.
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jcwilcox
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Discussion 23 : 25 Nov 2012 at 21.3623
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robingrant - If you are a reader of the Guardian newspaper, then that explains all. I suggest you get yourself informed with first hand knowledge rather than be guided by such ultra-liberal trash.
Rachel Harvey of the BBC is of the same type and we all know the total nonsense she broadcast in the Spring of 2010.
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dao
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Discussion 22 : 25 Nov 2012 at 21.1622
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Funny how those that complain loudest werent even there .I hated Ratchprasong but at least I went so I wouldnt be wasting peoples time reading my views on what other people saw .
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robingrant
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Discussion 21 : 25 Nov 2012 at 16.4921
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jcwilcox: Sensible? Reasoning? So why attempt to break through police barriers at Makkawan Bridge? Why did Dr.Tul say he wanted to occupy that area? To get access to the rally site? There was no need, other routes were available. Why were protestors making "shrapnel bombs" as witnessed by a reporter from the UK's Guardian newspaper?

The same crowd occupied and trashed Government House before, but this time they didn't have the numbers, and the police were better organised. Meanwhile, the censure debate continues - that's the way forward.
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jcwilcox
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Discussion 20 : 25 Nov 2012 at 15.0920
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robingrant - I doubt that you were there but I was. I moved around viewing what happened. The people there were very sensible, reasoning, enlightened people who were demonstrating against the present corruption and undemocratic form of government. They were family people. The police, who are owned by the government, incited the trouble which was their intention by blocking people in with concrete barriers and razor wire. The main reason I attended was so that I knew what I was talking about; you should try that sometime. There are always plenty of armchair cowboys fed by the media.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 19 : 25 Nov 2012 at 13.5219
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Modin: In my opinion, demonstrations are a matter for the Thais. If they approve merrily of corruption, of being kept down, and of being taken advantage of by unscrupulous, integrity-lacking politicians, and they are happy having their country ruled by a fugitive and his family, so be it. They will just have to learn the hard way as other countries had to / have to. It's their country and their family's future at stake. We foreigners can still carry on living here happily however crazy and corrupt the governments are. The politicians will get their Karma one day in some form or other. They can't escape it, however rich they are.
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robingrant
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Discussion 18 : 25 Nov 2012 at 13.2718
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jcwilcox: The rally was not peaceful, it was never going to be, as it attracted support from groups who sought to provoke a violent showdown. General Boonlert was advocating the overthrow of a democratically elected government by a military coup. When his appeal for help from his friends in the army went unheeded, he realised the game was up.

Thailand is certainly still a long way from true democracy, but General Boonlert and his supporters are no friends of democracy, and have nothing positive to offer, only a harking back to the bad old days of military dictatorship. Today's censure debate is the right forum for challenging the Governmen
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Modin
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Discussion 17 : 25 Nov 2012 at 11.3317
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Regarding the protest for non thais

I think sitting near some monks who are then tear gassed by riot cops is not illegal. In fact the next time I see a govt. acting in fear, promoting fear, barricading with razor wire and blockades outside town, teargassing monks and supporters of the king, I may go down and sit there farang or not. Do not forget the entire nation was held hostage by the redshirts for ages, and now when there is a small protest on day 1 there is this massive hype and drama. What I saw was people from all walks of life genuinely concerned about corruption and graft. So red protests are ok and yellow arent? seem hypocritical
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pete
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Discussion 16 : 25 Nov 2012 at 11.2816
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jcwilcox:
….”demonstrating the need for true democracy….” Such acts won’t get you anywhere.
Yes you can have your opinions, but you don’t have the right to even attempt to alter the status quo, no matter how much you speak out, simply because you are a guest in this country, family or no family. Comparisons with North Korea are ludicrous; here at least you have your freedom of speech and to some extent freedom of expression. Your posts here seem to advocate a republic form of government rather than a democratic form of government.
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jcwilcox
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Discussion 15 : 25 Nov 2012 at 11.2015
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Whatajoke -- well said, you've put it in a nutshell.
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No threat to democracy? | Bangkok Post: opinion