Ready to topple a govt, Or not

COMMENTARY

Published: 25 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit claimed the police were trying to incite violence in order to justify a crackdown, thereby stomping on a peaceful and democratic protest.

Jatuporn Prompan claimed the Pitak Siam group was trying to incite violence to provoke a police crackdown and thereby bring military intervention that would topple the Pheu Thai-led government.

Who makes more sense?

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bennu
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Discussion 31 : 25 Nov 2012 at 15.1331
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More police, 20.000 with tear gas, blocking the road, than protesters. Count down.
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homosapien
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Discussion 30 : 25 Nov 2012 at 15.0530
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Khun Voranai always produces good articles one after another. But this one, in my opinion, is one of the best.

For recent days, it seemed to me that many people just didn't get it. Feel free to criticize, malign or argue against the government as much as you want. You may even be able to commit personal attacks against Khun Yingluck because, in all likelihood, she will not waste her time suing you.

But to argue for the coup, which by definition deprives the people of rights and liberty, you are commiting a terrible sin (metaphorically, of course) which is untenable from a democratic point of view.
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andreaust
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Discussion 29 : 25 Nov 2012 at 14.4129
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"That is why, through ups and downs, bombings and burnings, uprisings and crackdowns, prisons and Cambodian holidays, their leaders now sit in the government."
It is because that government is a corrupt one led by a fugitive convicted criminal.
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pjt
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Discussion 28 : 25 Nov 2012 at 14.3828
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Khun Voranai - You have to believe that there are other's observing the result of these and the PAD activities. Eventually the penny will drop that the problem is the idea of 'toppling' instead of 'beating' the government through offering a better alternative in terms of policy and implementation. If they want to win the government's opponents must coalesce around and finance a party lead by a moderate leader with a clear and integrated policy platform based on commonsense policies. Political fortunes can change surprisingly quickly due to the short memory of the electorate and the inevitable baggage of incumbent governments
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ggh
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Discussion 27 : 25 Nov 2012 at 14.1227
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Dis 25 – the devaluation of the baht played a large part of the financial collapse of 97. And yes, there had been numerous warning this crisis was coming. Of the rich elite in Thailand, how many do you think took advantage of this by purchasing foreign currency prior to the devaluation and then repurchasing Baht at a 50% discount? Good way to get rich quick for people in the know which would be the elite class in Thailand. Also, I wonder how much tax these people would have paid on their financial gains at the expense of the Thai people that lost a lot!
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loong
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Discussion 26 : 25 Nov 2012 at 13.4326
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Gen Boonlert is a good honest man and finish last. There is no room to fit him in Thais political theater.
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drsmith
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Discussion 25 : 25 Nov 2012 at 13.3225
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D24 I assume you did not live in Thailand in 1997? If you had you would realize the same exact thing that sank the Thai financial markets in 97 is happening now. Was there any warning in 1997? No. Was there a reduction in credit rating? No. This is all a result of non governmental transparency concerning economic statistics. What is released by the govt is not the actual. Rating agencies can only rate with the information they have available. As Thai National debt is a web of secrecy it would be impossible for any agency to report accurately. Have a look back at 1997 before you trust anything
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Eric
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Discussion 24 : 25 Nov 2012 at 12.5124
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Dis#23, you may have your opinion about debts but I will rather relay on international credit ratings and bond yield which are sensitive to sovereign debts. I have not noticed any iota of concern by any rating agencies and we still maintained the+BBB rating. The bond interest has also not rose, showing international investors have no concern about our debts and confident to continue to invest on our government bonds inspire of the declining bond yields.
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drsmith
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Discussion 23 : 25 Nov 2012 at 11.1923
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D2 Finding the evidence when the whole system is corrupt is quite difficult and impossible to do. Democracy is not simply the right to vote as many Thai's believe. Democracy is a government by the people. Supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by the people. The absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges. There is a fair and impartial judiciary. The law is enforced regardless of social status. In 1997, the entire financial system collapsed overnight as the government held back this information same as we see happening again in 2012. Debt is published at 49% GDP, when in actuality it may be much higher.
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ggh
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Discussion 22 : 25 Nov 2012 at 11.1122
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Dis 13 - Really I don’t seem to have the same problems as you. I do support a democratic government which is the type of government we now have in Thailand. When governments are removed undemocratically I do not support this and will make my voice heard if I can. In the end, democracy will triumph. The common people will demand this. Thailand is making great progress in realizing what it’s all about. No reason for me to go home.
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Ready to topple a govt, Or not | Bangkok Post: opinion