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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tg1955
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Discussion 11 : 25 Nov 2012 at 08.2711
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Hey Khun Voranai, you are showing your true colours. Anyways, I agree with you that Boonlert's tactics are undemocratic.
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Wally
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Discussion 10 : 25 Nov 2012 at 08.2410
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A good synopsis without the histrionics and biases as usual. If nothing else the police finally have managed to control a protest without the need to bring in the army. A test run at PT has been made, now back to the drawing board, the drama will no doubt continue.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 9 : 25 Nov 2012 at 08.219
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Nice article but a pity you couldn't resist the sexist remark about aggravation causing wrinkles.
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bkposter
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Discussion 8 : 25 Nov 2012 at 05.058
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Thank you Khun Voranai....Accurate, concise and to the point.
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facts_only
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Discussion 7 : 25 Nov 2012 at 05.027
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"An afternoon of tear gas and confrontation ended up saying more about the Thai opposition than it did about Yinglucks government." - BBC, Nov 24, 2012
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bkposter
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Discussion 6 : 25 Nov 2012 at 04.526
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"Get as many people to show up as possible, provoke violent clashes with the authorities, create chaos in the streets, and then of course the military would have a reason to intervene."
It has worked many times in the past and the same group used it successfully in 06.
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amazed
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Discussion 5 : 25 Nov 2012 at 04.405
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Clearly, Thailand will never adhere to the basic principles of true democracy. It will continue to declare itself democratic, throw around the words of democracy and go through the motions required and expected by democratic allies, but fail utterly in making the commitments necessary. Thailand's distorted version is a tag team imposition of power, greed and intimidation with each side differing only in the overtness of the manipulations needed to command and control.
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tommylee
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Discussion 4 : 25 Nov 2012 at 03.434
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No matter who is in charge, the trough/ cookie jar is the target.
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bkkmatt
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Discussion 3 : 25 Nov 2012 at 03.373
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One can only wonder what meetings will take place from both sides about the next move?
I have learned from living in Thailand, is the importance of face, image and how one is perceived trumps all else.
I'm sure both sides will be plotting, defending, attacking in the days, weeks maybe months ahead.
More protests, crackdowns, mobs etc to follow.

One thing we can all admit is there is never a dull moment living here!!
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bkkmatt
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Discussion 2 : 25 Nov 2012 at 03.312
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Thai's in general are quite good at lying, cheating and mud throwing so I don't know why they don't try a democratic approach to tarnish the other sides image and gain public support.
IF they found and presented evidence of mass corruption then surely they would have sympathy and more people willing to follow and support them.
A lot of these social problems stem from the culture. Thai's are taught to katow, obey and bottle up their emotions and are not taught how to debate, argue or challenge authority.
What we have are protests of hate and violence instead of debate and dialogue.
A clear sign of an immature, repressed society.
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Ready to topple a govt, Or not | Bangkok Post: opinion