The importance of being Abhisit

COMMENTARY

Published: 6 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Take a second. Think about it. It's a bizarre world we live in. Stand back and look at today from the perspective of 15 years ago.

Abhisit Vejjajiva is being stripped of his military rank and facing criminal charges, deemed evil personified. Meanwhile Chalerm Yubamrung enjoys honours and adulation, rank and prestige. He's the face and voice of the government of the people of Thailand.

The golden boy now gets bullied, scorned and scared. The bully has become the nation's top politician, next to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. If someone had told me 15 years ago that this day would come, I would have said, "Yeah right, and Laos will surpass us in mobile telecommunications technology."

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homosapien
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Discussion 39 : 06 Jan 2013 at 14.1639
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Given the rise of Enlightened-jurists Group, the emergence of Prof. Somsak J. and the 'moderatisation' of the conservative - not to mention the growing fraction of extreme leftists; times have changed indeed.

If someone had told me 15 years ago that there will soon come the day when the establishment (or its fabric if not the institution itself) will heavily be challenged, I'd have said, "Yeah, and that day would come the dissing of the democracy and the nostalgia for the 'good old days' of totalitarianism".
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jacksprat
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Discussion 38 : 06 Jan 2013 at 14.0638
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"Thaksin is old news. People are ready to move on." Tell that to Thaksin and Pheu Thai.
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cpkinnally
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Discussion 37 : 06 Jan 2013 at 12.4937
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"Times have changed" Are you sure you want to reevaluate that statement for validity? Names and faces have changed, but the times have most certainly never changed. Same old thing turning around and around, decade after decade passes and still the same thing persists. The poor are so poor that they're pissed off, but no redistribution ever comes. The problem with red and yellow and Thai politics is that they're all the same color.
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cockeral
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Discussion 36 : 06 Jan 2013 at 12.0036
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God only knows who in Thailand is right and who is wrong, if only there was a clear view, one that remains untainted by the colour of a shirt, or level of wealth. But is it not appalling that a convicted felon is allowed to influence the management of a major country like Thailand? It demonstrate the lack of respect so many Thais have for the law. Whatever one may think of Abhisit, he has shown himself to be a man who does not run away from his responsibility, this alone speaks volumes. Unlike the lack of moral courage of the man in Dubai who ran away, and from his perch continues to direct Thailand along a path of self gratification.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 35 : 06 Jan 2013 at 11.3335
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Abhisit's mistake was to put himself up for the job as PM, the correct thing to do was call a fresh election with a tacit agreement that BJT would form an alliance with them. But the sad reality is you have to play dirty to be a political successfully in this country and in that respect the various players in the Shinawatra party far outclass Abhisit. His shortcomings were cruelly exposed by the 'Ratchaprasong setup' and the largest block of voters fell for it, sadly the majority of this country still admires the hoodlum over the clean cut educated boy.
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Davite

Discussion 34 : 06 Jan 2013 at 11.2234
If AV still in power, thais might have war with cambodia today.

And for me, he was obviously bullied by his own surrounded or supported man
from iPhone application.
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Asian Hand
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Discussion 33 : 06 Jan 2013 at 11.0233
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AV has evolved into a puppet. But those pulling the strings are up against experienced puppeteers.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 32 : 06 Jan 2013 at 10.5032
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Discussion 30: I don't think that there will be any problem for foreigners living here. But Forums, such as this one, might not be around for much longer. If they are, then every poster will be writing, "I applaud the government for (this and that)! Bravo and well done, Dear Leader!"
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peterd
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Discussion 31 : 06 Jan 2013 at 10.3231
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With 2 metaphors, Johnb (20) explains pretty well the true cause of the AV disgrace, but the WW argumentation stays pertinent... "What do you want me to do?" (i'm not the true boss...). And the better leader with a bad inner-circle cannot win. #7, "I just pray that some events reverse the actual situation in Thailand". Don't need to pray to have a General Election, it comes naturally in democracy.
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democrazy
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Discussion 30 : 06 Jan 2013 at 10.2130
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"...run away." In a country where honesty, truth is not honoured and instead lies,cheating and corruption are applauded you better run for the exit.
We foreigners living in Thailand should think twice if we want to live in such a society.
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