Thailand Politics

[Daddy San]

Really? so why is it that Arabs and Muslims around the world want to push Sharia Law no matter which country they are in?

1. Not all Arabs and Muslims do.
2. Those who do, clearly have other concepts of courtesy than I do. But what can you expect of savages.

If I were you, I'd be careful.
I'm told the Bangkok Hilton is not girl friendly.

I am also all for repressing/punishing/silencing and first and foremost deporting all those "guests" who abuse their hosts hospitality.

[Cunning Stunt]

But, I contribute significantly to the country, particularly because of where I currently work. More importantly, I pay quite hefty taxes in Thailand. In contrast, a large percentage of the Thai populace pay none. I feel as a result, I'm within my rights to comment on, disagree with and protest against anything in this damn country I feel like.

Poor old OTH. Seems to be losing the plot, standing atop his personal clifftop, staring down into the abyss below and screaming into the wind.

I'm sure though that you have already realized that, just because you have contributed financially and maybe physically to this country, does not mean that anyone, except perhaps your 'mates' at ISG, really do give a fuck.

[Seydlitz]

It is very difficult to know what Thais really think about pretty much anything and about this hyper-touchy topic in particular. I gather there is a strict delimitation between the institution and the person. The august octogenarian has been around for son long that hardly anybody remembers what was before. Hardly anybody would criticise the current monarch, partly because of the long reign, partly because of the very many good deeds that have been so cleverly publicised, partly because of the personal dignity displayed by HM.

As time went, the revered figure started fading away, and other players appeared on the picture. They had been around for long, but nobody really paid much attention. Now it seems that there is nobody who can command enough respect and prestige to carry the monarchy into a new reign.

I suppose that many Thai citizens realise that the current huge divide of the Thai public opinion cannot be healed within the existing system, and the monarchy has worked so diligently to identify itself with the status quo that it will have to go. Many people remember that indeed HM succeeded his late brother (whose reign had barely begun when he died), but that before King Ananda there had been no king on the throne for more than a decade and that monarchy was restored as part of a deal between political factions of the time.

I think that more and more people are thinking that although for many reasons HM still commands respect, the monarchy, as an institution, is not inherently essential for the continuation of the Thai state.

[Opebo]

I believe very strongly, that in any country, guests, be it tourists, expats and, even journalists, should behave and respect the current political system and customs, even if they don't like it, or else get out!
Live out your civil liberties at home, but don't offend your hosts!

Virtually all my friends and colleagues, being educated middle class and centrist to moderately left, are highly critical of the institution which may not be mentioned. Of course they are only so in private. I do have a few conservative friends, but even they are not so in thrall to that institution as your average ignorant in the street. If I hewed to the official line in private conversation with these educated folk, they'd probably doubt my veracity, and/or call me a fascist!

One needs to remember that what is presented as a universal part of Thai culture is partly just a media marketing campaign. True, it has been effective, and true, there is a good deal of real feeling in the simple, credulous populace, but, behind this facade, there is a lot of criticism going on. No doubt this is why the official myth must be backed up by the legal system.

[NicFrenchy]

I believe very strongly, that in any country, guests, be it tourists, expats and, even journalists, should behave and respect the current political system and customs, even if they don't like it, or else get out!
Live out your civil liberties at home, but don't offend your hosts!

Really? so why is it that Arabs and Muslims around the world want to push Sharia Law no matter which country they are in?

[Daddy07]

Perhaps, if you're an expat retired here. But, I contribute significantly to the country, particularly because of where I currently work. More importantly, I pay quite hefty taxes in Thailand. In contrast, a large percentage of the Thai populace pay none. I feel as a result, I'm within my rights to comment on, disagree with and protest against anything in this damn country I feel like.

If I were you, I'd be careful.

I'm told the Bangkok Hilton is not girl friendly.

[Old Thai Hand]

I believe very strongly, that in any country, guests, be it tourists, expats and, even journalists, should behave and respect the current political system and customs, even if they don't like it, or else get out!
Live out your civil liberties at home, but don't offend your hosts!

Perhaps, if you're an expat retired here. But, I contribute significantly to the country, particularly because of where I currently work. More importantly, I pay quite hefty taxes in Thailand. In contrast, a large percentage of the Thai populace pay none. I feel as a result, I'm within my rights to comment on, disagree with and protest against anything in this damn country I feel like.

[Daddy San]

.... I have a real problem with Farang (in general...not meaning you) who go 'ga-ga' over Thai cultural symbology and fall lock-step into the trap of Thai nationalist dogma and brainwashing, underpinned as it is by self-serving spin-doctors who have spent 40 years creating an iconographic fantasy.[/url]

I believe very strongly, that in any country, guests, be it tourists, expats and, even journalists, should behave and respect the current political system and customs, even if they don't like it, or else get out!
Live out your civil liberties at home, but don't offend your hosts!

[Old Thai Hand]

OTH,

It is too bad that on a web forum, one cannot see so readily that some comments are meant tongue firmly in cheek.

Point taken. Good post. I will admit that lately, I've lost my sense of humour or the ability to see it in others. That's probably why I missed the 'tongue in cheek' nature of your remarks. At the moment, I'm experiencing a major, hostile (not to mention, illegal) squeeze from the Thai elite, that will result in the loss of my current job. Fortunately, it looks like it will be a temporary set-back. Still, I'm not in the best mood about anything to do with this wretched country or its "guiding light(s)".

[Seydlitz]

oth,

it is too bad that on a web forum, one cannot see so readily that some comments are meant tongue firmly in cheek. i am well aware that the naked truth about thailand is nearly always very remote from the polished image, regrettably the only one the casual onlooker will see and remember. this being said, one will never be free to discuss this matter until some substantial change happens in the country.

admittedly, totalitarian regimes have a natural tendency to suppress free speech. however, it is very rare that the leaders would be so bold as to make speeches in which they openly say that it is great to oppress the people, to steal state resources for the sole benefit of a small clique and that they work exclusively to perpetuate the iron grip that their clan has on the hapless peasants. quite the contrary, they go on and on about virtues to be upheld, morality to be restored, democracy to be perfected, social values to be celebrated etc. it is quite simple to use their own words and to quote them chapter and verse to criticise actual political behaviours that inevitably do not conform to what is preached and forms the official gospel. in the aftermath of the death of chaiman mao, this tactique was used very effectively by those who opposed the power grab by the successors. they used the words of the deceased tyrant against his successors.

in a totalitarian regime, one cannot confront the men at the top openly. this is worth a bullet in the neck, or at least 15 years of labour camp. either you shut up, or you use the words of the regime against its own self. that way, you might pass for a simpleton who takes official words literally, but you might avoid the nasty consequences of being an enemy of the state.

[Sanook D]

BTW, a Thai academic was charged today with lese majeste...turned in by the bookstore of Chulalongkorn University, where he teaches. That a university, which is supposed to be a bastion of free-thought and opinion would do something like this is a disgrace. It's just another indication that the right-wing reactionaries have as firm a grip as ever on the throat of this country.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...r-royal-insult

Interview with him here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4GHb...eature=channel

[Old Thai Hand]

....The Guiding Light of Thailand....

While I agree with what you say about this guy and think he was quite stupid for being so blatant, I have a real problem with Farang (in general...not meaning you) who go 'ga-ga' over Thai cultural symbology and fall lock-step into the trap of Thai nationalist dogma and brainwashing, underpinned as it is by self-serving spin-doctors who have spent 40 years creating an iconographic fantasy.

The reality is far more nasty and sinister than even this guy would dare whisper about.


BTW, a Thai academic was charged today with lese majeste...turned in by the bookstore of Chulalongkorn University, where he teaches. That a university, which is supposed to be a bastion of free-thought and opinion would do something like this is a disgrace. It's just another indication that the right-wing reactionaries have as firm a grip as ever on the throat of this country.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...r-royal-insult

[Seydlitz]

Why someone residing or being physically in Thailand would write anything that could fall under the lese-majesté law is beyond me.

There are many things that are very wrong in Thailand on which it is permissible to write about without getting the Royals involved. If this Australian dude wanted to do that he should have criticized all those filthy politicians for not following the wise teachings of His Majesty The King, who is The Guiding Light of Thailand. Who could jail him for that ?

[Ozirob]

No need to say bye bye to someone who has departed. Only question to The Departed should be: why are you here?

[NicFrenchy]

Some Aussie asshole

Is he? do you know him?

got 3 years for insulting him in a book that slde seven copies. Too lenient, if you ask me.

Well, let's be grateful no one asked you then. bye bye.