Power to the people; will Thais take to the street?

buksida

The countdown is on to the clash of the titans. Come December 9 the series of ongoing rows between two former best friends – Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul – is expected to reach boiling point.

With both sides having so much at stake, many believe that the climax may reshape Thai politics. The question is, if the head-on collision is really inevitable, to what extent it will it be reshaped.

Sondhi, in his last “Thailand Weekly” forum, which has now turned into a major political rally, called for Thais to show up in their “five hundred thousands” in his planned gathering next Friday. And political observers believe such numbers are not just meant as a show of force, when a crowd that huge comes together, a major wind of political change will blow.

Full Story: The Nation

We can only hope that this doesnt turn into another 1970's scenario or worse. Just a reminder:

In December 1972, Thanom announced a new interim constitution that provided for a totally appointed legislative assembly, two- thirds of the members of which would be drawn from the military and police. This move provoked widespread protest, however, especially among students and led to Thanom's eventual removal. In May and June 1973, students and workers rallied in the streets to demand a more democratic constitution and genuine parliamentary elections. By early October, there was renewed violence, protesting the detention of eleven students arrested for handing out antigovernment pamphlets. The demonstrations grew in size and scope as students demanded an end to the military dictatorship. On October 13, more than 250,000 people rallied in Bangkok before the Democracy Memorial, in the largest demonstration of its kind in Thai history, to press their grievances against the government.

The next day troops opened fire on the demonstrators, killing seventy-five, and occupied the campus of Thammasat University.

lomuamart · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject:

Been following this with interest over the past few weeks.
Toxin's got a special task force together to try and ensure that Sondhi dosn't break the gagging order imposed on him recently by a court prior to the huge defamation suit being brought by Mr T.
Still didn't stop a huge crowd from watching Sondhi's weekly address in Lumphini Park last Friday, even if it was done by television etc. Sondhi stayed away, apparantly under the protection of a revered Abbott and taped the message.
About time the meglomaniac Toxin was down a peg or two. I hope it all succeeds again this Friday.
Power, or at least free speach, to the people.
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

buksida · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject:

An appeal to the Thai masses
This is the day of destiny when the Buddhist kingdom of Thailand will see which way the wind blows in the ongoing, no holds barred, very un-Buddhist political confrontation between former allies and best friends, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his now fierce critic, Sondhi Limthongkul, founder of Manager Media Group.

It all started with a talk show, or rather a case of the (talk) show must go on. Ever since Thailand This Week, Sondhi's unique political talk show went mobile after being canceled by state-owned Channel 9 in mid-September, it has been relentlessly snowballing into a political protest movement.

From terrestrial to satellite, from studio to growing live audiences, first at Thammasat University and then in Lumpini park in downtown Bangkok, the mobile talk show is virtually the only outlet in Thailand for the urban masses to express political dissent. And they have adopted it with unlimited relish. Thai media have dubbed the saga "Sondhi fever", or "the Sondhi phenomenon".

Full Story: Asia Times Online

Jaime · Ace Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1898 Location: Sh*t Creek

PeteB · Professional Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 289

Jaime - not quite correct

Financial Times

Knocker · Amateur Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 48 Location: UK

Thanks Peter. I had not seen any particular coverage in the UK press. I suspect that there has been somehing hidden away ion the foreign affiars pages. I will now follow developments with interest

Jaime · Ace Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1898 Location: Sh*t Creek

Pete B,

Sorry I stand corrected - but I think you probably quoted the exception that proves the rule. Perhaps I should have been more specific - none of the populist conduits for news items - mainstream TV news channels and newspapers - have been covering the issue. As a result most people here are unaware - unless you happen to read the FT! Wink

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"The man who never made a mistake never did bugger all" - Old Welsh proverb

"Why limit yourself to the death of a crummy celery stalk when you can eat a giraffe?" - PWEETA

PeteB · Professional Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 289

Jaime,

Yes - quite surprising isn't it. Shocked

If it is only 'people' or 'free speech' that are impacted - no coverage...

But when money is involved............................ Rolling Eyes

Peter

Heebio · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:05 am Post subject:

I've not been following this much, but does Sondhi have the clout to bring in the numbers the press are talking about? And if he does, do you really think Toxin will allow such a full scale mobilisation? Students and middle class intelligensia might get off their proverbials, but from what I've experienced talking to normal working Thai people, Toxin can do no wrong. With so much of the Thai media at his beck and call, and the impartial minority watching their backs, who can blame them.

Still, that was a year ago. I get into BKK a week on Sunday and I'm staying just off Lumpini. Might be interesting to try and catch the Sondhi show, if he's still able to broadcast. I'd like to see the make up of the crowds he attracts and sample the mood.

I was caught in the middle of near full scale riot here in Edinburgh when the G8 was on. Never seen so many riot police in my life, got a bit hairy at times. I really hope I never witness anything similar in Thailand, but I got my doubts.
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Never trust a hippy....

Norseman · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

I'm most certainly not an expert in thai politics, but I think that a lot of people are fed up with Mr. T and the TRT party.
Yes, he was re-elected in a massive landslide victory, but this is final period and he knows that.
Most people think he did well in his first period.
Economy and improved training programs has been better in general, but he failed to reduce the scale of corruption among public servants and the government employee.
Toxin was elected first time on the assumption that he would get rid of that.

His second, and last period, has turned him into a nasty monster and tyrant, putting down everyone in opposition to his plans, opposing (gag) the liberty of the press, refuses to answer unpleasant questions from pressmen etc. etc.
More and more people know this and are fighting for an alteration of course or assumption of power.
As usual it's the brainpower in Bagers who lead the way.
Let's all hope that all goes as peaceful as possible and that Mr. T trow in the towel and open up the ban of the press and allow the people the right of freedom in this beautiful country.
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I intend to live forever -- so far, so good.

dr dave soul monsta · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:12 am Post subject:

HAS chairman toxin met his match finaly ,
Full on respect to Mr Sondhi for showing the Pm for what he realy is about
chairman toxin has done nothing but use his position to benefit his own empire and line his own and close collegues pockets with gold .no landslide victorys have been earned by TRT and chairman toxin's TRT party but purchased from uneducated and very poor farmers in the north of Thailand for a few hundred baht a vote (this i have witnesed personaly in the out skirts of Korat unfortunatly no pictures)

"MR Sondhi Bring the dictator and his goons down to their knees and hard for the people of Thailand "
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"I don't often agree with the RSPCA as i believe it is an animals duty to be on my plate at supper time"

JW · Ace Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 1456 Location: hua hin

We all hope that Mr Sondhi can bring some sense to politics here in Thailand. I still cannot beleive Toxcin refusing to answer qyusetions because of the alignment of the planets. That is totally unforgivable from the leader of a country, how can anyone take this muppet seriously after a comment like that. I just hope Toxcin doesnt resort to something crazy when this public meeting happens.

Norseman · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:34 am Post subject:

dr dave soul monsta · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:41 am Post subject:

Norseman i getting very worried regards all your complements towards me Embarassed

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"I don't often agree with the RSPCA as i believe it is an animals duty to be on my plate at supper time"

dr dave soul monsta · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:16 pm Post subject:

JW mr chairmans toxins brain is on holiday thats why he cant answer any questions his brain has been on holiday peiriod nothing to do with any planets

he is backed into a corner with no forward gears
_________________
"I don't often agree with the RSPCA as i believe it is an animals duty to be on my plate at supper time"