Comments on: Who is Okas Tepalakul?

By: New Mandala » Another opportunity for Okas

New Mandala » Another opportunity for Okas — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:57:01 +0000

[...] New Mandala readers may recall my earlier post about Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) dark horse Okas Tepalakul. Okas, a car dealer from Chachoengsao province (and classmate of coup supremo Sonthi) gained the most votes from members of the National People’s Assembly (NPA). [...]

By: saraburian

saraburian — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:20:42 +0000

Don’t forget that Chamlong was Prem’s secretary for quite some time when Prem was a premeir. And now he also serves in the NLA. Also, there is an allegation that he was involved with the right-wing operations to crush the student protesters during the 6 October 1976 massacre. Over a long period, it looks like he’s flip-flopping all the time…

By: jeru

jeru — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 01:32:50 +0000

The Thai people owe a lot to this remarkable ascetic Chamlong Srimuang. As you now know, in 1992, Chamlong Srimuang helped rescue the democracy of Thailand from military rule by leading the protests that toppled Suchinda.

However, in 1992, the democracy of Thailand was still facing peril! because that constitution did NOT set up proper institutions and courts to check and scrutinize the behaviors of the political leaders and the military/police in the affairs of the State! It was this MAJOR loophole in our Thai Constitution of 1992 for which General Suchinda took advantage of – which allowed him to bypass proper democratic processes to establish himself as the premier of Thailand. Unless this loophole in our Thai Constitution is mended,

Thus, Chamlong Srimuang proposed to the National Assembly (combination of the House of Representatives and the Senate) and to His Majesty the King that the Constitution be amended. This action finally occurred in 1997.

In 2006 when it was very clear that Thaksin Shinawatra was violating constitutional ethiquette by refusing to submit himself to accountability despite the many serious allegations of constitutional abuse thus degrading the revered office of the PM of Thailand, Chamlong again led the protests that triggered Thaksin’s ouster by a coup.

All those corrupt pro-Thaksins would try their damnest to maligh Chamlong but the man is honest and with the highest integrity.

By: anon

anon — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:59:08 +0000

The only person Chamlong has ever fought for was himself. His actions in Bloody May dramatically increased the popularity of the Phalang Dharma Party. Too bad he couldn’t hold it together. His actions against Beer Chang and Thaksin have put him – and him alone – in the limelight, just the way he likes it.

By: saraburian

saraburian — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:32:12 +0000

When I say Chamlong staged a comeback on the trial day of Thaksin, I mean he reappeared in to the limelight after a long absence from public view to give Thaksin his moral support.
Five years later he worked hand in glove with Sondhi Lim to oust Thaksin. Will the real Chamlong please stand up?

By: saraburian

saraburian — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 14:25:03 +0000

Re: Chamlong
Has he be tamed by HMK after that bloodymay?
Did he strike a deal the day he crawl with Suchinda? From then on he left politics and spent most of his energy as a principal of leadership school in Kanchanaburi. Most of his Ajaan were the so-called “Kon Dee” including Purachai, Seripisut, Paiboon Wattanasiritham etc. Later on they came to work for Thaksin. In his book, Paul Handley said something like Prem was behind the lobbying to let Thaksin off the whim. At the time I remember Chamlong himself staged a comeback on the day of Thaksin’s trial by the constitutional court.
Is Chamlong his own man or is he an agent of someone else. To me, Chamlong is a very complex character. Can someone throw some lights on this please?

By: jeru

jeru — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:49:40 +0000

Chamlong Srimuang is Thailand’s true living hero. He got rid of two dangerous tyrants Suchinda and Thaksin by the power of his broom. I salute Chamlong all the way.

By: Suntorn

Suntorn — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:51:33 +0000

Wow, the name Chamlong has been mentioned. He has been quiet since the 19 sep coup. Why? Because he opposed the non-elected premier Suchinda in 1992 and let others die for him on Rajdamnern Rd. But now, he is best friend of Surayuth and supports this non-elected prime minister just because he does not like a man called Thaksin Shinawatra. Where is your moral principle, K. Chamlong?

By: polo

polo — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:21:19 +0000

Republican might be right in his sentiments but suggesting that very poor Nepal, in an effective civil war for years, is more advanced than Thailand is silly. I don’t like the coup, Thaksin or the king-focused polity, but saying Nepal is ahead is just stupid and undermines serious argument.

By: nganadeeleg

nganadeeleg — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:26:01 +0000

Dear teacher, thanks for the report card, but I already have a new bike due to putting into practice my excellent results in sufficiency economy.

My parents did take exception to your comment that I liked romantic themes with no apparent familiarity with social realism, as they have already observed that I do not have blind faith in elected leaders.