Comments on: PPP gone…

By: hrk

hrk — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:46:48 +0000

By chance I came across some interesting argument raised by John Milton.in the 17th century.
“A Tyrant whether by wrong or by right comming to the Crown, is he who regarding neither Law nor the common good, reigns onely for himself and his faction. …
It being thus manifest that the power of Kings and Magistrates is nothing else, but what is only derivative, transferr’d and committed to them in trust from the People, to the Common good of them all, in whom the power yet remaines fundamentally, and cannot be tak’n from them
a King, who governs to the good and profit of his People, and not for his own ends, it follows from necessary causes, that the Titles of Sov’ran Lord, natural Lord, and the like, are either arrogancies, or flatteries. …
And surely no Prince, not drunk with high mind, …, would arrogate so unreasonably above human condition, or derogate so basely from a whole Nation of men his Brethren, as if for him only subsisting, and to serve his glory; valuing them in comparison of his owne brute will and pleasure, no more then so many beasts, or vermin under his Feet, …; among whom there might be found so many thousand Men for wisdom, vertue, nobleness of mind, and all other respects, but the fortune of his dignity, farr above him.” http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/tenure/index.shtml

By: Ralph Kramden

Ralph Kramden — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:59:42 +0000

Abhisit has seen the light (reported in the Nation): “Abhisit said he wanted the transition to the next government to take place under prescribed rules sanctioned by the Constitution. Any ideas to bring about changes by non-constitutional means are not appropriate, he said in reference to the push to form a national unity government.” Guess he was asleep while senior Dems were supporting un-constitutional means….

By: Chatri Moonstan

Chatri Moonstan — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:55:30 +0000

Blocking the airports, among other violences committed by PAD and it’s gaurds are unacceptable and unlawful.

Chatri Moonstan
Ph.D Candidate

By: Flashman

Flashman — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:50:42 +0000

As Thailand continues its decent into political and economic ruin I find the following definition rather apt: “Banana Republic is a pejorative term for a small country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g., bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique.” Though Thailand’s economy may not be dependent upon agriculture (yet) the self-proclaimed righteous of the opposing factions seem bent on fulfilling this definition. Incidentally, “Banana republics are typically highly prone to revolutions and coups.”

By: max

max — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:40:11 +0000

how about the PAD leaders and their guards get thrown in jail for a very long time, never to destroy the credibility of the country’s institutions again?

According to the legal standards followed by the Consitutional Court, the authorities are obligated to…

…oh yea, i forgot that i was looking at the results of the Burmese referendum. it seems that constitution kept the will of the people right where the generals wanted it, dead or in jail, in no place to insult the royal Sh’we’.

By: Tony Loader

Tony Loader — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:36:37 +0000

If there is now to be an interim administration, does that imply new elections in the near future?

If so, then now is the ideal opportunity for the PAD to form a new party, stack their party list ticket with their ‘good and able’ people, and take their agenda to the electorate. This then would act as a true test of the national support they claim to have.

Should they win government (seems unlikely), then under a democratic system the Thai constituency must live with their decision (also seems unlikely). If not, then form a robust opposition acting within parliament. Simple.

By: max

max — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:47:40 +0000

MawHom: Thank you very much, I truly appreciate it.

How long will the PAD, basically a court-backed crony militia, be able to get away with destroying the country and labelling its opposition (The majority of Thais, Thai-Laos, and Thai Khmers) as ciphers for Thaksin when it is so clear that they are but the tools of the ‘educated’, ‘enlightened’, and ’superior’ folks who have bankrolled this supremely disingenuous, spiteful, and malicious campaign of terror.

By: fall

fall — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:33:07 +0000

PPP gone, but every problems remain…

…especially how would ANY government deal with the fact that Thai military would not follow order they do not like.

By: JaiYenJohn

JaiYenJohn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:23:52 +0000

Maybe Somchai and the TRT/PPP can take over Chiang Mai International Airport until this ruling is reversed? I hear that’s very effective.

By: MawHom

MawHom — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:21:29 +0000

Max: The statement makes several points about the procedure used by the Constitutional Court (not allowing all witnesses for PPP to speak; allowing PPP only 2 hours to present its case) as well as calling into question the integrity of some of the members of the Court (one member’s wife is alleged to have been active in PAD demonstrations). It ends by noting that these irregularities are likely to lead Thai people to call the integrity of the court into question, and to see the ruling as an alternative means of accomplishing a coup.

The real question is whether Thaksin will direct Puea Thai–the new container for old TRT and PPP MPs–to appoint one of his sisters as its head. If that’s the case, and if they continue to maintain a solid majority in parliament, then we can expect a massive–and more violent–resurgence of PAD activity.

The ruling of the Constitutional Court is merely a brief reprieve designed to save face for a certain someone’s upcoming birthday. Once Puea Thai regroups, you can expect the last week to be replayed, with a vengeance.