[Pridi] was a wonderful man. He was a natural leader. He was one who cared for the people. So, since then, we have so many coup d’états. And every coup d’état, of course, it helped the military. It never helped the people. And the last coup, four years ago, I think people regarded that as the last straw. That’s why they are demanding democracy without military. …
… unfortunately, [the red shirts] also have been linked with the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was a crook, who was a dictator in the guise of democracy. That is the unfortunate thing. But, of course, many people did want to link with Thaksin, but Thaksin used the opportunity. He claimed that he can return home with the mass movement. That’s rather unfortunate.
…Since we don’t believe in God, some try to make the king God, which, of course, is unfortunate. The king is the first among equals, you see?
The full interview with Sulak Sivaraksa is available here.
The framing of Pridi was the beginning of the end of the 1932 revolution. I would love to think that someday there will be a statue of him in Bangkok as tall and prominent as those of the Chakri kings. Thai students frequently make offerings to the statue of Rama V before exams, as he is the informal patron saint of education. Perhaps social progressives, activists, and would-be statesmen could make offerings to Pridi?
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Khun Sulak was in Europe immediately after the coup in 2006 arguing it was a necessary coup and a necessary evil. I’m glad he is more critical now (Ok, so back in 2006, he wasn’t the only one).
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WLH #1 :
re : “Rama V before exams, as he is the informal patron saint of education. Perhaps social progressives, activists, and would-be statesmen could make offerings to Pridi?”.
Yes – I agree. But bear in mind – that to millions of “Thais”/Siamese, including millions of Red Shirt sympathisers – Rama V, Chulalongkorn, is THE patron saint of social progressives, activists, and true statesmen, Pridi included.
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chris beale #3:
True dat. Also the patron saint of men who dream of having a hundred minor wives and three hundred children. :>
It’s notable that Rama V is credited with saving Siam by forcibly modernizing it, by which he willfully eliminated numerous aspects of established Siamese “culture” (dress, deportment, etc).
Apparently if anyone less than a king tries to modernize the country, he’s being “un-Thai.” Which leaves it up to the king to set the tone for progress. How will history judge Rama 9, when the dust settles? We probably won’t know in our lifetimes.
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WLH #4 re:
“Also the patron saint of men who dream of having a hundred minor wives and three hundred children. ”
ONLY 100 mia noi ??
In my opinion – a good example of admirable Royal restraint.
Especially compared to General Sarit, who reportedly had 771 minor wives, according to a Thai academic who studied this !!!
The research was published about a decade ago in both Bangkok Post and The Nation – so my memory is fading of this : perhaps Sarit had ONLY 171 mia noi.
At any rate – considerably more than Chulalongkorn, but then hard-drinking generals such as Sarit are not known for the karmic calm of kings.
Perhaps Ralph Kramden – who keeps Thai press clippings better than I do – could enlighten us on this ?
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Oh, I’m sure Chulalongkorn had over 100. I just estimated 100 as a modern aspirational standard for patriarchal non-royal Thai men.
Doesn’t the film director Chatrichalerm (“Suriyothai”) have several dozen? Makes you wonder why the press is crucifying “Film” over having one baby out of wedlock.
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Thaksin for all his faults, the problematic consequences of his anti-drug and Southern policies, was for more socially engaged than most Socially Engaged Buddhists who see politics as impure and corrupt but doing nothing…
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chris beale 5
Lest we forget the current dynasty is descended from a military general who removed the previous incumbent.
Kings throughout history are expected to exhibit all the qualities of generalship and martial prowess. The current monarch is no exception and these attributes were promulgated during the not so cold war in SE Asia in the 60′s and 70′s.
When reading on Thai history I am often reminded of the cautionary tale of Rex Nemorensis recalled in “The Golden Bough” (which I am sure must have been familiar to the Princes Damrong and Rangsit).
The nation has a long and proud history of military usurpers and historical revisionism. Some become monarchs, some generals, some dictators and some Prime Minister. The cult of Thaksin is a modern addition to an ancient tale and the story’s not over until the diva sings….
One thing I am quite certain of is whoever is left enthroned when the dust settles it will be an individual personality with a sufficient store of acceptable “barami” (or cojones)- not any kind of collective of peoples representatives.
A people get the government they deserve and this culture thrives on respect for the hard man. T’was ever thus…
Hence why the current P.M is seen as a caretaker at best or puppet at worst.
Unfortunately Newin fits the bill in many respects….You don’t need to be loved, only feared sufficiently.
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