.
For those who, like me, have an aversion to Facebook, I'm posting this here as a quick reference of the Red/UDD aims.
(I found it on Teakdoor.com and it apparently comes from Sean Boonpracong/UDD's facebook site)
RED IN THE LAND
Thailand has existed as a democracy in name but not substance for too long. We have stood by as our elected governments were brought down by the might of vested interests. We have endured the hijacking of our media and our judicial system. We have remained silent as those who would lead us failed time and time again to address our legitimate concerns. But a turning point is about to be reached in Thai history.
We, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) are determined to see Thailand become a nation where the principles of democracy, human rights, and equal justice are not only espoused but upheld. As such, we stand opposed to the illegitimate government of Abhisit Vejjajiva and the aristocracy that backs him. In the coming months, we will launch a campaign aimed at uniting the Thai people in opposition to this junta and bringing about free and fair elections. This campaign is based upon 6 principles:
1) Achieving the goal of establishing a genuine democracy that has the King as our Head of State, with political power belonging exclusively to the people. We reject any attempt, past or future, at using the monarchy to silence dissent or advance a particular agenda.
2) Dissolving the 2007 Constitution and restoring the 1997 Constitution, which may then be amended through a transparent, consultative and democratic process.
3) Bringing Thais together in an effort to solve our political and socio-economic problems, recognizing that such efforts must stem from the power of the people.
4) Implementing the rule of law, due process and a system of equal justice for all, free of any obstructions or double-standards.
5) Uniting all Thais who love democracy, equality, and equal justice within all facets of society, in an effort to deconstruct and move beyond the Amartyatippatai (Aristocracy) system.
6 ) Using exclusively non-violent means to achieve these objectives. We are a peaceful movement, whereas the aristocracy maintains its power through the barrel of a gun. We know that the coming struggle will be as long as it is painful. But our cause is virtuous, just as the status quo is unacceptable. In the coming months, the establishment will use every means at its disposal in its efforts to counter us, including lies and propaganda, legal wrangling, intimidation and violence. This is an opponent that supported the hijacking of our airports and the use of military force to bring down an elected government and suppress the dissenting public. But whatever they throw at us, we will endure it, and we will succeed.
27 comments:
interesting.
I think Joy's one word comment says a lot
I would be interested to hear what objections either of you have to the UDD objectives as listed?
Whilst the aims presented sound wonderful, they don't seem to be in line with what is actually happening in the Red Movement - particularly amongst the leaders.
In the 6 principles there is only a fleeting comment about addressing the socio-economic matters currently effectiving a good many Thais.
Otherwsie they all seem to fit nicely into a package which oh so conveniently, suits their "lord and master" and his desire for once again becoming CEO of Thailand.
As I sadi elsewhere, where is there any policy on the "meat & potatoes" issues.
Is the desire to "bring down a government" with no follow up or even a "Plan B" enough to get one million people to converge on Bangkok next weekend ?
I guess we'll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, whils the Reds continue to say they are over Thaksin you might find this interesting from the Bangkok POst Breaking News : "Thaksin urges people to join UDD rally"
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170599/thaksin-urges-people-to-join-udd-rally
Not sure if the link will be there still or expire.
But it's more of the same from him to a RED Rally in Korats yesterday.
That's these same REDs who say they are over him - really ?
GeGee: Sorry to say it, but I think you are still blinded by Thaksin hatred.
TRT was the only party to ever deliver on promises, and they used policies collected from a wide variety of sources (not just Thaksin's head), which did involve 'meat and potatoes' issues.
When will you get over the 'Thaksin is the source of all evil in Thailand' mentality?
I am not Thai, and cannot vote - the best I can hope for is for all Thai's to be allowed to choose who they want to govern them (without interference from military & 'others').
Thaksin is not perfect, nor are the reds, but unfortunately they are the only side that offers anything close to real democracy in Thailand.
I was never comfortable with Thaksin's business interests and his tax avoidance - found it quite hypocritical with his 'man of the people' image.
On the Drug War I think he is but one of many who have a despicable record regarding that episode (even though I agree with the intentions of fighting the drug scourge).
Tak Bai was not his fault, and I think his handling of the aftermath was no worse than Abhisit's handling of the Rohingya refugee matter.
Please read Jakrapob's
'A state within a State' to get an idea of the sort of obstacles Thaksin (but not Abhisit IMO) faced.
What's wrong with Facebook?
'What's wrong with Facebook?'
No idea - its a social network, and as I'm anti-social I know nothing about it.
btw, I like your photo's/blog
Okay Hobby, from here on in, I'll call "him" , "he who can't be named" and promise never to use his name, when discussing issues on your blog.
I think this also brings us to a point where we should also "agree to disagree".
This is your blog and I must respect, that you have every right to you opinions - even if I do not agree with them.
But, I think as you and I have discussed a couple of times, we both believe in much the same "end". The difference is, how we get there.
You believe I am too focused on one person. Maybe so, but I believe that until that person is effectively put out of the game for all time, it will be very difficult to move forward and deal with the real issues Thailand needs to address.
You appear to believe, he is not such a big problem and that there are bigger "enemies of the people" in the game. You might be right.
I do agree with you, there are many "enemies/exploiters of the people" in this game. And they are on ALL sides.
I guess history will be the judge.
I won't be ecstatic if 'he' makes a return to power, I just think he's far from the real problem.
But lets agree to disagree - you are welcome to keep posting here on whatever topics you like ('him' included) - I'll agree when I can (and disagree sometimes too:)
Ahh such a "nice and friendly" blogger - that's my style !!
Seriously Hobby, I do enjoy dicussing these issues with you.
We are a lot closer in our thinking, than might appear so, if one is to go by the posts/blogs on your site.
Perhaps after a week up in Chiang Mai/ Chiang Rai - travelling with a couple of Red supporters, my wife and I might return to Bangkok on a very crowded higway, with a different perspective.
Let's just hope peace and calm can remain and a message of "change", can come out of the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed.
Ahh such a "nice and friendly" blogger - that's my style !!
Seriously Hobby, I do enjoy dicussing these issues with you.
We are a lot closer in our thinking, than might appear so, if one is to go by the posts/blogs on your site.
Perhaps after a week up in Chiang Mai/ Chiang Rai - travelling with a couple of Red supporters, my wife and I might return to Bangkok on a very crowded higway, with a different perspective.
Let's just hope peace and calm can remain and a message of "change", can come out of the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed.
Enjoy the trip - perhaps it will be a good opportunity to 'discuss' the issues with some of the red faithful - maybe they can convince you of the reasons for their 'love' for 'him', and maybe you can try to temper that love:)
555
I came upon a copy of one of Guy Davenport's stories... or more than stories... one of my favorites, and have made it available here, for yourself, Hobby, or for Joy or GeGee or anyone else who might enjoy it.
It's just 26 pages, but encompasses worlds now gone by. I love Guy Davenport's writings and this one especially, of his "stories" or explorations or adventures in the geography of the imagination.
I'm sure you will, too.
Perhaps you're familiar with it already. If not you may be a bit confused by it at first, as I was, but pleasantly so, and I think you will be glad that it was not made to be read once, as I am.
Thanks for the recommendation JFL.
I quckly scanned the story and can see that it is not meant to be read, only once - as nearly all of us are !!
I am going up country for a few days and will try and "absorb" some more, during my travels.
Not having heard of Guy Davenport, on Goggling him, he seems to have had very interesting views on many things.
Thanks
Thanks JFL - I was not familiar with the work, and it certainly has me confused at this stage - I wont comment further until I have some comprehension, which hopefully will come on further reading.
Feel free to give me your insights (you too Joy & GeGee)
JFL thanks for the story but i think it's very difficult! I will try to reread it again though.
(by the way, can u let me know what is the story abt first? I scanned through it but find it too sophisticated for me, couldn't even grasp the main plot.)
It doesn't really have a plot.
There are three interwoven narratives.
The first character is the Roman emperor Balbinus, one of many emperors set up by different legions then assassinated by rivals, but since he was an emperor for 15 minutes he is now a god and brings us news of what he has discovered of "the other side". And memories of what it was like on this side during his time. As does the second character.
The second character is Musonious Rufus, a stoic philosopher banished from Rome by the emperor Nero, for being a philosopher and sentenced to work on a canal through the Pelopponesus in Greece. Funny how that happens cross-cultures when power is concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, Ovid and Sunthorn Phu come to mind as well, although as artists they were just banished and not enlisted in the chain gang as happened to the philosopher, or the political scientist, Darunee. Musonious gives us the stoic's reaction to the slings and arrows of misfortune and injustice. Another philosopher, Boethius, did the same a thousand years later with his Consolations of Philosophy.
There is a brief appearance by Benito Mussolini as the reincarnation of Roman fascism as well.
That's what's needed to understand the structure of the thing...
I love Davenport's language and the insight into the classical era he shares via the piece, and of course the insight into our common humanity that transcends any particular era, but is only ever displayed within a particular place and time, whatever it may be.
Davenport's understanding of the particular place and time he is writing about is deep enough to allow him to create the interior monologues of C. Balbinus and Musonious Rufus with a veracity that brings that distant time back to life. In fact it's good enough to serve instead of a boring history of the same era... a history lesson as work of art, or the other way round, if you prefer.
I can imagine that it's tough going for you Joy because all the stuff he's talking about is completely alien... but if you can appreciate his language and his images enough to read it with affection you may, I think surely will, gain some insight into how the west "got that way". I know I have.
Certainly I enjoy it more than a text on "Ancient History"... the bits you don't get can be found, in wikipedia, for instance, at whatever pace suits you personally.
I don't mean to be giving you a chore.
If it doesn't appeal to you just drop it.
There's no reason that you should like what I like, perhaps especially not since it comes from an alien culture. But you seem quite conversant with that culture.
I like it so much I try to share it, hoping that others will enjoy it as much as I do.
But my feelings won't be hurt if you think it is just too much to bear.
I'll just look for something else then.
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2010/03/05/the-scourge-of-burma-part-2/#more-8256
Have u guys read this yet? i saw praises of his writing so i started reading it. i think it will mesmorize you.
JFL thanks a lot. I really appreciate this. I will surely read the story. I feel i have suffered from lack of sustained concentration lately. i have lots of distractions these days and that's no good because they prevent me from developing intellectually.
Thanks JFL - I appreciate the quality of the writing, but unfortunately my ancient history is non existent - I can hardly recall any schooling in the subject - not sure if it was taught or I just daydreamed my way out of it.
Your insights should help me for next time I read it.
Joy: If you feel you are intellectually undeveloped, then at least you can take solace in the fact you are not a philistine like me:)
Joy: I saw that story on NM and agree its good - I'm a little surprised he chose to publish it on NM instead of some other (possibly) more lucrative form.
Have just come back from upcountry.
I feel very sad for the red "foot soldiers".
These people are being fed outrageous lies and half truths - mainly via Red TV.
It is nothing short of propaganda.
Knowing how you feel about the "establishment" and what they do (or don't do is more appropriate - I guess?)I feel for these people.
They want change - without knowing what that means.
Instead they are being fed simple paltitudes, rumors big/bad enough to have come from a lakorn (if only soaps did focus on politics maybe this would help, and straight out lies.
As a side observation one day we went across to Burma. If you think many Thais have it "bad", take the trip and see what "bad" really means in this region.
I feel very sad for the "middle class" in Bangkok.
These people are being fed outrageous lies and half truths - mainly via the Thai MSM. It is nothing short of propaganda.
They fear change - without knowing what that means.
Instead they are being fed simple platitudes, rumors big/bad enough to have come from a lakorn (if only soaps did focus on politics this would help, making transparent, if not actually straightening out, the Big Lies.)
As a side observation think about Burma. If you think many Thais have it "bad", contemplate what "bad" really will mean in this region as the Thai-Burmese Military Co-prosperity Sphere begins to shape up as a real possibility.
I appreciate what you both are saying - the lies and misinformation run both ways IMO, but the more 'educated' middle class should know better - at least the 'uneducated' have an excuse.
(GeGee - refer to Wisasut's long threads at 2bangkok.com for numerous examples of what I am talking about)
PS. Hope the trip to JFL country was enjoyable:)
555 - thanks for the "mirror" comments JFL - point taken.
I agree there is so much "BS" around from all sides it is hard to find the "real Truth".
Your last "warping" of my comments, regarding a possible "military alliance" hits the spot most susinctly.
I would add, "no matter who wins".
Hobby, yes, the trip was most enjoyable. Stayed with a red couple (retired army)just outside Chiang Rai and moved around from there.That's why I had the urge to write a comment so late at night !
That's it. We all have to believe our own eyes and ears first and foremost. If it sounds like BS, looks like BS, smells like BS... it is BS.
For what we cannot experience directly we each of us have to develop our own reliable channels over the unreliable media.
Izzy Stone said "All governments lie..." I'd add the 2 bit corollary, "All the media lie..."
Everybody who thinks he has skin in the game sees each and every one of us as a mark...
Never identify your own interests with anyone else's... least of all a politicians!
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