I am back in the USA for a couple weeks. I’ll get my Continuing Legal Education (CLE) caught up so that my law license will be active. That will allow me to be considered for on of the Justice System Support jobs back in Afghanistan (as my present job ends). Unfortunately, I will not be a strong candidate, as I have no real lawyer experience and they have a long roster of candidates who have been prosecutors, defense attorneys, and even judges.
I spent a day in Dubai on the way here. It is a bigger place than I thought. A lot of construction going on, but most of it inactive -- because of the financial melt down, I guess. There are some grand things to see. I saw the worlds tallest building, the worlds biggest mall, a ski slope inside one mall, and a food court in another that is about 110 yards square.
I invite you to read the attached page by James Stent about the Thailand situation. I don't agree with all his opinions (I don't thing there is much to be learned from South Africa in how to reconcile societal problems), but I think it is factually accurate and thoughtful. A very good overview of the situation.
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a very good, rational and as you say thoughtful article
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing Thaksin, I find often, including here, that there seems to be inadequate attention given to the difficulties faced by Thaksin in contronting the elites and military accustomed to managing the country and its international image.
Traditionally Thai rulers have adroitly managed international relations attracting huge aid inflows for anti communist and terrorism operations.
They met expectations of a facade of democracy by permitting elections (under a variety of constitutions) and ignoring and where necessary over-riding the results as they felt inclined.
The Thai military with over 700 generals directly involved in most of Thailands legal and illegal businesses, owning and controlling most of the media outlets and with the patronage of big business and the Royal family is extemely formidable and its control was and is a very difficult issue.
Many of the atrocities that are claoned as Thaksin's "crimes" were perpetrated by the military who, as is still true today, are immune to serious charges under the Thai justice system.
Thaksin did make some attempts to bring these forces under control and his "interference", surely a valid action for a democratically elected government, with the military reshuffle in 2006 is, I believe, a major reason for the coup.
So, I think we should take a much more sympathetic attitude to Thaksins performance and recognise he was attempting, apparently in good faith, a nearly impossinle task that will require a long period of democratically elected governments to resolve.
The international community, as in many other countries, should not just mouth platitudes but rather seriously support democratic movements in Thailand (even if someone says military and trade ties may be at some risk in the short term).
To David98 (from Larry):
ReplyDeleteVery good points. I was a little surprised to learn how much sympathy for Taksin there is among the Bangkok middle class. Everyone, I think, regards him as a self enriching crook, but they think they all are, and he is the one that seemed able to manage the country in a productive way and to do some things that benefit the lower (and middle) classes. The present PM may be an exception to the self enriching crook label, but he seems to me to be dishonest, inept, and probably under the control of the military.
I found The James Stent essay informed and well balanced, touching as it does, on pretty much every causal issue at the heart of the current societal breakdown in Thailand. I have to agree with 'davidB98' though, who points the finger at the Thai military, or 'Burma Lite' as I have heard them referred to, as being the greatest impediment to progressive change in Thailand. As Pres. Obama recently pointed out when explaining his acceptance of Gen. M's resignation, government control over the military is fundamental to democracy. Judging from the unpunished blunders of the Thai military over the past few years, this is not about to happen any time soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much on the article. I am a Thai person who have lived in the U.S. over 20 years. I have been trying to get an analysis piece on the whole situation in Thailand, and this seems to be a balanced piece. I have a few questions though. Who is James Stent? Is there a translation of this piece in Thai? I would like my Thai friends to have access to this analysis.
ReplyDeleteI have asked them openly what sides are they on. But the situation is so convoluted, plus the information from both sides are very self-serving and sensationalized that my friends just give up trying to understand the situation. I don't know what one person can do. However, I want to pass on this information to the Yellow, Red, undecided and the apolitical people in hope that they will ponder, question, and in the best case scenario take action for the betterment of common public interests.
To Thai person, above.
ReplyDeleteI do not know Mr. Stent. I am told he has lived in Thailand for may years. There is no tranlation of his article that I am awar of.
Larry
There are many people, mostly foreigners, who try to analyze the causes of the political turmoil in Thailand. They try to be impartial and out of good intentions they even try to make recommendations to solve problems for all sides. I do not think they have much chance of success, because there is no “Thainess” in their blood.
ReplyDeleteTo have “Thainess” in their blood, they should have a reasonable sense of Thai history; a lot of things have happened during the last 700 years. They should also have a reasonable feel of “Katanyu” – some feel of love and indebtedness to many forefathers in the past. With these feelings in your blood, no matter how much trouble you are facing because of bad luck or injustice, you do not take revenge on your country.
The story of Pantai Norasing is a well known example which demonstrates this point. He was responsible for the safety of the royal boat, but unfortunately it crashed into the bank of the river. The king, learning that Pantai Norasing was a good and responsible man, wanted to pardon him. But he refused and gave up his life to uphold the principle. All Thais know this story and we compare Pantai Norasing favorably with Sir Thomas More of the United Kingdom. Being a Thai and remembering a person such as Pantai Norasing, one will always think about the public good more than your own interests.
Grievances and strong convictions do not give you justification to take actions which you know will damage the country. This is why the actions of the Redshirts cannot be condoned despite some genuine grievances. The occupation of the airport by the yellow-shirts is to be similarly condemned. So let those with real Thai blood in their veins solve present problems within the full perspective of the historical, present and future characteristics of the Thai nation and Thai people. Appeal to their “Thainess” and the majority should come back to solve problems according to the “Reform” Program. The violent and hard-core varieties should be socially sanctioned and left as a disappearing minority.
A good and serious article. I also agree with Mr Issa.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cfr.org/bios/15522/joshua_kurlantzick.html also has written articles.
I found the Western press and Mr Kurlantzick mostly missed the violence of the Red shirts.
Exceptions are:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LE29Ae02.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7741785/Major-General-Khattiya-Sawasdipol.html
More info on Mr Stent:
http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Stent_James_61720833.aspx
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