An English Explanation To Thaksin's Struggle

Below are comments on the Times Online of the U.K. by one of its reader, Richard Vine, on the Thai protest situation.

I, Sainarong, feel that it is an excellent comment, tailored for the westerners who does not know much about Thailand, and who think in term of black and white.

In future, if one of your western friends should tell you that he/she fully supports the protest of the Thai poors against a tyrannical Thai government which was not elected by the people, send him/her the piece below which is not written by a Thai elite.
Sainarong

PS Of course, matters are actually very complicated, much more complicated than this little piece. Which is why there are so many viewpoints, all of which are probably correct, to a certain degree.


Richard Vine wrote:May 15, 2010 7:30 AM in times online

Imagine that Labour supporters were upset that the Lib Dems changed sides enabling Cameron to become PM and removing the Labour Party from power.

So, financed by a shadowy ex PM convicted of massive fraud, they set up a fortified camp at Marble Arch, armed themselves with firebombs, grenades, guns and spears and indulged in sporadic sorties to take over the TV stations and government offices.

The presence of these protesters has completely shut down Oxford Street and is playing havoc with traffic across the centre of London.

An attempt by the government to clear the protesters is met with massive resistance and more than 20 people die.

Cameron agrees to meet the protesters leaders and in an attempt to end the stand off agrees to bring forward the elections and to dissolve Parliament in 4 months (1 year before necessary).

The protesters then refuse to disperse and continue their lockdown of the centre of London demanding the arrest of Nick Clegg.

Ask yourselves how long a UK government would tolerate this disruption. This has nothing to do with democracy and everything to do with greed and ambition - on both sides.

The only difference between Bangkok and other major cities is the massive display of tolerance hitherto shown in the face of quite preposterous demands to dissolve a legitimate government. We hope and believe that when this is over that this same tolerance continues to be displayed.