Comments on: This, Dear Friends, Is Thailand

By: Jarrett

Jarrett — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:24:24 +0000

That is true! And you do a great job of covering those, too, Dan. Cheers.

By: Jarrett

Jarrett — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:10:12 +0000

I think (but am unsure) that you’re missing my point, Dan. I read this site because you do an admirable job of covering all sides. However, you’re also falling prey to the same sort of hyperbole and over-reaction that plagues Thai politics and fuels these shrill political rallies.

The situation in Thailand is nothing like any of the historical parallels you’ve been sketching lately. Thailand is not North Korea, or Nazi Germany. Absolutely Bangkok seems to have a fairly warped interpretation of state-sponsored mass mobilization, considering that opposing forces have been able to mobilize within the same state. And really, drawing a Hitler stache on a smiley face and comparing the yellows to Nazis (even if you absolve yourself as a mere messenger) seems to me like a cheap trick.

I’m not red and I’m not yellow. But I am in favor of balance and reason. And that’s been in short supply here lately.

(BD: Appreciate your comment Jarrett. Still, a blog is not a newswire.)

By: CDRT

CDRT — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:20:31 +0000

That smiley’s very apt Dan I’m afraid.

By: c.

c. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:02:47 +0000

Yes, Thailand is not yet nor does it have to become a full-blown fascist state and PAD/yellows (who also are calling for Thailand to grab part of Laos, the area north of the Thai border up the the Mekong, the “lost territories”), despite their arrogance in assuming to speak for all of Thailand’s citizens despite never winning any elections or mandates, are not the actual rulers of Thailand yet, nor in all probability will the PAD/yellows ever be Thailand’s rulers.

Maybe this article in the Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/27545/govt-told-to-treat-cambodia-subtly

on shifting to a more clever and thoughtful policy on Cambodia is the beginning of the Thai intelligentsia’s “waking up” from its PAD/yellow slumber party, and hopefully the elite will come to its senses, open itself up to accept at least some social change and go back to being clever middle-way Thais like their ancestors …

By: BangkokDan

BangkokDan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:02:30 +0000

Sorry if I'm calling things by their names Jarrett. Weren't we all yellow some three years ago? This site offers all the sides, a balanced diversity of points of view. It seems you're never checking the News Feed linking you to ASTV-related sites (TAN) and similar shades of colors. North Korea in an earlier piece was mentioned in regard to the mobilization of the masses. And Hugo is not a bad guy! Kim Il Sung? Not my invention - find the reference here. This site is neither praising Thaksin nor Abhisit. The yellow language, in public, and most probably much of the red language as well, is punishable by law in slightly more advanced countries. But Sunday's rhetoric tops it all I'm afraid. BangkokDan

By: Jarrett

Jarrett — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:46:08 +0000

This website’s rhetoric is ramping up in pretty even fashion with that of the tensions that threaten to tear this country apart. Comparing Thailand to Venezuela and North Korea, comparing Sondhi to Kim Il Sung, and describing “contemporary fascism in action that would have put Hitler to shame” seems a bit over-the-top. Maybe it’s just me.

Yes, the situation is scary. Yes, there are bad people on every side. But connecting Thailand to oppressive regimes and notorious despots seems like a bad fit. This situation is unique, it is complex, and simplifying it doesn’t do anyone any good. Thailand is not North Korea, Dan. Or China, for that matter.

It seems like you might be falling into the same trap that you’re trying to rally against. But I guess this too is the state of current, web-based journalism. Gotta shout to get heard, just like the reds and yellows on the mike.