Showing posts with label coup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coup. Show all posts
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Anti-coup protest
Apologies for the crap picture quality, something happens to my shutter speed when I turn off the flash. It is not a fun thing to be cursing loudly as you try and learn your camera settings while a pro-democracy rally walks past you.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Coup Lite: The Images
FINALLY! Some tanks!
"In the name of the Father"
He just wants to shoot a tourist - just one
This guy is waiting for Godot
[Uh, Insert clever caption]
"Dangerous coup" indeed, sir!
Just ask this guy:
(check out GUTS)
"In the name of the Father"
He just wants to shoot a tourist - just one
This guy is waiting for Godot
[Uh, Insert clever caption]
"Dangerous coup" indeed, sir!
Just ask this guy:
(check out GUTS)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
The Economist is dead to me!
The Economist's latest print edition has annoyed me, I hope they are afraid. They have dubbed this entirely bloodless and mostly happy occasion as "Thailand's dangerous coup." "The land of smiles is once again the land of coups". Ugh, unfair.
They make some valid and important points: what if Indonesia's army were to take over in the name of democracy, what authority does Thailand have to encourage democracy in Burma, what if this coup won't end?
"Dominoe effect": The Coups-For-Democracy Edition.
We're already asking these questions here in Bangkok, these are concerns shared by everyone else here. Today, for example, a small demonstration of anti-coup activists was broken up peacefully outside Paragon (An anti-coup rally outside a luxury mall - The Consumerist Revolution, lookit the freedoms we seek to protect.)
But, I am annoyed because it seems as though the international community are forgetting Thailand's reality. What happened to international condemnation for Thaksin as he repeatedly found himself on the Human Rights Watch, expelled foreign journalists who had contrary opinions of him, manipulated legislation for private gain, went on a mass execution frenzy for Burmese drug dealers, and showed absolutely zero understanding of Muslim insurgents in the south? When the White House says this coup is "unjustifiable", it makes me think they haven't read any newspapers lately.
I am largely anti-coup and upset at the symbolic implications of it, when considering what Thailand stands for in this region. I like to beleive that democracies sort themselves out because it puts power at the hands of the people. I believe that, given time, processes and institutions should fix themselves because its the citizens who determine the future of the country. Theoretically.
But. I am not pleased with the statements from many international leaders and much of the foreign press. I know it is their duty to condemn military occuption, you cannot authorise these things in other countries and I do not think they should. However, I find that they completely disregard this country's situation, these are statements made in isolation without consideration to whats been going on for the past one year here. It is a generic "coups are bad, we do not approve" reponse. I expected more from you, Kofi! Are we not seeing, for the first time in history, a situation in which a coup was necessary?
The FACT is that Thaksin was going to be re-elected in October because all populist vote-buying leaders come back again and again until they become dictators - haven't we learnt this from Latin America? The situation here was getting worse, we were on the verge of something horrific. Thailand found itself between a rock and a hard place: what do you do when the democatic system does NOT right itself? Thaksin, as we all know, has a complete disregard for democracy. So, either we bring back an undemocratic leader through democratic means who would ruin the country over the next 5 years, or we execute an undemocratic event to "restore democracy."
Though I hate the idea of this military occupation and the political scientist in me is cringing (but lovin' it), I definitely understand why we are in this absurd situation and certainly believe that it is justifiable, in this case. So long as it remains as peaceful as it has.
And if there had to be a coup - what a fantastic coup this is! This yellow-ribbon, rose-in-barrel, smiling-soldier, democracy-loving coup. This Pooj-saw-no-tanks coup. This is-there-really-a-coup coup.
They make some valid and important points: what if Indonesia's army were to take over in the name of democracy, what authority does Thailand have to encourage democracy in Burma, what if this coup won't end?
"Dominoe effect": The Coups-For-Democracy Edition.
We're already asking these questions here in Bangkok, these are concerns shared by everyone else here. Today, for example, a small demonstration of anti-coup activists was broken up peacefully outside Paragon (An anti-coup rally outside a luxury mall - The Consumerist Revolution, lookit the freedoms we seek to protect.)
But, I am annoyed because it seems as though the international community are forgetting Thailand's reality. What happened to international condemnation for Thaksin as he repeatedly found himself on the Human Rights Watch, expelled foreign journalists who had contrary opinions of him, manipulated legislation for private gain, went on a mass execution frenzy for Burmese drug dealers, and showed absolutely zero understanding of Muslim insurgents in the south? When the White House says this coup is "unjustifiable", it makes me think they haven't read any newspapers lately.
I am largely anti-coup and upset at the symbolic implications of it, when considering what Thailand stands for in this region. I like to beleive that democracies sort themselves out because it puts power at the hands of the people. I believe that, given time, processes and institutions should fix themselves because its the citizens who determine the future of the country. Theoretically.
But. I am not pleased with the statements from many international leaders and much of the foreign press. I know it is their duty to condemn military occuption, you cannot authorise these things in other countries and I do not think they should. However, I find that they completely disregard this country's situation, these are statements made in isolation without consideration to whats been going on for the past one year here. It is a generic "coups are bad, we do not approve" reponse. I expected more from you, Kofi! Are we not seeing, for the first time in history, a situation in which a coup was necessary?
The FACT is that Thaksin was going to be re-elected in October because all populist vote-buying leaders come back again and again until they become dictators - haven't we learnt this from Latin America? The situation here was getting worse, we were on the verge of something horrific. Thailand found itself between a rock and a hard place: what do you do when the democatic system does NOT right itself? Thaksin, as we all know, has a complete disregard for democracy. So, either we bring back an undemocratic leader through democratic means who would ruin the country over the next 5 years, or we execute an undemocratic event to "restore democracy."
Though I hate the idea of this military occupation and the political scientist in me is cringing (but lovin' it), I definitely understand why we are in this absurd situation and certainly believe that it is justifiable, in this case. So long as it remains as peaceful as it has.
And if there had to be a coup - what a fantastic coup this is! This yellow-ribbon, rose-in-barrel, smiling-soldier, democracy-loving coup. This Pooj-saw-no-tanks coup. This is-there-really-a-coup coup.
Bloggin' the Coup
Far better bloggers than I:
Metroblogging Bangkok
Bangkok Pundit
I am so thankful for this Age of Gadgetry, Long Live The Blog. I now know what people I don't know ate for breakfast, their political leanings, what they think of skinny fit jeans and their unqualified but brilliant opinions on Darfur. My life is enriched thus.
They took away my BBC (bastards, I will never get over this one thing for the rest of my life) but they can never take away my information superhighway. Or maybe they can, but they didn't this time.
The revolution will not be televised. It will be blogged!
Metroblogging Bangkok
Bangkok Pundit
I am so thankful for this Age of Gadgetry, Long Live The Blog. I now know what people I don't know ate for breakfast, their political leanings, what they think of skinny fit jeans and their unqualified but brilliant opinions on Darfur. My life is enriched thus.
They took away my BBC (bastards, I will never get over this one thing for the rest of my life) but they can never take away my information superhighway. Or maybe they can, but they didn't this time.
The revolution will not be televised. It will be blogged!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Most Boring Coup EVER!
Yesterday, I eventually realised that everyone else in the world knew more about what was going on in the streets of Bangkok than me. Instead of obsessively watching a blank screen where BBC used to be and refreshing websites, I grabbed my camera and set off to find me some TANKS, damn it! Let me tell you of my adventures:
I went to the US army base, set up during the Vietnam war as an intellgence center. I went to Rajdamnoen Avenue, the site of the famous 1973 student uprising againt the military government. I went to Sanam Luang, a huge park outside the government house where all protests and rallies take place. I went to Channels 3 and 11 heaquarters, which have been taken over by the military. I went to all these places and found not one.single.tank. I just wanted one picture of me pretending to be crushed by a tank, just one. But no. This just had to be history's most peaceful coup. BORING!
Guess where all the soldiers were? Khao Saan road. Densely populated with tourists. The soldiers are a bigger attraction than the Grand Palace, and there were hordes of people taking photos. The soldiers were all very lovely and polite and not much older than my baby brother. They also looked confused with all the attention they were recieving. At one point, a small girl-child was handing a soldier a flower and 15 people in her proximity pulled out their cameras and started snapping away and as I reached for mine I was suddenly hit by the hilarity of the situation. EVERYTHING is exoticised!
This coup is every Khao Saan traveller's wet dream. I will rename it "Coup d'Etat Lite, 2006". They get the tanks, soldiers and headlines minus the bullets, conflict and fear. So in the morning they pose with a soldier, in the afternoon they do a boat trip down the river and at night they get pissed on piss-tasting Thai beer. Brilliant packaged deal. Thailand should really consider making these peaceful military takeovers a seasonal thing.
Word on the street is an overwhelming acceptance for General Sonthi and his actions. 2 out of 3 of my taxi drivers yesterday approved of the coup and said Thaksin had to be taken out any means necessary, the third driver did not care what happened to the government as each administration is as corrupt as the other. He felt disenfranchised and believed voting was a waste of time. He worked in real estate before the 1997 economic crash. As I type this, I am reminded of that scene in Taxi Driver when De Niro is asked by a politician what he thinks of New York and De Niro reponds something along the lines of "fuckshitpiss, skanks n' hos, pushers n' addicts". If you want to know the realities of a country - ask a taxi driver. Do not ask a 15 year old soldier who is acting on orders given by his superiors, as a BBC corresspondant did this morning. The kid was like "yes, coup is good."
Generally speaking, there is an 83% approval rate (Bangkok Post, today) for this coup but people view it as "the wrong move for the right reasons." Thai people are just relieved Thaksin got his come-uppance. The implication of this coup on Thailand's political processes is yet to be seen. In 2 weeks we will have a new PM and in a year democracy will be restored. Shameful, in my humble opinion, to wait a year before Thai voters can participate in nation-building.
P.S. I got my BBC back! FREEDOM!!
I went to the US army base, set up during the Vietnam war as an intellgence center. I went to Rajdamnoen Avenue, the site of the famous 1973 student uprising againt the military government. I went to Sanam Luang, a huge park outside the government house where all protests and rallies take place. I went to Channels 3 and 11 heaquarters, which have been taken over by the military. I went to all these places and found not one.single.tank. I just wanted one picture of me pretending to be crushed by a tank, just one. But no. This just had to be history's most peaceful coup. BORING!
Guess where all the soldiers were? Khao Saan road. Densely populated with tourists. The soldiers are a bigger attraction than the Grand Palace, and there were hordes of people taking photos. The soldiers were all very lovely and polite and not much older than my baby brother. They also looked confused with all the attention they were recieving. At one point, a small girl-child was handing a soldier a flower and 15 people in her proximity pulled out their cameras and started snapping away and as I reached for mine I was suddenly hit by the hilarity of the situation. EVERYTHING is exoticised!
This coup is every Khao Saan traveller's wet dream. I will rename it "Coup d'Etat Lite, 2006". They get the tanks, soldiers and headlines minus the bullets, conflict and fear. So in the morning they pose with a soldier, in the afternoon they do a boat trip down the river and at night they get pissed on piss-tasting Thai beer. Brilliant packaged deal. Thailand should really consider making these peaceful military takeovers a seasonal thing.
Word on the street is an overwhelming acceptance for General Sonthi and his actions. 2 out of 3 of my taxi drivers yesterday approved of the coup and said Thaksin had to be taken out any means necessary, the third driver did not care what happened to the government as each administration is as corrupt as the other. He felt disenfranchised and believed voting was a waste of time. He worked in real estate before the 1997 economic crash. As I type this, I am reminded of that scene in Taxi Driver when De Niro is asked by a politician what he thinks of New York and De Niro reponds something along the lines of "fuckshitpiss, skanks n' hos, pushers n' addicts". If you want to know the realities of a country - ask a taxi driver. Do not ask a 15 year old soldier who is acting on orders given by his superiors, as a BBC corresspondant did this morning. The kid was like "yes, coup is good."
Generally speaking, there is an 83% approval rate (Bangkok Post, today) for this coup but people view it as "the wrong move for the right reasons." Thai people are just relieved Thaksin got his come-uppance. The implication of this coup on Thailand's political processes is yet to be seen. In 2 weeks we will have a new PM and in a year democracy will be restored. Shameful, in my humble opinion, to wait a year before Thai voters can participate in nation-building.
P.S. I got my BBC back! FREEDOM!!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Hilarity and Thai TV
State tv stations have been showing these music videos of the King and his work and all the adulation he recieves from his people. The songs are patriotic and full of praise for the King. It's done karaoke-stylee, with text at the bottom so we can all engage in a military-sponsored sing-a-long.
Coup 2006: the morning after
Martial law has been declared. The army in power have called themselves, ironically, the Council for Democratic Reform with Gen. Lt. Sonthi as the head. Constitution is terminated, cabinet is dissolved.
Thai television channels have been showing Sonthi read out statements, the communiques are translated to English on the BBC website.
Curfews are going to cramp my style.
Coups have a flawed logic, in general. I have never understood how bringing in the army to restore order makes sense to anybody else. Especially in this case. In past coups in this country, and coups in much of the rest of the developing world, the army came to power and retained power for a myriad of political reasons. But in this case, it is absurd. It is undemocratic for a military government to restore democracy. If power must be put in the hands of the people then it is the people who must reclaim it, own it, demand it, protect it. If Thaksin wins election after election, then either the electoral system is flawed or voters are ill-advised or opposition campaigns are weak. He was put in power by the people and he must be removed from power by the people - not a coup.
And still we are cut off from CNN-BBC. It was on cable! I pay for that! I am a disgruntled consumer - far more powerful than a voter.
Thai television channels have been showing Sonthi read out statements, the communiques are translated to English on the BBC website.
Curfews are going to cramp my style.
Coups have a flawed logic, in general. I have never understood how bringing in the army to restore order makes sense to anybody else. Especially in this case. In past coups in this country, and coups in much of the rest of the developing world, the army came to power and retained power for a myriad of political reasons. But in this case, it is absurd. It is undemocratic for a military government to restore democracy. If power must be put in the hands of the people then it is the people who must reclaim it, own it, demand it, protect it. If Thaksin wins election after election, then either the electoral system is flawed or voters are ill-advised or opposition campaigns are weak. He was put in power by the people and he must be removed from power by the people - not a coup.
And still we are cut off from CNN-BBC. It was on cable! I pay for that! I am a disgruntled consumer - far more powerful than a voter.
Thoughts on Coup 2006
Singapore's benevolent dictator, the legacy of Mahathir, Gloria's flirtation with her own coups, Myanmar's oppressive junta, the Communist Republics of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Marxist Nepal - welcome to Thailand's 'hood.
Superior in industry, trade and economy compared to most of her neighbours, Thailand was seen by the world as a success story. Even after the recession in 1997, the country slowly and steadily pulled itself out of a heap of IMF loans. But most importantly, Thailand was an example in democracy and good governance. With a history of military takeovers and bloody riots, Thailand managed to put across some form of democracy that kept foreign investors and the international community happy. We can't all be perfect, pluralist states but we can try our best with an effective(-ish) electoral system and a decent constitution. Thailand had a long way to go, but at least it was on its way.
Nevertheless, Thailand stood out for their efforts and because it was least fucked up out of the rest. We do not fear the state as others might. Today, however, is a sad day for Thai politics. Whether this coup lasts 24 hours or 24 days, the point is that it happened. Its a real commentry on the progress of this region and this country in particular. After believing truly, madly, deeply that Thailand would never experience martial law ever again, the army kicked my ass on their way to the government house.
It happened, there is a coup, and I will liveblog my way through it. Due to curfew, I've seen not one single tank, and for this I will forever be bitter. My children will ask me "did you make the cover of Time magazine?" and I will say "no child, I was busy blogging."
Superior in industry, trade and economy compared to most of her neighbours, Thailand was seen by the world as a success story. Even after the recession in 1997, the country slowly and steadily pulled itself out of a heap of IMF loans. But most importantly, Thailand was an example in democracy and good governance. With a history of military takeovers and bloody riots, Thailand managed to put across some form of democracy that kept foreign investors and the international community happy. We can't all be perfect, pluralist states but we can try our best with an effective(-ish) electoral system and a decent constitution. Thailand had a long way to go, but at least it was on its way.
Nevertheless, Thailand stood out for their efforts and because it was least fucked up out of the rest. We do not fear the state as others might. Today, however, is a sad day for Thai politics. Whether this coup lasts 24 hours or 24 days, the point is that it happened. Its a real commentry on the progress of this region and this country in particular. After believing truly, madly, deeply that Thailand would never experience martial law ever again, the army kicked my ass on their way to the government house.
It happened, there is a coup, and I will liveblog my way through it. Due to curfew, I've seen not one single tank, and for this I will forever be bitter. My children will ask me "did you make the cover of Time magazine?" and I will say "no child, I was busy blogging."
Update: Coup d'Etat 2006
Prime Minister Thaksin officially overthrown by the military. Those responsible for the coup are supporters of army chief Gen. Lt. Sonthi who was sacked by Thaksin this morning.
I quite liked Sonthi, he had sound ideas about negotiating with seperatists in the South. He took on a holistic approach, recognising the need for dialogue and sustainable peace. A few weeks ago, he was on the front page of the Bangkok Post with criticisms for Thaksin's government. If I could access the Bangkok Post website I would link the artivle. Alas, these are tough times!
Still cut off from BBC and CNN news channels, I am eager to watch Thaksin address the UN general assembly. Surely, the Thai people should be the first to hear from him and not an inter-governmental council.
In other news, all my Indian friends' parents are already stockpiling on the atta and ghee.
I quite liked Sonthi, he had sound ideas about negotiating with seperatists in the South. He took on a holistic approach, recognising the need for dialogue and sustainable peace. A few weeks ago, he was on the front page of the Bangkok Post with criticisms for Thaksin's government. If I could access the Bangkok Post website I would link the artivle. Alas, these are tough times!
Still cut off from BBC and CNN news channels, I am eager to watch Thaksin address the UN general assembly. Surely, the Thai people should be the first to hear from him and not an inter-governmental council.
In other news, all my Indian friends' parents are already stockpiling on the atta and ghee.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Coup d'etat: Thailand 2006
A BBC corresspondant has just informed me that this is the 42nd coup in Thailand's modern history...
My predictions are as follows: This will blow over about as quickly as it started. Thaksin will fly from New York to Singapore where they all love him because he sold them a national asset and negotiate with the army from a safe distance away. The King will step in and make an emotional plea and students will take the streets wearing funky slogans on their sleeves.
Meanwhile, HM King Bhumibol is declared Head of State, the army have infiltrated the government house, tanks have been strategically placed at key intersections of the city, and BBC and CNN on our cable television has been cut off.
No need to panic. I live in a highly globalised, tech-lovin' world! The www is my intimate lover.
My predictions are as follows: This will blow over about as quickly as it started. Thaksin will fly from New York to Singapore where they all love him because he sold them a national asset and negotiate with the army from a safe distance away. The King will step in and make an emotional plea and students will take the streets wearing funky slogans on their sleeves.
Meanwhile, HM King Bhumibol is declared Head of State, the army have infiltrated the government house, tanks have been strategically placed at key intersections of the city, and BBC and CNN on our cable television has been cut off.
No need to panic. I live in a highly globalised, tech-lovin' world! The www is my intimate lover.
State of emergency declared!!
As of a half hour ago, a state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok. Tanks have moved in on the government house, state television and radio has been taken over. Thai tv stations are showing loops of images of the King, reminiscent of images seen on tv back in 1992 during the last coup attempt. Patriotic songs are being played on all radio stations.
I am completely biting my own tongue, all that talk of democracy being consolidated and Thailand having moved past military intervention makes me feel like an idiot. I have to emphasise that earlier on this year, I was impressed and encouraged by the pro-democracy movements that took the streets. For this reason, I don't think this situation will last long, we live in a different world now.
We know very little here right now, BBC and CNN are still referring to it as "something out of the ordinary" and are afraid to label it anything more than a "rumour" and that reports are "unconfirmed." It is just too early to tell.
Certainly, my guess is that a combination of rising conflict in the South amongst Islamist seperatists, Thailand's waning economy and Thaksin's idiocy all have something to do with it.
Will keep posting!
I am completely biting my own tongue, all that talk of democracy being consolidated and Thailand having moved past military intervention makes me feel like an idiot. I have to emphasise that earlier on this year, I was impressed and encouraged by the pro-democracy movements that took the streets. For this reason, I don't think this situation will last long, we live in a different world now.
We know very little here right now, BBC and CNN are still referring to it as "something out of the ordinary" and are afraid to label it anything more than a "rumour" and that reports are "unconfirmed." It is just too early to tell.
Certainly, my guess is that a combination of rising conflict in the South amongst Islamist seperatists, Thailand's waning economy and Thaksin's idiocy all have something to do with it.
Will keep posting!
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