All Politics Isn’t Local

It is absurd to imply that these Thai protesters are protesting against globalization.

The protesters comprise a large group of people from all walks of life: professional lawyers, doctors, businesspersons, and laymen. Most have only one specific goal in mind: to purge Thailand of Thaksin and his system. The complaint against the system is not about globalization, but about domestic government. Thaksin is the figurehead of the most blatantly corrupt political period in contemporary Thai history. This commonplace system of corruption is why diverse groups of people are voluntarily undergoing many hardships; i.e. camping under the scorching sun and torrential rain, fighting off sleep, with lack of food, sparse sanitation facilities, etc.

Remember the nostalgia-colored ???3 days of Woodstock??? in August 1969? This protest has been going on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since May 25, 2008 ??? almost 4 months now ??? but without drugs and alcohol.

As America saw in the 60s, Thailand is seeing a multi-layered movement of diverse people with diverse (and admittedly, sometimes contradicting) views and agendas. However, it cannot be overstated that they share one primary goal: to bring to light and furthermore address the system of repressive corruption.

It is absurd to imply that these Thai protesters are protesting against globalization.

The protesters comprise a large group of people from all walks of life: professional lawyers, doctors, businesspersons, and laymen. Most have only one specific goal in mind: to purge Thailand of Thaksin and his system. The complaint against the system is not about globalization, but about domestic government. Thaksin is the figurehead of the most blatantly corrupt political period in contemporary Thai history. This commonplace system of corruption is why diverse groups of people are voluntarily undergoing many hardships; i.e. camping under the scorching sun and torrential rain, fighting off sleep, with lack of food, sparse sanitation facilities, etc.

Remember the nostalgia-colored ???3 days of Woodstock??? in August 1969? This protest has been going on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since May 25, 2008 ??? almost 4 months now ??? but without drugs and alcohol.

As America saw in the 60s, Thailand is seeing a multi-layered movement of diverse people with diverse (and admittedly, sometimes contradicting) views and agendas. However, it cannot be overstated that they share one primary goal: to bring to light and furthermore address the system of repressive corruption.

I think foreign media should dig deeper into the way Sondhi has been using his media (website, newspaper and ASTV)---alongside with a legion of his columnists---to breed political demagogue in the past three years. I wouldn't be surprised of anyone would regard Sondhi as 'media mafia' or 'cult leader' and his communication channels as formidable propaganda tool. Foreign media should also investigate the real reason behind the fallout between Sondhi and Thaksin ---only to find out that the political disaster in Thailand stemmed from conflict of interests: Thaksin not only refused to help resolving Sondhi's debts but also wouldn't give this 'media mafia' a TV channel.

1. State Enterprise Union members care nothing but their benefit. They are against the privatization attempted by Thakin because they do not want to work for private sector, they simply cannot work 8 hours a day and meet the basic requirement of any blue-collar workers.
2. The King does not like Thaksin. He afraids poor people will like Thakin and start to realise that someone who can offer and deliver good things to them need not be sent from heaven, just ordinary politicians.
Talk about Thakins's corruption, don't the King's family do the same. They are richest monarchy in the world, pay no tax, all expenses are paid for by Thai government. They charter private jet around the world, if the Thai people know about all these will they still love the King

If Sondhi were arrest, the Thai Media will say things like: "Samak is a dictator" "Samak is Hitler" "Abusive use of force" "No freedom of Expression"....goes on forever and is mirrored by western media

Regionally speaking, the country is split into, 1) TRT/PPP supported by North, Northeast, and 2) PAD supported by Bangkok, some parts of Central and South.

Labour unions also support PAD. That has led to various strikes (eg. railway, port) to support PAD Several PAD Leaders were former union leaders.

Students are supporting PAD. A group called young PAD comprising of members from 80 educational institutions around the country has been formed. On Saturday evening they staged a rally at the democracy monument to call for PM Samaks resignation. 1000 attended. They have plans to boycott exams and college attendance starting next week. Thammasart Federation of Students are collecting signatures for the PM's impeachment.

Grassroots support is also given to PAD eg. Thai Rural Doctors Society, Artists Alliance, Labour ngos, etc.

Supporting PAD, however, does not necessarily mean support of all their actions or politics. Many have come out to say they don't agree with the seizing of Gov House and the 70-30 "new politics". However, what they agree with PAD is that the government is abusive and corrupt and should go.

Wow. These authors miss the point so completely. They have a framework, inject the smallest amount of subjective information and "voila" we have an anti-globalization movement.

Sondhi is a very wealthy businessman who has failed partnerships with Taksin going back 20 years. He has a personal axe to grind. Most of the other leaders of PAD have similar personal vendettas with friends of Taksin in the current PPP government.

This is not a grass roots political protest. The people on television are paid 500 baht a day to chant and shake their fists, before they are put back on the buses to their villages. The PAD does not have popular support, but is trying to inflict damage on people they feel have wronged them.

I live and work here and there is so much about Thai society and politics that this article omits, its value is next to nil. This is not an informed perspective of what is going on in our streets in Bangkok. It is drivel.