Coup or Silk Revolution
The world politic condemns any country that is not "democratic.
"Yet, when faced with acts that embody the true essence of democracy: a political system in which the supreme power lies with the citizens, theworld simply cannot recognize it.
On Sept.
19th a military coup overthrew the Thai government, while the Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra landed in New York City to give a speech at a UN assembly.
The coup was fast to act, and soon the nations capital was filled with Tanks and military soldiers.
Thailand's issues with the Prime Minister stemming the past two plus years have been slow to enter major newspapers around the world, but add a few tanks and a coup and we have headline news.
At first glance by those who have simply not followed this conflict, this would seem violent and undemocratic and simply put "scary.
" Enter US Government.
The US was the first country to be "disappointed with the Coup, who supports the corrupt Thaksin Shinawatra leader, and threatened to review its relationship with all of Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Thaksin, who was denied his speaking time at the UN assembly, tried to declare a state of emergency in his own country, only to have the military cut the phone lines 10 seconds later.
Exiled by his own nation, Thaksin flew to London where his daughter lived in his one of his mansions, and was forced to watch his country via the western news stations and newspaper headlines.
Back in Thailand, the people rejoiced and welcomed the soldiers who wore yellow ribbons symbolizing that the take-over was supported by the revered King.
Thai's were found handing roses to the soldiers and posing in photo ops as if the military were pop star celebrities.
Most would ponder at the thought of a 'perceived' hostile takeover with military tanks flooding the streets being a peaceful movement, but in order to regain control of a country dominated by a "democratic" leader who refused to step down from power after several huge protests this past April, it should not be so surprising.
After studying and watching the Thai society over the past few years, I am confident in knowing that these citizens understand their rights to make decisions for their country.
This is a population that is not afraid to protest, whether it is violent or peaceful, they will march in the streets for days on end, and they will continue to voice their concerns until they, as the majority, have won.
The protests began in April shortly after Prime Minister Thaksin sold his Thai telecom company, Shincorp to Singapore and decided to not tax himself, making him an obscene amount of money.
Thaksin was already the richest man in Thailand and one of the richest men in Asia.
Although Thaksin had made several big errors including: making huge mistakes in his policies in Thailand's Muslim South that has resulted in a huge rise in violence and a death toll of over 3000 people in the past 3 years, as well as hiding bird flu epidemics to avoid trade barriers and protect Thai exports, it was not until the middle class felt betrayed by Thaksin's tax-free wealth that protests really began.
In April, after over a month of protests, Thaksin decided to hold another election.
He claimed that if less than 50% of the population voted for him he would step down from power.
This enraged the people of Thailand, who believed his unfair actions were reason enough for him to step down and be tried without an election.
Thai's filled the streets dressed in black and yellow and refused to vote.
In the end, most major parties in Thailand as well as 40% of the population boycotted the vote.
Although Thaksin had won the election wining 51% of the votes, he chose to step down temporality to avoid any further conflict.
Months later he returned just in time to declare another election.
The people have retained their power.
The military has fulfilled their duty to protect the people from harm (Thaksin), and the country is currently peaceful.
This is simply a 'silk' revolution that clearly follows the democratic doctrine.
It is we Westerners who should be scrutinized.
Could this type of revolution happen in the US? Would our will and morale evoke us to seize our democratic rights?If a leader was corrupt, the product of mass death tolls, and hid the truth from its people, would the people bind together to demand a change? Not Likely.
Yet we continuously claim that these 'uncivilized' people do not understand the meaning of democracy.
Shame on us.
Note: I decided to write this article after reading a popular forum on the internet.
The forum had a thread entitled "Breaking: Thailand Coup?"The comments from several posters where as follows, " I wonder how many Muslim clerics were involved...
"; Not to Demean this, but aren't Coups common in the 3rd world?"; and finally " Muslims (most likely) have seized Thailand.
" This is the type of response that fuels me.
People, can we be this naive? Our media and governments and now even the Pope has out lashed on the Muslim population blaming them for everything.
Soon we will be blaming the Muslims for our wives and husbands leaving us, and for our bikes being stolen.
Thailand is also NOT a 3rd World country and Muslims di not take over Thailand! We should be ashamed of ourselves and of our neighbors as this is 2006 and we still have not moved past an era of extreme discrimination.
"Yet, when faced with acts that embody the true essence of democracy: a political system in which the supreme power lies with the citizens, theworld simply cannot recognize it.
On Sept.
19th a military coup overthrew the Thai government, while the Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra landed in New York City to give a speech at a UN assembly.
The coup was fast to act, and soon the nations capital was filled with Tanks and military soldiers.
Thailand's issues with the Prime Minister stemming the past two plus years have been slow to enter major newspapers around the world, but add a few tanks and a coup and we have headline news.
At first glance by those who have simply not followed this conflict, this would seem violent and undemocratic and simply put "scary.
" Enter US Government.
The US was the first country to be "disappointed with the Coup, who supports the corrupt Thaksin Shinawatra leader, and threatened to review its relationship with all of Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Thaksin, who was denied his speaking time at the UN assembly, tried to declare a state of emergency in his own country, only to have the military cut the phone lines 10 seconds later.
Exiled by his own nation, Thaksin flew to London where his daughter lived in his one of his mansions, and was forced to watch his country via the western news stations and newspaper headlines.
Back in Thailand, the people rejoiced and welcomed the soldiers who wore yellow ribbons symbolizing that the take-over was supported by the revered King.
Thai's were found handing roses to the soldiers and posing in photo ops as if the military were pop star celebrities.
Most would ponder at the thought of a 'perceived' hostile takeover with military tanks flooding the streets being a peaceful movement, but in order to regain control of a country dominated by a "democratic" leader who refused to step down from power after several huge protests this past April, it should not be so surprising.
After studying and watching the Thai society over the past few years, I am confident in knowing that these citizens understand their rights to make decisions for their country.
This is a population that is not afraid to protest, whether it is violent or peaceful, they will march in the streets for days on end, and they will continue to voice their concerns until they, as the majority, have won.
The protests began in April shortly after Prime Minister Thaksin sold his Thai telecom company, Shincorp to Singapore and decided to not tax himself, making him an obscene amount of money.
Thaksin was already the richest man in Thailand and one of the richest men in Asia.
Although Thaksin had made several big errors including: making huge mistakes in his policies in Thailand's Muslim South that has resulted in a huge rise in violence and a death toll of over 3000 people in the past 3 years, as well as hiding bird flu epidemics to avoid trade barriers and protect Thai exports, it was not until the middle class felt betrayed by Thaksin's tax-free wealth that protests really began.
In April, after over a month of protests, Thaksin decided to hold another election.
He claimed that if less than 50% of the population voted for him he would step down from power.
This enraged the people of Thailand, who believed his unfair actions were reason enough for him to step down and be tried without an election.
Thai's filled the streets dressed in black and yellow and refused to vote.
In the end, most major parties in Thailand as well as 40% of the population boycotted the vote.
Although Thaksin had won the election wining 51% of the votes, he chose to step down temporality to avoid any further conflict.
Months later he returned just in time to declare another election.
The people have retained their power.
The military has fulfilled their duty to protect the people from harm (Thaksin), and the country is currently peaceful.
This is simply a 'silk' revolution that clearly follows the democratic doctrine.
It is we Westerners who should be scrutinized.
Could this type of revolution happen in the US? Would our will and morale evoke us to seize our democratic rights?If a leader was corrupt, the product of mass death tolls, and hid the truth from its people, would the people bind together to demand a change? Not Likely.
Yet we continuously claim that these 'uncivilized' people do not understand the meaning of democracy.
Shame on us.
Note: I decided to write this article after reading a popular forum on the internet.
The forum had a thread entitled "Breaking: Thailand Coup?"The comments from several posters where as follows, " I wonder how many Muslim clerics were involved...
"; Not to Demean this, but aren't Coups common in the 3rd world?"; and finally " Muslims (most likely) have seized Thailand.
" This is the type of response that fuels me.
People, can we be this naive? Our media and governments and now even the Pope has out lashed on the Muslim population blaming them for everything.
Soon we will be blaming the Muslims for our wives and husbands leaving us, and for our bikes being stolen.
Thailand is also NOT a 3rd World country and Muslims di not take over Thailand! We should be ashamed of ourselves and of our neighbors as this is 2006 and we still have not moved past an era of extreme discrimination.