Some Thoughts on Ending the Violence

[Guest RichLB]

I've been trying to figure out what I uld do if I was Abhisit. Here are some un-thought-out ideas I've come up with and welcome any reactions or other ideas.

 

1. I'd schedule an UNCONDITIONAL early election. This would take some steam out of the Red Shirts and no matter who prevails in this struggle, those elections will have to be held anyway.

 

2. I'd pull all troops away and announce that any government intervention will only be used to resume normal traffic flow and resumption of business.

 

3. I might just resign. Sure, it will give Thailand a bad rep for being subject to mob rule, but is that any worse than what's happening now? And, if it escalates to a real civil war (likely to be of the guerrilla variety) the damage to Thailand would be far worse.

 

4. I would find someone within the ranks of the red shirts with whom to hold televised negotiations. It is unlikely any of the recognized leaders would agree, but surely someone would and this would fractionate further the reds.

 

5. I would NOT forcibly remove the reds as this will only spread the demonstrations to other provinces and create a sea of martyrs.

 

6. I would articulate the grievances of the reds myself and either explain how I intend to correct them or the reasons it will take time to fix.

 

7. I might (and this is a terrible idea) engineer a war with Cambodia or some other country in an effort to unite Thailand against a common foe.

 

8. I would begin a patriotic media campaign emphasizing how everyone is Thai. I'd make sure to have some pretty ladies singing songs and expressing uplifting messages of unity.

 

Ok, I know these are very unthought out. I have a toothache and my brain is not in full operation, but I'd sure like some of us to devote attention to solutions. Any reactions or better suggestions (it shouldn't be hard to come up with better ones)are eagerly accepted.

[Guest mauRICE]

I've been trying to figure out what I uld do if I was Abhisit. Here are some un-thought-out ideas I've come up with and welcome any reactions or other ideas.

 

Or you could be Abhisit pretending to be a farang and jump off a Pattaya balcony - and claim instant martyrdom in the name of religion, king and country.

[Guest mauRICE]

Or you could be Abhisit pretending to be a farang and jump off a Pattaya balcony, set it up as if a Red Shirt pushed you over - and claim instant martyrdom in the name of religion, king and country.

 

That's what I wanted to write.

[Guest cdnmatt]

I'll bite.

 

#1 -- Can not schedule an election unconditionally. Reds and other groups will use that to their advantage, and who knows what will happen in the next 6 months.

 

#2 -- Can not. Right now, that would be tantamount to the government saying they're no longer in control of the country.

 

#3 -- Can not. See #2.

 

#4 -- It's been tried, and didn't work. Remember when there were three red shirt leaders and three government leaders (including Abhisit) talking on TV, and it was all televised. Didn't work out.

 

#5 -- Then what would you do? Let them hang out until December 2011 elections, while paralzying a good portion of Bangkok, and stifling foreign investments & tourism? Can not.

 

#6 -- Did and done. Doesn't work.

 

#7 -- Now that's just stupid.

 

#8 -- Just had the King's Coronation a few days ago, which is by far the biggest celebration of unity you're going to get. Didn't do shit.

 

Honestly, I still think Abhisit has to be very much commended for his actions, patience, resilience, and willingness to solve this crisis as peacefully as possible. He's been more than willing to negotiate and compromise, but the red shirts kept changing their mind every day, and that was up to them. Abhisit can't just sit around, and watch central Bangkok be paralyzed while the red shirt leaders change their mind every day, so he had to act.

 

The one negative thing I can say is, the government should have been FAR more prepared than they were. Hopefully next time some group (red, yellow, pink, blue, whoever) decide stage a mass protest, the government will have security forces deployed from the beginning, ensuring it isn't allowed to get out of hand. Peaceful protesting is one thing, but holding an entire city under siege is another.

[Gaybutton]

#7 -- Now that's just stupid.

I don't know. Maybe that's the best idea of all. But don't declare war on Laos or Cambodia. Declare war on the USA. Become another 'Mouse that Roared.' Maybe that wouldn't bring the country together, but as long as the country is falling apart anyhow, why not make some money?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbcbhjq_FxY

[Guest cdnmatt]

Ok, here's my idea...

 

The Mossad seems to be extremely efficient and effective at assasinations, so contract them out to take care of Thaksin. Problem solved.

 

Abhisit's proposals were more than generous, and he did everything in his power to resolve this politically. Anyone with any semblance of common sense would have agreed to Abhisit's proposal of Nov 14th elections. However, that didn't allow Thaksin being allowed back into Thailand without a 2 year jail term, so now we have loads of bloodshed in the streets of Bangkok.

 

All because of one, pudgy, rich 61yo who wants his revenge.

[Guest]

The Mossad seems to be extremely efficient and effective at assasinations, so contract them out to take care of Thaksin.

 

Now there's an idea. Thaksin would get a dose of his own medicine.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I believe that they have to end this rally so that hotels, and all business can reopen, kids can go to school, people can get medical care, etc., etc., etc.

 

The only solution I have is a total blockade. I've said it before, but don't let anything other than medical help and supplies inside the red zone...wouldn't take long for them to get real hungry and thirsty ... when the water, beer, and whiskey run out, they will leave.

[Guest painai]

I read on ThaiVisa that the Red Shirts are now planning on looting department stores to get supplies.

[Guest RichLB]

Honestly, I still think Abhisit has to be very much commended for his actions, patience, resilience, and willingness to solve this crisis as peacefully as possible. He's been more than willing to negotiate and compromise, but the red shirts kept changing their mind every day, and that was up to them. Abhisit can't just sit around, and watch central Bangkok be paralyzed while the red shirt leaders change their mind every day, so he had to act.

 

I agree 100 percent. Also, I recognize that my "end the violence" suggestions are pretty absurd, but they were designed to generate responses and maybe cull up some good ideas from posters. In truth, I would do pretty much exactly as he has been doing - a siege should work.

 

I would add, though, that once the occupation is ended, Abhisit has to do something to end the schism between the reds and their sympathizers with central Thailand interests. Returning to business as usual will just refuel their anger and either result in guerrilla tactics in other provinces or a repeat, in a few years, of the current demonstrations.

[PattayaMale]

I agree 100 percent. Also, I recognize that my "end the violence" suggestions are pretty absurd, but they were designed to generate responses and maybe cull up some good ideas from posters. In truth, I would do pretty much exactly as he has been doing - a siege should work.

 

I would add, though, that once the occupation is ended, Abhisit has to do something to end the schism between the reds and their sympathizers with central Thailand interests. Returning to business as usual will just refuel their anger and either result in guerrilla tactics in other provinces or a repeat, in a few years, of the current demonstrations.

 

RichLB makes a good point in my view about not continuing business as usual. I have no idea what that will be, but with the economy possibly going into the toilet, it maybe more talk and propaganda than substantial reform.

 

I wonder also what may happen after the "occupation" ends. I believe we will still see many problems from those that are "not satisfied" with the end of the occupation and the way it ended. There are still forces outside and inside of Thailand that must "save face".

 

Seems after each protest by reds or yellows and other groups from past years, the court system puts blame, and something in the government changes. Is it possible the Democrats will be found guilty of election fraud and be dissolved?

 

Will either side learn from this? Never seems to happen in Thailand. Too much corruption, too much to lose; what power can change this?

[Guest RichLB]

 

Will either side learn from this? Never seems to happen in Thailand. Too much corruption, too much to loose; what power can change this?

Hopefully, the prolonged disruption and deaths will result in both sides recognizing that things have to change. Maybe, (holding my breath) that will be the only positive thing that might result from this sorry episode.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Hopefully, the prolonged disruption and deaths will result in both sides recognizing that things have to change. Maybe, (holding my breath) that will be the only positive thing that might result from this sorry episode.

 

I wish I could agree that you are right, but I am afraid that both sides are going to come out of this even more hostile than they were before it started. I believe (only opinion) that as long as Thaskin is allowed to call the shots, this will not be put to rest except by violence. He only wins if the current government is removed.

[Gaybutton]

I read on ThaiVisa that the Red Shirts are now planning on looting department stores to get supplies.

I just read a report that a 7-Eleven on Rama IV has been looted, but so far nothing else has been reported.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I just read a report that a 7-Eleven on Rama IV has been looted, but so far nothing else has been reported.

 

Well, they need to raid these places to get cold drinks!! They are overheated from bringing pick-up after pick-ups loaded down with tires to burn...and the government is letting them drive these tires into the protest...put that on your I don't get it list!!!

[Guest]

I agree 100 percent. Also, I recognize that my "end the violence" suggestions are pretty absurd, but they were designed to generate responses and maybe cull up some good ideas from posters.

 

A cull would definitely do it.

 

If my reading of the situation is correct, Thailand is governed by a coalition of democratically elected MPs.

The red shirts should wait for election time, rather than occupy Bangkok.

 

Under no circumstances must the current government allow the red shirts to gain advantage as a result of their current actions.