Democrat plea misplaced

Postbag

Published: 20 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

This is an open letter to the 44 current and former Democrat MPs in response to their letter ''Thailand edges closer toward a police state'', in Thursday's ''PostBag''.

You claimed the current Pheu Thai Party is inducing fear in the media and politically harassing your leaders, citing the axing of Nua Mek 2 and murder charges filed against your leaders as examples. You further claimed your ''party does not belong to, nor is it financed by any one individual'' and that you are a ''party of the people''. Some of these claims are half-baked truths, as other ''PostBag'' commentators have said.

With all due respect, what is it that you want from us _ the people? Do you want us to take to the streets, overthrow the current government, and install you in its place? That would be replacing a police state with a military state. Pardon me, but that isn't now and will never be called democracy.

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ringmaster
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Discussion 7 : 21 Jan 2013 at 01.137
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I agree with Edward. Democracy is sometimes having to chose the lessor of two evils. And when it comes to "inducing fear in the media and politically harassing opposition party leaders," the Dems have proven to be far worse than PT. I don't feel sorry for them at all.
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brilliant
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Discussion 6 : 20 Jan 2013 at 22.366
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"The truth is while many are discontented with the Pheu Thai government, there is no better substitute or alternative party. "

Should have added at the end "...that is willing to waste hundreds of billions of baht of taxpayer money on populist programs to buy votes."
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Renaissance
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Discussion 5 : 20 Jan 2013 at 15.255
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Edward, why shouldn't the MPs use the Bangkok Post Letters Page to air their opinions? Wouldn't it be democratic to allow them to do so and dictatorial to try to stop them doing so? By telling them not to air their views on a public forum, you sound like a Red Shirt leader during one of their rallies.
Lobzig, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Regarding Chalerm trotting out the stock response of "They are a danger to national security", absolute nonsense! Indeed, his government's corruption and lack of integrity are perhaps the biggest dangers to Thailand's security. This includes the corruption of a politician who horse-trades refugees.
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joninnak
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Discussion 4 : 20 Jan 2013 at 12.344
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Edward K "They don't take sides with any party exclusively and mindlessly." You have just done that exclusively and mindlessly
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egon
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Discussion 3 : 20 Jan 2013 at 11.193
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Edwars:No better substitute for this power abusing government?!You kid me.
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dao
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Discussion 2 : 20 Jan 2013 at 09.372
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Edward
Democracy means they get to voice their opinion .
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nighthawk
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Discussion 1 : 20 Jan 2013 at 07.121
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To Edward Kitlertsirivatana..Amen
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Democrat plea misplaced | Bangkok Post: opinion