Thousands of Thai call for ouster of PM Yingluck Shinawatra

[opebo]

Thousands call for ouster.

Millions will vote for her in elections.

That's certainly true, but... elections aren't the only route-to-power.

[opebo]

Bad as the Thaksin clique might be, at least they aren't a bunch of despicable, reactionary pluto/aristocrats with a tendency toward military coups.

BRTD's correct, Antoonio, it may sound strange, but Thaksin and crew are actually even worse about human rights and whatnot!  They aren't real leftists at all - they're right-wingers who have coopted a grassroots 'leftist' movement as part of their bid for power against the ancien regime.

(but yes, I'm a one-issue man - the only thing I mind is that democracy and populism are always anti-sex, since the majority of the people are either women or impotent men, and thus oppose women making money the easy way, or men having fun the easy way)

[opebo]

Folks who are 'anti-sex' by your metric are often pro-other things that people at advanced stages of moral development tend to value significantly more than convenient access to orgasms (or money, for that matter), so, you know, that's where the appeal of democracy and populism come in. But you knew that already.

That is not 'advanced', Nathan.  Its just arbitrary socialization... ridiculous to value it as 'better' or 'worse' than any other arrangement.

I'm also pretty sure that the easiest way to have what you define as fun involves your hands, unless you don't have any in which case you have much more serious difficulties to contend with anyway.

It is absurd to equate that with sexual intercourse.

[opebo]

Folks who are 'anti-sex' by your metric are often pro-other things that people at advanced stages of moral development tend to value significantly more than convenient access to orgasms (or money, for that matter), so, you know, that's where the appeal of democracy and populism come in. But you knew that already.

That is not 'advanced', Nathan.  Its just arbitrary socialization... ridiculous to value it as 'better' or 'worse' than any other arrangement.

See, you're saying that because you're stuck in a type of moral calculus that's most common among small children.

You precisely make my point - socialization.  Its just nonsense you're swallowing during the indoctrination from childhood to adult-cog-in-the-machine-hood, Nathan.

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It is absurd to equate that with sexual intercourse.

It's also absurd--although maybe on a different level, I don't know--to equate soliciting a prostitute with normal sex, so you started it.[/quote]

No, it is precisely the same act, Nathan.  The 'different' part comes only afterward, when you pay.  Do you consider a meal 'not real food' when eaten in a restaurant?

As far as the main subject of the thread goes, neither main side of the Thai political divide seems that great, in all honesty. I once knew a foreign exchange student who was an ardent Democrat Party and royal family supporter and she was able to explain her position pretty well in a way that didn't sound totally unreasonable. She certainly made it sound better than opebo does.

I'm quite sure my analysis is more honest, however.

[opebo]

Nice summary, jaichind.  Democracy has certainly been a disaster for Thailand

[opebo]

Nice summary, jaichind.  Democracy has certainly been a disaster for Thailand

I am actually pretty impressed at Thailand's economic progress since 2005 despite such great political turmoil.  Imagine what would have taken place with political stability.  The fact that Bank of Thailand is mostly insulated from political changes I suspect is a major reason for this.

Possible.  Another possible reason is the huge inflows of foreign investment.   I think given the utter lack of any demand-growth or profit-potential in the West due to austerity, and the pumping up of monetary policy leading to 'hot money' flows, enormous investment was and is inevitably flowing to SE Asia.  

While some goes to lesser destinations like Indonesia, a huge proportion will go to Thailand simply because for the corporate decision makers who might be posted there or have to frequently visit their investments, the prospect of living in Thailand is far more appealing than those other countries.

In general outside forces have much more influence on the Thai economy than the Thai government.

[opebo]

Special Report - Thailand secretly dumps Myanmar refugees into trafficking rings

Not precisely relevant, but it does show that the current Red government, like the brother Taksin's government of a few years ago, is worse than the 'undemocratic' Democrat gov't on human rights issues.