Another Military Coup.

We can always hope, can't we?

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said military leaders these days stood by democratic principles and pledged support for the government.

Oh ... ok. That clears it up. No chance then...

of course there will be a coup, if not this year then next year, thailand's political history is full of coups.its the norm.

maaka wrote:of course there will be a coup, if not this year then next year, thailand's political history is full of coups.its the norm.

Co-signed.

The one I am worried about is the one that happens after the unmentionable happens. Which may likely happen in the not too distant future as a consequence of the aging process. With Udon being a red-shirt bastion having a military base, airport, and other strategic assets, it has the potential to get a little ugly around town...

Just my song baht.

Why are we talking about a Military Coup, it has often been said that farangs have no interestin Thailands affairs we are seen to meddle, Also many people have said we are not wanted here.
yet here we are discussing whether or not there will be a coup. On tyhe one hand Thai's will do whatever they feel like and on the other hand any upset in the so-called status quo could upset our lives.

I sincerely believe that Thailand and its so-called elite do not really want a Coup, nor do the Army really want to get involved, or the navy or Air Force for that matter. Any Military intervention would bring about a serious decline in Thailands fortunes.

One hopes that many will see the light, however having said that with the obvious entrenchment of the Red Shirts in their headlong dash to national suicide one does keep ones fingers crossed.

Khun Paul wrote:One hopes that many will see the light, however having said that with the obvious entrenchment of the Red Shirts in their headlong dash to national suicide one does keep ones fingers crossed.

I dunno. The sons of the Red shirts are the overwhelming majority of the military grunts. I was there when my [very close family member] was "drafted" in 2006. The whole "lottery" system is rigged in such a way, that it guarantees the sons of the red shirts will be the majority of those who are selected to serve. He's now an instructor and we often chat about what the common grunt is thinking. They're thinking they are not going to club their mate's red shirt wearing family members if the unmentionable (we'll henceforth just say UN) is no longer with us. As long as the UN is around, then they will do whatever they are commanded to do. If the other UN is running things, they would refuse - from those in command on down to grunt. THAT's when things could get sticky (the reason I worry about it) because no one really knows who will stick with who after a mass refusal.

IF Thaksin were to return, he's pretty much guaranteed the overwhelming majority of their support. The Yellows have only the UN and control of greater Bangkok going for them. They remain in power ONLY because of the UN.

Just IMHO and based on what I am hearing from the boots on the ground, of course.

Cheers!

KHONDAHM wrote:I dunno. The sons of the Red shirts are the overwhelming majority of the military grunts. I was there when my [very close family member] was "drafted" in 2006. The whole "lottery" system is rigged in such a way, that it guarantees the sons of the red shirts will be the majority of those who are selected to serve.


Cheers!

Trying to remember how the system works when getting drafted here,Thais put their hand into a box and if the colour paper is ? then they go into the army,if the colour is ? then civilan life.This can be rigged you say ?
Seems the Thais cannot do anything without cheating the system.

pompui wrote:Trying to remember how the system works when getting drafted here,Thais put their hand into a box and if the colour paper is ? then they go into the army,if the colour is ? then civilan life.This can be rigged you say ?
Seems the Thais cannot do anything without cheating the system.

1. The box pretty much just goes to the villages...
2. Not everyone who gets the "winning" ticket goes to the show...

Oh, wait...you were thinking that the box goes to the pew-kow-kow's (next time you see one in a grunt military uniform, take a picture and post it, please. I'd like to show my relative that they do exist) in Bangkok? That the draw is always fair and by the book? Surely you weren't...were you?

Gee, I hope not.

KHONDAHM wrote:
Oh, wait...you were thinking that the box goes to the pew-kow-kow's (next time you see one in a grunt military uniform, take a picture and post it, please. I'd like to show my relative that they do exist) in Bangkok? That the draw is always fair and by the book? Surely you weren't...were you?

Gee, I hope not.

So not every person turns up to find out at the villages whether they have been drafted or not,funny system though,50/50 chance not taking into consideration fitness,ability,etc
Must be some strange soldiers in the Thai army