Deeply flawed amnesty move may spur end of Thaksin empire

I would give an “F” to the government’s response to the success to-date of the protesters.

First, calling a “war room” and using the government’s mouthpieces are seen as desperate acts of survival. 

Second, saying that dissolving parliament would end up as a deadlock is nothing short of fear of losing. That route is the best in temporarily deflating the balloon of discontent.

Third, relying on counter-attacks against Suthep Thaugsuban is indicative of these advisers’ blindness. People are so drunk with joy with the November’s turn of events that Thaksin’s return is no longer forthcoming. They all thank Suthep for bringing the long-simmering dislikes from many unexpected quarters out into the open.

Fourth, to declare the ruling by the Constitutional Court as unconstitutional is treason because, among others, MPs owe allegiance to upholding the Constitution, which includes the Constitutional Court’s judgment. 

Fifth, the negotiation offer now is far too late when the credibility of this government and its controlled parliament was lost on November 1. Their legitimacy is now challenged and their accountability, including the 310 MPs who passed that despicable amnesty bill, is called for legally and socially.

Finally, Pheu Thai Party executives are still in a state of denial and still maintain the absolute power of the majority as unchallengeable. Abraham Lincoln never said that “government of the majority, by the majority and for the majority”. It is the people of both the majority and minority. 

Panthongtae “Oak” Shinawatra was right about the bad advice from all the sycophants who had misled his auntie into pursuing that disastrous amnesty bill. It was like the Titanic hitting the iceberg and the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire. Those types of advice are still forthcoming and, at this stage, it is not the defence of Oak’s family but more like the defence of the well-being of those sycophants.

Songdej Praditsmanont 

Bangkok