Protesters enter Thai PM's offices, King consulted as protests spread
- Thread starter soft
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rottenramone
Active member
the other 99% of the population would probably go "aiyo, not again"
Duno whether to proceed to book the tics or not...
obzervr
New member
Hi James,
Allow me to first apologise if what i'm about to mention is a little politically sensitive. I can't help but to notice that you seem to have a keen interest to update this forum with regional and international political happenings. Strangely though, a thread I started to discuss songs with political slant was replied with a caution due to the inadequate ability to moderate. Perhaps this can be viewed as bystander entertainment politics where politics and political events are fun to watch and to a certain extent comment on.
The good thing about it is that it does create a sense of political awareness and may perhaps provide a mental preparation in the event localised political engagement emerges.
On the other hand, the political gazing on happenings in neighbouring countries, particularly events that seems 'disturbing', may reinforce a false consciousness of an evergreen safety of local political scene.
Raising awareness is a step closer towards political participation. However, failing to also discuss the principles behind participation may lead to a situation where citizens adopt extreme views, take up extreme positions when confronted with issues and eventually gravitate towards political polarisation between the ambivalent (a.k.a political consumers) and the rebels (a.k.a political martyrs).
IMHO, without intent objectivity in observing political events, it is easy to overlook the undercurrents of such events. It is easy for us to dismiss assertive acts of participation such as those happening in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. as 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' politics. However, I personally feel the need to emphatise on the Human struggle for Justice and Equality in such situations. These events depict the active negotiation of citizenry, where citizens and civil society movements challenge the breach of the social contract between governments and the citizens.
Thus I'd like to suggest that alongside updates like this, moderators would discuss ideas of citizenship, ideas of common good, ideas of justice and equality, ideas of social contract, principles and avenues of engagement. Without which, there might come a time where brushing aside the plight of the underprivileged and socially unrepresented (such as the situation that faced Dr Lily Neo and opposition members) becomes more rampant due to the political immaturity and social ambivalence of citizens and their parliamentary representatives. When that happens, the hungry might just retaliate and the entertaining 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' people's struggle that we see outside our shores erupts at our door step. Surely, when that happens, it won't be so entertaining anymore.
Apologies again if the above sounds offensive. No malice intended whatsoever. Purely a personal opinion.
Regards,
Rafiz
Allow me to first apologise if what i'm about to mention is a little politically sensitive. I can't help but to notice that you seem to have a keen interest to update this forum with regional and international political happenings. Strangely though, a thread I started to discuss songs with political slant was replied with a caution due to the inadequate ability to moderate. Perhaps this can be viewed as bystander entertainment politics where politics and political events are fun to watch and to a certain extent comment on.
The good thing about it is that it does create a sense of political awareness and may perhaps provide a mental preparation in the event localised political engagement emerges.
On the other hand, the political gazing on happenings in neighbouring countries, particularly events that seems 'disturbing', may reinforce a false consciousness of an evergreen safety of local political scene.
Raising awareness is a step closer towards political participation. However, failing to also discuss the principles behind participation may lead to a situation where citizens adopt extreme views, take up extreme positions when confronted with issues and eventually gravitate towards political polarisation between the ambivalent (a.k.a political consumers) and the rebels (a.k.a political martyrs).
IMHO, without intent objectivity in observing political events, it is easy to overlook the undercurrents of such events. It is easy for us to dismiss assertive acts of participation such as those happening in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. as 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' politics. However, I personally feel the need to emphatise on the Human struggle for Justice and Equality in such situations. These events depict the active negotiation of citizenry, where citizens and civil society movements challenge the breach of the social contract between governments and the citizens.
Thus I'd like to suggest that alongside updates like this, moderators would discuss ideas of citizenship, ideas of common good, ideas of justice and equality, ideas of social contract, principles and avenues of engagement. Without which, there might come a time where brushing aside the plight of the underprivileged and socially unrepresented (such as the situation that faced Dr Lily Neo and opposition members) becomes more rampant due to the political immaturity and social ambivalence of citizens and their parliamentary representatives. When that happens, the hungry might just retaliate and the entertaining 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' people's struggle that we see outside our shores erupts at our door step. Surely, when that happens, it won't be so entertaining anymore.
Apologies again if the above sounds offensive. No malice intended whatsoever. Purely a personal opinion.
Regards,
Rafiz
Rafiz makes very good points. Although the other countries may look "unstable" in terms of politics & demonstatations - this is actually democracy at work (well most of it anyway). We see citizens who are willing to stand up gainst the government THEY elected when the government fails to deliver on it's promises. The government servants should be called Civil Servants - as they rightly serve the citizens and not some top brass politician sitting in a big office. From an outsider's point of view - although Singapore is much more politically stable - one would imagine how the stability is reached. In the eyes of the world (trust me they are watching) - the judiciary seems very partial to the Executive. This sets dangerous precedents. The judiciary should always be separate from the Executive.
The strange part it seems is that the ordinary Singaporeans tend to complain about it - but are yet are happy enough to watch it from the sidelines and let the government run the country as how it pleases. Don't get me wrong - I think the Singapore government is a prime example of how governments should be run. Personally I myself look forward to the day where our government can have the same spirit of excellence and efficiency that Singapore's governement has. However - it is not without it's fault. A strong opposition is always needed to keep a balance and check on governments. However - the opposition in Singapore seems to be either inept or incapable of doing it's job properly? I would like to think there is more forces at play against them. They are clearly disadvantaged from many fronts - which I shall not go into
Politics is always a sensitive issue. No doubt some may disagree with my views - but I think we can at least agree to disagree. At the end of the day - what matters most if that the citizens wants the best for their own country - and no one can fault them for that.
The strange part it seems is that the ordinary Singaporeans tend to complain about it - but are yet are happy enough to watch it from the sidelines and let the government run the country as how it pleases. Don't get me wrong - I think the Singapore government is a prime example of how governments should be run. Personally I myself look forward to the day where our government can have the same spirit of excellence and efficiency that Singapore's governement has. However - it is not without it's fault. A strong opposition is always needed to keep a balance and check on governments. However - the opposition in Singapore seems to be either inept or incapable of doing it's job properly? I would like to think there is more forces at play against them. They are clearly disadvantaged from many fronts - which I shall not go into
Politics is always a sensitive issue. No doubt some may disagree with my views - but I think we can at least agree to disagree. At the end of the day - what matters most if that the citizens wants the best for their own country - and no one can fault them for that.
well, lets post abt singapore politics to balance it out, aye....? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD7HWzgI97w
US Citizen charged in Singapore for blogging about court proceedings of a political case. His passport impounded, he has been stuck in Singapore since 31 May.
http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com
supportgopalan@gmail.com
we're as evil as neighbouring countries. yarrr....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD7HWzgI97w
US Citizen charged in Singapore for blogging about court proceedings of a political case. His passport impounded, he has been stuck in Singapore since 31 May.
http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com
supportgopalan@gmail.com
we're as evil as neighbouring countries. yarrr....
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+1000000000 to the above posts.
Singapore is the only (so-called) democratic country in the world that is deemed "sensitive" to talk about politics or subjects that are critical of the government. It became "sensitive" because the government has instilled much fear in most us for so many years; fear of reprisals, fear of rebuttals, fear of lawsuits, fear of punishment, etc, etc......
Singapore is the only (so-called) democratic country in the world that is deemed "sensitive" to talk about politics or subjects that are critical of the government. It became "sensitive" because the government has instilled much fear in most us for so many years; fear of reprisals, fear of rebuttals, fear of lawsuits, fear of punishment, etc, etc......
shinobi
New member
one day when singapore really becomes a global city, more angmohs coming in, doing and getting busted by authorities (not trying to be racist, to be racist would be to show causality, i'm merely stating a correlation between 'angmohs' and 'doing'), the world is gonna lovelovelovelovelove about singapore's "human rights" issues as well.
the good thing about thais is that they respect and love their king. any other that tries to be funny will get it from the people
and this is my 2000TH POST... (why i kena censored?)
the good thing about thais is that they respect and love their king. any other that tries to be funny will get it from the people
and this is my 2000TH POST... (why i kena censored?)
Last edited:
shinobi
New member
politics is something that is suppressed in this country, but i can live with it
religion has always been widely regarded as something that should not be casually discussed
but race issues are something which i find problematic. if i were to leave one day (which is highly likely), this would be one of the reasons (other than personal reasons)
i have ever mentioned in another thread that malaysian racial and religious politics are all fabricated. but i feel that racial politics in singapore have transcended since independance days. ah gong spoke of a malaysian malaysia, but i just don't see any kind of singaporean singapore today
because softies is as to singaporeans as james is as to lky...?
JUST JOKING HOR, JAMES.
I was reading today's edition of the Newpaper and I was surprised to read about some Singaporeans' reaction to Hong Lim after the protests in Phuket.
They were convinced that there isn't a need for demonstrations to be allowed because of the horrors and mess that the demonstrations in Thailand had revealed. Well, and most of the interviewees are tourists stuck in Phuket.
I find it very disturbing and appalling to read such an article.
It makes me feel as if people in Singapore know nothing about democracy although they live in a supposedly democratic country. It also makes me feel as if Singaporeans do not know how to face changes well. It seems as if they are unable to adapt to anything new or sensual and they are just dismissing them away.
I mean, they do not, very well, understand the needs for a Speaker's Corner[actually, in my personal opinion, I still believe it's a farce] in a democratic country. When something goes wrong, are they gonna just keep to themselves?
They don't see a need to demonstrate their displeasure. So, how are they gonna solve their problems?
Complain to the relevant authorities[or best, their kakis] and wish that everything will be solved. But they forget that the authorities aren't as transparent as they think they are.
At the end of the day, who's gonna be at the losing end? You or the authorities?
So, what's the complain about people power? Remember, we're still living in a supposedly democratic country.
I find the people naive to throw away the needs for demonstrations just because they see the inconvenience and the troubles they bring.
But yeah, it's my opinion.
They were convinced that there isn't a need for demonstrations to be allowed because of the horrors and mess that the demonstrations in Thailand had revealed. Well, and most of the interviewees are tourists stuck in Phuket.
I find it very disturbing and appalling to read such an article.
It makes me feel as if people in Singapore know nothing about democracy although they live in a supposedly democratic country. It also makes me feel as if Singaporeans do not know how to face changes well. It seems as if they are unable to adapt to anything new or sensual and they are just dismissing them away.
I mean, they do not, very well, understand the needs for a Speaker's Corner[actually, in my personal opinion, I still believe it's a farce] in a democratic country. When something goes wrong, are they gonna just keep to themselves?
They don't see a need to demonstrate their displeasure. So, how are they gonna solve their problems?
Complain to the relevant authorities[or best, their kakis] and wish that everything will be solved. But they forget that the authorities aren't as transparent as they think they are.
At the end of the day, who's gonna be at the losing end? You or the authorities?
So, what's the complain about people power? Remember, we're still living in a supposedly democratic country.
I find the people naive to throw away the needs for demonstrations just because they see the inconvenience and the troubles they bring.
But yeah, it's my opinion.
Tribalcast
New member
It's sad that corruption and power struggles lingers within a government. The ones that truly suffers are it's people. Governments can only bottle up the people's emotion for so long, eventually the people will speak...one way or the other..
theliverevolution
New member
not another problem with the voting in Thailand... I strongly suspect that they're out to get the PPP, with fabricated evidence and baseless accusiations. Everyone knows that the PPP is Thai Rak Thai V.2, and the middle and upper class in Thailand were unhappy with the TRT. Election committee is probably made up of such people and they just trying to pull a fast one
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