Plague and protest put Thailand on edge of panic – Asia Times
Posted: January 9, 2021 at 3:54 am
A worker sprays disinfectant at Thailand's Government House after it was reported on December 25, 2020 that six officials at the seat of government had initially tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AFP Forum via Bangkok Post
BANGKOK Thailands 68-year-old king and his loyal prime minister survived a dangerous 2020, relentlessly exposed to youth-led street protests demanding democracy and limits to the monarchs wealth and power.
Maha or Great King Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha now face a harsh January, with a Covid-19 resurgence and promised new rounds of street protests, but are nonetheless expected to emerge secure.
Prayut does not seem to be in danger. The royal-military alliance seems to be unassailable, said Michael Nelson of the Asian Governance Foundation, which focuses on law, academia and other sectors.
The protesters, though big on Facebook, also have little backing in the population. And now, the government is getting tough with them, Nelson said in an interview.
Prime Minister Prayut seized power in a bloodless 2014 coup when he was a general and army commander-in-chief and was elected to the head of a coalition government in 2019 in polls critics claim were rigged in his favor.
Today, Prayut is dependent on royalists, industrialists, the military and an urban-based upper and middle class.
The king and prime minister, however, are challenged by tens of thousands of protesters who swarmed Bangkoks streets during the past six months.
Their three demands remain: topple Prayuts government, replace Thailands 20th constitution with a new charter, and reform the monarchy, the latter a hitherto unheard of rally cry.
Prayuts administration was widely hailed for quickly containing Covid-19s first outbreak in the kingdom, though at a severe economic price.
The death toll was limited to 60 people in this Southeast Asian nation of 70 million, but has climbed in recent weeks to at least 67 dead amid the worst outbreak yet in the country.
The Thai economy reportedly contracted 7.7% in 2020. Its devastated massive tourism industry, representing around 20% of gross domestic product (GDP), is not expected to revive any time soon.
Some expect anger to swell against Prayut in 2021 as Thais suffer from a second round of containment measures in an already ravaged economy.
Another way to say it is the students may not have won much, but the government continues its string of losses, David Streckfuss, author of Truth on Trial in Thailand, said in an interview.
Thailand is in a legitimacy crisis, an identity crisis, of unprecedented proportions and faces a new generation that is smart, flexible and quick, and that proposes a very new, modern view of Thai society that celebrates difference, whether in political thought, gender diversity, ethnicity, etcetera, Streckfuss said.
Most of the demonstrations, led by university students and schoolchildren, have been festive with live music, speeches, political souvenirs and curbside food carts churning out cheap food.
But at some confrontations, security forces blasted them with truck-mounted, chemically-irritating water. Protesters occasionally smashed police barricades. A handful were shot in unclear circumstances at one chaotic protest.
The latest boisterous street confrontations included flamboyant, fleshy, fashion-disaster students prancing in public, mimicking the expensive clothing and snobby entitlement of royalists and other elites.
Dozens of protesters now face up to 15 years in jail for their camp gestures, costumes, and especially their often caustic accusations which royalists perceived as insults against the monarchy.
The Criminal Codes Article 112 lese majeste law severely punishes anyone who defames, insults or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent.
The constitution also states: The King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action.
Arrests, charges and threats of imprisonment may have dampened some dissent, but may also galvanize others to rebel.
But their rebellious movement is suffering from internal splits. A previously hailed Youth Forum group recently signaled its support of communism, and published a logo similar to a hammer and sickle sparking complaints by other protesters.
Protesters volunteer guards, meanwhile, began fighting among themselves in the streets and aggressively grappled with police and their barricades defying demonstrators claims to be peaceful.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, one of the worlds wealthiest monarchs, is expected to maintain his position of strength during 2021 while trying to adapt to an increasingly international and in spots glaring public spotlight.
Protesters want to unlink the palaces recent control over two army infantry regiments, and stop paying taxes which protesters have carped are used to pay for some of the monarchys ceremonies and activities.
They want the constitutional monarchy to revert to a more limited structure and role similar to the earliest years under Great King Vajiralongkorns late father, the widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016.
They also want to delete the constitutions amended Crown Property Act of 2017, which gave the king direct control of royal assets worth billions of dollars. Royalists say many of those assets originally belonged to Thailands earlier kings and were subsequently inherited.
Bangkoks fast-moving and treacherous politics have hit the American Embassy and US Congress.
The embassy strenuously rejected royalists recent claims that current and recent American ambassadors secretly manipulated Thai dissidents, stoked pro-democracy protests, and supported subversive online campaigns.
US Senator Tammy Duckworth [D-Illinois] and eight other Democratic party senators said in a joint resolution on December 3, violence and repression by the countrys monarchy and government, were used against protesters.
Thai officials have sharply countered that assessment. Some [US] senators received inaccurate information about the protests, said Thailands government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
Their concerns are not shared by the rest of the US Congress. The protesters have also been breaking the law with the intention to abolish the royal institution, Anucha said.
The US has supported Thailands dictators, elected prime ministers, and monarchy ever since World War II, a period that saw 13 military coups. During 2020, relations deepened under President Trump, who embraced Prayut in the Oval Office in 2017.
If President-elect Bidens administration emphasizes Thailands lack of human rights, Bangkoks ruling politicians might squirm while street protesters rejoice.
Thailands army, navy and air force however expect US weapons sales, training, and public statements boosting the Thai military will continue under Biden.
Much of Washingtons focus on Bangkok concerns a perceived rivalry between the US and China for Thai influence. Street protesters and even opposition politicians have taken recently taken critical aim at Chinas authoritarian ways and means.
Richard S Ehrlich is a Bangkok-based American foreign correspondent reporting from Asia since 1978 and author of a new nonfiction book, Rituals. Killers. Wars. & Sex. Tibet, India, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka & New York.
Read the rest here:
Plague and protest put Thailand on edge of panic - Asia Times
- 87% of High-growth Sales Organizations Take a Value-based Approach to Sales, According to New Research - GlobeNewswire - February 16th, 2021
- RAIN Group Wins Gold for Sales Training Program of the Year with Toyota and Research Report on Virtual Selling - PR Web - February 16th, 2021
- Sales Training Market Analysis, Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by 2026 | Action Selling, Aslan Training and Development, The Brooks Group - The... - February 16th, 2021
- Podcast: Part 3 A deep dive into the new way of working with Fellowes Brands' Louise Shipley | OPI - Office Products International - February 16th, 2021
- Microsoft Azure is Sharing Customer Information and Allowing Publishers to Contact Customers - WinBuzzer - February 16th, 2021
- From snooker to sales how one world class player is taking the business world by storm - Portsmouth News - February 16th, 2021
- Chevy Bolt sales surge with new markets, attention - Automotive News - January 9th, 2021
- Drive more leads and increase sales with the help of this seven-course training bundle - The Next Web - January 9th, 2021
- This $30 training bundle will help you become a sales master | TheHill - The Hill - January 9th, 2021
- Drive Sales and Retention by Highlighting Value - RisMedia.com - January 9th, 2021
- Sales Training Market Share 2020 With Top Manufacturers: Action Selling, Aslan Training and Development, The Brooks Group, BTS, Carew International,... - January 9th, 2021
- Sales Training Market (Covid-19 Analysis) SWOT Analysis, Key Indicators, Forecast 2028 | Action Selling, Aslan Training and Development, The Brooks... - January 9th, 2021
- ETC Announces Fiscal 2020 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results - GlobeNewswire - January 9th, 2021
- Sales Training Market Report 2026 Focuses on Top Companies, Research Methodology, Drivers and Opportunities - LionLowdown - January 9th, 2021
- Sales Training Market Size, Trends, Company Profiles, Growth Rate, Trends, Emerging Opportunities and Forecast to 2027 - LionLowdown - January 9th, 2021
- Cox Auto vet Bill Reidy named CRO of LotLinx - AIM Group - January 9th, 2021
- Maximizing Media Ad Sales in the New Year - Editor And Publisher Magazine - January 9th, 2021
- Sales Training and Onboarding Software Market Projected to Witness Vigorous Expansion by 2020-2027 - Factory Gate - January 9th, 2021
- Rental in the Age of COVID - Rental Equipment Register - January 9th, 2021
- The Kelley Group Announces Speaking and Coaching Partnership Program - PRNewswire - January 9th, 2021
- Hyundai Is Closing Its Asia Pacific Headquarters In Malaysia And Moving To Indonesia - SAYS - January 9th, 2021
- Covid-19 Impact on Product-based Sales Training Market Analysis, Importance and Regional Outlook 2020 | ASLAN Training and Development, DoubleDigit... - December 1st, 2020
- People on the Move at Marriott Vacations, Peachtree Hospitality Management, More - Hotel Business - December 1st, 2020
- Business Outline of Sales Training Providers Market 2020- 2025 To Surge in The N - GroundAlerts.com - December 1st, 2020
- Sales Training Market: Expected Growth after COVID Pandemic, Trends, Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application & Forecast to 2026 -... - December 1st, 2020
- Latest News 2020: Sales Training Market by Coronavirus-COVID19 Impact Analysis With Top Manufacturers Analysis | Top Players: Action Selling, Aslan... - December 1st, 2020
- Sales Training Market 2026 Growth Forecast Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application - The Market Feed - December 1st, 2020
- Sales Training Market Overview, Development by Companies and Comparative Analysis by 2026 - The Haitian-Caribbean News Network - December 1st, 2020
- Military Aircraft Simulation and Training Market Size, Revenue, Gross Margin, Sales, Scope, And Growth Rate Analysis 2020-2027 - Khabar South Asia - December 1st, 2020
- Why Reverse Mortgage Professionals Should 'Stay in Their Lane' - Reverse Mortgage Daily - December 1st, 2020
- Cognitive Assessment and Training Sales Set to Soar on Back of COVID-19 Pandemic, Concludes Fact.MR 2020 2030 - The Cloud Tribune - December 1st, 2020
- IT Training Market Analysis and Growth Forecast by Applications, Sales, Size, Types and Competitors by 2020-2026 - The Haitian-Caribbean News Network - December 1st, 2020
- Sales Training and Onboarding Software Market Size And Forecast (2020-2026)| With Post Impact Of Covid-19 By Top Leading Players-... - December 1st, 2020
- Rethinking Retail: From brick and mortar to going digital - Gov.sg - December 1st, 2020
- Sales Training Market 2020: Potential Growth, Challenges, and Know the Companies List Could Potentially Benefit or Loose out From the Impact of... - December 1st, 2020
- Global Sales Training and Onboarding Software Market 2020: Analysis By Latest Trends, Size, Share, Growth Rate And Forecast To 2026 - The... - December 1st, 2020
- Viseon MaxView System Accelerates Adoption of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Procedures - Business Wire - December 1st, 2020
- Might as well: Entrepreneurs across the country are going for it, anticipating better days ahead - Chattanooga Times Free Press - December 1st, 2020
- Arrow Electronics Selected as a Training Industry Top 20 IT Training Company - Business Wire - December 1st, 2020
- Sales Training Key Benefits of Effective NLP Sales Techniques by Alexey Khobot - Feed Leader - November 2nd, 2020
- Global Sales Training Market 2026 The leading Industry Players : Action Selling, Aslan Training and Development, The Brooks Group, BTS, Carew... - November 2nd, 2020
- Sales Training and Onboarding Software Market Is Expected To Reach Multimillion Usd By The End Of 2025: Showpad MindTickle Lessonly Allego Brainshark... - November 2nd, 2020
- Fear of election unrest fuels Memphis-area gun sales first sparked by protests and pandemic - Commercial Appeal - November 2nd, 2020
- Product-based Sales Training Market 2020: Globally Research Including Top Companies, Latest Trends, Challenges Analysis and Forecast to 2025 -... - November 2nd, 2020
- Latest Update 2020: Sales Training Market by COVID19 Impact Analysis And Top Manufacturers: Action Selling, IMPAX, BTS, Aslan Training and... - November 2nd, 2020
- Ford salesman shifts to park after 67-year career - The Times - November 2nd, 2020
- COVID-19 Impact on Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales Market Analysis, Size, Trends and Forecast 2020 to 2025| Boeing, Lockheed... - November 2nd, 2020
- Global Military Simulation and Virtual Training Market Analysis, Sales Revenue, Share, Size and Future Development and Expected Growth at CAGR of... - November 2nd, 2020
- Developments In Cognitive Assessment Training 2020 Insights On Trends, Revenue, Sales, Share, Production, Demand Globally - The Think Curiouser - November 2nd, 2020
- Tramazing and Zealic Solutions Have Formed A Powerful Partnership - Watauga Democrat - September 12th, 2020
- Telestax Launches the Industry's First CPaaS Sales Certification Training for Communications Companies, Carriers, and Operators - MarTech Series - September 12th, 2020
- A chief of learning and positive thinking - Chief Learning Officer - September 12th, 2020
- Using sales tax for San Antonio worker training program could improve health conditions in areas hit hardest by the novel coronavirus - San Antonio... - September 12th, 2020
- Global Sales Training Providers Market Size, Share, Trends, CAGR by Technology, Key Players, Regions, Cost, Revenue and Forecast 2020 to 2025 - The... - September 12th, 2020
- Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Awards More Than $100000 to 2020 Scholarship Recipients - wineindustryadvisor.com - September 12th, 2020
- How instant gratification syndrome has ruined advertising - Niche Publishing Network - September 12th, 2020
- Director of Sales Operations job with The RealReal Inc. | 145809 - The Business of Fashion - September 12th, 2020
- Analyzing Impacts Of COVID-19 On Sales Training Industry Effects, Aftermath And Forecast To 2026 - Scientect - September 12th, 2020
- This Program Aims to Help Laid-Off Workers Land Sales Jobs - Built In - September 12th, 2020
- Two St. Pete companies in Tampa Bay Waves TechWomen Rising cohort - St Pete Catalyst - September 12th, 2020
- We ask the State of Retail panel: How has the pandemic affected your business expenses? - Bicycle Retailer - September 12th, 2020
- Appraisal, Valuation, Sales Tools; Training; 50 bp Refi hit and Other Agency Updates - Mortgage News Daily - August 14th, 2020
- Sales Training Market Size by Top Companies, Regions, Types and Application, End Users and Forecast to 2027 - Bulletin Line - August 14th, 2020
- Sales Training Market 2020 Competitive Dynamics Insights with COVID-19 Effects on Major Companies Aslan Training and Development, Corporate Visions,... - August 14th, 2020
- Product Based Sales Training Market 2020: Analysis By Top Manufactures ASLAN Training and Development, DoubleDigit Sales, GP Strategies, Miller Heiman... - August 14th, 2020
- Use Psychology To Make Customers And Employees Safer - Forbes - August 14th, 2020
- COVID-19 Impact on Global and Regional Cognitive Assessment and Training Industry Production, Sales and Consumption Status and Prospects Professional... - August 14th, 2020
- Sales tip: Don't believe for one moment your salespeople are even close to being the best they can become - Utah Pulse - August 14th, 2020
- Keystone Agency Investors Expands Presence in Pennsylvania with Acquisition of The Seltzer Group - Business Wire - August 14th, 2020
- PBS Distribution Appoints Harley as VP of Marketing - TV Technology - August 14th, 2020
- Global Product-based Sales Training Market Incredible Possibilities, Growth with Industry Study, Detailed Analysis and Forecast To 2025 - eRealty... - August 14th, 2020
- Sales Training Market 2020 Size by Product Analysis, Application, End-Users, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Forecast to 2027 - Owned - August 14th, 2020
- Bonaventure Marketing Solutions Offers Digital Marketing Strategy for Businesses Who Want to Thrive in the 2020 Economy - Virtual-Strategy Magazine - August 14th, 2020
- Global English Language Training Market Forecast Report: By Regions, Type and Application with Sales and Revenue Analysis during the forecast period... - August 14th, 2020
- Global Sales Training and Onboarding Software Market Projected to Reach USD XX.XX billion by 2025- Showpad, MindTickle, Lessonly, Allego, Brainshark,... - August 14th, 2020
- Reinvention and the hope of the Hyatt await at Railroad Square - Tallahassee Democrat - August 14th, 2020
- TIPS training offered to curb alcohol-related problems - NNY360 - July 7th, 2020
- Product-based Sales Training Market SIZE BY APPLICATION, TYPES, END-USER, REGIONAL ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 2020 TO 2025 - Jewish Life News - July 7th, 2020
- Two New Publications Support the Safety and Efficacy of Slynd (drospirenone) tablets, 4 mg - PRNewswire - July 7th, 2020
- Welcome to the New Age of the Jewelry Sales Rep - INSTORE MAG - July 7th, 2020