Wisarut
12-03-06, 04:43 AM
SOCIAL DIVIDE: LAND OF SIGHS
The Nation : March 12, 2006
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/12/headlines/headlines_20002555.php
Political rift has spread throughout Thai society, splitting families, stars, students and even monks
Since the get-rid-of-Thaksin crowd found its voice in late January, the Land of Smiles cannot seem to make up its mind. The extreme polarisation, which has not been seen for several decades, appears to be widening and creating cracks everywhere.
Even expressing political opinions in taxis has become hazardous. Drivers, many of who support the embattled premier, can be swift to let his critics know that they consider Thaksin-bashing, unlike speeding, to be a crime.
What began as an apparent urban-rural divide has become much more complex, sparking rifts among family members, monks, students, Web surfers and even comedians.
Caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra still has plenty of supporters, especially in rural areas where his populist policies have been quite welcome.
But his opponents, who include people from all walks of life, revile him so deeply that they will be satisfied with nothing less than his exit from political life.
The three opposition parties - Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon - will not even run in the same election with him.
They resorted to an unprecedented boycott of the April 2 vote to press for his resignation.
Thaksin called the election after he dissolved Parliament, but the snap move triggered a furious reaction that has even spilled into family life.
A recent Abac poll found many families divided along political lines. About 28 per cent of the poll's respondents said their families had argued over political issues. Almost 17 per cent of those who reported family spats said the quarrels were intense.
Although the pollsters did not say whether their survey included leading political families, we can imagine the atmosphere at the dining tables of the Vejjajiva or the Punnakan clans must be edgy.
For the Vejjajiva family, fiery debates are inevitable, given that Abhisit Vejjajiva is currently the leader of the Democrats, while his cousin, Suranand, is a top Thai Rak Thai figure.
For the Punnakan family, however, our reporters were told political talk is taboo at their dining table.
If they are telling the truth, cutlery would not have to be removed for a family dinner that included Thai Rak Thai Danuporn Punnakan and Democrat Puttipong Punnakan- both former MP candidates.
The political divide has, of course, woven its way into cyber space. The split is most apparent between Pantip.com and Manager Online.
Opponents of Thaksin can revel in strongly worded condemnation of him at Manager's site, while Pantip appears to draw a halo for the pro-Thaksin crowd.
When Chamlong Srimuang, a devout Buddhist, led the Santi Asoke sect to the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy's anti-Thaksin rallies the political row spilled into religion.
Phra Maha Cho Thassaneeyo, a lecturer at Maha Chula Buddhist University, has demanded that Chamlong stop bringing religion into a political conflict, but his call has fallen on deaf ears.
Hundreds of followers of the popular Dhamakaya Temple have publicly embraced Thaksin.
The religious rift is epitomised by two popular monks in the Northeast.
Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho has urged followers to send postcards to Government House to show support for Thaksin, while
Luangta Maha Bua of Wat Pa Ban Tat has demanded that Thaksin step down due to alleged ethical shortcomings.
While Thaksin's support remains high in the Northeast, in the South residents are rushing to join the People's Alliance for Democracy.
But, last week, in the eastern province of Sa Kaew, Thaksin himself ran into the division first hand.
Supporters of Thai Rak Thai dissident Snoh Thienthong booed him while other villagers gave him a warm welcome.
Even former leaders of the October 1973 uprising are unable to issue a joint statement on what to do with Thaksin.
Many, mostly academics and members of non-governmental organisations, have joined the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy.
However, several former activists remain in the caretaker government, including Chaturon Chaisang, Sutham Saengprathum and Phumtham Wechayachai.
A rift has opened among students. The Student Federation of Thailand and Thammasat University Student Union are among the loudest of Thaksin's foes, but groups of vocational school students have been quick to support him.
Like their pupils, teachers seem unable to reach a consensus.
Chulalongkorn University rector Suchada Kiranand asked the dean of the political science faculty to stop using the university's name when urging that Thaksin resign, but Thammasat University rector Surapol Nitikraipote has publicly called for Thaksin to step down.
On the celebrity front, Thailand is a long way from Hollywood, where stars line up to endorse the Democratic Party.
Here, the stars do not light a singular path.
Thaksin's supporters include Masha Wattanapanich of Grammy entertainment. However, singer Hugo-Chulachak Chakrabongse and actor and TV show host Saranyu Wongkrachang are regular visitors at Sanam Luang.
Comedian Dee Dokmadan has participated in anti-Thaksin rallies, but comedian Sumo Coke has shown support for Thaksin.
Even at the foreign ministry, supporters of the anti-Thaksin alliance turned up for work donning black neckties last week, but they told colleagues they were going to a funeral to avoid being reprimanded by their bosses.
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation
The Nation : March 12, 2006
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/12/headlines/headlines_20002555.php
Political rift has spread throughout Thai society, splitting families, stars, students and even monks
Since the get-rid-of-Thaksin crowd found its voice in late January, the Land of Smiles cannot seem to make up its mind. The extreme polarisation, which has not been seen for several decades, appears to be widening and creating cracks everywhere.
Even expressing political opinions in taxis has become hazardous. Drivers, many of who support the embattled premier, can be swift to let his critics know that they consider Thaksin-bashing, unlike speeding, to be a crime.
What began as an apparent urban-rural divide has become much more complex, sparking rifts among family members, monks, students, Web surfers and even comedians.
Caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra still has plenty of supporters, especially in rural areas where his populist policies have been quite welcome.
But his opponents, who include people from all walks of life, revile him so deeply that they will be satisfied with nothing less than his exit from political life.
The three opposition parties - Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon - will not even run in the same election with him.
They resorted to an unprecedented boycott of the April 2 vote to press for his resignation.
Thaksin called the election after he dissolved Parliament, but the snap move triggered a furious reaction that has even spilled into family life.
A recent Abac poll found many families divided along political lines. About 28 per cent of the poll's respondents said their families had argued over political issues. Almost 17 per cent of those who reported family spats said the quarrels were intense.
Although the pollsters did not say whether their survey included leading political families, we can imagine the atmosphere at the dining tables of the Vejjajiva or the Punnakan clans must be edgy.
For the Vejjajiva family, fiery debates are inevitable, given that Abhisit Vejjajiva is currently the leader of the Democrats, while his cousin, Suranand, is a top Thai Rak Thai figure.
For the Punnakan family, however, our reporters were told political talk is taboo at their dining table.
If they are telling the truth, cutlery would not have to be removed for a family dinner that included Thai Rak Thai Danuporn Punnakan and Democrat Puttipong Punnakan- both former MP candidates.
The political divide has, of course, woven its way into cyber space. The split is most apparent between Pantip.com and Manager Online.
Opponents of Thaksin can revel in strongly worded condemnation of him at Manager's site, while Pantip appears to draw a halo for the pro-Thaksin crowd.
When Chamlong Srimuang, a devout Buddhist, led the Santi Asoke sect to the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy's anti-Thaksin rallies the political row spilled into religion.
Phra Maha Cho Thassaneeyo, a lecturer at Maha Chula Buddhist University, has demanded that Chamlong stop bringing religion into a political conflict, but his call has fallen on deaf ears.
Hundreds of followers of the popular Dhamakaya Temple have publicly embraced Thaksin.
The religious rift is epitomised by two popular monks in the Northeast.
Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho has urged followers to send postcards to Government House to show support for Thaksin, while
Luangta Maha Bua of Wat Pa Ban Tat has demanded that Thaksin step down due to alleged ethical shortcomings.
While Thaksin's support remains high in the Northeast, in the South residents are rushing to join the People's Alliance for Democracy.
But, last week, in the eastern province of Sa Kaew, Thaksin himself ran into the division first hand.
Supporters of Thai Rak Thai dissident Snoh Thienthong booed him while other villagers gave him a warm welcome.
Even former leaders of the October 1973 uprising are unable to issue a joint statement on what to do with Thaksin.
Many, mostly academics and members of non-governmental organisations, have joined the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy.
However, several former activists remain in the caretaker government, including Chaturon Chaisang, Sutham Saengprathum and Phumtham Wechayachai.
A rift has opened among students. The Student Federation of Thailand and Thammasat University Student Union are among the loudest of Thaksin's foes, but groups of vocational school students have been quick to support him.
Like their pupils, teachers seem unable to reach a consensus.
Chulalongkorn University rector Suchada Kiranand asked the dean of the political science faculty to stop using the university's name when urging that Thaksin resign, but Thammasat University rector Surapol Nitikraipote has publicly called for Thaksin to step down.
On the celebrity front, Thailand is a long way from Hollywood, where stars line up to endorse the Democratic Party.
Here, the stars do not light a singular path.
Thaksin's supporters include Masha Wattanapanich of Grammy entertainment. However, singer Hugo-Chulachak Chakrabongse and actor and TV show host Saranyu Wongkrachang are regular visitors at Sanam Luang.
Comedian Dee Dokmadan has participated in anti-Thaksin rallies, but comedian Sumo Coke has shown support for Thaksin.
Even at the foreign ministry, supporters of the anti-Thaksin alliance turned up for work donning black neckties last week, but they told colleagues they were going to a funeral to avoid being reprimanded by their bosses.
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation