Peter Hartcher on the Sydney Morning Tribune penned an explosive article yesterday called "Thailand turns into Indonesia and vice-versa," in which he pulls no punches in describing Thailand's retreat from democracy in the coup of 2006 and since then, comparing the rise of democratic stability in Indonesia to Thailand's descent into something dangerously approaching "failed state" status at times. The article openly describes what the author believes to have been the pivotal role of the palace in these events.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/thailand-tur...90511-b0ip.html
0
Thailand's retreat from democracy
Started by Expattaya, May 13 2009 01:13 PM
2 replies to this topic
#2
-
- Members
-
- 1,486 posts
Veteran
Posted 14 May 2009 - 10:18 AM
When you read that Aussie article, you realize what a sea change has occurred in the foreign press' coverage of Thai politics and their willingness to make critical and sometimes nasty comments about people and things that don't get written inside Thailand for obvious reasons. The foreign press has changed its tune on reporting the political news from Thailand and things may never be the same again for certain institutions that previously got a pass on any critical reporting.
#3
-
- Members
-
- 1,274 posts
Veteran
Posted 15 May 2009 - 12:27 AM
A rather stark editorial about the causes of the current unrest. Hartcher boldly (brashly?) references the coup against Shinawatra in this manner: "The decision to send the army to remove him came from the royal palace."
Unfortunately, Hartcher provides no evidence at all to back up that statement.
Unfortunately, Hartcher provides no evidence at all to back up that statement.
