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While former PM Samak Sundaravej (pictured), who recently passed away, spent part of his time as PM trying to belittle then opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva - including making origami birds in parliament while Abhisit was speaking - Abhisit has been very conciliatory with some kind words towards Samak, stating that his death "was a great loss to Thai politics". As BP types up this post, the lead pic on the front page of Matichon's website is below (for larger image click here):
BP: This is Abhisit speaking to Samak's widow at Samak's funeral last night. Thai politics can be very personal and nasty at times with accusations flying, but the Democrats, Abhisit in particular, have been very restrained in their criticism of Samak in the aftermath of his death just preferring to let bygones be bygones. Some red shirts were a different story though and couldn't resist to go after Newin... btw, see this post for a pic of Samak last year while he was healthy and then this pic taken not long before his death to see the change.
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Ah yes, Abhisit's avowed "class". The same "class" that saw him ride to power off the back of the sociopathic PAD, the corrupt Newin, a suspect court and the Machiavellian Anupong/Prem. The same "class" that has led him to promote and then back probably the single most useless foreign minister (and airport occupier) Thailand or any other country is ever likely to see. The same "class" that saw Abhisit go "up-country" for probably the first time in his life to meet the "locals" in choreographed showings of "love" for the Democrats (they managed to find all 6 Dem voters from Isaan for that one). The same "class" that has led Abhisit to sit on his hands while a neo-fascist mob attempted to storm over the border of a neighbouring country. The same "class" that had Abhisit and Kasit react like whiny hairdressers the moment their impoverished neighbour (of whom they never miss a chance to talk down to in particularly offensive and racist terms) dared to cock a snook at them. Abhisit may talk English in a particularly posh way but that will never hide the fact that he gets everyone else to do his dirty work for him; that he tears up any notion of democracy if it personally empowers him; that he colludes with known thugs, racists and fascists in order to secure that power. So, he says a few polite words to Samak's wife - big deal. Set against his other acts it comes across more as a smarmy attempt to ingratiate himself. I'm very very surprised you fall for such schtick BP. As for Newin showing up at Samak's funeral. That was far far worse than a couple of reds throwing a water bottle at him. It was a deliberate act of provocation that showed no respect for Samak's family or friends in any way shape or form. If Samak (the dodgy old fascist that he was) had been there he'd have probably personally thrown Newin out, with a boot directed up his rear end. So you can keep your oily, cheap smarmy "class" BP.
Oh, dudeist - I think you're being a bit unfair on whiny hairdressers with that comparison..... I already commented on New Mandala's post, so I won't repeat all that here. Talking to Thai friends about Newin turning up, the consensus view was that in Thailand it just looks too bad for even your worst, most hated enemy to not come and "show respect" to the deceased. Western values suggest that certain people (e.g. Newin) should "do the decent thing" and stay away; seems different by Thai values. Any thoughts from other Thai on this?
I'm a fan of BP's blog but I agree with the gist of what dudeist says on this one. Aphisit is a master at the gesture of the "khon di" - which of course will be front page news. It is part and parcel of the hypocrisy of the "rule of the virtuous": use every dirty trick against your political enemy while at the same time portraying yourself as being of a higher morality than the "serfs". It's a form of graciousness based on a sense of class superiority which you see in the Democrats, the aristocracy, and the Thai elite generally. The farang tend to be taken in by it every time. I noticed that quite a few of the PAD also had nice things to say about Samak, which does not necessarily mean that they are "kind" or "have class". And I think the comparison with the reaction of the red shirt "villeins" to Newin is somewhat unfair, given that he is still very much alive.
Speaking to Thais on Newin's attendance there were mixed views. Some said there probably wasn't much difference between Samak and Newin anyway and they weren't really enemies. Most felt it was definitely provocation and that Newin calculates his every move. They all poo pooed the idea that enemies attend each others' funerals. So, I guess who you talk to. Thailand is, despite rumours to the contrary, pretty heterogenus. The cultural differences between your average southern Muslim, northern Tai Yai, Bangkok Chinese and Isaan Laos is pretty massive.... |
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