0		Who, Are, The, Nationalists, Now?

In the past, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Thai Rak Thai were known as nationalists, but well if Thaksin was a nationalist, he often faced criticism for selling out the country. Social critic Prawase Wasi and The Manager stated Thaksin murdered the country when he sold Shin Corp. Prominent author Chris Baker has noted:

In 2001 Thaksin turns nationalist, 2004 anti-nationalist and liberal – and then he turned absolutely against everything he was before. He became the enemy of the establishment, if not a revolutionary.

BP: Would disagree slightly. Thaksin was more nationalistic prior to the 2001 general election ranting on about the IMF etc, but once he became PM, he made a couple of similar speeches - there is one notable speech around April 2001 (can't find the exact speech now, but remember concern being expressed in the foreign business community). After that, he gradually toned down his rhetoric. Would also say that Thaksin turned more neoliberal in regards to free trade agreements well before 2004 - some details of the free trade agreements and criticism of Thaksin is mentioned in this post from 2005. Of course last year during the time of the Thaksin-aligned PPP-led government the opposition Democrats and the anti-Thaksin PAD were using nationalist rhetoric to criticize PPP over Preah Vihear - see here, here and here.

Now, we hae more of the same. Have summarised an article today from Matichon below:

Dr. Buranaj, Democrat spokesman, states that when Thaksin when PM he used his position to invite investment in disputed territory.

Thepthai, Abhsit's personal spokesman, states that Chavalit and Puea Thai are using the country as a political tool. Thepthai states in relation to the 12 point Puea Thai statement that it is distortion of the truth because it defends Cambodia. Therefore, how can they still call themselves Puea Thai (which means "For Thais"). If you look at their behaviour, if they were called "Party for Cambodia) it would be more accurate with the truth (นายเทพไท กล่าวว่า ส่วนแถลงการณ์ของพรรคเพื่อไทย 12 ข้อที่ขานรับและสนับสนุนนายใหญ่นั้นถือเป็นข้อความที่บิดเบือนข้อเท็จจริง เพราะเป็นการปกป้องและแก้ต่างให้กับประเทศกัมพูชา ดังนั้นพรรคเพื่อไทยยังใช้ชื่อพรรคเพื่อไทยอยู่ได้อย่างไร ถ้าดูพฤติกรรมการของพรรคเพื่อไทยตอนนี้แล้วจะต้องเป็น "พรรคเพื่อเขมร" จะสอดคล้องกว่า).

Alongkorn, Deputy Commerce Minister, states that the government listens to all people, especially Thais who love their country. However, for traitors, the government will not listen to. Now, it is becoming clearer on who loves the country and for those who want to change their nationality, especially Thaksin. If they want to change their nationality to clearly reflect that they are on the side of foreign interests then they should do so if they see being a foreigner is better than being a Thai, including Noppadol (former Foreign Minister under the PPP-led government and Thaksin's lawyer) (นายอลงกรณ์ กล่าวว่า  รัฐบาลรับฟังทุกฝ่ายโดยเฉพาะประชาชนคนไทยที่รักชาติ ส่วนที่เป็นพวกทรยศต่อชาติจะไม่รับฟัง ตอนนี้เริ่มเห็นธาตุแท้แล้วว่า ใครรักชาติ หรือใครอยากเปลี่ยนสัญชาติก็บอกมา โดยเฉพาะพ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร อดีตนายกรัฐมนตรี ถ้าอยากเปลี่ยนสัญชาติชัดเจนไปเลยว่า ยืนอยู่กับผลประโยชน์ต่างชาติหรือผลประโยชน์ประเทศไทย ก็ให้แสดงความจำนงมารวมทั้งคุณนพดล ปัทมะ อดีตรมว.ต่างป.ระเทศอย่าเห็นต่างชาติดีกว่าชาติไทย)

BP: Who are the nationalists now? No wonder those at The Nation like the Democrats.