Then I'm happy for them!
"Thai junta pushes ‘happiness’ project; Critics say rulers also aim to stifle political dissent" by Todd Pitman | Associated Press June 08, 2014
BANGKOK — The military junta that seized power last month has no plans to restore civilian rule any time soon but it has launched an official campaign to bring back what it says this divided nation desperately needs — happiness.
The Ukraine is never referred to as a junta that seized power, a very important tell.
The project has involved free concerts, free food, alluring female dancers in suggestive camouflage miniskirts, even the chance to pet horses trucked into downtown Bangkok with makeshift stables and bales of hay. The fair-like events are supposed to pave the way for reconciliation after a decade of political upheaval and coups.
I like the idea.
But critics point out that the feel-good project is being carried out alongside an entirely different junta-led campaign — an effort to stifle all opposition to the army’s May 22 putsch, which deposed a government elected by a majority of Thai voters three years ago.
‘‘The very first question you have to ask is, whose happiness are they talking about?’’ said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai professor of Southeast Asian studies at Kyoto University who has refused to respond to a junta summons ordering him to return home and report to the army.
‘‘I’m sure this is not happiness for Thais who want a civilian government, whose rights were taken away by the coup,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s surreal. And it’s ridiculous to believe this will create an environment conducive to reconciliation. That can’t happen when the military is harassing, hunting, and detaining its enemies.’’
No wonder Americans are so unhappy.
Last month’s coup, the 12th in Thailand since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, ousted a civilian government accused of abuse of power and corruption that had increasingly been cornered by protesters, the courts, and finally the army.
Although the junta has censored partisan media on both sides, it has begun prosecuting opponents and summoned hundreds of politicians, mostly those who supported the former government or were seen as critical. The moves have forced some of the nation’s most noted activists and scholars to flee or go into hiding.
Sorry I'm sour on all this.
Colonel Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, an army spokesman, said the clampdown was necessary because ‘‘if you let people talk at the moment, they will talk with emotion, they will be very critical.’’
The aim of the project, dubbed ‘‘Return Happiness to the People’’ by the military, is to get people ‘‘to relax,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re trying to create an atmosphere to gain trust and build confidence. That is the plan.’’
And the junta is serious about it.
The weekly radio address of military ruler General Prayuth Chan-ocha is now titled, ‘‘Bringing Back Happiness to the Nation.’’ It is also now prefaced with a new song Prayuth commissioned called ‘‘Return Happiness to Thailand.’’
At a junta-sponsored event on Wednesday in Bangkok — part concert, part street fair — an army truck operating as a mobile kitchen dished out thousands of free ‘‘Happy Omelets and Rice.’’ Doctors from a military hospital gave out free medicine and checked blood pressure. A line of soldiers with shields and face paint stood ready for photos.
Oh, the sign of a TRUE PEOPLE'S REVOLUTION, one of the few!
The event drew mostly residents who supported the takeover, and it took place at a roundabout where just a few days earlier soldiers in riot gear had faced off against hundreds of antijunta protesters.
‘‘Some people may not be happy with the coup, but they have to accept what has happened and live in the moment,’’ said Kanyapak Deedar, a 32-year-old airline employee who stood swaying on a blue plastic chair as a Royal Thai Army rock band with drums, guitars, and saxophones entertained the crowd. ‘‘Not everyone can be satisfied,’’ she said. ‘‘But the soldiers have restored order . . . and it’s time to move on.’’
Similar events have been held in Bangkok and elsewhere, with music and free haircuts, and there are plans for more.
Weerachon said the events would preface the establishment, in every province, of official ‘‘reconciliation centers’’ in coming weeks. Precise plans are still being drawn up, but he said the centers would enable people to come together voluntarily in a calm environment to discuss the nation’s problems.
‘‘We are not forcing happiness. We are asking for cooperation,’’ he said. ‘‘We believe this is a time for healing and we must listen to one another and understand. We realize our society has been divided for quite some time.’’
They sound like they mean well and are concerned about the people.
--more--"
Related: Junta Takes Over Thailand
They are the fish that swims in the water of the people.
"Junta lifts curfew in Thailand" Associated Press June 14, 2014
BANGKOK — Thailand’s military government announced Friday that it has lifted a nationwide curfew it imposed after seizing power last month, saying there is no threat of violence and that tourism needs to be revived.
The curfew was ignored at the tourist spots, and there were no problems.
Political protests and criticism of the coup, however, remain banned by the junta, which said a return to elected civilian rule cannot be expected for at least 15 months.
The curfew had earlier been reduced to four hours from seven hours, and had been lifted in several resort areas popular with tourists after complaints from the tourism industry over the financial damage it was causing.
‘‘The overall situation in other areas of the country has been resolved and there is no tendency toward possible violence. Therefore, in order to relieve and mitigate the impact on people’s daily lives, and to boost tourism by Thais and foreigners, the curfew order is being canceled in the rest of the country,’’ the junta said in a statement issued Friday night over all domestic TV stations.
Keep an eye on those Red-Shirted CIA!
‘‘It’s brilliant because, like last night we wanted to see the World Cup match but we couldn’t because it was on at 2 a.m.,’’ said Sinead Dowd, 27, a tourist from County Kerry, Ireland. ‘‘So, yes, it’s great.’’
Related: I Will Be Watching the World Cup
I did today, even though it is a "three-week party for the global elite."
What is sad is I had to go to my sports section to see what is happening in Brazil.
In an address before the curfew announcement, army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha briskly listed the junta’s achievements — including the seizure of weapons linked to political unrest, and scores of reconciliation meetings among rival political camps — and its plans, especially on the economic front.
‘‘There are still many problems left,’’ he acknowledged. ‘‘Please give us time to deal with these problems.’’
You got it!
--more--"
There was no coverage of Thailand in-between those articles, readers, thus signaling that the Thailand coup was not part of the agenda.
