The coup in Thailand--a little help please

[AlCzervik]

i know some of you must be following this and i'm wondering if you could point me to a few news items about the how and the why, please and thank as always.

[Jacobin]

1. Billmon has an interesting take on it:

http://billmon.org/archives/002747.html

[upi402]

6. good article

I think Thais get money every election when 'they' know you'll be voting for 'them'.
whoever it may be

This guy is inscrpulous and a greedy as hell pragmatist. Used 'fees and tax' revenue to bribe rurals.
Propagandized and censored news, not exactly the same as here, but same effect.

He's no Chavez. But since he tacitly allowed our black prisons we did not demonize him with our corporate media.
Plus Thai politics are harder to understand tha missing white chicks.

I doubt many on earth understand Thai politics. The constitutional Monarchy is neither really (i think???).

[BurtWorm]

2. Here's an article at Washington Monthly online

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0601.kurlantzick.html

[AlCzervik]

3. very interesting, thank you-

****Stalin*****
:+

[BurtWorm]

4. D'oh!

[upi402]

5. well CNN newsbabes have no clue

Toxin (Thaksin) is a billionaire that controls much media, esp. satellite tv.
He is Chinese Thai and made big $ from silk, owns shincorp (sp?).
Toxin, Boxhead, had one election invalidated. The second, he paid Baht to rural Thais, esp. in the east, Isaan.
The educated/urban Thais realized he was looting the treasury and he sold Co to Malaysian state owned firm and evaded taxes.

Basically, these Asians are revolting over far less corruption than a certain western country.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej is revered and helps the people and stepped in during the last coup -1992- when protesters were shot on the streets.
This time the armed forces, all branches and royal Thai police, are aligned with the Royals.

The King endorsed the coup leader and flights are normal and no violence -(unless Toxin returns and counters).
Gatherings of more than 5 for political reasons banned.

CNN, BBC blacked out as the coup leaders don't want Toxin to use his satellite tv system to backdoor beam down political propaganda that may incite the rurals beholden to him for the bobbles and blups he bribed them for votes with.