Opinion: Why Do Some Thais Support China Over Hong Kong Protests?

[buksida]

Interesting article that goes a long way to explain why the current regime is sucking up to China and the Thai people think that it is totally acceptable.

Among Thais who recently accuse Hong Kong protesters of harboring hatred towards their own nation was senior Democrat Party member Warong Dechvigrom.

With images of some protesters waving union jack or the star and stripes flags with placards containing messages like “Please Liberate Hong Kong” spread around the globe, Warong said on Facebook last Friday that some Hong Kong protesters have forsaken their Chinese roots and hate their own nation.

“The longer it goes on, the image is that of [people who] hate their own nation, causing havoc and who forget their own national roots,” Warong wrote on Facebook.

What needs to be reminded time and again is that as much as there is no single way to be Thai, there is also no single way to be Chinese.

Hong Kongers want freedom and democracy and they can be Chinese as well as Taiwan, which has proven to be a successful model of a Chinese democratic society.

...

The irony is that some Thais who profess to love and revere the monarchy and Buddhism are now supporting a communist dictatorship state to crack down on its own people for merely calling for liberty and basic democracy. That Warong himself identified with a political party called “Democrat” party makes it doubly ironic.

That some protesters are calling for help from the US and its former colonial master the UK didn’t help, however.

It strikes a chord with Thais who believe that the West have always been interfering in Thai domestic politics, during the Cold War, which was true, and beyond, which is debatable, as their influence is waning.

To them, they now prefer or at least feel more comfortable with Chinese dictatorship since it’s less of a blatantly interventionist superpower or at least she knows how to save Thai face or not offend it.

The Chinese are not forcing their ideologies into your mouth. They are not zealous preachers, because they don’t care what political system you have because it’s only money that counts.

Another reason why some Thais can’t wait to see China cracking down on Hong Kong protesters is because these Thais have become conservative, and they value “national security” and stability above all. They see what’s happening in Hong Kong as being a threat against such mindset.

National security, peace, and order at any price – this has become a dominant ideology among many conservative Thais.

In this case they see the Chinese model as model to emulate or at least accept. It is an unfortunate state of affairs as Thailand move closer and closer under Chinese orbit of influence and at risk of becoming a satellite state of China while Thais are still struggling for genuine democracy and greater liberty.

We need a more democratic neighbor not less. Rooting for Hong Kong to become less democratic won’t be helpful.


Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2 ... -protests/

[Lost]

China has the money. A simple understanding for Thais. Those with money matter - hence white falangs are becoming less and less important to them.

[Spitfire]

Thailand (along with the other ASEAN countries) are basically China's back yard. They have all sold out already like Laos a while back, Hun Sen has ponied up Cambodia willingly despite his age and many Cambodians being unhappy about it. The Viets will resist as they don't like the Chinese but it might not be enough in the end. Burma has pretty much fallen too as no-one will touch them really apart from the Chinese. As for the Thais, the 1% rich elite that own everything are all Chinese-Thais anyhow and there are no illusions as to where their loyalty lies. The average Thai has no idea they too are being sold out and that even now it's pretty much too late. It wouldn't surprise me if we see Chinese military bases on Thai soil in 10 years.

[margaretcarnes]

China has the money. A simple understanding for Thais. Those with money matter - hence white falangs are becoming less and less important to them.

Maybe we should be asking ourselves if us 'white falangs' were ever really important to Thailand at all? Let's face it, white farang were welcomed in the LOS when they were needed, to provide expertise in medicine, engineering, teaching, manufacturing, land management, ecology, infrastructure development. Not forgetting the development of international trade and tourism.
The earliest of those 'wf' were respected and often rewarded for their contributions to Thai society with citizenship status and respect. A bit later it was 'wf' who led the way in demonstrating how Bangkoks' hotel trade needed to adapt to cater for 'wf' needs and attract more of them. And it all worked because the time was right. By the mid 20th century the rest of the world was becoming much more aware of South East Asia, and air travel was starting to become much more accessible.
It should be no surprise that now the WF have pretty much served their purpose Thailands' focus turns to China. As you say money matters. Chinese tourism is important - they don't have so far to travel, are ethnically much closer, and already run big business - it's a win win!
So it must make sense that Thai people would wonder why on earth Hong Kong citizens don't feel the same way and go with the money. Yes they were pretty much British for a while, so what? Those days have gone and wealth comes before democracy.
This links with other things going on, like the TM28 and other visa restrictions, the effect of the strong baht on western tourism, that notion about not needing native English speaking English teachers, and the apparent increase in WF expats wanting to leave the LOS. It's all very sad for the WFs who will always love Thailand and it's people, but to be honest, aren't we all just a little bit envious of what they get away with?

[oakdale160]

There maybe an added simpler explanation. When there were mass demonstrations in the streets in BKK it was a time when many quiet non-political Thais were terrified about the protests and possible outcome and so feel--OMG I dont want that to happen here.

[stretch]

Its the old saying money talks now its Chinese money. Back in the day it was American money in Cambodia they would say to the people give up being a buddhist be come Christian then we will give you an education. Hong KONG is Chinese territory always has been its not being Chinese they are protesting against it being good little red book readers .China has to save face you will see the troops moving in then the island will be part of communist china for good and real .

[handdrummer]

Within 20 yrs. China will control all of SE Asia.
If you want your eyes opened read: When China Rules the World.
That's always been their plan and they play the long game.
How long before facial recognition cameras are on all the street corners in the main shopping areas of Bangkok?
China has just ordered google to suspend facebook accts. in Hong Kong and they said, yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
When China says, "frog", Thailand jumps. Thailand has always gone with whomever has the power, under the guise of sabai, sabai.
Several of the "Stans" are now under the influence of China and the Chinese,through loans and acquisitions own big chunks of Africa, are moving into Central and South America, pressuring the New Zealanders and Australians. Conversely, they are selling many American holdings, such as, property, hotels & businesses.
The Tariff war will weaken America and China's Belt and Road project is opening Europe to them. They're already into Italy and Greece.
Of course I may be wrong about some of this and won't be alive long enough to see it come to fruition but my children and grandchildren will bare the brunt of it.
China is not your friend.

[stretch]

A number of British goverments over the last 35 years have sold the country out try buying a british car a few small specialists Rolls Royce german Bentley german jaguar range rover indian rover name sold to who yes china all sold out you want electric French you want a new nuclear power station Chinese its been away of life in Britain for years. People keep say Trump is a fool A racist a bigot I disagree with a lot of his opinions but they are not all wrong.

[deepee]

The Taiwanese will be getting nervous if the PLA roll into Hong a la the Tienamin Square method .
As for taking over the Asean region it would be interesting to see how things pan out with the Muslim nations even with their local Chinese controlling these economies seeing how Beijing is "re-educating" their own Muslim minority people.
To add a few curved balls into this,
Where do Russia and India handle all this Chinese nonsense?
The Yanks can chest beat all they can but it was they that sold the world the coca cola and burger business model. Now it's coming back to bite their own economy. As for demanding the Chinese refrain from their military expansionism in the region, I think they have only to look at their own position of having something 600 military bases or "technical" centres across the globe.
China has only 3 or 4. China no doubt sees she has all the rights to regain her great influence again, look out for any one who stands in her way.

[buksida]

Stay clear of Hong Kong, Beijing warns Thai politicians
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok issued a statement in Thai on Thursday (October 10) lashing out at unspecified Thai politicians for appearing to take sides in the Hong Kong upheaval.

The embassy sent an English-language version to The Nation on Friday which reads in part: “Some politicians from Thailand even met with the [pro-democracy] activists. This act, which boosted the arrogance of the activists, is extremely wrong and irresponsible.

“The Chinese side hopes that the relevant persons can see through the nature of the issue, be discreet in word and deed, and work more for the friendship between China and Thailand.”

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377315


"Do what we tell you or we'll take our money away..."

[PeteC]

....more about the above.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... g-activist

[HHTel]

However, the majority of world opinion is on the side of Hong Kong!

[handdrummer]

"Big business sittin' in the wings, kinda likes the way I sing. Mister you got a fine shoeshine but you want too much sugar for just one dime."

Come's the revolution, we'll all eat strawberries.
I don't like strawberries.
Come's the revolution, we'll all eat strawberries.

[Nereus]

The first thing they need to do is get rid of that stupid woman!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Hong Kong leader heckled, aborts policy speech

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/17732 ... icy-speech

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's embattled leader abandoned a State of the Union-style speech on Wednesday after she was heckled by opposition lawmakers during chaotic scenes inside the city's legislature.

The speech by chief executive Carrie Lam was billed as an attempt to win hearts and minds after four months of seething pro-democracy protests.

But it instead laid bare the intense polarisation coursing through the semi-autonomous financial hub after weeks of huge and increasingly violent protests.

Lam tried twice to begin her policy address inside the Legislative Council which had opened for a new session some three months after it was trashed by masked protesters.

But pro-democracy lawmakers, who form a minority of the pro-Beijing legislature, shouted her down.

One even used a pocket projector to broadcast protest slogans behind Lam as she stood on the podium, and later donned a face mask of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

After failing to deliver the address for a second time, Lam left the building and her office announced that she would release a pre-recorded video of the speech instead.

It is the first time in Hong Kong's history that a chief executive or governor has been unable to deliver the annual address in person since the tradition began in 1948.

The chaos inside the Hong Kong legislature comes after a summer of huge and increasingly violent democracy protests as popular anger explodes over sliding freedoms and living standards following two decades of Chinese rule.

There is huge pressure on Lam -- who currently boasts historically low approval ratings -- to unveil flagship measures that might lower some of the anger on the streets.

An advance copy of the speech seen by AFP shows Lam will focus on housing and land shortages in a city that has one of the least affordable property markets in the world and notoriously high rents.

But there are no major concessions to protesters.

At a briefing on Tuesday, Lam stuck to her oft-repeated stance that bending to violent demonstrations would be unacceptable.

"For concessions to be made simply because of escalating violence will only make the situation worse. On the other hand, we should consider every means to end the violence," she said.

The core demands of protesters include an independent inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 2,500 people arrested and the right for Hong Kongers to freely elect their leaders.

Both Lam and Beijing have repeatedly dismissed those demands.

Millions have taken to the streets of Hong Kong, initially against a now-dropped bid by its leaders to allow extraditions to the authoritarian Chinese mainland.

- US congress mulls rights bill -

The months-long movement has expanded into a broader pro-democracy push in the territory where activists say freedoms are being eroded by Beijing, contrary to a deal that outlined Hong Kong's 1997 return to China from British colonial rule.

Lam's speech comes after the US House of Representatives passed a bill late Tuesday that aims to defend civil rights in Hong Kong and has drawn rare bipartisan support in a polarised Congress.

China, which has accused "external forces" of fuelling weeks of unrest in the city, expressed its "strong indignation" over the bill and told Washington to "stop meddling".

The Hong Kong Rights and Democracy Act would link the city's special trading status with the United States to an annual State Department certification that authorities are respecting human rights and the rule of law.

It would also require the US president to identify and sanction the people responsible for the erosion of autonomy and serious abuses of human rights in Hong Kong.

The House also approved a related bill to prohibit the export of certain non-lethal crowd control items such as tear gas to Hong Kong.

Chaotic scenes inside Hong Kong's legislature as the city's leader tried to deliver a policy address.

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[buksida]

Opinion: Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow Thailand
No one could have predicted that it would happen this faster. When Carrie Lam tried to (unsuccessfully) pass her extradition law last year, we knew that this day would eventually come. But no one expected Beijing to force through their new security law so fast and with such disregard for the sentiment of the Hong Kong people.

The extradition protests began last year but now they seem a lifetime away. The new security laws are so much worse allowing Beijing to intervene in Hong Kong directly, allowing the Chinese government to take away dissidents at will and most worryingly, allowing them to imprison for life any and all dissidents.

This is the end of the so-called “one country, two systems” form of government so touted by Beijing. It all happened so fast, one wonders if it ever existed at all.

...

Dictators all over the world rely on one another and oppressive laws to hold onto power. China is trying to create a new Hong Kong where Beijing’s hand steers and guides all decision (as if it was not already doing that!). In our country, the government of Prayut is trying to do the same thing with its suppression of dissent and its use of opportunistic laws like the state of emergency.

China helps the dictatorial regime in Thailand and around the world by normalizing the abuse of it sown citizens whether it be Uighurs, Tibetans, or the people in Hong Kong. The term human rights Regimes around the world can use China’s “do not interfere in our local politics” as an excuse to crackdown on dissent, after all, if the second most powerful country in the world can do it, why can’t we?

Therefore, it is a moral and political duty for people around the region not only to oppose the regimes in our own countries but also oppose Chinese imperialism. If we don’t, what is happening in Hong Kong will eventually happen at home.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/15150/opin ... -thailand/