Towards the Destabilization and Breakup of Thailand?
by Tony Cartalucci
Global Research
Jan 25, 2014
The Economist has recently floated a narrative that the current Thai regime could flee to the north and “separate” the region from Thailand. Far from a legitimate government seeking to “preserve democracy,” it a Western-backed proxy regime carrying out the tried by true modern imperial agenda of divide and rule.
First, it should be remembered that the Economist publishes paid-for op-eds. It is not news, it is not analysis, it is simply the message told by the highest bidders – the corporate-financier interests of Wall Street and London. These interests are passed to the Economist via their impressive network of lobbying firms. The Economist itself sits among the corporate membership of large Wall Street-London policy think-tanks like the Chatham House, right along side these lobbying firms.
In their latest article, “Political crisis in Thailand: You go your way, I’ll go mine,” one of these lobbying firms comes to mind – fellow Chatham House corporate member Amsterdam & Partners. Robert Amsterdam is currently representing deposed dictator, accused mass murderer, and convicted criminal Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as his “red shirt” enforcers. It claims:
Indeed, many red shirts say Bangkok is already lost. Mr Suthep has nearly free rein there, closing down most government offices. The police have charged him with insurrection and seizing state property, but no attempt has been made to arrest him. The imposition of a state of emergency for 60 days may not make much difference.
Thus most red shirts in the north and north-east now contemplate—indeed they seem to be preparing for—a political separation from Bangkok and the south. Some can barely wait. In Chiang Mai a former classmate of Mr Thaksin’s says that in the event of a coup “the prime minister can come here and we will look after her. If…we have to fight, we will. We want our separate state and the majority of red shirts would welcome the division.” Be afraid for Thailand as the political system breaks down.
Thaksin Shianwatra is at the very center of Thailand’s current political crisis which includes the ongoing “Occupy Bangkok” campaign that has paralyzed the government for now nearly 2 weeks, and has drawn out the largest street protests in decades. Pro-government rallies have fizzled and many of the regime’s supporters, including rural farmers have in fact joined the opposition after being cheated in a vote-buying rice subsidy scam that has gone bankrupt and left them unpaid now for nearly half a year.
Why Secession is Impossible & Why the Lie is Being Repeated in Economist
It was in 2010 that the Asia Foundation conducted its ”national public perception surveys of the Thai electorate,” (2010′s full .pdf here). In a summary report titled, “Survey Findings Challenge Notion of a Divided Thailand.” It summarized the popular misconception of a “divided” Thailand by stating:
“Since Thailand’s color politics began pitting the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s (PAD) “Yellow-Shirt” movement against the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship’s (UDD) “Red-Shirt” movement, political watchers have insisted that the Thai people are bitterly divided in their loyalties to rival political factions.”
The survey, conducted over the course of late 2010 and involving 1,500 individuals, revealed however, a meager 7% of Thailand’s population identified themselves as being “red” Thaksin supporters, with another 7% identifying themselves only as “leaning toward red.”
Graph: Up from 62% the year before, the public perception of the military as an important independent institution stood at 63%. Even in in the regime’s rural strongholds, support stood at 61%. The only individually polled group that did show majority support for the military, was the regime’s tiny “red” minority, but even among them, 30% still supported the army. .
Beyond Kyiv: Ukrainian Protesters Seize Control Of Regional Administrations
End the Lie – Independent News
Jan 25, 2014
Protests are spreading to Ukraine’s regions with demonstrators seizing control of administrative buildings and, in some cases, forcing governors, who are appointed by President Viktor Yanukovych, to resign. In some cases, particularly in western Ukraine, they are meeting little — if any — resistance from police. In some western regions, elected regional councils, which are often dominated by the opposition, are passing legislation in support of Euromaidan protesters. The situation is fluid and is developing rapidly. Below is a brief rundown, compiled from Ukrainian media reports, of some of the key regions where protesters have seized control of regional administration buildings.
Lviv Oblast – The Lviv regional legislature on Saturday (January 25) passed a measure disbanding the office of the regional governor and banning police, military, and security services from using force to disband protests. Chanting “revolution,” protesters on Thursday (January 23) stormed and seized control of Lviv’s regional administration and forced the governor, Oleh Salo, who was appointed by President Yanukovych, to write a statement of resignation. Protesters built barricades around the administration building and hundreds camped out inside.
Ternopil Oblast – In the western region of Ternopil, which neighbors Lviv Oblast, protesters seized control of the Ternopil regional administration with little resistance from police.
Rivneska Oblast – In the northwestern Rivneska Oblast approximately 2,000 people faced little resistance from police as they seized the regional administration building on Thursday (January 23). Anatoliy Yukhimenko, acting head of the regional administration, resigned shortly thereafter.
Khmelnitsky Oblast — After 30 minutes of clashes with police on Friday (January 24), protesters in Khmelnitsky Oblast, located to the south of Rivneska, seized control of the regional administration building. After negotiations between Yuriy Smal, a leader of the local Euromaidan movement, and regional authorities, Governor Vasiliy Yadukha resigned.
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast — Approximately 4,000 on Saturday (January 25) stormed and occupied the regional administration building in Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine. On Friday (January 24), about 1,000 protesters held a vigil outside the building and demanded that the governor, Vasily Chudnova, resign, but he has thus far refused.
Chernivtsi Oblast — Thousands of protesters on Friday (January 24) stormed and occupied the regional administration building in Chernivtsi, near the Ukrainian-Romanian border, and forced Governor Mykhailo Papiev to tender his resignation.
Volynska Oblast — Governor Boris Klimchuk resigned on Friday after more than 1,000 protesters marched on and surrounded the Volynska administration building in the regional capital, Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine. When a protest leader asked police guarding the building to stand back, one officer replied, “We are Ukrainians –we are with the people.” The protester and the officer then embraced. Police then allowed demonstrators to enter the building.
See a map of the regions that have been taken over here.
Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.
Source: RFE/RL
[related video: Ukraine president offers opposition leader PM post, agrees to change Constitution]
VIDEO — Ukraine rioters brutally beat police, storm local admin building
RT
Jan 25, 2014
Protesters have stormed local administrative buildings in Vinnitsa, central Ukraine. The authorities have started criminal investigations into the seizure.
RT LIVE http://rt.com/on-air
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VIDEO — West v East: Ukraine split in half amid violence engulfing capital
RT
Jan 25, 2014
Rioters in Ukraine’s capital Kiev are reportedly holding 2 policemen hostage authorities also say an officer was found shot dead in the city centre with another in hospital with stab wounds. And the fury in Kiev is spreading to Ukraine’s West – as RT’s Alexey Yaroshevsky reports. Meanwhile President Yanoukovich has agreed to several concessions – reshuffling his cabinet and pledging to review recent laws that introduced harsher punishments for rioters. However opposition leaders have called for citizens across Ukraine to form militias and “take control into their own hands” – RT’s Paula Slier travelled east of the capital to see if those calls were being heard there.
RT LIVE http://rt.com/on-air
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) vs. Syria’s “Moderate” Al Qaeda Terrorists
by Prof Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research
Jan 23, 2014
The Western media has tacitly acknowledged, faced with overwhelming evidence, that the opposition rebels have not only committed countless atrocities, they were also behind the chemical weapons attack of August 21.
In the wake of these tragic events, a new dribble of media disinformation is unfolding.
The evolving media narrative –which coincides in a timely fashion with the Geneva 2 Peace Conference– consists in distinguishing between two categories of Al Qaeda affiliated rebel organizations.
The story runs roughly as follows:
- There are moderate Al Qaeda rebels (“good guy Jihadists”) including those affiliated to Al Nusrah, which are now part of the Western supported moderate Islamic Front. The latter is now openly supported and financed by the US and its allies.
- And then there are the so-called extremists associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
VIDEO — Egypt blasts: String of explosions rattle Cairo subway & police HQ
RT
Jan 24, 2014
Three blasts hit Cairo on Friday, targeting police HQ, a metro station and a police station. They apparent string of militant attacks claimed at least five people and injured scores of others.
Read more here http://on.rt.com/c637rj
RT LIVE http://rt.com/on-air
VIDEO — Who is Behind the Ukrainian Riots? – New World Next Week
New World Next Week
Jan 23, 2014
Welcome to http://NewWorldNextWeek.com — the video series from Corbett Report and Media Monarchy that covers some of the most important developments in open source intelligence news.
This week:
Story #1: Ukraine Opposition Sets 24-hour Deadline As Protests Rage
http://ur1.ca/ghhxb
Putin Scores a New Victory: What Really Happened In Ukraine
http://ur1.ca/ghhxc
Ukraine Texts Citizens: Hey, We See You’re In a Mass Disturbance
http://ur1.ca/ghhxe
Reddit: Ukraine Revolt Livestream
http://ur1.ca/ghhxh
State Of Emergency Begins As Thailand Copes With Protests
http://ur1.ca/ghhxk
Geneva II: Day 1 of Syria Peace Talks Ends on Fragile Ground
http://ur1.ca/ghhxl
Story #2: US Judge Rules IP Address Does Not Prove Online Piracy
http://ur1.ca/ghhxn
NSA Devises Radio Pathway Into Computers
http://ur1.ca/ghhxq
Story #3: Homeland Security Special Agents Hold Up Google Glass Moviegoer
http://ur1.ca/ghhxs
Google Unveils ‘Smart Contact Lens’ to Measure Glucose Levels
http://ur1.ca/ghhxv
Bonus: Interview w/ Cale Sampson on ‘The Big Picture’
http://ur1.ca/ghhxy
Interview w/ Howard Sounes on ’27’
http://ur1.ca/ghhy2
Visit http://NewWorldNextWeek.com to get previous episodes in various formats to download, burn and share. And as always, stay up-to-date by subscribing to the feeds from Corbett Report http://ur1.ca/39obd and Media Monarchy http://ur1.ca/kuec Thank you.
Previous Episode: ICC to Prosecute UK Officials for Iraq War Crimes?
http://www.corbettreport.com/?p=8557
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