Now, I realize not many people in America give a shit about Thailand, but, hey, I do. So suck it. The craziness going on down there is as entertaining as anything else going on in the world right now, so I feel like it's worth a look.
Thailand's democracy, like others that could be named, often relies on military coups to squelch popular unrest. The end result is that, much like Turkey until recent times, Thailand is a Democracy with a military veto. So, every once in a while, the military asserts itself in Thailand during times of popular unrest, or when a leader challenges its position in the established governmental order.
This offends a lot of people, and I have a lot of problems with this style as well. The army is turned loose on civilians every once in a while in a Thai style democracy, which results in civilian casualties. 25 people were killed and hundreds more injured when the military attempted to disperse the Redshirt Occupation of Bangkok on April 10th. Now granted, some of these protests were growing violent, and they were crippling Bangkok's economy, but there's never an excuse for any government to kill it's citizens. After all, what is the purpose of government except to protect the interest of it's constituents.
That is of course a wonderful axiom, but, one that is rarely lived up to. Except in America, cause our country rules. But I digress. In Thailand, that axiom is often laughable. The government is often corrupt and brutal, and when the inevitable death of the revered king Bhumibol the specter of civil strife looms over this tropical paradise. Journeyman pictures has done an incredible job in breaking down the conflict, none of my friends have any money, but if you should read this article in some 2 am drunken stupor, you should pay them if you've got any money.
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