Dying for democracy in Thailand

Thailand's Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, wants to "educate" foreigners about Thai "culture". According to Abhisit, Thailand is "unique from other countries", adding that: "the law and the government of a country is derived from the historical events of the country."

Now what do you suppose that means? Well, I'll tell you. What Mr Abhisit really means is that ordinary Thai people have no real understanding of what democracy means, so why give it to them? All that Thailand has known during king Bhumibol's 60-year reign, is brutal military coups and student massacres. Or what Abhisit refers to as "historical events".

Where on earth did Mr Abhisit learn to be so cynical? Oxford university? Now watch this video. It's the story of an ordinary Thai taxi driver, called Nuamthong Praiwal, who was so desperate to be free, that he hanged himself from a pedestrian flyover in the name of democracy.

So while the king of Thailand is busy endorsing military coups against democratic governments, and Abhisit is running around "educating" westerners about the "uniqueness" of Thai "culture" in an effort to justify lese majeste law; Thai people are sacrificing their lives just to have the same rights that Westerners take for granted, and which Thailand's Prime Minister is insinuating Thai people do not even "understand".

Excellent video from ThaiPresident