Thai Political Crisis 2008: Chamlong Srimuang Under Detention
I and my Thai friend just talked about him during our way back home from little party yesterday night and, today, BBC headlined his detention. He was arrested when casting his vote in Bangkok ’s gubernatorial elections in connection with current uprising against the Thai government. Wait, who is he, anyway? How important is he to know? VERY IMPORTANT, YOU WILL SOON KNOW WHY.
He was former military officer and governor of Bangkok. He was also the member of anti-leftist Young Turks, clique he established with some military colleagues, which involved in 1976 Massacre in Bangkok. It was a demonstration orchestrated by leftist student to oppose the appointment of previously exiled former dictator Thanom Kittikachorn as a monk. Samak Sundaravej, previous Prime Minister of Thailand (Jan - Sep 2008), was also alleged to have sent paratroopers to stop the demonstrations although he severely denied it.
In 1980s, he joined radical sectarian Buddhist movement called Santi Asoke and henceforth started to live as vegetarian celibate who has no worldly goods. Santi Asoke is also known for its very strong stance against corrupt government. In the end of 1980s, he formed Palang Dharma Party (PDP), which successfully brought him to the position of Bangkok’s governor and member of parliament. Chamlong retired from PDP in 1995 when the incumbent government collapsed. He appointed Thaksin Shinawatra to replace him to lead increasingly waning PDP. (more…)
