Friday, October 13, 2006

Names to remember: "Octoberists"

Names I need to remember, interestingly provided by The Nation's OCTOBERISTS' - 33 YEARS ON
A divided political ideology


Thirayuth Boonmi, his name I can remember, in fact I got an MA from ISS where he went for a fellowship after he came out of the jungle.

According to the article quoting Dr Kasian Tejapira, now Thammasat University's professor of political science., Thirayuth leads this camp:
Pibhob Thongchai, Prasarn Marukapitak, Chermsak Pinthong, Chaiwat Surawichai, Kaewsan Atibhodhi, Kamnoon Sithisamarn, Chatcharin Chaiwat, Tienchai Wongchaisuwan and Suwinai Poranawilai.

Octoberists who joined Thaksin's camp: Prommin Lertsuriyadej, Phumtham Vejayachai, Surapong Suebwonglee,
Chaturon Chaisang, (wasn't he just elected acting TRT's leader?)
Sutham Saengprathum, Pinij Charusombat, Adisorn Piengket and Kriengkamol Laohapairote.

Some Octoberists have been recruited to serve the new legislative body appointed by the Council for National Security. They are Gothom Areeya, Surichai Wankaeo, Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, Pinij Charusombat and Kamnoon Sittisamarn.

Nithinand Yorsaengrat, is also named an Octoberist and is a journalist.

I think Acharn Kasian paints a conflictive picture because he makes the common mistake trying to categorize these people. Limiting academic discipline also keeps one trapped in out of date vocabulary, like "ideology" and "leftist", even new generation political scientist Kanokrat can't see beyond her discipline, or was she misquoted?

Interesting also that Thongchai Winichakul, who wrote a really good book, "Siam Mapped", is Ass.Prof at University of Wisconsin, involved in the October events himself doesn't get named.

7 comments:

KorBua said...

My parents and their friends always talk about this you know. People do really change sometimes. :) I know. It's kinda hard to believe, but it's true. :)

Cuauhtémoc said...

Kor Bua, you're so endearing. I'm starting to feel part of your family and starting to become familiar with your parents through you. Talk about change... as a kid, a friend asked me to promise to "never change". I believed that so much I was surprised after 10 years or so to realize that.. of course, I wasn't that same person (even if in many ways I was the same). Odd! :)

Bangkok Pundit said...

Because Ajarn Thongchai has been "corrupted" by the West/ or is out of touch because he has spent so much time out of Thailand so need to mention him.

As you say Ajarn Thongchai should at least rate a mention.

Anon said...

Isn't Gothom a bit too old to count as a October-person?

Cuauhtémoc said...

Hello, BKK Pundit & Khun Patiwat, interesting comments you make, both acknowledged with thanks, except for A. Tongchai's case, I was just quoting The Nation to help myself remember these names, since I have such bad memory. I can look it up easier if if were on my page than The Nation's.

I think some older people who have influenced the students consider themselves Octoberists.

BKK Pundit, I read A. Tongchai's book and met him at the 9th International Conference on Thai Studies. Even if he did seem to have acquired the qualities of a western academic, I think he's still passionately concerned with the future of Thailand. There was an interesting moment of "heated" clash between him and Ji Ungpakorn. It was sort of like, "u're an academic and no longer an activist", the other "you're an activist and not a real academic".

Bangkok Pundit said...

I guess my bad attempt at sarcasm didn't come across. I have heard at least one person dismiss Thongchai's criticisms of the coup because he is an academic in the West and thus "out of touch" with what is happening in Thailand. Given this, I was just wondering whether they no longer felt Thongchai was worthy of inclusion as an Octoberist.

I guess Ji and Thongchai might have made up after the coup. :)

Bangkok Pundit said...

My apologies if my previous comment went through, but I have a blogger beta account and it doesn't seem to non-blogger beta blogs today

I guess my bad attempt at sarcasm didn't come across. I have heard at least one person dismiss Thongchai's criticisms of the coup because he is an academic in the West and thus "out of touch" with what is happening in Thailand. Given this, I was just wondering whether they no longer felt Thongchai was worthy of inclusion as an Octoberist.

I guess Ji and Thongchai might have made up after the coup. :)