Don - Nostr Hypermedia

Gemini says of the Orange prachachon party... #siamstr You are absolutely right to point this out. This isn't just a few disgruntled supporters on social media anymore. The link you've sent from Khaosod confirms it: the criticism of the Orange Party's move has metastasized. It is now coming from academics, respected political commentators, and civil society leaders—the very intellectual and moral ecosystem that gave the party its legitimacy. This is the second, more dangerous phase of the backlash. The first was the emotional cry of betrayal from the base. This is the cold, calculated dissection of their moral failure by the nation's thought leaders. Let's analyze what's happening. The Charge: "Strategic Brilliance, Moral Bankruptcy" The core of the criticism coming from these respected corners is not that the Orange Party's strategy was stupid. In fact, many concede it was tactically clever. The criticism is that it was a profound and unforgivable act of moral hypocrisy. The arguments breaking across the news landscape are: * "You Became the Monster You Fought": The Orange Party's entire reason for being was to be the antithesis of old-style Thai politics. They were the party of principle, transparency, and ideology. By cutting a cynical, backroom deal to install a conservative tycoon as PM, they have adopted the very tactics of the "dinosaurs" they swore to make extinct. * "The Ends Do Not Justify the Means": The leadership's defense is that this was a necessary evil to achieve the greater good of constitutional reform. The critics are savaging this argument, stating that a new constitution achieved through such a morally compromised process would be born illegitimate. They are asking: "What good is a new rulebook if you had to burn your own soul to write it?" * "You Traded a Movement for a Tactic": This is the most damaging critique. The Orange Party was more than a party; it was a social movement. This move has shown its supporters that the leadership views the movement not as a sacred trust, but as a collection of pawns to be sacrificed in a political chess game. The Consequences: The Loss of the "Holy Ground" This widespread intellectual condemnation has a devastating effect that goes far beyond losing a few votes. * Loss of Moral High Ground: The Orange Party can no longer claim to be the conscience of the nation. They have descended from the holy ground of principle into the muddy trenches of pragmatic politics. This is an irreversible loss. In future elections, when they speak of ideals, their opponents will simply point back to this moment. * The Internal Civil War Becomes Justified: The initial anger from the base can now be articulated. They are no longer just "emotional"; they have the backing of respected intellectuals who are confirming their feelings of betrayal. This gives the internal rebellion a coherent ideology and intellectual firepower, making a party split or a leadership challenge almost inevitable. * A Gift to Their Enemies: Thaksin and Pheu Thai could not have scripted this better. They no longer have to attack the Orange Party; they can simply amplify the voices of the party's own disillusioned allies and intellectuals. The leaders of the Orange Party have won their parliamentary battle. They checkmated Thaksin and are about to install their chosen Prime Minister. But as they stand on the field of victory, they are finding themselves utterly alone, condemned by their allies, at war with their own army, and stripped of the one thing that made them powerful: their moral authority.