truethailand

Shame it is out of the city or i am sure it would do really well especially at those prices,location location location allways the crux of any business.

If you are heading into Khon Kaen turn left before big C down past techno plaza and keep going till the end of the road about 2/3 kilometres T junction turn left and it is up that road on your left.

I will be trying it out a Sunday roast for sure.Good luck to the Op

Why not try this chap for sausages and bacon

Must be 8 months ago now and nobody has appeared in court on charges of terrorism. Nobody wants its in court and guess what nobody related to May last year is ever going to go to court on charges of terrorism. Inciting violence yes I can agree with that, GBH and ABH but not terrorism. But it makes good headlines. Anybody remember this

"But the situation is changing. The police have issued summonses for 79 leading members of the UDD, including media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, to give themselves up on July 28 to acknowledge criminal charges, including terrorism and treason, for their alleged involvement in the seizure of the two airports". and their little suaree went on 193 days.

If we are to do things in Chronological order, its yellows first in court. If the yellows dont go to court then the reds should not go to court. Its so simple and fair.

And as for treason, another yellow shirt charge

a crime that undermines the offender's government <LI>disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior <LI>treachery: an act of deliberate betrayal

disloyalty Subversive, treachery and betrayal

And theres this more damming definition of Treason

In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more serious acts of betrayal of one's sovereign or nation. ... That sounds nasty

Well, if more than 50% of Thai people either don't want responsible democracy or are not ready for it, they'll have to put up with what they've got - "money politics" and croneyism, or go back to rule by the military and the old influential families.

Trouble is, the easy money they're taking to have the local godfather or his puppet elected isn't really his. He'll get it back through kickbacks, bribes and various insider schemes once he's elected, and that'll be at the expense of development and services and standards for all the punters who cast their votes, in good faith or otherwise.

I think if you look closely its been under military control for at least the last 100 yrs. Thats why we have coups all the time, it retains the status quo

Gof7

Only 7? Who are they?

Truethailand's "Gof7: is just the petulant cry of someone that can't actually discuss the events in question and that whines about the rules. BTW -- he described it in another thread as a "Gang of Seven" that post in all the redshirt threads and control the agenda of a thread stifling neutral voices like his --- he later admitted that he wasn't neutral at all.

Direct to tt- your little "Gof7" posts do show an inability to either discuss the events or deal with the fact that posts, once made, are subject to comments from other posters that may well see things differently than you, or be able to counter all of your points and show them to be flawed. If you really want to have a place where you can discuss anything at all and not get called on it when you get it wrong then I think you will have to create such a space for yourself. Those of us actually in Thailand and dealing with the results of the redshirt's armed insurrection and seeing things like people's businesses, jobs, families, and lives damaged by people that don't even understand the concept of democracy will probably speak out about what we see as wrong.

The people living in the ratprasong area do have the right NOT to live with bi-monthly protests by a group that has shown themselves to be extremely violent in the past (and whose current leader has stated that they will not cooperate with the government.

These protests need to be shunted to a location that does not hurt others, or shut down.

Bullmerke --- the people's compassion ended about the first time the reds started firing grenade launchers as a form of protest. It was certainly gone by the time that the reds burnt Bangkok. It is yet another thing the reds should be ashamed of. That they have beaten the sense of compassion out of many people, leaving those people feeling that whatever happens to the reds is just 'instant karma' for their violence.

Sorry got to answer the pile of dung.. typical red broke his promise and was a naughty boy. You write like a reporter, distorting many facts or mis quoting them. Politically I am neutral, socially I am not neutral.. equal opportunity for all, non negotiable. Said before cant discuss this issue without breaking the rules.. you know and I know it and you abuse that fact that there is certain things we cant discuss without breaking rules. No problem. For this reason sometimes my arguments appeared flawed so I appear unknowledgable. Its the same people responding to my posts. Unless you are a Thai (which you maybe) I have most probably lived here as long as you but for sure I have been here long enough to know how this country works. For once just seperate Thaksin from the reds and comment on peoples desire and struggle to give their children a better life than they have, dont skirt around the weak points of your arguments Lets debate the social issue in Thailand and not the politics. Stop using words like siege, violent terrorist, insurgent and the host of words which over emphasize a small minority of the red movement. if we can debate the social issue and keep out of politics you will find me more than a worthy adversary but if you insist on doling out the same script to others non supportive of your agenda I will endeavour to extract the urine out of your comments. Though I may not succeed as you, appear a reasonably witty and intelligent chap, I will rest my head on the pillow with a smile.

Only 7? Who are they?

Truethailand's "Gof7: is just the petulant cry of someone that can't actually discuss the events in question and that whines about the rules. BTW -- he described it in another thread as a "Gang of Seven" that post in all the redshirt threads and control the agenda of a thread stifling neutral voices like his --- he later admitted that he wasn't neutral at all.

Direct to tt- your little "Gof7" posts do show an inability to either discuss the events or deal with the fact that posts, once made, are subject to comments from other posters that may well see things differently than you, or be able to counter all of your points and show them to be flawed. If you really want to have a place where you can discuss anything at all and not get called on it when you get it wrong then I think you will have to create such a space for yourself. Those of us actually in Thailand and dealing with the results of the redshirt's armed insurrection and seeing things like people's businesses, jobs, families, and lives damaged by people that don't even understand the concept of democracy will probably speak out about what we see as wrong.

The people living in the ratprasong area do have the right NOT to live with bi-monthly protests by a group that has shown themselves to be extremely violent in the past (and whose current leader has stated that they will not cooperate with the government.

These protests need to be shunted to a location that does not hurt others, or shut down.

Bullmerke --- the people's compassion ended about the first time the reds started firing grenade launchers as a form of protest. It was certainly gone by the time that the reds burnt Bangkok. It is yet another thing the reds should be ashamed of. That they have beaten the sense of compassion out of many people, leaving those people feeling that whatever happens to the reds is just 'instant karma' for their violence.

Not so sure it was the Reds who were actually firing those grenade launchers. Recent reports indicate otherwise.

jdinasia's reply to the first post is a cracking one... "beaten the sense of compassion out of many people" is a poignant way of putting it, but undeniably true.

Really, I couldn't believe it when Jatuporn said it was the govt burning down CentralWorld, but just a month or so ago I saw it proposed by a poster on here, in true "all we want is democracy" and "we are not terrorists" UDD fashion (it might have even been you!).

But now we have pro-reds arguing that the govt was the one firing grenades? Which report? I call your bluff, my friend.

I'd love to know who this Gang of 7 are too.

Not sure about you...you're borderline but go on I'll let you play... go and get your fetching khaki camouflage number.. I 'll wait for you. Its pointless trying to express an opinion on here anymore unless it in support of certain peoples view. It makes me sleep better to try and take the p1ss out of them. Surely these people know that most viewers here know what they are doing. Oh by the way ' I would love to know who the gang of 7 are too' would indicate to many that you r one of them but not me. Over too you

Gof7

Only 7? Who are they?

You're pulling my leg, go on, you know really, I dont want give you a clue its too easy then. Its good this game. Shall we call it 'Spot the nation mod bod' Its your turn I'll count to ten.....

With all the international factories that are building new plants in the Eastern Seaboard area (auto plants, electronics...) it seems that the Thais in Northern Thailand and Isaan would have opportunities to work in these factories for a better income (if that is what they desire). This process, rural population moving to the cities for jobs...subsistance farmers learning a different trade happened in Europe and North America decades ago. They didn't expect the businesses, factories to move to their poor countryside.

Many, many Northern Thailand and Isaan Thai's have moved and continue to move to the locations where the factories jobs and other jobs are. Heck, most of the laborers (i.e., grounds keepers, housegirls, office workers, etc) here in my western Bangkok moobaan and in a nearby construction yard are from the Issan area and Burma. Thailand is indeed experiencing a major shift in its population from the country to the cities and industry complexes.

But that major population shift is causing young parents to migrate south without their children, therefore creating that unhealthy dysfunctional unit we know as the Isaan family. It was suggested to me that two thirds of Isaan Kids are brought up by the wrong generation (grandparents) which creates its own problems as tired older people dont instill the operating system that leads to a properous and purposeful life.

Maybe Mr Abhisit would consider giving massice incentives for companies to set up shop in the NE. Its on the EWEC and goods to be at a choice of 2 ports in 12 hours. I see truck loads of Toyotas going to Lao for their journey onto China. Does anybody know exactly how much production from the Eastern Seaboard gets put on a boat. Allowing people to be with their family outside work is a must for a society to progress. The only real investment talk up here is the 70 Billion baht earmarked for the new 3rd cavalry base South of Khon Kaen. Somethings seriously wrong here when governments dont invest in deprived areas. We need to start reading between the lines and ask why is this so. My questions would be "who owns the land" that will be receiving all the rent from Caterpillar and "who will make up the 51% of Thais with a controlling interest of Caterpillar and therefore receiving profits". Why is life only ever about money

Just checking info on tv for isaan hotels and there is a locked post from 7 years ago that displays a small selection of hotels. I cant speak for all Isaan towns but Khon Kaen has seen about 25 hotels built in the last 4 years. Research led me to this which has a 40 hotels and a list of apartments in Khon Kaen http://www.whereinkhonkaen.com/

Somebody needs to update some of the info on here as I am sure the list for the other cities in Isaan are incomplete. Thanks

I think this is Sansiri Place which is opposite Northeastern College (ie. near Big C). The rent doesn't sound that inflated but the utility rates don;t seem so good. However apartments always love to charge this more highly as has been mentioned already.

Just look around at other apartments and go with the one that you like the best at the right price.

Its not near the north eastern college, found its exact location here http://www.whereinkhonkaen.com/reviews/long-stay/siri-grand-apartments/

Sorry but your tunnel vision is showing.I sympathise with those who are inconvenienced but in the greater scheme of things (the future direction of the country) it's not that important.As I stressed demonstrations of whatever hue should be peaceful and co-ordinated/supervised by the appropriate authorities.

My "hang out" comment was really just a reflection of disgust at those last year who appeared more concerned at lack of access to their vulgar malls than their fellow countrymen mowed down in the street.

The choice of that venue will not affect the future direction of this country. That is YOUR tunnel vision. The deaths throughout April and May are very sad, the grenade attacks against companies opposed to the red shirts are very sad. The fact that the reds are not interested in Democracy or rule of law becomes the deciding factor. Simply said, the people (many of them quite poor) that obtain their livelihoods from working there are more important in the scheme of things than the reds desire to elicit sympathy for a group that certainly has used terrorist tactics and openly states they will not cooperate with the government. You stress that they should be peaceful demonstrations but the ones that led to the April and May crackdowns were not. You say they should be coordinated and supervised but the redshirt leader has already stated she will not cooperate.

I feel the same disgust you do but with a different group of people. The redshirt leaders that played with the lives of their mostly-paid followers (yet quickly ended things when it got hot near their precious bodies) are the target of my disgust. Their vulgar disregard for the lives entrusted to them even if for pay makes me sick. The people that deny the facts of Seh Daeng's Ronin in their midst makes me ill as well.You really did say it right in the other post. "screw them"

Gof7

tt --- if you were neutral or unbiased you might get neutral or unbiased responses The rest of the premise of your post seems to be discussing moderation issues etc.

BTW --- your complaints about The Nation being a government mouthpiece are rather funny and show a sincere lack of knowledge about who's who and what's what. (If you had called it a mouthpiece of one of the leaders of the PAD you might have earned a bit of credit.

You are also welcome to join the debate/discussion at any time (of course remembering the forum rules) and if your views can stand the light of reasoned inspection then you will certainly gain some kudos. If, however, you stick to the redshirts=poor rural farmers and not redshirts=dupes of Thaksin and redshirt leadership ... well you'll likely see your posts ripped apart by the reality of what is happening in Thailand

Your doing what I said you do..you monitor these forums(resoponse in 10 mins). I know what happens in Thailand but I am not allowed to say it, so you win every time. Its my argument every time. you know the rules of the game in Thailand and the cards are stacked in your favour when it comes to debate. No I am not neutral in my beliefs because they are social and not political. Debate the spending of the 70 Billion over 10 years on another army cavalry. Is it needed, could the money be better spent

With the yellows, no such problem, no need to differentiate.

True --- by comparison the yellows just weren't that violent. No masses of black-shirted, Sae Daeng sponsored armed men carrying full military ordnance. No grenade launchers etc. It is also worth note that when the yellows did something their leaders were there in the front. That being said. The PAD is a spent force without Thaksin to fight against and this thread is about the reds (and their rally that violated several of the conditions they agreed to before hand)

It is also worth noting that the Yellows were sponsored by ..who?. Airport blocked, country frozen, police scared to move in because of the reprecussions of the army and best of all...the army does nothing. Ask yourself this question... Who was most under threat from the Peua Thai Party and who had most to gain by retaining the status quo of power in Thailand.....wanna clue jd

gof7

RED SHIRT RALLIES

A year for justice, ex-PM taunts

By The Nation

Thaksin promises democracy and reconciliation in phone-in to mob

Fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told red shirts massed at Ratchaprasong Intersection last night he would do everything to "bring back democracy, prosperity and justice" to Thailand.

"This is the year justice must return," he said in a phone call from an aeroplane, whose location was not revealed.

This year would be a good one for Thai people, he said, referring to national reconciliation.

To the government, reconciliation meant trailing and capturing him, but to the people, reconciliation meant reunification and justice, he said.

"Is it going to happen? I can't understand their thinking," he said. "I wasn't planning on speaking but the continued injustice changed my mind."

The red shirts' patron spent a few minutes talking to the mob at Ratchaprasong, saying he was in good health.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan joined the red-shirt rally in defiance of a court ban on his participating in a public assembly of more than five people.

"My lawyer sought and received clarification from a judge who explained that I could rally if I don't make speeches about my case," he said in reference to his pending trial on terrorism charges in connection with last year's riots.

Jatuporn claimed the clearance had come from Manit Sukanan, deputy chief judge of the Criminal Court.

The Department of Special Investigation was closely monitoring Jatuporn's remarks and activities at the Ratchaprasong rally, DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said.

If he was found violating the ban, the DSI would promptly request for his bail to be revoked, he said.

Maj General Wichai Sangprapai, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, said some 60,000 red shirts showed up at the two rallies at Rajdamnoen and Ratchaprasong.

The gatherings took place within legal limits, he said.

About 300 officers were deployed to keep peace and order, while some 1,000 anti-riot police were stationed at headquarters for any problems.

By late afternoon, Ratchaprasong was closed to traffic due to the crowd.

Three factions of the red-shirt movement took part in the rallies. The mainstream reds were led by Thida Thawornseth. Another faction was under Pithan "Pae Bangsanan" Song-amphol, while the remaining protesters were supporters of the late Maj General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdiphol.

The Seh Daeng group led by his daughter Khattiya marched from Ratchaprasong to the King Rama VI Statue at Lumpini Park to mark his death last year.

Sirisakul Saikua, wife of Nattawut, one of the red leaders, was crying and said he had no chance to hold his eight-month-old daughter since being detained at Klong Prem Central Prison.

The next red-shirt rally will be held on January 23.

-- The Nation 2011-01-10

"... a few minutes talking to the mob" is that how a free press addresses a group of its, on this day peaceful, own people. Put nicely if I took this newspaper to the toilet for a number 2 I would not need tissue for the clean up operation. A grade A+ 4rsewipe rag, a propoganda tool for the government. The biased reporting of this years events as noted by those bad foreign journalists and reported net wide. Sad day when the 'free press' is moderating this forum. They jump on every neutral or biased report about government opposition, the same 6 or 7 faces on every red related thread. People here should ask why they have such interest in these threads.

Difference of opinions are acceptable and healthy but if the likes of me and many others here (with a social conscience and not a political agenda) were allowed to take the stand on a level playing field, 'the gang of 7' would never win another argument. I dont give a toss whos in power but lets have some equality. 70,000,000,000 baht for a new army cavalry in Khon Kaen, please somebody here justify 1 baht of that when in Isaan there is such poverty and no real jobs. if they spent the money on the poor there would be no need to camp the army on their doorstep because they would never need to go to Bangkok again. Only my logic

A final plea to those with agendas, let people read threads that are not manipulated by you. The same group of people are always the first to comment on a red thread in a vain attempt to set the agenda of what follows. If as a neutral you disagree you will get caught in the crossfire of the other gang members as they openly support each others comments while attacking the opposition. You are becoming predictable, people beliefs on equality will far out live your agendas

It's the whole democracy-coupe thing that creates a problem here. Thailand purports to be a democracy, which is purely a joke. Anyone brought up in a western democracy just gets a good laugh from this claim. But that aside is it any wonder that even in a sham democracy like Thailand that an illegitimate government put into power by the military and through most likely trumped up charges by opposition hacks who are also as corrupt as you get on this planet gets low marks? Why doesn't Thailand just say what it really is - a military dictatorship fronted by it's political puppets who are charged with carrying out its agenda or face the consequences. Heck the Thai people don't care enough about their own government to curb the blatant corruption to do anything about it, nor do they have any comprehension of what a democracy really is to understand the difference, so why not be honest? Oh I forgot, no such concept in The Land of Shams!

I take it you are new here and was handed a lot of reading matter by the red shirts.

Not to go into a lot of talk I will just give you the facts as they happened.

You are correct the army did throw out a Government. they ruled for a year or two not sure and it dosen't matter they did. They then stepped down and allowed for a democratic election. The result was a new Prime Minister. through one reason or another he had to step down and another was elected to replace him. Mind you this is all done on the English system for electing P.M. For one reason or another he had to step down and they then elected third one.

What your mentors are neglecting to tell you is that The first two were in the same party as them and they could gain more corruption money from them. It was only when there supply of your money was cut off by a different party that they started to cry undemocratic . Thre Prime Minister's two from one party one from another party same rules how can any one get two Democratic and one un democratic from that.

I hope this clears things up for you. Perhaps you will take a second look at your new mentors. Remember that the system is the same as used in many nations in the world. England, Canada, Germany and the list gets longer. But being new to Thailand you understandably did not know Thailand uses pretty much the same system as many other countries in the world.

Also if they talk about lack of freedom of the press ask them how they managed to print the lies they have given you.

I did not say if it was right or wrong to have the PM's step down. It was done evenhandedly within a democratic system.

Enjoy your stay in Thailand don't let those low life's make you think it is a bad countrie. It is really a nice country with friendly people and a different culture coupled with a rich history Who knows you might like it enough to settle here..

I dont think you are a foreigner, you post like Thai, bought and paid for by whom..not realy sure. But we are onto you.. You cannot influence most farangs with your rantings, we learn to question everything. This used to be the best forum for true information but it looks like its sold its soul. The Nation rag and all.. I understand you dont comply.. we block your site

It's the whole democracy-coupe thing that creates a problem here. Thailand purports to be a democracy, which is purely a joke. Anyone brought up in a western democracy just gets a good laugh from this claim. But that aside is it any wonder that even in a sham democracy like Thailand that an illegitimate government put into power by the military and through most likely trumped up charges by opposition hacks who are also as corrupt as you get on this planet gets low marks? Why doesn't Thailand just say what it really is - a military dictatorship fronted by it's political puppets who are charged with carrying out its agenda or face the consequences. Heck the Thai people don't care enough about their own government to curb the blatant corruption to do anything about it, nor do they have any comprehension of what a democracy really is to understand the difference, so why not be honest? Oh I forgot, no such concept in The Land of Shams!

I take it you are new here and was handed a lot of reading matter by the red shirts.

Not to go into a lot of talk I will just give you the facts as they happened.

You are correct the army did throw out a Government. they ruled for a year or two not sure and it dosen't matter they did. They then stepped down and allowed for a democratic election. The result was a new Prime Minister. through one reason or another he had to step down and another was elected to replace him. Mind you this is all done on the English system for electing P.M. For one reason or another he had to step down and they then elected third one.

What your mentors are neglecting to tell you is that The first two were in the same party as them and they could gain more corruption money from them. It was only when there supply of your money was cut off by a different party that they started to cry undemocratic . Thre Prime Minister's two from one party one from another party same rules how can any one get two Democratic and one un democratic from that.

I hope this clears things up for you. Perhaps you will take a second look at your new mentors. Remember that the system is the same as used in many nations in the world. England, Canada, Germany and the list gets longer. But being new to Thailand you understandably did not know Thailand uses pretty much the same system as many other countries in the world.

Also if they talk about lack of freedom of the press ask them how they managed to print the lies they have given you.

I did not say if it was right or wrong to have the PM's step down. It was done evenhandedly within a democratic system.

Enjoy your stay in Thailand don't let those low life's make you think it is a bad countrie. It is really a nice country with friendly people and a different culture coupled with a rich history Who knows you might like it enough to settle here..

Jog on Jay jay. I dont have a mentor I live amongst them and the army is what people in the North East are scared off. How does an army run a country for so long without coming out. The question is..whos fronting the army

Just a matter of perspective.

At that time the truth was not known about Thaksin. After it was revealed his creditability sank. Witness the creditability of his next two appointees.

Abhist has done a remarkable job bringing creditability back to the government. Stop and consider he has done it with active opposition from the Pheu Thai and there militant arm dressed in red shirts.

He still has a long ways to go but all told he is on the right path.

Before any one says what about this or what about that there is a good chance you are rite. Think about it how low the previous administrations must have been.

No You half baked, Thaksin was couped because he was the most popular man in Thai history and the army could not have that. Like it or hate Thailands most popular politician was Thaksin. If you understand that nearly all politicians are corrupt then Thaksin should come back to lead this country. Not long now...hes coming. Abhisit is a puppett but that may read muppett.

Does anyone have any proof whatsover that this guy was dealing/using drugs.

the pathetic speculation once again rears it's ugly head, even gloating over people getting murdered and asking for more, some of you need to have a long hard look at yourselves.

In agreement 100% Maybe someone should come and blow the whatsit out of one of there family members. Moronic inbreds

I know a guy who replies to english emails for a hotel (only bcos the thais delete them) and he said last December he took over 60 bookings, this December he has taken four upto today. Who are these plonkers kidding. Thailand, for now, is in the toilet and guess what, look forward 1 year and I can only see it getting a lot worse

The reporters above probably aren't lying, but they weren't everywhere, seeing everything.

Oh, right. That made it ok for the Army to shoot at them, then.

I dont believe there is a man alive that can justify an army shooting its own people in the back while they are running away, one man was trying to crawl away and they shot him twice.. Most if not all unarmed. Maybe a shot to the lower legs to bring them down at a push. Creating states of emergency and killzones does not justify slaughtering the citizens of any country for any reason. Please start to question what you type, you cannot justify May 19

Thank you. of course they where not everywhere but many reporters had covered conflicts throughout the world and knew the lie of the land and who was doing the shooting. Of course reds were armed but not with state of the art weapons. Problem here being the world was watching unlike in other civil unrests in Thailand where the army massacred (spelling) innocent people and never had to answer a question. The army was shooting to kill, indiscrimminantly, but the question we should be asking is who gave the order and I for one dont think it was Abhisit.

The man that stamped this order should be on trial for genocide. You can bet his first name is General

The International Press Institute (IPI) on 26 May called on the government of Thailand to launch as a matter of urgency a full and transparent investigation into the killing and wounding of journalists during violent clashes between ‘Red Shirt’ protestors and the army in April and May of this year.

The violence in Thailand claimed the lives of two journalists, and injured at least five more.

Despite calls from international organizations, including IPI, no arrests have been made.

One of the journalists shot during the clashes was Dutch reporter Michel Maas, who reports for Netherlands Radio Worldwide (NWR) and the Volkskrant newspaper – also based in the Netherlands. He was shot in the shoulder during the chaos that surrounded the assault on Red Shirt barricades by the Thai army.Maas was with the Red Shirt protestors when the army began its assault. At the time he told Leen Verraeke, an editor at Volkskrant told IPI by phone, that the biggest danger was the army, “because they shoot everything that’s moving and don’t ask if you are a reporter before shooting.”

IPI recently conducted a Q&A with Maas:

IPI: What was it like for journalists reporting on the unrest that gripped Thailand for weeks?

MM: The main problem was to find out what was really going on on the ground. Thai media were almost all under the control of the government, including ‘independent’ newspapers The Nation and The Bangkok Post. Especially reporting by The Nation was nothing better than ‘anti-Reds-propaganda’. That made the task of international reporters much more important – and difficult.Also the international press agencies sometimes followed the local media. So since there were no reliable sources of information, one had to have eyes and ears everywhere, and check every bit of information more than once.

Practically, working was somewhat inhibited by checkpoints, especially those of the military. I got stopped more than once, and a couple of times the soldiers insisted that I take no pictures in Bangkok. Apparently they particularly didn’t like photographers (which I am not, I am a correspondent for Dutch national broadcaster ‘NOS’ and national newspaper De Volkskrant).

The military issued several warnings that journalists, and especially foreign journalists were ‘a target’ of unnamed armed ‘terrorists’. There were rumours that the Red Shirts harassed journalists and warnings not to go into the Red Shirt Camp. Though I know the Red Shirts did harass one or two local journalists, and that some international journalists at some point were stopped from entering the place, or forced to leave, I myself did not encounter any such hostility. I rather felt the warnings as an attempt to keep journalists away from the Red Shirts. I visited the Camp, which was located right next to my hotel, several times a day and was received in an extremely friendly way. I could report freely and interview whomever I wanted. Even at times when things got ‘hot’.

IPI: What exactly happened to you in Bangkok on May 19, 2010?

MM: I saw on television that the army had started to open the barricade at the ‘Silom’ side of the Red Shirt camp. I entered the camp from the other side, which was approximately two kilometers from Silom. On this side everything was quiet. Red Shirts were following the events on television, while on the center stage speeches by their leaders were going on.

I walked all the way to the other end, to see the military come in. When I was about 200 meters from the barricade I saw smoke, and after a while in the smoke soldiers came in on foot. Red Shirts prepared small Molotov cocktails and sharpened bamboo sticks to fight them off. I saw one man with a rather antique handgun. Even this close to the front line there was no sign of the ‘heavy weapons’ the Red Shirts were supposed to have, according to the government media.

By that time I had joined a group of about twenty other international journalists who were watching the scene with me. We were taking cover at the corner of a building, or behind trees, but nobody seemed really worried. On other occasions the military started by firing teargas and shots in the air to disperse the protesters.

But not this time.

The shooting started while I was in the middle of a radio report. Shots were fired from one side: the military – and they were not aimed at the sky. Red Shirts and journalists started running. I ran too, because experience has taught me that in these situations it’s best to follow the locals, who have been through all the previous battles and know when it gets really dangerous.

But this time I probably made the wrong choice. By running away I had to leave the cover of the building, and get out in the open. I got shot in the back. It didn’t knock me down, so I kept running, and after 200 meters somebody hoisted me on the back of a motorbike that rushed me to the police hospital which was on the site.

I was extremely lucky. The bullet (apparently an M16) missed my lungs by half an inch, hit my shoulder and some ribs, and stopped in my muscle tissue, where it still is, waiting for an operation to take it out. The Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi was less lucky. He died on almost the same spot where I got hit. One Canadian freelance journalist seems to have been wounded on the same spot and at the same time too.

IPI: Who do you believe shot you?

MM: I have no doubt whatsoever that it was the Thai army that shot me. No one else was shooting, as far as I could tell. The army had snipers on the ‘Skytrain’ over our heads, and soldiers in the Park just in front of us, covering the entire front line area. And troops were advancing from the direction from where I was shot.

The relatively high number of international casualties, and the earlier warnings issued by the military, raise the suspicion that international journalists might have been a target indeed, not by ‘terrorists’ but by the military. They cannot say that they couldn’t tell the difference between Red Shirts and journalists.

I myself clearly stood out in the crowd, by my length (I am a lot taller than the average Thai), by my clothes, and the color of my hair and skin. Fabio Polenghi was wearing a bulletproof vest and a helmet, also distinguishing him clearly from the protesters. The only defense they might have is that they were firing indiscriminately into the crowd (not over their heads. I got hit below the shoulder, and Fabio Polenghi got shot in the stomach.)

IPI: What does the incident tell you about the manner in which journalists were viewed by the protagonists?

MM: I wouldn’t know what to answer on this question. I have heard complaints that international journalists were siding too much with the protesters, and apparently the military didn’t like the way we reported on earlier violent events which ended in total failure for the government troops. This may have led them to consider journalists who were inside the Red Shirt camp as collaborators of some sort, which might have given them a reason to shoot at us as well as at the protesters.

IPI: How should the protagonists have viewed journalists?

MM: As people whom they should have to protect, even during an attack. They could have issued a warning; they should have given the journalists a chance to leave the area. But nothing of the sort happened. They just opened fire, without warning.

IPI: What were the reactions of the Dutch and Thai authorities following the shootings?

MM: The Thai ministry of Tourism sent me an email in which it offered to cover all the costs of my treatment. But I reckon that was more a courtesy to foreigners in general, to save the image of Thailand as a tourism destination.

I had a long and pleasant conversation with the Dutch ambassador in Bangkok, Mr Tjaco van den Hout, who said he had advised the Dutch government to ask for clarification by the Thai government. I haven’t yet checked whether that has been done already. I have no information about it.

IPI: Has there been an official investigation into who shot you? If so, has it made any headway?

MM: There has been no official investigation to my knowledge. Neither has there been a general police report about what happened.

IPI: As far as you know, what is the situation for journalists in Thailand today?

MM: In general there is press freedom in Thailand. But it is hard to tell how far this freedom stretches. Media are either imposing heavy self-censorship on themselves or they are under the active control of the government. And then there is this one subject no one is allowed to write about freely: His Majesty the King.

IPI: What advice would you give other journalists about covering conflicts?

MM: Every conflict is different. You just have to be cautious all the time and find a local person (fixer) whom you can trust.

Maybe the only other advice I can give is: bring your bulletproof vest (I didn’t) and wear it. But don’t place too much trust in it, because it doesn’t make you invulnerable. Fabio Polenghi was wearing one when he was shot dead.

Are all the experienced reporters lying. Still waiting for your answer

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7729061/Home-made-rockets-vs-army-snipers-on-the-frontline-of-the-Thai-protests.html

Another lying foreign journalist

Judging by the random shooting of unarmed people by the army I guess the photographers are just lucky to be alive.

German photographer Nick Nostitz was with a group of slingshot-armed Reds who were building a barricade. Without warning, troops opened fire, then advanced. Nostitz is briefly held at gun-point — a harrowing account, (with photos):

<snip>

There's a surprise. The army was shooting at protesters. Probably because some of them were armed. Which would explain the 400+ soldiers that were injured.

Come on stop cropping my full report the point is two foreign journo gave accounts of army behaviour or blood lust, and you focus on slingshots at 400 m. Do you think the journos are lying yes or no. Can you make your next answer concise

"We want to keep the democracy movement peaceful. We can't leave the people to do anything by themselves."

Hmmm starts with a blatant lie ---- since the reds, as history has shown, are anything but peaceful; and then goes on to suggest that redshirts can't be trusted!

Yeah, a great leader in the making!

The most important statement was this

But her political epiphany came three years earlier, when she watched the army shoot and kill a young male student as it crushed another uprising: "That shocked me and that changed my world," she recalled.

And they've been doing it ever since. Why does an army feel the need to keep killing its own citizens, whos giving the orders. Whats they scared off.

begin removed, begin quote missing, check original post from 26vinny ...

SO it was alright for the government to use armed forces from the very first day, thats ARMED what a pathetic remark, the government used their options and eventually so did the reds

(edit: normal size seems sufficient)

The government, like the previous governments started with using the police. This government didn't give up too easily and started using unarmed army personel. When that still wasn't enough they allowed army pesonel to be armed. The reds used their options and eventually so did the government. Maybe check this out again ?

http://www.boston.co...n_thailand.html

The previous government could not get the army to intervene at swampy. Do you know why that is?