ChemiseRouge

Unfortunately, the answer to the question posed is, 'YES'.

There was a mistaken belief by some that the Red Shirt leadership were in it for the people,

and not the cynical power grab that it was.

As for CNN lionising Khun Dan of the many Rivers.

It is particularly nauseating watching the endless repeats of looped 'highlights'

of the intrepid soi condo squirrel.

Twitter & this site easily out-tweeted Mr Rivers, who barely gave us more than

updates on his domestic difficulties.

Watching 'duck & cover Leithead' of the beeb doing the Lumpini limbo was at least entertaining

& certainly more informative.

Meanwhile a number of faceless pundits blogged, tweeted & even cycled around

giving those who cared far more pertinent and accurate news,

without the hype & ill-informed speculation that is needed to fill 24 hours of rolling news-for-tainment.

Chicken Noodle News - little more than tasteless visual wallpaper.

Thai wife told me tonight

her sistar tell her that the Government told the soldiers to burn Central shopping centre

She knows this as 2 soldiers who did it told her

The reason

Wait for it

They let the Red shirts use their toilets

Is there any end to the bullshxt they will try to spread to make themselves look like a peaceful protest

Cannot quite make out who this fellow was affiliated with hurling rocks at CentralWorld... can you?

I found a link to a very high res image of the damaged section.

Like google earth you have to let it load as you zoom in, but gives a good idea of the structural damage.

CentralWorld GigaPan

OK lets have a round up of the punishments so far:

• Tortured
  
• Hung
  
• Imprisoned for life
  
• Raped
  
• Blacklisted
  
• Deported
  
• Head cut off
  
• Hunted down
  
• Interrogated
  

Any more?

Two years of continual Thai Karaoke

would make Death the merciful option...

What odds would you give that the BiB "catch" this Savage,

before they actually find Arismon?

This needs to be investigated by police immediately.

Well I wouldn't hold my breath.

We haven't seen a single policeman for more than a week,

until yesterday, when those in black turned up to look at the Stock Exchange.

I believe the BiB took the PM at his word when he gave the country the week off work.

This erstwhile Millwall supporter will be a totem to show that the Central World arson

was all foreign instigated and not home grown.

As for the British Embassy getting involved & doing something pro-active,

better wait until they traipse back from the beaches sometime next week.

I see the video is back up

I am sure that those behind this preplanned city-wide arson

are not concerned about the short-arm of the law.

They perhaps should be concerned about crossing Thai-Chinese business interests.

A list from Wednesday's SITREP

Details of Fires in Bangkok as Red-shirt Renegades Lashed out

A number of fires and chaotic incidents broke out in Bangkok after the red-shirt core leaders have called off the red-shirt protest earlier today. The firefighting department has been able to put the fire under control at some areas but others remain unreachable and unsafe for firemen to entire. These areas include;

1. Siam Square and Paragon: firefighters are unable to enter the area, red-shirt protesters are armed and are shooting at will

2. Centara Grand: fire has been put out

3. Stock Exchange of Thailand office: firemen unable to enter the area

4. Mahachon Plaza (entrance of Wireless Rd-Ploenchit Rd): firemen also unable to approach the area

5. Krung Thai and Bangkok Bank (Asoke Branch)

6. Narcotics Control Board

7. Bangkok Bank (Din Daeng): fire under control

8. Maleenont Building: firemen unable to enter the area

9. Bangkok Bank and Lotus Rama 4: firemen unable to get in

10. EGAT Klongtoey: fire under control

11. Central World: currently being put out by firefighters

12. Bangkok Bank (Victory Monument)

They were not armed JUST LIKE the reds, who had high powered rifles, grenades, and RPGs.

The Yellows have the entire Royal Thai Army to protect them and their flags.

Then they are well stuffed...

Sorry, but the British Army are renown world leaders at exactly what the Thai army is trying to do.

But more brutally, and, defiinitely more efficiently (no criticism of British army implied)

We were taught at Sandhurst to read the Riot Act a number of times during which time the ringleaders were identified.

Their expiration followed swiftly after that of the ultimatum.

An army that refuses to fight should have its top brass fired PDQ.

Simples really, none of these rolling deadlines with no consequences.

Rouge Out

AFP: "I stand with my countrymen in this terrible hour in our history," Thaksin said in a statement.

AFP: "The pictures that I have seen go beyond any nightmares that could have been envisaged." said Thaksin

AFP: "I have no choice but to state resolutely the need for all sides to step back from this terrible abyss." Said Thaksin

AFP: "Seek to begin a new, genuine and sincere dialogue between the parties," he said.

AFP "The present action of the government dishonour our history and will forever weaken our institutions and democracy." Said Thaksin.

now for some retail therapy as I've come over all emotional

Marie Claire team spotted REAL Thaksin Shinawatra at Louis Vuitton Champ Elysee on Sat May 15th

the man is as shallow as he is conniving - certainly looks like he is truly grieving.

So glad to see Abhisit and Suthep on the contrary are out on the streets fighting with their soldiers. Aren't you?

Well they are certainly not indulging in a well-known shopaholic's addictions whilst making fatuous statements

about the concerns he has for his fellow countrymen and spending his ill-gotten gains.

Your idol is a complete cretin who is orchestrating a blatant powergrab.

No doubt there is a real iniquity that exists in the LoS regarding the disparity of wealth.

However your shortarse chum just highlights that further when going on a spending spree in the Champs Elysee,

when he set his own country ablaze and consigning the people he claims to espouse to the flames along with it.

The country & the people deserve better than a globetrotting shopper

and his odious puppets dealing death & destruction at their master's voice.

My guess is that you are only on here as an apologist, and from what I see from others to get some attention.

Regarding a point you made in another post, having spent time at Victory Monument & Klongtoey yesterday

and this morning at Ratchprasong you are correct in surmising that the Reds are establishing concurrent areas of protest,

that threaten to bring Bangkok to a halt.

Similarly the military appear to be paralyzed by inaction to put down this uprising.

Meanwhile the cops have been co-opted into doing nothing with the hope their benefactor could return,

that they are doing the least possible to ensure the fall of the government.

But personally I don't see Abhisit going shopping whilst his country burns,

rather trying to bring about an end to this turmoil created by your chum.

If any good is to come of this, another look at the tax base wouldna'e go amiss

along with a real effort to better the lot of ordinary folk.

Not, however, whilst putting their hands in the cookie jar whilst handing crumbs out with the other.

unlike your Parisian boulevardier.

AFP: "I stand with my countrymen in this terrible hour in our history," Thaksin said in a statement.

AFP: "The pictures that I have seen go beyond any nightmares that could have been envisaged." said Thaksin

AFP: "I have no choice but to state resolutely the need for all sides to step back from this terrible abyss." Said Thaksin

AFP: "Seek to begin a new, genuine and sincere dialogue between the parties," he said.

AFP "The present action of the government dishonour our history and will forever weaken our institutions and democracy." Said Thaksin.

now for some retail therapy as I've come over all emotional

Marie Claire team spotted REAL Thaksin Shinawatra at Louis Vuitton Champ Elysee on Sat May 15th

the man is as shallow as he is conniving - certainly looks like he is truly grieving.

I did not say he was MLK. I said they have CREATED one. This guy has been raised to the statud of saint by a bullet - like MLK. It's hard to beat dead saints. This government just lost the war.

Of all the facetious and asinine posts in this thread, yours truly takes the biscuit!

The martyrdom of Dr. Martin Luther King did not "create him" - he was already the leading Civil Rights leader in the US, a Baptist Minister with worldwide recognition and a Nobel Peace Laureate.

His assassination in no way is equivalent to the shooting of a treasonous general who was using violence & flagrantly flouting the law, to get his way.

Seh Daeng may well become the "red martyr", whilst I grant you one man's terrorist can be another man's freedom fighter, you slander the name of a very great man by making such a base comparison of this mutinous soldier with the man of peace.

Similarly, your understanding of dealing with low-level armed conflicts is way off the mark.

Rouge Out

VOA Audio Report Link

Here is the CNN video just after he was shot

CNN link

It looks like a head shot for sure

This does not look like a "head shot" see below where Nation TV are stating "nape".

from

Thai Visa - Thursday's SITREP

Post # 84

TAN Network: TAN Network reporter does not see any military presence at Hua Chiew Hospital as earlier reported

TAN Network: Channel 11: Sae Deang taken for scans after being wheeled out of ICU

THE NATION: Only one bullet hit Seh Daeng's nape. #Nation TV.

THE NATION: Nation TV reporter who had a glimpse of Seh Daeng at Hua Chiew: His head is wrapped. He's wearing oxygen mask. Docs say he's unconscious.

@bangkokpundit: ThaiPBS reports that Seh Daeng was in ICU, but was taken for x-ray.

The video and images show that his head certainly is blood smeared but appears intact.

This guy's racking up some airmails.

I understood that he is presently undertaking "Ugandan Discussions".

Ugandan Affairs

Bonjour,

welcome to the Thai Theater.

Obviously you need to improve your knowledge about how things are working in Thailand. We are not in a Western country and the division is from top to bottom involving all hierarchy levels. Then there are Thai ways for solving issues through background discussions and even old farangs used to Thai tricks may be surprised.

We have no statemen but partisan leaders. Democrats have a long history of corruption /bribing...you need to live in a Northern village during a couple of months to appreciate the 2 speed development of this Country and how miserable is the life of the Issaners. Some on this forum are talking about slavery: it is exagerated, but we are not far. The wealth of Bankokians is built through the exploitation of the Northern Regions and there is no sign of a real will to change it: only cosmetic measures. This low cost workforce is too comfortable...

Jerry

Thank you for the background briefing on what has been quite a lesson in Thai theatre/farce.

My bailiwick is Afghanistan where we have to deal with tribalism, Taliban and rampant corruption in what has become a narco failed state.

There are quite a few similarities, though the participants here do not always show their hand and there many opaque layers of alliances

and 'business practices' that leaves a neophyte observer perplexed & frustrated.

I was primarily commenting on the government's inability to regain law & order,

as they clearly have lost the confidence and influence over the Army & Police - if it ever existed at all.

I also felt that there is clearly a need to win 'hearts & minds', due to the vast disparity of wealth which resonates amongst the Reds supporters.

The appearance of a national leader who has the vitality & credibility to stabilize & reunite the nation would be a refreshing change;

rather than a partisan individual who divvies up the spoils amongst the usual power broking cleptocracy,

at the expense of the dispossessed & disenfranchised.

I have no doubt about the life of misery you describe for many up country, whilst the comfort of the Paragon Malling

crowd has been merely inconvenienced.

However I do note that the support from the urban middle class is beginning to turn against the Reds.

Hopefully this could be the catalyst for the street demos to dissipate, without bloodshed

& with the demonstrators returning home in time to plant this year's rice crop.

However it does not mean that their quality of life grievences do not merit addressing.

If anything, these past few weeks should have been a wake-up call to those in the various cliques of

power & privilege to set about real development & reform, if they are to retain their elitist & comfortable lifestyles.

But human nature rarely makes such radical & altruistic changes unless their backs are to the wall,

or, an inspired leader shepherds the nation on such a journey.

A look at the tax base wouldna'e be a bad place to start.

A newbie who understands it in a nutshell....welcome to the assylum.

Keystone Cops...and the yes he is, no he isn't captured crim dines out at his favourite Mac on the way home... . ONly in Thailand.

Thank you for your welcome. The moniker I chose was in contradiction to those who thought it cool to be a revolutionary and used similar 'spurious political gods'.

Pol Pot, Mao, and Che - many died following these false icons, but even more of their countrymen died at their hands.

Lies & falsehoods should be challenged - equating the present situation to Pol Pot and taking the country back to 'Year Zero' is patently absurd.

Though as mentioned by Publicus, another low intensity civil war [don't forget the South] is certainly possible.

Should we see the bungled dispersal of the Reds in the Central World area with blood being shed, whilst arsonists set ablaze Bangkok's premium retail temples arousing both the people and serious moneyed interests, we could well see the incipient polarised beginning of a class-base civil war. The best way to nip this flowering poisonous phenomenon would be to round up the leadership.

Staking out McDonalds is not exactly onerous!

However the chances they have had were missed, sometimes clearly intentionally.

Sending in an official without back up to arrest the leaders armed merely with a warrant, was met with the derision it deserved. The embarrassed fellow was fortunate to get away with just a little loss of dignity.

But as mentioned in an important piece on the jockeying factions within the army on the New Mandala site, there are personal interests again stymieing the interests of the nation.

All branches of state's forces of law & order appear to have been suborned to some extent by some interest group be they political, status or moneyed.

The government needs to get serious, with the heads of the armed services both having to get their hands from beneath their buts and take firm action if they & the nation in its present form is to retain any credibility.

First by weeding out all the unreliable elements within the higher echelons of the command structure in both the police & the Army. Why the heads of both services were not fired for the ASEAN debacle is still beyond me? An intelligence service loyal to the government needs to be tasked in tracking down the Red Leadership using both sigint & humint. Snatch squads made up of SF units whose loyalty can be relied upon then tasked to carry out the arrests.

Politically the PM should seek a mandate after a period, when law & order has been restored. A realistic package of social reform would negate the demagogy of the Red Leadership, and show that there are real & better alternatives to Thaksin's front men.

There is a clock counting down to uncertain change in the Kingdom, and time should not be squandered by allowing anarchy to prevail and seditious violent rhetoric to gain the minds of the masses.

The time for procrastination is over and firm but limited targeted action should be at hand, before the sands of time present even more intractable issues into the Thai political arena.

I'm just amazed how many people get killed or injured whenever "Warning" shots get fired. Who trains these guys?

Maybe they should get Xe [mercs formally known as Blackwater] in to train them.

Either that or orthopedic surgeon to transplant some spines into the invertebrates that ostensibly lead this country.

The only time they have shown 'resolve' was Thammasat and that is not exactly something to carry as a battle honour.

The Reds are having a laugh and have continuously shown tactical cunning

with a determination and a command & control of their 'forces' that puts the government to shame.

Mores the pity.

Rouge Out

Reds are remarkably restrained considering the amount of abuse they are receiving.

Anyways lets applaud them for their efforts and hopefully the govt will come to their senses and resign, dissolve parliament and call elections.

The restraint shown by this government would not have been seen whether it was in Moscow, Beijing or DC.

Let alone anywhere in Latin America or other parts of Asia for that matter - be it Delhi, Jakarta or Yangon.

Whatever the rights of the argument over the vast disparity of Thailand's wealth underlying the righteousness of the Red's cause;

it has been well & truly negated by the Red leadership who are doing their damnedest in bringing down this country through violence & anarchy.

The dilemma of any Thai government has been their inability to utilise the forces of law & order proficiently

in quelling outbreaks of civil strife with a firm but measured response.

Whether it be at Thammasat University, which made Kent State appear like a a mild disturbance,

or the political impasse the country now faces, where the Reds are displaying the only coherent leadership

and those in Brown or Green are poor imitation of the Keystone Cops who are incapable of restoring the rule of law.

Your argument regarding the Red's restraint, IMO does not stand up against the deaths on the street

and the disturbance to ordinary Thai lives and businesses.

The Red Leadership [RL] is not a benign organisation wanting to bring equality for the masses,

this is an all out power grab by some very nasty characters who are out for their own personal gain.

The needs and rights of the poor don't figure much in the outcome, but they are there to be manipulated for the RL's nefarious objectives.

Rouge Out

The sight of the purportedly arrested red shirt leader having a happy meal @ MickyDs,

shows the credibility of the Thai security forces.

See page 4 post 80 of today's [Wednesday 28/04] Sitrep, on this site.

Consistently, throughout this recent crisis the Red Shirt leadership has been leagues ahead of those in Brown or Green.

The Reds have shown a determination, resolve & leadership that has run rings around the government.

Evicting the Reds from the streets with a well-trained loyal & determined military would be difficult enough,

whilst keeping casualties & damage to property to a minimum.

I don't think these guys have either the heart or the capability to do it without it becoming an almighty clusterf*ck.

Rouge Out