Hulkster

Suthep is basically saying give me the country or I'll trash the joint.

Wasn't that basically what the reds/Thaksin were saying in 2010?

Actually, as i remember (my office was at CWT at the time) they trashed and burned the place... even after they got the elections they wanted...

In what civilized country would you heed the demands of a maniac threatening to destroy the country if you don't hand him the keys?

Are we talking Suthep or Thaksin? Sorry that comment could equally be placed at the feet of either men, with the exception that Suthep hasnt trashed anything (yet) where as Thaksin's lot did.

The red shirts had reason to be livid in 2010. The army and "others" engineered a coup where a political party that hadn't won an election in 15 years and represented the interests of the Bangkok elite had been installed into power. It was the kind of thing that happens in tinpot banana republics not a modern, democratic, constitutional monarchy.

The red shirts had no real choice but to resort to violence if they wanted their political rights to be respected. The elite had pulled the rug from under them. The red shirts were merely trying to restore what rightfully belonged to them. They wanted justice.

The burning of buildings was a result of rage. Rage against the elite, rage against the army for fanning the flames.

The yellow shirts have nothing to rage against. They're just unhappy that the government wasn't putting the interests of the Bangkok elite first and foremost. Their demands are unjust. They want an unelected ruler who represents a minority.

So if you feel rage, then it is okay to burn buildings?

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Sure, depending how bad you've been treated. The rural poor have always been viewed and treated as second-class citizens in their own country. The finally have a voice, a government has made developing the poorest parts of the country a priority, and this riles the Bangkok elite. That money should be funnelled into their pockets instead! In the eyes of the elite Thailand=Bangkok and no-one else matters.

They have to fight to protect their rights otherwise the elite will snatch it from them time and time again. If the Thais weren't so tolerant telling each other "mai pen rai" this war would have been fought decades ago.

This is just the start of the violence.

And the yellow shirts will have to remember that they've brought it on themselves.

They are a minority trying to impose unelected rulers that will represent the interests of the Bangkok elite onto the poor majority.

The people I know who are there have gone prepared to be there for a month.

They will be joined by the rice farmers in a couple of days, see other topic.

A few old ladies,? go look elsewhere on this site and see the list of those who are supporting Suthep.

With all that support you would expect the democrats to win the election in a landslide...

Took them a day to start going back to work. I suppose you can only take so many selfies before it all becomes a bit boring sitting around on chip wrappers in the heat.

And this is only the cool season...

No chance the Sino-Thais will have the stomach to continue protesting once the weather starts heating up in March.

Then you have water fights in April.

That trip to Rome is probably booked for May.

June is the start of the wet season.

Maybe you don't understand farang-ness.

Are these students trying to drive down the value of their parents stock portfolios???

When the red shirts occupied Bangkok they hit the elite where it hurts. The yellow shirts are almost cutting off their noses to spite their faces.

No way will the Bangkok elite and middle class still be on the streets once the cool season is over!!

Only people losing money from these "shutdowns" are democrat supporters any way.

Many of them must be muttering to themselves at the moment saying "what now?" Do we just stand here blowing whistles?

These yellow shirts need to put down the umbrellas, put their iphones in their pockets, roll up their sleeves, put on hats if they're worried about getting sun on their dull pale skin, pick up a weapon and get aggressive if they want change!

Revolution won't happen standing around at intersections. Oh - and be ready to stick this out if you really want it because the red shirts aren't going anywhere. You can hold the city hostage to get what you want but the red shirts will burn the place down.

The military has limited options too. They can't stage a coup since it will plunge the country into civil war.

This is just the beginning. Try to deny a downtrodden segment of the population their democratically elected government because it doesn't fit the agenda of the business elite, then expect more and more of this kind of payback.

Those who have not taken political-sides, for the sake of humanity, certainly hope that’s not the outcome in the end, you fear, seek and anticipate as-a-means to an end.

No-one hopes for civil war, but I see it as inevitable. I can't see the yellow shirts backing down at this point, and once they try to block the elections or refuse to accept the results of the election, then it will be on. The red shirts won't surrender like in 2010 and this time when they come to Bangkok they won't be armed with only molotov cocktails.

"The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose."

This is just the beginning. Try to deny a downtrodden segment of the population their democratically elected government because it doesn't fit the agenda of the business elite, then expect more and more of this kind of payback.

Just wait until the red shirts arrive en masse in Bangkok.

They're not going to stand there are just take it like these police officers.

So 10% of the population of Thailand was gathered at three intersections yesterday?

BTS numbers were a record but only slightly higher than the record. Did all the high-so get motorbike taxis to the protest areas?

Yeah, and last time I checked the red shirts don't live in Bangkok (well they do but they are the serf class). The yellow bellies shutting down BKK for a week would be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

You better watch out, better not cry, better not pout I'm telling you why, the red shirts are coming to town!!

Let's see the resolve of the yellow bellies come February. Let's see how much fight they have left in them then.

I bet they have none. They're waiting for the military to do their dirty work.

Let the arrogant Bangkok elite dig their own graves.

You don't want democracy you want war, then so be it.

I know who I'm backing in the civil war come February, and it's not the side made up of vitamin D deficient pufferfish who can barely jog a lap of Lumpini Park without passing out.

Interesting to note that the reds are just herded to attaned rallies and herded off when they are not required. And mind you these constitute the majaority of the electoral force. So can someone please explain to me how we can achieve democracy when these people are involved in voting.? (note that small sum of monies buy them to come and attend rallies, votes, etc.).

Where are they supposed to go? To their hotel rooms?

I'm talking about using lethal force as a last resort. What amazing restraint Yingluck has shown. Just imagine a group of violent thugs trying to storm Capitol Hill or the White House. It would be shoot first ask questions later.

First ---- your assertion of "violent thugs". This has been fairly non-violent other than the outbreak of extreme violence around RU. That was started by the reds, but sadly ramped up by the students. Look into today's Breaking News section and you will see the majority of the serious violence can be laid completely at the feet of the reds that were here to "defend the government"

Second, We are not in Washington D.C. Though if a group of unarmed people tried. It would be Water Cannon, LRADs, and teargas. If it were a group like the reds in 2010 that were backed with an extremely violent extremely well armed group it would be different.

Your "shoot first ask questions" statement is just plain silly.

I consider unruly mobs trying to storm barricaded government buildings to be violent. It's one step from complete anarchy. Even the Prime Minister had to be evacuated for her safety.

I think it's a legitimate comparison. If an unruly mob stormed Capitol Hill it would be a bloodbath.

If it comes to "shoot first ask questions" later then so be it. Police and soldiers cannot possibly know the intentions of every person in an unruly mob. The assumption should be that each and every person trying to storm a government building is a security threat that needs to be dealt with.

You have protesters hijacking government buildings, inciting violence, intent on overthrowing the democratically government by any means necessary. Lethal force should be a last resort, but should it get to that stage I have no problem with the police and/or military using it to maintain control.

Nice to see you approve Abhisit's and Suthep's handling of the red siege of Bangkok in 2010.

Violence wasn't used as a last resort with snipers picking off protesters. Plus that government had no legitimacy.

On this occasion we have a democratically elected government who on Thursday easily survived a no confidence motion in parliament.

Should lethal force be required for the government to maintain control of the country, then it should be used.

How sad that a Farang should encourage the government to kill people.

I'm talking about using lethal force as a last resort. What amazing restraint Yingluck has shown. Just imagine a group of violent thugs trying to storm Capitol Hill or the White House. It would be shoot first ask questions later.

The government has shown incredible restraint so far.

and should continue to do so. the military should not fire a single shot at ANYONE no matter what. the military/government should protect the people, not be the cause of violence.

You have protesters hijacking government buildings, inciting violence, intent on overthrowing the democratically government by any means necessary. Lethal force should be a last resort, but should it get to that stage I have no problem with the police and/or military using it to maintain control.

Nice to see you approve Abhisit's and Suthep's handling of the red siege of Bangkok in 2010.

Violence wasn't used as a last resort with snipers picking off protesters. Plus that government had no legitimacy.

On this occasion we have a democratically elected government who on Thursday easily survived a no confidence motion in parliament.

Should lethal force be required for the government to maintain control of the country, then it should be used.