RenzoInOz

Isn't it refreshing to finally have a leader willing to say it like it is!

How can anyone have sympathy for someone who is caught red handed in possession of drugs in a country where possession - or dealing - invokes the death penalty?

There simpl is no other noun for it. Idiot fits perfectly!

All power to Abhisit. This is a great advance for Thailand.

However, the big concern is that the margin might look good, but it is indeed slim - 37 votes means just 19 MPs need to change camps (again) to defeat him. This is not a comfortable margin in a Parliament renowned for disloyalty and party-hopping.

As for the red shirts - or yellow shirts - the government can only remain in power so long as those who are responsible for upholding the law of the land do their job. Initial commentary above - "the police are standing idly by" - suggests they're not.

PAD's true colours...

Here we go folks.. save the celebrations.. The PAD is already vowing to return if things don't go according to its plans...

(Source: Bangkok Post - http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=135131 )

The People's Alliance for Democracy agreed on Tuesday night to get out of the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports within 24 hours _ but with conditions.

"The next government must sincerely agree to introduce new politics and must not be a puppet regime for Thaksin Shinawatra," said a statement by the PAD.

Otherwise, it continued, the airports may be seized and shut down again.

The leading candidates as new prime minister are unacceptable to the PAD. They are controversial Bangkok politician Chalerm Yubamrung and ex-commerce minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan, both considered to be close to the fugitive ex-premier Thaksin.

The PAD was jubilant when the Constitution Court announced its verdict which effectively dismissed the government. But there are many steps between that court decision and a victory by the yellow-shirted PAD in its "final battle".

Members of Parliament unaffected by the bans on three political parties and 109 leading politicians have vowed to continue the current regime under a different name for the dissolved People Power he Puea Thai (For Thais) party is expected to be a haven for politicians from the three banned parties, and a new premier will likely be named well within the 60-day limit after the court announcement.

In the meantime, Chaovarat Charnveerakul, the first deputy prime minister, will be caretaker prime minister.

Government chief whip Withaya Buranasiri said on Tuesday the House of Representatives could be convened as ealy as next Mondazy to elect a new prime minister.

Let me start of by saying that all violence should be condoned, but I hear this commentator clearly saying that pro-government supporters broke through a police line an attacked the anti governmnet supporters. The violence we have seen over the last months was horrible, but in most cases intiated by (hired?) imbecils in red shirts. Why you fail to see that is beyond me.

Errr.. did you mean 'condemned" KireB?

(Hmmm... who was it questioning my education last night....?)

I hate to spoil the PAD's celebrations, but... Somchai is gone because of a decision by the courts. That decision had nothing whatsoever to do with the PAD and its disruptive protests which were largely targeting the economy and foreigners. So while they may have got what they wanted, it had nothing, in the end, to do with their existence. They've actually achieved nothing in the last week except a lot of heartache for businesses and individuals across Thailand - and the trickle down effects such as the death of tourists on the highway, trying to escape the country....

Err... think about what you've said there....: What did the international community NOT do re Zimbabwe, Burma, Dem Rep Congo, Rawanda...? Check out the levels of foreign investment in manufacturing. International tourism figures... There's a whole new world out there with lower barriers to trade and investment which fuel economic growth for countries considered safe, stable and with a strong respect for law and order. Do you want Thailand to be viewed in the same category as the above countries?

LOL WUT! There's going to be less international investment in Thailand because protesters closed 2 airports for week?

IMO there are much bigger factors involved (e.g., laws on foreign investment, laws on foreign ownership, general business laws...).

Laugh all you like Erobando. But perhaps you could consider my comments in context.

And frankly, YES: the scale of demonstrations and problems in Thailand over the last six months - leading up to the airport and then the illegal siege - will make people in the boardrooms of international companies think twice about Thailand if they are considering where to build new plants in Asia. You're right to say laws on foreign ownership, etc, influence the decision. Obviously. But so do images of transportation hubs being out of action, people waving weapons around in the streets - and the Thai authorities/Govt have in the last week demonstrated utter weakness in confronting crime and maintaining essential services.

With respect I do think it is naive to think none of that influences foreign investment.

As a seeker of truth and justice I think it is now apparent that this onslought by the thai establishment on the institution of democracy has failed.

Democracy will continue, the business of legitimate, democratic government will continue.

It will now get more support from the international community than it ever had.

Everybody knows that the thai courts have been bought off and are totaly corrupt, who does the EC report to?

The international community will have no objection to the continuance of the Thai democratic process.

The international community is now also very much aware of the faschist, undemocrat elements of the thai society, and their means, and are very disturbed regards the PAD views on dictatorship and ethnic cleansing.

The international community is now very much educated about some of the thai way and is not impressed.

As the PAD fanatics now go home , to face the international grilling on their views, the democratically elected government goes on , with international respect and approval .

Who gives a sh** what the "international community" ( whatever that may REALLY be ) thinks! You're giving way too much respect to an impotent and useless illusion. What did the "international community" ever do re: Zimbabwe, Burma, Dem Rep Congo, Rawanda and the illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Err... think about what you've said there....: What did the international community NOT do re Zimbabwe, Burma, Dem Rep Congo, Rawanda...? Check out the levels of foreign investment in manufacturing. International tourism figures... There's a whole new world out there with lower barriers to trade and investment which fuel economic growth for countries considered safe, stable and with a strong respect for law and order. Do you want Thailand to be viewed in the same category as the above countries?

I take it you haven't read his 190 comment over the last 2 days. Go ahead and browse through them and tell me how realistic his opinion's are I guess labeling a group of people that don't share the same opinion are mindless dumb monkeys that deserve to die is realistic......................................

Facts are, for most of the world's population, it is unacceptable to seize one of the world's largest airports for a week, no matter what you are protesting. The airport occupation didn't change the outcome of the courts. Also a fact, in most civilized countries, seizing an international airport, would have caused the police and possibly army move in within minutes and get rid of the protesters, if needed by force. Tell me how US authorities would have acted if the JFK airport was seized by armed protesters? How the Spanish authorities would have acted if the Madrid Barajas airport was seized by armed protesters? Or how Dutch authorities would have acted if the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam was seized by armed protesters?

If you have a different opinion, fine. But the authorities in these and most other countries would have acted much differently to prevent the economic disaster that Thailand and it's people will be facing in the coming months and years.

To me, the PAD are monkeys (and that's saying it nicely). That's my opinion, I've never asked you to accept or share it.

My opinion doesn't hurt anyone, but PAD's actions do and will.

Here, here, Rainman!! Totally rational, logical and accurate statement. My (Thai) wife couldn't agree more, too!

I never said Thaksin wasn't a criminal. But he's not the only criminal. I said many times, Thailand never had a choice of Democracy, but only a choice between one corrupt leader or the other.

Perfectly put Rainman!

AOT Apparently have announced that airport will re open for cargo freighters between 0900 at 1800 tomorrow.

A period which may be extended in due course

But have they got the PAD's permission? PAD runs the airport now...

Self inflicted??? What school did you guys go to? Change/Democracy/Movement ... try to hear the rumblings underneath the surface happenings

Clearly a better one than you went to - actively wishing damage to your country's economy and reputation, seeing people without work and unable to support their children, seriously damaging businesses, whose owners have nothing to do with your anarchistic views. There are 350,000 people stranded in your country with commitments in their own. They have nothing to do with your fight, yet you think they should all suffer. You sit there rubbing your hands with glee while the people you blindly support kidnap people, beat them, steal and vandalise property.

I cannot begin to wonder where you learned this attitude to life!!

Apparently you find the continuous lobbing of grenades self-inflicted and deserved and consequently you question someone's attitude to life for not agreeing to this? Well what a contribution to society you are mister! And for your schooling, did you ever finish high school? I sincerely doubt it, as most of your posts match a pre-operational brain capacity!

No - never said that, nor do I agree.

But I am beginning to understand the frustrations behind the attacks.

That does not equate to advocating or supporting it. My complaint with Nampeung is her double-standards: when someone attacks the PAD they're evil; but when the PAD kidnaps or beats someone ,that's OK because it is in support of a higher aim.

Self inflicted??? What school did you guys go to? Change/Democracy/Movement ... try to hear the rumblings underneath the surface happenings

Clearly a better one than you went to - actively wishing damage to your country's economy and reputation, seeing people without work and unable to support their children, seriously damaging businesses, whose owners have nothing to do with your anarchistic views. There are 350,000 people stranded in your country with commitments in their own. They have nothing to do with your fight, yet you think they should all suffer. You sit there rubbing your hands with glee while the people you blindly support kidnap people, beat them, steal and vandalise property.

I cannot begin to wonder where you learned this attitude to life!!

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/...nt_10441498.htm

One killed, more than 20 injured by blast at Thai airport

2008-12-02 03:10:41

BANGKOK, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and more than 20 others injured in a bomb blast shortly after Monday midnight in a Bangkok airport, Thai media reported.

The blast happened at Bangkok's Don Muang airport, one of the two airports anti-government protesters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had taken control for days, website of The Nation newspaper reported early Tuesday.

Injured people have been sent to three hospitals including the Mongkut Wattana, Bhumiphol and Central General.

Ronnachai Chaisri, 29, from Songkhla province was reportedly dead on his way to the Bhumiphol hospital while Wijai Wijan, 43, was reportedly in critical condition, the report said.

Five people were severely injured, with one of them reportedly in critical condition. The PAD suspected that a bomb was fired from Don Mueng Toll Way.

The blast came after PAD ended Monday the demonstration at the Government House which was seized by the civil group since Aug. 26.

Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD's core members on Monday told protesters at the Government House to move to Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports which were also seized by them last week.

Chamlong said the anti-government demonstrators will no longer be allowed to spend a night at Government House for their own safety, following repeated grenade and gun attacks at the compound previously.

He said the daily demonstration at Government House will now be held until evening, and only the PAD guards will station at the site during the night.

The PAD on Aug. 26 seized the Government House and on Nov. 25 and 26 occupied Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the Don Muang Airport, calling the Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to step down.

This just posted by Reuters... Sorry, but anyone bnooked to travel for the next 9 days is not going to like reading this...

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Restarting Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport will take at least a week from the end of the current sit-in by protesters because of security and IT system checks, airport general manager Serirat Prasutanond said on Monday.

"Normally, checking the IT systems takes one week. We have to check, recheck, check, recheck," Serirat told Reuters, adding that the delay would be even longer if any of the airport's massive computer systems needed repair.

"I think some systems are damaged," he said, but he declined to provide further details.

Once Airports of Thailand, the site's operator, was satisfied that everything was working as it should, it would invite the Department of Civil Aviation and airline representatives to do their own checks, Serirat said.

It is not known how long those third-party checks will take.

The closure of the $4 billion, 125,000 passenger-a-day airport since Tuesday has stranded thousands of foreign tourists and is threatening the tourism- and export-driven economy with billions of dollars of damage.

The misery is being compounded by the parallel closure by protesters of Bangkok's Don Muang airport, which served as the capital's main air hub until Suvarnabhumi's opening in September 2006 and is still important as a domestic hub.

Serirat did not talk about Don Muang.

Some international flights are now departing via U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era military airfield 150 km (90 miles) southeast of Bangkok.

The other options for travelers trying to get flights out of the country are via Chiang Mai, 700 km (435 miles) to the north, or Phuket, 900 km (560 miles) to the south.

Some are also driving overland to Cambodia to get flights out of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.

(Reporting by Ed Cropley; Editing by Alan Raybould)

Sorry if I sound like a scratched CD, but disagreeing with the PAD does not make one a supporter of the Red shirts...

It is not a black or white - or rather red and yellow - issue!

Chaos at U-Tapao?

Caution: Channel 9 is renowned for exaggerated news coverage, but it still sounds like bedlam at rayong...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=676438

This just released by Australian Govt. (t has been constantly updating its travel advisory for Thailand but this is a new development - singling out Bangkok and indirectly advising people not to go there. There are five levels of warnings about any destination the Govt uses in these advisories: Be alert to own security * Exercise caution * High degree of caution * Reconsider your need to travel * Do not travel. )

Summary

* We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand because of the uncertain political situation and high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including tourist areas and other places frequented by foreigners.

* Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

* We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Bangkok at this time due to the continued closure of Suvarnabhumi International and Don Muang Airports and the very limited availability of flights from Utapao Airport. Phuket and Chiang Mai airports continue to operate.

* There have been large-scale political demonstrations and related incidents resulting in fatalities and injuries in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand. The strong divisions between pro- and anti-government groups have become more pronounced in recent days. In light of the high level of political instability and reports of military reinforcements, you should avoid demonstrations, political rallies, military deployments and concentrations of security personnel because of the ongoing political unrest. Demonstrations have occurred at a number of government buildings including Government House, the Parliament building, Police Headquarters and at airports.

* Demonstrations and violent incidents at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Muang Airport in Bangkok have disrupted services and both airports are currently closed. The duration of the closures is not known at this stage.

* Late on 27 November the Thai Prime Minister announced an emergency decree for Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airports in Bangkok. In light of this decree, you should stay away from these airports until further notice.

* Before travelling to any airport in Thailand, Australians should check with their airline on the status of their flights and the situation at these airports. They should closely monitor developments and follow any instructions issued by local authorities.

* If you are in Bangkok and do not have accommodation you should first contact your airline for assistance. If they are unwilling or unable to help, you should contact the Tourist Authority of Thailand for advice. There hotline numbers are 02 356 0720 and 02 356 0729. Australians in Thailand in urgent need of consular assistance should contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.

* Australians scheduled to travel to Thailand should contact their airline to confirm their travel plans. (see Civil Unrest/Political Tension).

* You should avoid unnecessary travel to the area around Government House and other demonstration sites. Several attacks, including with hand grenades and explosive devices resulting in some fatalities and a number of injuries have occurred. Further violence cannot be ruled out.

* There is an ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia relating to land adjacent to the Khao Pra Viharn temple (Preah Vihear in Khmer). There were instances of fighting between Thai and Cambodian military troops in October 2008 resulting in some injuries and fatalities. The temple is currently closed to tourists. Australians are urged to avoid travel to the area and to monitor local media.

Hey guys - ease up on Nampeung. She's clearly a fully paid up member of People Against Democracy and just doing her job by pushing its arguments in an attempt to justify its illegal and violent activities. She has a hard job given 99% of the forum users don't share her view - and at least she adds some colour and entertainment to the forum.

My wife advises that Thai media are reporting Thaksin is now in Cambodia. Anyone seen anything about this in English-language media? Or is it just more rumour mongering designed to fuel PSD supporters??

Apparently he needed to meet Somchai. Hope it doesn't interrupt Somchai's golf round.....

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang meets City police chief Lt Gen Suchart Muenkaew on Sunday to ask him to provide security following daily attack on protesters. is this a joke or what the nation

You mean this?

Explains a lot, doesn't it.

With all the evidence of crimes committed to date: intimidation, kidnapping, trespass, inciting violence... not only does the Police chief not arrest the guy, he joins him for a friendly social catch-up!!

Law and order in Thailand has clearly now collapsed, alarming given the vacuum created by there being no Government in control and no leadership left...

[/quote

Homer needs to come here and rung the show.

Just some quick thoughts.

Maybe we have a power vacuum causing this or at least adding to the trouble.

While most of the generals, but not all would back the red, the vast majority of the foot solders back the red.

The police too are split.

This is not a joke and the disagreements are real and profound.

Joking about this would make you feel bad if you woke up to Find a thousand dead in a fight in the future.

If Thailand rejects democracy it will for sure be hit with huge trade tariffs from nations.

The economy is imploding.

I hope for the best but fear from the worst.

Well put!

There IS a complete power vacuum. Somchai has done nothing preferring to "relax" (according to my wife's translation of an interview she watched online this morning) in Chiang Mai while Yellow Rabble from People Against Democracy are destroying property, kidnapping, attacking police and trespassing (and openly lying by saying we're doing everything 'only peacefully' as a previous post stated)... Somchai says he has done nothing wrong. What he didn't explain is that it is hard to do something wrong if you don't do anything in the first place. Trouble is, if he quits, as he rightly should, it looks like these disloyal, self-serving 'treasonistas' at the airport have won.

Somchai and his mob are utterly spineless, weak and pathetic. This is a time when strong leadership is required. Somchai's style is to go into hiding miles away, covering under a blanket....

Nothing More Than a Criminal Gang

Posted by Bangkok Pundit | 11/29/2008 11:28:00 PM

Reuters:

The assault by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) YESTERDAY was swift and savage, a head-on charge by a convoy of vehicles speeding down the wrong side of an expressway into scores of unarmed police.

As the terrified officers fled, some of them jumping through the open door of accelerating police vans, wild-eyed young men burst from the PAD vehicles, attacking with sling shots, fireworks, iron bars and wooden stakes.

The onslaught lasted no more than 15 seconds but left the five-lane highway, the main access route to Bangkok's besieged Suvarnabhumi airport, littered with broken glass and discarded police helmets and truncheons.

The police, who have orders not to retaliate against a movement backed by Bangkok's establishment grandees, had virtually no warning.

'The yellow people are coming,' one officer shouted, turning to run as the PAD vanguard, a large sound-truck blaring out anti-government vitriol, careered round the bend of the expressway exit.

Attacked with weapons, but "not to retaliate". It's official. PAD now controls Thailand and is above the law.

For God's sake....

As the damage to Thailand's reputation as a country - and to its economy - continue, I cannot understand why some simple, effective measures are not being taken already. Talk has achieved nothing at all.

1. Stop movements of people from Government house by bus to the airport.

2. Shut down mobile phone communications towers from which people at the airports can communicate.

3. Shut off landlines and power to the airports. Without power, the stage, video screens, sound systems, etc won't work. Nor will TVs so they won;t know what's going on outside.

At the moment, these people are organising themselves via communication and getting updates constantly about what is happening. Cut the communications lines and confuse them. That's the first step in gaining some sort of control.

4. How did PAD manage to find and position a water tanker on the approach road to Suvarnabhumi without anyone trying to stop them? Set up a cordon further out from the airport and stop all traffic movement in and out of that cordon. Don't let food in there or other supplies. I'm sure they've looted every food shop in the airport - and no doubt helped themselves to all the duty free products, so they're not going to starve for a while.

In other words cut them off, confuse them and tighten the noose. Eventually they'll either be more vulnerable for a forced evacuation - or forced to leave of their own accord.

None of this seems like rocket science to me, just common sense. By the government's jaw-dropping ineptitude and lack of action, these rebels who have illegally seized control of a public facility worth billions of baht and a cornerstone of the Thai economy, are gaining a greater mandate for their actions with the passing of each hour. This has long since morphed from peaceful protest to criminal behaviour to treason against the nation they pretend to love....

This is from the Straits Times website... About half way down the article are quotes and statistics that should shivers down the spines of Thai businesspeople - those in travel, retail in particular.

Meanwhile, Singapore and KL airports, hoteliers and retailers are delighted by the antics of the PAD thugs and rabble...

HUNDREDS of Bangkok-bound travellers showed up at Changi Airport yesterday morning but never got to board their planes.

All 19 flights scheduled to depart for the Thai capital from 7.10am to 10.35pm were cancelled, a day after anti-government protesters stormed the main terminal of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, shutting it down.

Flights cancelled

STUCK IN PATTAYA

'After an 11-hour flight, we had to wait another three to four hours to get our luggage, because the airline had no ground crew in Pattaya. We are really not sure when we are flying back to Singapore.

... more

With no indication yet of when normal operations would resume, carriers operating between the two cities - Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia and Thai AirAsia - are advising customers to track developments to flight schedules online.

At Terminal 1 at 6am, more than a hundred travellers were waiting to catch their flights on Jetstar and Thai Airways. Many were ignorant of the situation in Bangkok. Lamented civil engineer Annalingam Selvakumar, 43, who had planned a six-day holiday with his family: 'We did not watch the news last night. We are disappointed but have no choice.'

Jetstar's commercial head Raphael Saw said 40 per cent of those booked on the 7.15am flight had turned up.

At the Thai Airways counter, people were still being checked in for the 8.10am flight. There was some confusion and unhappiness when travellers were told the flight had been delayed till 11am, only to be told later that it had been cancelled.

Among them were secondary school teacher Tanveer Khan, 33, and his 17-year-old sister Jumanah, who were on their way to Dhaka via Bangkok. Refusing to abort their trip, they left last night on a non-stop SIA flight to Bangladesh.

Other travellers, like Mrs Connie Cheong, 51, who was all geared to shop till she dropped with her husband and two teenage girls, changed their minds. The administrative officer and her family will go to Kuala Lumpur by bus instead.

Because of the uncertain conditions, airlines said travellers who choose to cancel their bookings will receive full refunds. Passengers may postpone their flights or opt for another destination and pay the difference in fares or fees.

While Singapore residents went home, airlines did what they could for transit passengers. Ms Akira Rotjanawongchai, 35, an Australian citizen en route from Adelaide, said SIA arranged for her party to stay the night at the Elizabeth Hotel.

Customers with forward bookings have been calling their travel agents to cancel or postpone them.

Chan Brothers, which has 20 people due to leave for Bangkok this week, advised customers to change their plans.

Political instability in the Thai capital in recent months has seen fewer Singaporeans heading there, say travel agents, warning that a prolonged crisis would seriously hurt Bangkok's tourism industry.

The Singapore-Bangkok air route is one of the busiest out of Changi. In the first 10 months of the year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore recorded 2.29 million passenger movements between the two cities.

A THAI flight denies PPP MP

A People Power Party MP was denied boarding a THAI flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen on Wednesday morning.

Farida Sulaiman, an MP of Surin province, was about to board TG 1040 flight which was scheduled to leave Bangkok at about 6.15am.

Manager newspaper online reported that captain of the flight, whose name is not revealed, came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight will not allow any PPP MPs or any politicians who harm people to board.

Farida reportedly wore a jacket which has PPP logo and name on the back.

Upon learning the captain's announcement, Farida agreed to board another flight.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

i wonder what his bosses have to say about losing them profit...

he'll probably be applying at garuda soon....

Or One-Two-Go... which is, alas, about to hit the skies again soon having finally passed its safety checks...