RandyWhite

Just another pathetic ploy?

Thaksin Shinawatra's first public comments after the Rajprasong arson and looting were to 'speculate' that the Red Shirt protests should continue underground, and after many weeks of keeping a defensive posture, these new bombings in the very same area just a day after Thaksin's recent birthday celebrations seem more likely, to me at least, to be a signal from the birthday boy to begin a new offensive, albeit perhaps merely another pathetic ploy to keep his name in the news.

The Red Shirt movement needs to collectively awake from Thaksin's spell and stop simply denying, complaining and blaming, find a credible leader able to present a coherent policy program alternative and make a public commitment that their protest methods will never again extend beyond civil disobedience into arson, looting and murder.

Of course, for that to happen, the Red Shirt movement would first have to reject Thaksin's twisted leadership and tainted money as well as his long history of unbending efforts to usurp state power largely for his own ends. Indeed, the events of this year strongly suggest that credible leaders with a coherent vision of comprehensive state reform are probably the only way for the Red Shirts to convince the Thai middle class that there really is a 'new deal' out there and that it is therefore in their best interest to support the Red Shirts as a credible political alternative.

Intellectuals are at best tolerated in the anti-intellectual Thai education industry. Intellectuals are all ' trouble-makers' : " Four Legs Good - Two Legs Bad ".

Bottom Line: BAA RAM EWE - BAA RAM EWE

Thanks for the great info Randy.

If anybody wants to read the book, it's online at http://books.google.com.au/books?id=8FiJb4...p;q&f=false

The following 2 pics are of the book's preface, to be read sequencially:

One notes with some dismay at the apparently chronic inability of the current transport minister to 'think through' issues, such as the 4,000 bus project which he has been striving for years to have approved.

For example, the proposed e-ticketing system for the project is claimed to reduce costs by doing away with bus conductors, however for many of us it will also make Bangkok less livable than it already is by significantly slowing both traffic speed and bus services particularly. Another entirely predictable consequence would be the increase in bus drivers using their mobile phones while driving, just as passenger van drivers do now - thereby making road traffic more dangerous.

Furthermore, setting aside the question as to whether public transport should be subsidized, it is reasonable to assume that the new privately-owned orange mini buses with both a driver and a conductor on-board generate a reasonable return on investment.

Has the night train from Bangkok to Nongkhai resumed ?

There's no information on the SRT website and I have a ticket for Sunday.

Any agro against anyone not a Red Shirt in Nong Khai ?

SEE BELOW FOR LATEST IMAGE OF THAKSIN

Prudent security measure. Those outside after that time should be immediately restrained and detained.

In some ways, this might be a danger time for farangs, the reds are now a deranged mob, and there could be random violence or attacks anywhere.

More than likely. The reds aren't gonna go away any time soon. Bombs,car bombs, arson and random shootings will be the order of the day from now on. Baghdad on Chao Phaya.

Thaksin alluded to this when interviewed. Guerilla tactics he mentioned. Whether it was a call by him or just an observation , who knows?

The army should use the curfew to mop up the redshirts... They are clearly insane.... They should shoot looters and arsonists on sight and arrest others. Perhaps there should be a nationwide curfew as there was in Korea through the 1970s (had it's advantages not being able to leave a pub or club after (I believe) 10 PM... been a long time..

The curfew thing seems to be a case of 'better safe than sorry' and to facilitate 'mopping up' operations - I hope that's all.

It will be interesting to see whether the authorities here in Bangkhen (Yes - that's in Bangkok, all you Nana-lovers) stop people from venturing out to the mouth of my soi - or prevent workers from coming home.

Somehow I doubt it.

BTW: Is Nana still a fire-trap with basically only one way out ? ( Don't ask me how I know.)

Maybe the soldier got shot by friendly fire, but what source does BBC have? Was the reporter at the scene?

Arwa Damon from CNN was at Phahonyothin earlier, right behind the soldiers. She moved down to Rajprasong now.

BBC is quoting CNN. CNN is quoting "police". Police don't appear to be saying anything.

The police have, by and large, been in Thaksin's pocket for a long time and everyone knows that.

BTW: At least since Max Weber wrote about it a hundred years ago, it is accepted virtually the world over that the state is the only body that has a legitimate right to use violence - not hired thugs, not disgruntled citizens and not ex-prime ministers and army chiefs by proxy.

Still, what does Thaksin have to lose - the story that he has terminal cancer is getting more credible by the day from what I hear in my soi, and, being a superstitious lot, some are adding that it was his karma i.e. 'What goes around comes around'.

Finally - with even newsrooms like that of the Bangkok Post being highly divided re the REDS etc. - leaving aside the question of reporters' personal bias, the credibility of the foreign talking heads on the news reports rests largely on the honesty of those they depend on to translate Thai into English or whatever, and I, for one , am not impressed with the result.

Thanks, it's interesting reading--at least the preface is.

It's the motherlode , Jack.

Read the whole shebang online at www.crvp.org/book/series03/III-18Contents.htm and feel empowered.

All Thai governments are corrupt - it's just a difference of degree, but as to who I prefer as leader it's chalk and cheese because 'Tacky' is such a phony and clearly didn't 'earn' his foreign education like Abhisit obviously did.

Unfortunately, the old guard in the Democrats are rather a large albatross around his neck, but he has a modern vision for Thailand that Thaksin couldn't even begin to imagine because his mentality remains that of a small-minded 'TOKAE' or Chinese-style boss i.e. I talk you listen and never forget I never made a mistake in my life. QED

And the writer is hiding in anonymity. Hasn't even got the courage to add his or her name as the writer of this diatribe.

Unless Andre2000 is your brother, I'd say you shot yourself in the foot there, sport.

As for me, I'm living on the edge already, so it would be pretty silly to give the 'enemy' any free kicks.

I haven't survived here for 20 years speaking the truth to power by using my balls for brains.

Taken with a greater cultural overview - this is paradigm shift happening NOW - countries go through it in different ways. The point is that, at the very basic, grass roots there is a call for CHANGE... a change from the 'old' ways of being ruled by an elitist group who make all the money and have all the power. It is true that most of the 'foot soldiers' will not realize they are a part of this shift - but they are.

Although the story of a lower class awakening and realizing their political power is a compelling and sympathetic one, sadly that is not what we have here. What we have is an exiled politician who is using every means necessary to regain his lost power and money and the red shirts are simply a tool at his disposal, just as the rural population were used to place him into power to begin with.

Any of us who remember how things were under Thaksin will remember that the government was no less elitist than now. In fact Thaksin was accelerating in his consolidation of power and manipulation of the system and any rivals, whether they be in business or politics or in the media, were steamrolled. He was a force of personality and anything he wanted happened, regardless or whether or not it followed legal or other protocols and regardless of the impact on other people.

Not to mention Thaksin's 'galloping hubris' following his rather fortuitous "landslide" win in the election which the tsunami disaster came in the middle of.

Or the quota of several thousand or so he set for drug dealers to be killed during his "War on (people who are not big fish and not allied with me) drugs i.e. his basic modus operandi: Get behind me and you will prosper,fail to do so and your life will be become very difficult or very short.

As the saying goes, 'It's an ill wind that blows no good".

Thaksin makes even 'Tricky Dicky' Nixon look good.

He is probably not for off the mark on any point.

Chockdee Thailand

He is, you know.

E.g. Point Six: Khun Anand stated that Chavalit and Somchai, as ex-PMs, should know better, so it seemed pretty weird to him - or words to that effect.

BTW: Red Shirt demonstrators do in fact fit the definition of terrorists as given in the Bangkok Post/ Business Section this week by the apparently misled-by-reds farang citing the internationally accepted criteria to show that Thaksin wasn't one. More weirdness.

Thus, logically Police Captain Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra is a 'sponsor of terrorism'. "Weird scenes inside the goldmine"

Final thought: "It never got weird enough for me." Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

good on them

shame on you

another red shirted bleeding heart who thinks lawlessness, murder and bully boy intimidation is acceptable

Shame on YOU for keeping your eyes CLOSED to what is happening, but then the news is censored by the Government!

Please read this article by a Thai in exile: Trust it does not breach Thai Visa rules if so my apologies to Admin. ( I have deleted and edited some words that I thought may breach your rules.)

Thailand: Seeing through the Mist of Tear Gas by Giles Ji Ungpakorn

After the recent bloodshed on the streets of Bangkok, the army, the government, and the media, academics, and NGOs who have sided with the elites, especially those who deceitfully call themselves "neutral," are all trying to distort the major facts about what is happening in Thailand.

Together with the blanket censorship ordered by the government, this distortion is like firing a second round of tear gas at the population in order to cause confusion. So let us just remind ourselves of the basics. The first basic point is that any government that sends soldiers armed with M16 automatic weapons, live ammunition, and tanks, in order to disperse a peaceful and disciplined demonstration, has already decided on the option of using lethal force against the demonstrators. This is an undeniable fact whether or not the soldiers also carry shields and rubber bullets and whether or not the soldiers initially fire live rounds into the air. In the inevitable situation of stress and tension, the soldiers will start firing live ammunition against civilians and they have indeed done this. It is also true that this will occur whether or not there are some mysterious black-clad figures running around. These could be special military forces, people hoping to stimulate a bloody crackdown, or some other group.

Whatever the case, these people had no connection with the UDD who have repeatedly restrained their supporters. The UDD stored captured weapons so that they would not be used, and, in contrast to the behavior of the army, any captured soldiers were well treated. Let us be clear. When the army bring lethal weapons of war and station snipers on high buildings, they are already intent on the option of killing civilians. Machine guns and tanks are not brought on to the streets to cook noodles, show off to tourists, or repair the roads. In most civilized democracies, the streets are cleared of demonstrators, whether legitimately or not, by the use of riot police and mass arrests, not by systematic use of weapons of war.

The Abhisit Government and its military backers were therefore intent on killing civilians. This is, of course, nothing new in Thailand. In the last 40 years military have gunned down and murdered unarmed civilian demonstrations six times. Five of these bloodbaths occurred in Bangkok in 1973, 1976, 1992, 2009, and now in 2010. The sixth occasion was in the South at Takbai in 2004. It is a matter of great urgency that democratic and human rights standards are established in Thailand to deal with this. Certain figures, politicians, and generals have to be publically punished if found guilty. The entire military command needs to be retired and the army has to be drastically reduced in terms of budgets, numbers, and influence.

The deceitful so-called "neutral" academics and NGOs, who claim that "both sides should take responsibility for the bloodshed," are merely reducing the responsibility of the government, the oppressor. It is like saying that both the elephant and the ant are "responsible" for the ant being crushed to death under the elephant's giant foot, just because the ant was in the wrong place. On the one hand we have the military-backed government and its armed forces trying to crush a democratic protest with lethal weapons. On the other hand we have thousands of unarmed and disciplined protesters. It should not be hard to see the difference, unless of course you backed the 2006 coup (however reluctantly) and you backed the semi-fascist PAD Yellow Shirts. This is what nearly all these so-called neutrals did.

The semi-fascist PAD Yellow Shirts used weapons and violent tactics to wreck Government House, to prevent the opening of an elected parliament, and to make the extremely damaging seizure and closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in 2008.

They have not been punished because the military and Abhisit's Democrat Party support them. In contrast, the Red Shirts have occupied some roads in Bangkok. They have not shot anyone or destroyed buildings. Yet the government is manufacturing lies about "Red Shirt Terrorists." Previously they lied about troops "not using lethal weapons on civilians."

The second basic point is that the Abhisit Goverment was never democratically elected. It is in power because of a military coup in 2006, two judiciary coups, the PAD violence, and the maneuverings of the military. Abhisit's Democrat Party can never hope to win an overall majority in any future election and in the past it has never won such an election. It can only cling to power by the use of the military and blanket censorship which is turning Thailand into a Police State. So the Red Shirt demand for the government to resign and for immediate democratic elections is totally legitimate. Their long drawn-out protest in the streets is totally legitimate. The use of a state of emergency and the military by the government to shut the mouths of the Red Shirt protesters, and to arrest their leaders, is totally illegitimate. The military Constitution and the "law" that Abhisit keeps talking about are totally illegitimate.

There are many people who say that democratic elections will not solve the crisis. They are probably right. But this is only because the military, the middle classes, the PAD, the academics, the NGOs, and the Democrat Party are not committed to respecting the majority vote and democracy. They firmly believe, like all supporters of dictatorships, that the Thai electorate is "unqualified to be given a free vote."

The third basic point is about the accusation that the Red Shirts are "committing treason," revolting against the nation. Let us just remind ourselves who should hold absolute power in a democracy. It is the people. The Red Shirts are defending that power. The government, the military, and its supporters are committing treason against the people. It is as simple as that.

The Abhisit government must resign now. The military must return to barracks and the people should decide the future of Thai society.

Absolutely spot on...an excellent, convincing and fair analysis...I must admit to being tricked by all the government talk of terrorists....but of course the red-shirts demonstrated peacefully for a month...when the troops rolled in the trouble started...thank you for opening my eyes

"Peaceful and friendly" ?

Pull the other one: the Red Shirts are ARMED and VIOLENT and everyone knows that.

BTW: What acts of violence did the Yellow Shirts ever commit? Only the ones that the Reds and their fellow travellers say they did.

Former BOT Governor Puey Ungaporn would be ashamed of his son's serial intellectual dishonesty.

Cretins.

The Government has managed to find a few top cops that will obey its rules.

The rank and file however are having second thoughts.

Like the Italians in the last war, they are capable of more fight than this. Trouble is, the rank and file are mostly red, their families are mostly red.

So much for the offer of talks. No more talks I say, starve the business community out now. All the yellow supporters backers are now loosing big money.

Obama was so concerned yesterday with the Thais running round screaming "Terrorist" that he held a press conference.... and announce a mission to Mars!

Yeah - the dereliction of duty shown by senior Thai Police reminds me of that famous definition of American Senators:

"A good Senator is one that STAYS bought."

Add to this the army leaking intelligence information like a sieve and it's not hard to see why the government risks looking like 'The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight' whenever it tries to reassert it's authority. Unfortunately, the alternative seems to give in to the RED mob that is, in a sense, holding the Bangkok middle class to ransom - no thanks to Bangkok's finest you-know-what.

{snip}

You don't have to like what I said, agree with it…or read it. In my opinion, Abhisit could have prevented the deaths on both sides by agreeing to dissolution of parliament and calling for elections…immediately. Elections are coming anyway and for me, the value of life is worth more than his nine month timeframe. And, being his decision as PM, I think he should take full responsibility for the outcome.

I think he used excessive force from the very start and I don't understand why the use of Snipers is so unimaginable. Do your family members and friends seriously believe that Abhisits military, capable of dropping tear gas from helicopters on the elderly and on women with infant children in their arms is incapable of using Snipers? And how would tear gassing old people and babies not be considered hatred? Also, every Army I can think of has Snipers… and this one decided to use everything in their arsenal except Snipers? I remember just yesterday, people were called crazy for saying that the Army may have fired live rounds at Redshirts…

There is an enormous amount of historical data concerning the use of Snipers for psychological effect. This is actually only one of the Snipers common battlefield uses. The desire for a demoralizing psychological effect is why I believe the Army could have used Snipers. This demoralizing effect was also their objective when blasting the psychological warfare music.

Wikipedia

Psychological warfare

Due to the unexpected aspect of sniper fire, high lethality of aimed shots and frustration at the inability to locate and attack snipers, sniper tactics have a significant effect on morale. Extensive use of sniper tactics can be used as a psychological strategy in order to induce constant stress in opposing forces.

One may note that by many aspects (constant threat, high "per event" lethality, inability to strike back), the psychological impact imposed by snipers is quite similar to those of landmines, booby-traps, and IED's.

1) that is _YOUR_ very limited personal opinion. last days you posted grand panorama theories.

2) here's a link: facebook page _against_ house resolution went from ab 170,000 to 291,000 in _less than a week_! are these people & voices entitled to have a say in your compulsive interpretation of events? _they_ DO NOT WANT house to be disolved. what about that?

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=108372992525155

3) i read your posts. you seem to insinuate whoever disagrees with your opinion is a) either an addict to gov-mind-spin or incapable to access media. 555. (btw, i'm still waiting for a source of "independent" media you claim you've access to)

4) anyone ever told you a mind-state flooded by emotions ("capable of dropping tear gas from helicopters on the elderly and on women with infant children in their arms" etc) doesn't necessarily favor ratio?

5) in _your_ opinion, " Abhisit could have prevented the deaths on both sides by agreeing to dissolution of parliament and calling for elections…immediately." in _my_ opinion, Abhisit tries to break this vicious cycle of weak judiciary, corruption, disregard for "law&order" - & next coup. by trying to _establish_ some rules of civic rule&order.

6) btw, personally, ... but before being banned again...

Yes, it is only an opinion, just like yours. I fully agree that what I posted is pure theory....does that mean it didn't happen?

The red to non-red ratio must be 12:1 on TV…. most are one liner bandwagon trolls. Anything that goes against the master plan is attacked 12 different ways and is not welcome. Why have a forum if everyone needs to agree on everything?

Do you have proof that your facebook buddies didn't open several accounts each? I wonder how many of that 291000 would be willing to get beat up, gassed, and shot at before joining your friends group.

Sorry, I can't post links to certain news media because it is against the rules... this forum is based in democratic Thailand remember? As far as the emotional ratio you speak of, don't tell me… go tell the women who were holding the babies. They would probably disagree with you, among other things.

I told you that I think Abhisit could have prevented all this and I told you why... deal with it. You know, there is another way he could have avoided all this mess. If he had been voted in by the people in the first place! He would have earned respect instead of demanding it.

Have a nice day!!

1) as usual with "red" spin... --- once asked to corroborate original instigating accuses, comments, remarks..., nothing comes... but side-stepping:

*

2) _i_ said: 1) that is _YOUR_ very limited personal opinion. last days you posted grand panorama theories.

you replied: Yes, it is only an opinion, just like yours. I fully agree that what I posted is pure theory....does that mean it didn't happen?

a) first of all, in your initial statements you claim _absolute_ discourse supremacy: _I_ KNOW! _I_ AM ENTITLED TO TELL THE TRUTH! {sorry for the caps. just to make my point clear ;-)}

_now_ you retreat. & ask us to consider, it _maybe_ "it could have happened" according to your narrative. wanna learn something about post-modernist media-theory?

*

3) _i_ said: here's a link: facebook page _against_ house resolution went from ab 170,000 to 291,000 in _less than a week_! are these people & voices entitled to have a say in your compulsive interpretation of events? _they_ DO NOT WANT house to be disolved. what about that?

you replied: Do you have proof that your facebook buddies didn't open several accounts each? I wonder how many of that 291000 would be willing to get beat up, gassed, and shot at before joining your friends group.

a) you evade central argument. central argument was that _obvious_ there are people in thailand who _disagree_, even _oppose_ "red shirt" _bullying_ ways to "get their way". i asked you if _those_ voices are entitled to have a say?

instead of answering, you go off:

b.I) just by belittling _both_ "number" of fb-friends, as well as "raise" during last week. if i may say so: either you're deluding yourself ("this is _not_ happening") or you just try to discredit information that doesn't fit your view - & _you_ _obviously_ _cannot_ counter with arguments.

b.II) instead of that you indulge in romantic heroism rhetoric. yes, sound is good ;-)

b.III) same time you're spinning same narrative again: i'd say, _not one_ "authentic" red-shirt is out there to be experience being beaten up, gassed or shot at --- same same is true for army & police. _but_, as i oppose your "views": events had shown it's _not_ government that worked on "escalation of conflict" but ... "red shirt" _leaders_. _these_, definitely, have _nothing_ to loose anymore.

*

4) _i_ say: i read your posts. you seem to insinuate whoever disagrees with your opinion is a) either an addict to gov-mind-spin or incapable to access media. 555. (btw, i'm still waiting for a source of "independent" media you claim you've access to)

you replied: Sorry, I can't post links to certain news media because it is against the rules... this forum is based in democratic Thailand remember?

a) yes, this forum is based in democratic thailand. how about expressing some gratitude you're allowed to post your dissent?

nonsense. i & many others regularly support our posts with links to "outside" sources. there exist some forum rules - but if you wanna discuss forum rules; why not better set up your own?

c) nonsense: you can mention media names, or keywords for a google search, or you can send me a pm. none of that happened. btw, it never happens with "red spin" apologists, how comes?

*

5) _i_ said: anyone ever told you a mind-state flooded by emotions ("capable of dropping tear gas from helicopters on the elderly and on women with infant children in their arms" etc) doesn't necessarily favor ratio?

you replied: As far as the emotional ratio you speak of, don't tell me… go tell the women who were holding the babies. They would probably disagree with you, among other things.

a) you're side-stepping again: i stated that in emotionally heated discussion it's of _dis-advantage_ to incite even _more_ "excitement of mind/heart". instead, for the benefit of many, it'd be wise... to calm down, step back from one's opinion, engage exchange of views, discussion.

instead of a reply to that "rational" approach - you _even_ escalate your "rhetorics", by, again evoking same imagery of "go tell the women who were holding the babies".

c) may i tell you something? _YOU_ are neither in charge of ..._NOR_ _entitled_ to speak for these "women who're holding the babies." it's a disgusting & sickening rhetoric manoeuver to conceive anyone _opposed_ to your "limited views" (see above) as a violent _inhuman_ going after "women holding babies". _you_ are using emotionally charged images to further incite a volatile situation. q.e.d. that, imho, is _not_ a rational approach. i doubt its benefits.

*

6) _i_ said: in _your_ opinion, " Abhisit could have prevented the deaths on both sides by agreeing to dissolution of parliament and calling for elections…immediately." in _my_ opinion, Abhisit tries to break this vicious cycle of weak judiciary, corruption, disregard for "law&order" - & next coup. by trying to _establish_ some rules of civic rule&order.

you replied: I told you that I think Abhisit could have prevented all this and I told you why... deal with it. You know, there is another way he could have avoided all this mess. If he had been voted in by the people in the first place! He would have earned respect instead of demanding it.

a) again you're side-stepping. actually i even gave you my evaluation of events so you'd have some material for critique. did that happen? no.

instead of _replying_ to my post... you're just continuing proclaiming the very absurdities that i _challenged_ - & _YOU_ _obviously_ are unable to address or counter.

c) again, as with so many "red shirts" apologists - besides all rhetorics, you _want_ other minds/hearts/people to _act&behave_ _ACCORDING_ to _YOUR_ inclinations! you even claim to know what's best for Abhisit to do! & - as shown above - you simply don't care that there others out there who disagree with you. YOU JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BEHAVE AS YOU WANT THEM TO. was that clear enough?

*

7) you say: Have a nice day!!

i try to enjoy a happy heart/mind.

Thanks - you really nailed that xxx.

Too bad nearly every RED of the dozens I know and work with and live in the same soi with (many of whom I like as persons by the way) are so indoctrinated with RED propaganda that they can't hold a calm rational discussion for more than 60 seconds - except with a 'tourist' or another RED.

Try it and see.

Manop told the press that on Saturday he was guarding the protest site at Rajprasong intersection when Natthawut and Arisman Pongreungrong decided that all the red shirts' strong men should move to the Phan Fa site. So, he joined them in the evening and was stationed at the school.

He added that he did odd jobs for a living and had never been trained in the military. He also said that since there were no other guards at the Satri Wittaya School, he singlehandedly unarmed the soldiers marching past.

This guy with no military training "single handedly unarmed the soldiers marching past". Only reds would believe all the contradictions in that.

And wasn't this the school where supposedly army snipers were positioned? Wouldn't he have been taken out if he was "single handedly" attacking the soldiers?

Natthawut also displayed the photograph of a man in red, riding a motorcycle and armed with a rifle. He said this man was not a real redshirt demonstrator and that he was seen handing the weapon over to soldiers posted by the Phadungkrungkasem Canal near Parliament.

More "fake reds".

He also warned TV executives not to be complacent with the belief that this government would stay to protect them, and instead they should report "nothing but the truth" to the public.

More "Red Democracy" on show.

"Nothing but the truth" according to the reds!

Why would they need protection? What will the reds do when they are in power? Allow their thugs to take out anyone that disagreed with them?

I'm not sure the REDS have ever had or will ever have a coherent ideology, but the practice of rarely if ever being able to discuss politics calmly and rationally for more than say 60 seconds is now deeply ingrained through political indoctrination via RED propaganda. The human hardware has been (re)programmed with RED software designed to produce an automatic (and therefore reliable) response:

HELLO - YOU HAVE REACHED THE RED MOB...PRESS 1 FOR FOOT CLAPPERS...PRESS TWO FOR MASS CELEBRATIONS...PRESS THREE FOR INTIMIDATION...PRESS FOUR FOR MAYHEM...PRESS FIVE FOR VIOLENCE...TO CONTACT MONTENEGRO PLEASE PRESS ZERO AND HAVE A NICE DAY.

its interesting reading over on the other paper we cannot quote on here

headed ''Slain camerman may have caught 'third hand' killers''

google it

the intimation seems to be that the cameraman may have been shot by the men in black

Though it's *all* speculation, I assumed the Japanese cameraman must have been targeted.

More speculation (admittedly far out). I have been wondering who would have taken the picture published at the top of the page? If you look at the shadow of the gun barrel on the other guy's red shirt, it is well below the gun barrel, meaning the picture was taken at very close range, probably by an expensive camera with a separate flash attachment.

How is the guy who took the picture still alive, if the picture is what it is insinuated to be?

Where is the Japanese cameraman's camera?

Questions or trying to connect the dots, nothing more.

The first dot you can connect is that there is no shadow at all on the red shirt.It is a vow of the shirt or maybe something hidden under the shirt.

Have a closer look.

RED denials notwithstanding, this guy in front has now been identified by the army as an ex-Ranger and 'current' Red Shirt guard - the paramilitary run by Big Jew for Thaksin.

Well he sure looked a lot like someone from Montenegro to me! Nyuk Nyuk!

I really find it hard to believe that so many people believe the UDD would pay people to murder their own supporters just to get some international sympathy. Because as a tactic it does not further their cause inside. Thailand

Actually the only group that stands to benefit from killed or injured protesters is the UDD.

Then why is it that every time there is a protest movement in Bangkok which is opposed to army involvement in politics they are murdered by the Thai army.

As in 1973, 1976, 1992 and now 2010.

So if the army have nothing to gain from it why do they keep doing it?

That was then - this is now, but there's military on both sides like before.

This was supposed to be Big Jew's last hurrah, and I guess he wasn't going to leave anything in the locker.

The King advised the old 'gangster in green' to retire from 'politics' years ago - which he eventually did, until he started working for Thaksin again.

About the comments of being shot from long range, the facts would appear to be different. Yesterday on the Nations Tweet , there was a statement that the Police Hospital Autopsy report states that most of the victims were shot from behind, one at very close range as there was gunpowder on the body.

How would you plan to get out of the crowd if you were one of the planted assassins? Wouldn't it be completely insane to commit this type of crime surrounded by bystanders and cameras?

That was just routes of transit from high ground or cover points to shoot from.

I would expect there was only ONE group of snipers...

This side is the only one that can truly gain by creating a conflagration.

Army not a bit, even the hawks.

Once Abhisit said move the hawks got hat the thought the wanted.

Moderate army didn't need blood at all.

Redshirts, were more rabble and riot than organized blood bath.

They were the playing card placed in the middle and cannon fodder.

And a few sacrificial lambs to the worlds perceptions too.

Who benefits with army/government disgraced for killing many?

Who benefits from putting army/government at each others throats?

Who needs martyrs and many dead to change the game and sway public opinion?

Who already has blood on their hands from the past, and so lowered thresholds of compunction to kill?

Who has no respect for, and is on the outs with the mainstream red leaders?

Who is directly connected with the amoral master funder in Dubai?

Who has access and the talent to use these weapons and motivation to change the game?

Who so far HAS benefited from this series of deaths?

A few good questions needing answers. Draw your conclusions as you will.

Good post - thanks.

Who benefits? Mr. Conflict of Interest, of course: As usual, the money trail leads back to Dubai via Chieng Mai.

The RED struggle doesn't have to be overtly about Thaksin for Thaksin to receive huge direct payoffs - both political and financial - in a favorable settlement. Of course, some REDS say they are using Thaksin for their own ends...but as no REd has publicly repudiated support for Thaksin, that hardly seems credible.

Rather, it seems that, in desperation, Thaksin and/or one of his "proxy" agents like Big Jiew seem to have gone for a 'game changer' i.e.

A Game Changer - That Buffaloes Can Believe In

After all, most only listen to RED propaganda and have been indoctrinated to respond automatically by regurgitating RED PROPAGANDA - or with highly emotional responses (e.g. anger and/or tears) in place of 'reason' when that doesn't work, so without a 'smoking gun' Thaksin will probably get away with murder - again.

I wonder if I will get the usual RED BS denial and distortion responses here on Thaivisa.

Too few with a modern education is one of the root causes of this conflict and there's no quick fix:

Modern education > modern government > modern country

Hence you can't blame buffaloes too much for taking Thaksin's green grass when they will take any edge they can get.

Bottom line: Reds are mainly good people with mainly bad leaders - especially Big Boss 'Tokay' Thaksin.

PS: How's the tummy trouble from overdoing the Russian caviar, Boss?

Dr. Taksin is quoted in The Nation today, "I apologise to the people of Bangkok for the traffic congestion but it would never ease until the red shirts win and I will return to solve the problem with sufficient subways and trains,"

Clearly this demonstration is not about democracy, rights for the poor, or anythin but returning Taksin to power. There are lots of poor (most working two jobs) in Bankok who are being hurt, needlessly, because of curtailled retail. If it slows down enough, many may be made redundant. They are not getting money handouts to participate in this charade. If the cause truely were democracy and/or rights of the poor, it would be acceptable but it's not.

Thaksin's record on mass transit: zero new km. of mass transit

Abhisit: Three so far and breaking ground on at least one new major extension from Bang Sue to Bang Yai (approx. 25 km.)

I was watching this proposal on live TV this afternoon and it was so lame they had to repeat it three or four times for it to have much impact.

Maybe that's why most comedians and public speakers DON"T YELL AT PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

But of course, it worked for Hitler.

MCOT: UDD leader Arisman takes Red Shirt stage at Phan Fah bridge, says arrest warrant is unfair, will protest before surrendering April 1

April Fool: Arisman is mocking the authorities, just like Thaksin

I wonder if this prize hippocrite (?) is as good as The Immaculate One at crocodile tears.

Anyone got an address for that place in Thonburi or anywhere else that has new or 'nearly new' TZMs?

I used to run an NSR here in BKK when they first came out and Sukhumvit way down past Paknam was a 160 kph buzz: like getting the shirt torn off your back - just like a Porsche.

But they bogg down badly under 4,000 rpm and they bounce around too much because they're a bit light. Too bad the CBR 150 is so fugly and slow. A good lookin' modern 250 single (Boxers need not apply): I'd like to see that!

As for the TZM, I'll have my ricer SUPERMONO in screaming red. Like the original Yammy stickers say: PURE TWO-STROKE SPIRIT

I am thinking of getting a Yamaha TDM (so slick) but I had a new '91 NSR 150 once and they're a bit light and bog down under 4,500 rpm so I expect the TDM would be similar and a four-stroke engine swap would spoil the look too much. Anyone know enough to compare them?

Alternatively, does anyone know of a good-looking motor to suit with the usable performance of, say, the old RVFC 250 as used in old XRs?

Perhaps I could just respray a TZM in eyeball-searing red, paint most everything else black and hide a CBR150 engine under the fairing: anyone done this or thought of it?

RAW.

No you are not right. If you arrive by air you will get 30 day visa exempt and if you arrive by land 15 day visa exempt but if you have a tourist visa for Thailand (on most passports) you will get a 60 day stay regardless of entry method. It has nothing to do with visas to Laos.

Thank for clearing that up - it's been a while.

I must have been thinking about the advantage of already having a Lao visa re being quick enough to make a Thai TR visa application on the same morning the sleeper train arrives...or something like that.

RAW.