bulmercke

Reporters Without Borders writes that it is shocked to learn that Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwittayaporn, a freelance journalist and member of the “Red Shirts” political movement, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle today in the southwestern resort island of Phuket.

Reporters Without Borders demands that the authorities “carry out a thorough investigation into this murder, without ruling out the possibility that it was linked to his work as a journalist.”

Wisut was murdered while driving with his wife in Phuket. Police say the grouping of the shots suggested that the murder was carried out by professional killers and that his coverage of land disputes or other stories may have been the motive. The newspaper also reported the Wisut was the leader of a group opposed to the private use of a Phuket beach and had many enemies.

As an American who has worked/ lived overseas for some 30+ years (including 15 years in the Middle East) I must apologize for the government's behavior of trying to "police the world". The attack on Iraq (have friends that lived there) to liberate them did more harm for America's reputation than good. As you know after 9-11, the USA had the whole world's sympathy, including where I was working at the time, in Saudi Arabia. After bombing the #hit out of Baghdad because Saddam supposedly had weapons of mass destruction, totally was uncalled for. My American friends (who never travel abroad) believe the propaganda that is thrown at them...they quickly forgot the US troops were there for WMD's but believed we were there to fight "terrorists" and to give Iraq democracy. Well, there were NO terrorist in Iraq until the Western troops moved in. The American culture tends to use "patiotism" as a way to get support from its citizens. If you try to say the truth or disagree with the norm, you are labeled "anti-American or unpatriotic.Currently all the Republican candidates have to suppport the Iraq and Afgan wars and they are all hawks towards attacking Iran. Yes, the USA fortunately became involved in liberating countries from Japan and Germany back in WWII - but that was ages ago.The involvement in the Vietnam War.. Iraq war could have been avoided. Terrorism is a problem for the free world now days (due to narrow minded Islamic terrorists) and the free world needs to work together to fight against this danger of the 21st Century-- not depend on one or two countries to "take care of them."

'

QUOTE: "Currently all the Republican candidates have to suppport the Iraq and Afgan wars and they are all hawks towards attacking Iran."

Ron Paul - as far as I know - Reblican candidate - Texas - is the only Rebublican congressman calling for a total withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and who is in favor of a pull-back of all military from the majority of US bases they currently occupy around the world.

Audit the Federal reserve and Ron Paul for President.

It is getting worse every day in Phuket. Just see what going on in Karon in the old JK company Islandia area. The old JK Company rent out all the Public Street area and owners must pay 10000 baht in key money and 3000 baht per month to get into their own shop house or else ?. Clearly not legal and No recipes are given to take off in tax. Old fashion mafia extortion but in Phuket just business as usual. Guess why.

It's the same in all areas frequented by Western tourists. Many parts of Bangkok - Pattaya - Chiang Mai - Koh Samui etc. Business goes on as usual. Stand up to the local mafia and refuse to pay their outrageous fees and you'll probably get attacked.

This warning by the US embassy has to be very credible and must be taken seriously. It concerns Thailand. Iran - and/or its supporters - whatever nationality - may be at the root cause of this warning. This warning could concern a revenge attack.

IRAN has been under attack by the USA and Israel for a year or so now. In effect - a low level war against that regime is now taking place.

It’s not unreasonable to group recent explosions in Iran with the Stuxnet virus that haywired a uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. Also there was last year's explosion at a Shahab missile factory - as well as the killing of three or four Iranian nuclear scientists in the past three years. One of them being assassinated just two days ago. And then there was last November’s (2011) attempted assassination of Fereydoun Abbasi-Davan - a senior official in the nuclear program - and rumblings of a second supervirus deployed.

This is proof that the US/Israel war on Iran’s nuclear program is getting less covert by the days. Following an explosion on a military base that took with it the life of General Hassan Tehrani Moghadda - one of the Iranian missile program’s most distinguished OGs - came news of a second explosion in Isfahan which according to sources struck the uranium enrichment facility there despite denials by Iran.

So, what's the over/under on how many months it takes before the US claims they have "evidence" that this "foiled terrorist plot" was funded by Venezuela?

That wouldn't surprise me.

Anything better on this subject?

The Thais, fearful of losing so much as 1 tourist dollar, are obfuscating as usual, blindsided by the Americans who decided unilaterally to do the right thing and release their warning, giving tourists the choice as to stay home or hit the streets.

2 arrested, 1 escaped, 1 held, 1 invited for questioning, nobody knows, dont worry, but whatever you do, dont tell the tourists.

MUSTYJACK - I agree. Looks like the US embassy has done the right thing. And Chalerm's subsequent mutterings look very much like a damage limitation exercise. Afterall tourism is the Thai's cash cow.

QUOTE(from article):""Before returning to Washington Heights last year, he lived in Schenectady for about five years where he made even some like-minded friends nervous by his extremism," he said."

The snitches are identified!

Ron Paul's the man.

We just bought 4 eggs 30bt, a few months ago could buy ten for that.

jb1

My local Carefour - Big C - has 30 - a tray - for 119 baht - grade 3. Just a few months ago 99 baht.

....Are you saying that the electors who voted for the PPP MPs who were part of Newin's Friends of Newin actually voted for the Democrats?

What did Abhisit do before he was 27?

No, he isn't.

He is saying that the people who voted for the friends of Newin

voted for the Friends of Newin and what they could do for them,

and not for PPP. If the Friends of Newin do a better deal with the Dems than PTP,

then their constituents can see them doing their best for them.

PTP doesn't matter, they were not voted for.

Just as the Friends of Newin faction will be voting BJT and not PTP.

PTP doesn't matter to them anymore.

The Friends of Newin faction don't vote for anybody they are just a group of corrupt MPs led by a banned politician who - as I said previously - was described by the BBC as a notorious Thai politician. Abhisit was made PM during meetings in an army barracks with Newin and the Generals - fully reported in the local press and shown on TV including pictures of a smirking Abhisit with his arm around Newin's shoulder. In the meetings in an army barracks it was agreed that large sums of money would be paid to Newin and his forty friends if the forty elected PPP MPs betrayed the electors who voted for them and sold their millions of votes by supporting Abhisit's installation as PM. After that they formed the Bhumjaithai party with Newin as the de facto leader. It is very strange that you now support Newin because you and others on this forum have said in the past that Phue Thai party should be disolved under the electoral law because their de facto leader is a banned politician so why do you not say that Bhumjaithai party should also be disolved because their de facto leader is a notorious Thai Politician and is also banned from carrying out political activities in Thailand. Is it because if that had happened there would have had to have been 40 by-elections called and Abhisit would have had to step down? Do you also think that the Bhumjaithai MPs will be re-elected? If so why do they need so many armed bodyguards to visit their constituencies? As revealed in the censure debates and in the press there have been of huge corruption accusations levelled against Bhumjaithai since they were made part of the Abhisit coalition. The Doctors of Thailand Council even made in direct complaint to Abhisit. What did Abhisit do? Nothing, because nothing matters to him as long as he is still sitting in somebody elses chair. So what he has been doing instead is turning a blind eye to what the coalition partiies have been getting up and leaving the rest to the Courts. And you accuse Thaksin of corruption?

Good post. Spot-on termad.

Interesting, a rather arrogant sounding statement.........

Which statement did you find arrogant-sounding and why?

When did the Dems underestimate the opposition and how do you know this?

I thought the statement suggesting a debate and that Abhisit was ready to debate a political novice.....as a rather arrogant statement.....just my opinion

The government under estimated, and thus failed to control, the gathering, which led to the crackdown and subsequent violence.......in my opinion of course

Please do not hesitate to cantact me if you require any further information or assistance.......

Abhisit has a right to offer a debate and in doing so to make ridicule of the Thaksin puppet

she is a ridiculous choice for a PM and Abhisit's offer only serves to highlight just how ridiculous it is t

what about the media interviewing her about policy ?

it would be like Katie Couric interviewing Sara Palin

maybe she can see Cambodia from her door step.........

in my opinion:

the reds shouldn't have been there

no illegal gathering

no crackdown

no violence

all are fruit of the Thaksin poisoned red tree

i see that people in this forum are very eager to emit their opinions and speculations, is true that thaksin's sister apparently don't has a lot of experience in politics,but she has not answered yet, we all should wait to hear if she's gonne accept the challenge or not and then we can debate here, people should nout understimate her

Wasn't it Katie Couric who said - a few days after the Japanese nuke disaster - that radiation is good for you!

Of course - that would have been an ideal scenario. But Thaksin has encountered difficulties finding a suitable individual to lead Pheu Thai into this election and has unfortunately - or fortunately as the case amy be - had to fall back on his sister.

By suitable candidate you mean be sure to go after their only real goal, pardoning Thaksin and returning his wealth. Anyone else might have wavered in this

That's right. But a Pheu Thai government will really move the country along which is not happening at the moment.

Abhisit was a minister at twenty-seven. He's had years of ministerial experience compared to Thaksin Lite - Yingluk - and is presumably very knowledgable about ministrial procedures and other matters.

I fear he could expose her ignorance concerning such things as - statistics - facts - figures - policies - procedures - you name it - things the electorate would presume she would know about.

It would not be a pretty sight to see Abhisit tear Yingluk apart in front of the television cameras.

She is running for PM (or at least that is the idea if she actually is party-list #1) ------ Yes, that is Prime Minister .... if she can't handle her own in a public debate against a guy that HAS to be nice ... how will she accomplish doing her duty as PM?

She (in theory) has run TWO major companies, and in theory is considered by PTP to be a good candidate for the position of PM. Just because she has a record of being associated with corruption on a personal level .... does that mean she gets a free-ride under the "Thaksin thinks ...." motto of PTP?

as a final note ---

Yes it would be a pretty sight to see her and the PTP's platform torn to ribbons in a public debate

I would have thought last year's bloodfest would have been enough to sate your nocturnal anti-Red cravings.

Abhisit was a minister at twenty-seven. He's had years of ministerial experience compared to Thaksin Lite - Yingluk - and is presumably very knowledgable about ministrial procedures and other matters.

I fear he could expose her ignorance concerning such things as - statistics - facts - figures - policies - procedures - you name it - things the electorate would presume she would know about.

These are the reasons to why Yingluck is not an appropriate person for the job. She should have acquired some years in public political life before going for the position of Prime Minister.

Of course - that would have been an ideal scenario. But Thaksin has encountered difficulties finding a suitable individual to lead Pheu Thai into this election and has unfortunately - or fortunately as the case amy be - had to fall back on his sister.

Abhisit was a minister at twenty-seven. He's had years of ministerial experience compared to Thaksin Lite - Yingluk - and is presumably very knowledgable about ministrial procedures and other matters.

I fear he could expose her ignorance concerning such things as - statistics - facts - figures - policies - procedures - you name it - things the electorate would presume she would know about.

It would not be a pretty sight to see Abhisit tear Yingluk apart in front of the television cameras.

I always thought that leading and representing the citizens of a country was a task for an experienced person instead of being done by just someone who happens to have a pretty face.

So do you think that one who doesn't know anything about the facts you state yourself shoulkd even be considered as a candidate to lead a country?

No - of course not. But all the same I believe it's a clever move by Thaksin. She looks good and that's obviously a counter to Abhisit's good looks. As you're probably no doubt aware - looks and appearance are very important here particularly when it's a case of garnering votes in an election.

The people that she hopes to lead need to get to know her, so she should do some sort of public appearance. There are less than 50 days left to the election.

It's difficult to imagine people actually entrusting someone with no political experience and whom they've only gotten to know in less than 50 days to lead a country of 67M people.

It would also be absurd to think that a country can be effectively managed remotely from some other country. Can you imagine the President of the United States moving to Thailand permanently whilst still continuing to lead his country via his sister? Can you also imagine going to a job interview for a management position and saying that you will work remotely in another country and will send your brother or sister into the office every day?

Yingluk's going to be a proxy. A nominee. A de facto leader. A caretaker PM for Mr. T.

It's no problem here. Try to look at it like it's working from home. Nothing wrong with that? Is there?

Abhisit was a minister at twenty-seven. He's had years of ministerial experience compared to Thaksin Lite - Yingluk - and is presumably very knowledgable about ministrial procedures and other matters.

I fear he could expose her ignorance concerning such things as - statistics - facts - figures - policies - procedures - you name it - things the electorate would presume she would know about.

It would not be a pretty sight to see Abhisit tear Yingluk apart in front of the television cameras.

Interesting, a rather arrogant sounding statement.........

Are the Democrats under estimating the opposition yet again?

What the point ?

The democrats will lose .... as usual.

Then, with their friends in "high" place, they will challenge the results.

....

So the next PM is a democrat

What a surprise !

Boring !

Oh JurgenG you've spoilt it. Here on TV we like to think that it's going to a be a fair and open contest. But you've spoilt it for us.

Can you see John Lennon siding with the likes of Jutaporn, Arisman, Nuttawut, or - Thaksin.

Associating his legacy with the Thaksin's disciples is a complete insult to his legacy.

Two probably unpopular points but I think probably undeniable - with some reflection

1.John Lennon would have been a strong supporter of the redshirt movement, not of old fashioned feudal/military interests.

2.John Lennon was an airhead, hopeless overrated as a "thinker", self centred and intellectually incoherent - great rock and roll voice though.

You're right jayboy. John would have undoubtedly been a Red. And your No.2's spot-on.

Power To The Reds. Working Class Red. Give Reds A Chance. Free John Sinclair and Jatuporn. Baby's In Red. Reds Are Nigger Of The World. A Day In The Life (Of A Red) and Being For The Benefit of Mister T.

He may have cheered on the reds, but I have it on good authority that 'Instant Karma' 'How Do You Sleep?' and 'Gimme Some Truth' were actually criticisms of Thaksin. John showed remarkable prescience for his time.

Very good.

QUOTE(Insight):"Personally doubt very much the person funding the overwhelming majority of red shirt activities would of escaped his attention, along with the agenda of that person."

Lennon was an aggessive and violent individual. He would have had an affinity with The Red-Shirts and their cause. After all - in real life his friends included such violent extremists as David Peel - Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman who made no secret of their support of violence to further their agenda.

And as for Thaksin - although Lennon sang:

"Imagine no possessions - I wonder if you can". He also lived a millionaire's lifestyle at the time so any contradictions Thaksin and his ethics may have posed for him would have been easily overcome and ignored.

Regarding John Lennon, I remember he wrote a song called ' Give Peace A Chance' and 'Imagine', I don't think he was on the side of violence at all.

As for the switch of Sanoh and his sons- this is a man who vehemently oposed the 1996 'green' constitution for imposing checks and balances on politicians- and Yoko Ono supports him!

Can you see John Lennon siding with the likes of Jutaporn, Arisman, Nuttawut, or - Thaksin.

Associating his legacy with the Thaksin's disciples is a complete insult to his legacy.

Two probably unpopular points but I think probably undeniable - with some reflection

1.John Lennon would have been a strong supporter of the redshirt movement, not of old fashioned feudal/military interests.

2.John Lennon was an airhead, hopeless overrated as a "thinker", self centred and intellectually incoherent - great rock and roll voice though.

You're right jayboy. John would have undoubtedly been a Red. And your No.2's spot-on.

Power To The Reds. Working Class Red. Give Reds A Chance. Free John Sinclair and Jatuporn. Baby's In Red. Reds Are Nigger Of The World. A Day In The Life (Of A Red) and Being For The Benefit of Mister T.

Why is it only when there's an election coming up are these gunmen sought by the police? Why not before now?

She doesn't have to debate him and would be best advised not to in my opinion.

I am waiting for Chalerm Yoobumrung to join the gangsters party.

Chalerm is already back in after earlier resigning...

The top ten candidates in the Phue Thai list would include Chalerm Yoobamrung.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=467059&view=findpost&p=4413820

and so is his son...

Pheu Thai Party yesterday unveiled General Chaiyasit Shinawatra, cousin of former premier Thaksin, as its MP candidate for Ratchaburi constituency 1.

In Bangkok, Deputy Spokesman Jirayu Huangsap introduced two new MP candidates for the capital: Wan Yoobamrung and Anuttama Amornwiwat. Wan is the son of veteran politician and former Pheu Thai MP Chalerm

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=467059&view=findpost&p=4415448

Oh for sure Chalerm is in big time. He's been positioning himself in the last six months or so. The Democrats are going to have one hell of a fight on their hands in the next month or so. And the military are worried.

Buying up party leaders to make them faction leaders just before the election. Thai politics at it's worst and most corrupt. It says he is 'abandoning his own party' to accept a guarantee post in PTP, which no doubt guaranteed a certain amount of profit.

Feudalism was always controlled by money, and patronage, this is just feudalism being funneled through the APPEARANCE of a Democratic election, which makes it easier to lead the slowly awakening masses onward down the profitable path of New Feudalism.

The Liege Lord speaks and his vassals do.

Same as it always has been, except in this case a usurper attempts to return... Bonnie Prince Thaksin soon to hit the beaches and gin up a battle for supremacy.

I agree and in fact, based on recent newspaper articles and comments, so does Khun Abhisit. He now apparently realises that this election is his last and only chance to legitimise his regime which was established in an army barracks after the Military and Amataya bought the leader of the Friends of Newin, Newin Chitbob (a banned politician described by the BBC as a Notorious Thai politician) and his forty followers in order to install Khun Abhisit as PM. Newin Chitbob's abandonment of the PPP voters who elected his forty Friends of Newin was, as you say, Thai politics at its worst and most corrupt - especially as the sole reason for doing so was a huge sum of Amataya and Military money.

I'm also sure that you must have split your sides laughing, as I did, when you read in the other newspaper that Tai Chitbob (the 84 year father of Newin Chitbob) who was installed as speaker of the lower house as part of the same Abhisit/Amataya/Military deal recently announced that Phue Thai should be disbanded because of its allegience to Thaksin Shinawatra who is a banned politician.

The one thing that I don't understand is your reference to Thaksin Shinawatra as an usurper as although he has the support of the majority of the Thai electorate (soon to be proven)he was overthrown by a military coup (supported by Abhisit a fact which when freedom of the press is again allowed after the next election will also be proven.

But if you want to speak of corruption I really do think that you should have mentioned the corruption in the Abhisit government which I think few can deny has been one of the most corrupt Thai governments on record. The reason for that being that the coalition parties realised from the word go that they could do whatever they wanted because the installed PM would put up with anything as long as it meant that he could continue on as PM. So much for the Eton and Oxford man's code of ethics which I'm sure you agree wouldn't even be tolerated by an Appalation small town council.

QUOTE:"....although he has the support of the majority of the Thai electorate (soon to be proven)"

termad - apologies for repeatedly banging the same drum - but I doubt it'll get to that stage. Coup.

The difference this time is a coup would be opposed not just by the Thai people but also international opinion. Also, remember that the North and the North East is the Thai Military's biggest recruiting ground. Would those conscripts march North or South?

A post election coup when the judiciary get mired and bogged-down in their attempts to subvert a Pheu Thai victory and PT led coalition lest it get to that stage.

Termad I agree on the irony of Chai Chidchobs comment.

Roll eyes more than split sides.

I will simply note that Newin is not convicted of abuse of power, though often accused. They may get him some day, but not so far.

Thaksin is convicted and on the run. A criminal offense but done while IN political office. A bit of a difference. Banned isn't criminal, it is a political punishment.

But Newin keeps a low profile in general and Thaksin must be SEEN as The General. A need to be admired that has been he downfall in the past, and likely again in the future.

I also note that Newin was essentially dissed in favor of Chalerm at that Hong Kong dinner where Thaksin and Potjamin announced the divorce, and I seemed pretty clear Newin was looking for a better deal from then on. And a bit of revenge no doubt. The satisfaction of getting back at Thaksin would have lowered the asking price some.

Do we know for a fact who paid what for the change of allegiances then, no. But it was clear he was ready to spurn Thaksins offer for The Dems or their backers offer. It was an even playing field as far as putting a new government together, Thaksin just didn't play it as well.

Spot-on. I pity newbees here attempting to grapple with the complexities and intricasies of Thai politics.

Newin. Keep your eye on him. A major power player in the formation of the next government. That's for sure. A shrewd and calculating operator.