GlenOrd

Re-education. Sound like Jonestown II to me.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/011208_News/01Dec2008_news04.php

Guards open fire on TNN broadcast van

Just a small misunderstanding. No one gets hurt. Bullet holes on the van can be patched. If the PAD guards intend to kill the driver, he would not live to tell the tale. Sleep over it.

Thai Rath : Thaksin in Koh Kong

Posted by Bangkok Pundit | 12/01/2008 09:30:00 AM

The lead article on Thai Rath is that Thaksin is in Koh Kong, Cambodia to monitor the situation. Senior ex-TRT people and PPP executives, about 1o people, went to visit Thaksin. Thaksin is moving around and is close to the border.

Source:

http://www.thairath.com/offline.php?sectio...;content=113454

Sorry don't read Thai. However interest picture. BIG FOOT seems to have been sighted again. This time he is in Bangkok supporting UDD.

Perhaps the moving out of GH is to do with Chamlongs talks with the police chief. He agrees to move them out at night, police agree not to step in and take over while they are gone? (even though it would be the PERFECT opportunity to take back this government building to the government)

Does it also follow that if they arrive at the airport,they also have an agreement with the police,which would allow them to enter?

Don't be so naive. PAD control who gets in and out. Not the police.

If the protest continue, I guess that they will abandon Don Muang as well, as their supporter number are falling. Of cause Chamlong will say something like: "We take pity of the Thai people, hence we will allow one airport to be open", jus to save face.

However, Swampy is a prize. Hold on to it at all cost.

1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.

2. Rationalising warnings that might challenge the group's assumptions.

3. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.

4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, disfigured, impotent, or stupid.

5. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of "disloyalty".

6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.

7. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.

8. Mindguards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information.

Scary. I hope this is not Jonestown II http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown

I believe it is a short distance from Government House to the Constitutional Court....The UDD is planning protest there tomorrow morning...better to be out of harms way...

Smart Move

If I am UDD leader. I will lead my people to capture GH tonight. It make sense. I am sure UDD have figured that out already. So is PAD, hence the move. Most PAD are in Swampy. Not many is left to defence GH.

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang has announced that no PAD supporters will be allowed to stay overnight at Government House for safety reasons.

Did word of a pending crackdown at GH get out?

The fact is that no one wanted to go to GH anymore. Everyone prefers the more comfortable Swampy. Chamlong announced that just to safe face.

"We abandon it, NOT that no supporters are willy to come anymore."

What is going to happen to the street vendors that make a living in GH carnival fair ground? Have they move their shops to Swampy already? In the past, I sometime go to do night shopping at GH. However I am too afraid to venture into Swampy to take a look.

I've just been said that both airports have already restarted operatiing. The guy who said it to me is a chief editor of a local magazine here, a farang. Does anybody know anything?...

Isnt ther some deal to allow stranded planes to be flown out but empty?

Yes exactly.

Should have been done days ago too.

Well I was hoping this would pop up on the news:

BREAKING NEWS: Chamlong Says PAD Supporters Not to Stay Overnight at Government House

UPDATE : 1 December 2008

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang has announced that no PAD supporters will be allowed to stay overnight at Government House for safety reasons.

The protesters who wish to spend the night they will be transported to Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Muang Airport. No one will be allowed to spend the night at the Government House. They will still be permitted to attend the rally and listen to the speakers and various programs on the stage at the government seat during the day.

So with less than 24 hours left to go to the Court hearing, things are starting to close down...

All the guards at Government House are leaving as well.

Yes. Leaving for Swampy, however.

From day 1 I have predicted that PAD will move all the people from GH to Swampy. Do you know how wet and cold it was sleeping at the GH on a rainny night. Not to mention smelly mobile toilets.

Chamlong couldn't hold back the exodus of people to a place of more confort. This is just human nature. Swampy is the perfect place to camp out for the rich and elite. Most of then have a ROP gold card which entitle them to the Airport first and business class lounges. Even without lounge access, staying dry at night in a climate control hall beats weathering the rain under a tent.

name 1 country in the world that has a system in which 30% of the parliament is elected and the rest of the seats are appointed ..

Hong Kong

Wow, I didn't know that HK is a country. I suppose that's why I failed by geography.

Isn't Thailand is promoting medical tourist. Even give out emergency visa for sick people who need immidiate medical attention. I wonder how many beds are queing to be frown in.

Most airlines are offering a full refund, if you wish. Air asia is not.

I am booked on "Air Asia" today. The flight is of course cancelled. I asked for a refund. NO. I can have a rebooking when the airport is reopened or a credit to be used within 3 months. Guess that's the forfeit of using cheap airlines.

I heard the TAT (or someone similar is paying out 2,000 Bht a day to stranded tourists. Who has more information and how do yo clam?

btw. Thai airlines are giving hotel accommodation to all their first class and business class passengers, others have to pay their own way.

I bough AirAsia KUL-BKK rtn. My flight was cancelled. Call them up last Friday, they offer to rebook me. I say NO. Went off to consult boss and returned after 2 mins. AirAsia agreed to refund me in full back to my credit card. However he said that it will take a month before the money will appear back onto by credit card account.

I suggest you call them again, and insist on a full refund.

Has anyone noticed it's gone aufully quiet down south?

no killings or bombs last few days, not that i've heard of anyway.....

Because those trouble makers in the South have all come to BKK. Better career prospect here. Not sure about social security, but at least uniform is provided. To be fair, some employed by the yellow, some by the red.

I hate to say this. But from my obseration, the Yellow have more beautiful fair skin chicks compared to the red. The smile more, and their English are also better. I think I must have watched too much ABC, ALJAZEERA, BBC, CCTV, CNN.

name 1 country in the world that has a system in which 30% of the parliament is elected and the rest of the seats are appointed by a elite group of supremacists who think they are intelligent. PAD is not a legitimate political movement.

So that you can sleep at night, I can name a few countries where the parliament is 100% appointed.

Brunei, Oman, Qartar, Saudi, Swaziland. Info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_count...m_of_government

Yellow, red camps bring country closer to the brink

Sporadic lawlessness spreading on both sides of conflict as Thailand is named "one of most dangerous places on earth"

Source: The Nation - 01 December 2008

Does this mean that on my next trip to TESCOs I have to do my shopping in a crash helmet and carry a big stick ?? On second thoughts I'll just give the mother in law a 100 baht and some dark sunglasses and let her walk in front of my trolley

Just act blind, and you will be OK. I don't think Farang like us will be under attack. Stand behind them, not between them.

I am trying to imagine what it is going to look like if police try to move it, with tear gas.

1. PAD runs for cover inside the terminal building

2. Police follow, and shoot a few gas in to force them out

3. PAD have no choice by more into the air-side

4. Amid the chaos, a few hard core guards grab the duty free, light it, and throw it at the police who is now in the departure hall.

5. Swampy burn to ashes.

6. Worst, some "third party" might take this opportunity to touch an aircraft. A few bottles of lighted whiskey thrown into the cabin of a parked 747 will just do the trick.

I believe the police have figured that this could be one of the outcome. Hence it is unlikely that they (police) will move in by force. I hope not anyway. Let there be peace.

At least foreigners who is sick of this can fly out from U-Tapao, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Samui. The poor Thai people are really stuck in this deep SHlT for a while.

Hi All.

Can anyone tell me if the Red Rally called by the PPP Gov for yesterday went ahead? How many attended? and was it peaceful?

phupaman.

This is the wrong forum. This one discuss about Haj. There is another forum ongoing discussing the UDD gathering.

Condo-bk...

regarding the 'creative thinking' comment do you have any facts to call upon that show corruption was higher under Thaksin? Don't get me wrong, I can't stand the guy, but so far we've just got that corruption index and that goes contrary to what you're saying. Obviously if you've nothing concrete to call upon your comment holds no weight whatsoever.

Do you really asking for corruption statistics?

"we've just got that corruption index" - come on, be real. How many PMs were convicted on corruption charges?

Well ........ not Thaksin actually ---- do you really imagine he was????

Thaksin was convicted (5 for -- 4 against) for signing a document acknowledging his wife's purchase of land (as must all Thai husbands)

Thus allowing a charge of conflict of interest to be brought against him --- as he was a government member.

The crime of the century!!! ..... I love it when the calls go out for INTERPOL ---- track this man down before he does it again !!!!!

Just to add.

The court also find his wife innocent of all count for buying that land. Sound ironic? At least to me.

Your theory is perfect.

In reality, Sondhi will call the children, woman and elderly to march toward to police. "Don't be afraid, this is our final final final final fight". The children, woman and elderly march toward the police. What the police going to do?

1. Shoot

2. Run away

My guessing,

American police will choose option 1.

Thai police will choose option 2.

No I don't think the US would choose option one, the US would have cleared the airport long before it got to this level.... Also when you cut off a snakes head the rest falls, a simple sniper while the PAD leaders are on stage would send every one running out of the airport.

Just like a bank robbery in US movies. The sniper across the building shoot as soon as the robbers step out.

In this situation, who can or will give the order to shoot? Thaksin? Somchai? Police chief? I don't think anyone dare to give that order, as he/she will have to face public enquiry later. Unlike the US, the PM here cannot pardon himself.

The PAD has been bomb almost on a daily basis lately. Yet they are still there. I don't think any shooting will send every one to run out of the airport (remember, they are there at will, not be held there against their will as in the movies). It is more likely that they will be running toward the police for revenge.

Crying?

God this event is on every year isnt it?

Just go next year or watch it on TV.

This is a very sensitive insult. I hope you remove such comment. I shall also report you.

Easy. The flight in question departed from Hat Yai.

Please remember that not all Thai muslim live in the deep south. We are all over Thailand. In Bangkok, for an example, you can find many of us in NangChok, Prawet, Bangna, Sukhumvit, etc. Have you not seen a big mosque on your right, by the motorway, as you are on the way to the airport?

If these "monkeys" wouldn't be there, the constitution would have been changed in a rush and Uncle Takky would be back at the helm already, leading the mass convictions, closure of all kind of opponent media, pursue with vengeance any opponent figure till his autocracy would be 100% and his rule unquestionable and untouchable, the rule of the self legitimized crony mob, promoting nepotism and corruption! (One of theirs, that I know of, is f.E. nicknamed Miss 20%, why?)

You do realize that changing the constitution would have taken at least another 6 months, right? So absolutely no need to "rush" and ruin the economy. I also fail to see how seizing an international airport prevents the government from changing the constitution. Wouldn't they had to seize the constitution judges for that or something?

As I said, monkeys.

WRONG WRONG WRONG

The changes of the constitution were already drafted, and would have been approved within 72 hours of authorizing the drafting.

72 hours to be approved, BUT I WILL TAKE SIX MONTH TO BE EFFECTIVE. (no need to shout, please)

If/when police are planning to storm the facilities, here's some unsolicited advice from afar;

Allow those protesters who want to stay non-violent - to escape the ensuing melee. If mobilizing at night, have a place for them to walk/run to. Suggest; a bank of bright blue lights at a major exit portal, with the assurance that all who exit there will be allowed to go unscathed. another way, is the more common method, used at Entebbe, where everyone is told by authorities to stay prone on the ground. Those protesters who choose to fight with weapons will more likely stand-out - and can more readily be disabled and/or arrested. Regardless, it should be made clear that all those offering no armed resistance will be allowed to go home - whereas any who fight (or are otherwise violent) will be dealt with dynamically.

Police should consider a multi-pronged mobilization, starting with one or two large frontal assault used as feigns (to draw many of the armed fighters from the PAD) - while simultaneously having other groups of cops forcibly enter the premises from other places to actually do the dirty work - (the tarmac, the sides, rappelled to the roof, workers' entrances, etc). The cops used as feigns in the initial assault - can be mobilized for action later -if needed. Also have back-up troops - to deploy as needed.

It's a dire shame that protesters allow children and elderly in their midst. It is quite possible that many will be injured if/when an assault takes place. Tear gas and stray bullets don't discriminate about age.

If the Thai military and police aren't willing to take back the airports and Gov't House - then they're directly or indirectly complicit in the protests - and if so, they're partially responsible for the harm to Thailand's economy.

Unless Somchai and his ilk step down, it's doubtful the protesters will voluntarily split from the scene. I don't agree that a Court decision on Tuesday will clear out the PPP. If the PPP are required to formally, disband, they'll reform in another name - they've already started the organization and have its name. It they're banned for 5 or so years, they'll put proxies in their place. Regardless, they'll appeal any unfavorable verdict. Thaksin is still rich and as eager as ever - to bankroll his minions to further his plans of controlling Thailand (directly or indirectly) - regardless of whatever else happens in the next week or so.

Your theory is perfect.

In reality, Sondhi will call the children, woman and elderly to march toward to police. "Don't be afraid, this is our final final final final fight". The children, woman and elderly march toward the police. What the police going to do?

1. Shoot

2. Run away

My guessing,

American police will choose option 1.

Thai police will choose option 2.

At least the UDD don't look like hypnotized housewives waiting to donate their USED tampons?

Prove is here:

just a quick question, I am not sure if I am confused here.

Wasnt Sondhi convicted of an offence last year and was given a prison sentence and is out on bail pending an appeal?

That's right. Just like Pojaman, they are both out of bail pending appeal.

However there is no appeal in Thaksin case. He has to go straight to jail. But it is funny why a person sentenced to jail with no possibililty of an appeal, have been given a permission by the court, to leave for Beijing to attend the olympic (after the sentence was passes)? This is Thailand. Indirectly the court was telling Thaksin to leave Thailand and don't come back. There was NO INTENTION to put any ex-PM behind bar (Thaksin was not the first). Thailand will loose too much face.