LawnGnome

Some posters seems suspiciously absent... The ones who first said there were only a handful of reds.. The ones who then said they'd just go home to their Lao Khao for Songkran.. The silence is deafening.

When Hardtalk suggested (a couple of weeks ago) that 20,000 Red are trying to disrupt government work, Mark responded: 20,000? perhaps a couple of thousand. He was even sure that everything is under control.

It should be noted that at the time that interview was filmed. That number was indeed correct. The number swelled about two days afterwards.

Anyone have any figures on how many are currently in front of Government House?

Former Pheu Thai MP incite protesters to surround King Power head office

Phayup Punket, former Puea Thai Party MP, incited protesters to surround the King Power duty free head office on Soi Rangnam Monday morning.

The Nation -

NBT is currently showing the red shirts manuevering an NGV gas truck near an apartment complex. Presumably to keep soldiers from engaging them. Using the truck and the threat of an explosion in a populus area as a shield of sorts. Any debate that these people are peace loving needs to come to a close. They have shown that they are itching for a fight.

It is now clear why all of Thaksin's relatives fled the country.

I agree that it's stupid and dangerous, but these people believe (and it is reasonable considering history) numbers of them have been shot and killed by the military. In past military operations bodies were taken from the streets before they could be photographed or counted so their fears are not without merit. Most of these people are ordinary folks and are unarmed. They are not equipped to fight an army. What would you do in this situation? They are protecting themselves in a reckless manner, but parking the vehicle there is hardly an offensive act. The other side has APCs, tanks, machine guns, etc... that is no way to quell a civil disturbance. The Thai media is criminally biased in their reporting. They have been screaming about the violence perpretrated by the reds, but the only footage they have shown is the car driver being attacked (inexcusable, but isolated and not representative of a massive violent movement). I would think that the Thai media has far greater resources at their disposal, picture wise, but they have nothing to show to corroborate their reporting.

In this situation, I would go home. I hope most will choose that same option, if it is available to them.

77 injured after protest dispersed By: bangkokpost.com

Published: 13/04/2009 at 09:16 AM

Soldiers used tear gas to disperse protestors at Dindaeng intersection in Bangkok early Monday morning, resulting in 77 injuries. At least four people were seriously injured.

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the soldiers were forced to break down the protest when negotiations failed after protesters wounded military personnel by ramming them with a bus and kept up pressure on authorities even after warning shots were fired.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Phromphan called on supporters at Government House to be on alert after the dispersal of protesters at Dindaeng, telling them authorities would need to wade through many red-shirted fronts before they reach the main protest venue.

Source - http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...otest-dispersed

Looking at all the posts from the last 2 days, and taking away what people 'like' or support... I think there are generally these ideas that come out of it, when both sides are mixed:

1) Thailand has an elite class that follows a different system of laws. They have run the country for some time now, and for their own benefit. They keep the distribution of money and opportunities in their favor; corruption, if you must.

2) Taksin came along, continued the corruption, though amassed large amounts of profits for himself, and hence changed how money was distributed. Then, he sold popularist ideas to the Northern folk, whom he knows would accept his dealings as good governance. This is where people get divided. Some believe he did this well, others believe he didn't.

3) So anyhow, he was getting very popular, and no doubt corrupt. He was also gaining more power and using it less cautiously. Then the old school elite came in, kicked him out in 2006, corruptively set up courts and laws to persecute him, so they could continue to benefit and retain the power he was threatening to take for all.

4) Then, the concept of Royalism and republicanism was introduced to pave ways for potential lesse majeste laws to persecute him further.

Skip a few nonsense PM's trying to hold the reins............

5) The PAD came in representing the elites (and certainly undemocratic movement), and the other guys represented Taksin......

Abhisit's government gained hold of the reins.......... but doesn't support the elites [PAD], though is fine for them as they get to stay and keep the balance of cheques and dollars that is current.

Hasty Conclusion:

Taksin is corrupt, admittedly needing to be because of a corrupt system. He found it advantageous and has used it to profit himself. He is a good marketer.

The PAD are actually a nasty force to be reckoned with.... they represent the corruption this country has suffered for a very long time, and are not willing to let it go.

The military and police are divided. In these forces some have benefited from Taksin's regime and some from the old school elite. This is why the reshuffling is neccessary and conflicts of interest occur in these groups.

The courts and laws are not just, as they have never been. When Taksin was in power, they were manipulated to favor him. For the last 'god knows how long', they have favored the old school elite...........

Really, the old school need to be done away with. They have suppressed Thailand for so long with corrupt use of power to favor themselves. Taksin did the same for himself, but he was relatively new.

It's never going to go away then! Taksin, NO. PAD, NO WAY! Abhisit gov? Not supporting either, but allowing the old school elites to hold slight current favor over the Taksin regime.

Military coup? Just set's us back 10 years to the same problems.

Is this about right, in layman's terms?

I think you have confused the PAD (Yellow Shirts) with the UDD (Red shirts). But they are both nasty pieces of work.

If the reds were paid to protest, they would all run away from Government House.

Anyone still believe that they are paid a few hundred Baht a day to protest?

It should be noted that the police processed many red shirt supporters after the Din Daeng reclaimation. Many of them claimed they were coerced into remaining at the protest site, by more ardent supporters.

Reporters move away from rally site at Government House following threats by protesters

Reporters covering the demonstration at Government House moved away after red-shirted leaders threatened to harm them for unbiased reports.

The red-shirted leaders said reporters were biased against the protesters so the leaders would not guarantee the safety of the newsmen.

The reporters moved away at 8:54 am.

Earlier, reporters at the Royal Plaza moved to Parliament at 7:30 am after protesters said they would not guarantee the newsmen's safety.

The Nation

NBT is currently showing the red shirts manuevering an NGV gas truck near an apartment complex. Presumably to keep soldiers from engaging them. Using the truck and the threat of an explosion in a populus area as a shield of sorts. Any debate that these people are peace loving needs to come to a close. They have shown that they are itching for a fight.

It is now clear why all of Thaksin's relatives fled the country.

The Nation article said that during the Din Daeng Intersection clearing, they processed several red shirts. Many actually wanted to go home, but were being "compelled to stay" by the more ardent supporters. Not sure as to the veracity of that statement, but it sounds right to my ears.

Protesters continue to Block Si Ayutthaya Intersection

Protesters continued to block the Si Ayutthaya Intersection with buses at 8:30 am Monday.

They also burned tires at three spots on the roads.

The Nation

A reminder for those of you looking for English news broadcasts of Thai News you can look here.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/

I would say that today should be a day to provide as many different news sources here as possible, to keep people informed. Plenty of time later for TV Red shirts/TV Yellow Shirts to go at each other.

Some posters seems suspiciously absent... The ones who first said there were only a handful of reds.. The ones who then said they'd just go home to their Lao Khao for Songkran.. The silence is deafening.

Congratulations. Your red shirts are more violent and and deranged than most thought possible.

The 4am crackdown on Din Daeng intersection has shown that the army and police are behind the PM. Today would be a good day to stay home, for all those of you in and around Bangkok.

Stay safe everyone.

Protesters drive truck with gas cylinders into compound of Din Daeng flats

Residents of Din Daeng flats were terrified when protesters drove a truck fuelled by NGV gas into the compound.

The truck uses several NGV cylinders and the protesters shouted that the flat residents should leave immediately, prompting speculation that the protesters would explode the gas tanks.

The Nation

These people are beyond reason at this point. Its time to stop them. Using whatever means necessary.

Anybody know if those police ever made it to Government House?

I still hold out hope for a peaceful way out of the current situation. Not sure how it will happen, but I hope for the best!

Stay safe everyone.