aaaaaa

No one in Thailand cares what the foreign media says or writes

Thai people cannot read write or speak English or any other foreign language

Leaders here only care about how much they will be able to add to their coffers

when it comes time to divide the aid money

you're right !

more than that, a large portion of population (if not majority) can't afford neither to purchase a decent PC, nor to pay monthly for high speed internet. and even if (hypothetically) someone would have provided them with that as a gift or charity, many people simply won't be able to afford to spend so much time on browsing internet, read news (even Thai) and participate in various discussion boards and social networks (FB, twitter, etc)

thus, foreign media and even Thai media has very little or non impact on them. only TV to some extent.

here Dr. Seri talks about it on TV just a day before:

a report for WB he's mentioned: "Climate Resilient Cities" 2008 primer

some water was diverted (or just planned?) not long ago from Mae Yuam River

latest NASA space images of Bangkok flood:

(click on image to zoom in)

close-in (cropped):

@ResX

in other words what you're saying that main reasons were rainfall water & improper water management?

@elcent

unfortunately at the same time the largest dam got order to hold when it should have been released. As if on purpose.

you mean largest dam in Thailand or in China ?

(also if you could supply some references)

other places north of Thailand were getting excessive rainfall also so did they then have to release more water from their dams?

got message from a friend in Nan about heavy downpour there today and wondering whether all this water will add up to that already surrounding Bkk

@scotbeve

nope, it won't work here, coz it's been already "occupied"

@pattayaorganic

So Abhisit=Evil Global Banker, and Yingluck/Shinawatra family is the strong powerful government of the people and will save the poor and rescue Thailand from the debt trap?

nope, he isn't - he's just a puppet who leaps the hoops when ordered. (real banksters don't bother with such menial tasks - they have Eton boys for that LOL)same as T & YLS. all of them are merely figureheads and all the drama "yellows Vs reds" is just elaborate BS show

(pretty much same as so called 2 or more party system in US or elsewhere)

so, don't be fooled by this show. it is more like "pot calls kettle black"

showbiz (and as any biz - it brings profit to those who runs it )

what's curious: where from so much water coming into those dams?

(does China releases more water from its own dams than usually?)

Abhisit has expressed natural interests of global bankers (IMF, WB, Fed)

as their obedient servant, he certainly tries his best to ensure as much debt created as possible. because that's what it actually is: creating more debt. where else gov can get that much money?

in this article (OP) it is not used, but in other foreign articles on this matter exact phrase "budget deficit" is being used. well deficit of course may simply mean lack of funds in the gov budget. however it was mentioned that gov will have to "burrow"

that's how financial system works all over the globe: literally debt trading. it is too big subject, surely those who're interested can search it out by themselves (Google, Youtube).

so, USD is in deep sh1t, Euro in deeper. however USD is still a global currency and current global financial system still uses it as so. according to this system, each country has a Central Bank, which is practically separate from gov, but answerable only to IMF (and Fed ). each CB must have "foreign reserve" according to those arrangements (as I recall Breton-Woods). briefly, NO ANY CB is allowed to print its own so called "national currency" (i.e. emit liquidity) unless certain percentage of funds is proportionally added to its "Foreign reserve"

now, this "Foreign reserve" is comprised of ... mainly USD

(well, gold & few other currencies too - but USD is main item)

which is "coincidentally" usually kept there in USA too - NOT in the vaults of local CB!

therefore, to be able to print more of its own currency, local CB (BoT in this case) absolutely MUST get more USD! (or US bonds = Debt papers)

naturally Fed is glad and rather eager to oblige! its printing press is legendary. Fed prints more & more green toilet paper, and disperses it to all the countries where still remains more or less real (physical) economy. because Fed (and its owners - private cartel of international banksters) is desperate to make indebted as much and many countries (& even individuals) as possible! to ensure that it still stays afloat a bit longer.

that's why we can see gov of Abhisit (with Korn at the helm) being very busy burrowing more and more, and dispersing that liquidity among the local banks, companies and even ordinary citizens (even "motosai" drivers). that's why we can see all over Bangkok so many construction going on lately - scarily reminds of pre-Tom-Yam-Kung crisis (1997-98?) and how many half-constructed carcasses stayed till 2004-05

the burrowing scheme works.... for FEd, IMF, global bankers (and their local lackeys & agents)

so, that's the whole scheme Abhisit is pursuing: serving best interests of his masters (global bankers). and he is pretty successful in that. other reaction from him would have been illogical to expect. he (and his buddy Korn, Eton schoolmate) will do everything possible to ensure that Thailand burrows more and more. they do not give a sh1t about country or about ordinary people. the very reason why his Cocroach party has been urgently installed and kept in power 2.5 years by all means (even bloody suppression of anti-gov protests) - is precisely because he and Korn (who is not coincidentally was chief of JpMorgan section in Thailand) ensure the fulfillment of global bankers' plans for this country.

therefore, it is very natural that he is demanding MORE debt created! because debt = PROFIT for bankers. (never mind the virtual slavery of indebted country, rising inflation, imposed heavy austerity measures, etc)

alright, thanks! it's good to know that 2 mths is enough

oh, I see - my bad

anyway, if you could kindly give me a clue - perhaps pls PM me (coz I haven't seen any other appropriate topic)

Normal reasons for non immigrant O visa issue have not changed

aha, so - everything is same as before - have to provide bank statement too?

in previous few years I've been merely giving them a paper from embassy about monthly income. they made fuss but let visa be extended. however last year they made a precise point: that next time (this year) they won't allow me to get extension with such paper, but I absolutely must provide bank statement of 400K on account.

last year I've consulted with Sunbelt on this matter and they said that by law immigration must accept embassy paper as sufficient evidence (i.e. no bank statement is required in that case) and if immigration officer makes a fuss and refuses - then I could call Sunbelt and they could send a lawyer (well, for a fee naturally) to assist me through the whole hasslesome process - in other words, help to convince immigration officer that it IS sufficient.

I haven't tried that yet, however am very concerned. anyone has more details on this matter? is it really true what immigration ppl are saying - or is it just a fuss?

I could of course use Sunbelt's suggestion (paying some 3000 Baht for that service is not a big deal) - but didn't want to create any confrontation or antagonize immigration staff (after all, "face loss" can be revengeful)

so, if someone has experience or better yet qualified info about such intricacies - would be appreciated !

@BuckarooBanzai

in my experience, they ask copy of everything whatever piece of paper you bring in

@lopburi3

Two months for Thai wife extension of stay.

I have consulted both in Immigration and again confirmed that with Sunbelt, and got the details:

- Two months is sufficient if it is 1st time extending for +1 year;

- if it is already 2nd, 3rd etc - then according to the rule it should be 3 months already

correct me if I'm wrong, but I've especially researched this matter.

...

the point of the 400k rule for 60 days is to stop people from putting

money in the day before they apply and then removing it the day after

...

well, that is of course the most obvious explanation (or rather excuse). although I have a very strong suspicion that it also has a lot to do with Thai banks largely benefiting from such convenient arrangement (with immigration).

because, I mean, just think about it : merely KEEPING 400K for min 60 days on account in Thai bank - whom does that benefit, the owner of the account (who can't earn any percentage anyway) or the bank (which certainly DOES use such a yummy chunk of funds to loan and re-loan and re-loan several times over ) ?! especially during the ongoing global economic crisis.

recently I was there at Chaengwattana office in Bkk and had a discussion with one lady-officer on this matter. I told here clearly pretty much the same thing as traderjm did in this thread and which anyone with 1 cell of brain in head would easily figure out : it is RISKY to keep such a huge amount of money in bank for such a long period of time, ESPECIALLY nowadays. and that I would rather prefer to invest such money into something more solid - be it gold, or some other things, or at least into stock of goods (in case if one dose business).

and this lady-officer surely got my point and instantly agreed with me - also she has translated to other her colleagues present and they agreed too. so, it is of course not the matter of an individual officers being fussy (although often officers can be and are being fussy) - but more like of those who MAKE those rules and regulations.

and those people, I have no any slightest doubts, ARE connected and have mutual arrangements with those Thai banks.

after all, it is banksters who rule the whole world nowadays.

therefore, I don't accept such an argument of "to stop people from putting money in the day before" given by immigration reps as reasonable or valid one. it is in fact a silly reason ! because even if it is so - then anyway, WHAT actual difference does it make (for immigration) - would this person take the whole amount after 1 day or after 60 days?!

NON! it does make difference for the owner of account (he has to keep that 400K tight up in that bank - rather than ACTUALLY use them - FOR HIS FAMILY, which is what after all Immigration supposedly oh so cares about, right? not to mention - RISK of sudden loss of value of these moneys - if 'sh1t hits the fan') and for BANK (which handsomely makes interests during 60 days - especially multiply 400K by the number of ALL such foreign hubbies !)

the whole point of this "evidence of financial support" rule - is (or supposed to be) that foreign husband is ABLE to support his Thai wife, isn't it ? and keeping 400K on one's account in THAI bank for 60 days - has NOTHING to do with that ability, and neither proves that he actually DOES have those money at all. because after all - he can borrow such amount somewhere, place into his account for 60 days to get bank statement - and return it back as soon as get that bank statement, without actually OWNING those money. the ONLY thing such a process proves or achieves - is that BANKS directly benefit from it (and who knows - may be Immigrations in some way benefits indirectly).

therefore after I have mentioned it briefly to that lady-officer - she didn't even argue or object. she just also said to me, as it was said to traderjm : "No problem, don't worry about it". which merely confirms my suspicion that Immigration officers themselves know very well, that this rule of "evidence of financial support" is not a serious thing to ACTUALLY make sure that foreign husband DOES have sufficient funds to support his wife, because it is practically too absurd, too contradicting the VERY PURPOSE of this rule (to support wife financially) and TOO EASY to fulfill the condition of 400K on account for 60 days without actually having such amount in reality.

so, this whole rule and the standard cliche-explanation provided ("to stop people from putting money in the day before") - is just a clever BUSINESS. and foreigner has to figure it out himself - sort of "read between the lines" and either submit to it, or "up to you" (= "go back to your country").

but then, bright minds in immigration must ponder a question : if it is "up to you" (= "go back to your country") - then WHO and HOW will take care of the wife of that foreigner? and doesn't such outcome contradicts the very idea of this whole rule - "making sure that foreigner can support his Thai wife" ?! somehow I think that those who actually make all such rules do not bother about the whole stupidity of it - otherwise they would have made more HUMANE rules.

since they don't - to me it is clear that they don't actually care at all about welfare of Thai women married to foreign husbands - but more about the undercurrent purposes (most obvious one - making money). that's all about it.

honestly speaking, I am very concerned about this whole issue and am considering what should I do in the future. because during the last extension I was told clearly - next time you MUST bring the bank statement, because the paper of income from your embassy would not be accepted as a valid document anymore (as I did provide such already 3 years). the officer who told me so (another one, who handled my visa extension case) was pretty fussy, actually even impolite, and even made my wife cry (while he sent me back and forth TRICE to make some photocopies - couldn't tell once), then told her to go and wait outside and yet in the end called her again and lectured her more about him getting upset (even though she kept QUITE during his earlier anger outbursts).

I don't see such attitude as really CARING about whether Thai woman married to foreigner has or has not sufficient financial support - but rather as some sort of consistent effort to achieve exactly OPPOSITE : making sure that it is increasingly hard for foreign husband to continue live with his Thai wife AND thus to support her ! because, I mean - say, if I am denied visa extension and have no choice but leave the country - then WHO will "financially support" my wife and kids - would Immigration do that, or perhaps those Thai banks? or may be she should wait till 50 y.o. and then get pitiful ridiculous 500 Baht per month which present government oh so generously gives to elder people (as my mother in law) ?! oh, yeah - THAT certainly would be a much better "financial support" than what I AM ACTUALLY able to provide her NOW, with or without any "evidences" !

I mean - the very fact that Thai wife still LIVES with her foreign husband and neither of them leaves another - is ALREADY in itself sufficient fact that he CAN "financially support" her. otherwise - WHY on earth she would continue living with him (yeah, well, "love" and other sentiments apart) !

I think there is a real need for some efforts to influence a change in such as STUPID rules which are nothing else then just a harassment, not a CARE but an endeavors to drive out foreign husbands, or discourage them to continue live in Thailand (I heard it more than once that immigration rather prefers that foreigner takes his Thai wife to live in his country)

that's the reality we have to face - without any BS about "to stop people from putting money in the day before" or any such funny reasons. and sooner or later, as I can see and as I read many opinions even here on TV - each foreigner has to face this reality. I am already facing it now and seriously thinking - what and how to do, whether to continue all the efforts to "follow the rules" and live here and accordingly build the rest of my life, or to make a different decision and instead move out - if eventually I will have no choice but do so anyway. the only difference - time, energy, money and nerves spent (or perhaps more precisely - WASTED) on trying hard to follow these rules, comply with all the ever changes whimsical STUPID innovations introduced by genius Thai Immigration without much warning, and in the end, live the rest of life as a "tourist" - well, not exactly, but neither as a real resident who doesn't have to worry about VISA !

sorry for the long post. but perhaps it may help some who by now haven't figured it out himself - all the underlying facts of immigration policy in this country and of the reality it creates.

Walk around any Carrefours or Lotus supermarket on a Saturday morning and see how many people are eating cakes, biscuits, donuts or whatever before reaching the cash desk. Does anyone do anything? No!

I can't see how people can be accused of stealing before they actually leave the shop without paying.

Mind you, the fact that he tried to run didn't help him.

I agree. saw that myself many times, and done that myself.

never any cashiers raised any issues about that.

after reading this though I think I better be careful - better to pay first rather than be jailed.

may be there is more to that story about donuts - may be that guy p1ssed them off somehow, or has been doing so for a while ?

that would explain why they called police and why police arrived so fast and didn't listen to his reasoning that he has money to pay...

Young Brit dies in Phuket motorbike smash

.....

2 other young Brits (23 y.o.) died in pattaya, also bike crash :

Two die in Thai motorbike crash

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8063691.stm

Alex George and Matthew Jenkins, who are believed to be from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire and both aged 23, died in the early hours of Friday morning.

There are no official reports from the Thai police but a local newspaper said the crash happened in Northern Pattaya.

Witnesses reportedly told Thai police that the bike the two men were riding crashed into a pavement in front of a supermarket.

Is this one of the Army soldiers that Red Shirt Leader Jatuporn said was responsible for attacking the PM's car?

I thought the yellows did it to discredit the peaceful red shirts?

To make it even worse Sondhi shot himself in the head......

Is DTV available again?? I can't await to see the pictures of the 200 dead red shirts which were killed by the army.

you can read this PAD's "51AM Thailand" blog (I emphasize PAD, since many here do not trust sources related to red-shirts) :

Thai Government fails to find facts on 13 April mayhem

http://www.51am.com/2009/05/thai-governmen...d-facts-on.html

this post dated May 3rd, almost 20 days ago or 3 weeks (and 1.5 month since Apr 13th) - and the result is still the same.

well, yeah - it is a bit different message now :

"The site is still under development, please visit again in the near future."

instead of "Page not found"

2-3 days ago Nation has printed report about 4 Red-shirts being convicted for "blocking traffic at Din Daeng".

so far nobody charged for killing 2 civilians or for almost blowing up gas truck in resident area.

gov. and local media were crying fould about "violence", "enemies of country" (Abhisit's words for Reds), terrorism, etc.

and the most we can see being done is - few chaps charged for "blocking traffic" !

surely if indeed there has been attack on Abhisit in his car (aka attempted assassination of the country's PM !) - there could and in fact MUST have been some bigger efforts to punish the culprits, hey ? not just some guys charged for traffic violation and 1 (or 2?) guys arrested for involvement in the incident in Inerior Ministry.

Nation has also quoted police and army top guys saying they are "very busy" to attend the facts-finding parlaimentary commission / panel.

they said to contact the gov. officials instead. but taking into consideration the factreport website - there is no much luck getting facts there either.

the case about soldier found mysteriously dead (aka "slipped on the floor in the toilet" ) in the house where Abhisit and Suthep were staying 2 nights after Pattaya - that case apparently has also been dropped by media already quite for a while, there are no any updates.

well, so much for "Facts checking", huh ?

rather looks like neither gov., nor amry / police and especially not Thai media are botherring much to find actual facts.

perhaps it suits the concerned parties better - that no any real facts are being found or, shal we say, made public.

so, any thoughts, h90 ?

since you have PAD logo as your avatar and so eager to expose red-shirts as liars.

there is another news report today about 2 British young fellas dead in Pattaya :

Two die in Thai motorbike crash

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8063691.stm

"Two British men, thought to be holidaymakers, have died in a motorbike crash in Thailand.

Alex George and Matthew Jenkins, who are believed to be from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire and both aged 23, died in the early hours of Friday morning.

Witnesses reportedly told Thai police that the bike the two men were riding crashed into a pavement in front of a supermarket. "

I wonder, is it really possible to die from hitting the pavement ? sounds rather fishy.

Thai media has stupidly pronounced them as being Ukranians :

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...-accident-in-Pa

in my view those responsible for this debarcle are the organisers of the summit, no one else

...

which moron allowed that to happen?

its those heads that should roll not the PM's

for me, anyone involved in the organisation of this summit should be fired right now.

sure, a lot could have been done .

instead Blue were allowed to show up and taunt Reds, infact SHOOT guns at them.

the moron you're asking about is certainly Suthep, since he is in charge of security.

and surely his head will not roll, Abhisit simply has no guts to make it happen!

my guess is - NOBODY's heads will roll, except perhaps few more police chiefs being moved to other places.

insted Suthep, genious of security, will devise (or may be already has devised?) some devious plan to escalate it into further tention and real violence by laying the whole blame on Reds.

already Thai MSM are on full forward offensive eagerly selling government's version of the story.

so, I am afraid Suthep will somehow find a way of heavy crackdown on Reds. which perhaps actually they are waiting for.

then most likely the much bigger trouble may occur, with whole "Colored blend" (Yellows+Blue+Brown aka army Vs Reds)

and then surely Abhisit' head will roll too.

or may be Abhisit will simply be told by his REAL bosses (army and rich) to resing, he'll humbly obey as such a good boy he is, and pave a way for Gen. Prawit as PM & Newin in background, actually closer to forground then during Abhisit's short term.

anther General in power, with strongman as back up.

perhaps this whole deal was junta's plan B all along since the beginning, say since BEFORE the so called "Referendum".

now it looks to me that this whole Consitution 2007 was written with situation as this one in mind - in fact, what a PERFECT situation it is, to allow Military to step in,

sort of "no other choice", and totally Constitutionally sieze power back!

I don't doubt for a second that Abhisit is expandable for them.

So Abhisit is incompentent because a bunch of red shirts are protesting? What exactly can he do to stop it? I don't see any suggestions other than suggesting he is "inneffectual" and "incomptetent."' For what reason? What could Samak and Somchai do to stop the yellow shirts? Absolutely nothing. The only thing he could do is to declare martial law and have the police use force and violence to stop the protests, possibly causing death. Would you call him an incompetent leader then? Or, would you call him a tyrant and a lover of violence? No PM of Thailand can ever win with some of you armchair farang commentators.

no, he is incompetent because he allowed his Deputy Suthep to employ militant thugs as "security" - instead of using more than sufficient, mcuh numbered, well trained and disciplined army + police forces !

or may be even if it wasn't Suthep who employed them but Newin - Suthep nodded and done nothing to prevent those Blue from acting as so called "security" !

neither Abhisit did nothing to "uphold the law" - to find the Blue gunmen who shot at Reds (nice "security", huh ?) whom Reds demanded to be arrested.

or do you consider this as competence ?

The reds went peacefully to meeting in pattaya, and they got ambushed by the blue's who were the only group carrying weapons...

I was on top of the hill today with my camera when the two clashed. I can tell you, with media to back up my statements, the red shirts went to the hill armed with clubs, sticks with nails in them, garden hoes, sling shots, metal poles, beer bottles and I even saw a few of them with swords. They were even trying to provoke the blues before it all started. The guys on the front lines did not go in peace.

They only ditched the weapons after they defeated the blue shirts and came to the military line, which at that point rumors started to fly that the military had guns drawn. I did not see this but this was the rumor among the red shirts and they QUICKLY threw their weapons into the grass and loaded them into trucks and taxis to be taken away.

I also believe, based on what I saw, that some of the blue shirts did indeed have military within them. Before the red shirts arrived they were working hand and hand with the military and I even had one guy tell me in perfect English that he was in the Army. I also noticed several blue shirts saluting other blue shirts. With that said, I do believe it was only a small fraction of them that were military, the rest were common people armed just as much as the red shirts were.

Both the reds and the blues came to fight today regardless what Thai media or either party says. I watched them prepare from before sunrise and was in the middle of it all until it was over.

What I'm seeing on Thai news and online does not match with what I saw today with my own eyes.

Tokay,

were you there also on Fri evening, when Blue atarted this whole mess ?

can you say the same as here - that Reds were armed while coming out of hotel and being ambushed by Blues?

after that Reds promised to "be back" next day with reinforcements called from Bkk.

no wonder they prepared too, knowing very well from previous night that they'll face ARMED amd well trained militants !

of course they freaking came to fight - after being pelted with stones previous day.

I was not. Nor does it matter to me who started it.

My point is, yesterday the reds did not go in peace and both parties were extremely armed and ready to fight. The Thai media (as usual) is slanted (blues were unarmed - lol) so I'm telling you what I saw and it's not in line with the Thai press.

It always takes two to tango.

well, as I surmise from gadgetsdirect's comment - he was referring to BEFORE yesterday, the events on Friday evening.

you though are trying to prove him wrong by telling your story of yesterday, Saturday morning - right ?

so, you're talking about 2 different things, you and him.

I neither saw any reports anywhere (either Thai media or blogs or witnesses as you on Forums) that Reds were armed on Fri night.

therefore I still believe that gadgetsdirect's comment "blue's who were the only group carrying weapons" is correct, in reference to the events of Fri night.

and I don't think it doesn't matter - I think it matters a lot ! coz were those Blue not armed and not attacked Reds on Fri night, or even better if were NO ANY Blue there on Fri night -

Reds would have retreated and kept their promise NOT to disrupt the Summit.

so, Blue attack on Fir night DOES matter a lot actually - Summit could have been held today !

in fact even after that clash - if only Abhisit met Reds' demand to arrest gunmen, or at least PRETENDED trying, instead of totally ignoring them.

The real question to be asked is who are the morons who decided to hold such an important summit in Thailand in the first place?

The country and people are obviously unstable, this was bound to happen.

Now they've been made to pay be all being sent home before they even arrived.

Where will they decide to hold the next one, Darfur?

hahaha!

well, guess who. it was Abhisit of course. a week ago in London while giving interwview he said "situation in Thailand is NORMAL".

he even argued hard on Hardtalk, spinning out of proportions on the matter - that everything is under control and cool.

Thailand is the Chair country for ASEAN this year, so it was its turn to host the Summit.

about Darfur - nope, it is not ASEAN member

so, it will be still held in Thailand - perhaps in Yala or Narathivat instead of Pattaya though !

those places are certainly much more "secure", with all the Thai Army might present there.

I know this is off topic, but why do the Thai Media lie to the Thai People for?

The reds went peacefully to meeting in pattaya, and they got ambushed by the blue's who were the only group carrying weapons.

I'm not a supporter, but as the human rights state, everyone has their right to protest peacefully, and the red's are being prevoked into voilence.

I was on top of the hill today with my camera when the two clashed. I can tell you, with media to back up my statements, the red shirts went to the hill armed with clubs, sticks with nails in them, garden hoes, sling shots, metal poles, beer bottles and I even saw a few of them with swords. They were even trying to provoke the blues before it all started. The guys on the front lines did not go in peace.

They only ditched the weapons after they defeated the blue shirts and came to the military line, which at that point rumors started to fly that the military had guns drawn. I did not see this but this was the rumor among the red shirts and they QUICKLY threw their weapons into the grass and loaded them into trucks and taxis to be taken away.

I also believe, based on what I saw, that some of the blue shirts did indeed have military within them. Before the red shirts arrived they were working hand and hand with the military and I even had one guy tell me in perfect English that he was in the Army. I also noticed several blue shirts saluting other blue shirts. With that said, I do believe it was only a small fraction of them that were military, the rest were common people armed just as much as the red shirts were.

Both the reds and the blues came to fight today regardless what Thai media or either party says. I watched them prepare from before sunrise and was in the middle of it all until it was over.

What I'm seeing on Thai news and online does not match with what I saw today with my own eyes.

Tokay,

were you there also on Fri evening, when Blue atarted this whole mess ?

can you say the same as here - that Reds were armed while coming out of hotel and being ambushed by Blues?

after that Reds promised to "be back" next day with reinforcements called from Bkk.

no wonder they prepared too, knowing very well from previous night that they'll face ARMED amd well trained militants !

of course they freaking came to fight - after being pelted with stones previous day.

Suthep and Newin must've knew better than to allowing the escalation of this stand off.

instead they not only did nothing - they practically supported Blues by not preventing them from clashing with Reds.

there shouldn't be ANY Blue at all there, not on Fri, not even on Sat !

especially moron Suthep shouldn't make statements like "they are local citizens", or that another official saying "they are here to help with security" !!!

SECURITY ? armed thugs ? wasn't the WHOLE army and police enough for that ?

I mean - till Blue showed up, there wasn't ANY violence reported or armed confrontation with army / police - was there ?

The blue shirts are Newins paid guards. I dont think Thailand is fertile ground for a very well educated guy. More supportive of the the criminal mob! Thailand need a strong government who will implement and enforce the rule of law. just an opinion

well, perhaps that's precisely was / is a design of those who has the real power - elite (military, companies bosses and judiciary all together).

in the end they are the only winners - both financially (didn't army get 1bln recently ?) and in terms of power.

now they must be ready to make eagerly some statement like : "we've tried to allow a Democratic government - it didn't work even this time [3rd PM in hardly 1 year !].

now we have to step in again to save the country and make a nice truly Thai system, unique and withou any such Democratic nonsense which only creates mess".

I know this is off topic, but why do the Thai Media lie to the Thai People for?

The reds went peacefully to meeting in pattaya, and they got ambushed by the blue's who were the only group carrying weapons.

I'm not a supporter, but as the human rights state, everyone has their right to protest peacefully, and the red's are being prevoked into voilence.

I have a feeling, that there may be a civil war going to kick of soon if this not sorted out soon.

They needs to let the people take vote, and the people need a government that will listen to voices of all thais, not just the rich or the poor, but all thais.

I'm glad to see that at least some here point out the real facts !

also Vindie (post #45)

"the blue shirts were big, masked, and ALL armed"

true !

Post #50 by fft100

Ch 9 are reporting that the Blue Shirts were Police from Buriram. Whose powerbase is there ? The plot thickens.....

the most likely explanation: Nevin's boys.

looks like Kenai (post #56) confimrs that !

edwardmaoulton (post #64) supports that too.

They said via DStation that they sent the letter to Asean Summit Representative that they don't accept Abhisit as PM but they don't attack leaders from countries who attend the Summit.

On their way out, they met the dark blues who attacked them first. Some red hard cores fought back. About 11 reds were injured. Blues ran away after all because there were too many reds. They took off their blue T-shirts and threw away. It says "peaceful, be together...". The reds collected a knife, blue shirts and ping pong bombs to show on the stage.

After hearing news that taxi drivers were injured, the red leader announced that they had to go into the resort to look for Abhisit. Army and Police did not stop the reds because they saw what happened when reds did not attack first. Most police and soldiers are with the reds. They are low level people having to obey the boss's order and will never have a chance to be leaders. They said those who can be at top must please the ruling class.

Police still remember that they used tear gas to clear PAD on 7 Oct last year as PAD had weapons, Police now are accused.

60 policemen were injured by PAD on 7 Oct. The reds said hospitals refused to help injured policemen, as they misunderstood that "Police killed people". The reds told hospitals about the facts. Most police are with the reds now.

Koo82 - thanks for pointing this out !

Nation or ASTV would never post photos like these :

PAD thugs attacking police

stabbing unarmed policeman with sharp end of flag pole, practically a spear.

(taken from Pantip)

or this :