Former Yellow Shirt Leader Behind Airport Shutdown Threatens Mass Protests

[webfact]

FILE photo Sondhi Limthongkul. Courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Former yellow-shirt leader and orchestrator of the infamous airport shutdown, Sondhi Limthongkul, is considering a return to mass protests. He plans to monitor the government’s performance through early next year before deciding whether to take action.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has urged Sondhi not to proceed with his protest plans, encouraging dialogue instead. She emphasized that her administration is still in its early stages, asking, "I’ve been in office barely a month. Does he really want to oust me already?

 

Sondhi, once a media mogul and founder of the Manager group, discussed his potential protest during his YouTube program on Monday. He was a co-leader of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a group that played a pivotal role in rallies against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father, in the mid-2000s. These protests culminated in a military coup that ousted Thaksin in 2006.

 

After Thaksin-affiliated parties won the 2007 general election, Sondhi once again led yellow-shirt protests. In 2008, PAD members famously shut down Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports for 10 days, disrupting the economy and making headlines worldwide. The PAD disbanded in 2013, and earlier this year, Sondhi and 31 others were acquitted of insurrection charges linked to those protests.

Sondhi has had his share of personal challenges as well. In 2009, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt when gunmen ambushed his car, leaving him with a severe head wound that required surgery. The culprits were never identified, though his son speculated that a faction within the military or police might have been involved.

 

In 2016, Sondhi was sentenced to 20 years in prison for falsifying documents to secure a 1-billion-baht loan from Krungthai Bank. He was released in 2019 following a royal pardon, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Now, at 77, Sondhi says he will assess the government’s performance in the coming months. If he detects any ethical breaches or misconduct, he may once again lead the charge for mass protests.

Inc

 

-- 2024-10-02

 

[Pouatchee]

22 minutes ago, webfact said:

Does he really want to oust me already?

 

if he doesnt, i do. would love to see her become defacto prime minister cum puppet like daddy and auntie

Edited 12 hours ago by Pouatchee

[2baht]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

He plans to monitor the government’s performance through early next year before deciding whether to take action.

Will the Army not be back in control by then?? The Shinawatras do have real estate in Dubai, don't they???

[edwinchester]

This <deleted> stain absolutely does not believe in any semblance of democracy. He's one of the self appointed elite who wants to return Thailand to the days when the serfs were kept firmly in their place.

 

[hanbla]

Send this moron away, in 2008 he  made a lot of trouble for Thailand, (and even for me as I was planned for a flight out from Suvarnabhumi that time)

They tried to assassinate him, he was seriously injured, he went to jail, he's now 77, didn't he learn anything. 

Even if I don't support the little PM-girl I don't want these protests and demonstrations it only worsens the economy and tensions in the country. 

Calm down old man, take it easy, play some boule, take a sip on your icetea and be normal. 

[Purdey]

Sondhi is a man inflamed with jealousy. He tried to bid for a satellite concession years ago and lost to Thaksin. He just bears a grudge that Thaksin proved more successful and hasn't stopped to think if his actions are best for the country.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, edwinchester said:

This <deleted> stain absolutely does not believe in any semblance of democracy. He's one of the self appointed elite who wants to return Thailand to the days when the serfs were kept firmly in their place.

 

He's not the only one... Thaksin clan, military, elite families,are all guilty of that.

[jippytum]

He must have enjoyed his many years in Prison. He seems hell bent on a quick return. 

[Cat Boy]

Nip it in the bud this time. Voicing an opinion is one thing. Inciting insurrection and violence, Sonthi himself is long a threat to the internal security of Thailand.

[Hunz Kittisak]

I doubt he can muster up a big crowd this time round. Some people still living in past glory. He better tread carefully or this time the assassins won’t miss