Security Tightens At Government House To Block Anti-govt Protesters

[Prakanong]

PAD seems determined to cause confrontation and bloodshed in the hope of enticing another coup to overthrow the democratically elected government.

To put things in true perspective here, we are looking at a very tiny fraction of the countries voters acting as a street protesting pressure group trying to oust the peoples choice of government. The PAD protesters represent less than 0. 03% of the countries voters at best. And that is being generous.

By showing restraint, the government is luring PAD organizers out into the open to reveal their true motive of inciting violence in the hope of triggering another coup.

and again.....where is a democratic elected government?? It is so boring every time again the same old argument......

for explanation why it is not a democratic elected government just read the previous postings. Instead of answering read the following postings

You, almost alone, have been repeating this is not a democratically elected government.You have been told time and time again why you are wrong.No serious forum member agrees with you even the hard line anti Thaksin/Samak group.You have failed to produce any evidence for your case from a credible third party.You just keep repeating the lie again and again.Now that is boring.

The man has no grip on reality and lack of intelect shows clearly

Keyboard hero wanting death and violence - no wonder foreigners get a bad name in Thailand.

[Sunderland]

And at the end of the day, my neighbours boyfriend is going to come home from work at 2am, tooting his motorcycle horn all the way up the soi until someone wakes up and opens the gate without him having to dismount.

You must live in my soi?

And mine ...

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin is busy redesigning the new Man City crest no doubt.

Chanel 3 has apparently reported a crowd of 20 000, and, hold on, hundreds dead. Ridiculous attempts at scaring away more who want to join.

is there a reliable news source to confirm this?

ASTV is a reliable news source.

[marshbags]

Chanel 3 has apparently reported a crowd of 20 000, and, hold on, hundreds dead. Ridiculous attempts at scaring away more who want to join.

is there a reliable news source to confirm this?

They,re quoting a six figure crowd now and building up, looking at the endless length of the crowd, it,s not exagerated.

God help them if infiltrators start in the middle of them and thereby create the predictable panic that will surely follow, plus the desired response from the authorities as it rolls forward in their predictable reactionary panic

marshbags

Edited June 20, 2008 by marshbags

[Boater]

<H1 class=article-no-standfirst>Police and anti-government protesters clash in Bangkok</H1>

• <LI class=byline>

David Batty and agencies <LI class=publication>guardian.co.uk,
Friday June 20, 2008

Anti-government protesters try to break through riot police lines. Photograph: Reuters

Thai police today clashed with thousands of anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

Scuffles broke out during a demonstration intended to put pressure on the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, to resign.

Protesters claim Samak's government is a proxy for the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago.

His People's Power party won a general election last December, and his cabinet is packed with Thaksin's allies. Opposition politicians claim one of his administration's top priorities is rehabilitating the ousted PM.

Around 10,000 demonstrators, spearheaded by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement, have converged on Government House in the Thai capital, the co-PAD leader, retired major general Chamlong Srimuang, said.

Police equipped with tear gas and water cannon have put up barricades around the building.

Major General Surapol Tuanthong, a police spokesman, said about 5,000 officers had been deployed to block roads and prevent "the mob" from getting near.

One group of 1,000 protesters broke through a line of about 200 police at barricades, but were stopped by other security personnel.

Another group of several thousand pushed against police armed with shields and clubs.

Around a dozen demonstrators sustained minor injuries during the scuffles, but an almost festive atmosphere prevailed in other areas as protesters waved, cheered and talked to security officials.

The PAD, a collection of businessmen, academics and royalists united by a dislike of Thaksin, called on hundreds of thousands of people to attend the protest.

The Metropolitan police chief, Lieutenant-General Aswin Kwanmuang, said the PAD - whose 2005 campaign against Thaksin led to the military coup two years ago - should abandon their siege of Government House.

"We urge the PAD not to damage the country further," he added. "Political problems should be solved in parliament, not on the street."

The army chief, Anupong Paochinda - a member of the military council that ousted Thaksin - insisted the army would not get involved, saying: "Politics must be resolved by political means."

[h90]

PAD seems determined to cause confrontation and bloodshed in the hope of enticing another coup to overthrow the democratically elected government.

To put things in true perspective here, we are looking at a very tiny fraction of the countries voters acting as a street protesting pressure group trying to oust the peoples choice of government. The PAD protesters represent less than 0. 03% of the countries voters at best. And that is being generous.

By showing restraint, the government is luring PAD organizers out into the open to reveal their true motive of inciting violence in the hope of triggering another coup.

and again.....where is a democratic elected government?? It is so boring every time again the same old argument......

for explanation why it is not a democratic elected government just read the previous postings. Instead of answering read the following postings

You, almost alone, have been repeating this is not a democratically elected government.You have been told time and time again why you are wrong.No serious forum member agrees with you even the hard line anti Thaksin/Samak group.You have failed to produce any evidence for your case from a credible third party.You just keep repeating the lie again and again.Now that is boring.

The man has no grip on reality and lack of intelect shows clearly

Keyboard hero wanting death and violence - no wonder foreigners get a bad name in Thailand.

Beside me, the PPP thinks they are not democratic elected, as they face party dissolution and want to change the constitution.

Samak told that it is wrong to punish the party members for the wrongdoing of other members.

Khun Korn spoke about that.

The Mob went to the EC and told that two members are bought.

So it seems you two are the two last one who think that was a clean and fair election.

[ando]

PAD seems determined to cause confrontation and bloodshed in the hope of enticing another coup to overthrow the democratically elected government.

To put things in true perspective here, we are looking at a very tiny fraction of the countries voters acting as a street protesting pressure group trying to oust the peoples choice of government. The PAD protesters represent less than 0. 03% of the countries voters at best. And that is being generous.

By showing restraint, the government is luring PAD organizers out into the open to reveal their true motive of inciting violence in the hope of triggering another coup.

You get demonstrations against governments in democracies all over the world and they are always in 0.0whatevers of the whole population. As Chavalit (usually quite close to Thaksin) today mentioned it is democracy in action. We should actually applaud demonstartions as people taking their role in civil society seriously. Many constituttions wotrld wide enshrine the right of freedom to ptrotest and some see it as another form of check or balance on government. Time will tell what the motives of people are.

I have never said protest demonstrations don't occur in functioning western democracies. And I have never said peaceful demonstrations should not be allowed or are not part of the democratic process. What I am saying is that when protesters ramp up the pressure on a government with intent to provoke a violent reaction and incite a military coup to overthrow the democratically elected government, it is a call for anarchy rather than democracy.

We should put these PAD demonstrations in their true context of Thai politics rather than just passing them off in the context of western democratic protests which never have the potential to cause an overthrow of the elected government by military force.

Yes, 0.03% have the right to protest and make their points heard in western democracies, and I applaud that freedom. But when 0.03% of voters have the potential to incite a military coup in order to overthrow the democratically elected government I tend to disagree.

Let me make the point here that while demonstrations in western democracies are designed to sway voters on certain issues in a democratic manner, this ongoing demonstration in Thailand by PAD is specifically designed to incite a military coup to overthrow the democrately elected government.

And your point is?

Or is that the most intelligent comment you can make?

[Bruce1]

Sadly, I think it may be true that the PAD sees provoking a military coup against Samak, as previously against Thaksin, as a legitimate tactic. Personally, I disagree. I think coups are very bad for society. Lets hope the military stays out of it this time. Gen Anapong has repeatedly said the military will not stage a coup - lets hope he can make that stick.

The last coup didnt resovle the underlying problems which caused the tension, it merely deferrred them and they're back again. ANother coup won't solve them either.

They can only be resolved through democratic negotiation.

[marshbags]

<H1 class=article-no-standfirst>Police and anti-government protesters clash in Bangkok</H1>

• <LI class=byline>

David Batty and agencies <LI class=publication>guardian.co.uk,
Friday June 20, 2008

Anti-government protesters try to break through riot police lines. Photograph: Reuters

Thai police today clashed with thousands of anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

Scuffles broke out during a demonstration intended to put pressure on the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, to resign.

Protesters claim Samak's government is a proxy for the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago.

His People's Power party won a general election last December, and his cabinet is packed with Thaksin's allies. Opposition politicians claim one of his administration's top priorities is rehabilitating the ousted PM.

Around 10,000 demonstrators, spearheaded by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement, have converged on Government House in the Thai capital, the co-PAD leader, retired major general Chamlong Srimuang, said.

Police equipped with tear gas and water cannon have put up barricades around the building.

Major General Surapol Tuanthong, a police spokesman, said about 5,000 officers had been deployed to block roads and prevent "the mob" from getting near.

One group of 1,000 protesters broke through a line of about 200 police at barricades, but were stopped by other security personnel.

Another group of several thousand pushed against police armed with shields and clubs.

Around a dozen demonstrators sustained minor injuries during the scuffles, but an almost festive atmosphere prevailed in other areas as protesters waved, cheered and talked to security officials.

The PAD, a collection of businessmen, academics and royalists united by a dislike of Thaksin, called on hundreds of thousands of people to attend the protest.

The Metropolitan police chief, Lieutenant-General Aswin Kwanmuang, said the PAD - whose 2005 campaign against Thaksin led to the military coup two years ago - should abandon their siege of Government House.

"We urge the PAD not to damage the country further," he added. "Political problems should be solved in parliament, not on the street."

The army chief, Anupong Paochinda - a member of the military council that ousted Thaksin - insisted the army would not get involved, saying: "Politics must be resolved by political means."

Yet another example of press agency untruths and over exageration.

We,ve had ASTV on live and again i,ve not seen anything of what your article suggests and nor have my Thai family

Go take a look for yourself if you want and come back to me with your observations and alleged unrest that is supposedly taking place.

As for the photo, it isn,t very difficult for even an amateur to make it appear to be confrontational and who is to say if the guy at the fore front is not a paid trouble maker, along with the others.?????

Then again this sort of distortion of reality sells more papers and gets him more for his article.

They,d hardly publish a boring peaceful scenario as this isn,t going to sell their front page press releases.

marshbags

Edited June 20, 2008 by marshbags

[Boater]

<H1 class=article-no-standfirst>Police and anti-government protesters clash in Bangkok</H1>

• <LI class=byline>

David Batty and agencies <LI class=publication>guardian.co.uk,
Friday June 20, 2008

Anti-government protesters try to break through riot police lines. Photograph: Reuters

Thai police today clashed with thousands of anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

Scuffles broke out during a demonstration intended to put pressure on the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, to resign.

Protesters claim Samak's government is a proxy for the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago.

His People's Power party won a general election last December, and his cabinet is packed with Thaksin's allies. Opposition politicians claim one of his administration's top priorities is rehabilitating the ousted PM.

Around 10,000 demonstrators, spearheaded by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement, have converged on Government House in the Thai capital, the co-PAD leader, retired major general Chamlong Srimuang, said.

Police equipped with tear gas and water cannon have put up barricades around the building.

Major General Surapol Tuanthong, a police spokesman, said about 5,000 officers had been deployed to block roads and prevent "the mob" from getting near.

One group of 1,000 protesters broke through a line of about 200 police at barricades, but were stopped by other security personnel.

Another group of several thousand pushed against police armed with shields and clubs.

Around a dozen demonstrators sustained minor injuries during the scuffles, but an almost festive atmosphere prevailed in other areas as protesters waved, cheered and talked to security officials.

The PAD, a collection of businessmen, academics and royalists united by a dislike of Thaksin, called on hundreds of thousands of people to attend the protest.

The Metropolitan police chief, Lieutenant-General Aswin Kwanmuang, said the PAD - whose 2005 campaign against Thaksin led to the military coup two years ago - should abandon their siege of Government House.

"We urge the PAD not to damage the country further," he added. "Political problems should be solved in parliament, not on the street."

The army chief, Anupong Paochinda - a member of the military council that ousted Thaksin - insisted the army would not get involved, saying: "Politics must be resolved by political means."

Yet another example of press agency untruths and over exageration.

We,ve had ASTV on live and again i,ve not seen anything of what your article suggests and nor have my Thai family

Go take a look for yourself if you want and come back to me with your observations and alleged unrest that is supposedly taking place.

As for the photo, it isn,t very difficult for even an amateur to make it appear to be confrontational and who is to say if the guy at the fore front is not a paid trouble maker, along with the others.?????

Then again this sort of distortion of reality sells more papers and gets him more for his article.

They,d hardly publish a boring peaceful scenario as this isn,t going to sell their front page press releases.

marshbags

My intention of posting this article, is to allow TV members to see how the international press are refering to the situation.

As at the end of the day, it is usefull to understand how the global audience are informed, thus we can be prepared to counter act such news stories.

Boater

[nomoretalksin]

You, almost alone, have been repeating this is not a democratically elected government.You have been told time and time again why you are wrong.No serious forum member agrees with you even the hard line anti Thaksin/Samak group.You have failed to produce any evidence for your case from a credible third party.You just keep repeating the lie again and again.Now that is boring.

Younghusband, in our village in Isaan, believe me we had since 2001 only PPP=TRT knocking in our and our neighbours doors, for each election. We never had any any democrats

paying cash against votes. Even worse last election, with the village boss, waiting on the streets 100m behind the beggars, with warning eye contact, in case we wouldn't smile

and take the money. It's all about a little research up-country, and checking the build-up framework Thaksin has build, to see how democratical this country, has become under

his dictatorship, which never was democratical once the votes have been counted (he even admited that he didn't care much about democracy and so he handled TH).

Why do you think he bought Manchester City? Exactly for the same simple reason as the vote buying procees should achieve: Populist media campain for the majority up-country people to gain

and stabalize future election votes.

I agree it was not better 10 years ago and previously, with various parties cheating, but this period was the worst ever. That's why people are fed-up, if you continue to support so called wrongly elected goverments, the whole country will be robbed, with not one inch intererest in eduction for the poor, ecological protection for this wonderful country etc.; and only global big crony companies sucking out the last lit bit out of everyone and everything and ending up buying foreign football clubs with the shear greed for the cup of the cups, with stolen corrupt money.

More and more, for themselves and noone else.

On the other-side The Democrats under Abhist, Korn and Chuan Lekpai, always did the best in a good honest transparent way, as once would expect in a modern democracy.

I'm absolutely 100% sure, if the PPP wouldn't have cheated last election (just look at all the open EC cases aganst them, which are surely just the tip of the iceberg of cheatings)

we would have The Democrats today trying to fix Thaksin mess, left behind ruling the country.

That's a fact, most people understand and a reason why they are so fed up with a corrupt elected government,

not even ruled, by the people official placed in, but delegated by the old political Thaksin clique in the background, which gives them orders via cell phone calls, and short meetings.

Samak admited, his goverment is "an ugly duck" and he "was/is a proxy for Thaksin". Why the guguck you want to support such a cracy constellation, especially you as a democracy supporter? Good luck for your further "indirect" (which works in most ways, very directly at the end of each election) support for Thaksin (you do it indirectly with many other people as well), by not understanding that you have to take sides, for a better solution, orelse really nothing will change at all, then the status quo we have today.

Watch here how it all began a view years (thaksin new high roller as they say in the video) ago, with a long future to come, when the people continue to think like you do and thinking

all parties are the same corrupt, which is definitely not true:

Buying The Way To Power - Thailand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv--v9b2SSA

Especially a ruling PM, declaring corruption as normal and doing it himself, is the worst that an not really yet full educated country can happen. Even students just 2 years ago in polls, started

to reflect his thinking that: "corruption is accepted". How bad can it get? We need defintely a better role model, without any proxies. Either we all help to try to achieve this, or we let

the others continue to rob this wonderfuly country, until all is gone and robed and sold out to other foreign companies, for a quick cash-flow for their greedy needs (by changing laws a view weeks before, while being in office, so they don't need to pay tax).

Edited June 20, 2008 by nomoretalksin

[Moonrakers]

PAD seems determined to cause confrontation and bloodshed in the hope of enticing another coup to overthrow the democratically elected government.

To put things in true perspective here, we are looking at a very tiny fraction of the countries voters acting as a street protesting pressure group trying to oust the peoples choice of government. The PAD protesters represent less than 0. 03% of the countries voters at best. And that is being generous.

By showing restraint, the government is luring PAD organizers out into the open to reveal their true motive of inciting violence in the hope of triggering another coup.

You get demonstrations against governments in democracies all over the world and they are always in 0.0whatevers of the whole population. As Chavalit (usually quite close to Thaksin) today mentioned it is democracy in action. We should actually applaud demonstartions as people taking their role in civil society seriously. Many constituttions wotrld wide enshrine the right of freedom to ptrotest and some see it as another form of check or balance on government. Time will tell what the motives of people are.

I have never said protest demonstrations don't occur in functioning western democracies. And I have never said peaceful demonstrations should not be allowed or are not part of the democratic process. What I am saying is that when protesters ramp up the pressure on a government with intent to provoke a violent reaction and incite a military coup to overthrow the democratically elected government, it is a call for anarchy rather than democracy.

We should put these PAD demonstrations in their true context of Thai politics rather than just passing them off in the context of western democratic protests which never have the potential to cause an overthrow of the elected government by military force.

Yes, 0.03% have the right to protest and make their points heard in western democracies, and I applaud that freedom. But when 0.03% of voters have the potential to incite a military coup in order to overthrow the democratically elected government I tend to disagree.

Let me make the point here that while demonstrations in western democracies are designed to sway voters on certain issues in a democratic manner, this ongoing demonstration in Thailand by PAD is specifically designed to incite a military coup to overthrow the democrately elected government.

And your point is?

Or is that the most intelligent comment you can make?

Well if it needs spelling out...

A functioning democracy, as opposed to a dis-functioning is much less likely to be vulnerable to being toppled by protests. I'll explain later how this current 'democracy' is dis-functional.

Now I am not a condoner of violence and I am all in favour of democracy, but when proper democratic, political process are not allowed to function then what is left to do?......

In a FUNCTIONAL democracy the point of protests is to apply pressure the government on certain policies. And the majority of the time the government will back down or at least re-consider a policy. A recent example being the S. Korean President apologising to the Nation and re-thinking his stance on U.S. Beef.

Presidents and P.M.s ect make mistakes, it happens, and it is then up to the Nation's people to let them know....... It works..

The democrats (Be they good or bad) have attempted to address the situation politically by calling for a no-confidence debate which Samak has blocked, which, if I am correct is un-constitutional. This and other moves by Samak and the PPP to operate outside of the constitution hardly makes them a functiong democracy does it???? (Along with the corruption allegation ect)

My point being that you can't compare this situation to a funtional democracy because, well it just isn't.

Also I am impressed that you know things such as:

this ongoing demonstration in Thailand by PAD is specifically designed to incite a military coup to overthrow the democrately elected government.

as absolute fact, you really must know some people in high places eh!

Edited June 20, 2008 by globalj

[hammered]

Sadly, I think it may be true that the PAD sees provoking a military coup against Samak, as previously against Thaksin, as a legitimate tactic. Personally, I disagree. I think coups are very bad for society. Lets hope the military stays out of it this time. Gen Anapong has repeatedly said the military will not stage a coup - lets hope he can make that stick.

The last coup didnt resovle the underlying problems which caused the tension, it merely deferrred them and they're back again. ANother coup won't solve them either.

They can only be resolved through democratic negotiation.

It is good to see Gen anupong not indulging in coup talk. Judging from reports of how Samak looked when leaving his meeting with Gen Anupong one may surmise that he also isnt in favour of launching a bloody crackdown through a state of emergency, which should also be lauded.

The police chief has apparently claimed what happened today as a victory for society as violence was avoided.

Samak must be feeling a tad lonely right now after his statement about government house not getting surrounded a few days ago. Iirc (and I do stand to be corrected) it was a statement linked to a fateful judgement of him that went something like if I have done no wrong parliament will.......

The question is though, if Samak is forced out who replaces him? There are those in the PPP that want him replaced and have done for some time.

[Crushdepth]

The question is though, if Samak is forced out who replaces him? There are those in the PPP that want him replaced and have done for some time.

There are several orangutans and a tribe of gibbons available in Dusit Zoo...

[ando]

Also I am impressed that you know things such as:

this ongoing demonstration in Thailand by PAD is specifically designed to incite a military coup to overthrow the democrately elected government.

as absolute fact, you really must know some people in high places eh!

No need to know anybody in high places to figure that one out.

Do you think there is another PAD agenda?

[Moonrakers]

From the TOC site:

The police held a press conference on their handling of security for the PAD's relocation of its protest to Government House and concluded that its the victory of society as a whole as both the police and the public do not want to see bloodshed.

National Police Chief Police General Patchawat Wongsuwan said the police have achieved their objective of not using force against the protestors and not allowing politics to dictate their actions. He added that the police will continue to provide security for the PAD rally at Government House.

The police added that the PAD's prolonged rally at Government House is the responsibility of the government to resolve.

[h90]

The question is though, if Samak is forced out who replaces him? There are those in the PPP that want him replaced and have done for some time.

There are several orangutans and a tribe of gibbons available in Dusit Zoo...

It would double the IQ of the Premier

[Pierrot]

Have you noticed ? One of the longest running thread "People's Alliance For Democracy To Renew Movement" is now closed.

The message is clear. Time to move forward. Now Thailand is a democracy again. No more Burma, no more mob rule. If you're not happy with the government, you will have to wait for the next general election.

In the mean time, go back to enjoy one of the best country on this planet !!!

[Moonrakers]

Also I am impressed that you know things such as:

this ongoing demonstration in Thailand by PAD is specifically designed to incite a military coup to overthrow the democrately elected government.

as absolute fact, you really must know some people in high places eh!

No need to know anybody in high places to figure that one out.

Do you think there is another PAD agenda?

Maybe a coup is their agenda, maybe it isn't, I really don't know for sure hence the reason that I don't state such things as fact

They have stated that their agenda is to oust Samak by way of a peaceful protest, and we can only hope that they honour this statement.

[hammered]

Here is an interesting FT piece on the situation pre-today:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c9c51d22-3d65-11...00779fd2ac.html

[Pierrot]

The question is though, if Samak is forced out who replaces him? There are those in the PPP that want him replaced and have done for some time.

There are several orangutans and a tribe of gibbons available in Dusit Zoo...

It would double the IQ of the Premier

Samak is the PM of this country. Who are you ? Based on the evolution scale, if he is an orangutan , you should be something like an amoeba !

[nickynomates]

A big hand to the boys in brown on how they handled this situation.

Got fat in the line of duty comes to mind.

But in all fairness i am glad no one has been hurt so far.

[hammered]

A big hand to the boys in brown on how they handled this situation.

Got fat in the line of duty comes to mind.

But in all fairness i am glad no one has been hurt so far.

The police do deserve credit for both therir handling and their statement on today being a victory for society

[samran]

The question is though, if Samak is forced out who replaces him? There are those in the PPP that want him replaced and have done for some time.

There are several orangutans and a tribe of gibbons available in Dusit Zoo...

It would double the IQ of the Premier

Samak is the PM of this country. Who are you ? Based on the evolution scale, if he is an orangutan , you should be something like an amoeba !

The day we start respecting (or in your case bowing and scraping to) someone for the political position that they are in, rather than the effectiveness of their works and policies is the day Thailand goes backwards....

Oops, that is already the case. Darn it.

Perhaps that is why we are in the position we are in.

[ozode]

History shows when demonstrations of this kind build up as they seem to be inevitably there will be trouble. Despite the PAD saying it will be a peaceful march there will be those that want to cause trouble and once it starts the ending is always the same as the police have no choice but to do something. I hope it doesnt happen but that would contradict everything that has happened before.

It is already not a peaceful march. That is out the window. It seems there intent is to breach police lines. Reports (from what I read) indicate the PAD is forming multiple smaller groups to make it tougher to disperse. Reportedly, the 5PM time for the big push came from ASTV, which could be a diversion.

There is no need for all this. The Democrats are going about this 100% in the correct way. Work through the system and keep the system. Otherwise chaos prevails.

I dont know if anyone is doing this the right way, they are not trying to change the hearts and minds of the thai people, nothing will change until a majority of the people are convinced that change needs to occur. The coup showed that, they removed Thaksin and his party was voted right back into power in the next election. Heck if he could have ran himself, he would have won. When a minority forces their will on the majority it will always be temporary, no matter what it is.

Recently the PAD have made some gains and the number of people protesting against the government has increased. Those gains will not stay though, they are part of a much larger movement in the world against the high prices of gas. You change the price of gas and those people go away.

Anyway, I am a Farang, so for me all this PAD/Samak Govt. conflict does is provide me with some good entertainment in the newpaper and a better exchange rate.

[frodo]

Here it is, 7 1/2 hours later and nary a word from the "government." Such an impressive performance from them. Then again, after four months of doing nothing, it really is no surprise.

[Pierrot]

The question is though, if Samak is forced out who replaces him? There are those in the PPP that want him replaced and have done for some time.

There are several orangutans and a tribe of gibbons available in Dusit Zoo...

It would double the IQ of the Premier

Samak is the PM of this country. Who are you ? Based on the evolution scale, if he is an orangutan , you should be something like an amoeba !

The day we start respecting (or in your case bowing and scraping to) someone for the political position that they are in, rather than the effectiveness of their works and policies is the day Thailand goes backwards....

Oops, that is already the case. Darn it.

Perhaps that is why we are in the position we are in.

At least, we agree on something !

[samran]

Here it is, 7 1/2 hours later and nary a word from the "government." Such an impressive performance from them. Then again, after four months of doing nothing, it really is no surprise.

This government is basically a third rate 'delta force', put up for election by Thaksin to get him out of the trouble he is in with the courts. Did you really expect them to actually do any governing?

I mean, they've made a balls up of the 'get Thaksin out of jail' plan, since they've been too busy getting their noses in the trough. Effective governance was never on the agenda for these guys.

[nomoretalksin]

A big hand to the boys in brown on how they handled this situation.

Got fat in the line of duty comes to mind.

But in all fairness i am glad no one has been hurt so far.

fully agree

but also would like to note that the PAD has been peacefully rallying since 2005!

Hope it stays like this!

[hammered]

Here it is, 7 1/2 hours later and nary a word from the "government." Such an impressive performance from them. Then again, after four months of doing nothing, it really is no surprise.

Face. They lost a lot of face today. They said it wouldnt happen. they ordered the police to stop it but it happened. Government house is surrounded. The police call today a victory for society and say it is up the government to solve the demo by the PAD. Gen. Chavalit calls for Samak to resign. The Thai newspapers have been discussing Samak resihning versus house disolution. They dont even look like they'll have an excuse to order emergency rule today. Hey even Chalerm distanced himself from Samak early today. Samak left his meeting with the army chief looking furious, so god knows what was said there. They'll be back and trying to spin it to their advantage tomorrow or whenever, but now it is time to lay low and wait for demonstration euphoria to die down, and for them hopefully a quick change of news cycle.

Of course there is always unleashing the Daad on the PAD, but today has been called peaceful even by the police so it would look pretty bad if a pro-government group then attacked a peaceful group.

Anyway it will be interesting to hear talking Samak style this weekend.