Security Tightens At Government House To Block Anti-govt Protesters

[Tony Clifton]

Last night I dreamed it was 2010 and I was watching Sunrise from the back while he sat at his computer and typed like a madman on his keyboard.

[Artisi]

What can you say other than pathetic --if I was Thai I would have to hang my head in shame that this is supported, encouraged and funded by the supposed elected government and its members together with the squirming and manipulating king of cowardice hiding in the background.

[Meerkat]

Good news if true about no death, but the intent still seems pretty clear.

Regarding the government's incitement to riot, what do they really gain from it? Quite apart from exposing themselves to even more litigation, wouldn't it just strengthen the PAD's resolve and broaden its reach to more sections of the population that currently want to stay out of the debate (on the streets)? The threat of such clashes was also a major reason (initially) given by the military for exercising the coup last time around. Not something that plays to his (or Thaksin's) advantage IMO - in fact totally the opposite. Thaksin didn't think the army would step in last time, but the precedent has now been set. I know we've all joked about Samak's mental capabilities...

[hammered]

Good news if true about no death, but the intent still seems pretty clear.

Regarding the government's incitement to riot, what do they really gain from it? Quite apart from exposing themselves to even more litigation, wouldn't it just strengthen the PAD's resolve and broaden its reach to more sections of the population that currently want to stay out of the debate (on the streets)? The threat of such clashes was also a major reason (initially) given by the military for exercising the coup last time around. Not something that plays to his (or Thaksin's) advantage IMO - in fact totally the opposite. Thaksin didn't think the army would step in last time, but the precedent has now been set. I know we've all joked about Samak's mental capabilities...

This ones from left field but while Thaksin may not want a coup as then the constituional ammendment will be dead, it may just be that Samak wouldnt mind one or a state of emergency either of which could leave him in power backed by the military and able to hand pick his own ministers and claim he was saviour of the nation - nice legacy that one. I would think a state of emrgency of some kind with the new Isoc law empowered but the vestiges of the elected PPP government still around in some form or other. Like I said left field;)

As to inciting mobs it could be simple frustration. These guys who run the show upcountry dont like their turf trod on or having interlopers or differing opinions. Maybe they just got fed up of the inability of central government to put it to bed and decided to do it the old fashioned way they know so well. It certainly isnt in the interests of the PPP to see such violence.

[^_^]

Good news if true about no death, but the intent still seems pretty clear.

Since it's clear to you...can you pls enlighten us what the actual intent is?

Regarding the government's incitement to riot, what do they really gain from it? Quite apart from exposing themselves to even more litigation, wouldn't it just strengthen the PAD's resolve and broaden its reach to more sections of the population that currently want to stay out of the debate (on the streets)? The threat of such clashes was also a major reason (initially) given by the military for exercising the coup last time around. Not something that plays to his (or Thaksin's) advantage IMO - in fact totally the opposite. Thaksin didn't think the army would step in last time, but the precedent has now been set. I know we've all joked about Samak's mental capabilities...

Due to ARROGANCE...perhaps?

Samak and Chalerm isn't short of that trait in them. They have proved time and again in their speeches and actions within the short few months in power.

Thinking that they are now in Power and could do just about whatever they want?

To contain the PAD influence to just BKK as the present government certainly wouldn't want the PAD's influence in the North/North-East as there's where their Vote-Support base is?

Personally, it looks to me that the mob clash has Chalerm's signature all over it.

If your "Intent seems pretty clear" means that it's what the PAD Leaders wanted, then for your info., the PAD Leaders is making an official announcement right this moment while I'm typing, asking PAD supporters not to hold rally in any other provinces unless if that particular province's police shows support for their safety, or if they have a huge enough supporters base.

If you think Blood is what the PAD Leaders wanted, then I don't don't see why they would advice against holding PAD Rally in other provinces?

[Meerkat]

Left field or not, I can see some sense with that theory hammered, thank you. I hadn't considered an S of E (and don't know enough about how it would work in practice).

Edited July 25, 2008 by Meerkat

[Meerkat]

^ _ ^ You've obviously misunderstood me. I meant the intent of the mob was clear, regardless of whether they'd actually killed anyone or not. I'm not sure how it could have really been read any other way.

[Plus]

Regarding the government's incitement to riot, what do they really gain from it?

Does it really matter? The guy who organised the beating said he'd do it again. What's it matter what goes on in his twisted mind.

Or are you trying to say that this "Love Udon" club has nothing to do with the government and the ruling party?

[^_^]

^ _ ^ You've obviously misunderstood me. I meant the intent of the mob was clear, regardless of whether they'd actually killed anyone or not. I'm not sure how it could have really been read any other way.

Sorry for misunderstanding...as English isn't my native language.

Thanks for your clarifications.

[Meerkat]

Plus, it only matters in trying to understand the bigger picture of what's behind the riots and thus what might happen going forward - something hammered I think gave a plausible answer to for which I thanked him. Your post almost makes me feel as though it's wrong to enquire about the political ramifications for the country. It's not.

I have no doubt that members of either this or the former government are involved somehow - to what extent I don't know. Personally I'd like it properly investigated so we can all find out, and those found guilty brought to justice, rather than have to rely on crappy press reports. Clear enough for you?

=================================

^ _ ^ - no problem.

[sriracha john]

When I was watching it on Channel 3 news this morning, one of the Udon Lovers was saying one of their biggest problem they had with PAD was the stage that PAD had set up in the park interfered with their morning aerobics.... and so, that's why they attacked.

[^_^]

When I was watching it on Channel 3 news this morning, one of the Udon Lovers was saying one of their biggest problem they had with PAD was the stage that PAD had set up in the park interfered with their morning aerobics.... and so, that's why they attacked.

Well...on NBT News this morning another one of the Udon Lovers said that the reason they attacked the PAD was because that the PAD blocked the entrance to the park.

[jumnien]

Last night I dreamed it was 2010 and I was watching Sunrise from the back while he sat at his computer and typed like a madman on his keyboard.

While Tony and SJ sat on the bed smoking and gazing into each others eyes. How cute!

[Plus]

Plus, it only matters in trying to understand the bigger picture of what's behind the riots and thus what might happen going forward - something hammered I think gave a plausible answer to for which I thanked him. Your post almost makes me feel as though it's wrong to enquire about the political ramifications for the country. It's not.

Sorry, I thought for a moment that your question about government's hand in all this wasn't genuine.

Of course violence like that is not good for PPP, and I don't think Samak engineered it to envoke emergency degree.

Yet on the other hand Samak went into an open anti-Pad offensive, the reasons he cited for it and the reasons "Love Udon" group used to justify their violence are the same, only the means are different. Samak set up a propaganda show and "Love Udon" thugs did what they do best.

Hasn't Samak threatened to use bring his own supporters to confront Pad in Bangkok? Well, it happened in Udon first. Actually it happened earlier but there was no loss of life. Just last week pro-government thugs in Chiang Mai set up road blocks and searched people and vehicles for PAD leaders. God knows what would have happened if they had found them.

So, I don't think Samak is surprised at what happened yesterday in Udon.

It's not the first time he shoots himself in the foot, btw, the argument "but it will hurt you most of all" regularly goes right past his brains.

Edited July 25, 2008 by Plus

[jumnien]

Sunrise has not even the nerve to answer me S*** that must be kind of bad in one way or another

Some of us work for a living! Let's get back to the topic at hand, the political gain to be had by the PAD sacrificing members.

[Plus]

"Pad sacrificing members"???

What gives the right to "Love Udon" group to accept human sacrifices even if there were offered, as Sunrise siggests?

PAD strategy has always been to refrain from confrontation. They have cancelled a number of their rallies due to safety concerns already, and right now the directive from Bangkok is that no future rallies should be staged unless there's a solid guarantee of security.

There are always people who blame victims and excuse the perpetrators, be it lynched negroes or raped women, Sunrise fills this position on TV.

[plachon]

A few weeks ago when there were other violent incidents instigated by the Love Udon mob on a peaceful PAD rally, I raised the question why there was not more news coverage devoted to exposing the simmering conflict happening in Udon Thani (and other nearby provinces?), but my question remained unanswered. Now it seems the Thai and international news agencies have been caught sleeping as the violence spills over again into a really nasty incident that does have strong overtones of 1976 and other clashes through the years I've read about (e.g. EGAT-sponsored violence against AOP and anti-dam rallies).

This bloodthirsty, mob mentality disgusts any normal democracy and peace-loving person, so it almost equally sickens me to see Thaksin/TRT apologists coming forward on this forum, suggesting the injured (and possibly one dead person) brought it upon themselves. That they somehow deserved it. Your attitude and callousness shouldn't surprise me, even though it leaves a vile taste in the mouth. You are beneath contempt.

[Meerkat]

No worries Plus - just looks like it's my day to be misunderstood on the forum.

[sriracha john]

Thais clash in anti-government rally, 13 wounded

BANGKOK, July 24 (Reuters) - Thirteen people were wounded when supporters of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej clashed with anti-government protesters in rural Thailand on Thursday, police said, as protests moved off city streets into the countryside.

About 700 government supporters armed with wooden planks, axes and slingshots broke through a police blockade to clash with 150 unarmed anti-government demonstrators in the city of Udon Thani, 650 km northeast of Bangkok, television footage showed. Two of the wounded were in critical condition, police said. Most of the wounded were from the anti-government group, they said. No arrests had been made yet.

"I have been informed that 13 people were injured in the clash, but no one was killed as reported by some media outlets," national police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong said. The clash was the most serious yet as government supporters in the provinces, led by local politicians from the ruling parties, react with violence to anti-government rallies that are moving out of Bangkok into the provinces.

[DP25]

I am lowering myself by responding to you Sunrise

You are. Don't bother.

[DP25]

Many on here talk of democracy. I would just like to remind everyone that freedom to protest peacefully is a basic democratic right and that right should be defended for even those we dont agree with or there is no democracy. It is the states duty to provide protection to demonstrators not to stand aside and allow the armed gangs of local influential people to smash them. In its own way what happened in Udon Thani was a direct attack on democracy and probably the constitution by a group connected to the government. That is a sobering thought for anyone who really cares for democratic principles but one not surprising in Thailand sadly.

QFT. An excellent post.

[Los78]

A few weeks ago when there were other violent incidents instigated by the Love Udon mob on a peaceful PAD rally, I raised the question why there was not more news coverage devoted to exposing the simmering conflict happening in Udon Thani (and other nearby provinces?), but my question remained unanswered. Now it seems the Thai and international news agencies have been caught sleeping as the violence spills over again into a really nasty incident that does have strong overtones of 1976 and other clashes through the years I've read about (e.g. EGAT-sponsored violence against AOP and anti-dam rallies).

This bloodthirsty, mob mentality disgusts any normal democracy and peace-loving person, so it almost equally sickens me to see Thaksin/TRT apologists coming forward on this forum, suggesting the injured (and possibly one dead person) brought it upon themselves. That they somehow deserved it. Your attitude and callousness shouldn't surprise me, even though it leaves a vile taste in the mouth. You are beneath contempt.

Your use of adjectives amazes me.... Bloodthirsty.... wow really? PAD caused injuries also if you recall to Police during their protest around Government house. Bloodthirsy PAD mob!!!....

You should move to poetry and forget membership in PAD. We all know what they stand for at it sure isn't democracy.

If someone is causing problems in your back yard and you told them many times to stop it. You will one day be very angry and kick them out.... I would and I am sure 95% of people would too. If they wont stop causing problems then dont be surprised if it gets out of hand at some point. Thats all that happened.... Im not saying they deserved it, but they asked for it. PAD's main aim in the countryside is to cause people to engage them and in this case they did thats all...

[younghusband]

And YH here have audacity to compare death of a PAD supporter at the hands of a mob directed by "democratic" government to shooting of a Nazi song writer over unpaid rent.

No as I thought I had explained clearly before.I was referring to the Nazis' exploitation of one of their street thugs Horst Wessel's death for political propaganda.In Thailand today there's not much moral distinction between thugs on the street whether the violence is in Udon or battering young policewomen in Bangkok or villagers in Sisaket.

[sriracha john]

Pro-government group attacks opposition rally in Thailand, injuring 20 people

BANGKOK, Thailand (Associated Press) - Hundreds of pro-government activists in Thailand attacked an opposition rally with axes and sticks Thursday, injuring at least 20 protesters, three seriously, an official said.

It was the worst violence in a long-running feud between supporters of the ruling People's Power Party, aligned with ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and members of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy.

Supoj Laowansiri, the Governor of the northeastern province of Udon Thani, said about 600 supporters of the ruling party armed with axes and sticks attacked 100 members of the anti-government group, known as PAD. The northeast is a government stronghold.

The Nation newspaper said on its Web site that one of the protesters had died, but Supoj and other officials did not confirm the report.

"I am sorry this happened even though we prepared about 400 policemen to provide security for them," Supoj said. Police are investigating the clash and charges could be filed against those responsible, he said.

[younghusband]

Many on here talk of democracy. I would just like to remind everyone that freedom to protest peacefully is a basic democratic right and that right should be defended for even those we dont agree with or there is no democracy. It is the states duty to provide protection to demonstrators not to stand aside and allow the armed gangs of local influential people to smash them. In its own way what happened in Udon Thani was a direct attack on democracy and probably the constitution by a group connected to the government. That is a sobering thought for anyone who really cares for democratic principles but one not surprising in Thailand sadly.

QFT. An excellent post.

Of course freedom to assemble is an important right and as Hammered quite rightly points out the principle should be extended to those with whom we disagree.However with all the rhetoric about attacks on democracy let's just remember that PAD's leadership is openly in contempt of democratic principles.They do not believe in one man one vote, and regard the Thai majority as unfit to decide on the country's leaders.They want to massively reduce the elected element in parliament and replace them with nominees.They certainly have some fascist characteristics as Chang Noi has pointed out.They also want the military to have political oversight.These are dangerous and sinister people and let's just remember this in the whipped up indignation at the incident Udon - thankfully it currently appears the victim not dead at all.So, in sorrow rather than anger since I respect Hammered, I have toregister surprise when he appeals to those who care for democratic principles in Thailand.The PAD leadership really don't.

[sriracha john]

A few weeks ago when there were other violent incidents instigated by the Love Udon mob on a peaceful PAD rally, I raised the question why there was not more news coverage devoted to exposing the simmering conflict happening in Udon Thani (and other nearby provinces?), but my question remained unanswered. Now it seems the Thai and international news agencies have been caught sleeping as the violence spills over again into a really nasty incident that does have strong overtones of 1976 and other clashes through the years I've read about (e.g. EGAT-sponsored violence against AOP and anti-dam rallies).

This bloodthirsty, mob mentality disgusts any normal democracy and peace-loving person, so it almost equally sickens me to see Thaksin/TRT apologists coming forward on this forum, suggesting the injured (and possibly one dead person) brought it upon themselves. That they somehow deserved it. Your attitude and callousness shouldn't surprise me, even though it leaves a vile taste in the mouth. You are beneath contempt.

Your use of adjectives amazes me.... Bloodthirsty.... wow really? PAD caused injuries also if you recall to Police during their protest around Government house. Bloodthirsy PAD mob!!!....

You should move to poetry and forget membership in PAD. We all know what they stand for at it sure isn't democracy.

If someone is causing problems in your back yard and you told them many times to stop it. You will one day be very angry and kick them out.... I would and I am sure 95% of people would too. If they wont stop causing problems then dont be surprised if it gets out of hand at some point. Thats all that happened.... Im not saying they deserved it, but they asked for it. PAD's main aim in the countryside is to cause people to engage them and in this case they did thats all...

Isn't saying they asked for it basically the same as saying they deserved it?

Who are they to try and exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful demonstrations?

Who are they not to say only flowery things about the government?

Nobody. That's who. So lets go club us some nobodies.

and maybe in a few eons, we'll discover fire.

Edited July 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[frodo]

A few weeks ago when there were other violent incidents instigated by the Love Udon mob on a peaceful PAD rally, I raised the question why there was not more news coverage devoted to exposing the simmering conflict happening in Udon Thani (and other nearby provinces?), but my question remained unanswered. Now it seems the Thai and international news agencies have been caught sleeping as the violence spills over again into a really nasty incident that does have strong overtones of 1976 and other clashes through the years I've read about (e.g. EGAT-sponsored violence against AOP and anti-dam rallies).

This bloodthirsty, mob mentality disgusts any normal democracy and peace-loving person, so it almost equally sickens me to see Thaksin/TRT apologists coming forward on this forum, suggesting the injured (and possibly one dead person) brought it upon themselves. That they somehow deserved it. Your attitude and callousness shouldn't surprise me, even though it leaves a vile taste in the mouth. You are beneath contempt.

Your use of adjectives amazes me.... Bloodthirsty.... wow really? PAD caused injuries also if you recall to Police during their protest around Government house. Bloodthirsy PAD mob!!!....

You should move to poetry and forget membership in PAD. We all know what they stand for at it sure isn't democracy.

If someone is causing problems in your back yard and you told them many times to stop it. You will one day be very angry and kick them out.... I would and I am sure 95% of people would too. If they wont stop causing problems then dont be surprised if it gets out of hand at some point. Thats all that happened.... Im not saying they deserved it, but they asked for it. PAD's main aim in the countryside is to cause people to engage them and in this case they did thats all...

Four police officers sustained very minor injuries and were visited by the PM and his cronies and were given food, flowers, and money. Yesterday, armed mobs, directed by a relative of a PPP MP with alleged orders to kill, brutally attacked unarmed, peaceful protesters sending 14 to the hospital. The pictures already shown in this thread, were nothing but mindless assaults on protesters who have the democratic right to protest, and cannot be compared to a simple wrist injury. How some people can continually justify these type of attacks is beyond the imagination. These posters constantly scream about democracy, but refuse to allow a basic and fundamental right...the right to protest peacefully.

[sriracha john]

You will one day be very angry and kick them out.... I would

they asked for it...

Yesterday, armed mobs, directed by a relative of a PPP MP with alleged orders to kill, brutally attacked unarmed, peaceful protesters sending 14 to the hospital.

How some people can continually justify these type of attacks is beyond the imagination.

These posters constantly scream about democracy, but refuse to allow a basic and fundamental right...the right to protest peacefully.

unarmed PAD protester

[sriracha john]

VIDEO LINK:

Raw Footage of Attack on PAD Protesters in Udon Thani Province

- Thailand Outlook, UPDATE : 25 July 2008

This is a raw footage of what happened in Udon Thani province yesterday when allegedly 1 thousand men brutally attacked a group of unarmed PAD protesters.

Udon Thani Governor claims none of the PAD protester died, but around 17 of them sustained injuries. As can be seen in the footage, a larger number of police officers merely stood by and failed to put an immediate end to the violent attack.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData...?DataID=1008461

[^_^]

She isn't Armed either.