PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[JoeInSurin]

And the problem behind all of this, still seems to be Thaksin.

More precisely, the way that Thaksins policies have divided the people of Thailand.

The present Thai government, whether they are good, or bad, will always be haunted by his memory, the country is still split into two factions.

Tony, you say:

-DAAD gathers dunken yobs

-Drunken yobs are allowed to hop onto m'cycles and walk the street with weapons clearly showing in hand.

Come on, they are fighting for what they believe in, a very unpleasant situation. I am certain that if you were in their circumstances you would welcome a stiff drink, or are you teetotal? Bet they smoked a few cigs as well.

They are not the "drunken yobs" that you claim, they believe in what they are doing.

I do not want to take sides in this argument, I prefer to stand back and observe. However:

The situation has been triggered by the (illegal) actions of PAD, a group who seem bent on seizing power at all costs. Forget the old gran, and the kids, they should never have been there anyway, it's not a picnic. Seemingly if an election was held tomorrow, the same people would hold power.

Don't forget people are dying for this, things are totally off track in Thailand at the moment.

A very bad situation with no easy resolution, how can the split between the sides be fixed? If either side wins, the other loses.

PAD forbids alcohol at it's sites exactly because of what you saw the DAAD doing, all 7 feet tall walking with sticks and metal pipes. Journalists and cameramen have confirmed the DAAD thugs reeked of booze. look at the footage! Have a look at the policeman with the black jacket as well. Drun-ken hi-red thugs.

There was quite a lot of drugs on the guys who took over NBT when they were arrested. Do you find this acceptable? Are drugged thugs any better?

[Tony Clifton]

Eurkhhhhh.

I m giving the IGNORE tool a try.

*Works like a charm.

Goodbye Joe,

We've gotta go Mee oh My Oh

Edited September 2, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[Tony Clifton]

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR BANGKOK!

Phuket not sure.

Edited September 2, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[JoeInSurin]

Eurkhhhhh.

I m giving the IGNORE tool a try.

*Works like a charm.

Goodbye Joe,

We've gotta go Mee oh My Oh

No answer?? I thought so.

[WAERTH]

This unrest doesn't just divide the Thais. It seems to divide the foreigners living here as well. Anyway I just read this in the nation. Anyone know where Wat Somanus community is located?

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30082266

Two groups of people in red and yellow shirts clashed on a soi of Wat Somanus community Tuesday morning.

The clash occurred at 6:10 am.

About 100 men in red shirts tried to attack those in yellow shirts by throwing rocks at them.

Each side also threw tree pots and pieces of woods against each other.

The men in red shirts also sprayed fire extinguishers at the other side.

The Nation

[way2muchcoffee]

State of emergency announced

State of emergency announced

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30082269

[jingjingna]

Yes, State of Emergency has been declared....Source Thai Channel 3 News 7.00 a.m

[ubonjoe]

State of emergency announced

State of emergency announced

nation

[JetsetBkk]

State of emergency announced

State of emergency announced

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30082269

BBC News reporting it now.

[WAERTH]

Yes also on tv. If my Thai is good enough I think I heard them say 3 months and a curfew.

Waerth

[jumnien]

Looks like Sondhi got what he wanted! Blood shed and troops!

[tropo]

*deleted*

Edited September 2, 2008 by tropo

[ubonjoe]

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured.

State and private broadcasting stations declared the state of emergency at 7am (2400 GMT)

Bamkok Post

[ray23]

Red bandanas are no longer a wild card, it's clear. Not pro anything but the fact is you get enough Yaba and Lao Kao down people anything may happen. I thought that would happen before a clash and I'm willing to bet on it.

Again the cops are wrong, they didn't control them, when they did try contol the PAD look what happened. They did nothing different with the DAAD then they did with the PAD. Time to forget about the cops and the horrible things they did. Understand they are not the problem, they followed orders. Had then been allowed to do what they are really trained to do, may not have been any deaths this ain't about cops it's about a power struggle with very powerful people involved.

We in Udon had a preview of what happens when these two groups get together already. However, a right to protest extends beyond one group and to everyone. Unless the powers to be stop messing around and let the cops do what they are supposed to do there are going to be more deaths then this.

They still don't need the Army, they just need to have someone to let them do the job they were trained for. Not being politcally correct. If there is one thing Thailand has a lot of it's cops.

The Nation

"THREATS OF BLOODSHED

More violence feared as rival proterster still contront each other

Semblance of order is restored around Government House at around 5am Tuesday after clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters in which one man is killed and almost 40 injured.

Maj Gen Kattiya Sawasdipol, an army officer, said thousands of pro-government protesters were setting up tents near the army headquarter.

The area was only a few hundreds away from the Government House and was ironically very close to the first rally site of People's Alliance for Democracy when it attempted to oust former premier Thaksin Shinawatra more than two years ago.

"I do not know what would happen next because the rival protersters are very close to each other, Kattiya said.

Anti-riot police and soldiers who were sandwiched near the Government House at 3 am on Tuesday could control the situation after pro-and anti-government protesters clashed in the first outbreak of violence that killed at least one man and injured dozens.

Hundreds of soliders have moved into the clash area to help the police order amid extremely high tension.

TV reports said a man, Narongchai Kobthaisong, died of wounds after being hit by hard objects. It was not known for certain whether he was one of the protesters or which side he was on.

He was the first Thai to have died from violence stemming from the on-going political crisis. Details remained sketchy. The clashes between anti-government protesters belonging to the People's Alliance for Democracy and pro-government demonstrators took place in "several spots" around Government House which has been occupied by the PAD since last week.

Hundreds of anti-riot soldiers and police were deployed to the site to prevent more violence and confrontation. They were caught in between the rival protesters near the Makkawan Bridge. The protesters were shouting at each other but a semblance of order was restored before 4 am.

Latest hospital reports confirmed 38 people were injured, three of them by gunshots.

They were being treated at the Vajira Hospital, Ratchavithi Hospital, Central Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Hua Chiew Hospital, and Mission Hospital.

A reporter told Thai PBS said he believed molotov cocktails may have been thrown.

A PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila said some of the pro-government protesters were armed with guns and they fired at PAD demonstrators.

"It was like the situations leading up to October 6," he said, referring to the infamous Thammasat massacre in 1976. An emotionally-choked Suriyasai said incidents leading to the clash were something Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej "must have been aware of".

"One PAD member was shot at," Suriyasai said. "I don't know if he's dead or not."

Army Commander in Cheif Gen Anupong Paojinda said the army will help police to handle the situaiton and prevent it from escalating.

"This should not have happened," he said.

He said he ordered deployment of hundreds of anti-riot soldiers armed with shields and batons to stop the clash and to prevent it from escalating.

However he said what the army could do for now is only to help police stop the clash.

At 1.20am, hundreds of pro-government protesters, armed with batons, axes and big knives, marched from Sanam Luang to the Government House. The pro-government rally at Sanam Luang began on Saturday, amid fears of violence.

After midnight (early Tuesday morning), the pro-government protesters managed to break through the police lines who guarded the area. Their proclaimed intention was to "seize back" Government House from the PAD.

As of 1.40am, when they arrived at Makkawan Bridge, they clashed with guards of People's Alliance for Democracy who were deployed to guard the area. The area is only a few hundred metres from Government House.

Shinawatra Pabunchart, leader of pro-government protesters claimed that his men have already surrounded the Government House at 2am on Tuesday in a bid to oust anti-government protesters from the Government House.

He said he will allow the protesters in the Government House to go out but wil not allow anybody to enter the compound.

He said his group has no choice but to do so because many people were disagreed with the PAD-led protests and its seizure of the Government House.

He claimed that more people from other provinces will travel to Bangkok to join the confrontation with the PAD protests.

He said his group had no choice but to move his people to the Government House as the government could not handle the situation.

PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila said the pro-government protesters attacked PAD's guards around the site.

He claimed that one of his men was shot and was rushed to a hosptial nearby.

A reporter confirmed that she heard several gunshots. She also saw the injured man who she said seemed to have gunshot wounds and his body was soaked with blood.

Suriyasai said that it is estimated that dozens of protesters of both sides were injured.

He alleged that police deploying near the site allowed the pro-government protesters to march to be near the Government House. Suriyasai bitterly accused Prime Minister Samak of turning a blind eye to obvious signs that violence was going to happen.

"I don't want to say he had a hand in this, but you know him and October 6," the PAD leader said.

Some of pro-government protesters were seen marching while some others rode on motorcycles. "

Edited September 2, 2008 by ray23

[ubonjoe]

State of emergency announced in Bangkok

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

Thai PBS said the PM's order would exempt the enforcement of Article 9 which would prevent people from leaving their residences at night.

The station said the announcement would prohibit gathering of more than five people.

Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the state of emergency would allow the prime minister to have absolute control.

The Nation

Edited September 2, 2008 by ubonjoe

[draggons]

Just seen on the BBC that we have a state of emergency in Bangkok. 1 person dead and many injured! 400 troops been moved in, here we go again.

Edited September 2, 2008 by draggons

[ando]

Both these mobs of rioters need to be taken off the street by whatever force is necessary.

Less than a week ago the PAD was screaming police brutality when the police tried to do their job and prevent criminal acts by PAD.

The police were subsequently ordered to disarm and not to use force against the PAD protesters/rioters. This decision was backed up by the courts who withdrew an injunction ordering the clearing of the rioters from government house.

What are the now unarmed police to do, -- pick a side and only use force against rioters of a certain political persuasion based on the colour of their shirts? PAD cant have it both ways with selective policeing only against their opponents. Either the police are allowed to do their job or the country descends into a violent state of anarchy which we are seeing.

[ubonjoe]

Kuthep says PAD should learn lesson from clash

People Power Party spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said the violent clash early Tuesday should teach a lesson to the People's Alliance for Democracy that its violations of the laws could infuriate other people.

Kuthep said the government would have to use the state power keep peace and order.

He said both sides of the protesters should back down and should try to iron out differences through talks.

The Nation

[JoeInSurin]

It looks like the "State of emergency" gives the PM absolute control and gatherings of 5 people of more is illegal. It looks like the "PAD's Last March" is working about as good as "Custer's Last Stand".

[ubonjoe]

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured.

State and private broadcasting stations announced the declaration of the state of emergency at 7am (2400 GMT)

Spokesmen for the United front of Democracy against Dictatorship immediately announced they will end their rally centered at Sanam Luang. "We will obey the law and go home."

Suriyasai Katasila, the chief ideologue for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD leaders would consult on their next move.

The declaration is the first use of a controversial new Emergency Law passed in the dying days of the military government late last year.

It never has been used, and its use takes Thailand another giant step into previously uncharted political waters.

In charge of Bangkok security effective immediately is the Internal Security Operations Command, or Isoc. Mr Samak is the nominal head of Isoc, although the army and special Isoc commands will run its operations.

Bangkok Post

[ubonjoe]

State of emergency announced in Bangkok

By The Nation

PM to have absolute control; PAD to go on protesting despite state of emergency; more people join protest at Government House,

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

Thai PBS said the PM's order would exempt the enforcement of Article 9 which would prevent people from leaving their residences at night.

The station said the announcement would prohibit gathering of more than five people.

The state of emergency also allows the authorities to detain suspects for seven days and would prohibit people from making illegal entries into government offices.

Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the state of emergency would allow the prime minister to have absolute control.

[blaze]

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured.

State and private broadcasting stations announced the declaration of the state of emergency at 7am (2400 GMT)

Spokesmen for the United front of Democracy against Dictatorship immediately announced they will end their rally centered at Sanam Luang. "We will obey the law and go home."

Suriyasai Katasila, the chief ideologue for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD leaders would consult on their next move.

The declaration is the first use of a controversial new Emergency Law passed in the dying days of the military government late last year.

It never has been used, and its use takes Thailand another giant step into previously uncharted political waters.

In charge of Bangkok security effective immediately is the Internal Security Operations Command, or Isoc. Mr Samak is the nominal head of Isoc, although the army and special Isoc commands will run its operations.

Bangkok Post

Who is in charge of ISOC right now? Pallop is no longer officially connected is he?

Edited September 2, 2008 by blaze

[Tony Clifton]

RECAP #2

-New chief of police installed

*-Bomb explodes next to police booth neard PAD, same pattern as before with unsolved bombings pointing to Thaksinistas.

-Chief Immediately declares no batons, shields only

-DAAD gathers dunken yobs

-Drunken yobs are allowed to hop onto m'cycles and walk the street with weapons clearly showing in hand.

-Police line has resistance of paper wall on many occasions during march, seems intentional

-One killed, over 40 injured.

-Decision already scheduled for today Sep 2 regarding PPP party disolution.

-Everyone waiting for Samak's next move.

-Samak declares STAT OF EMERGENCY, which doesn't allow more that how many people to meet?

-How many judges are supposed to gather today to decide on PPP's dissolution?

[ubonjoe]

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured.

State and private broadcasting stations announced the declaration of the state of emergency at 7am (2400 GMT)

Spokesmen for the United front of Democracy against Dictatorship immediately announced they will end their rally centered at Sanam Luang. "We will obey the law and go home."

Suriyasai Katasila, the chief ideologue for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD leaders would consult on their next move.

The declaration is the first use of a controversial new Emergency Law passed in the dying days of the military government late last year.

It never has been used, and its use takes Thailand another giant step into previously uncharted political waters.

In charge of Bangkok security effective immediately is the Internal Security Operations Command, or Isoc. Mr Samak is the nominal head of Isoc, although the army and special Isoc commands will run its operations.

Bangkok Post

[Plus]

Take yourselves back some 20 years - where do you think each of us would have been? Supporting those locked at Thammasat, or those outside?

It looks pretty clear now - I mean who was right and who was wrong back in 1976, but looking at some rhetoric thrown around here, I feel that some of out posters belong with those murderous mobs.

These are the times when you MUST choose sides, and it's sad to see how people are led by their egos and demogogery into making clearly wrong choices, even if they sincerely believe in their cause.

SOE will not change anything - the government doesn't control the situation, the army may only restore order but the country is still ungovernable (if Samak stays, that is).

[Nampeung]

Thank goodness for Tony Clifton and reporting proper news

[Thailand]

Yet again the Thai's seem set on destroying their own country.

The economy, along with the rest of the world, is in decline. One of the main income streams, tourism, is about to get turned off with the actions of those that think they can run the country better.

We are stepping back decades with the current fiasco's.

I am getting too old for this continued garbage. Much as I love so many things about this country the time has come to start looking for alternatives- a sad state of affairs.

[ubonjoe]

Thank goodness for Tony Clifton and reporting proper news

Mostly his opinion.

[Nampeung]

Agree with you completely Thailand

[blaze]

Take yourselves back some 20 years - where do you think each of us would have been? Supporting those locked at Thammasat, or those outside?

It looks pretty clear now - I mean who was right and who was wrong back in 1976, but looking at some rhetoric thrown around here, I feel that some of out posters belong with those murderous mobs.

These are the times when you MUST choose sides, and it's sad to see how people are led by their egos and demogogery into making clearly wrong choices, even if they sincerely believe in their cause.

SOE will not change anything - the government doesn't control the situation, the army may only restore order but the country is still ungovernable (if Samak stays, that is).

In 1976 I was very left wing- so I would have been with the students. Had I been in Thailand I would have wanted an end to the strangle hold that the urban elites held on the country- I would have wanted the military to stay permanantly out of politics. I would have wanted democracy- as it is practiced in the WEst- not some watered down abstraction that serves only to maintain the social stratifications. I would have wanted a revamping of the economy to allow the poor to share equally in the wealth of the nation. And I would have wanted the rich to foot the bill. Just like the students. Where would YOU have been?