PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[Journalist]

Is Thailand a developing country on the way to democracy ?

I have read so many topics before about LOSING FACE; well, I think Thailand loses face towards the world..BIG TIME and Thailand has become nothing more and nothing less than a:

Except its not a Republic but a Kingdom !

[Publicus]

Read my post again - it doesn't matter if he is right or wrong - he failed as a leader because half the country doesn't recognise him.

35,000 laying siege in Bangkok is not ALL Pad support nationwide. Some people haev difficulty comprehending that for every person out in the street there are many more staying home and cheering them.

Yes, it appears that this time PAD's actions are bewildering to many of its own supporters, BUT

Samak has to go simply for not being able to prevent this confrontation.

Are you being serious, how would he be able to prevent this confrontation. He needs to end this as quickly and without too much violence.

What happened to the court case against Samak for accepting payment as an employee of tv stations to do his cooking shows after he'd become PM? The Supreme Court of whatever has been on the verge of bouncing Samak out of office within days or in a few weeks.

It's too late for him to try and solve it, it's gone too far. He could have prevented it by serving the country for the last haf year instead of Thaksin and his puppets in PPP.

I read today's editorials and opinions in the Nation and there's a widespread condemnation of PAD.

Generally they say that Samak should serve out his term as he has been fairly elected. Fair point, if you think that having a puppet government in service of a criminals and fugitives is ok, because it was elected.

This time PAD is not trying to pretend that being "fairly elected" makes Samak legitimate. They just had enough of this nonsense - convicted criminal on his last appeal as a PM, covering for tax evading fugitive. Samak has somewhat distanced himself from Thaksin, but then just last week he turned around at that PPP meeting. Some commentators called him two-faced for trying to please both camps.

PAD is having none of it anymore. I think it's very courageous of them to make this stand regardless of what the international media or half-hearted people say. The right thing is the right thing, and now they are trying to do something about it instead of hiding behind "corruption is everywhere, no one is clean" excuses.

[jfchandler]

The questions at this point are...

--when and how will the police move to arrest the PAD leaders....

--how will the PAD leaders and the crowd respond to the police move's...

--and everyone will stay calm tonight....or things will go bad....

[LaoPo]

Is Thailand a developing country on the way to democracy ?

I have read so many topics before about LOSING FACE; well, I think Thailand loses face towards the world..BIG TIME and Thailand has become nothing more and nothing less than a:

Except its not a Republic but a Kingdom !

"Banana Republic is a pejorative term for a small country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g., bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy and corrupt clique. It is most commonly used for countries in Central America such as El Salvador, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala." - and now Thailand

Modern usage

"In modern usage the term has come to be used to describe a generally unstable or "backward" dictatorial regime, especially one where elections are often fraudulent and corruption is rife. By extension, the word is occasionally applied to governments where a strong leader hands out appointments and advantages to friends and supporters, without much consideration for the law."

---Wikipedia

Need I say more ?

LaoPo

[h90]

What a charade. Riots in the streets and the government powerless to restore order because the Army will step in and mount another coup.

Any western democracy would have had the riot police out there with water cannons and tear gas by now.

Thailand will never progress to a true democracy until they get the Army under control. If it wernt for the tough economic times and the mess they made of things only several months ago I am sure the generals would want to snatch the power back and get their snouts in the trough again. Pads call for another coup may be premature in that respect. IMHO the best thing Samak could do right now is to declare a state of emergency and temporarily turn the management of the PAD rioters over to the Army.

Yes but in every real country Samak, Thaksin and all his cronies would be a long time in jail...so that wouldn't happen.

[LaoPo]

What a charade. Riots in the streets and the government powerless to restore order because the Army will step in and mount another coup.

Any western democracy would have had the riot police out there with water cannons and tear gas by now.

Thailand will never progress to a true democracy until they get the Army under control. If it wernt for the tough economic times and the mess they made of things only several months ago I am sure the generals would want to snatch the power back and get their snouts in the trough again. Pads call for another coup may be premature in that respect. IMHO the best thing Samak could do right now is to declare a state of emergency and temporarily turn the management of the PAD rioters over to the Army.

Yes but in every real country Samak, Thaksin and all his cronies would be a long time in jail...so that wouldn't happen.

Wrong; I can think of a few Western Leaders who belong in jail and are not and never will be.

LaoPo

[h90]

The PAD has revealed their true form today. Can't you admit you've been duped?

I just got off the phone with one of the top fire of PPPs real inner circle and he confirmed that they are hiring westerners without scruples or morals to post 'dirt' about PAD on several larger forums known to be visited by western journalists.

See how easy it is to write things.

very common....it was the same at the Tibet issues, even on small Austrian elections there are paid people who are posting. It is complete normal.

Here you can see it easily. No one really can believe the current government is good and beeing so happy with it that he/she posts day and night here about the PAD is renting people, how Sondhi and Chamlong are corrupt the same, posting that Chamlong destroys the nice democracy which was since 1992 (Chamlong made this democracy).

So it is very obvious that they are paid......

Actually, h90, I've a sneaking feeling that it is YOU who is the paid troll here! Everytime you post about your wealthy customers with their Mercs, etc., handing out cash to the poor peasants demonstrating for PAD you just provide ammo for your critics!

That, and your state of denial re. Sondhi's clearly stated belief in a fascist-style, appointed government in place of silly elections (that is to say, "silly" only because those damned peasants keep voting for the wrong party!) are bliss to my ears!

are you drunk?

where did you read about wealthy handing out cash to the poor peasants????????

Sondhi spoke about the problem that again and again corrupt politicians get elected and what to do. Than he started a discussion what can be done. I also don't know why this should fascist-style? These appointed one get elected in their part of society. This system was in Italy and in Austria before 2nd Wordwar.Not that I think that this system will help much, but Sondhi can discuss it....

The peasants vote for the paying party.....thats even more undemocratic.

There you go again, h90.

Your post #816.....All GIVE there money, my wife usually 1000-2000 Baht. Our staff usually 20-200 Baht in that box to collect money.

Some of our customer also go there, they are all wealthy, have Mercedes, big houses and wouldn't move one finger for 500 Baht.

So Sondhi's proposals "were in use in Italy and Austria before 2nd World War", that is when Italy and Germany (Hitler having annexed Austria to the Greater Reich) were both fascist!

Keep up the good work!

handing out cash to the poor peasants????????

where do you read that????

In Austria it was BEFORE Hitler annexed it. Called "Staendestaat" in german, but was never full in function because the current dictator didn't want these people in parliament check him too much. Before Hitler they were not fascist. But anyhow it didn't work well and wouldn't in Thailand as well I think.

[ando]

Is Thailand a developing country on the way to democracy ?

I have read so many topics before about LOSING FACE; well, I think Thailand loses face towards the world..BIG TIME and Thailand has become nothing more and nothing less than a:

Except its not a Republic but a Kingdom !

"Banana Republic is a pejorative term for a small country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g., bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy and corrupt clique. It is most commonly used for countries in Central America such as El Salvador, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala." - and now Thailand

Modern usage

"In modern usage the term has come to be used to describe a generally unstable or "backward" dictatorial regime, especially one where elections are often fraudulent and corruption is rife. By extension, the word is occasionally applied to governments where a strong leader hands out appointments and advantages to friends and supporters, without much consideration for the law."

---Wikipedia

Need I say more ?

LaoPo

And the Thai answer to that would be that westerners just dont understand the way things are done in Thailand. I suppose its simply because they know nothing else, or if they do know better, feel the status quo is just too big and powerful to change.

[h90]

What a charade. Riots in the streets and the government powerless to restore order because the Army will step in and mount another coup.

Any western democracy would have had the riot police out there with water cannons and tear gas by now.

Thailand will never progress to a true democracy until they get the Army under control. If it wernt for the tough economic times and the mess they made of things only several months ago I am sure the generals would want to snatch the power back and get their snouts in the trough again. Pads call for another coup may be premature in that respect. IMHO the best thing Samak could do right now is to declare a state of emergency and temporarily turn the management of the PAD rioters over to the Army.

Yes but in every real country Samak, Thaksin and all his cronies would be a long time in jail...so that wouldn't happen.

Wrong; I can think of a few Western Leaders who belong in jail and are not and never will be.

LaoPo

There you got me....Berlusconi and Bush for example.....The situation in Italy is similar to Thailand....a shame

[Samuian]

.....edit.....

Yes but in every real country Samak, Thaksin and all his cronies would be a long time in jail...so that wouldn't happen.

So Italy, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India, Germany, the US aren't real countries is that what U want to tell the audience?

[JoeInSurin]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

By The Nation

They are facing life imprisonment or capital punishment, if convicted.

People's Alliance for Democracy suffered a big blow on Wednesday after Criminal Court decided to issue arrest warrants for PAD's nine co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House.

Court made the decision at the request of police that provided the video footages of the incidents.

The warrants cited serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said.

The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee.

The four charges are Article 113 of the Criminal Code for treason, Article 114 for conspiracy for incite treason, Article 215 for conspiring with more than 10 people to cause disturbances or physical harms, Article 216 for resisting to disperse when ordered by law enforcement authorities.

If convicted, the nine could face life imprisonment or capital punishment.

[Locturian]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

By The Nation

They are facing life imprisonment or capital punishment, if convicted.

People's Alliance for Democracy suffered a big blow on Wednesday after Criminal Court decided to issue arrest warrants for PAD's nine co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House.

Court made the decision at the request of police that provided the video footages of the incidents.

The warrants cited serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said.

The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee.

The four charges are Article 113 of the Criminal Code for treason, Article 114 for conspiracy for incite treason, Article 215 for conspiring with more than 10 people to cause disturbances or physical harms, Article 216 for resisting to disperse when ordered by law enforcement authorities.

If convicted, the nine could face life imprisonment or capital punishment.

Well - I do not think they would put them in prison for life, or shoot them. That would light an upstopable uprising. Making a martyr of anyone has never been good... :S

[Insight]

^ If this is seriously perused, yet they fumble around on revoking a certain ex-PM's diplomatic passport, this will be cronyism on a whole new level...

[Jingthing]

Well - I do not think they would put them in prison for life, or shoot them. That would light an upstopable uprising. Making a martyr of anyone has never been good... :S

I am afraid I don't agree with you. PAD does not have a coherent positive message that the masses of Thais can easily understand and relate to. Sondhi is no Nelson Mandella, far from it. If Thailand is to ever change, it clearly needs that kind of movement, but PAD ain't that.

To be fair, they should let these failed PAD leaders get a ticket out, like Thaksin. I don't think they will be fair but I don't think they will shoot them either. They are going to jail.

Edited August 27, 2008 by Jingthing

[thaigene2]

What a charade. Riots in the streets and the government powerless to restore order because the Army will step in and mount another coup.

Any western democracy would have had the riot police out there with water cannons and tear gas by now.

Thailand will never progress to a true democracy until they get the Army under control. If it wernt for the tough economic times and the mess they made of things only several months ago I am sure the generals would want to snatch the power back and get their snouts in the trough again. Pads call for another coup may be premature in that respect. IMHO the best thing Samak could do right now is to declare a state of emergency and temporarily turn the management of the PAD rioters over to the Army.

Yes absolutely Ando - it's a charade. But Samak can't declare a state of emergency and/or turn this over to the Army because the Army and the chief of the privy council would use that as an excuse for the executive to ask the Army to take charge again beacuse the Government 'can't handle the situation.'

It's exactly what they are all waiting for - and is the objective of PAD's rallies. Sondhi is now finally on record saying what many of us suspected and wrote about long ago: he wants an end to democracy and an appointed Government with the Army given an official role as chief arbiter. So much for one-person-one-vote!

It's also the reason that Samak hasn't gone in there and clobbered those guys. He has to back down to prevent the Army using bloodshed as an excuse. Remember the flimsy excuse they used to justify the last coup? It wasn't Thaksin - it was the supposed threat of violence - that they used as an excuse to overthrow a Government with a landslide majority. So at present Samak's playing it about the only way he can I reckon. He has democracy and the will of msot voters on his side. But he doesn't have the real power in Thailand behind him (the military and the rich-old-patronage-families). This is why he's faxing Western embassies and holding news conferences in English - to make the point he's doing everything by the book - going out of his way to avoid hurting those who would destroy democracy in favour of some elitist-old-family-crony-thing to run the country.

Think what you like about PPP and TRT (I think they're a rogue's gallery) but it's now gone far past Thaksin or Samak or Consitutional changes to help Thaksin hang on to money -- it's down to democracy versus elitism. I know where I stand on that one - and the latest poll shows 3/4 of Thailand also want these guys to pack up and go home.

Samak is painting the Army into a corner...and I hope he's successful.

A quick edit to add my new definition of "The PAD" - ... The Priviledged Against Democracy"

Edited August 27, 2008 by thaigene2

[marshbags]

This report below mirrors reporting on the Thailand Outlook Channel, where they're saying PAD supporters who had been involved in the provinces are now being summoned to BKK....

Provincial protesters unblock public highways

After 16 hours of obstructing traffic on a highway in kilometer 493-494 in Tha Kham Sub-district of Chumporn Province, thousands of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters eventually abandoned their rally site on the road.

The protesters are expected to gather and bolster major congregation in Bangkok metropolis soon, with their rally costing 5 million baht of economic destruction today (August 27th).

At the same time, PAD protesters in the Northern region have also unblocked highway No. 117 in Wachirabarami District of Phichit province.

-- Govt. Public Relations Dept. 2008-08-27

jfchandler................... please, if you wish to be taken serious about what you write, please think about the members who need glasses to read.....

Write normal PLEASE !

Thank you.

LaoPo

If large letters are taken as shouting by some perhaps small ones are taken as whispering,

Perhaps the whisperer is not sure of his post.

Content is the name of the game...........surely

marshbags

Edited August 27, 2008 by marshbags

[LivinLOS]

"The deputy commissioner general affirms that the attack on the NBT compound was definitely not staged, as police officers possess sufficient witnesses and evidence to convict PAD suspects."

If "definitely" wasn't "staged"... how the reference to "PAD and additional suspects" is made - that escapes my imagination!

Whats amazing is how you can twist the quoted words.. Are you even able to read the quote and your comments and think they are the same ??

[scyriacus]

"Banana Republic" ....

Modern usage

"In modern usage the term has come to be used to describe a generally unstable or "backward" dictatorial regime, especially one where elections are often fraudulent and corruption is rife. By extension, the word is occasionally applied to governments where a strong leader hands out appointments and advantages to friends and supporters, without much consideration for the law.".....

Need I say more ?

welcome to the club 'LaoPo'. so you think that the protests against such a government are perfectly justified. samak has to step down.

and btw: if some text is too small for people with glasses, please use the 'zoom' function most browsers offer

Edited August 27, 2008 by scyriacus

[hammered]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

By The Nation

They are facing life imprisonment or capital punishment, if convicted.

People's Alliance for Democracy suffered a big blow on Wednesday after Criminal Court decided to issue arrest warrants for PAD's nine co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House.

Court made the decision at the request of police that provided the video footages of the incidents.

The warrants cited serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said.

The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee.

The four charges are Article 113 of the Criminal Code for treason, Article 114 for conspiracy for incite treason, Article 215 for conspiring with more than 10 people to cause disturbances or physical harms, Article 216 for resisting to disperse when ordered by law enforcement authorities.

If convicted, the nine could face life imprisonment or capital punishment.

Well - I do not think they would put them in prison for life, or shoot them. That would light an upstopable uprising. Making a martyr of anyone has never been good... :S

agreed and using treason charges in thsi day and age is just yet another sign of how low Thai politcs has dropped.

[bangkokrick]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

If this is the case why have the Police not arrested them yet. Maybe they are afraid of the immediate consequences if they do?

Cheers, Rick

[Samuian]

^ If this is seriously perused, yet they fumble around on revoking a certain ex-PM's diplomatic passport, this will be cronyism on a whole new level...

What else to expect?

But this action clearly lines out who is who and who's (still) pulling the string... "Who is really desperate to get their money the face back?

Who has shown again and again that he would cross what ever it takes?

We aren't at the end, no way near!

Chamlong, Sondhi, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee aren't just some stone throwing students....!

Edited August 27, 2008 by Samuian

[jumnien]

Samak's response to all this has been exemplary. It must be driving Sondhi mad, that he cant send his sheep to slaughter.

The PAD has shot themselves in the foot, lost the respect of the international media (and made Samak look great) and lost the support of anyone who happened to be "on the fence" in terms of their backing of the PAD.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sondhi shoots one or more of his own in a desperate attempt to lay blame on the administration (away from cameras of course)

This is a most likely scenario. Sondhi's has already shown his willingness to sacrifice pawns without flinching. The PAD is sinking fast, good riddance!

[ando]

Well - I do not think they would put them in prison for life, or shoot them. That would light an upstopable uprising. Making a martyr of anyone has never been good... :S

I am afraid I don't agree with you. PAD does not have a coherent positive message that the masses of Thais can easily understand and relate to. Sondhi is no Nelson Mandella, far from it. If Thailand is to ever change, it clearly needs that kind of movement, but PAD ain't that.

To be fair, they should let these failed PAD leaders get a ticket out, like Thaksin. I don't think they will be fair but I don't think they will shoot them either. They are going to jail.

The PAD leaders have only ever had a relative minority support base mainly in Bangkok. If they were to stand for democratic elections based on their political platforms they would be a voice in the wilderness. Such is the reason they choose to push their political views through street protests rather than through the democratic political process. Now that these leaders have been discredited by their reckless, anti-social actions they have alienated the majority of what support they might have had and as such wont be missed if they go to jail for a few years. I think most people will be very glad to see the end of PAD after this fiasco is over.

[lifeisrandom]

Whats the next step?

They sit in the garden of the government house. Samak just sits somewhere else, now at the army I think.

He can do that for years, I guess.

so whats the next step to get rid of him?

um, the country cannot function if Samak cannot take back the government house.

you do realize the government house is where the country is run, correct?

so if samak cannot disperse the PAD - there will be a coup or he will be forced to resign.

[lifeisrandom]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

If this is the case why have the Police not arrested them yet. Maybe they are afraid of the immediate consequences if they do?

Cheers, Rick

arresting the leaders makes the PPP look weak.

here is the situation - these people are not leaving assuming they can continue getting food and water.

apparently, samak does not feel that he will remain PM if he uses violence against these people.

If Samak cannot get these people to leave, he will not be PM as government cannot function.

So with this logic, how does Samak remain PM?

here is a hint: he doesn't.

Edited August 27, 2008 by lifeisrandom

[JoeInSurin]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

By The Nation

They are facing life imprisonment or capital punishment, if convicted.

People's Alliance for Democracy suffered a big blow on Wednesday after Criminal Court decided to issue arrest warrants for PAD's nine co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House.

Court made the decision at the request of police that provided the video footages of the incidents.

The warrants cited serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said.

The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee.

The four charges are Article 113 of the Criminal Code for treason, Article 114 for conspiracy for incite treason, Article 215 for conspiring with more than 10 people to cause disturbances or physical harms, Article 216 for resisting to disperse when ordered by law enforcement authorities.

If convicted, the nine could face life imprisonment or capital punishment.

Well - I do not think they would put them in prison for life, or shoot them. That would light an upstopable uprising. Making a martyr of anyone has never been good... :S

agreed and using treason charges in thsi day and age is just yet another sign of how low Thai politcs has dropped.

Treason is "to attempt or conspire to overthrow the government". Did they not do this?? If they hold them to the law and enforce it why are they low?? Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. These people are trying to overthrow a legitimate government. That is very serious. Taking over public government buildings and taking over NBT with armed masked thugs is what low politics have become.

[bangkokrick]

Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for PAD's nine leaders

If this is the case why have the Police not arrested them yet. Maybe they are afraid of the immediate consequences if they do?

Cheers, Rick

arresting the leaders makes the PPP look weak.

here is the situation - these people are not leaving assuming they can continue getting food and water.

apparently, samak does not feel that he will remain PM if he uses violence against these people.

If Samak cannot get these people to leave, he will not be PM as government cannot function.

So with this logic, how does Samak remain PM?

here is a hint: he doesn't.

So why issue the arrest warrants in the first place if there is no intention to use them. Scare tactic maybe?

As i see it the only way to end the stand off is to remove the PAD leadership from the equation in a divide and conquer move. The crowd would disperse without leadership.

Samak can not afford to sit this out for much longer because as you say the Government house is from where the country is governed, so without it the Governement cannot function.

This appeared to be the intention of the PAD protests, so they have achieved their goal?

Cheers, Rick

[lifeisrandom]

"He said if violent means are resorted to innocent people, the Democrat party would be behind the people to the end."

[sjaak327]

Yes absolutely Ando - it's a charade. But Samak can't declare a state of emergency and/or turn this over to the Army because the Army and the chief of the privy council would use that as an excuse for the executive to ask the Army to take charge again beacuse the Government 'can't handle the situation.'

It's exactly what they are all waiting for - and is the objective of PAD's rallies. Sondhi is now finally on record saying what many of us suspected and wrote about long ago: he wants an end to democracy and an appointed Government with the Army given an official role as chief arbiter. So much for one-person-one-vote!

It's also the reason that Samak hasn't gone in there and clobbered those guys. He has to back down to prevent the Army using bloodshed as an excuse. Remember the flimsy excuse they used to justify the last coup? It wasn't Thaksin - it was the supposed threat of violence - that they used as an excuse to overthrow a Government with a landslide majority. So at present Samak's playing it about the only way he can I reckon. He has democracy and the will of msot voters on his side. But he doesn't have the real power in Thailand behind him (the military and the rich-old-patronage-families). This is why he's faxing Western embassies and holding news conferences in English - to make the point he's doing everything by the book - going out of his way to avoid hurting those who would destroy democracy in favour of some elitist-old-family-crony-thing to run the country.

Think what you like about PPP and TRT (I think they're a rogue's gallery) but it's now gone far past Thaksin or Samak or Consitutional changes to help Thaksin hang on to money -- it's down to democracy versus elitism. I know where I stand on that one - and the latest poll shows 3/4 of Thailand also want these guys to pack up and go home.

Samak is painting the Army into a corner...and I hope he's successful.

A quick edit to add my new definition of "The PAD" - ... The Priviledged Against Democracy"

Exactly right, it's about Democracy and the PAD are a clear threat to it. I sincerly hope Samak can pull it off without any bloodshed or the army interfering. He doesn't have time on his side though, the longer this drags out, the more impatience the boys in the army might get.

I guess they need to quickly arrest the main PAD leadership, this might break the current protests.

[Publicus]

Well - I do not think they would put them in prison for life, or shoot them. That would light an upstopable uprising. Making a martyr of anyone has never been good... :S

I am afraid I don't agree with you. PAD does not have a coherent positive message that the masses of Thais can easily understand and relate to. Sondhi is no Nelson Mandella, far from it. If Thailand is to ever change, it clearly needs that kind of movement, but PAD ain't that.

To be fair, they should let these failed PAD leaders get a ticket out, like Thaksin. I don't think they will be fair but I don't think they will shoot them either. They are going to jail.

The targeted PAD people are connected, therefore it's unlikely that anything will happen to them in the long run, in the longer term after all of this settles down and is forgotten (about two weeks afterward!).

Conversely, however, if the PAD people are imprisoned, it likely would further signal that people who step out of line for whatever reason are going to be imprisoned for a long time. Crackdown is a favorite word used to describe such reactions by authorities.

I'd say the PAD message, while obstinate and unlikely to be realized, is clear and coherent: the PM and his government must resign. That's a perfectly clear statement and message.

The obvious problem for PAD is that per se it doesn't have any tanks or warplanes to enforce its will. The guys who do have these things seem wholely disinterested. It's like I'm watching mice on a treadmill. I dunno why I bother with this stuff any more.

Neither is the sky falling, as some overstate in their reactions.

Edited August 27, 2008 by Publicus