PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[StevieH]

I think we can infer that you are pretty well informed.

I find it very disheartening that so many people take this at face value. Both Thais and foreigners alike. When you have combatants who are clearly not interested in the well being and reputation of the country and its people the last thing to do is to be taking sides.

agreed. it doesn't particularly feel as though either party really has the interests of the people and the kingdom at heart, more that they're determined to have it their way come hel_l or high water. in which case, the upshot is that nobody really wins.

[MengWan]

These people are a pain in the arse. Protests never solve anything.

I agree - you have only to look at People Power in the Philippines to see that

And it reminds me of Ukraine, Georgia (some years ago ...) !

"Protests never solve anything", of course, mute assent does solve all problems OOPS

[paul700]

It's about time the government put their foot down with these idiots. Make an example of them.

[moo9]

"Chamlong demands police to release 80 men rounded up for raiding NBT station

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Tuesday threatened to lead protesters to besiege the Royal Thai Police head quarters if police do not release some 80 men who were rounded up for raiding the NBT head office early Tuesday.

The men were taken to the Klong Luang police station for questioning.

The Nation"

What he cares about, as it was said before, that those people not belong to the PAD? Amazing, people siege a TV station and police should not be allowed to take them for questioning?

[frodo]

There is only one word for the PAD. SCUM. People who do not understand how democracy work. people who prevent hundreds of thousands of people from going to work and make a living.

When ill the government and the courts seize the money used to pay these professional protestors. it is obvious that they have never ever worked themselves. They are for hire. Cutting electricity in a BTS station is not only illegal it is dangerous and endagers lives. They need to be sentenced to life inprisonment

They cut off BTS service? I must have missed that part, or do you mean NBT Station? Two very different things. If they cut off power to a TV station, life imprisonment is fairly harsh.

Edited August 26, 2008 by frodo

[hammered]

Didn't Sondthi deny earlier in the day that it was PAD raiding the NBT and now he announces they have taken over.

Seems a bit strange if my memory is correct.

What will now happen now, is everyone will be doing a quick rundown on what their personal situation is and who will best serve their interests and choose sides accordingly. Those who are useful to either side may "jump ship" if they see a winner emerging.

This has nothing to do with democracy and voice of the people. Anybody believing that is just volunteering themselves as a pawn in the power game.

This could set up to be one very nasty power game.

An excellent comment if you dont mind me saying so. It would seem though considering the combatants that there is probably only one side who will be able to win. That is not to say the other side cant draw it out for a bit longer yet. It is howver coming to a head and unless a temporary ceasefire can be agreed to allow time for talks, deals and defections it will probbaly be quite messy.

I think we can infer that you are pretty well informed.

I find it very disheartening that so many people take this at face value. Both Thais and foreigners alike. When you have combatants who are clearly not interested in the well being and reputation of the country and its people the last thing to do is to be taking sides.

Thank you. That feeling is mutual. I am probably no better informed than most although I try to analyse from a neutral perspective and learn about what is going on. I never had any like for Thaksin. At first I found the PADs raising of concerns on the Thaksin government to be legitimate. However, as this has degenerated into or maybe as I have recognised this is a pure brutal power struggle for very high stakes I prefer to sit, watch, comment and hope that it wont all end in dreadful tears. I am also happy that I reside outside Bangkok where violent politcal events usually take place. I think this time around violence is quite likely. If not today then another one.

[george]

Some NBT female officials being detained by protesters

BANGKOK: --An announcer of NBT said protesters were still detaining several female officials of the station.

Broadcast from a special mobile broadcast unit, Tuangporn Assawawilai called on PAD leaders to secure release of the female officials from the station urgently.

-- The Nation 2008-08-26

[Artisi]

Just watching the NBT television broadcast, and wow, the PAD are really armed to the teeth, I can see hand clappers being waved dangerously, umbrellas, flags and even water bottles, some even have cameras and the women have hand bags - all dangerous weapons in the hands of these nasty protesters - plus the oldies are out of control as they hobble along.

One good point is with NBT broadcasting they can't still claim only 5000 protesters or what ever spupid number they come up with today.

[Pierrot]

it's very far off. i'm not aware of the PAD advocating genocide and attempting to wipe out the jewish race. well, not yet at least.

The way people who support the PAD talk without end of the "Thai Chinese elite" (what ever that means), we are not that far ...

[davejonesbkk]

Im watching this on tv right now....who are the 2 women being escorted by cops?

[gymshark]

The weak leadership has led to this, time for some gas and rubber bullets, the Govt. needs to boot it's boot on these people necks. Weak leaders are no leaders at all.

[grantbkk]

I feel the Army is waiting for the government to resign this morning and then will quickly move in to calm things down. Here comes another caretaker government. I believe PAD will not like this one either.

[StevieH]

Thank you. That feeling is mutual. I am probably no better informed than most although I try to analyse from a neutral perspective and learn about what is going on. I never had any like for Thaksin. At first I found the PADs raising of concerns on the Thaksin government to be legitimate. However, as this has degenerated into or maybe as I have recognised this is a pure brutal power struggle for very high stakes I prefer to sit, watch, comment and hope that it wont all end in dreadful tears. I am also happy that I reside outside Bangkok where violent politcal events usually take place. I think this time around violence is quite likely. If not today then another one.

when peaceful and democratic protests don't succeed, the next step is probably going to be escalation in violence. not a pretty thought but if the PAD is intent on storming various state buildings then this could get messy.

[flem]

So from the more knowledgeable of yall. What are the expectations that this will turn to a gov change? 10%, 50?

[xerostar]

There is a radio broadcast in Thai on: http://thaifreenews.com

However this has had some interuptions too.

[Guderian]

Strange that this has been going on for nearly 3 hours now, but no mention yet on BBC, Sky, CNN, etc. I suppose they are all still fast asleep?

[Plus]

Samak should shift them and let them know who is ruling the country.

He can try, but at the moment PEOPLE rule, not Samak and his bunch of idiots.

This is a watershed moment for Thailand, don't waste time looking for last elections results and "democracy" - at the moment it's all about raw power, and at the moment the power is with people.

PAD is trying to achieve what military coup couldn't in 2006. Good luck to them.

If they succede, there's no doubt in my mind that they will return "democracy" a lot faster than the generals.

The day is far from over, I have no idea what will happen in the afternoon, or tomorrow.

Samak's leadership is a failure, he should resign simply for not being able to bring reconciliation to the country and allowing it to descend into present chaos. He can stick his "legitimacy" claim up his ass - it's a revolution and he is unable to govern anymore.

[larvidchr]

If this action by PAD causes the price of beer to rise in the capital there is going to be hel_l to pay!

I know that some here on Thai Visa want to compare this situation (perhaps a revolution) to famous communist coups around the world since the 1950's. I prefer to compare PAD to that once infamous German Army corporal, Adolf Hitler.

Be afraid. Be very afraid. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is using scare tactics to mold the opinion of the uninformed populace to their own ends. While complaining and pointing fingers at the elected government about anything and everything they refuse to negotiate on any subject and simply call for an end to present government rule. Sound familiar? Same thing happened two years ago which led to a coup d'état and the ousting of a seated, elected government.

This is nothing new. Many of us remember from our history lessons that back in the 1930's Europe they had their own PAD saying exactly the same thing about the seated government. The Nazi Party used the economic hardships suffered by the Germans to grab power. Adolph Hitler and his ilk fooled the German people into joining their extreme and radical movement to overthrow the government.

Like the Nazi's in Germany PAD has no business in a civilized Thai society. They are trampling on the peoples consciences and revising history to suit their own ends. These extreme, unconscionable leaders are master manipulators, preying on the weak, drunk with power and serve no constructive purpose. It is time to put an end to the madness and remove PAD and their self-serving leaders. They have had their fifteen minutes in the spotlight and have fooled innocent Thai people long enough.

IMHO

Good post, the in numbers insignificant PAD is causing massive damage to Thailand's Economic development, and not to mention really dangerous situations concerning relations with Cambodia whipping up national hysteria over old temple ruins that Thailand have no chance ever to gain control over since international court rulings already have given the control to Cambodia.

Sohndi Lithmongul or whatever his name is, is himself according to international sources a swindler of foreign partners to the tune of billions of Baht, not to mention the direct cause of Bangkok Bank loosing hundreds of millions of Baht causing the sacking of the head of the Bank. His totally private vendetta against Thaksin his family and all that associate with same is dangerously disturbing the order of Thailands frail democracy and is as such in itself a criminal offence.

I am constantly very negativly suprised and disturbed by the numbers of allegdely well educated farangs on Thai Visa that support the robbing of the Thai people´s freedom in favour of dictatorship, however flawed a democracy is it will still always be the better solution and is ultimately the only way forward.

Regards.

[Singha Gold]

Strange that this has been going on for nearly 3 hours now, but no mention yet on BBC, Sky, CNN, etc. I suppose they are all still fast asleep?

The BBC has always reported very pro-Thaksin. This will only help his bid for political asylum back in the UK. They are probably awaiting some comment from him before putting the story up.

[Artisi]

So from the more knowledgeable of yall. What are the expectations that this will turn to a gov change? 10%, 50?

It's not just a change of government that's needed, it's a change of attitude to the rule of law being implemented by a strong, fair and just parliament

[cmsally]

The PAD denied any involvement in the raid on the television station by the group, who were wearing black and had their faces covered. NBT initially reported the group was about 40 strong.

"This is nothing to do with us," PAD leader Pibob Thongchai told Reuters. "We will have to wait for the results of the police investigation to find out who these people are." Quoted from Reuters

"Chamlong demands police to release 80 men rounded up for raiding NBT station

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Tuesday threatened to lead protesters to besiege the Royal Thai Police head quarters if police do not release some 80 men who were rounded up for raiding the NBT head office early Tuesday.

The men were taken to the Klong Luang police station for questioning.

The Nation"

Make your mind up guys, are these your men or not, or does Chamlong want to rescue them because they are "nice people" furthering his objective but of course with no connection to the PAD.

As my grandmother once said, "never tell a lie" because if you do you will have to tell a thousand others to cover it up, and to do that you better have a darn good memory.

[lazeeboy]

with the amount of people about one bad move and all hel_l will break out

[BanTamo]

Perhaps Khun Sondhi will soon be the second Thai owner of a UK Football club!

[george]

NBT mobile broadcast disrupted by protesters again

BANGKOK: -- Protesters stormed into the mobile broadcast unit of NBT and disrupted its broadcast again at 11:10 am.

Tuangporn Assawawilai, an announcer, said protesters were arriving at the mobile broadcast unit and was about to disrupt the broadcast.

Shortly after that, she disappeared from the screen and the broadcast switched to signals from NBT station in Songkhla.

-- The Nation 2008-08-26

[britmaveric]

Unfortunately the PAD doesnt speak for thailand, the people that voted in the current govt does. However this pisses off the the minority to no end, and hence you have this BS what is currently going on. Time to clamp down of these muppets!!!

[Thai at Heart]

And how exactly is the country to decide what type of or whom they would like to have as a government? Whoops I forgot, that's called an election which would take us full circle back to this situation.

What a bloody mess.

[kedawi]

""Soldiers will not stage a coup," he said during a radio interview on Tuesday morning."

Imagine if someone in US or UK or Australia said something like that???????????

Anyone who thinks that demos arwe NOT part of the democratic purpose does not understand the meaning of democracy.

people can get to work under a dictatorship....in fact some of them have to.....in a democracy you can stop working without getting put into prison or shot.

[jitagon]

There is only one word for the PAD. SCUM. People who do not understand how democracy work. people who prevent hundreds of thousands of people from going to work and make a living.

When ill the government and the courts seize the money used to pay these professional protestors. it is obvious that they have never ever worked themselves. They are for hire. Cutting electricity in a BTS station is not only illegal it is dangerous and endagers lives. They need to be sentenced to life inprisonment

Will people on this forum in general, and on this thread in particular, desist from using that word. It is deeply offensive and rude in the extreme coming from someone who doesn't speak a word of the local language attempting to describe civilians of the country in which they are a guest. Ignorant in the extreme.

[george]

Thai protesters seize state TV, surround govt buildings

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of protesters on Tuesday stepped up their campaign to force Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej from office, seizing a state-run television station and surrounding the country's seat of government.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has been demonstrating here since May, claim Samak is running Thailand on behalf of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and barred from holding office.

Samak, who was elected in December and formed a coalition government in February, told the nation Monday that the protests would not force him out of office, and accused the PAD of seeking to destroy Thailand's economy.

Thailand's powerful army chief urged calm, insisting the military would not overthrow the government to quell the escalating protests.

"The military will not stage a coup d'etat. The public must not panic and must carry on their daily lives. The army will not get involved in politics," General Anupong Paojinda told reporters.

Protesters marched before dawn on Government House and the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT) office, forcing the station off the air after storming the premises for a second time.

"Now we have completely taken over NBT and I want more people to join them," PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told demonstrators at another location in the Thai capital.

"Today is judgement day. I am ready if they want to arrest me. If we have to go to police headquarters this time we will not simply stay outside. We will get inside there," he told the cheering crowds.

Deputy government spokesman Nuttawut Saikua told AFP: "PAD have seized NBT to cut off the government communication. Now up to 3,000 people have occupied NBT and they plan to do their own broadcast."

A first attempt to take over the station ended with the arrests of 80 protesters. Police charged them with trespassing and seized a handgun, slingshots and golf clubs.

"They cannot claim their right to rally under the constitution because armed protesters intruded into a state office," said General Jongrak Juntanont, deputy national police chief.

But upon the second attempt, NBT briefly showed images of protesters breaking down a barrier at their Bangkok office before blacking out and broadcasting pre-recorded footage.

Elsewhere, thousands of protesters surrounded Government House, with PAD demonstrators using trucks to block all entrances.

A government official who did not wished to be named told AFP that only about 10 percent of staff at Government House had made it to work.

"As of now the government has stopped functioning," he said.

Thousands more protesters, waving royal and national flags, then made their way to the transport and finance ministries, vowing to blockade all major government buildings.

Police refused to say how many officers were deployed to maintain order, but a spokesman said they were planning to send more forces onto the streets.

Nuttawut, the deputy government spokesman, said earlier they would not yield to the protesters and would proceed with a weekly cabinet meeting.

"As of now the prime minister has not made any change, therefore I still think that the cabinet meeting will go ahead," Nuttawut said.

Asked if the government planned to declare emergency rule, he replied: "Wait for the prime minister. So far there is no special instruction."

One minister told AFP that the meeting would likely be moved to to a military command office on the northern outskirts of Bangkok.

--AFP 2008-08-26

[Thai at Heart]

Samak should shift them and let them know who is ruling the country.

He can try, but at the moment PEOPLE rule, not Samak and his bunch of idiots.

This is a watershed moment for Thailand, don't waste time looking for last elections results and "democracy" - at the moment it's all about raw power, and at the moment the power is with people.

PAD is trying to achieve what military coup couldn't in 2006. Good luck to them.

If they succede, there's no doubt in my mind that they will return "democracy" a lot faster than the generals.

The day is far from over, I have no idea what will happen in the afternoon, or tomorrow.

Samak's leadership is a failure, he should resign simply for not being able to bring reconciliation to the country and allowing it to descend into present chaos. He can stick his "legitimacy" claim up his ass - it's a revolution and he is unable to govern anymore.

It's a protest by 10,000 people. That does not make a population.