PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[ubonjoe]

It's time for the government to do something.

The have arrest orders for the nine main leaders of PAD.

They have a court order for the protestors to leave.

I wonder if anybody has informed all those inside of the court order. I am willing to bet that most of those inside are not aware that they are now subject to arrest for not obeying a court order. I also wonder if any of them are aware of the royal event that is planned for Saturday.

Maybe the governments next move should be to let them know about all the above. Don't know how but there has to be a way.

The way I see it now is that the government has every right to go in with as much non lethal force as needed (no guns)to clear the mob out.

Of course the people inside are informed....maybe you turn on ASTV and listen....it is not top secret.....

I have watched ASTV. Not continuously of course so it would be possible to miss something.

I doubt very much if they were told everything and are truly aware of the possible consequences are for staying.

[marshbags]

why should a farang give a crap about Thai politics?

its not farang business.

We care because a lot of us live here and/or do business here.

To add to OMR,s reply in my usual " extended " fashion

The most important reason we care and worry is because most of us have families and children who,s future is in desperate need of an assurance that they do indeed have a positive scenario and all it encompasses.

They want to live in the modern world of the 21st century and have a just society for all deserved Thai citizens.

While ever these thieving self rewarding Puyai / politicians are allowed to continue influencing an embedded 20th century way of doing things, true democracy will never be achieved, nor will a fair and equal society ever exist, and therefore the constitution as it is meant to be will continue to be manipulated to benefit the so called chosen few.

It is at present based on the so called priviledged and their demand to do as they please, while the majority of ordinary Thai citizens are unjustly considered of a lesser priviledge and class while continually feeding their mega bank accounts and lifestyles and affording them their phoney status in the first place who continue to ingratiate themselves and their undeserving families at the expense of everyone else.

I,d like to give a hesitant guess that for vahack to pose such a question while at the same time saying it is not our business, he or she is obviously an uncaring individual and doesn,t know the difference between giving a crap and being concerned as they are without a real and meaningful family base, here in Thailand.

You do at the same time insult all those who do with such a blanketing, cavalier observation.

It is our business and that of our Thai / Farang children who incidently have the same rights as every other child born in Thailand, who is registered in accordance with Thai law at birth.

They also have of course, a Thai parent to grant them this priviledge.

marshbags

Edited August 28, 2008 by marshbags

[Loaded]

The planned visit of the crown prince to government house this coming Saturday may well be used by Samak today to incite negative feeling towards the PAD protesters. PAD needs to be careful with this. Either they leave peacefully and their actions become history, or they stay and potentially insult the institution they say they love and support. If they stay, Samak will find it very easy to incite anger amoung the uneducated masses towards PAD possibly leading to a nasty confrontation similar to 1973.

[sriracha john]

Provincial Governors told to stop turmoil spreading

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Watana called a video conference of provincial governors yesterday to brace against possible mass protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy in rural areas.

Kowit said the PAD had been creating turmoil in the provinces in parallel with demonstrations in Bangkok. Roads were blocked in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chumphon and Phichit.

He instructed all provincial governors to prevent protests from spreading further. He also ordered governors to try to stop local residents from joining the protests in Bangkok as leaders of the PAD have been urging supporters from rural areas to help them fight the authorities in the capital.

Kowit said that as he had been charged with controlling the situation, he would use sympathy and reconciliation as principles to deal with protesters.

Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Pongpayom Wasputi instructed the governors during the hookup that if the PAD was dispersed from Bangkok, they must stop provincial halls and important government buildings in their areas being besieged by PAD protesters.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Suthee Makbun said he had convinced the protesters to open the road in Pak Chong district to traffic at 7.40pm on Tuesday night.

Chumphon Governor Manit Wattansen said he also cleared a PAD blockade from a major road in his region at 10pm on Tuesday.

- The Nation / today

[cymruambyth1]

why should a farang give a crap about Thai politics?

its not farang business.

We care because a lot of us live here and/or do business here.

To add to OMR,s reply in my usual " extended " fashion

The most important reason we care and worry is because most of us have families and children who,s future is in desperate need of an assurance that they do indeed have a positive scenario and all it encompasses.

They want to live in the modern world of the 21st century and have a just society for all deserved Thai citizens.

While ever these thieving self rewarding Puyai / politicians are allowed to continue influencing an embedded 20th century way of doing things, true democracy will never be achieved, nor will a fair and equal society ever exist, and therefore the constitution as it is meant to be will continue to be manipulated to benefit the so called chosen few.

It is at present based on the so called priviledged and their demand to do as they please, while the majority of ordinary Thai citizens are unjustly considered of a lesser priviledge and class while continually feeding their mega bank accounts and lifestyles and affording them their phoney status in the first place who continue to ingratiate themselves and their undeserving families at the expense of everyone else.

I,d like to give a hesitant guess that for vahack to pose such a question while at the same time saying it is not our business, he or she is obviously an uncaring individual and doesn,t know the difference between giving a crap and being concerned as they are without a real and meaningful family base, here in Thailand.

You do at the same time insult all those who do with such a blanketing, cavalier observation.

It is our business and that of our Thai / Farang children who incidently have the same rights as every other child born in Thailand, who is registered in accordance with Thai law at birth.

They also have of course, a Thai parent to grant them this priviledge.

marshbags

Excellent post.

[sriracha john]

PAD's next generation

The five core leaders of the PAD, now facing arrest, are pinning their hopes on three successors carrying on their efforts to bring down the government. The three new leaders are Sirichai Mai-ngam, Sawit Kaewwan, and Samran Yodpetch. All have taken to the stage to attack PM Samak and his cabinet since PAD renewed its demonstration on May 25. Mr Sirichai is Chairman of the Labour Union of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Mr Sawit is Secretary-General of the powerful State Enterprise Labour Union, and Mr Samran, a former journalist, is now PAD spokesman. Chamlong Srimuang, one of the five core PAD leaders, announced the appointment of the three while police were seeking the Criminal Court's approval to issue arrest warrants against him and eight other key members. The court approved the warrants. The three will immediately take over the leadership once the arrests are made. Chamlong told supporters to wait for directions from the three leaders after he and the others are arrested. Another PAD leader, Pibhop Dhongchai, said that despite the appointment of new leaders, the goal of the rally remained unchanged.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=130019

[esprit]

why should a farang give a crap about Thai politics?

its not farang business.

We care because a lot of us live here and/or do business here.

To add to OMR,s reply in my usual " extended " fashion

The most important reason we care and worry is because most of us have families and children who,s future is in desperate need of an assurance that they do indeed have a positive scenario and all it encompasses.

They want to live in the modern world of the 21st century and have a just society for all deserved Thai citizens.

While ever these thieving self rewarding Puyai / politicians are allowed to continue influencing an embedded 20th century way of doing things, true democracy will never be achieved, nor will a fair and equal society ever exist, and therefore the constitution as it is meant to be will continue to be manipulated to benefit the so called chosen few.

It is at present based on the so called priviledged and their demand to do as they please, while the majority of ordinary Thai citizens are unjustly considered of a lesser priviledge and class while continually feeding their mega bank accounts and lifestyles and affording them their phoney status in the first place who continue to ingratiate themselves and their undeserving families at the expense of everyone else.

I,d like to give a hesitant guess that for vahack to pose such a question while at the same time saying it is not our business, he or she is obviously an uncaring individual and doesn,t know the difference between giving a crap and being concerned as they are without a real and meaningful family base, here in Thailand.

You do at the same time insult all those who do with such a blanketing, cavalier observation.

It is our business and that of our Thai / Farang children who incidently have the same rights as every other child born in Thailand, who is registered in accordance with Thai law at birth.

They also have of course, a Thai parent to grant them this priviledge.

marshbags

That was an extremly articulate and clear simple explanation as to the reasons why many people are concerned by recent events. Perhaps those that support the view it is of no concern, or should not have, actually have no family connection here or are generally irresponsible individuals, with no social consience who care not for the well being of others.

Edited August 28, 2008 by esprit

[sriracha john]

Thai protesters defy PM ultimatum to leave

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A deadline set by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for tens of thousands of protesters to leave his official compound passed on Thursday as the group's leaders vowed to stay until his government fell.

Samak ordered thousands of riot police to break up the demonstration at Government House by Wednesday, but police were powerless to exercise arrest warrants for the nine protest leaders overnight due to the sheer weight of numbers.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) crowd, maybe as many as 40,000 strong and including large numbers of middle-aged women, also defied a court order to leave to compound.

Makeshift barricades of car tyres, razor wire and steel crash barriers on roads leading to the PM's office mean moving the protesters will be a major task.

As the sun rose on Thursday morning, police had taken no action despite having arrest warrants for nine PAD leaders on charges of inciting unrest and trying to overthrow the government, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Dozens of police trucks were parked on streets nearby and police doctors and ambulances were on stand-by at police headquarters, Thai television reports said.

The PAD accuses the government elected in December of being an illegitimate proxy of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was booted out by the army in a 2006 coup.

- Reuters / Aug. 28, 2008

[eastwest]

The planned visit of the crown prince to government house this coming Saturday may well be used by Samak today to incite negative feeling towards the PAD protesters. PAD needs to be careful with this. Either they leave peacefully and their actions become history, or they stay and potentially insult the institution they say they love and support. If they stay, Samak will find it very easy to incite anger amoung the uneducated masses towards PAD possibly leading to a nasty confrontation similar to 1973.

Samak doesn't need to do anything but maintain the status quo and to appear like he's trying to solve the crisis peacefully. If PAD fails to leave the premises of Government House in a timely manner, it may engender growing mistrust and antagonism from Thais of all classes throughout the country.

Edited August 28, 2008 by eastwest

[animatic]

The demo has gone on for two night and starting three days with no real violence, the PAD are getting massive amounts of media attention and support is continuing to build. PAD has certainly not lost any face on this. If anything they have succeeded in forcing Thai people to make a concrete decision about what they think of Samak and his cronies being allowed to continue their terms.

It's time for PAD leaders to appeal to the general public. They should come clean and tell people why they have decided to launch this latest attack. If they are sincere and if they were really acting with best intentions, people will understand and accept it.

They should also apologise for the NBT raid, of if, indeed, it was a provocation, they should tell the public they have nothing to do with it.

Someone posted timeline earlier - the raid was carried on before PAD leaders told the protesters about the plan. I find it hard to believe they'd send goons to take over the station when they can just walk in, as they did just a few hours later and despite heavy police presence and no surprise factor.

Anyways - PAD should talk to general public, they can't do it alone.

I think PAD is talking to the general public and to some extent the world stage also.

I think if the word isn't getting out strongly enough, it is because of who controls the media still.

If there are loose ties to the royal family, as has been implied, if not proven,

then 'they' won't be too put out, maybe even come and make the speach anyway.

Remember PAD are in the parking lot or yard, not in the buildings.

If ANY royal walked in the crowd would part like the red sea.

With the deepest respect shown.

In any case not one PAD supporter would not want to be in a royals presence.

They would drop to their knees, no matter what's on the ground,

and bless themselves for the meeting.

I think the Gov. was pulling the 'royals card' to try and win some points.

Yes, this is essentially a referendum on PPP's current appointed board of directors.

Do you really think Samak would get so many meetings at the top if he WASN'T PM of the moment.

As I stated before ithe cabinet and PM is a coalition constructed on a base of elected MP's

and can be changed, and still have PPP as the elected base used to form a new coallition,

as long as PPP still exists, which my not be long, as the courts seem determined.

No change of the voters votes, just the board of directors being changed.

It is Samak and his cronies at issue, not the elected mp's of PPP.

So the 'government CABINET' can fall and not the country, they just form

a new coalition with a new board of directors, hopefully a bit less rapacious,

and infinitely more thoughtful of their true job responsabilities.

The one person I would actual be regretful losing is the new Foreign Minister.

Seems like a thoughtful man in the right job. Maybe that shows you how bad it was

with Cambodia last month, they actually HAD to hire somebody truly competent and not a cronie.

PAD played the nationaist card pretty big, but it was gov. moves, more than PAD retoric

that was screwing the pooch on that one. That's why they HAD to get a good man in the FM post.

Yes, why are all the ralleys peaceful except for the 5am NBT one?

No coincidence that NBT is clearly a biased PPP mouthpiece,

where best to do some serious propganda damage if they can,

than at your OWN media outlet.... Full control of the 'show'.

Why are some here so determined to portrait PAD as violent

when nothing is ever shown as violent on TV. Talk talk talk.

Just anecdotal statements from a few posters here.

I don't think this has become a PAD defenders rally.

I personally am only making observations.

I think some don't LIKE my observations.

But I certainly see 'certain individuals' making blatant attacks on PAD here,

and showing a definite bias. Which certainly makes one wonder,

why PAD has even affected these individuals enough to hate them,

unless there is an ulterior motivation from some other source.

[ubonjoe]

(BangkokPost.com) - The Civil Court plans to send its personnel to hand the Government House’s protection warrant to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s five leaders at the compound at about 9am Thursday. The court’s official will be escorted by the police.

At 10am, the police will have a meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Pol Gen Kowit Wattana, to assess the prolonging mass rally situation. The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, and other top police officials will attend this meeting.

Meanwhile, one of the PAD core members, Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, on Thursday morning announced the group’s victory for hanging on at the Government House last night safely.

However, he tried to convince a group of his followers not to return home, claiming that the police could get hold of them. He told the crowd that if the PAD leaders are arrested, they should remain at the government compound to pressure the government to resign.

[younghusband]

quote removed - lopburi3

That has already happened - the lawn there is an absolute mess, rubbish everywhere, and the stink of the crowd is getting unbearable.

The overbearing behavior of the obnoxious PAD guards is getting worse every day, like little SA troopers parading their batons. There have been many incidents where ordinary PAD protesters had to apologize for the behavior of those guards.

This whole disgraceful episode is increasingly turning out a PR desaster for the PAD, and it will get only worse.

I am disgusted when i read most posts here of the last pages - a few posters have managed to turn this forum into a PAD propaganda machine.

The demo has gone on for two night and starting three days with no real violence, the PAD are getting massive amounts of media attention and support is continuing to build. PAD has certainly not lost any face on this. If anything they have succeeded in forcing Thai people to make a concrete decision about what they think of Samak and his cronies being allowed to continue their terms.

It's a good PR for Thailand in the international press that Thais are able to stage peaceful protests compared to other countries like Burma, South Korea, China, US where the Govt/police have draconian responses.

If you put 35,000 people together anywhere its' gonna get messy. Can't really see how that makes PAD loose face.

I tend to agree.Although my position on the PAD leadership is on record it's dispiriting to read this discussion mostly comprising crude stereotypes.Regardless of politics how can one not have sympathy for at least the camped out PAD rank and file mostly decent and idealistic people.I happen to think they are misguided but there's no question of losing face.Compromise and opportunism are part and parcel of politics however, and neither PAD nor the Samak Government are immune.I tend to agree with Tej Bunnag that recent events are significant events in the growth of democracy in Thailand.PAD may have gone too far this time but so did French workers and students in 1968, but nobody seriously argues now they were not in the democratic main stream.Sometimes countries need a shake up and the PAD has done this with some achievements to their name.Credit must be given to both PAD and Samak for avoiding violent excesses so far, not a negligible achievement.What's needed now is good will on all sides to bring a divided country together though I'm not sure yet whether there's a wish to compromise.Is it too far fetched to say that both Thaksin and PAD leadership have served their purpose and now should be prepared to "cultiver le jardin".It's up to others now to represent the interests of all Thai classes but within the constitutional process.

[eastwest]

From the Bangkok Post, Special Report:

1,000 riot control soldiers on stanby

WASSANA NANUAM

Army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda has put about 1,000 soldiers trained in riot control on standby to back up police if the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstration gets out of control.

According to a source, Gen Anupong on Monday ordered First Army commander Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to keep ready nine companies comprising just over 1,000 soldiers from the 1st Division of The King's Guard in Bangkok.

The nine companies are under the control of Maj-Gen Paiboon Khumchaya, commander of the 1st division. The force is ready to go into action if the police are unable to handle the mobs of people and the government announces a state of emergency.

Lt-Gen Prayuth has ordered the soldiers not to carry guns. They will only be given equipment normally used in riot control. He issued orders for the soldiers not to use force that could injure people and were told only to maintain order and neutrality, the source said.

The nine companies were put on standby before PAD supporters entered Government House on Tuesday. They were kept in reserve throughout the day as the situation was not considered critical.

The source said Lt-Gen Prayuth had set up an outpost of his First Army at the 1st Infantry Regiment where his and Gen Anupong's residences are located.

Select troops are guarding both residences to prevent any group of soldiers from seizing either of the two key military figures.

The source said reports were circulating that commanders of some forces had been bribed to stage a coup to tear up the 2007 constitution and revive the 1997 charter.

The source said it was possible the government would declare a state of emergency as police might not be able to contain the mobs. Bloody clashes would end the legitimacy of the government.

But a state of emergency would mean soldiers being deployed on the streets, leading to the possibility of another coup.

``It depends on Prime Minister Samak whether he dares to make the announcement. It would put him at risk as it's uncertain whether he could control all of the military if security powers are transferred to the armed forces,'' the source said.

The last paragraph details succinctly why Samak hasn't declared a state of emergency, and why this so-called peaceful protest could very easily devolve into another military coup.

[younghusband]

Kudos to Sriracha's John - our man on the spot ! The Pulitzer beckons

srj is one of the few on this forum to post "just the facts" , as opposed to the prejudices , stubborn opinions , pure propaganda and third hand rants that make up a lot of the posts on thai visa.

p.s. srj ... how far from your computer IS your fridge ?

Come on Kudos's tease was quite funny.It probably reflects on quite a few of us - middle aged men in pyjamas or phasin hunched over their laptops putting the world to rights.It is slightly comic.

Incidentally SRJ you earlier welcomed students joining the PAD assembly correctly observing the historical significance of students in 1970's Thai politics.What you didn't point out was that in the 1970's the student movement was on to the opposite side to the forces generally accepted are represented by PAD.

[ubonjoe]

Police offer free rides for protesters to go home

Police deputy spokesman Pol Maj Gen Surapol Thuanthong Thursday called on protesters to leave Government House and offered free bus or van rides to go home.

Surapol said police have prepared 110 buses and vans to take them home for free.

The Nation

[geriatrickid]

Is it inappropriate for me to be wondering about how many toe tags and body bags have been stockpiled for this event's conclusion?

[catmac]

Will the monks inside be murdered like those in the Burma demonstrations?

No SJ, that only happens under military dictatorships; the kind of "Government" that PAD wants to run Thailand under its New Politics lunacy!

[sriracha john]

Economic experts: lingered confrontation results in economic despair

Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB) indicates persistent riots will seriously impact the Thai economy and damapen the investment atmosphere at the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). NESDB’s secretary-general, Mr. Amphon Kitiamphon, also urges authorities to hurriedly end the confrontation.

At the same time, chairman of the International Real Estate Federation Manop Phongsathat views the incidents will create negative repercussions to Thailand's domestic economy and investments. He says the current riots will definitely scrap foreign investors’ confidence and they will be reluctant to plough their money into businesses in Thailand.

Despite the contracts signed, Mr. Manop adds that many projects from overseas investments may face a suspension and foreign investors may wish to observe the situation further before proceeding with businesses, especially scores of projects in the Bangkok metropolis.

Meanwhile, the President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Pramon Suthivong, says at the moment, investors will likely wait and see whether or not there will be more violence. Nevertheless, he is certain that the riots will only impact investors’ confidence in the short run.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Chairman, Mr. Santi Vilassakdanont, advises that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its organizations overseas should help create better understanding and explain what happened in Thailand to foreign investors in an effort to restore confidence.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 August 2008

The reincarnated Cabinet Minister, who returned to the Cabinet in another post after being thrown off by the courts, seems to dispute most of the above commentary from the experts...

Commerce Minister Unfazed by Effects of Anti-Government Protests

The Commerce Minister is not worried that the anti-government protests in Bangkok will have an impact on the local economy and brushes aside calls for the country to clarify the issue with the international community.

Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsap said the anti-government rallies, which reached a new height yesterday with the siege of several state offices, is the responsibility of the Interior Ministry.

Chaiya said the ongoing conflicts should not have any serious impact on the economy, though he admitted that footage of the protests and the break-ins, which have been broadcast all over the world, could affect foreign sentiment to a certain level.

Still, he does not see any need to clarify the problem with the international community after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej spoke with foreign journalists yesterday evening.

However, Department of Export Promotion Director-General, Rachane Pojanasuntorn said he has urged Thai trade diplomats in all countries to explain the situation in Thailand. He said the ongoing political instability will not hurt foreign trade.

Rachane stated that it's business as usual for Thai trade and the country's trade representatives have been told to assure their clients that exports would carry on uninterrupted, via both sea freight and air freight.

He remains confident that Thai exports will grow more than 12.5 percent this year.

However, he admitted that the major anti-government rallies could affect local tourism considerably, while domestic investment should remain safe from any immediate impact.

The Department of Export Promotion chief also called on the government and all security offices to handle the situation carefully and without the use of violence.

- Thailand Outlook / Aug. 27, 2008

[Jai Dee]

Off-topic posts have been deleted from this thread.

[sriracha john]

Will the monks inside be murdered like those in the Burma demonstrations?

No SJ, that only happens under military dictatorships

I'm sure they feel comfortable now with your personal assurances of their safety.

or at least as comfortable as those from the Drug War, Tak Bai, etc. of the civilian dictatorship of a prior administration.

[Jai Dee]

Thai protesters defy PM

Warrants were also issued for PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, and three PAD members who had led the protesters in an invasion of the offices of the state-owned TV channel NBT.

A deadline set by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for tens of thousands of protesters to leave his official compound passed on Thursday as the group's leaders vowed to stay until his government fell.

Mr Samak ordered thousands of riot police to break up the demonstration at Government House by Wednesday but police were powerless to exercise arrest warrants for the nine protest leaders overnight due to the sheer weight of numbers.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) crowd, maybe as many as 40,000 strong and including large numbers of middle-aged women, also defied a court order to leave to compound.

Makeshift barricades of car tyres, razor wire and steel crash barriers on roads leading to the PM's office mean moving the protesters will be a major task.

As the sun rose on Thursday morning, police had taken no action despite having arrest warrants for nine PAD leaders on charges of inciting unrest and trying to overthrow the government, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Dozens of police trucks were parked on streets nearby and police doctors and ambulances were on stand-by at police headquarters, Thai television reports said.

The PAD accuses the government elected in December of being an illegitimate proxy of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was booted out by the army in a 2006 coup.

It also proclaims itself to be a defender of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej against a supposed Thaksin plan to turn Thailand into a republic - a charge vehemently denied by both Mr Thaksin, now in exile in London, and the government.

Source: Straits Times - 28 August 2008

[grantbkk]

This event has gone well past the "best if consumed by date" and interest has dwindled from about 1300 readers to less that a couple of hundred. We, the die hard few that require our news NOW, stand at our machines waiting to see if our prognostications see the light of day. With the distinct lack of news we have turned on each other with personal attacks reminiscent of any 5th grade comprehensive school. I love Thai Visa but some of you are trying my patience.

For those who have been drunk for the two and a half day run, mark your place and get some sleep. For the crazies and conspiracy theorists a doctors visit should be considered for those who have depleted the meds. You know who you are (or maybe you don't).

Edited August 28, 2008 by grantbkk

[Ricardo]

Sometimes countries need a shake up and the PAD has done this with some achievements to their name.Credit must be given to both PAD and Samak for avoiding violent excesses so far, not a negligible achievement.What's needed now is good will on all sides to bring a divided country together though I'm not sure yet whether there's a wish to compromise.Is it too far fetched to say that both Thaksin and PAD leadership have served their purpose and now should be prepared to "cultiver le jardin".It's up to others now to represent the interests of all Thai classes but within the constitutional process.

Excellent post.

Samak has surely shown that, although his election may well have been largely-funded by Dr T., he is not merely a puppet, and he therefore deserves the chance to put his policies, if any, into action. Wish he would get on with it, though.

[tamsin]

Is it inappropriate for me to be wondering about how many toe tags and body bags have been stockpiled for this event's conclusion?

What is it with people like you? Do try to remember that some of us have family and friends there.

[clausewitz]

[.

The current PAD is led by Chamlong Srimuang, one of the most highly respected Thais of modern generations and the leader of the 1992 pro democracy movement.

A large proportion of the population see Chamlong as a nutty cult leader. Read up on his history with Santi Asoke- real cuckoo land people.

[pauls2979]

just woke up , fell asleep about 2am

can someone tell me , has the stage moved ? it does not look like its in the same place ,

[pumpuiman]

Will the monks inside be murdered like those in the Burma demonstrations?

No SJ, that only happens under military dictatorships

I'm sure they feel comfortable now with your personal assurances of their safety.

or at least as comfortable as those from the Drug War, Tak Bai, etc. of the civilian dictatorship of a prior administration.

The government has done nothing but show incredible restraint in dealing with the PAD. The PAD has repeatedly provoked the government/police and continue to do so.Are you so blinded by your hatred of Thaksin and the current administration that you don't see what the rest of the world sees? You should be thankful no one has been hurt...but you seem to be looking for a fight. You and Sondhi would be overjoyed to see monks or women killed wouldn't you? Of course you'd cry foul...and play the victim...you've probably rehearsed your lines already. I'm sure Sondhi has had his martyr speech written for months.....if only he had some blood.

The protesters/monks/women can go home. They've been warned countless times...even offered a free ride.....but if the shit hits the fan you'll be screaming "Oh the humanity..the innocent and downtrodden!"

People have heard enough of the PAD.

<snip>

Edited August 28, 2008 by Jai Dee
Flame deleted.

[clausewitz]

Thai protesters defy PM

Warrants were also issued for PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, and three PAD members who had led the protesters in an invasion of the offices of the state-owned TV channel NBT.

It is shocking that the police are thinking to arrest a PAD member when we already know that it was NOT PAD that invaded the TV station (PAD said it wasn't them) . What is wrong with the police and why don't they find the real culprits.

All PAD protests are peaceful, legimate, sincere, for the good of the country, in defense of the monarchy, done by those with pure hearts, and always wise and benovelent.

[h90]

[.

The current PAD is led by Chamlong Srimuang, one of the most highly respected Thais of modern generations and the leader of the 1992 pro democracy movement.

A large proportion of the population see Chamlong as a nutty cult leader. Read up on his history with Santi Asoke- real cuckoo land people.

Some may laugh about Santi Asoke ideas....don't take drugs, take care nature, work hard and help poor one, don't do harm to anyone.

But read about the 1992 event.....Chamlong saved Thailand from going the way of Myanmar, whatever some uneducated people think about him there are historic facts.

[ubonjoe]

Thai protesters defy PM

Warrants were also issued for PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, and three PAD members who had led the protesters in an invasion of the offices of the state-owned TV channel NBT.

It is shocking that the police are thinking to arrest a PAD member when we already know that it was NOT PAD that invaded the TV station (PAD said it wasn't them) . What is wrong with the police and why don't they find the real culprits.

All PAD protests are peaceful, legimate, sincere, for the good of the country, in defense of the monarchy, done by those with pure hearts, and always wise and benovelent.

I hoipe you are not serious and meant this to be satire.

Edited August 28, 2008 by ubonjoe