PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[gymshark]

(BangkokPost.com) – About 70% of people questioned in a survey conducted by Bangkok University disagreed with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s moves to topple the government.

I never knew this, must have missed this one. Wonder if it is true.

do you have a detailed link? I could not find it.

thx

www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=129994

[Crushdepth]

I've posted before expressing suprise that seemingly sane TVers are so blinded by their hatred of Thaksin that they can't see the wood for the trees! PAD stands for everything evil in Thai society

Jeez! And Samak is pure, virtuous and noble?:

* He was involved in the student massacres (peaceful?).

* Has previously shut down newspapers for making critical comments about the government (free press?).

* Currently defending himself in 4 courts and already has a conviction and 2 year jail term he hasn't got around to serving just yet (integrity?).

* Party will probably be dissolved again next week for electoral fraud (democracy?).

The man is a despot! You think PAD is evil? We'd be knee deep in blood already if the Institution We All Revere hadn't stepped in early to remove the option of violence.

[quiksilva]

I think many agree with PAD's ideas but strongly disagree with they way they are going about trying to implement them.

They have lost credibility, and in many ways this makes them more dangerous than ever. They are spoiling for a fight, if they can provoke a violent reaction they win.

Its so blindingly obvious even the government can see it, hence their reaction to date.

The problem the government has now though is how to remove them without using force?

Personally I'd opt for playing "the birdy song" repeatedly non-stop at a volume that drowns out their speeches. They'll soon get bored and leave if they cant hear the sound of their own voice.

(Just be sure that nobody teaches them the dance moves!)

[jfchandler]

Chamlong tells guards to close gates of Government House

BANGKOK: - Chamlong Srimuang told guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy at 11:23 am Thursday to close all gates to Government House to try to prevent police's raid.

He said the doors had to be closed and the guards had to be on full alert to locked up the gates with chains once police arrive.

--The Nation 2008-08-28

[britmaveric]

PAD are a bunch of sheep following corrupt leadership.

[ubonjoe]

National police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan promised on Thursday he will use a "tender approach" to disperse PAD protesters and arrest their nine core leaders.

Police will not use force to disperse the demonstrators or arrest their leaders, he said.

The anti-government protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) remained inside the premises of Government House for a third day on Thursday morning - defying court orders to leave and give way to traffic.

Pol Gen Patcharawat said he would not order a raid on the compound. Police will wait for the nine PAD core leaders to present themselves. There was no deadline set for the surrender, he said.

Until now police had taken no action despite having arrest warrants for PAD leaders on charges of inciting unrest and trying to overthrow the government, as well as the court's injunction for the PAD activists to move out of Government House.

The Civil Court on Wednesday granted an immediate injunction ordering all PAD demonstrators to

move out of the Government House compound, end all road blockades, allow cabinet members access to Government House.

If they refuse, police have the power to enforce the court order.

The PAD said it wanted to appeal the verdict on Thursday, and would remain in occupation of Government House and surrounding streets.

The PAD leaders named in the arrest warrants are Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Thongchai, retired Maj-Gen Chamlong, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and group's coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.

Also wanted are Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananond and Therdpoom Chaidee, who led Tuesday's violent raid and seizure of the state-owned NBT television station.

The PAD leaders were charged with rebellion and rebellious attempt,

organising gatherings of 10 or more people to cause public disturbances, and, defying police orders to disperse.

Early on Thursday morning, police equipped with batons and shields stood on alert inside the Govenrment House premises, while PAD leaders Maj-Gen Chamlong and Mr Sondhi told the protesters on the lawn to stay.

They sat on the lawn encircled by their followers, including middle-aged women with their "guards" forming an close entourage around them, some reportedly from the Santi Asoke religious movement. (BangkokPost.com, TNA)

(BangkokPost.com) - Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Wattana insisted Thursday that police will follow the Civil Court's injunction, which ordered the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to move out of the Government House and its ground, and take legal action against the group.

"Police have our own ways of handling this. Wait and see," Pol Gen Kowit told reporters before attending a meeting with high-ranking police officers to assess the ongoing political situation.

On Wednesday, the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for nine key members of PAD. Several hours later, the Civil Court ordered the group to leave the compound of the Government House.

Thousands of protesters and the group leaders, however, refused to follow the injunction and continued to gather at the Government House on Thursday.

[jfchandler]

Govt changes venue of ceremony from Government House to Suan Amporn

BANGKOK: - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Thursday that a ceremony for national unity to be presided over by HRH Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be moved from Government House to Suan Amporn Auditorium.

The ceremony scheduled to be on Saturday.

The change of venue came after protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy occupied the Government House since Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2008-08-28

[gymshark]

People are always talking about massacres when students get shot, muslims get thrown in trucks and people stand in front of tanks. Guess what, if they do as they are told and go home these things would never happen.

[hammered]

I've posted before expressing suprise that seemingly sane TVers are so blinded by their hatred of Thaksin that they can't see the wood for the trees! PAD stands for everything evil in Thai society

Jeez! And Samak is pure, virtuous and noble?:

* He was involved in the student massacres (peaceful?).

* Has previously shut down newspapers for making critical comments about the government (free press?).

* Currently defending himself in 4 courts and already has a conviction and 2 year jail term he hasn't got around to serving just yet (integrity?).

* Party will probably be dissolved again next week for electoral fraud (democracy?).

The man is a despot! You think PAD is evil? We'd be knee deep in blood already if the Institution We All Revere hadn't stepped in early to remove the option of violence.

One of the problems with Thai politics- governmnetal, parliamentary and extra-parliamentary - is that there are a lot of dodgy people involved to say the least

[geovalin]

Jai Dee, if already posted, please delete

Brian McCartan

27 August 2008

Asiasentinel

Thailand’s Premier Becomes an Unlikely Peacekeeper

In the complex game of Thai politics, the opposition’s intransigent tactics may give Samak a chance to look good

Given the thousands of protesters who stormed his office Tuesday, it’s pretty obvious that Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is in trouble. This time, however, he has the unlikely potential to emerge as a positive force for once, rather than as a villain – if he continues to play his cards right.

In any political situation in Thailand there are wheels within wheels, but the way Samak handles the uprising in Bangkok may determine whether he stays on as prime minister and has enough clout to break away from the impression that he is a mere proxy for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Samak appeared to have stood aside as a Thai court Wednesday issued arrest warrants on the behalf of the police for nine leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, which is spearheading the protest. The nine also could be charged with conspiracy to commit insurrection, assembling 10 or more persons to cause a public disturbance, and ignoring a lawful order to disperse.

The current unrest stems from long-running protests that began on May 25 by the PAD, which accuses the Samak government of being Thaksin’s stalking-horse. The alliance, partly led by the Thai publisher and stormy petrel Sondhi Limtongkul, also vehemently opposes plans to amend the constitution and is now agitating for a royalist, partially-appointed parliament because of anger over what is perceived as an inability to get rid of Thaksin-tainted politicians.

Samak has so far uncharactically shown restraint, which has not always been the case in the past. He has yet to invoke the emergency decree that would suspend democracy and call out the military. Instead he has left the handling of the situation up to Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister General Kowit Wattana, who is in charge of the police. In a press conference on Tuesday Samak simply said that the government’s patience had run out and protestors who had broken the law would be arrested.

After a brief confrontation between riot police securing Government House and protestors early Wednesday morning, the police backed off. Samak told foreign journalists Tuesday that he would starve the protestors out rather than use force against them. This was a result, he said, of an audience he had with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who told him to “enforce the law with extreme caution” and to be “soft and gentle.”

The utterances of the king carry strong weight in Thailand and these words can be interpreted as a continued royal endorsement of the Samak government.

Although he has received some criticism for lack of action, Samak can only hope to win from showing restraint. A violent crackdown would add to his well-deserved image as a brutal hardliner and cause wider resentment. If Samak can quell the protests peacefully or with a modicum of force, he may gain the goodwill of the population at large, many of whom, especially in Bangkok, are fed up with the protests.

The alliance’s moves Tuesday certainly hurt the PAD's image, irritating urban Thais in Bangkok. The forceful takeover of the NBT television station, in addition to the storming of Samak’s office, upset the Thai media. A positive image is something Samak will need in what is looking to be a looming confrontation within his own party, which may split.

This is a marked difference to past performances. Samak, then a right wing cabinet minister with close ties to the military, played a pivotal role in the violent suppression of October 1976 student protests in Bangkok in which scores of students were massacred. Although Samak attempted to deny his role in an interview with Al Jazeera earlier this year, witnesses and reports say that he helped to incite violence against the protesters with broadcasts over military radio. During the same interview Samak claimed only the only one “unfortunate” individual was killed despite an official death toll of at least 46.

During the 1992 suppression of pro-democracy protests by the military government of Suchinda Kraprayoon, which Samak served as deputy prime minister, he justified the violence by saying that if the US could send troops to kill people around the world, then the Thai government also had the right to kill people. Samak has continued to hold the position that the government is justified in using force to restore law and order against “troublemakers.” He dismissed the 2004 deaths of protesters in Tak Bai in Muslim southern Thailand who were stuffed into police vans for hours in the sun by saying the victims were weakened because they were fasting for Ramadan.

He came in for more criticism in late May when he threatened to call in the police and military against alliance protesters. The remarks only served to swell the ranks of the dissenters, something he seems to have learned from.

His government has also come under fire for attempting to amend the constitution for its own benefit, especially to ward off the dissolution of the ruling People’s Power Party due to election fraud. Accusations of lack of attention to the economy, poor handling of the rice crisis and ignoring the continued violence in the South have also been leveled against the Samak.

The main immediate challenges to Samak’s hold on office are two cases before the Constitutional Court. The first case stems from charges that he was earning extra income from two television cooking shows he continued to host after becoming prime minister. Under Thai law politicians are not allowed to draw an income from outside sources while in office. A guilty verdict would only depose him temporarily since the law does not stipulate that he cannot be reappointed and his party has vowed to vote him back in.

The other more important case centers around the July disqualification of former PPP executive member and House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat who was found guilty of electoral fraud by the Supreme Court. Under Thai election laws a political party can be dissolved by the Constitutional Court if its executive members are found guilty of wrong doing.

Samak has also been asked by the National Counter Corruption Commission to explain his role in the reinstatement to the army of Duang Yubamrong, son of former interior minister Chalerm Yubomrong. Duang is infamous as a bad boy for fights and shootings at nightclubs, one of which culminated in charges of murder for the killing of a police officer in 2001. Although he was dismissed from the service for desertion while fleeing from arrest over the charges, he was later acquitted.

With Thaksin again in self-imposed exile, many observers believed Samak would finally have the room to maneuver to set his own agenda and to move the country forward without the shadow of the former prime minister. Although Samak had previously acted in ways that ran counter to Thaksin’s perceived wishes, he was usually reined back in. However, instead of reducing the pressure, the flight of the former prime minister has put Samak in the hot seat with his supposed allies.

The prime minister was attacked by members of his own party for showing disloyalty to Thaksin by allowing the police to display arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife throughout the country. An open letter was sent to Samak on August 18 by around 200 pro-government MPs criticizing him for not protecting Thaksin. It apparently took several phone calls from Thaksin in London to faction leaders to calm the situation. Thaksin requested that party members stand behind Samak. The ex-premier’s move gave him the opportunity to flex some muscle from abroad, although his influence is likely to fade the longer he remains in exile.

The criticism apparently has put Samak on notice that when it comes to Thaksin he should consider his moves carefully. The next two big issues are whether to revoke Thaksin’s diplomatic passport and to request requesting his extradition from the United Kingdom. So far, Samak has sidestepped the passport issue. He also announced on August 22 that there were no plans as yet for an extradition request.

Thaksin’s calls for unity will likely only calm the situation temporarily. With him gone it is widely believed the party will eventually split and Thailand will return to the pre-Thaksin era when politics was dominated by coalitions of many small parties.

Prior to Thaksin’s flight to England Samak had been named as one of a “Gang of Four” that was plotting to set up their own party should the Constitutional Court dissolve the PPP and force new elections. Although he controls none of the factions and is distrusted by his coalition partners, his longstanding connections to the military and the palace make Samak a valuable partner in any coalition. Until that time, however, the grouping, which also contains the politically banned but still very powerful Newin Chidchob, looks content to set itself up as a powerful faction in opposition to some hard-line Thaksin supporters, including Thaksin’s sister Yaowapa Wongsawat.

The “gang” aroused considerable ill-feeling in the party by its supposed domination of a recent cabinet reshuffle that saw key positions go to their supporters and other factions lose out. Thaksin is said to have played no role in the reshuffle. The bitterness and disappointment are unlikely to disappear simply due to a phone call from Thaksin.

Edited August 28, 2008 by geovalin

[ubonjoe]

Chamlong tells guards to close gates of Government House

Chamlong Srimuang told guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy at 11:23 am Thursday to close all gates to Government House to try to prevent police's raid.

He said the doors had to be closed and the guards had to be on full alert to locked up the gates with chains once police arrive.

The Nation

[scyriacus]

....Are you so blinded by your hatred of Thaksin ... that you don't see what the rest of the world sees? ...but you seem to be looking for a fight. You and Sondhi would be overjoyed to see monks or women killed ....if only he had some blood.

...protesters/monks/women ... go home. ... been warned countless times...but if the shit hits the fan you'll be screaming "Oh the humanity..the innocent and downtrodden!"<snip>

just a few 'snips', after the post said that the flamming parts were removed. am i blinded that i still see hatred?

[jfchandler]

The Nation just posted this...even though it (rightly or wrongly) has a Wednesday date reference... Note the final pgh....

PM pledges not to use force to disperse PAD crowds

BANGKOK: - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Wednesday that police would not use force to evict protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy at Government House.

Samak thanked the Civil Court to have issued the injunction ordering protesters to vacate the compound on Wednesday, saying the court has given the government "a sword" and that authorities would enforce the court order with care.

He said he had already given the green light for police to evict the crowds but changed his mind because he did not want violence to erupt.

-- The Nation 2008-08-28

[jfchandler]

PAD sets up tents, shower room in front of Thai Kufah Building

BANGKOK: - Ignoring Civil Court's injunction, the People's Alliance for Democracy set up five tents and shower room on the lawn in front of Thai Kufah Building Thursday morning.

The five tents are for members of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect to rest and the shower room for them to clean themselves.

The area is often used as forming lines of guard of honours to welcome guests of the government.

-- The Nation 2008-08-28

[jfchandler]

Interesting....

PM: Police will not disperse protesters

(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted Thursday that the government will not ask police to use force in dispersing the anti-government protesters, who continue to gather at the Government House on the third day.

Mr Samak also said that police would not break the crowd of supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in order to arrest key group members who are also inside the compound of the Government House.

The premier said he would give the key PAD members, who faced arrest warrants, a chance to surrender.

"I've considered this and believed that it is dangerous (to break the crowd and arrest the key members)," he said. "So I ordered police not to disperse the crowd."

He added that the government decided to shift the official function "116 Days: From Mothers' Day to Fathers' Day," which was planned to be held at the Government House this Saturday, to Suan Amporn.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-28

[sriracha john]

(BangkokPost.com) – About 70% of people questioned in a survey conducted by Bangkok University disagreed with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s moves to topple the government.

I never knew this, must have missed this one. Wonder if it is true.

do you have a detailed link? I could not find it.

thx

related posts from earlier...

PAD's protest activities disapproved by majority

BANGKOK: - More than 70 per cent of the people condemned the People's Alliance for Democracy for its Tuesday's protest activities, Bangkok University Poll said on Wednesday.

Was that another of those famous polls where they question 23 people and call that a majority opinion.

A survey of their surveys reveals your facetious number isn't really all that far off from the literal number...

The Bangkok University survey covered 1,985 adult residents of the city

-2000

Bangkok University revealed the survey was conducted on June 28th and 29th, and the samples comprised 1,116 people

-2008

The Bangkok University's Bangkok Poll, interviewed 1,228 people living in Bangkok

-2008

I'm not saying they do or they don't'... just that in the absence of definitive polling, "public sentiment" and "majority opinions" are whatever individuals experience in their own individual environment.

Thai polls, eg. Bangkok U. and Assumption U., in case you're unaware, have been universally panned as notoriously inaccurate....

Edited August 28, 2008 by sriracha john

[scyriacus]

People are always talking about massacres when students get shot, muslims get thrown in trucks and people stand in front of tanks. Guess what, if they do as they are told and go home these things would never happen.

are you joking? ok shark, let's see what does not happen when you go home as i tell you now........but you may argue, that you have the right to stay and i have no authority to tell you. that's exactly the pad's argument!

and if i take a few millions and buy me some voters and a government, will you then listen to me?

[sriracha john]

People are always talking about massacres when students get shot, muslims get thrown in trucks and people stand in front of tanks. Guess what, if they do as they are told and go home these things would never happen.

And by extension, if those events which prompted students to get shot, muslims to get thrown into trucks and people to stand in front of tanks had never happened.... guess what.

[jfchandler]

Senators says govt. overly charged PAD

A group of senators says the government has overly charged leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

More than 20 senators have called a meeting to discuss PAD’s rally and the government’s exercise of power to tackle the protestors. Senator Warin Thiamcharat said that the government’s issuance of arrest warrants against nine PAD leaders on grounds of rebellion is too aggressive as those charged with rebellion must act to demolish main institutions and destroy sovereignty of the country. He said further that if the alleged people can prove that their actions are not in accordance to the rebellion charge, they can sue the government back.

At the same time, Bangkok Senator Rasana Tositrakul requested the Royal Thai Police to withdraw the rebellion charge filed against the nine leaders of PAD.

-- Govt. Public Relations Dept. 2008-08-28

[pumpuiman]

[.

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.

But don't you support the PAD's plan for the military to "oversee" the appointed government?

Sounds like Myanmar to me.

I think on that 52 pages, you get an explanation why this is simply nonsense....

I think you find approx. 37 similar explanations from 10 user.......

As well in Myanmar the military does not "oversee" an appointed government, it is the government....and you are a Troll

So you are in support of the PAD's plan to appoint a government to be overseen by the military?

This is the plan...do you support it?

You praise the virtues of the "innocent" PAD...but do you back the plan for a military government?

there is no such "Plan". Several ideas were discussed, but never a plan was made.....

it was also spoken about an absolute Monarchy and other things.

But people like you pick out one sentence of 90 days speakings

Do you support the "idea" of an appointed government overseen by the military as suggested by the PAD?

I'm sure many here would like to know.

Do you or don't you?

[jfchandler]

Transport company provides 800 buses to assist PAD protesters wishing to go home

Managing Director of the Transport Company Limited, Wutichart Kalayanamitr stated that his company has been contacted by the National Police and has prepared vehicles to assist in the transport of People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators who wish to return home.

The Transport Company has diverted vehicles typically used for routes throughout the nation to assist in the matter, totaling 800 vehicles as well as shuttle buses for minor destinations. The company is also ready to work with 3 other transport firms to assist in the situation if its fleet is not enough.

-- Govt. Public Relations Dept. 2008-08-28

[animatic]

Sure doesn't look like;

An unraveling of the social fabric.

Rioting and anarchy in the streets.

Violent wannabe despots.

Looks just about the same as the pictures

of the Kings Birthday gatherings awhile back.

A sea of yellow shirts and Thai flags,

and mothers and grandmothers,

and a general cross section of the Thai populace.

I sure wouldn't want to be seen giving this crowd a beating....

Have you seen the other pictures of them with golf clubs, wood clubs and semi-automatic hand guns?? The protest has not been 100% peaceful.

No the ONLY thing showing weapons was some policeman doing a see and say

with a bunch of rusty weapons and brand new slingshots,

and SAYING that PAD brought them.

We have conspicuously NOT seen the '5am 85' doing a PERP WALK to show their faces,

in classic Thai style... WHY one must ask. because they want to be able to

do substitutions and/or let them quietly fade away.

I have seen nothing showing PAD acting violently. Nada.

If PAD does have some security with sticks,

I atribute that to the Chaingmain beatings they took last month,

when violently attacked by a mob of PPP supporters.

But I have yet to see even one picture of those sticks.

I hear a lot of retoric about how violent PAD is

and yet see nothing more than, some gates torn down,

baracade building and people sitting in yellow shirts.

Interesting about the now NON-ceremony at government house.

More disinformation from the Government spokesman?

Clutching at straws; may be verging on les majesty in the process.

When you have 40,000 tired people who are hyped up for a cause,

you will find some more rash individuals, but one must look at the

mass of the protesters, and not ONLY the exceptions to see the intent.

in 40,000 people on any day you WILL find some violent actions.

Historically the TRT and PPP supporters resorted to violence to silence

Historically the PAD people talked and marched.

5 Am raid at NTB runs counter to all historical precedents for PAD,

but fits perfectly with PPP supporters thinking.

[jfchandler]

PAD to file appeal against warrants and injunction

People's Alliance for Democracy Liaison Suriyasai Katasila revealed this morning that the PAD will file an appeal against warrants issued by the Criminal Court against him, the 5 PAD leaders and 9 other PAD protesters. The group will also seek to end an injunction from the Civil Court which has barred the PAD leaders from the Government House.

The liaison affirmed that the demonstration would continue at the government house until the resignation of the current administration. He asked that the administration not use police as an extension of its authority.

-- Govt. Public Relations Dept. 2008-08-28

[jfchandler]

Civil disobedience against court is legal: Sondhi

(BangkokPost.com) - People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Sondhi Limthongkul took the stage on Thursday morning at the Government House, reiterating to his supporters that they can launch the movement of civil disobedience against the court, claiming that it is not an act of rebellion.

Mr Sondhi said the key members of the anti-government group are ready to follow the court’s order and get arrested, but insisted that he did not commit severe offences including rebellion and overthrowing the constitution, as accused by the Royal Thai Police. He threw the allegation to the People Power party, and criticised the government for its handling of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute around Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Sondhi also called on the protesters to keep hold of the Government House until Sunday.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-28

[sriracha john]

Interesting....

He added that the government decided to shift the official function "116 Days: From Mothers' Day to Fathers' Day," which was planned to be held at the Government House this Saturday, to Suan Amporn.

Interesting in that it comes out after Sondhi had already stated that the Government House venue was never the plan in the first place.

[mommysboy]

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.

This was my point about sanitary conditions. Looks like the lack of toilets could prove to be their downfall. Bad planning, but what do you expect? Outhought too.

[animatic]

People are always talking about massacres when students get shot, muslims get thrown in trucks and people stand in front of tanks. Guess what, if they do as they are told and go home these things would never happen.

Ah yes, just be good little sheep,

just hand over you cash and your children's futures,

we know what to do with both. Trust us were the bosses.

Don't dare say anything WE disagree with we know better.

We'd still have Kings of France, and English Colonies in Virginia and India,

by this logic. And all those people who suffocated in trucks,

it was THEIR fault for not just going home.

Talk is cheap, until you disagree with the powers that be.

[animatic]

Interesting....

He added that the government decided to shift the official function "116 Days: From Mothers' Day to Fathers' Day," which was planned to be held at the Government House this Saturday, to Suan Amporn.

Interesting in that it comes out after Sondhi had already stated that the Government House venue was never the plan in the first place.

LOL. ditto. Back footed.

Anyone ever see a announcement of this function

BEFORE Samak announced it this week?

[jitagon]

Sure doesn't look like;

An unraveling of the social fabric.

Rioting and anarchy in the streets.

Violent wannabe despots.

Looks just about the same as the pictures

of the Kings Birthday gatherings awhile back.

A sea of yellow shirts and Thai flags,

and mothers and grandmothers,

and a general cross section of the Thai populace.

I sure wouldn't want to be seen giving this crowd a beating....

Have you seen the other pictures of them with golf clubs, wood clubs and semi-automatic hand guns?? The protest has not been 100% peaceful.

No the ONLY thing showing weapons was some policeman doing a see and say

with a bunch of rusty weapons and brand new slingshots,

and SAYING that PAD brought them.

We have conspicuously NOT seen the '5am 85' doing a PERP WALK to show their faces,

in classic Thai style... WHY one must ask. because they want to be able to

do substitutions and/or let them quietly fade away.

I have seen nothing showing PAD acting violently. Nada.

If PAD does have some security with sticks,

I atribute that to the Chaingmain beatings they took last month,

when violently attacked by a mob of PPP supporters.

But I have yet to see even one picture of those sticks.

I hear a lot of retoric about how violent PAD is

and yet see nothing more than, some gates torn down,

baracade building and people sitting in yellow shirts.

Interesting about the now NON-ceremony at government house.

More disinformation from the Government spokesman?

Clutching at straws; may be verging on les majesty in the process.

When you have 40,000 tired people who are hyped up for a cause,

you will find some more rash individuals, but one must look at the

mass of the protesters, and not ONLY the exceptions to see the intent.

in 40,000 people on any day you WILL find some violent actions.

Historically the TRT and PPP supporters resorted to violence to silence

Historically the PAD people talked and marched.

5 Am raid at NTB runs counter to all historical precedents for PAD,

but fits perfectly with PPP supporters thinking.

animatic, could you please change your layout? You're either writing poetry or discoursing on the current situation in Bangkok. Not both. It's irritating.

[thaigene2]

The thing is, this PAD mob does not represent the hearts and minds of the Thai masses. How can such people ever by martyrs if the people aren't behind them? And they aren't.

I agree Jingthing. There was an estimated 30K protesters from a population of 53 Million (as quoted in samak's speech). This is a very small representation of the total Thai population.

Cheers, Rick

Problem is the anti-democratic forces supporting them and bankrolling them are from the most senior families in the land - families who see democracy as an irritant to their closed-circle operations...