PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[Siripon]

Sonthi's despair regarding democracy in Thailand has caused this 'final battle'.

The nominee Ministers- Suwat's wife to replace him as he's banned.

Uraiwan to replace banned Sanoh. I liked the TG pilot on stage at the PAD who asked the crowd rhetorically if it would be okay if his wife flew the plane instead of him if he's indisposed!

Chaiya as Commerce Minister as a reward for getting 40 MPs elected in the Central region.

The fact it costs around 30 million baht to fund a campaign to get elected and then the salary is only around 100,000 baht a month, no sane man would do it unless there were 'other' ways to recoup the funds.

The positioning of dubious characters with murky pasts on the BOT and SET boards.

Sonthi's solution- a coup followed by an appointed government as under Khun Anand in the 90s, one of the most successful governments in recent times. And then? The 'new' politics of 70% selection,30% election, obviously unacceptable in this age.

Despair.

But on the good side, the ascent of the PAD has made more and more Thais politically aware, civil groups have risen again.

BTW, I heard Nong Pleum has resigned from the race to be Bangkok governor, claiming there's no rival of his callibre! but the real reason is supposed to be he may become the Secretary-General of the Peua Thai party.

[sriracha john]

And yes, I've been personally given the offer from my friends who joined the mob, it's better than the average 200 baht per day pay, who wouldnt want to join?

Anyone wishing to not jeopardize their life and puts themselves on the front line of a civil battle. This isn't "voting" in a booth, it's trench warfare.

[ubonjoe]

I better correct myself...

A *reshuffle* has taken place - the head of at least one arm of the military has been changed. Looking for corroboration on any of the English language sources LOL. My brain is still operating in first gear.

Yes the annual reshuffle that was approved earlier this week.

[RadioCityMike]

Excuse me for a dumb question. If the Government House is not really usable right now, why is not electricity shut off to that grid area? Could not the police deprive the PAD demonstrators of electricity without using violence? If they are using generators, are they so well protected that they could not be disabled?

The people who works in the electrity and water department threatens to cut off the supplies in Bangkok if Samak refused to resign.

Easily translated that the people in the department supports the PAD, no reason to cut off PAD's information network.

No. I don't think that could be the answer. Anyone can stick a bamboo pole up and pop the circuit. I think it must be fortified generators. Does anyone really know?

[onethailand]

Army reshuffle royally endorsed

(BangkokPost.com) - His Majesty the King has endorsed the annual military reshuffle involving 556 positions on Sunday.

According to the latest reshuffle, Gen Songkitti Chakkabat, the chief-of-staff of the Supreme Command, will succeed Gen Boonsang Niampradit as the supreme commander, while Gen Apichart Penkitti will be promoted to the rank of permanent secretary for defence, as expected.

Gen Jiradet Kotcharat, the Assistant Army Commander, will become the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army. The First Army Commander, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, will work as the military chief of staff, while Maj Gen Kanit Sapitak will take over as Gen Prayuth's top post of the First Army.

Adm Kamthorn Phumpirun will become the commander of the Royal Thai Navy, and ACM Itthaporn Subhawong, the chief of the air staff, will succeed ACM Chalit Phukpasuk as the Royal Thai Air Force chief.

Both Gen Boonsang and ACM Chalit will retire at the end of September, 2008.

Source: Bangkok Post

[Seizhin]

And yes, I've been personally given the offer from my friends who joined the mob, it's better than the average 200 baht per day pay, who wouldnt want to join?

Anyone wishing to not jeopardize their life and puts themselves on the front line of a civil battle. This isn't "voting" in a booth, it's trench warfare.

Well yes, that can be a comparison with the military who are paying their officers.

However, I always recall that our PAD leaders had stated that those people came with only their sincere heart and demands 'only' for the country to be out of Thaksin's grip.

I'm sure there'll be less than 50 percent of the present protesters if they really protest with only their 'sincerity' but without getting paid.

More people would be busy working to support their families than shouting 'Samak Get Out!!' 24/7.

[Crushdepth]

So how many of these new guys are known to be Thaksin "loyalists"?

Edited to appease Samak Apologists :-)

Edited August 31, 2008 by Crushdepth

[sriracha john]

Phuket airport remained closed Sunday, with protesters blocking the runway for a third day. Authorities said they had no idea when flights would resume.

- Associated Press

[onethailand]

Phuket airport remained closed Sunday, with protesters blocking the runway for a third day. Authorities said they had no idea when flights would resume.

- Associated Press

I was listening to one of the news channels just now - and they announced that at least two TG flights would be able to depart Phuket at or after 1 pm. Not sure about other arrivals and departures though.

[h90]

Army reshuffle royally endorsed

(BangkokPost.com) - His Majesty the King has endorsed the annual military reshuffle involving 556 positions on Sunday.

According to the latest reshuffle, Gen Songkitti Chakkabat, the chief-of-staff of the Supreme Command, will succeed Gen Boonsang Niampradit as the supreme commander, while Gen Apichart Penkitti will be promoted to the rank of permanent secretary for defence, as expected.

Gen Jiradet Kotcharat, the Assistant Army Commander, will become the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army. The First Army Commander, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, will work as the military chief of staff, while Maj Gen Kanit Sapitak will take over as Gen Prayuth's top post of the First Army.

Adm Kamthorn Phumpirun will become the commander of the Royal Thai Navy, and ACM Itthaporn Subhawong, the chief of the air staff, will succeed ACM Chalit Phukpasuk as the Royal Thai Air Force chief.

Both Gen Boonsang and ACM Chalit will retire at the end of September, 2008.

Source: Bangkok Post

someone know who is who....there are always the rumors: this guy stays with Thaksin, this with PAD, <snip>

Someone know?

Edited August 31, 2008 by Crow Boy
removal of reference the HM as per forum rules

[sriracha john]

I'm sure there'll be less than 50 percent of the present protesters if they really protest with only their 'sincerity' but without getting paid.

Simply put, anecdotal evidence, forum-wide, dramatically contradicts that assessment. It's a red herring that's been rebuffed at every mention.

Edited August 31, 2008 by sriracha john

[RadioCityMike]

And yes, I've been personally given the offer from my friends who joined the mob, it's better than the average 200 baht per day pay, who wouldnt want to join?

Anyone wishing to not jeopardize their life and puts themselves on the front line of a civil battle. This isn't "voting" in a booth, it's trench warfare.

Well yes, that can be a comparison with the military who are paying their officers.

However, I always recall that our PAD leaders had stated that those people came with only their sincere heart and demands 'only' for the country to be out of Thaksin's grip.

I'm sure there'll be less than 50 percent of the present protesters if they really protest with only their 'sincerity' but without getting paid.

More people would be busy working to support their families than shouting 'Samak Get Out!!' 24/7.

This should be an easy thing to test. With the cost to the country and risk of injury to the demonstrators, the government should authorize the payment of 1000 baht to anyone willing to get on the bus and depart. 1000 baht per person should be a bargan to the country and I think many might go along with it.

[way2muchcoffee]

What's wrong with compensating poverty stricken people for their time when they go to support a cause? Obviously they can't afford to take time away from work without causing extreme hardship for themselves and their families. The middle class protesters can afford to lose a day's pay or take a sick day. The types of jobs the economically disadvantaged people have do not provide such benefits as sick days and holidays.

Edited August 31, 2008 by way2muchcoffee

[catmac]

PM holds tough in face of protest crisis

"If the PAD succeeds in ousting Mr Samak, it will be a huge setback for Thai democracy," said Mr Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. "It will be the crowning success for the right-wing conservative contingents who are against election- based democracy." (BangkokPost.com, dpa)

Very salient point there from somebody who does know what he's talking about.

Something else I've noticed, in nearly every protest anywhere in the world where people were demonstrating for genuine reform and social progress and against tyranny, I have always seen the student body, especially from the universities, en masse at its vanguard (true of every recent one in Thailand except PAD in 2005/6).

Burma, Tianamin Square, the Philipines, going right back to France, Germany in the 60's, Anti-Vietnam War in the States and Europe in the 70's (Kent State mentioned in this thread already), yet here in Thailand in 2008 no sign of them. (Please understand I'm not saying that not a single student supports PAD, just that the massed ranks of students are noticeable by their absence).

Could this be an indication of how the average Thai undergraduate sees PAD, a "right-wing conservative contingent who are against election-based democracy"?

[Seizhin]

This should be an easy thing to test. With the cost to the country and risk of injury to the demonstrators, the government should authorize the payment of 1000 baht to anyone willing to get on the bus and depart. 1000 baht per person should be a bargan to the country and I think many might go along with it.

That gives the PAD another reason of why the government should "get out."

I'm sure there'll be less than 50 percent of the present protesters if they really protest with only their 'sincerity' but without getting paid.

Simply put, anecdotal evidence, forum-wide, dramatically contradicts that assessment. It's a red herring that's been rebuffed at every mention.

Maybe right, but, only if you're telling me that more than 50% of those people in PAD are people who have income cash flows without having to work. Truly, they are not. So how come they can mob for days without having to continue to work to support their family? Free foods, free drinks to mob.

I'm off for work Enjoy the discussion and no hard feeling.

Edited August 31, 2008 by Seizhin

[animatic]

Army reshuffle royally endorsed

(BangkokPost.com) - His Majesty the King has endorsed the annual military reshuffle involving 556 positions on Sunday.

According to the latest reshuffle, Gen Songkitti Chakkabat, the chief-of-staff of the Supreme Command, will succeed Gen Boonsang Niampradit as the supreme commander, while Gen Apichart Penkitti will be promoted to the rank of permanent secretary for defence, as expected.

Gen Jiradet Kotcharat, the Assistant Army Commander, will become the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army. The First Army Commander, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, will work as the military chief of staff, while Maj Gen Kanit Sapitak will take over as Gen Prayuth's top post of the First Army.

Adm Kamthorn Phumpirun will become the commander of the Royal Thai Navy, and ACM Itthaporn Subhawong, the chief of the air staff, will succeed ACM Chalit Phukpasuk as the Royal Thai Air Force chief.

Both Gen Boonsang and ACM Chalit will retire at the end of September, 2008.

Source: Bangkok Post

^{Hello Kitti}

Edited August 31, 2008 by animatic

[RadioCityMike]

This should be an easy thing to test. With the cost to the country and risk of injury to the demonstrators, the government should authorize the payment of 1000 baht to anyone willing to get on the bus and depart. 1000 baht per person should be a bargan to the country and I think many might go along with it.

That gives the PAD another reason of why the government should "get out."

I'm sure there'll be less than 50 percent of the present protesters if they really protest with only their 'sincerity' but without getting paid.

Simply put, anecdotal evidence, forum-wide, dramatically contradicts that assessment. It's a red herring that's been rebuffed at every mention.

Maybe right, but, only if you're telling me that more than 50% of those people in PAD are people who have income cash flows without having to work. Truly, they are not. So how come they can mob for days without having to continue to work to support their family? Free foods, free drinks to mob.

I'm off for work Enjoy the discussion and no hard feeling.

I bet it would cost the police more then 1000 baht per person to drag them out. Plus you will have medical costs. Bad publicity in the media. You also have the loss of tourism and potential loss of export and import business. I think 1000 per person is a bargain. If no one goes a long with it, nothing lost.

[ray23]

Goggled the good General found this, but when I opened it is a blank page, tried three times, interesting. Sombody else want to try might be my computer it's been acting up.

Gen. Songkitti Chakkabat, the Prime Minister's classmate at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.12 General Chaisit replaced General Somdhat ...

books.google.com/books?isbn=9812302387...

[ubonjoe]

The parlament is meeting and is on NBT

[sriracha john]

Lack of railway service completely paralyzes North

CHIANG MAI, Aug 31 (TNA) - Railway services in Thailand's northern region have been paralysed after all northern line train service in Chiang Mai were suspended on Sunday.

Passengers have no choice but to change to other modes of transportation. An assistant to the Chiang Mai train stationmaster, Silrat Deewajee, said it is unclear when service can resume.

The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) labour union's work stoppage has disrupted train service nationwide. However, Chiang Mai airport is still open amid tightened security.

In the south, Hat Yai airport resumed operations on Saturday after a two-day blockage of the facility. Some passengers traveled from Phuket to embark from Hat Yai airport as the island resort's airport remains closed.

Meanwhile, Surat Thai airport resumed service Sunday after some protesters, who blocked the airport on Saturday, dispersed.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Phuket airport is now open. Common sense prevails.

[onethailand]

The parlament is meeting and is on NBT

And on Thai TBS as well.

First 20 minutes has been nothing but BS - Democrats seeking assurance that the other members are sincere, and asking the speaker not to speak for Samak (who has not arrived yet).

Instead of standing up, announcing their names, constitutencies, and party affiliation, they should be standing up and announcing their name and their citizenship - and get rid of all the party BS.

[animatic]

Anupong shows that he's the boss with military reshuffle

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Published on August 30, 2008

The military line-up is a clear indication that Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda has managed to consolidate his military leadership.

Unlike past rotations, which were often politicised, this year's reshuffle saw the reverse: the military has emerged as a force that could tip the political balance.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was distracted by political turbulence, specifically the opposition movement led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). As a result, Anupong had free rein over the list of military assignments.

It is now evident that Anupong has practically emerged as the commander of commanders among the three wings of the armed forces.

On Tuesday, while the PAD's final push to oust the government was in progress, Samak and Anupong had a closed-door meeting at Supreme Command Headquarters.

Afterwards Samak's aides said he appeared upbeat and confident that the military would remain his anchor to fight the PAD.

The prime minister failed to get the unconditional support of the military, however. Anupong and outgoing Royal Thai Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukpasuk made it clear that soldiers would not get involved in crowd-control measures and that the government must rely on legal means to rein in the PAD.

Samak was told that bloodshed would not be tolerated.

Samak and Anupong appear to have forged a deal on a quid-pro-quo basis: no political meddling in the military line-up in exchange for the government getting a new lease on life.

Once the deal was sealed it took less than 15 minutes for the military line-up to be finalised, and Samak submitted the list of appointments for Royal approval on Thursday. The reshuffle will take effect on October 1.

General Apichat Penkitti is slated to succeed outgoing Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Winai Phattiyakul, who will retire on September 30.

General Songkitti Chakkabat is to succeed outgoing Supreme Commander General Boonsrang Niumpradit.

Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran is to succeed outgoing Navy Chief Admiral Satirapan Keyanon.

Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong is to succeed Chalit.

In the Army, Anupong has realigned key positions. General Prayuth Chan-ocha is due for promotion from the position of First Army commander to that of Army chief of staff.

Many have predicted that Prayuth is being groomed as Anupong's successor. It remains to be seen whether the prediction will come true, because General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was the last Army chief of staff to rise to the top position in the 1980s.

Anupong's personal stamp on the line-up signalled three key changes.

First, plum assignments were evenly spread among the top brass. Anupong, Songkitti and Kamthorn are from Pre-Cadet Class 10, but Apichat and Itthaporn are from Class 8 and Class 11 respectively.

No single class of officers dominates key positions in the three wings of the armed forces. In the past politicians often meddled by pitting one class against another.

Second, Anupong curtailed the domination of Army combat units by Pre-Cadet Class 9 officers, promoted by his predecessor and coup-leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Third, the armed forces under Anupong's leadership appear to have wiped out the coup legacy. Soldiers are on track for a fresh start.

Before his retirement last year, Sonthi tried to retain his lingering influence via designated officers. Anupong got the endorsement of outgoing commanders to revamp Sonthi's plans.

General Montri Sangkhasap, seen as close to Sonthi, failed to secure a promotion. By the same token, Air Chief Marshal Sukamphol Suwanthat, seen as an ally of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was unable to secure the Air Force's top job.

With the military reshuffle completed, Samak is left with one daunting task, that of how to pacify the People's Alliance for Democracy, which seems to be demanding his head with a vengeance.

Edited August 31, 2008 by animatic

[animatic]

History

THAKSIN RADIO SHOW: PM speaks language of the South

Prime minister's weekly talk show translated into Yawi Muslims in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces can now listen to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Saturday radio address in their native Yawi dialect.

Yesterday, for the first time, the translated version of the programme was broadcast on 12 radio frequencies in the south. Most people living in the southernmost provinces are Muslim and speak Yawi.

Fourth Army commander Lt General Songkitti Chakkabat came up with the idea.

He said he hoped it would bring the government closer to people in the south.

Violence in the three provinces has become so widespread that Yala governor Kitti Kittichokwattana has urged businesses not to organise concerts or fairs because of fear they will attract trouble. Government spokesman Sitha Divari said the government would consider translating the prime ministers weekly radio address into other widely used dialects in other parts of the country if it received requests to do so, because he wanted to communicate with all Thais. "All Thai citizens, regardless of the language they speak, have the right to know about the government's work, and be informed about government policies which will affect their lives."

One Pattani resident said he welcomed the move. It showed that the government recognised the importance of Yawi. Pirayot Rahimmura, a lecturer at the Prince of Songkhla University's Political Sciences Department, said that not all people in theses provinces spoke Thai, particularly older people.

The move would go some way to helping the government get its messages across to Thailand's Muslim population. The translated version of Thaksin's weekly radio address is broadcast every Saturday at 5.30pm on 12 frequencies including 92.5 MHz in Narathiwat, 100 MHz in Yala and 92.5 MHz in Pattani. Rungrawee C Pinyorat Somsak Sunsan THE NATION

Ok, we may have gotten a thoughtful man in the top army spot.

[sylviex]

(BangkokPost.com) - People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Chamlong Srimuang, ordered demonstrators to leave the main building at Government House on Sunday, after widespread criticism and publicity that the grounds had become an unsanitry eyesore.

Maj-Gen Chamlong said he feared that "other ill-intentioned people" might set fire to the building and blame the PAD. He told the media that people who refuse to leave the building are not PAD followers.

Apologies if this is old news - difficult to keep up.

[ando]

Isnt it ironic that while its illegal to pay people to vote a certain way it seems perfectly acceptable for an anarchist movement to pay protesters to lay siege to a country in an effort to bring down an elected government.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Isnt it ironic that while its illegal to pay people to vote a certain way it seems perfectly acceptable for an anarchist movement to pay protesters to lay siege to a country in an effort to bring down an elected government.

But surely you must know that the PAD isn't paying anyone

[catmac]

(BangkokPost.com) - People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Chamlong Srimuang, ordered demonstrators to leave the main building at Government House on Sunday, after widespread criticism and publicity that the grounds had become an unsanitry eyesore.

Maj-Gen Chamlong said he feared that "other ill-intentioned people" might set fire to the building and blame the PAD. He told the media that people who refuse to leave the building are not PAD followers.

Apologies if this is old news - difficult to keep up.

This is news to me - great news if it's true!

That wily old devil Samak has done it again - leave them to wallow in their own excrement, and suddenly it doesn't seem such fun anymore! Anyway, all those railway workers, etc., demonstrating for PAD on full pay for their 2 days sick (sic!) leave have got to get back to work (wonderful display of morals to pervert what was probably a hard-won sick pay scheme, who cares though, everyone knows that that is just a dirty lie from the PPP).

I remember clown Sondhi saying that if they stayed in Gov. Hse. til Sunday they would have won. I just wonder what it is that they've won?

[ubonjoe]

Parliament debate on political crisis kicked off

<H2></H2>The majority of MPs and senators Sunday overwhelming voted to allow a general debate of the two chambers to be held for discussing the political crisis at 2:06 pm.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej kicked off the debate by inviting MPs and senators to speak out their opinions the full extent.

Samak said he would listen attentively to opinions of all MPs and senators.

The Nation

[onethailand]

First presenter after the meeting officially commenced made a long-winded discourse on why the crisis needs to be solved - completely useless. The second presenter, Khun Jurin, is taking it straight to Samak, claiming that the crisis was caused by two reasons:

1. Samak is using his time as prime minister to serve his own needs.

2. Samak is using his time as prime minister to serve the needs of former premier Thaksin.

A member of the PPP started to object, and Speaker of the House Chai Chidchob did not permit this. To my great surprise, despite my reservations over the Speaker, in the few times I have watched him do his job on TV over the past few months, he has been very fair.