PAD Lay Siege On Government House, NBT TV Station

[h90]

Government threatens to fire 'sick' railway strikers

BangkokPost.com) - The Ministry of Transport plans to replace many hundreds of absent employees of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), as their absence has greatly disrupted rail services across the country.

Many of the SRT staff, including conductors, engineers, technicians and train operators, have gone on strike to show their support for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri said the ministry will have to see how long the workers will go on strike. He said new employees would be hired to allow the rail operation to be restored soon.

The SRT is a state enterprise that continues to face profit loss, and its tax burdens fall on public members, Mr Songsak concluded.

As driving and repair trains, specially these old ones is difficult and need years of training, everyone should avoid a rid with the new staff.

[sriracha john]

Dear all,

Those of you that say the protesters are being paid to protest, please come up with clear evidence, or shut up.

I know at least ten people, that go to the protest area's every night and they go there because they believe it can help to make Thailand a beter place.

If you disagree with the protest, it means you support corruption?

Yes think about it, all those arguments that Samak is the elected leader, bla bla bla, only shows you are very disinformed or stubborn and reluctant to admitt you where wrong

and are afraid to loose face.

Fact's are that Thaksin stole Billions of Bath from the taxpayers.

His wife is now a convicted criminal.

They chose to escape to the UK so they cannot face charges.

Samak told the press that he is a proxy for Thaksin.

Samak and his party friends want to change the constitution, to favor those that did wrong and have Thaksin cleared of all wrongdoings.

And many more.

I tell you, most of my Thai friends are really fed up with this and want a transparant and honest government that really helps the country move forward.

The question is: Who will be the best person to lead Thailand, after Samak and his criminal friends will leave the political stage.

Ditto.

Didn't notice too much going wrong with the military govt anyways.

Under thaksin you didn't know if you were going to go out at night and be forced to have a p­iss-test, get shot in the crossfire of a violent drug war, if you were going to make it to the gas station when it's 9:30 and you're almost empty and it's heavy traffic, etc.

Truth is that Thaksin was good with some things but his power went to his head. He started making laws left and right at the same time as hoarding money at every chance even though he was a multimillionaire. He was a liar, he bluntly lied to the public and press all the time. He sued everyone who criticized him.

Marcos of Thailand.

Very much so.

[esprit]

Intelligence is rarely a prerequisite for being a successful politician in any country of the world.

Absolutely wrong !

Never underestimate your opponent!

Note to self, look up IQ of Dubya Bush...

Oops cain't find it.

Check Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney

Oh you mean the anti-christ, yes,

well we always knew who wore the pants in that family.

Off topic but how could he be the anti-christ ? Margaret Thatcher still lives !

[ando]

Government threatens to fire 'sick' railway strikers

BangkokPost.com) - The Ministry of Transport plans to replace many hundreds of absent employees of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), as their absence has greatly disrupted rail services across the country.

Many of the SRT staff, including conductors, engineers, technicians and train operators, have gone on strike to show their support for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri said the ministry will have to see how long the workers will go on strike. He said new employees would be hired to allow the rail operation to be restored soon.

The SRT is a state enterprise that continues to face profit loss, and its tax burdens fall on public members, Mr Songsak concluded.

Well, if they are too sick to come to work,-- surely they need to be replaced in order to keep the service running. I think we will see a remarkable recovery rate pretty soon.

[Maxi101]

Something really bothers me. A number of people here question the intelligence of Mr. Samak. If he is so stupid and you are so smart, why is he Thailand PM and you are nobody ? Please explain

with absolutely no pleasure i explain that to you and other in-toxin-ated readers:

1. he may be intelligent (iq wise, i just don't know) but he is stupid enough to be the stirrup holder and puppet for tax-sin (or toxin).

2. you seem to fall into the same category, coz if you were 'smart' you would follow samaks puppetmaster and watch some football abroad, were it is so peaceful and you are save to travel without disobedient protesters and unions. but please don't stand in the wrong fan corner (for your own safety!)

3. if my name were 'pierrot' i would better rap sarkozy's nuckles than those of some poor thais who want to end corruption.

4. samak took only a few month to show his mainly evil intentions: amend the constitution, take toxin back, pardon him, lift his ban, unfreeze his billions..........nothing for thailand, all for the man who bought the uneducated masses with empty promises or with the money he stole from them

5. and finally just for your way of thinking: do you really believe, that 'intelligence' and greed and sheer power-hunger would make a good leader (like the 'great doubtless highly intelligent leaders' hitler, stalin, mao, gwb, marcos, saddam and so many others, who often started with support of the 'powers' and the masses until they've shown their true ugly mugs.

Edited August 31, 2008 by Maxi101

[h90]

from the nation:

Metropolitan police chief is transferred

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Asawin Kwanmuang who had handled the anti-government protest is transferred to an inactive post.

The order came just one month before he is promoted to be assistant police chief in October.

Asawin said he was not upset about the transfer, but he was worried about the protest situation which no one wanted to see any violence.

end quote:

what does that mean? was he too soft or too hard? who is who?

[animatic]

Government threatens to fire 'sick' railway strikers

BangkokPost.com) - The Ministry of Transport plans to replace many hundreds of absent employees of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), as their absence has greatly disrupted rail services across the country.

Many of the SRT staff, including conductors, engineers, technicians and train operators, have gone on strike to show their support for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri said the ministry will have to see how long the workers will go on strike. He said new employees would be hired to allow the rail operation to be restored soon.

The SRT is a state enterprise that continues to face profit loss, and its tax burdens fall on public members, Mr Songsak concluded.

This move typically has the opposite effect, energizing ALL unions

to counter-act any union busting attempts.

Ronald Reagon is one of the few that ever pulled this off

without causing a general strike nation wide.

Time to stock up on on household items...

[sriracha john]

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

<H2></H2>Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Rosana is lucky she doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of anarchy would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. She quite obviously has her own agenda.

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Natthawut blames PAD for problems

People Power Party MP Natthawut Saikua Sunday blamed the People's Alliance for Democracy for the on-going political crisis.

He said the PAD causes the problems by violating the laws.

He said the PAD's demands for the government not to amend the Constitution also contradicted its own demand to establish a new order of politics.

Natthawut said the PAD's seizure of the Government House and raids against several government offices also led to complaints of many people who wondered whether the country belonged to the PAD.

The Nation

Footnote: He is a co-founder of DADD.

Natthawut is lucky he doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of assault and battery and public rioting would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. He quite obviously has his own agenda.

[ando]

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

<H2></H2>Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Rosana is lucky she doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of anarchy would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. She quite obviously has her own agenda.

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Natthawut blames PAD for problems

People Power Party MP Natthawut Saikua Sunday blamed the People's Alliance for Democracy for the on-going political crisis.

He said the PAD causes the problems by violating the laws.

He said the PAD's demands for the government not to amend the Constitution also contradicted its own demand to establish a new order of politics.

Natthawut said the PAD's seizure of the Government House and raids against several government offices also led to complaints of many people who wondered whether the country belonged to the PAD.

The Nation

Footnote: He is a co-founder of DADD.

Natthawut is lucky he doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of assault and battery and public rioting would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. He quite obviously has his own agenda.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Thank you.

[scyriacus]

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities. She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies. Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis......

Rosana is lucky she doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of anarchy would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. She quite obviously has her own agenda.

1. thailand is in no way an "advanced western democracy" like the us, uk, germany, france.....and it hopefully will never degrade that much to a 'two-party-dictatorship'.

2. the thais are trying to find their own lawful way in a very young 'democracy' riddled by many coups and soon be left alone by the only good authority in the last 60+ years. only god knows what happens then..........

3. khunying rosana is at least an elected senator, perhaps much less corrupt than toxin and samak.

4. you "quite obviously have your own agenda." (so much to the weight of your arguments)

[LaoPo]

Someone know who is who? Friend of Thaksin, friend of Chamlong, friend of who?

Friend of who ?

In an other country this question wouldn't have any sense.

TIT !

Samak is close to Thaksin, Royals, the Army and also Chamlong. Funny, huh?

Who is Who's friend in Thailand is pretty darn difficult to tell:

PAD: People's Alliance for Democracy: the tool, Sondhi Limthongkul founded, to fight his one-time friend Mr. T, has a wide range of supporters:

Aristocracy and Bangkok's elite flocked to the PAD. Mom Ratchawong Phromchat Sawatdiwat and Benchawan Krachangnet at a PAD reunion.

and:

"

Supporters

PAD protesters initially consisted mostly of middle to upper-class residents of the capital, but then quickly expanded to include supporters from all areas of the country. They included prominent socialites (dubbed the "Blue Blood Jet Set" by the Bangkok Post) and members of the Thai royal family. They were joined by academics, students, supporters of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect (led by Thaksin's former mentor Chamlong Srimuang) and followers of the highly revered Udon Thani temple abbot LuangTa MahaBua. State enterprise employees who oppose privatization followed even though most employees of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand had early in 2005 supported privatization. Protesters intermittently camped out for days, weeks and months outside Government House in Bangkok. As well, they protested in various provincial capitals throughout the country. While these groups form the core of PAD supporters, by far the bulk is now made up of ordinary citizens, more women than men, who state they have grown tired of "4-second democracy," the time it takes to cast a ballot and then power falls into the hands of the politician elected. Part of the continuing strength and allure of these bulk PAD supporters is that they have been effective in uncovering extensive government corruption that would otherwise have not been noticed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_...racy#Supporters

It seems to me that both sides (Samak & Sondhi/PAD) have high-so supporters which makes it all the more difficult for outsiders, which most of us are, where everybody stands. More so because most of us don't frequent the living rooms and dinners of the upper class in Thailand.

LaoPo

[Pierrot]

Something really bothers me. A number of people here question the intelligence of Mr. Samak. If he is so stupid and you are so smart, why is he Thailand PM and you are nobody ? Please explain

with absolutely no pleasure i explain that to you and other in-toxin-ated readers:

You have no pleasure writing your post, I've no pleasure reading it. So what is the point ?

[marshbags]

Does PPP have any credible (and less obnoxious) alternatives to Samak? Or is he really the best they have?

Chalerm?

With his little less than perfect sons as his first 2 Deputy P.M,s / Kamoys

Like father like sons is very appropriate in this case. :jerk:ssss

marshbags

[ubonjoe]

'Resign, Mr Samak'

(BangkokPost.com, with agency reports)

A special joint session of parliament opened on Sunday afternoon with a fiery Democrat Party call for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej - and an equally flaming reply from the premier. LATEST

Opposition spokesman Jurin Laksanavisit got the debate off to a slightly delayed but volatile start. He said Mr Samak's "aggressive manner" had poured fuel on the fire of the PAD protests. Then he called on the prime minister to resign.

"It is time now for the prime minister to consider himself and decide whether he is still fit to be prime minister," said Mr Jurin. "If he insists on clinging to his office, the problems of the country will escalate."

Mr Samak immediately replied. "Aggressive behavior is my nature," he said.

"It is not a matter of indecent behaviour. I did not do anything wrong and have the right to continue my work as prime minister. How I have behaved has not caused any damage to the country."

The special joint session of parliament opened on Sunday afternoon in an attempt by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to defuse the crisis brought by street protest and the seizure of Government House by anti-government demonstrators.

More than 1,000 government supporters gathered outside the parliament building as lawmakers began the special debate.

"Samak, fight, fight. Samak, fight on; Samak, fight on," the crowd roared as police looked on.

Before heading into the session, Mr Samak said:

"I will not bow. I will not step down and I will not resign no matter how much pressure on my government. The government cannot resolve the problem, so this joint session of parliament is the best way to try to find a solution."

There was no immediate sign of a breakthrough from the lawmakers. Opposition Democrat Party members called on the coalition government to be both sincere and resolute in solving the political unrest.

Sathit Wongnongtoey opened the debate for the Democrats, but merely urged the government to be sincere in solving the political crisis by listening fully to the opinions of members of both houses.

Mr Samak agreed to a special joint session of both the lower House of Representatives and the upper house, or Senate, after police failed to oust thousands of anti-government demonstrators from the seat of government on Friday.

The premier said on Sunday morning he expected to hear criticism from both the opposition Democrat Party and some independent, non-elected senators over his handling of the Government House crisis.

At the same time, he has made it clear that he will not resign over the matter.

"I came to power in accordance with the law," he said on his weekly "Talking Samak Style" TV show on Sunday morning. "I have done nothing wrong."

On Saturday evening he got a huge personal boost when the six coalition parties in the government made clear they backed him, despite the intensifying protests aimed at toppling his seven-month-old government.

"Fear can cause damage, but I am not afraid," said Samak in his weekly talk to the nation.

He blasted the PAD for breaking the law in seizing Government House on Tuesday, and trying to create a "spark" to bring down the government.

He got a further moral boost on Sunday just before parliament went into session, when airports at Phuket and Krabi began normal operations again, after protesters abandoned their siege at the tourist centres.

However, nationwide rail service remained closed. The labour union of the State Railways of Thailand shut down most routes last week in a show of support for the PAD.

"We closed the airports to tell them we can do this on a much, much bigger scale if they don't listen to us," said PAD founder Sondhi Limthongkul in an interview with the foreign media.

Mr Samak was not amused. "The people who caused airports to close are causing damage to the tourism industry," he said. "They are smashing our rice bowl."

But the premier will not go easily. In fact, on Wednesday, parliament will debate and probably pass his proposed national budget. After that, some observers expect he will call a snap election to ask for a new mandate.

[sriracha john]

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

<H2></H2>Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Rosana is lucky she doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of anarchy would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. She quite obviously has her own agenda.

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Natthawut blames PAD for problems

People Power Party MP Natthawut Saikua Sunday blamed the People's Alliance for Democracy for the on-going political crisis.

He said the PAD causes the problems by violating the laws.

He said the PAD's demands for the government not to amend the Constitution also contradicted its own demand to establish a new order of politics.

Natthawut said the PAD's seizure of the Government House and raids against several government offices also led to complaints of many people who wondered whether the country belonged to the PAD.

The Nation

Footnote: He is a co-founder of DADD.

Natthawut is lucky he doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of assault and battery and public rioting would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. He quite obviously has his own agenda.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Thank you.

And as the riot-gang leader Natthawut preceded the past week's events by months... it's a shame that all these "law and order advocates" that have come out of the woodwork for this thread weren't there for this thread to voice their outrage at the lax treatment used for the rioting gang:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Anti-coup-Le...ed-t132614.html

Nine Anti-coup Leaders Detained

The presence of the most vociferous here is conspicuously absent there.

*edit. Fortunately his case has not been completely squashed and the Deputy Government Spokesman remains a criminal litigant... along with a whole slew of Samak's administration, beginning with Samak himself.

Edited August 31, 2008 by sriracha john

[ando]

4. you "quite obviously have your own agenda." (so much to the weight of your arguments)

Yes, I do have my own agenda here. I would like to see democracy prevail over minority mob rule.

But I am just a spectator here same as you, so while my opinions are subject to debate, they are far less important than the actions of people like Senator Rosana. Try to keep your eye on the ball here. We may agree to disagree but it only detracts from the substance of the discussion subject when people start digressing to get into personal conflicts.

[scyriacus]

Well, if they are too sick to come to work,-- surely they need to be replaced in order to keep the service running. I think we will see a remarkable recovery rate pretty soon.

your sarcasm i understand. but you need to understand that some people have higher values than just money. not all thais are like tax-sin. and it is not so easy as you think (hope? fear?) to replace key people like pilots and engine drivers. definitely more difficult than to replace a corrupt pm

[h90]

I think the special joint session of parliament has only one purpose:

After a violent crackdown Samak can tell he tried everything else before.

[sriracha john]

Warning over Thailand unrest

British travellers in Thailand are being warned to avoid large gatherings amid the threat of escalating violence.

As anti-government protesters continue their stand-off with the authorities, the Foreign Office urged tourists to exercise caution.

Trouble began on Tuesday after demonstrators occupied state buildings and the prime minister's office compound in the capital Bangkok. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is demanding the resignation of premier Samak Sundaraveg, claiming his government is the puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

PAD activists have been involved in running battles with police in Bangkok, resulting in the use of tear gas, and have urged the picketing of airports in a bid to hurt the tourist trade. Protesters also tried to blockade passengers from entering at least two airports in southern Thailand.

The Foreign Office says it believes Phuket airport remains closed as a result of the action.

The department's website warned: "There is the possibility of further violent clashes", and added that Britons should "exercise caution, avoiding any demonstrations or large gatherings of people".

- Independent Television News (itv - UK)

[ubonjoe]

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

<H2></H2>Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Rosana is lucky she doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of anarchy would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. She quite obviously has her own agenda.

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Natthawut blames PAD for problems

People Power Party MP Natthawut Saikua Sunday blamed the People's Alliance for Democracy for the on-going political crisis.

He said the PAD causes the problems by violating the laws.

He said the PAD's demands for the government not to amend the Constitution also contradicted its own demand to establish a new order of politics.

Natthawut said the PAD's seizure of the Government House and raids against several government offices also led to complaints of many people who wondered whether the country belonged to the PAD.

The Nation

Footnote: He is a co-founder of DADD.

Natthawut is lucky he doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of assault and battery and public rioting would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. He quite obviously has his own agenda.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Thank you.

And as the riot-gang leader Natthawut preceded the past week's events by months... it's a shame that all these "law and order advocates" that have come out of the woodwork for this thread weren't there for this thread to voice their outrage at the lax treatment used for the rioting gang:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Anti-coup-Le...ed-t132614.html

Nine Anti-coup Leaders Detained

The presence of the most vociferous here is conspicuously absent there.

*edit. Fortunately his case has not been completely squashed and the Deputy Government Spokesman remains a criminal litigant... along with a whole slew of Samak's administration, beginning with Samak himself.

A different day a different time in Thailand. The country was under the control of an unelected goverment put in place afer a Coup.

Today we have PAD again trying to overthrow an elected goverment.

Correct I wasn't a member of TV then but that doesn't mean I wan't following the news when I could.

Edited August 31, 2008 by ubonjoe

[sriracha john]

Korean flights to Thailand's Phuket cancelled

All Korean flights to Thailand's Phuket beach resort were cancelled on Saturday as anti-government protesters forced the Thai resort's airport to close, airport officials said, reported Yonhap News Agency.

Four flights, including one of the nation's two major carriers Asiana Airlines Corp., were cancelled as of 8pm, an official at Incheon International Airport Corp. said.

Earlier in the day, the South Korean foreign ministry advised Korean nationals to avoid travelling to Thailand due to the worsening political unrest in the Southeast Asian nation.

Hundreds of South Korean tourists have been stranded at the Phuket international airport because of the closure, according to the ministry.

Phuket is one of favourite tour destinations in Asia among South Koreans.

- The Korea Herald

[sriracha john]

The UK, Korea... now Australia...

Smith urges caution in Thailand

Australian travellers caught up in Thailand's political protests are not in danger provided they stay away from the demonstrations, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says.

The department of foreign affairs estimates about 300 Australians have been directly affected by anti-government protests in Thailand that have forced the closure of three airports in the country's south, including the popular holiday destination of Phuket.

Mr Smith said the protests had caused delays and frustration to Australian travellers in Phuket, about 20,000 of whom were visiting the tourist haven at any one time.

But no Australians were believed to be in danger at this stage, he said.

"Providing Australians stay away from demonstrations ... our assessment at this stage is that there is no direct or immediate threat to them," Mr Smith told reporters in Perth.

"Of course, there's inconvenience and frustration, but Australians in Phuket or Thailand should speak to airlines or travel agents before making plans to travel."

He said the department's best estimates put the number of Australians directly affected by the protests in the hundreds, and probably a "ballpark figure" of about 300.

Before Phuket airport resumed flights, about 15,000 airline passengers had been stranded since anti-government protesters marched on the island's airport on Friday, forcing a cancellation of all the nearly 120 daily flights.

Similar protests closed down the airport in nearby Krabi and the southern commercial centre of Hat Yai, although Hat Yai had since reopened.

The anti-government protests are centred on Bangkok, where up to 25,000 people have occupied the main government complex calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

The protests turned violent on Friday when activists clashed with police, and about 35 people were injured.

Samak, who again insisted he would not resign, has so far resisted invoking emergency rule, which would see the army called in.

- AAP

[LaoPo]

Who is Who's friend in Thailand is pretty darn difficult to tell:

PAD: People's Alliance for Democracy: the tool, Sondhi Limthongkul founded, to fight his one-time friend Mr. T, has a wide range of supporters:

Aristocracy and Bangkok's elite flocked to the PAD. Mom Ratchawong Phromchat Sawatdiwat and Benchawan Krachangnet at a PAD reunion.

A rather sharp contrast with the "Aristocracy and Bangkok's elite.." who flocked to the PAD are the photos of non-aristocracy/elite PAD demonstrators:

Last Picture:

2 months ago: Hundreds of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) prepare to board a train in Hat Yai headed to Bangkok June 19, 2008. Hundreds of PAD supporters prepared to travel to Bangkok from southern Thailand's Hat Yai province to join thousands expected to protest outside the Government House on June 20.

QUESTION:

Is it correct to assume that Sondhi/PAD has many supporters, and thus mostly Muslim, in the South since many boarded trains from Hat Yai in the deep south to Bangkok, to protest against the Government ?

And WHY is that ?

WHY did PAD supporters block the airports in the South and WHY weren't more -other- airports in the East, Nort East and North blocked ?

Note:

It surprises me highly that there is such an enormous distance between the 'aristocracy/elite' and the 'normal' Thai PAD supporters. That wouldn't be seen in the West.

It also surprises me that there are so many intelligent middle class/student/elite supporting Sondhi/PAD who is such a controversial and shrewd businessman himself, cheating and hiding* assets abroad as well (versus to the one he's fighting....) and declaring himself bankrupt** but now making Multi Millions***

* Sondhi expanded and diversified widely. He owned a hotel in China’s Yunnan province, ran a cement factory in Vietnam, and set up a regional business conference company. Most of his investments were woven in a complex series of cross-shareholdings. Sondhi himself kept few direct holdings in any of the companies, but was ultimately in control through his ownership of holding companies like M Group and other holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Such a structure minimized Sondhi's tax bill and provided maximum protection in case of financial difficulties. He's not better than T.

** Sondhi ended up declaring himself bankrupt for three years. This meant that his THB 1.5 billion debt could be claimed from whatever was in his personal account for a span three years, rather than having to repay the debt over 15 or 20 years as earlier scheduled. cheating coward !

*** Sondhi's income skyrocketed as a result of his political activism. Revenues of his media companies increased by no less than 215 million baht (approx $6 million US) a month from the start of his protests to early 2006.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sondhi_Limthongkul

Did everyone forget what this man did, now acting as an angel standing high on the barricades ?

The next danger for Thailand is around the corner:

Sondhi Limthongkul

BECAUSE:

"They -the key PAD leaders, in particular Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang- have now refined their argument to propose rural voters in Thailand are too poorly educated to be allowed to elect a parliament, and that it should be a largely appointed body instead."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584369.stm

LaoPo

[ando]

Well, if they are too sick to come to work,-- surely they need to be replaced in order to keep the service running. I think we will see a remarkable recovery rate pretty soon.

your sarcasm i understand. but you need to understand that some people have higher values than just money. not all thais are like tax-sin. and it is not so easy as you think (hope? fear?) to replace key people like pilots and engine drivers. definitely more difficult than to replace a corrupt pm

One thing you should learn in life is that NOBODY is irreplaceable.

If these guys are going to keep on disrupting the public Rail system in order to get their ultimate boss sacked, they can expect some flack back. hel_l, they don't even have the balls to go on strike. They are taking sick days so they still get paid for the privilege. They sacrifice nothing and the public pays. It shouldn't take much to rout the rank and file but who is paying the union officials to push this issue?

[scyriacus]

Something really bothers me. A number of people here question the intelligence of Mr. Samak. If he is so stupid and you are so smart, why is he Thailand PM and you are nobody ? Please explain

with absolutely no pleasure i explain that to you and other in-toxin-ated readers:

You have no pleasure writing your post, I've no pleasure reading it. So what is the point ?

pierrot, you can't read or you have problems to comprehend what your weak eyes tell you? i did not say: "no pleasure in posting" but i did say: no pleasure in explaining it to you. don't think, that you are prominent enough that i speak to you! i post to prevent trolls taking over this forum alone and i am talking to all the rest of readers with good intentions who want to learn what's going on and who has the better argument, not the most outright bold lies. if you have no pleasure in reading my posts, it's your right, to watch out and avoid me and never respond. stop your useless trolling (i've no pleasure, you've no pleasure, what is your point?). that was your only 'argument'. maybe if we have less trolls like you, this thread would be more lucid........

[h90]

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

<H2></H2>Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Rosana is lucky she doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of anarchy would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. She quite obviously has her own agenda.

Rosana says government worsens situation with tough police actions

Senator Rosana Tositrakul Sunday said the government has worsened the situation by having police take tough actions against the protesters Friday by assaulting them and demolishing their rally facilities.

She said the government also made the situation worse by raising treason charges against the protesters. She said such a tough charge would drive more people to come out to join the rallies.

Rosana said the government would have to change its behaviors to try to tackle the crisis.

The Nation

Footnote: She has been on PAD's stage several time this week.

Natthawut blames PAD for problems

People Power Party MP Natthawut Saikua Sunday blamed the People's Alliance for Democracy for the on-going political crisis.

He said the PAD causes the problems by violating the laws.

He said the PAD's demands for the government not to amend the Constitution also contradicted its own demand to establish a new order of politics.

Natthawut said the PAD's seizure of the Government House and raids against several government offices also led to complaints of many people who wondered whether the country belonged to the PAD.

The Nation

Footnote: He is a co-founder of DADD.

Natthawut is lucky he doesn't live in an advanced western democracy where such illegal acts of assault and battery and public rioting would be promptly put down by riot squads using all reasonable force including trungeons, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. He quite obviously has his own agenda.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Thank you.

And as the riot-gang leader Natthawut preceded the past week's events by months... it's a shame that all these "law and order advocates" that have come out of the woodwork for this thread weren't there for this thread to voice their outrage at the lax treatment used for the rioting gang:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Anti-coup-Le...ed-t132614.html

Nine Anti-coup Leaders Detained

The presence of the most vociferous here is conspicuously absent there.

*edit. Fortunately his case has not been completely squashed and the Deputy Government Spokesman remains a criminal litigant... along with a whole slew of Samak's administration, beginning with Samak himself.

A different day a different time in Thailand. The country was under the control of an unelected goverment put in place afer a Coup.

Today we have PAD again trying to overthrow an elected goverment.

Correct I wasn't a member of TV then but that doesn't mean I wan't following the news when I could.

at last time Thaksin was not elected anymore.....

This time they are elected but far away from democratic.

The military dictator act like nice politicians who take care of the population...the elected one act like ugly dictators...no wonder the Thais get confused.

[animatic]

Interesting point h90

The 'coup installed junta government',

USUALLY buzzwords for corrup violent and extraordinarily repressive,

was basically orderly and pretty much like curmugeonly grandfathers.

The griped about morals of the children and made vague attemps

to regulate societal mores, to little effect. They were actually if anything

to light handed considering how the election turned out.

They did get a consitution that is strick enough to need PPP

making a serious attempt at an end run.

They certainly DID try to repress the TRT / PPP propaganda machine,

with apparently little success. And it seems the country is paying the

price now for that lack of success.

No Anand's gov. wasn't perfect, but yes, the before and after must really be confusing

some of the Thais, and might go a long way to their being less bothered about

another army take over vs the corruption in their face.

Just some thughts on the matter.

Edited August 31, 2008 by animatic

[sjaak327]

Still I see posters that seem to think this is about ending corruption in Thailand. I guess it's nice to believe in something. Surely the PAD and it's leadership don't want that.

They want to get their hands into the cooky jar again, that's all..

[ubonjoe]

Who is Who's friend in Thailand is pretty darn difficult to tell:

PAD: People's Alliance for Democracy: the tool, Sondhi Limthongkul founded, to fight his one-time friend Mr. T, has a wide range of supporters:

Aristocracy and Bangkok's elite flocked to the PAD. Mom Ratchawong Phromchat Sawatdiwat and Benchawan Krachangnet at a PAD reunion.

A rather sharp contrast with the "Aristocracy and Bangkok's elite.." who flocked to the PAD are the photos of non-aristocracy/elite PAD demonstrators:

Last Picture:

2 months ago: Hundreds of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) prepare to board a train in Hat Yai headed to Bangkok June 19, 2008. Hundreds of PAD supporters prepared to travel to Bangkok from southern Thailand's Hat Yai province to join thousands expected to protest outside the Government House on June 20.

QUESTION:

Is it correct to assume that Sondhi/PAD has many supporters, and thus mostly Muslim, in the South since many boarded trains from Hat Yai in the deep south to Bangkok, to protest against the Government ?

And WHY is that ?

WHY did PAD supporters block the airports in the South and WHY weren't more -other- airports in the East, Nort East and North blocked ?

Note:

It surprises me highly that there is such an enormous distance between the 'aristocracy/elite' and the 'normal' Thai PAD supporters. That wouldn't be seen in the West.

It also surprises me that there are so many intelligent middle class/student/elite supporting Sondhi/PAD who is such a controversial and shrewd businessman himself, cheating and hiding* assets abroad as well (versus to the one he's fighting....) and declaring himself bankrupt** but now making Multi Millions***

* Sondhi expanded and diversified widely. He owned a hotel in China's Yunnan province, ran a cement factory in Vietnam, and set up a regional business conference company. Most of his investments were woven in a complex series of cross-shareholdings. Sondhi himself kept few direct holdings in any of the companies, but was ultimately in control through his ownership of holding companies like M Group and other holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Such a structure minimized Sondhi's tax bill and provided maximum protection in case of financial difficulties. He's not better than T.

** Sondhi ended up declaring himself bankrupt for three years. This meant that his THB 1.5 billion debt could be claimed from whatever was in his personal account for a span three years, rather than having to repay the debt over 15 or 20 years as earlier scheduled. cheating coward !

*** Sondhi's income skyrocketed as a result of his political activism. Revenues of his media companies increased by no less than 215 million baht (approx $6 million US) a month from the start of his protests to early 2006.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sondhi_Limthongkul

Did everyone forget what this man did, now acting as an angel standing high on the barricades ?

The next danger for Thailand is around the corner:

Sondhi Limthongkul

BECAUSE:

"They -the key PAD leaders, in particular Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang- have now refined their argument to propose rural voters in Thailand are too poorly educated to be allowed to elect a parliament, and that it should be a largely appointed body instead."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584369.stm

LaoPo

Good Post

The southern Thailand question. Remember what political party has dominated in the South for years and has a great deal of influence over the local goverment organizations.

[animatic]

Still I see posters that seem to think this is about ending corruption in Thailand. I guess it's nice to believe in something. Surely the PAD and it's leadership don't want that.

They want to get their hands into the cooky jar again, that's all..

Who could imagine stopping corruption here in out lifetimes,

or anywhere for that matter. Curruption is part of the hman condition.

But lowering it to a more typical level vs world wide is not

a bad thing to shoot for.

Or are you say don't even try?