State Of Emergency Announced In Bangkok

[Koo82]

The government is elected by the public. The cabinet is only a few months old. Why pick on these individuals? Just because they are related to the previous government? If that's the case, no amount of election will satisfy the PAD, as long as there is still a single individual related to the previous government that still exist. BTW who is this PAD, who claim to champion for the country and King, why are they not selected to form the government? Just pray all these mess will be over soon, and lets continue to live in peace.

Completely agree with you. Why do they force Khun Samak to resign? Let him do his duty until next election. Fair game!

[Journalist]

Chai considers House debate for crisis solution

House Speaker Chai Chidchob said Wednesday he was thinking about talking with all parties to call a session to map out a solution to political turbulence.

Chai said he was consulting the coalition and the opposition over another debate. Sunday's session ended in a failure.

He denied son Newin masterminded progovernment demonstrators to clash with the antigovernment faction on Tuesday, where one man was killed and others injured.

Source: The Nation - 03 September 2008

If it wasn't so sad, it'd be almost comical how the House Speaker seems to always have to qualify any statement he makes with denials about his banned son's involvement in any event of the day...

I daresay he doesn't volunteer the info or make the qualifier unprompted . Its just that the same question gets asked of him by gleeful reporters every time.

"...and finally Sir, what about your son?"

Good on them. They should be asking.

[animatic]

Chai considers House debate for crisis solution

House Speaker Chai Chidchob said Wednesday he was thinking about talking with all parties to call a session to map out a solution to political turbulence.

Chai said he was consulting the coalition and the opposition over another debate. Sunday's session ended in a failure.

He denied son Newin masterminded progovernment demonstrators to clash with the antigovernment faction on Tuesday, where one man was killed and others injured.

Source: The Nation - 03 September 2008

If it wasn't so sad, it'd be almost comical how the House Speaker seems to always have to qualify any statement he makes with denials about his banned son's involvement in any event of the day...

And how he got his position too.

His predecessor was convicted of vote buying

that will bring the party down shortly.

The irony is just drooling down these days.

[Pierrot]

Fashion or political statement?

On my journey from home to work today (Ekamai to Victory Monument), I observed about 5-600 people on the BTS, on the street and in shopping centers.

Normally one would expect quite a number of yellow shirts allowing to the recent trend of people wearing yellow to show their support for the King.

On Monday, the normal day for wearing yellow, that number had dropped from 3 in 4 to 1 in 4 (if that).

Today - I saw a total of 5 people wearing yellow - about 1 in 100. Only one was wearing red and that looked more like part of a company uniform than a statement.

The predominant colors being worn today were white, black, gray, pink and light blue, the last two mostly also showing support for the King.

I believe that this sudden change in fashion is a political statement of a sort - not to show support for either side, but to show Bangkokians are not interested in provoking conflict. Undoubtedly there will be many PAD and/or DAAD supporters amongst these people - but they're not interested in provocation or attracting attention to themselves.

Last poll I know of was showing that 68% of Bangkokians were against PAD demonstration. And that was before things turn violent. IMO today it should be close to 98 %.

[hammered]

From TOC:

The TDRI acting president comments on the unconfirmed reports that a new prime minister will be appointed to solve the current political deadlock. He believes a solution should be based on the Constitution.

TDRI acting president Dr. Ammar Siamwalla says he believes appointing a new prime minister will not help Thailand solve the current political impasse. He says the solution should be based on the framework of the Constitution.

Dr. Ammar adds the Parliamentary means should be used to solve the current crisis. But he adds, the the authorities failed to solve the problems through the said means, then PM Samak Sundaravej should call for House dissolution.

What unconfirmed reports?

[sriracha john]

Ramkhamhaeng students calls on 5 government coalition parties to withdraw

The Student Power Network for a Better Society of Ramkhamhaeng University is calling on 5 coalition parties to withdraw from the government in order to end the nation's political stalemate.

Representatives of the Student Power Network for a Better Society of Ramkhamhaeng University, led by network coordinator Mr. Sikanan Noolek (สิกขนันท์ หนูเล็ก), conducted a press conference calling on the government's 5 supporting parties to withdraw from their coalition. The student network views that the government has lost the right to administer the nation due to lack of good governance, and use of violence against the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Students said that if the Prime Minister continutes to refuse calls for his resignation and for the dissolution of Parliament, the nation's political crisis will continue. The Student Power Network for a Better Society also opposes the government's implementation of the Emergency Decree, due to the reduction of freedom and rights of citizens and the press. Students admit that they do not support the People's Alliance for Democracy's ideology of new politics.

The student network is calling on all sides to maintain order and to unite to prevent undemocratic changes from occurring in the nation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 September 2008

Jatuporn is going to go thermonuclear. Ram students are not allowed to criticise the party of the truly and only principled democracy loving mighty and odious little Jatuporn!

The former TRT mouth-piece and now People Power Party MP and television host of a company he has millions of baht in shares with ...certainly does a history with the university....

Here's a photo of Jatuporn from earlier arguing with students who refused his bribes:

Thai Rak Thai Party Deputy Spokesman Jatuporn Promphan, right, enters into a heated exchange with Ramkhamhaeng University student union leader Somchote Meechana at the party’s headquarters yesterday. Somchote led a protest against what he termed political interference in the university’s affairs.

The Nation - Feb. 1, 2007

[onethailand]

I think it is fair to say people dont want to take a right mullering on their way to work because of misidentification. Also if the authorites happened to be telling porkies they could be whipped off to jail if there were a crackdown too.

Still I wouldnt waste too much time counting what people were wearing. You may get reported for being some kinda perv if you aint careful;)

Haha... I'm not looking down shirts, I'm looking at shirts... and from a distance too

Suffice it to say, I suspect most Bangkokians would rather see this over and done with, more than they would want either side to win.

edit -> now that I've seen Pierrot's post, I'd say that seems to make sense.

Edited September 3, 2008 by onethailand

[animatic]

CAT Telecom threatens to cease operations if Cabinet does not resign

The CAT Telecom Company Labor Union is threatening to shut down international telephone and internet services in Thailand if the Cabinet does not resign.

The Chairman of the CAT Telecom Labor Union, Mr. Somboon Supsarn (สมบูรณ์ ทรัพย์สาร), reports that some portions of the company's labor union have sided with People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrations. More than 3,000 CAT Telecom workers are expected to join PAD demonstrators today (September 3). Mr. Somboon said that the rest of the CAT Telecom Labor Union will wait for clarification on the government's stance after today before acting.

The Chairman of the CAT Telecom Labor Union affirms that if the Cabinet does not resign by today (September 3), the union will cease all internet gateway and international telephone services in Thailand. Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Mr. Man Pattanotai (มั่น พัธโนทัย), said that the Army Commander in Chief maintained most peacekeeping authority and would be responsible for handling the CAT Telecom Labor Union. Mr. Man said that his ministry can only levy its computer laws against the Labor Union.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 September 2008

That'd throw a spanner in the works.

We wouldnt be able to waste hours debating every last development

Hmmmm...maybe some of us will go out and have a real life for a change.....Naaaaah, this too shall pass and soon we will all be glued to our computers again. There are also the computer games, for those of us who will go through internet withdrawals. If all else fails...take the dog for a walk or talk to the wife ;-)

Ye Gods TALK TO THE WIFE it is desperate.!

[lopburi3]

Please do not post complete Bangkok Post articles. If you have a quote make it a para or two and then provide the link/credit. Thanks.

[kurtgruen]

Well, this is getting quite boring. I think I'll wait until after dark to see if anything has changed in this situation. (Since the government does most of it's dirty work in the dark anyways, I probalby won't miss much)

Have fun everyone ;-)

[Koo82]

PAD has been hiring and transporting people to the protests since the beginning of this. The rate started at 500 baht per day and is now up to 1000 per day. Entire villages are open to negotiation for their appearance at the PAD sponsored events. Most of the people hired are coming from the, you guessed it, northeastern provinces. They appear for the money only.

PAD peaceful ?? effectively shutting down a government installation is not peaceful....It could be an act of war if two nationalities were involved and certainly never tolerated in any democratically elected western democracy.

Protesting against a democratically elected government is the HUGE negative impact perceived by the rest of the world, investors .... and the tourists will not come as long as PAD continues it's desire to disrupt a democratically elected government.

Workers in our area have stopped working because they were hired 500 Baht a day to join the PAD.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Koo82

[onethailand]

By the way, has anyone noticed the irony of the new Nicolas Cage movie about to premiere locally?

"Bangkok Dangerous"

[Jai Dee]

Chulalongkorn's medical lecturers calls on Samak to resign

The medical lecturers of Chulalong University Wednesday called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign.

The group of about 50 medical lecturers issued a statement to condemn the violent clash between pro-government supporters and anit-government protesters and demanded the government to take responsibility for the violence by resigning.

The medical lecturers were led by three senior medical lecturers, Prof Doctor Krieng Tangsanga, Prof Doctor Prasit Futrakul and Prof Doctor Pramual Wirutamasen.

Source: The Nation - 03 September 2008

[hammered]

PAD has been hiring and transporting people to the protests since the beginning of this. The rate started at 500 baht per day and is now up to 1000 per day. Entire villages are open to negotiation for their appearance at the PAD sponsored events. Most of the people hired are coming from the, you guessed it, northeastern provinces. They appear for the money only.

PAD peaceful ?? effectively shutting down a government installation is not peaceful....It could be an act of war if two nationalities were involved and certainly never tolerated in any democratically elected western democracy.

Protesting against a democratically elected government is the HUGE negative impact perceived by the rest of the world, investors .... and the tourists will not come as long as PAD continues it's desire to disrupt a democratically elected government.

Workers in our area have stopped working because they were hired 500 Baht a day to join the PAD.

That may be but I wouldnt take the scubadude770 post from almost exactly 24 hours to the second ago as anything like reliable. Reports from multiple sources say most of the PAD supporters come from South, Chonburi and Nakhom Pathom and not Isaan. If anyone is hiring in the Isaan which no doubt they are it is not the PAD. However, to the poltically un awarwe and those not sur eof the language even telling who i hiring who could be difficult so lets go easy on scubadude770 for this obvious misinformation.

[Soontorn]

PAD seizes Phuket provincial hall, closes provincial offices

PHUKET, Sept 3 (TNA) - Thailand's People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)

protesters, ratcheting up their campaign against the central government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, have blockaded the entrances to Phuket Provincial Hall, preventing government officials to go to their workplaces, in an attempt to pressure the prime Minister to resign.

The further blow to one of Thailand's prime tourist destinations seems deisgned to bring economic loss not only to the world-famous beach resort, but can impact that larger national economy.

The main provincial government offices closed today as PAD protesters brought a number of local authorities functions to a halt. Government officials and local residents who came to the provincial hall to conduct business went away disappointed, as many bureaucratic function came to a halt. Outside the provincial hall compound are PAD volunteers who are guarding the area.

There is no reported electricity or water supply shutdown at government offices in Phuket as threatened by some groups of state enterprise employees.

[Jai Dee]

Telecommunications gateway at risk, despite otherwise normal union activity

While the previously announced labour strikes have not fully materialized, the possibility of a CAT Telecom labour union work stoppage which would affect international circuit telecommunications and the Internet gateway is still being considered.

The CAT union has said it will decide Wednesday afternoon whether to cut the international circuit telecommunication gateway or not. Disconnecting the gateway would affect internet, overseas telephone services as well as financial transactions.

All modes of transportation nationwide were on normal services despite some labour unions of transportation state enterprises and companies threatened to strike and join the anti-government protest to put pressure against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign.

The bus services of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), inter-provincial bus services of Transport Company, were on normal services while the operation of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Thai Airways International (THAI) were almost in full services.

The State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation on Monday said that more than 200,000 members of the 43 state enterprise labour unions nationwide had jointly agreed to stop work which involves public utilities to support the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protest.

The Confederation also threatened to cut tap water, electricity supplies and other public utilities supplying metropolitan Bangkok to pressure Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign.

BMTA Director Pinate Puapatanakul said that bus services were running normally. This was the result of the talks on Tuesday between Bangkok Mass Transit executives and the BMTA labour union in which they agreed that even though joining a political movement is a personal right of the staff, BMTA has a commitment to serve the public, he said.

He added that some staff had taken leave but not a large enough number to affect overall services.

Transport Company managing director Wuthichart Kanlayanamitr said taking leave was the right of the staff but the leave should not affect the passengers.

SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen said the talks between the executives and labour union were successful to a certain degree.

Northern and Northeastern route train services were already back to normal while southern line trains remain suspended as the Hat Yai terminal is still shut down. The governor said he would try to hold talks to persuade railway workers to return to work.

A number of SRT workers took sick leave since Monday in support of the ongoing anti-government demonstrations which have encamped in the Government House compound since August 26.

Meanwhile the THAI airways employees were working normally and flights nationwide were almost at normal frequency except for southern airports, particularly Hat Yai, where THAI has been forced to cancel flights because PAD protesters were still blocking the entrance to the terminal.

In related developments, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) said that power supplies were operating normally.

Some employees are on leave but MEA operations are unaffected, he said, adding that the agency's staff vowed to carry out their duties and not do anything to affect the public.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) power plants were running normally, but security measures were stepped up. The numbers of staff which have taken leave will not affect power supplies to the public.

Meanwhile, the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) labour union confirmed that its staff would strike to add pressure on the government. Controllers at 10 container crane had stop working, a move which disrupted the loading operations at Bangkok Port.

The CAT Telecom labour union said it would make a decision this afternoon whether to cut the international circuit telecommunication or gateway or not. Disconnecting the gateway would affect internet, overseas telephone services as well as financial transaction

Source: TNA - 03 September 2008

[farang prince]

First night of emergency state passes with no violent incident for PAD

The People's Alliance for Democracy continued its demonstration in the Government House throughout the night without any violent incident.

But rumours spread throughout the night that either pro-government protesters or security officials would raid the Government House to evict PAD demonstrators.

When the morning came, the tension apparently eased and many protesters left the rally site while many others had breakfast provided by the PAD.

Source: The Nation - 03 September 2008

It's positive note that there was no repeat of this....

...and in this topsy turvy world, if we can't depend on four photographs posted by one of the only non-partisan members of this forum- what can we depend on?

I agree!

Think People...the above are pictures of DAAD, the PPP sponsored (and paid for) group that violently attacked the peaceful PAD protest at Government House. How can anyone still claim that the PPP are the good guys????

.... and if we can't depend on four pictures posted by one of the only really non-parisan members of this forum to give us a clear understanding of the conflict- what can we depend on?

While it's true, I am not from Paris...

I and everyone posting here is voicing their opinion.. you have yours and I have mine.

As stated earlier, anyone is free to post opposing views, be they text or photographic.

SJ, there is a fine line between opinion and propaganda. I'm afraid you have crossed that line too many times for you to have preserved your credibility with me. I am truly sorry to say that.

[lazeeboy]

no internet ,no oversea phone calls ,should send a few firms under

[Soontorn]

All prepared for labour unions' strikes

By The Nation

State enterprises and provincial officials have been on full alert, pending the threat of the labour unions to launch a nationwide strike which could lead to the disruption of more public services.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority are setting up emergency units to take care of possible power and water supply cut around the clock. However, till now, there is no major disruption, except the closure of the Hat Yai International Airport in Songkhla.

The airport stopped its operation in the morning to noon on Wednesday as People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters have blocked all gates since yesterday. The closure affected three flights from Hat Yai to Bangkok: Thai Airways International at 8.15am, Thai AirAsia at 9.45am and Nok Air 11.15am.

It was reported that the supporters remained despite Songkhla Governor Sonthi Techanan's persuasion that they should move to the City Hall. The Hat Yai train station remains shutdown for five consecutive days.

In preparation for the power supply cutoff, Songkhla also prepared generators for emergency.

The Port Authority of Thailand on Wednesday also insisted that it is operating as usual, despite the threat to stage a full-scale strike today. However, the port has welcomed much less traffic as shippers diverted to other ports, on fears of disrupted services.

[Soontorn]

More countries issue travel warnings against Thailand visit

By The Nation

Singapore, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Switzerland, France and Denmark have joined the group of countries who have issued travel warnings against travelling into Thailand.

Since Thailand announced the state of emergency on Tuesday, five countries immediately issued the warnings - Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom.

Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) president Apichart Sankary said the political unrest should end before September 15, which is the start of the high season of tourism industry.

Prakit Shinamourphong, president of Thai Hotels Association (THA), said business operators are worrying over political turmoil. "It is too soon to finalise the degree of impact on the hotel and tourism business, but operators are not happy with the situation," said Prakit.

A number of tourists have checked out from hotels in Thailand for fears that state enterprises' labour union strikes could disrupt their travelling plans. Importantly, the Hat Yai International Airport has remained shut down while some train services to the South are halted.

[Moonrakers]

Telecommunications gateway at risk, despite otherwise normal union activity

The CAT union has said it will decide Wednesday afternoon whether to cut the international circuit telecommunication gateway or not. Disconnecting the gateway would affect internet, overseas telephone services as well as financial transactions.

Source: TNA - 03 September 2008

Thanksin has better get his a*se down to Western union a bit quick then.

[ubonjoe]

PAD has been hiring and transporting people to the protests since the beginning of this. The rate started at 500 baht per day and is now up to 1000 per day. Entire villages are open to negotiation for their appearance at the PAD sponsored events. Most of the people hired are coming from the, you guessed it, northeastern provinces. They appear for the money only.

PAD peaceful ?? effectively shutting down a government installation is not peaceful....It could be an act of war if two nationalities were involved and certainly never tolerated in any democratically elected western democracy.

Protesting against a democratically elected government is the HUGE negative impact perceived by the rest of the world, investors .... and the tourists will not come as long as PAD continues it's desire to disrupt a democratically elected government.

Workers in our area have stopped working because they were hired 500 Baht a day to join the PAD.

That may be but I wouldnt take the scubadude770 post from almost exactly 24 hours to the second ago as anything like reliable. Reports from multiple sources say most of the PAD supporters come from South, Chonburi and Nakhom Pathom and not Isaan. If anyone is hiring in the Isaan which no doubt they are it is not the PAD. However, to the poltically un awarwe and those not sur eof the language even telling who i hiring who could be difficult so lets go easy on scubadude770 for this obvious misinformation.

Just a thought

If PAD has just 10,000 (possibly more) people on its payroll then wouldn't that make them one the larger employers in the country. At 500 a day thats a daily payroll of 5 million baht. Thats probably a pretty good to boost to the ecnonmy.

[0Mix1up]

what does a "union" mean in Thailand?

[Guest Reimar]

There isn't any real evidence that the PAD is paying it's supporters but a lot of real evidence that the DAAD is paying for there supporters.

Interestingly is further that the PAD didn't uses knives, sticks and so on but the DAAD does.

It looks like that those who wrote about the payments of the PAD are on the same side as the DAAD! Just need to read all of the post and it's like a very deep red line which is pointing that way.

Cheers.

[Old Man River]

Puea Pandin disagrees with the SoE. I wonder how far this disagreement will go.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30082429

Dont forget the budget approval isnt far off and nobody on the government side will want to miss out on that.

Opposition to the SoE seems to be coming fom many sides, and the way it was introduced with government MPs at Sanam Luang and at the battle front giving cover for a quick SoE introduction is becoming clearer. Someone close to Samak has been intimated although it seems names are not going to be given in public.

A real left field end to this would be for the court to find the SoE unjustified in the legal appeal before it. That would force a resignation without taking out more than Samak. Unlikely in my opinion but somewhere there has to be a standdown at least temporarily. One report has Anupong as saying when the administrative and judicial elements have failed to find a solution it is up to the legislature to fond one. Lots could be read into that, which comes back to your question. Would they really do it and abandon the money in the budget?

I assume you already know the two "seniors" that were at Sanam Luang, although agree that I haven't seen it in print either.

I received a report today that was based on Samak's press conference yesterday in Thai. In it, is says that Samak was asked whether he would take responsibility for the dead protester, and he supposedly responded saying he had to first identify which side the protester was on. The next question was that it was a Thai citizen and therefore as PM would Samak take responsibility and he said he would have to wait the result of the investigation being done by his committee. Have you heard this?

[Sao Jiang Mai]

For all of those who go on and on about how the government has been elected, can you please answer this question: If you elected a government into your own country, but once in power it tried to change the constitution to suit criminals, it made an illegal deal with a neighbouring country, it appointed known criminals to very sensitive government posts, it worked to its own monetary advantage, not to its people, would you still think that this government was legitimate? Yes, it was elected, but if they break the law shouldn't they resign pending trial? Come on. And for all of those who say TIT, well that is the whole point, Thailand no longer wants this cycle of corruption. The people want change. And PAD is not just a small group of urban elite, as you can see from its support nationwide, it is a lot larger than a few thousand people. They have crossed the line numerous times, but they have been on the most part peaceful. Let's not forget that other 'civilised' countries also have anti government protesting, riots and yes, strikes.

[Guest Reimar]

Forget to mention that many things which should have to be done by the PAD, as reported pp. from opposite sites, looking like setup's only. And I do believe that's exactly what that is.

Cheers.

[chuang]

YES, I hope the PAD shut down everything in the country, water supply, electricty, transport, schools, shopping malls, businesses etc etc etc.... let the country goes down the drain and see who suffer....

[onethailand]

I received a report today that was based on Samak's press conference yesterday in Thai. In it, is says that Samak was asked whether he would take responsibility for the dead protester, and he supposedly responded saying he had to first identify which side the protester was on. The next question was that it was a Thai citizen and therefore as PM would Samak take responsibility and he said he would have to wait the result of the investigation being done by his committee. Have you heard this?

I heard part of this as well but didn't pay close enough attention. The protester has again been identified by the Nation as a DAAD/UDD supporter if I recall correctly.

[hammered]

People Power Party suggests for a referendum to break a political deadlock

MP Suthin Klangsaeng says today that his People Power Party wants the people to be the judge in choosing between the government and the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Suthin suggests for a referendum to be held with three simple questions which the voters could answer by yes or no.

First, should the government continue in office, resign, or dissolve the House for a snap election?

Second, should the PAD continue or end its protests?

Third, should the PAD's proposal on new politics to revamp the electoral system be accepted?

If parties concerned agree to his idea, the referendum preparations could start in a week, he says.

The Nation

Oh yes the crazy idea again. We dont have a referendum law yet. The questions have already been decided by an interested party. A referendum probably does not overirde the constitutional right to assemble. Referenda work when everyone agrees on the basis of the referenda and in countries with little traditon of referenda when the question is agreed on. In fact the question is usually critical. Another idea that wont solve anything.

Also we should note that the PAD themselves put forward the new politcs idea (not that I agree with it) to start a debate they didnt say it was written in stone so for their opponents to write it into a referenda to be held by their opponents.... Then a government shoudl not be told by referenda whether to stay or go. There are already constitutional tools for this.

Well yes crazy season.