State Of Emergency Announced In Bangkok

[onethailand]

Hmm...

Rumours spread Samak will announce resignation Thursday morning

Rumours had it throughout the day that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was granted an audience with His Majesty the King to inform His Majesty of his intention to resign.

The rumours said Samak had booked time slot of Radio Thailand at 7:30 am to announce his resignation.

The Nation

[ovenman]

Cambodian was in the no man's land. If it was a problem, just let's negotiate, no need to make a war for that.

Oups, I forgot, PAD strategy is NOT negotiation it's violence, violence and violence.

Are you for real? How can you say that the PAD stands for violence.

Do you read newspapers up side down?

PAD is one of most violent movement in the world.

Most Bizarre Statement of the Day. Congratulations.

PAD... right up there with the Tamil Tigers on the violent scale.

[davee58]

Cambodian was in the no man's land. If it was a problem, just let's negotiate, no need to make a war for that.

Oups, I forgot, PAD strategy is NOT negotiation it's violence, violence and violence.

Are you for real? How can you say that the PAD stands for violence.

Do you read newspapers up side down?

It's always better to look at the news from all angles in a situation like this..

Only by doing that can you see the true perspective.

That's proving very difficult in this mess.

[sgtpeppers]

Reuters is now reporting the Thai foreign minister has resigned.

Also on BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7499116.stm

I am sorry to hear it because Khun Tej was a highly competent and decent man.Nevertheless the reality is he was parachuted in for a specific purpose, namely to defuse the Cambodian crisis.

for such an apparently highly competent man, he showed a remarkable inability to deal with the Thaksin diplomatic passport issue after the police issues arrest warrants, instead deciding to play hot potato with Samak.

[ratcatcher]

Cambodian was in the no man's land. If it was a problem, just let's negotiate, no need to make a war for that.

Oups, I forgot, PAD strategy is NOT negotiation it's violence, violence and violence.

Are you for real? How can you say that the PAD stands for violence.

Do you read newspapers up side down?

PAD is one of most violent movement in the world. Not far from Hamas.

Incite violence on a 24/24 h, 7/7d basis is the worst violence in the world because, at least Al Quaida it's only "Seven Eleven"

:-)

Well, in Thailand 7/11 are open 24/24h.

:-)

What a pile of bovine excrement! Comparing PAD to Hamas? Next you'll be saying they are nearly same as Taliban?

These people have been protesting for months, generally peaceably with a lot of rhetoric but until the other night not violent.

Until DAAD showed up. And we all know who backs them. Anyway the larger picture is it's the death throes for PPP.

Something should happen before Sept.19th I think.

[sriracha john]

Another coal on the fire...

Yala battle between insurgents and security forces

Insurgents ambushed and exchanged fire with security forces in Yala province.

Local officials in Yala reports that an unknown number of insurgents using assault weaponry ambushed soldiers of the 12th Special Task Force in Raman district of Yala province. The soldiers were part of a protection detail for local teachers.

Officials said that as soldiers traveled along their normal patrol route, insurgents hidden inside local rubber plantations opened fire on the convoy. Soldiers and insurgents exchanged fire for more than 5 minutes before insurgents retreated. No casualties were sustained on either sides.

Authorities believe the incident to be another attempt by insurgents to create unrest.

- ThaiNews / today

[Crushdepth]

My wife says one of Thaksin`s lawyers and two PPP mps were filmed sitting at a restaurant while outside the DAAD were preparing their desperate assault.

Just having a quick snack(box), nothing to worry about.

Is this a new development:

Thailand's Information and Communications Technology Ministry sought court orders yesterday to shut down about 400 websites and advised internet service providers to block 1,200 sites it considers a danger to national security or disturbing social order.

Read 'criticising the government'. This must be the 'freedom of speech' that some Samak Apologists were previously referring to.

[Plus]

Actually, Tej resignation deserves some careful consideration - is it really a sign that "upstairs" have made their decision?

If that is the case - one could say "premocracy" prevails, but, on the other hand, it's a sign that "democratic parlament" has completely failed again.

This "democratic" process was given its chance on Sunday, and it produced nothing, just a bunch of monkeys throwing bananas at each other.

If the house is dissolved and there's new elections - will PPP come back again? Everybody thinks it will, but WHY? Is it because they are so good at governing the country? Or is it because their political machinery has a complete lock up on electoral system in key regions?

There's a very difficult choice to be made, but the upside can be really really good - let PPP run without Thaksin in the background, see how they do on their own. If they fail to win, "democracy" prevails, we can go on cheering for this stupid system without any need to rethink how it should be run in this particular country.

I, personally, prefer an interim government commited to a comprehensive political reform before elections are held.

There are plenty of suggestions, from "new politics" to banning people who sold their votes to setting a minimum education standard to vote to "no taxes, no say".

There is definitely a need, the current system does not address the real probelms, everybody would agree with that, to some degree.

How about separating local and national politics altogether? Local MPs have no influence over the government policies anyway.

How about redrawing consitituenices not on geographical base but on professional/social status, as per "new politics" proposal?

At this point I admit I have to agree with Sondhi's personal four point proposal - Samak has to go, and let things run their course while the political reform is implemented.

[sriracha john]

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee

Naewna newspaper

According to Surapong, the dissolution of PPP is not all that important...

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong says dissolution of PPP a minor issue compared to political situation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Surapong Suebwonglee, in his capacity as Secretary-General of the People Power Party, believes that it is possible the Constitutional Court may rule in favor of the dissolution of the party.

Surapong said that the dissolution of the People Power Party is of secondary importance when compared to the nation's political situation, and will not affect the government's stance.

The Deputy Prime Minister points out that Thailand's democracy is being threatened by political factions with unclear goals and lack of respect for the nation's judiciary system. *is that a slam against Thaksin's slamming letter of the judiciary system?*

Surapong adds that the public should not view the Prime Minister's transfer of authority to the Army Commander in Chief to look after the current political situation as avoidance of responsibility on Samak's part.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the public should instead support the Army Chief in his duties of maintaining peace and order.

- ThaiNews / today

Edited September 3, 2008 by sriracha john

[Plus]

..I sense the elite's strategy is to get the Dems in power but how malleable will Abhisit be?Already international opinion has wised up to the disgusting nature of the PAD leadership but Samak and the scummy PPP Government gives a semi credible explanation to the PAD movement.But with Abhisit at the helm it all gets a bit more difficult for the elite.Can he be cowed?

Another way of putting THAT is that the elites have lost control of the situation and have not idea how to resolve this.

Add that to "government should listen to people or else" additions to the development of Thai democracy.

>>>

In spite of all the rhetoric and accusations of being manipulated, PAD is basically driven by the voices of concerned citizens. Sondhi's own "new politics" didn't fly is one example, and, look at how things develop now - it's people on the ground, the public opinion, who make the decisions, not Sondhi or Chamlong - the leaders are driven by the people.

Isn't it a big win for democracy here?

>>>

I've just watched pictures from republican convention in the US. It is fuc_king depressing. I'd take Sondhi's rhetorics anyday. The US model is NOT something to be followed, that one thing is clear. I mean they are good, they are very good, but it's all about manipulating people, not listening to them.

[Payboy]

as the orangutan's speech was making sense.

could be other reasons for that ....been in thailand too long, comes to mind........

[RadioCityMike]

It is no wonder that the world has thugs and crooks for leaders. We treat our world leaders worse then the people who clean our toilets. We would never treat our house staff as badly as we treat top government elected leaders. As the quality of people running for office deteriorates, the worse treatment they receive. The only way this vicious cycle will ever reverse is to acknowlege what we have now and work to make improvements.

[sriracha john]

Strange how breaking news is first announced from the PAD stage...

Thai Foreign Minister Intends To Resign

BANGKOK, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Embattled Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is facing more headache with strong speculation that his foreign minister, Tej Bunnag, wants to resign after less than 40 days in the hot seat.

Foreign Ministry officials could not confirm the news which was spread by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at their protest site in the Government House.

But a ministry official when contacted said they were informed about Tej's impending resignation and that he (Tej) was waiting for Samak's approval before announcing it.

"It has not been confirmed but we did hear that there could be some announcement tomorrow. In fact, he (Tej) was reluctant in the first place to take over the post," said the official.

Should Tej resign, it could affect Thailand's preparation to host the Asean Summit in December.

Just two days ago, Tej accompanied Samak to attend Malaysia's 51st Merdeka anniversary celebrations at a leading hotel here and is expected to visit Malaysia later this month.

The 65-year-old former ambassador to the United States, China and United Nations was appointed in July-end to replace Noppadon Pattama who had to resign following intense pressure, after Cambodia's successful listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site by Unesco, despite objections from Thailand.

Immediately after assuming the post, Tej, who had been the Thai-Cambodian Cultural Commission chief, flew to Cambodia to conduct talks over the temple issue and managed to reduce tensions which grew after both countries stationed their troops near the temple.

If Tej confirms stepping down, it would be the biggest blow so far, for Samak as he tries to cling on to power, despite thousands of PAD supporters occupying his office at the Government House since Aug 26.

The People Power Party (PPP) and five coalition partners continued to back him, but pressure grew on him to step down, following yesterday's early morning clash between PAD members and pro-government supporters which left one dead and 40 injured.

Tuesday, Samak declared a state of emergency and gave power to the military to control the security.

[Guest Reimar]

What a pile of bovine excrement! Comparing PAD to Hamas? Next you'll be saying they are nearly same as Taliban?

These people have been protesting for months, generally peaceably with a lot of rhetoric but until the other night not violent.

Until DAAD showed up. And we all know who backs them. Anyway the larger picture is it's the death throes for PPP.

Something should happen before Sept.19th I think.

That's something which should give something to think about!

I think, Samak was only see one way out: announce the degree of emergency! But that was need more than just the demonstrations on the Government Compound! The need was violence with fatal ending! And that was exactly coming up.

The DAAD was calling in, well known that this group is nothing else than paid terrorists! And who know who was killing that person? PAD or maybe DAAD supporters?!

Isn't it thinking to far that the fatal incident was launched from the DAAD?!

Interesting was an video clip where the security was showing the "receipt" of THB 1,200 for some DAAD member to play a violent role in that night! And that's the only hard evidence I had seen until now that supporters are paid for their support but on the DAAD site only.

And what's about the former TRT propminence which was appearing at that night on site of the DAAD?

There so many questions open and difficult to get real answers. The time will show the final result, if any!

Cheers.

[trigger571]

For those who didnt see this post.

Breaking News: Samak to resign Thursday, Foreign Minister already resigned

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Samak-Announ...da-t210389.html

[ubonjoe]

CAT union postpones cutting overseas circuit

CAT Telecom labour union which earlier planned to cut the country international circuit telecommunications gateway Wednesday afternoon in support of the demonstrators demanding for the ouster of the coalition government has postponed the decision until 9am Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130353

[ubonjoe]

By Nopporn Wong-Anan

1 hour, 4 minutes ago

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's foreign minister has quit, local media reported on Wednesday, dealing another blow to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej a day after he invoked emergency rule against protesters seeking to unseat him.

Tej Bunnag, a retired diplomat appointed in July, resigned after completing his mission to repair relations with Cambodia after a temple row that forced out his predecessor, a television channel and news Web sites said.

Tej once served in King Bhumibol Adulyadej's principal private secretary's office, and his departure could be seen as the revered monarch expressing his reservations about Samak's administration.

Full Story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080903/wl_nm/...o2lI.TLAJ.s0NUE

[kurtgruen]

Why does Samak have to know what side the guy casme from before accepting responsibility? Is he totally inhuman? And we should remember he has made a complete political career out of labelling those he disagrees with as not Thai and in several cases using it to suggest they should die or for justifying their deaths. This incident and his reaction in what he says follows this pattern., which side? and was he Thai? Very disturbing if you expect moral responsibility from a PM.

Fully agree. But, assuming the deceased has been identified correctly, it may have an influence on what Samak will say.

Then again, the Post has reported it both ways - hard to conclude that either one is correct. Has anyone read the Thai papers and can provide more info?

If the government still today isn`t using this poor guy as a martyr and Samak still does not know which side he was on, he was no pro-govt.

First my condolances to the family of the victim, whatever side he was on. Secondly, yes, I feel the same way, Tony, if it was really a pro-government supporter, I think the PPP and Samak would have milked this incident for any milage they can get out of it. I'm sorry, but my opionion of Samak is not very hi. I hate to be so cynical.

[onethailand]

First my condolances to the family of the victim, whatever side he was on. Secondly, yes, I feel the same way, Tony, if it was really a pro-government supporter, I think the PPP and Samak would have milked this incident for any milage they can get out of it. I'm sorry, but my opionion of Samak is not very hi. I hate to be so cynical.

Maybe then you should understand the flip side of this. If he was really a PAD supporter, do you not think that the PAD would've milked this incident for any mileage they could get out of it?

As they say, the knife cuts both ways.

[kurtgruen]

First my condolances to the family of the victim, whatever side he was on. Secondly, yes, I feel the same way, Tony, if it was really a pro-government supporter, I think the PPP and Samak would have milked this incident for any milage they can get out of it. I'm sorry, but my opionion of Samak is not very hi. I hate to be so cynical.

Maybe then you should understand the flip side of this. If he was really a PAD supporter, do you not think that the PAD would've milked this incident for any mileage they could get out of it?

As they say, the knife cuts both ways.

I have to agree with you there, onethailand. It's good that neither one is milking the situation, but it also surprises me. One would think that the side of the victim would cry foul and keep talking about it.

Maybe there is hope. Maybe there really is respect for one another, when it comes to peoples lives/deaths. I sure hope so.

Thanks for pointing out what you said. Yes, I do understand the flipside.

[Tony Clifton]

So do I, I still hang on to my thoughts on this.

Mmm, my wife says he was DAAD, and he was killed by his own in the confusion.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[kurtgruen]

So do I, I still hang on to my thoughts on this.

Here is one, I think you will like, Toni....

I was having dinner and was thinking of what best describes Samak...

Too much rice, not enough protein

[onethailand]

The idiot on the PAD stage at the moment just started talking about how he heard that Thaksin had "ordered" people from the North and Isaan to come down to Bangkok... so Thaksin ordered them... and the result was one of them killed.

I think now it's probably safe to say that the person was most likely a DAAD/UDD supporter... and the PAD are now crowing about what happened to him.

Someone shoot this idiot.

[paulfromphuket]

and its for sure PAD that are offering cash here.

And you know this how exactly...?

yellow shirts and thats what they say, i like to try and believe what someone actually says to me. maybe they are been hijacked and sent somewhere else but its pad at the town hall and pad getting recruited here in my village.

So they tell you that they are getting paid?

yes i think i was clear enough.

And I`m sure you or your Thai acquaintances have immediately contacted the proper authorities upon observing this.

Doubtful. They're probably all taking the free Phuket to Bangkok flights that he asserts THAI is offering to shuttle paid PAD demonstrators to the capital.

All I tried to do was some from the ground reporting so just in case you did not understand or are interested in facts here are the facts.

One, PAD are paying 500 thb per day to demonstrate in BKK and hold their id cards on arrival to make sure thet stay put.

Two, PAD are paying for some of these people to fly from Phuket,maybe thats why the flights are full and by the way that link refered to the shortage of flights to phuket not out.

Three. The quote regarding other parties paying demonstrators was from another poster, i just commented on it.

Four. They are fools to play such a game with the economy.

I am going back to hearding my real cats.Its easier than trying to just report on this

lets hope tomorrow brings clarity

[Tony Clifton]

So do I, I still hang on to my thoughts on this.

Mmm, my wife says he was DAAD, and he was killed by his own in the confusion.

The idiot on the PAD stage at the moment just started talking about how he heard that Thaksin had "ordered" people from the North and Isaan to come down to Bangkok... so Thaksin ordered them... and the result was one of them killed.

I think now it's probably safe to say that the person was most likely a DAAD/UDD supporter... and the PAD are now crowing about what happened to him.

Someone shoot this idiot.

DAAD killed by DAAD may explain the total silcence from the govt. `s part, oh the embarassment to see you`re own hired drunk thugs ending up killing one of their own..

On the other hand, I haven`t see PAD milk the issue over the dead man.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[onethailand]

DAAD killed by DAAD may explain the total silcence from the govt. `s part, oh the embarassment to see you`re own hired drunk thugs ending up killing one of their own..

On the other hand, I haven`t see PAD milk the issue over the dead man.

Are you watching ASTV now? Mr Firebrand here sure isn't mincing his words...

[onethailand]

Sondhi now on ASTV denying that he told the Post that Surapong or Somchai was acceptable as a replacement for Samak.

[kurtgruen]

DAAD killed by DAAD may explain the total silcence from the govt. `s part, oh the embarassment to see you`re own hired drunk thugs ending up killing one of their own..

On the other hand, I haven`t see PAD milk the issue over the dead man.

Are you watching ASTV now? Mr Firebrand here sure isn't mincing his words...

I am, but my translator went on strike. My wife is getting tired of me being so obsessed with politics, she says

I can understand a few words, but that's about it. Not enough to follow the full conversation

[sabaijai]

and its for sure PAD that are offering cash here.

And you know this how exactly...?

yellow shirts and thats what they say, i like to try and believe what someone actually says to me. maybe they are been hijacked and sent somewhere else but its pad at the town hall and pad getting recruited here in my village.

So they tell you that they are getting paid?

yes i think i was clear enough.

And I`m sure you or your Thai acquaintances have immediately contacted the proper authorities upon observing this.

Doubtful. They're probably all taking the free Phuket to Bangkok flights that he asserts THAI is offering to shuttle paid PAD demonstrators to the capital.

All I tried to do was some from the ground reporting so just in case you did not understand or are interested in facts here are the facts.

One, PAD are paying 500 thb per day to demonstrate in BKK and hold their id cards on arrival to make sure thet stay put.

Two, PAD are paying for some of these people to fly from Phuket,maybe thats why the flights are full and by the way that link refered to the shortage of flights to phuket not out.

Three. The quote regarding other parties paying demonstrators was from another poster, i just commented on it.

Four. They are fools to play such a game with the economy.

I am going back to hearding my real cats.Its easier than trying to just report on this

lets hope tomorrow brings clarity

I think rumours 1 and 2 have been definitively discredited. Pro-PPP media would have rushed to publicise it there was any evidence. To add personal observation, none of the many Thai protesters I know is getting paid, some of whom came from other provinces at their own expense.

[paulfromphuket]

and its for sure PAD that are offering cash here.

And you know this how exactly...?

yellow shirts and thats what they say, i like to try and believe what someone actually says to me. maybe they are been hijacked and sent somewhere else but its pad at the town hall and pad getting recruited here in my village.

So they tell you that they are getting paid?

yes i think i was clear enough.

And I`m sure you or your Thai acquaintances have immediately contacted the proper authorities upon observing this.

Doubtful. They're probably all taking the free Phuket to Bangkok flights that he asserts THAI is offering to shuttle paid PAD demonstrators to the capital.

All I tried to do was some from the ground reporting so just in case you did not understand or are interested in facts here are the facts.

One, PAD are paying 500 thb per day to demonstrate in BKK and hold their id cards on arrival to make sure thet stay put.

Two, PAD are paying for some of these people to fly from Phuket,maybe thats why the flights are full and by the way that link refered to the shortage of flights to phuket not out.

Three. The quote regarding other parties paying demonstrators was from another poster, i just commented on it.

Four. They are fools to play such a game with the economy.

I am going back to hearding my real cats.Its easier than trying to just report on this

lets hope tomorrow brings clarity

I think rumours 1 and 2 have been definitively discredited. Pro-PPP media would have rushed to publicise it there was any evidence. To add personal observation, none of the many Thai protesters I know is getting paid, some of whom came from other provinces at their own expense.

rumors one and two are as i said fact FACT ok call me a liar if you want.