State Of Emergency Announced In Bangkok

[sriracha john]

Rift threatens to widen as government backers plan rallies

Thailand is heading towards further rifts with pro-government crowds planning to rally in 50 provinces to demand an end to the siege of Government House by anti-government protesters.

People Power Party MP Chuvit Pitakpornpallop said pro-government crowds would rally in 50 provinces in four regions to counter the People's Alliance for Democracy by demanding an end to the PAD's capture of Government House.

The pro-government rallies were scheduled to take place at provincial halls from last night until the anti-government protesters moved out of the seat of the government.

Chuvit said pro-government crowds might even lay siege to religious sanctuaries run by Santi Asoke in Ubon Ratchathani and other provinces. Santi Asoke is seen as closely linked to PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is scheduled to hold his Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani tomorrow. He is in the same shoes as Thaksin, who in 2006 was also forced to hold Cabinet meetings in the provinces because the PAD had sealed Government House.

Udon Thani is the province where PAD members were recently assaulted by pro-government supporters, an incident that made headlines.

Prakasit Rubsung, a PAD leader in the Northeast, said Khwanchai Praipana, the leader of the pro-government Udon Lovers' Club, is planning to organise rallies against the PAD by paying 150,000 baht to any district which brings in people to support the rallies.

He said that Khwanchai will be mobilising some 2,000 supporters to greet Samak and his Cabinet on Monday at the airport and to prevent the PAD protesters from getting close to the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party yesterday ruled out all scenarios for it to relinquish power - either by the prime minister resigning or a House dissolution - arguing the turmoil would persist regardless of its course of action.

"Protesters want to introduce the idea of so-called 'new politics' even though many people have no idea what that is," party spokesman Kudep Saikrajang said. Kudep said political normalcy could not be restored as long as the opposition movement led by the PAD was determined to use illegal means to oust the government and revamp the political system.

He said none of the problems would be solved by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation or by calling a snap election. If the government bows to demands made through illegal means, this would set a dangerous precedent for the Thai political system, he said.

He dismissed speculation that the main coalition party was at odds with Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda relating to the enforcement of emergency measures.

Kudep said his party was in favour of negotiations as a way to overcome the deadlock. The problem is not the government, but the opposition, which refuses to negotiate, he said.

PM: No negotiations with PAD

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej affirms that he will not negotiate with the People's Alliance for Democracy

Samak believes that conducting a public referendum is the best solution to current conflicts

- ThaiNews / today

- The Nation / 2008-09-08

Edited September 7, 2008 by sriracha john

[LaoPo]

Maybe the PAD PARTY should be replaced with PUP (PEOPLES UNITED PARTY) . A party that would win the hearts and minds of

all the people, PPP and PAD alike. Unless you can do that, your chance of real reform is but a wonderful dream. But then again, it has been said that "Dreams are what make life tolerable."

AFAIK there isn't a PAD Party! The PAD isn't a political party and not registered as one.

Cheers.

Factual you're right but the PAD isn't far from becoming one as they founded the MASS PARTY back in May 2006:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Party_(Thailand)

It's just a technicality to reform/change PAD into MASS PARTY or vice versa.

Or do you think Sondhi will walk home and become a Monk until he dies once Samak is gone ? ....like he promised...?

Personally: I don't think so.

LaoPo

[Tony Clifton]

Samak also said that he still planned to go a UN General Assembly meeting in New York on 25 September.

"I will go to speak at the United Nations, even though Thaksin went and speak there and did not return," Samak said.

Seems like a great opportunity to once again get rid of a corrupt PM - we can only hope.

They are so desperate as it is, add to that the eventual second dissolution for this bunch, it wouldn`t surprise me a bit they`re actually thinking they are reopening the door for a second coup so they can whine about it again over and over after dissolution. There won`t be any other coups, we would have seen one by now.

Edited September 7, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[Tony Clifton]

No bail for NBT suspects

Sixty-one witnesses have so far been spoken to.

82 people detained after the raid on the offices of the NBT

Police asked the court to deny them bail,

http://www.bangkokpost.com/060908_News/06Sep2008_news07.php

What a pity that the police didn't take a similar stance with Potjaman.

Or the leaders and attackers in the last Northern raid on a PAD rally.

[sriracha john]

Maybe the PAD PARTY should be replaced with PUP (PEOPLES UNITED PARTY) . A party that would win the hearts and minds of

all the people, PPP and PAD alike. Unless you can do that, your chance of real reform is but a wonderful dream. But then again, it has been said that "Dreams are what make life tolerable."

AFAIK there isn't a PAD Party! The PAD isn't a political party and not registered as one.

Cheers.

Factual you're right but the PAD isn't far from becoming one as they founded the MASS PARTY back in May 2006:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Party_(Thailand)

I don't think PAD is interested in forming a political party, although, this could change, as membership grows and goals get reevaluated.

The point is that the PAD formed a political party* already....in MAY 2006 !

any update on that 28-Month Old article?

[LaoPo]

Maybe the PAD PARTY should be replaced with PUP (PEOPLES UNITED PARTY) . A party that would win the hearts and minds of

all the people, PPP and PAD alike. Unless you can do that, your chance of real reform is but a wonderful dream. But then again, it has been said that "Dreams are what make life tolerable."

AFAIK there isn't a PAD Party! The PAD isn't a political party and not registered as one.

Cheers.

Factual you're right but the PAD isn't far from becoming one as they founded the MASS PARTY back in May 2006:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Party_(Thailand)

I don't think PAD is interested in forming a political party, although, this could change, as membership grows and goals get reevaluated.

The point is that the PAD formed a political party* already....in MAY 2006 !

any update on that 28-Month Old article?

Since you are so curious about an eventual update I would send an email to PAD if I were you, and ask them if they have plans to change PAD into the MASS PARTY soon...

Let us know the answer, will you please ?

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

Maybe the PAD PARTY should be replaced with PUP (PEOPLES UNITED PARTY) . A party that would win the hearts and minds of

all the people, PPP and PAD alike. Unless you can do that, your chance of real reform is but a wonderful dream. But then again, it has been said that "Dreams are what make life tolerable."

AFAIK there isn't a PAD Party! The PAD isn't a political party and not registered as one.

Cheers.

Factual you're right but the PAD isn't far from becoming one as they founded the MASS PARTY back in May 2006:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Party_(Thailand)

I don't think PAD is interested in forming a political party, although, this could change, as membership grows and goals get reevaluated.

The point is that the PAD formed a political party* already....in MAY 2006 !

any update on that 28-Month Old article?

Since you are so curious about an eventual update I would send an email to PAD if I were you, and ask them if they have plans to change PAD into the MASS PARTY soon...

Let us know the answer, will you please ?

So in other words, no? Thank you.

[sriracha john]

Tension in the Northeast

Udon Thani province is tense amid worries of a possible confrontation between anti- and pro-government camps when PM Samak and his ministers attend a mobile cabinet meeting in the province on Tuesday. At least 20,000 people are expected to turn up to show support for Samak and his government. Local supporters of the PAD and a pro-government group clashed in Udon Thani on July 24, leaving several people injured. Kwanchai Praipana, leader of a pro-government group in Udon Thani, on Sunday spoke on local radio, encouraging people to gather at the radio station Monday to prepare for a rally to support the government. He asked for 2,000 supporters to gather at Udon Thani airport to prevent PAD supporters arriving on the day of the cabinet meeting. Charoen Mookhachonphan, PAD leader in Udon Thani, said the group's local chapter would gather to oppose the cabinet meeting. Local police will deploy from all stations to guard against possible violence, said Pol Maj-Gen Permsak Pharadornsak, the provincial police chief. A source in the PPP said northeastern MPs and core leaders from the ruling party were trying to make sure their supporters turn up and rally behind the embattled government. The source said 10 MPs from the province and local officials were organising at least 20,000 people to welcome Samak. A senior provincial official had tried to dissuade people in the government from holding the cabinet meeting in the province, but to no avail. Mobile medical units will also be on standby in case of violence, the official said. Core leaders of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are already in the province to prepare measures to deal with PAD supporters who might turn up to disrupt the meeting. Sawat Theerarattananukulchai, president of the provincial chamber of commerce, said he was surprised that the private sector was not invited to attend the mobile cabinet meeting, as in the past.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=130484

Edited September 8, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Defiant as they come

Has Thai politics really reached a dead end? The question hangs in the air as no one seems able to suggest an acceptable way that would lead this divided country out of the political crisis which has been growing more and more tense by the day. The government of PM Samak is standing its ground, maintaining its "democratically elected" status and not giving in to the "mob." Meanwhile, the PAD, with its hundreds of thousand supporters, remains as intent in its pursuit of a new format of democracy to fight what it views as nothing but money politics. The most popular solution _ supported mainly by educational institutes and civil society organisations _ is for PM Samak to resign or dissolve the House of Representatives. This idea has been flatly rejected by Samak. During the past more than 100 days of protest, the PAD crowd has shown no sign of decreasing, despite the clashes and casualties. The PM's counter-attack via declaration of a state of emergency in the hopes of halting the flow of people joining the PAD protest, has achieved nothing of the sort. His latest move _ proposing that a referendum be held to judge whether people agree with the PAD protest or not _ runs the risk of breaching Section 165 of the Constitution, which bars a poll on the actions of an individual or group of individuals. The PM has also declared he will go on a roadshow and talk to 140 radio stations within one month to spread the message of the referendum to the general public. The move, however, has been criticised as capable of spreading the conflict from urban Bangkok to the whole country. Critics also argue that the proposal would be a waste of the roughly 1.8 billion baht budget because the same old ghost of vote buying would resurface and the PAD would not accept the referendum's result anyway.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=130445

[sriracha john]

Thailand's political turmoil shakes tourists and investors: analysts

BANGKOK - - The political turmoil playing out in Thailand's capital is damaging the kingdom's economy, hitting its thriving tourism sector and making investors wary, business leaders said.

Analysts predict sliding stock prices and cancellations of tourist bookings will only worsen as anti-government protests and a state of emergency in Bangkok continue.

"The current political problems will later cripple the country's economic growth," warned Kavee Chukitkasemm, assistant managing director at Kasikorn Securities.

Thailand's stock market is down more than 26 percent since anti-government protests first broke out in late May, with the market's composite index losing 5.64 percent over the past week.

The central bank intervened in the foreign exchange market to shore up the baht on Tuesday, as emergency rule was declared across the capital. But the currency still fell to a 13-month low of 34.50-52 against the dollar that day.

The current crisis began on August 26 when protesters stormed into the main government complex to demand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resign. Thousands of demonstrators remain camped there and so far no action has been taken to evict them, though Samak firmly refuses to step down.

Early Tuesday the crisis worsened when protestors clashed with Samak supporters, leaving one man dead and dozens injured. A state of emergency has since been in place across the capital.

Tourism, which accounts for more than six percent of the economy, has been particularly vulnerable to the violence.

Foreign tourists were predicted to bring in about 600 billion baht (17.4 billion dollars) this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

But since the state of emergency was declared, the number of foreign arrivals has dropped 30 percent below average at Bangkok's international airport.

Usually 8,000-10,000 visitors arrive through Suvarnabhumi airport each day.

"The political turmoil has badly affected the travel and tourism business in Thailand," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, adding that the fall in numbers was already costing Thailand 400 million baht a day in lost revenue.

At least 13 countries have now issued warnings concerning travel to Thailand.

Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotel Association, said hotel cancellations had jumped since the announcement, adding that as high-season approached in October, hotels would face a critical test.

With no solution to the crisis in sight, real estate is beginning to also feel the effects, said Somchao Tanterdtham, president of the Thai Real Estate Association.

"We real estate operators have been more cautious for the past few months and delayed new projects, mostly owing to a slowdown in the global economy and high oil prices. But the political turmoil is now adding to our problems," Somchao told AFP.

Samak said Friday he would consider lifting the state of emergency -- but not because it has successfully dispersed the crowds baying for his departure.

The emergency rule has simply been ignored by the military it invoked to take charge, Samak said, leaving the protesters in place and raising the spectre of prolonged financial woes.

- AFP / 2008-09-08

Edited September 8, 2008 by sriracha john

[LaoPo]

Thailand's political turmoil shakes tourists and investors: analysts

BANGKOK - - The political turmoil playing out in Thailand's capital is damaging the kingdom's economy, hitting its thriving tourism sector and making investors wary, business leaders said.

Analysts predict sliding stock prices and cancellations of tourist bookings will only worsen as anti-government protests and a state of emergency in Bangkok continue.

"The current political problems will later cripple the country's economic growth," warned Kavee Chukitkasemm, assistant managing director at Kasikorn Securities.

Thailand's stock market is down more than 26 percent since anti-government protests first broke out in late May, with the market's composite index losing 5.64 percent over the past week.

The central bank intervened in the foreign exchange market to shore up the baht on Tuesday, as emergency rule was declared across the capital. But the currency still fell to a 13-month low of 34.50-52 against the dollar that day.

The current crisis began on August 26 when protesters stormed into the main government complex to demand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resign. Thousands of demonstrators remain camped there and so far no action has been taken to evict them, though Samak firmly refuses to step down.

Early Tuesday the crisis worsened when protestors clashed with Samak supporters, leaving one man dead and dozens injured. A state of emergency has since been in place across the capital.

Tourism, which accounts for more than six percent of the economy, has been particularly vulnerable to the violence.

Foreign tourists were predicted to bring in about 600 billion baht (17.4 billion dollars) this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

But since the state of emergency was declared, the number of foreign arrivals has dropped 30 percent below average at Bangkok's international airport.

Usually 8,000-10,000 visitors arrive through Suvarnabhumi airport each day.

"The political turmoil has badly affected the travel and tourism business in Thailand," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, adding that the fall in numbers was already costing Thailand 400 million baht a day in lost revenue.

At least 13 countries have now issued warnings concerning travel to Thailand.

Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotel Association, said hotel cancellations had jumped since the announcement, adding that as high-season approached in October, hotels would face a critical test.

With no solution to the crisis in sight, real estate is beginning to also feel the effects, said Somchao Tanterdtham, president of the Thai Real Estate Association.

"We real estate operators have been more cautious for the past few months and delayed new projects, mostly owing to a slowdown in the global economy and high oil prices. But the political turmoil is now adding to our problems," Somchao told AFP.

Samak said Friday he would consider lifting the state of emergency -- but not because it has successfully dispersed the crowds baying for his departure.

The emergency rule has simply been ignored by the military it invoked to take charge, Samak said, leaving the protesters in place and raising the spectre of prolonged financial woes.

- AFP / 2008-09-08

The nonsense I read in some news articles is really beyond every reality.....

"Usually 8,000-10,000 visitors arrive through Suvarnabhumi airport each day"

Really ? That would TOPS 3,650,000 arriving visitors per year....

Well do your homework -newspaper- guys.

Let me help a little:

THAILAND_2007_tourist_numbers_AIR_LAND_SEA_res_1_12_1.XLS

LaoPo

[ubonjoe]

Near anniversary of 2006 putsch, 'new coup possible'

Another military coup is possible if the political strife continues to drag on, says a former close aide to the officials who launched the 2006 coup d'etat.

Full story: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130483

[ubonjoe]

POLITICAL CRISIS

Prasopsuk optimistic about finding solution

By The Nation

Published on September 8, 2008

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet yesterday expressed confidence that the tripartite meeting would find a solution to the country's political impasse.

He said he had talked to the military and it had assured there would not be any use of force to crack down on the protesters and also it would not create any conflict that could lead to a coup to overthrow the government.

Asked how the tripartite meeting could work as the People's Alliance for Democracy had set a condition that it would sit at the negotiation table only after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigned, Prasopsuk said he believed all three parties wanted to solve the problem.

Maj General Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD leaders, insisted the PAD would not negotiate with anybody until Samak resigns.

Somsak Kosaisuka, a PAD leader, said the antigovernment group was willing to provide support to students who have been pressuring Samak to resign by boycotting their classes and refusing to sit for exams.

He said the PAD had told its supporters in Udon Thani that they should organise a protest there during the roving Cabinet meeting only if police ensured their safety as government supporters have threatened to assault them.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said had Samak dissolved the House, the political situation would have eased. He said Army chief General Anupong Paochinda should be confident that he could control the situation if the government revokes the state of emergency.

Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul voiced concern that Samak would repeat history in instigating violence as happened in October 6, 1976 when he used the Army radio station to provoke village scouts against students, leading to the gruesome killing of students in Thammasat University. She said the crack down by the government against pro-democracy students on October 14, 1973, and against the middleclass in May 1992 had led to the defeat of the government. However, Samak believed his campaign in 1976 led to a government victory as the students were brutally suppressed. "This time Samak is mobilising the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship to fight against the government's opponents, hoping there would be a crack down against them,'' she said.

She called on the government to lift the state of emergency. She believed the government planned to crack down against the protesters without having to shoulder any responsibility.

[younghusband]

He sure loves skating on thin ice, and he already fell through once

Seems like Jakrapop isn't the only one with a taste for skating on thin ice

Are you hinting you'd love to see me suspended or banned?

No of course not: it was just a mild tease.Those who conspire to get members who hold differing opinions banned -we all know who they are -are obviously rather sad creatures.

Not nearly as sad as those posters, whoever they are, who attempt to distort reality by excusing forum rule breakers as saying only that they held different viewpoints.

The preoccupation some people have with rules and regulations is admirable, but very much a below decks characteristic where non commissioned ranks must focus on receiving and implementing orders.They don't normally tolerate much diversity of opinion.The officer class thinks a little differently.Obviously rules should normally be followed but occasionally there's a need for what the Royal Navy knows as the "Nelson touch".

Stand easy now (if that's the appropriate term to address someone hunched over their laptop).

Whatever nautical babbling you're attempting doesn't change the fact, as stated, that rather than being removed from the forum for simply holding a different viewpoint, those that refuse to comply with the same rules that all of us are expected to follow are justifiably taken out. Beyond that, if you think someone was removed unjustly, your issue is with admin, not some wild conspiracy theory with individual members.

Pipe down old boy.It's you that is obsessed with conspiring to ban members who disagree with your views.That;s a matter of recordI have never complained about members being banned.It's none of my business nor with respect is it yours.Leave it to the mods who do a good job.It;s only a forum for heavens sake.One might be tempted to suggest you get a life.If your latest bout of bad temper is because you are irritated by your inability to swamp the forum with your one dimensional views as in the past, just get over it.

[paulfromphuket]

extracted from the bkk post.

THE MIRROR HAS 60 MILLION FACES

VORANAI VANIJAKA

spac_writeAd( "/SITE=BANGKOKPOST/AREA=NEWS/AAMSZ=300X250PIXELS/POSITION=RIGHT5/METHOD=JSCRIPT" );

One night in October 1973, my mother (who was 8 months pregnant with me at the time) was sitting at home, worrying and crying. My father, an officer in the riot prevention unit, was trapped in a police station surrounded by left-wing militants.

He was cradling in his arms one of his subordinates, who had been shot in the guts. He was bleeding profusely.

There were between 15 to 20 policemen trapped in the station, surrounded by hundreds of the opposition. The situation was hopeless. Snipers were everywhere. The policeman who was shot eventually died from blood loss.

Late in the night, my father ordered his subordinates to strip off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes. Under the cover of darkness, they escaped from the police station.

A few hours later, my father made it back home to my mother.

Thinking of all the coups, the protests and the bloodshed that Thailand has been through, I wonder: What have we been fighting for? What have we achieved?

The majority still live in poverty. Our children still beg in the streets. Not just politics, but our society as a whole is still corrupt. And we still have no clue what democracy is.

Coups, protests and conflicts are nothing more than the squabbling between rich and powerful men, whose fiery rhetoric, fancy tactics and deep pockets are able to rouse the people to flock to their banners.

I am no fan of prime minister Samak Sundaravej, nor am I a fan of the five leaders of the PAD. However, I am a fan of everyone who wakes up in the morning, goes to work, provides for his or her family, lends a helping hand to the less fortunate and lives an honest life, regardless of the colour of their shirts.

Getting rid of Prime Minister Samak and dissolving the parliament would make a lot of people happy, it would make me happy. But then what?

Would there be less corruption? Less social injustice? Less income disparity? Would it better the lives of the people?

We want to get rid of him because he is corrupt. But is he any more corrupt than the average Thai person? How many among us never cut corners, go under the table, use connections, or hand over a hundred baht bill?

We want to get rid of him because we don't want Thaksin-style mega projects. But then - look at our media, look at our society - why are we so obsessed with materialism and superficiality?

We don't want him to change the constitution to serve his (or his boss's) agenda. But then why do we the people each and every day bend the rules and manipulate the laws to serve our own agenda?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our children begging in the streets?

We march to get rid of one man, but do we march to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in the three southernmost provinces?

We march to get rid of one man, but did we march when Thaksin mandated the murder of innocent men and women on the streets?

If we want to change Thailand for the better, getting rid of a few individuals won't do it. The change starts with us.

The PAD has the right to protest, and Samak has the prerogative say he was democratically and overwhelmingly elected.

We can say the election was bought, but which election wasn't? Buying an election is just a matter of supply and demand, it can't be bought if the people aren't willing to sell it. And the people is us, the Thai people. It is us who sell our freedom, our democracy.

If Samak resigns, there are thousands and thousands more Samaks ready to replace him. The idea and being of the likes of Thaksin or Samak is like the proverb "fish in the water and the rice in the field".

Yes, like fish and rice, there are an abundance of Thaksins and Samaks in Thailand, in all level of society, from the poor to the rich.

The jealousy, the factionalism, the close-mindedness, the hate, the cronyism, the corruption, the politicking, the manipulation, the exploitation, the selfishness and self-righteousness, the refusal to change for the better - the things that we see play out in the political landscape, that we the people never cease to complain about in disgust - are we also guilty of the same in our families, in our social circles, in our schools, in our work places?

Samak is merely a reflection of our society, a mirror of who we are - the writer of this column not excepted.

Finding scapegoats and blaming others is easy. The rich blame the poor, the poor blame the rich. Failing that, we blame karma or black magic - and of course, we blame foreigners.

Yes, we should take to the streets against corrupt politicians, but not much good can come of it if we simply huff and puff every few years and then go back to our daily corruption, apathy and superficialism.

The fact is: Each and every one of us is responsible and accountable for our country, our society and the future of our children.

Whatever that is wrong with Thai politics and society, we 60 million plus people all have a hand in it - we are responsible for it.

We make Thailand. Not just Thaksin. Not just Samak. But all 60 million plus of us.

Samak is not worth one act of violence, not worth one drop of blood, not worth a single tear. He is not even worth the insults and hates the PAD throw at him each and every day.

Take to the streets and protest for the right reason: march not because we hate Samak, rather march because we love Thailand.

What we do in life each and every day, individually and collectively, is what will change our country, for better or for worse. We should continue to fight corrupt politicians. But if we truly want better things for Thailand, the change starts with us, the Thai people.

[svenivan]

extracted from the bkk post.

THE MIRROR HAS 60 MILLION FACES

VORANAI VANIJAKA

Take to the streets and protest for the right reason: march not because we hate Samak, rather march because we love Thailand.

What we do in life each and every day, individually and collectively, is what will change our country, for better or for worse. We should continue to fight corrupt politicians. But if we truly want better things for Thailand, the change starts with us, the Thai people.

These are very good words.

But I hope it also will be published in Thai newspapers, in Thai language.

[cmsally]

With regard to government house and its swampy lawn, which it now seems is a rice paddy; there seems to be somewhat a state of irony.

PAD are planting rice, and according to this mornings news are considering planting even more rice.

Well I suppose this is a nice little proletariat move but for what purposes I am not quite sure.

Isn't there a certain amount of irony in that they are deriding farmers in the main rice growing regions for not being intelligent enough to place a vote and then they are participating in this very same activity in the hub of their "mothership".

What exactly is their point. Is it to say that these farmers are in fact too stupid to feed the country so they will provide for the country's food needs right there in central Bangkok? Or maybe as they are all educated middle class beings, they figure they can demonstrate that in fact they can grow rice better than the ignorant farmers.

Or maybe it is simply a nationalistic tug on the nations heartstrings, when they have simply forgotten that they have already alienated a significant portion of the populace that slaves in the fields through rain and sunshine in order to provide their staple food.

[h90]

With regard to government house and its swampy lawn, which it now seems is a rice paddy; there seems to be somewhat a state of irony.

PAD are planting rice, and according to this mornings news are considering planting even more rice.

Well I suppose this is a nice little proletariat move but for what purposes I am not quite sure.

Isn't there a certain amount of irony in that they are deriding farmers in the main rice growing regions for not being intelligent enough to place a vote and then they are participating in this very same activity in the hub of their "mothership".

What exactly is their point. Is it to say that these farmers are in fact too stupid to feed the country so they will provide for the country's food needs right there in central Bangkok? Or maybe as they are all educated middle class beings, they figure they can demonstrate that in fact they can grow rice better than the ignorant farmers.

Or maybe it is simply a nationalistic tug on the nations heartstrings, when they have simply forgotten that they have already alienated a significant portion of the populace that slaves in the fields through rain and sunshine in order to provide their staple food.

farmer came and also sell some TShirts, beside rice today pigs and chicken should arrive if everything goes well.

Thinking that Samak claimed that the garden there cost 300 Mill Baht (estimate 297 corruption and 3 mill real costs) it is a nice move.

Rice fields don't luck ugly and using the land arround for something useful (even it is just symbolic) is better than making a park which is is closed for public.

[hammered]

It seems there is a lot of talk about a house disolution now. Probably not a bad idea although after the election no doubt the same problems will arise whoever win. This is not about winning but about striking a chord that the vast majority of the people will agree with. Sadly nobody on any side sees this any more.

Still if we egt a diso and election at least we get a few months although a caretaker government under Samak will probably manage to upset one half of the country.

[cmsally]

With regard to government house and its swampy lawn, which it now seems is a rice paddy; there seems to be somewhat a state of irony.

PAD are planting rice, and according to this mornings news are considering planting even more rice.

Well I suppose this is a nice little proletariat move but for what purposes I am not quite sure.

Isn't there a certain amount of irony in that they are deriding farmers in the main rice growing regions for not being intelligent enough to place a vote and then they are participating in this very same activity in the hub of their "mothership".

What exactly is their point. Is it to say that these farmers are in fact too stupid to feed the country so they will provide for the country's food needs right there in central Bangkok? Or maybe as they are all educated middle class beings, they figure they can demonstrate that in fact they can grow rice better than the ignorant farmers.

Or maybe it is simply a nationalistic tug on the nations heartstrings, when they have simply forgotten that they have already alienated a significant portion of the populace that slaves in the fields through rain and sunshine in order to provide their staple food.

farmer came and also sell some TShirts, beside rice today pigs and chicken should arrive if everything goes well.

Thinking that Samak claimed that the garden there cost 300 Mill Baht (estimate 297 corruption and 3 mill real costs) it is a nice move.

Rice fields don't luck ugly and using the land arround for something useful (even it is just symbolic) is better than making a park which is is closed for public.

In most places in the world there is a word for it = vandalism. The willful destruction of another person's or public property.

But you must be kidding , surely you see the irony of this movement trying to clothe itself in this little proletariat, nationalistic facade, when in fact the people they wish to disenfranchise are the "uneducated " farmers.

We all know it is symbolic, but symbolic of what?

Maybe they are saying the rural countryside is pure and uncorrupted , if only we could get rid of those nasty people who are misinformed and have the habit of voting for the wrong party.

[wedders]

"Worse Than A Coup" ...

This article in last Friday's 'Economist' makes a lot of sense to me ...

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayst...ory_id=12070465

It begins .....

"An authoritarian rabble should not be allowed to turf out a deeply flawed but popularly elected government..."

[sriracha john]

Political stand-off likened to Black May

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa says a House dissolution is a way out of the political stand-off. Banharn yesterday expressed concern over the political situation, which he said was very fragile. He likened the political stand-off between the government and the PAD to events leading up to the Black May uprising in 1992, as negotiations between the two sides could not be staged. He supported moves by Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej to mediate in talks between the government and the PAD in a bid to break the political deadlock. However, the two sides should soften their stance regarding their pre-conditions for talks, he said. "If the stand-off drags on, the country will be badly hurt. A House dissolution is probably the best way out of the crisis as the problem will be settled through parliamentary channels," he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/080908_News/08Sep2008_news11.php

[h90]

From Bangkok Post

Tension in the Northeast

Udon Thani province is tense amid worries of a possible confrontation between anti- and pro-government camps when Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his ministers attend a mobile cabinet meeting in the province on Tuesday.

At least 20,000 people are expected to turn up to show support for Mr Samak and his government.

Local supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and a progovernment group clashed in Udon Thani on July 24, leaving several people injured.

Kwanchai Praipana, leader of a progovernment group in Udon Thani, on Sunday spoke on local radio, encouraging people to gather at the radio station Monday to prepare for a rally to support the government.

He asked for 2,000 supporters to gather at Udon Thani airport to prevent PAD supporters arriving on the day of the cabinet meeting.

Charoen Mookhachonphan, PAD leader in Udon Thani, said the group's local chapter would gather to oppose the cabinet meeting.

He said the PAD protesters would wear black in a show of protest.

Local police will deploy from all stations to guard against possible violence, said Pol Maj-Gen Permsak Pharadornsak, the provincial police chief.

A source in the People Power party said northeastern MPs and core leaders from the ruling party were trying to make sure their supporters turn up and rally behind the embattled government.

The source said 10 MPs from the province and local officials were organising at least 20,000 people to welcome Mr Samak.

This would show that people in the provinces, particularly in the Northeast which is the largest support base of the PPP, still like the government and disagree with the continuiing antigovernment protest by the PAD, the source said.

At the same time, people in major cities in the Northeast will turn up at various sites in their respective provinces to show support for the government on that day, the source said.

A senior provincial official had tried to dissuade people in the government from holding the cabinet meeting in the province, but to no avail.

Mobile medical units will also be on standby in case of violence, the official said.

Core leaders of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are already in the province to prepare measures to deal with PAD supporters who might turn up to disrupt the meeting.

PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang said it is up to local supporters of the alliance to decide whether to hold rallies against the government.

Sawat Theerarattananukulchai, president of the provincial chamber of commerce, said he was surprised that the private sector was not invited to attend the mobile cabinet meeting, as in the past.

Thepthai Senpong, assistant secretary-general of the Democrat party, said the mobile cabinet meeting may be a deliberate attempt by the government to mobilise supporters from the provinces and pit them against the PAD in Bangkok.

About 300 supporters of the government gathered Sunday in downtown Ubon Ratchathani in a show of support for Mr Samak and to criticise the PAD.

Chuwit Pitakpornpallop, an Ubon Ratchathani MP for the PPP, said antiPAD groups in many provinces plan to rally outside provincial halls for three days.

"If the PAD refuses to vacate Government House, supporters of the government will resort to retaliatory measures,'' Mr Chuwit said.

[Journalist]

putsch,

I love this word.

I also like the word 'blitzkrieg', which I juxtaposed in a headline last week alongside a German corporation's name.

The butt-kicking I got as a result cannot be exaggerated.....

[h90]

With regard to government house and its swampy lawn, which it now seems is a rice paddy; there seems to be somewhat a state of irony.

PAD are planting rice, and according to this mornings news are considering planting even more rice.

Well I suppose this is a nice little proletariat move but for what purposes I am not quite sure.

Isn't there a certain amount of irony in that they are deriding farmers in the main rice growing regions for not being intelligent enough to place a vote and then they are participating in this very same activity in the hub of their "mothership".

What exactly is their point. Is it to say that these farmers are in fact too stupid to feed the country so they will provide for the country's food needs right there in central Bangkok? Or maybe as they are all educated middle class beings, they figure they can demonstrate that in fact they can grow rice better than the ignorant farmers.

Or maybe it is simply a nationalistic tug on the nations heartstrings, when they have simply forgotten that they have already alienated a significant portion of the populace that slaves in the fields through rain and sunshine in order to provide their staple food.

farmer came and also sell some TShirts, beside rice today pigs and chicken should arrive if everything goes well.

Thinking that Samak claimed that the garden there cost 300 Mill Baht (estimate 297 corruption and 3 mill real costs) it is a nice move.

Rice fields don't luck ugly and using the land arround for something useful (even it is just symbolic) is better than making a park which is is closed for public.

In most places in the world there is a word for it = vandalism. The willful destruction of another person's or public property.

But you must be kidding , surely you see the irony of this movement trying to clothe itself in this little proletariat, nationalistic facade, when in fact the people they wish to disenfranchise are the "uneducated " farmers.

We all know it is symbolic, but symbolic of what?

Maybe they are saying the rural countryside is pure and uncorrupted , if only we could get rid of those nasty people who are misinformed and have the habit of voting for the wrong party.

first of all they are the public, so it is their property.

Second they don't destroy it, they use it for farming. Farming is not destroying something.

[h90]

putsch,

I love this word.

I also like the word 'blitzkrieg', which I juxtaposed in a headline last week alongside a German corporation's name.

The butt-kicking I got as a result cannot be exaggerated.....

"putsch" simply means "coup".

[Journalist]

^Are you using a French-German dictionary?!

[sriracha john]

Udon Thani police amass force of over 1,000 officers to secure Cabinet meeting in province

Deputy Commander of Udon Thani provincial Police, Police General Pattarawut Uamsasithorn revealed the measures being utilized to provide security to the Cabinet which is currently conducting a mobile meeting between today and tomorrow.

Provincial Police have called on the efforts of all security agencies including the border patrol, the military, and the local administration to amass over 1,000 officers to secure the provinces airport and the meeting site at the provincial hall of Udon Thani.

Police General Pattarawut expressed confidence that security for the Cabinet can be insured and assured that there would be no confrontations between supporters of the cabinet and protestors.

The schedule given to police includes the arrival of the Interior Ministry today who will attend a Clinic project in the province before a flag ceremony is presided over by the Prime Minister tomorrow.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-08

[cmsally]

With regard to government house and its swampy lawn, which it now seems is a rice paddy; there seems to be somewhat a state of irony.

PAD are planting rice, and according to this mornings news are considering planting even more rice.

Well I suppose this is a nice little proletariat move but for what purposes I am not quite sure.

Isn't there a certain amount of irony in that they are deriding farmers in the main rice growing regions for not being intelligent enough to place a vote and then they are participating in this very same activity in the hub of their "mothership".

What exactly is their point. Is it to say that these farmers are in fact too stupid to feed the country so they will provide for the country's food needs right there in central Bangkok? Or maybe as they are all educated middle class beings, they figure they can demonstrate that in fact they can grow rice better than the ignorant farmers.

Or maybe it is simply a nationalistic tug on the nations heartstrings, when they have simply forgotten that they have already alienated a significant portion of the populace that slaves in the fields through rain and sunshine in order to provide their staple food.

farmer came and also sell some TShirts, beside rice today pigs and chicken should arrive if everything goes well.

Thinking that Samak claimed that the garden there cost 300 Mill Baht (estimate 297 corruption and 3 mill real costs) it is a nice move.

Rice fields don't luck ugly and using the land arround for something useful (even it is just symbolic) is better than making a park which is is closed for public.

In most places in the world there is a word for it = vandalism. The willful destruction of another person's or public property.

But you must be kidding , surely you see the irony of this movement trying to clothe itself in this little proletariat, nationalistic facade, when in fact the people they wish to disenfranchise are the "uneducated " farmers.

We all know it is symbolic, but symbolic of what?

Maybe they are saying the rural countryside is pure and uncorrupted , if only we could get rid of those nasty people who are misinformed and have the habit of voting for the wrong party.

first of all they are the public, so it is their property.

Second they don't destroy it, they use it for farming. Farming is not destroying something.

Yes or no question.

Do you think the above mentioned rice growing is ironical or not?

By the way if I go and spray paint the walls of the houses of parliament or dig up the garden in front of Buckingham Palace, that would be an act of vandalism, no different from the above.

[Journalist]

^I think its hilarious.

Quite farcical.

Someone has a sense of humour there.

Good for them !

The world is smiling right back at you Thailand. (but perhaps not in the way you hoped for)

Edited September 8, 2008 by Journalist