Chamlong Srimuang Arrested

[george]

CHAMLONG ARRESTED

Political peace efforts suffer another big blow with arrest of key leader Chamlong Srimuang

BANGKOK: -- Chamlong Srimuang, a key leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was arrested this morning at an election booth in Bangkok.

Eye-witnesses said Chamlong was detained at the election booth at the Seth Sathien School in Sam Sen area of Dusit district where he went to cast the vote in the gubernatorial election.

Police arrested him at 8 am when the polling station opened.

His arrest came after the first of the nine PAD core members, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, was captured on treason charges on Friday.

It was not clear if Chamlong, who is very close to Chaiwat, "intended" to be arrested, according to some PAD observers.

The witnesses said Chamlong told the police who were approaching him: "Let me cast my vote first".

He was allowed to cast his vote.

Chaiwat's arrest was described as a blow to peace overture by the Somchai Wongsawat government. Chamlong's capture is believed to have far greater repercussions.

Chamlong is the most important PAD leader, along side media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul.

Chamlong was taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1's headquarters in Pathum Thani, Channel 7 reported..

Pol Gen Suparp Muenkaew confirmed to NBT station that he went to arrest Chamlong himself.

The previous Samak government charged Chamlong, Chaiwat and the seven other PAD core members of treason after they led seizure of Government House. The PAD has been protesting inside Government House for several weeks, with the key leaders being careful not to leave the compound.

Chaiwat was arrested outside the compound on Friday, apparently after lenient attitude toward the PAD by the new government made the PAD leaders to lower their guards.

Channel 7 reported that other PAD leaders at the Government House was informed of Chamlong's arrest immediately and was preparing to make some moves in retaliation.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

Chamlong urges people to join demonstrations

BANGKOK: -- Before his arrest Sunday morning, Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, wrote a letter to urge more people to join demonstrations to push for political reform.

He wrote the letter at 6 am before his arrest at a polling station at 8 am.

He said in the letter as:

"We all gather here to repay the gratitude of our motherland. We come here to do good for the country and repay our debt to the country. This is the duty of all Thais. Before we die, we must repay the debt to our motherland. No matter what will happen, let all remember that it's duty of Thais to serve the nation, religion and the King. I, Chamlong Srimuang, would like to remind all Thais that we were all born with a duty. No matter how tall we are, no matter how our complexion is, how poor or rich we are, we have the duty to repay the debt to the motherland. Chamlong Srimuang, 6 am."

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

[george]

Chamlong arrested

BANGKOK: -- Police arrested core leader and ideologue of the People's Alliance for Democracy Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang when he showed up to vote in Sunday's election for Bangkok governor.

After he voted, he was removed from the polling station and taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 detention at Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok.

Maj Gen Chamlong is the second of nine PAD leaders to be arrested in less than 48 hours. Chaiwat Sinsuwong was detained last Friday, although Maj-Gen Chamlong is considered more important and influential within the PAD movement.

Police had warned all nine wanted PAD leaders they would be arrested if they came out of the Government House protest grounds seized by PAD in August.

They face several criminal charges including a serious allegation of inciting insurrection by their street protests, which began in Bangkok last May 25.

Maj-Gen Chamlong, who also is a spiritual leader of the Santi Asoke cult, has been a familiar figure in anti-government protests since he participated in the popular 1992 anti-military demonstrations which overthrew the army-led dictatorship.

The 73-year-old former officer served in several Thai army positions before he retired in the 1970s. He has headed a political party and for a time was closely allied with the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now the main focus of Maj-Gen Chamlong's protests.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-10-05

[jumnien]

Absolutely disgusting that such a criminal was allowed to vote first before hauled off to prison!

[Artisi]

Absolutely disgusting that such a criminal was allowed to vote first before hauled off to prison!

Guess you are now so happy - will be able to get your jollies now for a week or two.

[animatic]

Well one of the main anti PAD aruguments here is that they don't use the ballot box.

Here he is asking to USE the ballot box, and for the right reasons.

He is not convicted of anything, he still has the right to vote.

PAD has made arguments against the current corrupt remotely controlled government,

but hasn't said don't vote them out.

I am SURE someone will come in and say; yes they did.

But that will come across as propaganda talk twisting their aims to suit.

PAD has forced a dialog for the nation.

Some don't want dissenting opinions aired.

Regardless of the direction talking points take,

it is STILL a debate on where the country could go in the future.

Here is a PAD leader making SURE he gets to vote at the risk of getting arrested.

Even making sure he can vote after taken into custody.

Sounds democratic to me.

[Loaded]

Definitely there will be repercussions due to his arrest.

PAD will re-intensify their campaign.

Chamlong has many friends that are senior within the military and charging him with treason will ignite tempers. He's viewed as a patriot and a devout Buddhist (depite being a military man) and is well respected by many.

A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen.

[Artisi]

"A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen"

PPP, one on PAD's greatest assests - just that PPP hasn't woken up to it yet.

[WAERTH]

Absolutely disgusting that such a criminal was allowed to vote first before hauled off to prison!

Someone is not a criminal until convicted by court. It is actually libel what you are writing. And since when is demonstrating a criminal activity?

Waerth

PS I am both anti-PPP and anti-PAD I am of the opinion a third party consisting of cooler heads should step in. Unfortunately there doesn't really seem to be any

[george]

Chamlong's arrest would deteriorate situation: Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday expressed concern that the arrest of Chamlong Srimuang, would worsen the political crisis.

Speaking to reporters at a polling station, Abhisit said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would come up with a clear stand whether he would strictly enforce the laws against the People's Alliance for Democracy or would negotiate with the group to try to end the crisis.

Abhisit said he would raise the question Monday when Somchai attends a meeting of political party leaders to be held by Parliament President Chai Chidchob to find a measure to end the crisis.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

Bangkok city clerk calls urgent meeting following Chamlong's arrest

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant will convene an urgent meeting of three district directors to assess the situation following the arrest of Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Pongsak said he convene the meeting of directors of Phra Nakhon, Pomprab and Dusit districts at 11 am to make preparations for fear that protests might affect the elections in the districts.

He fears that the PAD would march its protesters from the Government House to the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

Sondhi accuses Jongrak of PAD leaders' arrest

BANGKOK: -- PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul announced at the anti-government stage at Government House on Sunday morning that acting Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Jongrak Juthanont was behind the arrests of two PAD core members, Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang.

According to Mr Sondhi, Maj Gen Chamlong was already aware that he could be arrested if he leaves Government House to cast his ballot in the Bangkok governor election on Sunday. He then lauded Maj Gen Chamlong for being a true military man.

However, Mr Sondhi asked the PAD supporters not to visit Maj Gen Chamlong and Mr Chaiwat, but told them to continue to gather and protest against the current government. He further accused politicians, police officials and certain judges of getting together to commit wrongdoings.

The PAD leader asked the anti-government group to be patience for now.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-10-05

[NanLaew]

Definitely there will be repercussions due to his arrest.

PAD will re-intensify their campaign.

Chamlong has many friends that are senior within the military and charging him with treason will ignite tempers. He's viewed as a patriot and a devout Buddhist (depite being a military man) and is well respected by many.

A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen.

The bad tactical move was made by Chamlong when he decided to throw his lot in with the PAD. I think any respect that he rightfully earned in his impressive public career before went right out the window when he made that move. The PAD needed him more than he needed them IMHO.

[larvidchr]

2 down 7 to go

[Artisi]

2 down 7 to go

Wishful thinking on your part and a complete lack of understanding - PAD is now like Lernaean Hydra -

[cmsally]

Am I the only one in thinking that this could have been decided upon at a meeting between 2 very high profile figures less than a week ago (can't remember what the date was)?

If this is the case it looks more like an exit strategy for Chamlong and would back up opinions I have heard that the PAD leadership had split into factions.

[Seneque]

Definitely there will be repercussions due to his arrest.

PAD will re-intensify their campaign.

Chamlong has many friends that are senior within the military and charging him with treason will ignite tempers. He's viewed as a patriot and a devout Buddhist (depite being a military man) and is well respected by many.

A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen.

The bad tactical move was made by Chamlong when he decided to throw his lot in with the PAD. I think any respect that he rightfully earned in his impressive public career before went right out the window when he made that move. The PAD needed him more than he needed them IMHO.

Correct .. the bad tactical move by Chamlong... however we have to admit that the PAD is the only visual opposing force to the PPP ... the rest of the 'silent' opposition is ... too silent !

[Howsitgoin]

Am I the only one in thinking that this could have been decided upon at a meeting between 2 very high profile figures less than a week ago (can't remember what the date was)?

If this is the case it looks more like an exit strategy for Chamlong and would back up opinions I have heard that the PAD leadership had split into factions.

Difficult to say.

But it definitely was a very good tactical move by police - take out the master tactician. Now very soon we might see a split up of PAD. Panlop Pinmanee, if he follows through with his announcement, has to replace Chamlong, and there are many in the PAD leadership that have huge difficulties to accept him.

Things are getting interesting again.

[Ned]

Yes it looks like that meeting has green lighted the demise of the PAD......but it remains to be seen what the govt has had to trade with the man co ordinating the whole show.

[animatic]

"A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen"

PPP, one on PAD's greatest assests - just that PPP hasn't woken up to it yet.

Ditto.

The irony is thick as thieves,

that they would arrest him at a voting station

before he has finished voting.

But he asks to vote anyway.

Yes this WILL piss of many powerful people who respect him.

And those that HAVE 'done their duty as they saw it."

may likely not fully understand their actions repercussions.

He may be falling on his sword for the cause too.

In such a way that he becomes a figurehead

even great than he was as one of the PAD leaders.

[h90]

Definitely there will be repercussions due to his arrest.

PAD will re-intensify their campaign.

Chamlong has many friends that are senior within the military and charging him with treason will ignite tempers. He's viewed as a patriot and a devout Buddhist (depite being a military man) and is well respected by many.

A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen.

And he is the hero of 1992.....

[george]

Top PAD leader arrested at Bangkok polling station; held despite political truce

BANGKOK: -- High-profile democracy activist core leader Chamlong Srimuang, the top leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a coaltion of democracy activists dedicated to prevent the return of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra to power, was arrested early Sunday immediately after voting in the current contest for governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Maj-Gen. Chamlong, a retired senior military officer and former Bangkok governor himself, is the second key PAD chief for whom arrest warrants were issued in late August. The arrest was made despite a no-action truce being in place between the PAD and government negotiator's led by Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchayuth.

Gen. Chamlong was taken into custody at a polling booth in an army-dominated Dusit district constituency and is now being questioned at a border patrol police unit in the adjacent province of Pathum Thani.

As Sunday is public holiday, the PAD leader will be detained at the border patrol police unit until Monday when police can formally request the Criminal Court for permission to detain him for another 12 days. Police are unlikely to grant a bail request for him.

On Friday, police apprehended PAD core leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who is now being detained at Bangkok Special Prison. Police on August 27 issued arrest warrants for nine of the group's leaders on charges of insurrection, conspiracy, and illegal assembly on the part of more than 10 persons and refusing orders to disperse. The warrants imposed on the nine leaders spelled out serious criminal charges punishable by death or life imprisonment.

The charges were filed after the PAD seized Government House, the seat of the Thai government, several ministries and state agencies in a bid to oust the government which it accused of being a proxy of ousted, fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The arrest of the duo is expected to scuttle ongoing attempts by the coalition government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to negotiate with the PAD core leaders on ways to end the domestic political crisis.

The PAD charges that government is a proxy of ousted, fugitive premier Thaksin and has demanded that the government leave office.

-- TNA 2008-10-05

[old wanderer]

Well this is indeed interesting......and yet no one has even mentioned the underlying reason for the sudden arrests.

1. The PPP wishes to change the constitution to remove most of the Monarchy power....(a long time goal of Thaskin)

2. Once they have assumed the center of power, amnesty is a sure bet for Thaskin et al.

3. A new court verdict is due to be announced against Taskin et al on Oct 21 or 22. This will result in a long jail sentence being handed down, plus more time for his wife.

The PPP is about to have another ruling to outlaw this party, so time to get buisness finished before another reshuffle.

This is corruption running completly out of control.

Until the leaders of the past/present corrupt government are placed in jail for their criminal acts (which is currently unknown in Thailand), there is little hope of stopping buisness as ususal. As with the Samak case, as well as the previous case where senteces where handed down to Pojiman and her relitives, and the famous case of the chocate gift to sweeten the attitude of the judiciary that resulted in some more relitives and supporters of the Thaskin clan to be placed immedatly in jail, the court has finally found out what it means to have some power.

I wish them all the best. It is time for a house cleaning.

Edited October 5, 2008 by old wanderer

[ratcatcher]

"A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen"

PPP, one on PAD's greatest assests - just that PPP hasn't woken up to it yet.

Ditto.

The irony is thick as thieves,

that they would arrest him at a voting station

before he has finished voting.

But he asks to vote anyway.

Yes this WILL piss of many powerful people who respect him.

And those that HAVE 'done their duty as they saw it."

may likely not fully understand their actions repercussions.

He may be falling on his sword for the cause too.

In such a way that he becomes a figurehead

even great than he was as one of the PAD leaders.

I sincerely doubt that the arrest of Chamlong was an accident

He knew there was a risk of his being detained and he took it.

Perhaps Chaiwat's arrest the other day was bad timing,

but there's more to this than meets the eye.

Chamlong is no fool and he is respected by many military officers,

and as the leader of the PAD, being under detention, this may be the

moment for Panlop to appear, as he once said he would. (http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2008/08/panlop-and-chamlong.html)

We shall see.

Edited October 5, 2008 by ratcatcher

[george]

Security set up at Border Patrol Police Region 1 head office

Some 100 border patrol police in anti-riot gears were deployed to step up security the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters following the arrest of Chamlong Srimuang.

Chamlong, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was taken to the headquarters at 8 am.

The anti-riot police put up barbwires in front of the headquarters.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

[george]

Some 50 PAD supporters rally at the Border Patrol Police Region 1

PATHUM THANI: -- Some 50 supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy gathered at the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters to demand to meet Chamlong Srimuang.

They rallied there and sung songs to provide morale support to Chamlong.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

PAD would not seek Chamlong's release

Two lawyers of the PAD, Natthaporn Torprayoon and Somboon Thongburan, came to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters at 10 am to visit Chamlong Srimuang.

Natthaporn said the PAD would not seek Chamlong's release on bail.

But the PAD would submit a petition to the Appeals Court on Monday to argue that the arrest was unlawful.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

[Scott]

They were charged and they certainly should be arrested. The rest is up to the courts.

[h90]

They were charged and they certainly should be arrested. The rest is up to the courts.

Which will decide in 2-5 years....nice way to get rid of someone.

[angiud]

Absolutely disgusting that such a criminal was allowed to vote first before hauled off to prison!

[old wanderer]

They were charged and they certainly should be arrested. The rest is up to the courts.

BUT the charges were made by Samuk, now sentenced to jail.

How the worm turns.

When the old school student executioner could not get the military to follow his martial law proclomation, he then resorted to this tactic.

[hammered]

This should stir things up. Gen. Panlop wont be a happy manm, and last time he got angry he destroyed Samak in about 5 seconds flat, and attempts at negotiations are wrecked which is probably the aim of the arrests if that is anyone thought Thaksin would actually negotiate anything away. Not exactly the tactics of a man who has no problem with mass extra-judicial murder sprees. Quite interesting who ends up charged with treason and who doesnt. We shouldnt forget that the police are now totally stuffed with Thaksinista nominees and so it is totally apparent where the initiative came from. Come to that who was it who carreid out the extra-judicial murder mayhem for master T?

Interesting times. Just as the PAD were losing interest they are now recharged. Silly little PPP manouver. All they had to do was stay quiet. Then again not exactly the style of the feudal lords. Wonder how angry they are at their little Cambodian money making ventures falling to pieces as we speak? Nothing in politics is unconnected;)

[Mobi]

From today's Nation:

Chavalit aide says 'ill-intentioned persons' also possibly behind Chaiwat's arrest

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyuth's talks with the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) may have been sabotaged by ill-intentioned persons who wish them to fail, an aide to Chavalit said yesterday.

Those people may even have been behind Friday's arrest of Chaiwat Sinsuwong, one of the PAD's nine core leaders, said Lt-General Pirat Swami-wat, Chavalit's aide de camp in charge of laying the groundwork for the negotiations. Pirat said the negotiations had had to be put off, but Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat insisted yesterday that the arrest would not affect the talks.

PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang said he wanted an answer from Chavalit about the arrest and would not go ahead with talks if dissatisfied with the answer.

Chavalit still wants the planned talks to continue despite Chaiwat's arrest, according to PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, who talked over the phone to someone close to Chavalit.

Pirat told a local FM radio station that Chavalit was deeply concerned about the status of the talks because the groundwork had been nearly complete before the arrest on Friday of PAD co-leader Chaiwat, who is wanted for treason among other charges.

"All [preliminary] talks had taken place, and there were only minor details left," Pirat said, adding that some common ground and respect had been reached but the plan was now on hold.

Pirat refused to clarify who might have sabotaged the talks, but said Chavalit had instructed him after the arrest to forge ahead with a meeting between Chamlong and himself.

Somchai said yesterday that the arrest of Chaiwat was entirely a matter for the judiciary and nothing to do with the planned negotiations. He said the courts could not be interfered with and the incident should not affect the talks.

Chamlong told a press conference yesterday he believed Chavalit was being undermined by people in government and the police who wished the talks to fail. He called the arrest a slap in the face to Chavalit.

Chamlong said he would not telephone Chavalit first but if he received a call from him he would ask about Chaiwat. If the answer were unsatisfactory the talks would not proceed.

The nation

I have a nasty feeling that someone is trying to up the ante. W are much closer to violence than we were a week ago.

Edited October 5, 2008 by Mobi

[chevykanteve]

Definitely there will be repercussions due to his arrest.

PAD will re-intensify their campaign.

Chamlong has many friends that are senior within the military and charging him with treason will ignite tempers. He's viewed as a patriot and a devout Buddhist (depite being a military man) and is well respected by many.

A bad tactical move by the PPP to allow this to happen.

"A bad tactical move, by the PPP," you say? It's not about the PPP. It's about the decision to issue arrest warrants by the courts of this land. And said courts are not controlled by the PPP. [if anything.................. but that's another matter for debate.] Chamlong is charged with treason, which carries a maximum penulty of execution; in fact, it's a question of summary execution in most other countries. And as far as Buddhism goes, Khun Chamlong's sect has how many members vis-a-vis the total population of this country?