Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Front Of Parliament

[Bangyai]

Grenade appears to have been fired from CSC building: Police

Police bomb disposal officers checked the explosion site inside the Government House and speculated that the grenade that killed a protester and injured many others Thursday appeared to have fired from a grenade launcher from a building of the Civil Service Commission head office.

Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander Anan Srihiran led a team of bomb disposal officers to inspect the explosion scene. Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, a military officer who supports the People's Alliance for Democracy, accompanied the police to make the inspection.

They spent about 30 minutes gathering evidence as well as took a sample of the canvas roof of the tent on which the grenade fell on and exploded.

Anan said police had yet to test the gun powder left on the tent roof and other evidences before they could determine the type of the bomb. But he said it was likely that the grenade was fired with a launcher from a building of the CSC head office.

- The Nation / 2008-11-20

Just finished watching the late news on Channel 9. :

Police have now been over to the CSC head office and are now not so sure the bomb could have been fired from there. They stated that the distance from the CSC office to the impact site was a little over 100 metres. From the evidence gathered at the impact site they believe the bomb must have had a steep tradjectory on impact. If it had been fired from the CSC building the tradjectory would have had to have been almost horizontal for a bomb of the estimated size to have covered the distance.

In addition, they said that since the nearby occupation of govournment house the security of the CSC building has been very tight with all windows and doors locked and checked each night. They have so far been unable to find evidence of forced entry or other evidence of a forensic nature. Nonetheless, they have not ruled anything out at the moment and are continuing their investigation.

IMO perhaps the PAD should defer this weekends protest until further investigations have clarified where the missile was fired from and by whom . If investigations draw a blank they can protest the following weekend. This will give the police an incentive to speed up the search for likely culprits.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Bangyai

[JimsKnight]

PAD to mobilise 100,000 protesters from the South

The local chapters of the People's Alliance for Democrat set the target to mobilise 100,000 protesters from 14 southern provinces to rally in Bangkok on Sunday, PAD organiser Saroj Rakchan said on Friday.

The PAD has set up a rally site in front of Hat Yai railway station to rouse the crowds beginning today, Saroj said. Buses are ready for the 24-hour, non-stop departures to transport the protesters from today to Sunday.

The PAD has declared a showdown to bring about the collapse of the government and the House.

Source: The Nation - 21 November 2008

Well things are about to get pretty hot hot hot if they pull this one off!

[Los78]

Grenade appears to have been fired from CSC building: Police

Police bomb disposal officers checked the explosion site inside the Government House and speculated that the grenade that killed a protester and injured many others Thursday appeared to have fired from a grenade launcher from a building of the Civil Service Commission head office.

Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander Anan Srihiran led a team of bomb disposal officers to inspect the explosion scene. Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, a military officer who supports the People's Alliance for Democracy, accompanied the police to make the inspection.

They spent about 30 minutes gathering evidence as well as took a sample of the canvas roof of the tent on which the grenade fell on and exploded.

Anan said police had yet to test the gun powder left on the tent roof and other evidences before they could determine the type of the bomb. But he said it was likely that the grenade was fired with a launcher from a building of the CSC head office.

- The Nation / 2008-11-20

Just finished watching the late news on Channel 9. :

Police have now been over to the CSC head office and are now not so sure the bomb could have been fired from there. They stated that the distance from the CSC office to the impact site was a little over 100 metres. From the evidence gathered at the impact site they believe the bomb must have had a steep tradjectory on impact. If it had been fired from the CSC building the tradjectory would have had to have been almost horizontal for a bomb of the estimated size to have covered the distance.

In addition, they said that since the nearby occupation of govournment house the security of the CSC building has been very tight with all windows and doors locked and checked each night. They have so far been unable to find evidence of forced entry or other evidence of a forensic nature. Nonetheless, they have not ruled anything out at the moment and are continuing their investigation.

I still dont understand why the PAD didnt let police investigate until the next day. What was the reason for that? Are PAD the Peoples Alliance of Detectives? A crime scene should be investigated by proper authorities as soon as possible and not a day later.

[jdinasia]

PAD to mobilise 100,000 protesters from the South

The local chapters of the People's Alliance for Democrat set the target to mobilise 100,000 protesters from 14 southern provinces to rally in Bangkok on Sunday, PAD organiser Saroj Rakchan said on Friday.

The PAD has set up a rally site in front of Hat Yai railway station to rouse the crowds beginning today, Saroj said. Buses are ready for the 24-hour, non-stop departures to transport the protesters from today to Sunday.

The PAD has declared a showdown to bring about the collapse of the government and the House.

Source: The Nation - 21 November 2008

Well things are about to get pretty hot hot hot if they pull this one off!

I wonder how many will be coming up from Phuket since there are so very many PAD sympathizers/members there?

If they do manage to import 100k MORE people from the south and who knows how many more from BKK, Central Thailand and the North and Isaan it will make a memorable show!

Edited November 21, 2008 by jdinasia

[jdinasia]

I still dont understand why the PAD didnt let police investigate until the next day. What was the reason for that? Are PAD the Peoples Alliance of Detectives? A crime scene should be investigated by proper authorities as soon as possible and not a day later.

LOL .. yes i wonder since the Police are the ones that attacked on Oct 7th and wounded HUNDREDS and killed 2. Why wouldn't they just let the police that have already infiltrated the rally and apparently tried and failed in setting up 2 patsies on a motorcycle send in many many more people and try more underhanded acts? I am certain that when they did enter they did so after a negotiation to make sure they could not plant any evidence (PAD's requirement) and that the police could not be accused of anything of the sort by being accompanied by senior PAD guards etc (the police's requirement)

[JoeInSurin]

I still dont understand why the PAD didnt let police investigate until the next day. What was the reason for that? Are PAD the Peoples Alliance of Detectives? A crime scene should be investigated by proper authorities as soon as possible and not a day later.

LOL .. yes i wonder since the Police are the ones that attacked on Oct 7th and wounded HUNDREDS and killed 2. Why wouldn't they just let the police that have already infiltrated the rally and apparently tried and failed in setting up 2 patsies on a motorcycle send in many many more people and try more underhanded acts? I am certain that when they did enter they did so after a negotiation to make sure they could not plant any evidence (PAD's requirement) and that the police could not be accused of anything of the sort by being accompanied by senior PAD guards etc (the police's requirement)

It is quite amusing how some people here think that if the police are apprehending criminals breaking the law and some one gets hurt that the police are the criminals and the people breaking the law are the victims. The Thai government is legitimate in the eyes of the majority of the Thai people and the whole international community. A small minority of Thai people and a few people on Thai Visa are extremist and think different. You will never change these peoples minds as they have bought into the propaganda of the PAD and will parrot the BS as they are told.

[jdinasia]

LOL Joe .. amusing that people that don't have a clue about politics in Thailand post as if they understand what is happening! But I invite you to scroll up and read what has been written You only have 111 pages in this thread alone!

[JoeInSurin]

LOL Joe .. amusing that people that don't have a clue about politics in Thailand post as if they understand what is happening! But I invite you to scroll up and read what has been written You only have 111 pages in this thread alone!

Why do you think that the police trying to remove people breaking the law are the bad guys? Please go ask the PAD so you can tell me what they have told you***

[jdinasia]

LOL --- Joe much of the world including many of the people in Thailand have spoken out about the excesses by the police on Oct 7th.

Again I invite you to read the 111 pages on this thread and then start on the rest of the political threads

[JoeInSurin]

LOL --- Joe much (none) of the world including many ( a minority) of the people in Thailand have spoken out about the excesses by the police on Oct 7th. (If anything Thailand is a joke to the rest of the world for letting PAD take the government house.)

Again I invite you to read the 111 pages on this thread and then start on the rest of the political threads

LOL!!! The rest of the world would have cleared them out and they would be in jail. I don't care about the 111 pages of BS. They have their opinion and I have mine.

[jdinasia]

LOL --- Joe much (none) of the world including many ( a minority) of the people in Thailand have spoken out about the excesses by the police on Oct 7th. (If anything Thailand is a joke to the rest of the world for letting PAD take the government house.)

Again I invite you to read the 111 pages on this thread and then start on the rest of the political threads

LOL!!! The rest of the world would have cleared them out and they would be in jail. I don't care about the 111 pages of BS. They have their opinion and I have mine.

I understand -- so the outrage of MANY of the people in Thailand (I'd say most but I would then have to go find the reports to back it up). The reports by the press and the Human Rights Watch etc mean nothing to you because you have an opinion (and no facts).

Note I am not complaining about your flaming me with "brain washed parrot" etc ... but honestly you should do some RESEARCH. That would includes reading threads like this if only to find the news reports and other facts like the releases from groups like Human Rights Watch .. or even to find something to back up your claims that attacking people with weapons that contain RDX is what the rest of the world would do!

However, since you will do nothing more than flame people that DO read and look into things and thus have informed opinions versus just an opinion, this is just an exercise in futility. So, until you have an INFORMED opinion, give us all a break.

[sriracha john]

A dangerous crackpot.... with automatic weapons....

Two army panels to probe Sae Daeng's anti-PAD stand

Accused of scaring public, insulting boss

Army Commander-in-Chief Anupong Paojinda has appointed two inquiry committees to investigate army specialist Khattiya Sawadipol, or Sae Daeng, accusing him of damaging the army's reputation, insulting his supervisor and frightening the public, said army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd. Gen Anupong appointed the committees after Sae Daeng warned that there would be daily bomb attacks at PAD rally venues. Sansern said Maj-Gen Khattiya's remarks have resulted in the army's image being tarnished since the public may believe the army was ignoring a potentially violent situation. Maj-Gen Khattiya also remarked that he would attack his boss, the Army Chief, Col Sanserm alleged. According to Sansern, the two committees are the military disciplinary inquiry committee and the military criminal inquiry committee. If found guilty of insulting or threatening his supervisor, Khattiya could face a maximum sentence of up to three years in jail, he said. Khattiya yesterday denied all charges laid against him, while insisting that PAD demonstrators should leave Government House after the royal cremation ceremony. Still, he predicted a major violent event would take place at Government House after the royal cremation ceremony.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_News/13Nov2008_news11.php

====================================================================

His first prediction was eerily and fully realized.... will his second one be too?

Yes... the automatic-weapon-toting lunatic was precisely spot on.

from the Post this morning....About 40 Senators demanded the Prime Minister investigate army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawadipol, also known as Sae Daeng, who issued a warning in advance about bomb attacks on PAD protesters.

Senator Prasarn Marukpitak told a press conference Maj-Gen Khattiya had recently made several predictions that grenades would be fired at PAD supporters after the royal cremation ceremony was over.

"Every time Sae Daeng talked about an attack, an attack took place," Mr Prasarn said.

8 injured in another bomb attack outside Government House

Eight protesters were injured, one severely, after two assailants launched a grenade at them at the Misakawan Intersection outside the Government House early Saturday.

The attack was made at 2:10 am against a group of some 20 protesters who were standing and talking outside a gate of the Government House.

Anupong Samerphak, 22, was hit by bomb shrapnel on his body and neck. Ramathibodi Hospital doctors had to put him on a respiratory system.

Eyewitnesses said two teenagers parked their motorcycle near the back gate of the Metropolitan Police head office and used a grenade launcher to launch a grenade at the protesters. The two fled the scene on Phitsanulok Road.

The injured protesters were standing near the Fifth Gate of the Government House Complex opposite from the Education Ministry.

The explosion caused a small hole in the ground and damaged two pick-up trucks, a sedan car, and a motorcycle near the scene.

Maj Gen Anan Srihiran, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, rushed to the scene with bomb disposal officers to carry out an investigation.

Pongchai Saetang, 42, a taxi driver, told police that he was waiting at the intersection for passengers when he saw a red light in the air, which was followed by a loud noise shortly. He said the explosion occurred at the spot where about 20 people were talking.

The taxi driver said he saw two young men fleeing on their motorcycle on Phitsanulok heading to the Wang Daeng intersection. The two men were about 200 metres away from the explosion spot when they ran to their motorcycle and fled, the taxi driver said.

The seven other injured were identified as Wirat Piangsajja, 54, Somchai Wongsonthi, 44, Pongchanok Kanchana-amorndej, 31, Samrerng Buachan, 26, Prakrong Hachai, 38, Narong Nakiam, 64 and Ekkapol Sahawat, 33.

All of them were rushed to the Ramathibodi Hospital by the PAD guards.

It was the second bomb attack after the tacit ceasefire during the royal cremation period. Early Thursday, a grenade was launched at protesters inside the Government House complex, killing one and injuring more than 20 others.

- The Nation / 2008-11-22

[sriracha john]

Khattiya Sawasdiphol (from his website)

http://www.sae-dang.com/

Sae Daeng 'violated discipline'

Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol breached discipline in his campaign against the PAD, says the Army's disciplinary panel. Army Chief Anupong Paojinda appointed the panel after Maj-Gen Khattiya, known as Sae Daeng, made remarks which were viewed as disrespectful to his supervisor, bad for the army's image, and upsetting to the public. He warned that PAD could be attacked by bombs, before a bomb blast early on Thursday killed one PAD supporter. Earlier, he trained guards from the UDD, before Gen Anupong ordered him to stop. The panel, led by Deputy Chief of Staff Lt Gen Pirun Paewpolsong, has decided to impose minor penalties on him. Maj-Gen Khattiya will be reprimanded and has been warned that his actions were inappropriate. "If he carries on regardless, he will be examined by a panel on military crimes, with punishments ranging from jail time to having his rank revoked," said Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd. Khattiya yesterday refused to accept the panel's decision and did not sign to acknowledge the report, insisting he had done nothing wrong. His rank cannot be revoked under the Military Criminal Code, which is usually enforced on the battlefield, he added. He questioned the disciplinary investigation against him. Gen Anupong was wrong to let the PAD carry on criticising him, he said. He also warned the PAD against staging its rally on Sunday. It would encounter rocket-propelled grenades and many people would die if it did not cancel its plan, he

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/221108_News/22Nov2008_news14.php

[LaoPo]

PAD to mobilise 100,000 protesters from the South

The local chapters of the People's Alliance for Democrat set the target to mobilise 100,000 protesters from 14 southern provinces to rally in Bangkok on Sunday, PAD organiser Saroj Rakchan said on Friday.

The PAD has set up a rally site in front of Hat Yai railway station to rouse the crowds beginning today, Saroj said. Buses are ready for the 24-hour, non-stop departures to transport the protesters from today to Sunday.

The PAD has declared a showdown to bring about the collapse of the government and the House.

Source: The Nation - 21 November 2008

...100,000 protesters ?

1. 50 people/bus = 2,000 buses are so many buses on hand ?

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces, doesn't that create a big problem for Bangkok ?...100,000 people from the deep south in BKK....isn't that CREATING an EXTRA problem for -possible- more violence ?

3. Who on earth is paying for transporting those 'protesters'...feeding them....handing out enough water.....preparing enough sanitary....sleeping places...washing, cleaning....

4. And, calling upon 100,000 SOUTHERN Thai, who are willing to be transported on a very long bus ride, is simple and easy.....organizing all this in just 1 or 2 days ?

...and they're not being paid ?

Hmmmm...

LaoPo

[Plus]

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces,

You displayed a touch of ignorance here, Lao Po.

What makes you even think that PAD supporters there are muslims?

[bruceboy]

Is this guy really a local hero in Thailand?

[mc2]

PAD to mobilise 100,000 protesters from the South

The local chapters of the People's Alliance for Democrat set the target to mobilise 100,000 protesters from 14 southern provinces to rally in Bangkok on Sunday, PAD organiser Saroj Rakchan said on Friday.

The PAD has set up a rally site in front of Hat Yai railway station to rouse the crowds beginning today, Saroj said. Buses are ready for the 24-hour, non-stop departures to transport the protesters from today to Sunday.

The PAD has declared a showdown to bring about the collapse of the government and the House.

Source: The Nation - 21 November 2008

...100,000 protesters ?

1. 50 people/bus = 2,000 buses are so many buses on hand ?

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces, doesn't that create a big problem for Bangkok ?...100,000 people from the deep south in BKK....isn't that CREATING an EXTRA problem for -possible- more violence ?

3. Who on earth is paying for transporting those 'protesters'...feeding them....handing out enough water.....preparing enough sanitary....sleeping places...washing, cleaning....

4. And, calling upon 100,000 SOUTHERN Thai, who are willing to be transported on a very long bus ride, is simple and easy.....organizing all this in just 1 or 2 days ?

...and they're not being paid ?

Hmmmm...

LaoPo

Yes, 24 hours is a hel_l of a bus ride. I would die of motion sickness.

The Thais probably sleep through it , wake up at parliament house and ready to rumble.

2000 buses, thats right, how much for a return 24hour bus trip ? 500 baht one way ?

That works out to be 100 million baht for logistics, plus other costs. Does the PAD pick up the bill, if not they surely cant be expecting 100000 people. They would be lucky to get 5000 people.

If the government sniffs trouble they can always barricade a strategic section of the road 200klms before bkk.

[LaoPo]

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces,

You displayed a touch of ignorance here, Lao Po.

What makes you even think that PAD supporters there are muslims?

Am I assuming wrong, considering that Hat Yai is in Songkhla province, one of the mentioned 14 southern provinces and which are for an important part Muslim ?

But of course I could be wrong and in that case I withdraw the word 'Muslim'...

...but that doesn't solve all the other questions about 100,000 Southern protesters to be transported to Bangkok...?

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

PAD to mobilise 100,000 protesters from the South

The local chapters of the People's Alliance for Democrat set the target to mobilise 100,000 protesters from 14 southern provinces to rally in Bangkok on Sunday, PAD organiser Saroj Rakchan said on Friday.

The PAD has set up a rally site in front of Hat Yai railway station to rouse the crowds beginning today, Saroj said. Buses are ready for the 24-hour, non-stop departures to transport the protesters from today to Sunday.

...100,000 protesters ?

1. 50 people/bus = 2,000 buses are so many buses on hand ?

Buses are only one form of transportation; others include trains, vans, and private vehicles.

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces, doesn't that create a big problem for Bangkok ?

As opposed to, if they were 100,000 Baptists?

Additionally, only 4 of the southern provinces are Muslim majority, AFAIK, so there's no reason to assume that majority of the 100,000 people from 14 different provinces are Muslim.

...100,000 people from the deep south in BKK....

the deep south consists of only 3 provinces, whereas the article, and yourself just above, cite 14 provinces

isn't that CREATING an EXTRA problem for -possible- more violence ?

Muslims have a propensity to "create extra violence"?

3. Who on earth is paying for transporting those 'protesters'...feeding them....handing out enough water.....preparing enough sanitary....sleeping places...washing, cleaning....

Probably the same that has been the standard for a long time with a combination of private donations and people paying their own way.

4. And, calling upon 100,000 SOUTHERN Thai, who are willing to be transported on a very long bus ride, is simple and easy.....organizing all this in just 1 or 2 days ?

It's not so long a trip...not all will be riding buses, and while it's certainly not going to be an easy task, the movement of huge groups of people (numbering well into the hundreds of thousands) is something that is routinely done several times ever year such as Songkran and Loy Krathong.

...and they're not being paid ?

the over-whelming majority of actual and anecdotal evidence indicates that the vast majority are not.

Hmmmm... dry.gif

indeed... Hmmm....

Edited November 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Is this guy really a local hero in Thailand?

only to those that admire death, destruction, and mayhem

[mc2]

Is this guy really a local hero in Thailand?

only to those that admire death, destruction, and mayhem

Nonsense.

The little old lady who used to be my neighbor for 12 months was an ardent Thaksin supporter , and she was one of kindest people you could meet.

[sriracha john]

Is this guy really a local hero in Thailand?

only to those that admire death, destruction, and mayhem

Nonsense.

The little old lady who used to be my neighbor for 12 months was an ardent Thaksin supporter , and she was one of kindest people you could meet.

I presumed bruceboy was referring to this nutter:

and not this nutter:

[LaoPo]

indeed... Hmmm....

I answered 1 and 2 already but you were probably busy answering in red.

3. your answer is not an answer since it's very vague....and I still don't know who is paying for those huge costs............ 'Private donations and people paying for themselves.'...really ?

How much would you estimate the costs for transporting 100,000 people SJ (some 2,000 buses) ?

4. maybe a 1,000 Kms from Hat Yai>Bangkok and another 1,000 Kms Bangkok>Hat Yai in a (hot) bus is not such a long trip for you...?

Your comparison with yearly celebrations is not in place. The dates for yearly celebrations are known long in advance and people PLAN their trips well in advance but this "100,000" protesters organization is not if the PAD calls for it on a Friday....to be held on Sunday including a 24-hour bus trip.

And, how on earth could you possibly possess the knowledge that the over-whelming majority of actual and anecdotal evidence indicates that the vast majority are not (paid - LP) ???

So: you actually believe that someone from the PAD calls, on Friday, upon a target of 100,000 protesters in the South and all of them jump on the buses on Saturday.....pay for themselves,

feed themselves,

and have themselves transported to Bangkok just because the PAD ask them to do so....like going on a holiday trip ?

And, those 100,000 protesters have the money to do that ?

right....hmmmmmm.......

I'm very curious to learn about the exodus from the South to Bangkok...today.

That must be quite a parade....2,000 buses; I wonder if the gasoline stations along the road have enough staff AND petrol to fill them up.

I am a bit concerned if there's enough parking space in BKK for all them buses....

Don't forget to post the photos !

LaoPo

[Plus]

Don't be so dramatic, Lao Po.

I don't think 100,000 from the South will all show up, and it's not such a big number anyway - back in 2006 Thaksin brought in 300,000 people and no one noticed a thing.

The govt won't dare to set roadblocks let alone try to enforce them, the police won't listen anyway, it's not Isan.

[brahmburgers]

the Shinawats would want to get a sense of what the farang community are thinking. If any of their clan is involved, it would be appreciated if they would declare their affiliation, though perhaps that's against forum rules.

Do you really believe that Thaksin and his merry band of thieves give a rat's @rse about what the farangs think?

I think Thaksin cares considerably more than a rat's derriere about farang, and here's why:

Thaksin and his minions are deeply entwined in intrigue. He wants to come back to Thailand and take back the reins - so he can get filthier rich and punish his enemies, and possibly wear royal robes for real (he's already posed in royal robes for photographs during his earlier reign).

Thaksin, as much as any other player, understands the importance of having good intelligence. If his intelligence network was better than it is, he wouldn't have been caught with his pants around his ankles (being overseas while Whitehall announced denial of visa).

My father was a career CIA man, so I had some influence from him and his buddies, to be aware of, and to try to stay abreast of pertinent situations. Granted, farang in Thailand could be considered 'small potatoes' in the large scheme of things, but Thaksin is Thailand's #1 schemer, and if he's smart, he takes every detail in to consideration. Indeed, some of his most interesting conflicts involve farang - either directly or indirectly:

>>> cracks in the airport runways (first exposed, in part, by US experts)

>>> lawsuit for biz cheating (farang perpetrator)

>>> investment restrictions

>>> restrictions of farang securing property

>>> visa issues

>>> Scanner contract at SUV with GE supplier .....the list goes on.

[sbk]

Lao Po, just an aside, Thaksin is widely reviled in the South. All parts of the South, not just the Muslim deep south. Not all 14 provinces are largely Muslim and in fact, the Muslims are not, I believe, a majority in the South at all.

I think you need to do a little more historical research, recent history by the way. In the election before the coup, the majority of southerners refused to vote, they boycotted the election. Prior to that, when Thaksin had, once again, not won many seats in the South he stated that he would help those people who voted for him. Floods in Chiang Mai showed immediate and massive government aid. Floods in Hat Yai showed the govt showing up a week later with food and water. Southerners learned how much they could rely on Thaksin for help there.

Most of the people I know who have gone up to Bangkok to demonstrate have done so at their own expense not because they are necessarily Pro-PAD but because they hate Thaksin.

[animatic]

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces,

You displayed a touch of ignorance here, Lao Po.

What makes you even think that PAD supporters there are muslims?

Am I assuming wrong, considering that Hat Yai is in Songkhla province, one of the mentioned 14 southern provinces and which are for an important part Muslim ?

But of course I could be wrong and in that case I withdraw the word 'Muslim'...

...but that doesn't solve all the other questions about 100,000 Southern protesters to be transported to Bangkok...?

LaoPo

Hatyai is the northern most edge of the southern provinces

and considered the last relatively safe and realtively secular point going south.

It's also where young muslim men go for 'unobserved relaxation'.

So if the busses start from there, it is a logical lower starting point.

I have seen few headscarves or outwatr signs of it being prodomionantly muslem there.

The bus rid is like 10-12 hours to Bangkok, tha announcement said the busses would be

leaving continuously for 24 hours a day.

There are many more person down there and ALONG the route north

that are secular Thai's than are muslims. The southern Thai's got shafted

by Thaksin too, there is no love for him in these parts.

So I see no problem getting close to 100k up there by sunday.

Not to mention it won't be exlcusively 100k from down south,

but people from all over.

2 days in Bangkok is not that expensive for your avaerage person,

eat at rice stands, 120 baht walk around, stay on topic, no hotel rooms,

tents at most. More likely the antiicpation and fear will not let most sleep anyway.

But won't it be a strong sight, if it happens, to see so many walking

into the teeth of Sae Daeng's threats ANYWAY because what

they want to fight is WORSE than his threats.

Sounds like determination, not sheeple....

Gee I wonder why Somchai split town....

If it hits the fan he'd never bea able to return home to

Nakkon si Thammarat again, if he was on scene and it goes bad....

[h90]

PAD to mobilise 100,000 protesters from the South

The local chapters of the People's Alliance for Democrat set the target to mobilise 100,000 protesters from 14 southern provinces to rally in Bangkok on Sunday, PAD organiser Saroj Rakchan said on Friday.

The PAD has set up a rally site in front of Hat Yai railway station to rouse the crowds beginning today, Saroj said. Buses are ready for the 24-hour, non-stop departures to transport the protesters from today to Sunday.

The PAD has declared a showdown to bring about the collapse of the government and the House.

Source: The Nation - 21 November 2008

...100,000 protesters ?

1. 50 people/bus = 2,000 buses are so many buses on hand ?

2. assuming most of the 100,000 protesters are Muslim from the 14 southern provinces, doesn't that create a big problem for Bangkok ?...100,000 people from the deep south in BKK....isn't that CREATING an EXTRA problem for -possible- more violence ?

3. Who on earth is paying for transporting those 'protesters'...feeding them....handing out enough water.....preparing enough sanitary....sleeping places...washing, cleaning....

4. And, calling upon 100,000 SOUTHERN Thai, who are willing to be transported on a very long bus ride, is simple and easy.....organizing all this in just 1 or 2 days ?

...and they're not being paid ?

Hmmmm...

LaoPo

Yes, 24 hours is a hel_l of a bus ride. I would die of motion sickness.

The Thais probably sleep through it , wake up at parliament house and ready to rumble.

2000 buses, thats right, how much for a return 24hour bus trip ? 500 baht one way ?

That works out to be 100 million baht for logistics, plus other costs. Does the PAD pick up the bill, if not they surely cant be expecting 100000 people. They would be lucky to get 5000 people.

If the government sniffs trouble they can always barricade a strategic section of the road 200klms before bkk.

Till yesterday I was in Ranong, where they just gear up, spoke with the leader of PAD there, a lady, owner of the gasoline station and some supporter, one owner of a resort....My guess many come with their own cars, packed full of people or local travel agencies give their minivan free of charge, and the share the fuel costs between the passenger.....

So minor costs.....We also had one free seat in our car and offered to take one person to Bangkok, but they told, there are already so many cars available that in Ranong is no shortage at the moment.

[mc2]

Yes, 24 hours is a hel_l of a bus ride. I would die of motion sickness.

The Thais probably sleep through it , wake up at parliament house and ready to rumble.

2000 buses, thats right, how much for a return 24hour bus trip ? 500 baht one way ?

That works out to be 100 million baht for logistics, plus other costs. Does the PAD pick up the bill, if not they surely cant be expecting 100000 people. They would be lucky to get 5000 people.

If the government sniffs trouble they can always barricade a strategic section of the road 200klms before bkk.

Till yesterday I was in Ranong, where they just gear up, spoke with the leader of PAD there, a lady, owner of the gasoline station and some supporter, one owner of a resort....My guess many come with their own cars, packed full of people or local travel agencies give their minivan free of charge, and the share the fuel costs between the passenger.....

So minor costs.....We also had one free seat in our car and offered to take one person to Bangkok, but they told, there are already so many cars available that in Ranong is no shortage at the moment.

Interesting report. Where theres a will theres a way I suppose.

[Plus]

One poor sod from PPP got caught up in the action on Oct 7, too. He wants government compensation of 100,000 baht.

Check out this MP's claim:

"He claimed he had blurred vision as a result of police use of tear gas. He said he was admitted to hospital from Oct 8-18 during which he underwent an eye operation. His medical bills came to about 120,000 baht."

PADding the bill, by any chance?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/221108_News/22Nov2008_news16.php