Surley they would involve the tanks. Otherwise where would folk hang their flowers when it is all over.

This may have been the case in the past, but what has been going on over the last couple of years seems to be much more serious.

There is definately a power struggle going on and has all the protentual of developing into a full scale civil war.

So far it just a battle of wits, with the occasional outbursts of violence between the so called elite (Thaksins mob) who are never going to back off and the poorer less educated country folk (PAD), who are never going to back off unless Thaksin`s group call it a day.

I have a bad feeling about this one and of course like so many other ex-pats here, do not have a bolt hole if the worst should happen.

It is a real worry folks, so keep your eyes and ears on the news and keep each other informed if witnessed any unusual military activities in our areas.

Edited October 9, 200817 yr by sassienie

Since when did the Thai's get ready for anything in advance?

Since when did the military care about tearing up the pavement?

etc. etc.

Tanks worked well in China - if I remember correctly - they rolled over the protesters.

good point you would not catch me standing in front of one anyways

but they do need tracks final drives engines keeping tip top

Mrs Wolfie just sent me a very worried message, she works in an office in the Sanam Pao area (near the BTS, next to the Channel 5 office) on a high floor (30-ish) and can see the military base opposite...

... shes just said to me they have moved 23 tanks into the area where they usually land helicopters and are making preparations for something...

is there anything special happening today that anyone knows of? Military parade or something... or should we start worrying about what happened the last time the tanks were rolled out?

Probably just keeping the tankies occupied until the end of the month when it's payday

Let's hope this situation blows over soon.

the so called elite (Thaksins mob) who are never going to back off and the poorer less educated country folk (PAD)

Is that the right way round?

I say don't expect that Sompong the farmer will be the guy leading the final charge against the wealthy families, it will be one of their own, the enemy within - a smart Chula or Thammasat student (probably from a priviledge background) who rejects daddys' corrupt ways, his Benz's and the Mia Nois. Maybe he (or she) will have a chip on the shoulder about the way rich Mommy was treated.Patience is a virtue. But make no mistake that day will come...it always does.

Someone's read his history . Well done. In case, anyone doubts the above, consider;

Gandhi- At one time a debonnair westernized lawyer

Mandela - A lawyer, that became radicalized during his apprenticeship.

Lenin- Journalist/scholar that excelled in Lain & Greek before he became a commie. He radicalized after his brother was hanged for alleged involvement in an assassination plot.

Mao-Zedong - A school principal & librarian that radicalized as he organized protests against Japanese land grabs in China.

Ho-Chi-Minh- Father was officer of Imperial court. Uncle Ho gave up privelidge to become a teacher, but not before living in the splendour of Paris.

Franklin Roosevelt - Harvard and Columbia law graduate, bastions of the wealthy. He gave the USA social benefits that many called commie.

Maggie Thatcher - Shopkeeper's daughter that graduated in Chemistry and Law. She might have been accused of right wing policies, but they were radical and against the grain during the uber left era of the UK.

Martin Luther King - A conservative preacher (he was, despite accusations of being a commie) that could speak to people's hearts.

All were in the right place at the right time, shaped by events that moved them in a direction. None was ever pegged as a "leader". All were ordinary people that had an extraordinary impact that changed society.

You forgot

Ernesto 'Che' Guevarra - Doctor from a wealthy Beunos Aires family.

Fidel Castro - Lawyer from a wealthy Cuban family.

If I remember the chapter from Somoza Falling by the American diplomat Anthony Lake, many 20th century revolutions were masterminded by folks who would qualify for geriatrickid's list in post #30. The leaders of the revolution are usually native citizens of the upper class who were not given their rightful place in the hierarchy. Needing support, they manipulate the middle and lower classes to stage the revolution. Both Gandhi and King were from the upper class (within their caste, so to speak) and chose non-violent means.

In Thailand, factions of the ruling class fight for power. Some of the funding and the masterminds are behind the curtain.

Surley they would involve the tanks. Otherwise where would folk hang their flowers when it is all over.

This may have been the case in the past, but what has been going on over the last couple of years seems to be much more serious.

There is definately a power struggle going on and has all the protentual of developing into a full scale civil war.

So far it just a battle of wits, with the occasional outbursts of violence between the so called elite (Thaksins mob) who are never going to back off and the poorer less educated country folk (PAD), who are never going to back off unless Thaksin`s group call it a day.

I think you may have got this the other way round?

I have a bad feeling about this one and of course like so many other ex-pats here, do not have a bolt hole if the worst should happen.

You mean like the "losers" in another thread you alluded to?

It is a real worry folks, so keep your eyes and ears on the news and keep each other informed if witnessed any unusual military activities in our areas.

I say don't expect that Sompong the farmer will be the guy leading the final charge against the wealthy families, it will be one of their own, the enemy within - a smart Chula or Thammasat student (probably from a priviledge background) who rejects daddys' corrupt ways, his Benz's and the Mia Nois. Maybe he (or she) will have a chip on the shoulder about the way rich Mommy was treated.Patience is a virtue. But make no mistake that day will come...it always does.

Someone's read his history . Well done. In case, anyone doubts the above, consider;

Gandhi- At one time a debonnair westernized lawyer

Mandela - A lawyer, that became radicalized during his apprenticeship.

Lenin- Journalist/scholar that excelled in Lain & Greek before he became a commie. He radicalized after his brother was hanged for alleged involvement in an assassination plot.

Mao-Zedong - A school principal & librarian that radicalized as he organized protests against Japanese land grabs in China.

Ho-Chi-Minh- Father was officer of Imperial court. Uncle Ho gave up privelidge to become a teacher, but not before living in the splendour of Paris.

Franklin Roosevelt - Harvard and Columbia law graduate, bastions of the wealthy. He gave the USA social benefits that many called commie.

Maggie Thatcher - Shopkeeper's daughter that graduated in Chemistry and Law. She might have been accused of right wing policies, but they were radical and against the grain during the uber left era of the UK.

Martin Luther King - A conservative preacher (he was, despite accusations of being a commie) that could speak to people's hearts.

All were in the right place at the right time, shaped by events that moved them in a direction. None was ever pegged as a "leader". All were ordinary people that had an extraordinary impact that changed society.

You forgot

Ernesto 'Che' Guevarra - Doctor from a wealthy Beunos Aires family.

Fidel Castro - Lawyer from a wealthy Cuban family.

Thanks to both of you for supporting the above case. Isn't it intersting how Sriracha John and the other pro-priviledge supporters try to downplay the extraordinary events - like the high court reversing its decision on treason charges because a group of demonstrators says it will only surrender if the judges reverse their decision. I asked in a General Post, whether there was any recent precedent for judges doing that in Thailand. Isn't that role of prosecutors?

Someone CLOSED that post/question in order to bury it. Funny thing about that is SJ is not a mod...so who closed it?

Just increasingly ThaiVisa seems a bit, uh, 'weird' doesn't it? Are you weird TV?

Who is ThaiVisa anyway? Ever looked at the News Clippings and wondered why they don't support democracy? Where are the Bangkok Post Editorials? Only the Nation?

Nothing to see here, move along. 

Also, Prince Siddhartha (Buddha) Son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maha Maya.