Pad Rallies At British Embassy In Bangkok

[AlKing]

As for the poster who says that 90% of PAD are bought, there seems to be some on this Forum who are disputing your figures. Therefore, it might advance the debate if you could offer us any proof. In any case, they are still campaigning for what they perceive to be a fairer system, so I say let them get on with it!

The GF's whole housing estate in Bangkok have been approached by PAD recruiters, offering them 500b per day if they join the protests, a lot of them have taken the offer and joined in (i have personally witnessed it!) whilst the figure "90%" may be inaccurate, the fact still remains that PAD (who are against a government accused of vote buying) are paying people to join in their protests. Pot calling the kettle black, dontcha think?

Wolfe, making up stories doesn't help here. It may also get you in trouble with the authorities (the PAD).

I have been waiting all my life to sell my vote or being paid to go to a demonstartion (don't care if it is PAD or DAAD). I NEVER GET LUCKY, NOT EVEN ONCE.

[Wolfie]

Wolfe, making up stories doesn't help here. It may also get you in trouble with the authorities (the PAD).

Its not a story, its the truth... upto you if you believe it or not

[speedybuffalo]

Does it not more look like a show down between new HAVES and old HAVES, recruiting the no HAVES for their purpose (who are likely to pay the bill...)? Is there a chance they refuse? - Imagine there is a war and nobody attends ...

[ourmaninbangers]

<snip>

Edited October 30, 2008 by Jai Dee
Strong anti-Thai sentiment and reference to Royalty deleted as per forum rules

[Plus]

The HAVES, meaning the rich and elite resent the fact that as it is now, one man one vote.

He he he, they judge the "HAVES" by how many votes they own, and then they trade.

One man one vote bullshit is for idealistic fools, not meaning anyone personally here.

You should be ashamed of making such a comment. A real superialistic comment, very much inline with PAD ideology. Pathetic.

It's the reality - prospective candidates are valued by the number of votes they can win, and based on that they demand a certain price for their loyalty to any party, and a party calculates how much it is going to spend to win based on those requested prices. They negotiate, deal, borrow, make promises and so on.

"One man one vote" notion doesn't even exist here, it's all in your head.

[gbswales]

England is fast becoming the country of choice for criminal despots and dodgy businessmen. Thaksin has been found guilty by the very courts he once happily used in his vexatious litigations against opponents.

To now hear him whining about the injustice of it all is quite pathetic and sickening given his track record on human rights. Criminals on less serous charges would have been long since deported and shipped back home so what is it that allows him to stay happily in England?

If the poms are that desperate for people to prop up their overpriced football league let them have him. They will be the losers in the long run.

"poms" mmm that does rather identify you as a long time descendant of the criminals shipped to Australia!

Secondly the UK follows the laws as they exist - I am not 100% sure if there is even an extradition treaty with Thailad or not - but if there is there must be a formal application for extradition and with the various rights of appeal which quite rightly exist it could take 2-3 years to extradite someone. Thaksin as far as I am aware has committed no crimes in the UK so we would have no legitimate reason to deport him ourselves.

Next before anyone is extradited from the UK we would have to satisfied that they faced a fair judicial process and were at no personal risk. I doubt that trials are any fairer under the present regime than under Thaksin's - and there is currently turmoil in the country being brewed up by a party that advocates an end to democracy (despite having it in its title) - any lawyer would have a field day with all this.

[orang37]

The false dichotomy of "Haves" and "Have Nots," like a long tapeworm in the bowels of Farang thought, continues to feed on its stupefied expat victims, most of whom are from the "Haves" of their own native states where the offer of this dichotomy may be void.

This is a country of "mai mees," "mees," and "mee maak maak maaks," with the important distinction that some "mai mees" are actually "mees" or "mee maak maak maaks" who have chosen to become "mai mees," or, are posing as "mai mees."

The absence of the two logically intermediate groups ("mee maaks" and "mee maak maaks") is a requisite component of any valid deconstruction of Thai cultural phenomena ranging from the random motion of unlicensed predatory touts at Suvarnabhumi, to the secret-codes used by deaf tee-shirt vendors on Sukhumvit, to the increasing popularity of Mae Kwan Im and vegetarianism among the Thai-Chinese urban middle-classes.

These lacunae in the spectrum of hen ge tua (greed) are what drive the movement of hot air masses up from political parties, and attract violence the way soi dogs attrract fleas.

It is in this orchard that farang (guava) grow rotten as well as Girly-Berries become over-exposed but remain quite tasty.

This does not, of course, stop us from lamenting the blocking of streets since driving is a major form of birth control here, as well as a eugenic cull of the lame.

~o:37;

[Kerryd]

Wow.

2 bombs go off in Bangkok. 10 injured. 1 person found shot to death.

And what is everyone talking about ?

Whether or not PAD protesters are paid, differences between prisons, 1933 Germany, Euro Human Rights, Bangkok traffic and Thaksin of course.

(never mind. I'll just go back to shaking my head)

[Patriciachas]

England is fast becoming the country of choice for criminal despots and dodgy businessmen. Thaksin has been found guilty by the very courts he once happily used in his vexatious litigations against opponents.

To now hear him whining about the injustice of it all is quite pathetic and sickening given his track record on human rights. Criminals on less serous charges would have been long since deported and shipped back home so what is it that allows him to stay happily in England?

If the poms are that desperate for people to prop up their overpriced football league let them have him. They will be the losers in the long run.

If it as escaped your notice shinawatra has sold Manchester City,also he had nothing to do with the football league it was the premiership that his team belonged to.They could always ship him to the land downunder.

[jayjayjayjay]

It looks like it is all kicking off. Bomb attacks. The rumours a week or so ago that the funds had been released for this kind of thing seem to be looking truer than most rumours.

does anyone have some tick powder to spray on these vermin?

[Arkady]

England is fast becoming the country of choice for criminal despots and dodgy businessmen. Thaksin has been found guilty by the very courts he once happily used in his vexatious litigations against opponents.

To now hear him whining about the injustice of it all is quite pathetic and sickening given his track record on human rights. Criminals on less serous charges would have been long since deported and shipped back home so what is it that allows him to stay happily in England?

If the poms are that desperate for people to prop up their overpriced football league let them have him. They will be the losers in the long run.

Yes, it is true that crooks like the ghastly Mohammed Fayed (fortunately denied British citizenship) and Abramovitch are allowed to live and do business in the UK. On the other hand Thaksin seems to have entered the UK on a diplomatic passport and it is hard to see how he could have been denied entry. So far there has been no request for his extradition by the Thai authorities who haven't even withdrawn his diplomatic passport. I am not quite sure what is the point of rallying outside the British Embassy. Wouldn't it make more sense to rally outside the Supreme Court asking for the heads of whoever changed their minds at the last minute and let Thaksin and Potjaman travel abroad posting pocket change for bail when there was obviously a snowball's chance in hel_l that they were going to come back to face the music in court? A demonstration outside the Thai Foreign Ministry for the shame letting a convicted criminal keep a diplomatic passport wouldn't come amiss either. I am sure the British authorities would be much happier if he hadn't gone there.

If Thaksin is going to have his Police Lt. Col. rank (to which he was promoted from being a lowly captain over 20 years after he left the force) cancelled, shouldn't Potjaman be stripped of her khunying title too? Her tax fraud case would have been an open and shut conviction in an English court. It is small wonder that Thaksin isn't whining to the foreign media about her conviction.

BTW any sign of Potjaman's brother in law and secretary who were convicted with her in the tax fraud case and fled with her to Beijing? The press has not mentioned them at all since they left the country?

[khaowong1]

The following is a somewhat pertinent piece currently doing the rounds of the internet:

Yours sincerely and God save your Queen,

--snip--

A group of Thai people.

Brilliant! Well said!

Very well said indeed!

[endure]

Can we keep this thread civil please? Any posts containing personal insults will be removed.

[dingdongrb]

It's really quite simple. Thailand is a country of HAVES and HAVE NOTS. The HAVES, meaning the rich and elite resent the fact that as it is now, one man one vote. Do you really want politicians who are able to get away with murder and pass that immunity to punishment down to the next generation of the elite? Laws for the poor and laws for the elite are quite different.

That PAD is being duped and bought by those who wish to destroy democracy. I have absolutely no answers either. My own wife is an anarchist and she refuses to listen to reason.

The problem is not that it is one-man one-vote.

The problem is that it is 500*-baht one-vote.

And that is not democracy.

*Varies by area, obviously

500 baht..... duhhhhhh I bet a lot of the lobbyists in Washington wish they only had to pay that price.....

[wrecker]

Let me guess: The British are too uneducated too, so PAD wants to blackmail them and their voters too. Maybe the PAD should take over the British embassy take hostages and demand an overhaul of the one man one vote system.

It is about time that the full force of the government came down on PAD.

[h90]

Just look thru the numbers of postings this new patch of Anti-PAD poster have.....

Pretty obvious whats going on again.....

[OlRedEyes]

Wow.

2 bombs go off in Bangkok. 10 injured. 1 person found shot to death.

And what is everyone talking about ?

Whether or not PAD protesters are paid, differences between prisons, 1933 Germany, Euro Human Rights, Bangkok traffic and Thaksin of course.

(never mind. I'll just go back to shaking my head)

Smoke and mirrors seem to baffle most here, as it does the locals. So every thread ends up chasing the mirage....

[jayjayjayjay]

The HAVES, meaning the rich and elite resent the fact that as it is now, one man one vote.

He he he, they judge the "HAVES" by how many votes they own, and then they trade.

One man one vote bullshit is for idealistic fools, not meaning anyone personally here.

You should be ashamed of making such a comment. A real superialistic comment, very much inline with PAD ideology. Pathetic.

good one Jasr~ could not agree with you more. Your previous post was as equally to the point.

[animatic]

The HAVES, meaning the rich and elite resent the fact that as it is now, one man one vote.

He he he, they judge the "HAVES" by how many votes they own, and then they trade.

One man one vote bullshit is for idealistic fools, not meaning anyone personally here.

This one pretty much hits the nail for these parts.

[1900]

Not allowed to start a topic but I thought this to be somewhat related:

Two blasts at PAD rally, judge's house

Thursday October 30, 2008 09:48

Two bombs went off early Thursday at the anti-government rally site near Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen road and the house of Constitution Court judge Jarun Pakdithanakul.

According to reports, two culprits riding a motorcycle threw a bomb at the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) guards and supporters at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge. The blast injured ten PAD guards and supporters. Two were reportedly in a critical condition.

After the explosion, the PAD guards were planning to ask the group's core members to permanently close down Ratchadamnoen road for the safety of the protesters.

At Mr Jarun's house, mirrors were broken and compressors were damaged, but no injuries were reported. The judge was inside the house when the bomb was detonated.

Investigative units were collecting evidences at both sites.

bangkokpost.com

10 injured in bomb attack against PAD

Thu, October 30, 2008 : Last updated 10:12 hours

10 injured, an explosion damaged Constitution Court Judge Jaral's house, gunfire heard near Government House, one man found dead near Metropolitan police head office

A grenade was lobbed against security guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy at the Makkhawan Rungsan Bridge early Thursday morning, injuring ten of them.

The PAD guards filed complaints with police that the attack at the Makkhawan bridge came at about 3 am.

Pol Captain Pomphet Chotklang of Nangloeng police station said the bomb was an M26 grenade. A safety pin was found at the scene.

The bomb caused a small hole on the ground.

Six guards were rushed to the Vajira Hospital. One of them was severely injured. He is identified as Sathien Thapmaliphol, 43.

Four other guards received minor injuries and received treatment by the PAD medics.

PAD guards told police that the captured a man at 2 am after he carried a shirt soaked with petrol walking to the rally site at the Makkhawan Bridget.

Shortly after the man was captured, a motorcycle arrived and the pillion rider threw the bomb at the PAD guards.

Following the attack, the PAD stepped up security at the site.

About an hour after the bomb attack, a few gun shots were heard near the Government House.

At about midnight, a bomb was lobbed into the compound of the house of Constitution Court judge Jaral Phakdeethanakul, causing some damages.

No one was injured in the attack happened at Jaral's house on Soi Pridi Phanomyong in Bangkok's Klong Tan district.

Bomb disposal officers have yet to determined the type of the bomb.

Police Sub-Lt Somchai Saraket of Klong Tan police station quoted Jaral as saying he heard something falling on the roof and heard an explosion two minutes later.

The explosion caused a 50-cm-wide and 25-cm-deep hole in the lawn and shattered some window glasses as well as damaging an air-condition unit.

At about 5:30 am, police said a man clad in black was found dead on the a sidewalk about 50 metres away from the Misakawan Intersection behind the Metropolitan Police head office.

A policeman, who was stationed to keep security near the area, said he saw the man walking through the police line at 4 am heading to the Government House.

The man, Sungwian Rujimora, 46, appeared drunk and was heard saying "fight them".

He was found hundreds of metres away from the Government House.

Police said he was shot and beaten with hard objects.

Pro-Thaksin general says more attacks against PAD to be made

October 30, 2008 : Last updated 09:54 am

Gen Kattiya Sawadiphol, a specialist of the Army, Thursday denied that he was behind the bomb attack against the People's Alliance for Democracy.

But he said the PAD would face more attacks and PAD guards would be killed everyday if the it did not stop occupying the Government House.

"In the future, the PAD may be attacked with RPG rockets, M79 grenades," Kattiya sad.

He said many groups were dissatisfied that the PAD became blatant and armed its guards as well as showing disrespect to many senior persons.

nationmultimedia.com

Two of six wounded in PAD site grenade attack in critical condition

BANGKOK, Oct 30 (TNA) – Two of six persons wounded in an early morning grenade attack at the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rally point at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge at aboout 3 am Thursday morning remain in critical condition under close observation in intensive care, according to a doctor.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Command and Control Centre (Erawan Center) director Dr. Petchpong Kamjonkitjakan said the six victims, all male, were sent to Vajira Hospital for treatment.

All six were PAD volunteer security personnel wounded by the explosion of an M-26 hand grenade thrown into a security command tent by two attackers on a motorcycle.

Dr. Petchpong said the Centre was on high alert as the medical teams were instructed to be ready to give medical services as the PAD protesters were on the road to distribute leaflets and digital videos on the police actions against the protesters at Parliament on October 7 to passers-by, causing fear that there may be a confrontation that could lead to violence.

Meanwhile, Vajira Hospital director Dr. Chaiwan Chaorenchoketawee said the victims were wounded by grenade fragments on their bodies.

Four of the six suffered only minor injuries and physicians allowed them to return home, while two were in serious condition. Both had already been operated on and are currently recovering at the hospital's intensive care unit.

One was identified as Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) employee Satien Tabmalipon, 53, while another was muich younger, Jirasak Insee, age 16.

According to Dr. Chaiwan, Mr. Satien has small chances to survive, as his skull was hit by fragments from the explosion, causing bleeding in his brain, while Mr. Jirasak was hit by grenade fragments on the right side of his neck.

Pol. Maj-Gen. Anan Srihiran, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, said that the initial investigation showed that the explosion was that of an M-26 grenade.

Meanwhile, officials of the schools located near the main protest areas at Government House and the Makhawan Rangsan Bridge said their schools were open as usual even though the grenade incident occurred during the night.

Students were requested to go directly home after finishing their classes.

On Thursday morning many students were late for school, as some roads were closed after the early morning explosion. (TNA)

enews.mcot.net

[JetsetBkk]

... so what is it that allows him to stay happily in England? ...

Has extradition been requested?

If so, doesn't the UK Home Office take a year or two to make their decision?

[JetsetBkk]

As for the poster who says that 90% of PAD are bought, there seems to be some on this Forum who are disputing your figures. Therefore, it might advance the debate if you could offer us any proof. In any case, they are still campaigning for what they perceive to be a fairer system, so I say let them get on with it!

The GF's whole housing estate in Bangkok have been approached by PAD recruiters, offering them 500b per day if they join the protests, a lot of them have taken the offer and joined in (i have personally witnessed it!) whilst the figure "90%" may be inaccurate, the fact still remains that PAD (who are against a government accused of vote buying) are paying people to join in their protests. Pot calling the kettle black, dontcha think?

Thanks Wolfie - nice to have a first hand report, straight from the horse's (wolf's?) mouth, so to speak.

[JetsetBkk]

Wolfe, making up stories doesn't help here. It may also get you in trouble with the authorities (the PAD).

Its not a story, its the truth... upto you if you believe it or not

I think he was trying to be funny, Wolfie.

[JetsetBkk]

Just look thru the numbers of postings this new patch of Anti-PAD poster have.....

Pretty obvious whats going on again.....

Old anti-PAD poster here.

[h90]

Just look thru the numbers of postings this new patch of Anti-PAD poster have.....

Pretty obvious whats going on again.....

Old anti-PAD poster here.

you were not meant......I mean the 5-50 posting user.....

There are also some real PAD hater around...

[jayjayjayjay]

Just look thru the numbers of postings this new patch of Anti-PAD poster have.....

Pretty obvious whats going on again.....

Old anti-PAD poster here.

you were not meant......I mean the 5-50 posting user.....

There are also some real PAD hater around...

yep, take the snake Sondhi L out of there mix and I'll give them more of an ear. Take old violin Chamlong out as well and I'll give them some more time-fo-the-day. But left like they are now, nothing but a bunch of elitist with no concern for democracy.

Edited October 30, 2008 by jayjayjayjay

[pete_r]

As for the poster who says that 90% of PAD are bought, there seems to be some on this Forum who are disputing your figures. Therefore, it might advance the debate if you could offer us any proof. In any case, they are still campaigning for what they perceive to be a fairer system, so I say let them get on with it!

The GF's whole housing estate in Bangkok have been approached by PAD recruiters, offering them 500b per day if they join the protests, a lot of them have taken the offer and joined in (i have personally witnessed it!) whilst the figure "90%" may be inaccurate, the fact still remains that PAD (who are against a government accused of vote buying) are paying people to join in their protests. Pot calling the kettle black, dontcha think?

Thanks Wolfie - nice to have a first hand report, straight from the horse's (wolf's?) mouth, so to speak.

From my father-in-law, who goes to the PAD rallies: 300 Bahts per protester per day of protest. Plus free food and free daily transportation from his province neighboring Bangkok. The mini-bus drivers who shuttle him and his friends get 3000 Bahts per load of protesters.

He mentioned these numbers back in June, maybe the rates have gone up since then.

In any case, 300 or 500 Bahts is a very good wage compared to factory work, 200 Bahts per day for 8 hours, no free food, no sitting around chatting with your mates.

[baht&sold]

In the West, labelling groups as 'privileged elites' is a divisive tactic normally used by the far-right, directed (with utter contempt) at people whom are educated or informed but crucially hold opposing views. In Thailand, the term is used similarily, heiniously sometimes also implicating the highest institution.

The other implication of course is that 'privileged elites' are wealthy. Given Mr Thaksin and Co are also 'privileged elites' on the wealth-o-meter, the term becomes moot and perhaps more accurate to simply say the 'educated/informed' when heaping scorn?

Unfortunately, education in Thailand remains as it was before/during and after Dr Thaksin's tenure, for the most part reserved for the wealthy. This is the greatest deficit Thailand faces. Education also remains the greatest opportunity Thailand has to lift people, create wealth, raise awareness and counter corruption. (but what benefit would there be in that?)

[jdinasia]

As for the poster who says that 90% of PAD are bought, there seems to be some on this Forum who are disputing your figures. Therefore, it might advance the debate if you could offer us any proof. In any case, they are still campaigning for what they perceive to be a fairer system, so I say let them get on with it!

The GF's whole housing estate in Bangkok have been approached by PAD recruiters, offering them 500b per day if they join the protests, a lot of them have taken the offer and joined in (i have personally witnessed it!) whilst the figure "90%" may be inaccurate, the fact still remains that PAD (who are against a government accused of vote buying) are paying people to join in their protests. Pot calling the kettle black, dontcha think?

Thanks Wolfie - nice to have a first hand report, straight from the horse's (wolf's?) mouth, so to speak.

Amazing ..... simply amazing!

Not to mention how unlikely this story is .... just think about if this were true! Strange that there aren't any stories in the Thai press or on government TV stations about this!

Then again if it were untrue or isolated ..... well no; even if it were isolated someone would be reporting it!

[baht&sold]

UDD vows to rally Thursday evening

source: Bangkok Post online Oct 30 (approx 3:30 pm)

Pro-government group United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) vowed to stage a gathering at Sanam Luang on Thursday evening, even after a grenade was thrown at a pro-government group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in the early morning.

UDD core leader Somyos Prueksakasemsuk said the gathering will be held, although the group has been contacted by Metropolitan police to have it called off.

He added that the group asked police to step up security at the venue to guarantee safety for the protesters.

Mr Somyos also denied the group's involvement in the bombing at the PAD, which left 10 people wounded. He said a third party might be behind the action.

-----------------------

Comment:

There's a very ominous looking rain storm rumbling through Bangkok right now (looks like a sheer wall of black). Hope this may put a 'damper' on the UDD rally and keep the PAD under their tents and moreover, prevent any further 'sparks' (for now at least).

Another very sad day for Thailand, with another tragic death, more injuries, 2 in critical condition.

Next up? Mr Thaksin seems hel_l-bent on whipping up even more unwanted furor, calling in during the big-red-rally this Saturday. Evidently with the Govt's tactic support and via a national Govt TV station and radio stations, with several PPP MP's speakers to assist whipping up a frenzy...

Meanwhile, as he sets the stage for even more violence here, Mr Thaksin will be talking from the serene and plush confines of his safe and protected London residence...

This is very unfortunately far from over, likely not until the the two 'fat ladies' (whom wear the pants) sing it is... and that's just not likely to happen.