Pro-thaksin Group Seizes Thai Pbs Station In Chiang Mai

[sriracha john]

Pro-Thaksin people seizes Thai PBS station in Chiang Mai

A group of over 100 red-shirt members of the pro-government camp yesterday laid siege to the Chiang Mai office of Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS).

They demanded an apology from Thepchai Yong, the TPBS Director, after the TV station reported that some government supporters were paid to join the Nov 1 rally in Bangkok's Rajamangkala stadium.

Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul, head of the pro-government "Love Chiang Mai" group, said group members were upset and would not leave the station's Chaing Mai branch until they got the apology from the TPBS Director.

- The Nation / 2008-11-03

[sriracha john]

UDD protests at Thai PBS, demands clarification

About 100 protesters led by the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) surrounded Thai PBS station in Chiang Mai province, demanding its executive Thepchai Yong apologise after the station claimed that they were paid to attend the UDD rally in Bangkok last Saturday. UDD core member Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul called on the pro-government supporters to gather in Muang district of Chiang Mai province after Thai PBS reported that local politicians paid them about 2,000 to 3,000 baht each so they would join the Truth Today political talk show at Rajamangala National Stadium last Saturday. The demonstrators demanded to speak only to Mr Thepchai and threatened to make Thai PBS anchors who reported the news to give an explanation. Chiang Mai’s Police Chief Suthep Detraksa said he assigned the police forces to disperse the crowd within 30 minutes, should

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131801

[BigSnake]

I wonder how bad things will get in the LOS, before everybody CHILLOUT and cool heads prevail. My guess is the TPBS director was RIGHT ON TARGET, I have seen many cases up close and personal(wife's brother/step son, daughter, grandma Pia, young sister) all offer a payment to attend certain rallies. So I for one would take any bet that this is indeed the case. HMMMMMMMM!! Apology for telling the truth.(???)

[sriracha john]

Chiang Mai Pro-Govt Group Storms Provincial Thai PBS Office

A pro-government group, calling itself the Chiang Mai Red Shirt 08 Group, stormed the Thai PBS station in Chiang Mai to protest what they claim is the station's biased report that the group has been hired to join the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship rally in Bangkok on Saturday.

More than 200 members of the Chiang Mai Red Shirt 08 Group pushed through the police barrier and broke down the gates to storm the Thai PBS station in Sansai District in Chiang Mai.

The group was angry at what they call the station's biased reports quoting a local politician that each person from the group was paid 500 to 3,000 baht to join the "Today's Truth" show at Rajamangkala Stadium in Bangkok on November 1.

The group demanded Thai PBS executives, as well as reporters and sources of this report, show responsibility and apologize for what has happened, as they believe that this news has caused serious damage to the people of Chiang Mai.

Also, they gave an ultimatum that the station's executives must negotiate with them by 3 pm today; otherwise, they will cut the water and electricity so this news agency will not be able to operate or broadcast. Moreover, they will continue rallying at the station for three days.

Anuwat Chairit, Managing Editor of the News Section of the Thai PBS station, came to meet and negotiate with the protesters. However, they refused to negotiate with him and insisted that they would only talk to the station's Director, Thepchai Yong.

Meanwhile, the provincial police headquarters of Chiang Mai has sent more than 60 police officers, including ten officers from the mob control team, to take control of the situation. The group remained camped out within the gates of the Thai PBS office in Chiang Mai.

- TOC / 2008-11-03

[animatic]

This is all so very subtle.

Don't like the message take over the massage service.

Thaksin expected an apology for telling the thruth from a certain Bangkok Post editor.

Wouldn't give it got fire for economic reasons.

"Love Chiang Mai" group huh,

this must be Tough Love....

We knew this was coming...

still sad news.

[Sathip2008]

Yes, well... Reds, yellows, same idiots... sad..

[JetsetBkk]

This is all so very subtle.

Don't like the message take over the massage service....

"Don't like the government, take over the government offices."

[Kerryd]

This is all so very subtle.

Don't like the message take over the massage service....

"Don't like the government, take over the government offices."

I'm sure if they had taken over the massage service, they would have attracted larger crowds, and their protest would last longer than 3 days !

I just hope the people that broadcasted the news had more than just "hair salon" gossip to back up the claim.

[AlKing]

I wonder how bad things will get in the LOS, before everybody CHILLOUT and cool heads prevail. My guess is the TPBS director was RIGHT ON TARGET, I have seen many cases up close and personal(wife's brother/step son, daughter, grandma Pia, young sister) all offer a payment to attend certain rallies. So I for one would take any bet that this is indeed the case. HMMMMMMMM!! Apology for telling the truth.(???)

Don't you think 2,000 - 3,000 is a bit high?. The going rate in PM office is only 300 - 500 Baht / day + food (all tax free). I would say 200 - 300 for a one day UDD outing in Bangkok (free transport) is about the right price.

I am not defending anyone. Both sides (RED & YELLOW) take care of their people well, but not at rediculous rate.

[Los78]

PAD maybe safe to cause havoc in BKK but they will naturally find a lot of opposition when they start spreading their venom in the North. And from all footage the group didnt storm or do any damage just lock the front door and asked to talk to the manager. Nothing illegal going on there unlike what PAD mob do in BKK.

[Scott]

I have a good Thai friend, a professional, and he just doesn't see the situation between the yellows and reds as being resolvable. He thinks the country will end up in a civil war. It's a little scary to think about.

[AlKing]

PAD maybe safe to cause havoc in BKK but they will naturally find a lot of opposition when they start spreading their venom in the North. And from all footage the group didnt storm or do any damage just lock the front door and asked to talk to the manager. Nothing illegal going on there unlike what PAD mob do in BKK.

Didn't the armed PAD storm into NBT by massive force and cause lots of damage. This revenge is light by comparision. I don't think we have seen anything yet.

[Jingthing]

I have a good Thai friend, a professional, and he just doesn't see the situation between the yellows and reds as being resolvable. He thinks the country will end up in a civil war. It's a little scary to think about.

That is indeed scary. But based on modern Thai history wouldn't a more likely bad scenario be yet another military coup from a military faction favoring either the reds or the yellows, and wouldn't any possible fighting be likely to be mostly limited to between the military factions? Just a thought as I am hardly an expert but I can't picture a traditional civil war here with the entire country and population in armed conflict.

Edited November 3, 2008 by Jingthing

[sriracha john]

PAD maybe safe to cause havoc in BKK but they will naturally find a lot of opposition when they start spreading their venom in the North.

PAD runs the Thai PBS station in Chiang Mai?

[Insight]

Paid Protesters Protest Against Accusations Of Being Paid.

Over to you, NTN...

[Bangyai]

This is all so very subtle.

Don't like the message take over the massage service....

"Don't like the government, take over the government offices."

Now come on jetset....try to be serious.....its a bloody good idea of animatics ! This is how it works. We put a lot of numbers in a hat, close our eyes and pick one , then all rush into the massage place and grab the girl with the same number. Swopping allowed by mutual consent...... but no sneak previews.

[Plus]

I don't think they will go to civil war over one exiled megalomaniac flight from jail.

He can't get his money back by starting a war, it's just posturing.

[Wandering]

How much was the "Chiang Mai Red Shirt 08 Group" paid for today's protest?

[Journalist]

I have a good Thai friend, a professional, and he just doesn't see the situation between the yellows and reds as being resolvable.

Thinking laterally, orange is the resolution.

[animatic]

I don't think they will go to civil war over one exiled megalomaniac flight from jail.

He can't get his money back by starting a war, it's just posturing.

Maybe he thinks he can if he WINS the war...

[tig28]

Yes, well... Reds, yellows, same idiots... sad..

Few words -- accurate--- to the point. Congratulations on the courage to speak your mind in this thread.

Sadly whilst what you say what might be blindingly apparent ----- the "usual" team is almost certainly (with astoundingly profound eloquence) lurking in the wings to rebuke you --- (repeatedly--again--and even yet --again) rambling on & on -- never endingly about about a proven flea--grub & universally condemned sad excuse for a leader in the form of the ex-prime minister.

( Please team--if we promise that we do really do grasp this --will you stop? Please?)

Not likely ! Even if we may have arrived at this view without the teams guidance they shall continue to express immense moral outrage at evilness past (in the right hand) whilst (in the left hand) seeming to promote a PAD inspired path to absolute dictatorship in the concept that when 70% of the lower house of the Thai Parliament is self appointed ---- all the abuses of power shall miraculously disappear. GO PAD !!! This is simply promoting a recycled political philosophy that has resulted in the death of millions of people in recent history.

The team wisdom seems to be based on the incredible perception (wow---aint they just oh so collectively bright) that the deposed PM is really & in fact not a very good person. Well guys ...... I think that most folks with an IQ greater than their shoe size may just have realized this without your painfully stating & re stating & re stating---time & time again & again your view the facts. ( where is a moderator when really you need one?)

A (rather dull) like-minded group who are so engrossed in their own mutual self endorsement that they are unable to identify the simple sadness within the sick view that when when 70% of the lower house of the Thai Parliament is self-appointed the ability of electorate to replace that government at the ballot box is extinguished. --- for ever. GO DEMOCRACY !!

[Thaddeus]

This is all so very subtle.

Don't like the message take over the massage service....

"Don't like the government, take over the government offices."

Now come on jetset....try to be serious.

Ok..... how long until one of them asks if we want a happy ending?

Seriously.

[Chopper]

I have a good Thai friend, a professional, and he just doesn't see the situation between the yellows and reds as being resolvable.

Thinking laterally, orange is the resolution.

"The Future's bright, the Future's Orange"

[Plus]

Tig, while you are right that everyone knows that Thaksin is not an angel, not everyone realises that he is unfit to be given power again, and he wants it, at any cost. Just like Anand said - he can stop it if he wants to. Without him yellows and reds won't have anything to argue about.

This is simply promoting a recycled political philosophy that has resulted in the death of millions of people in recent history.

Or a very efficient government providing the greatest freedoms in the region for its citizens - Hong Kong, that has had very similar system to decades.

It has had time to become corrupted and subverted, but it hasn't. In latest elections appointed half had defied the trend of bending over to Chinese and, perhaps, became more independent than the elected part.

The system was established by Brits long before handover, btw.

[sriracha john]

Protesters storm Thai PBS

CHIANG MAI : About 200 red-clad members of the pro-government Rak Chiang Mai 51 group yesterday stormed into the grounds of the Thai PBS branch office in Chiang Mai. They surrounded the building in an angry protest against a report that some its members were paid to attend Saturday's rally at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. They cut open the fence, blocked the building's entrance with tents, and announced they planned to stay overnight. They threatened to cut off power and water supplies if Thepchai Yong, the Director of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), the news reader, and the others involved in providing the story refused to meet them. The protesters said the channel reported that about 200 of the movement's red-clad members were paid 2,000 baht each and asked to travel to Bangkok in 13 buses along with others to join the pro-government rally, organised by the UDD. Thai PBS yesterday set up a fact-finding panel to look into the allegation. Editor-in-Chief Anuwat Chairit had a meeting with the representatives of the group, but the protesters were not satisfied with the talks as they also wanted to meet Mr Thepchai. "We will not leave without talking to Mr Thepchai," one of its leaders said. The group has threatened to bring a 200-million-baht lawsuit against the station over what it says was a false report. The Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, and the Thailand Cable TV Association, called on the group to stop threatening the Thai PBS and use proper channels to voice its protest. "Thai PBS will be happy to give you an opportunity to defend yourself because it is an international practice," read the joint statement. Another protest from the pro-government camp also erupted in Prachinburi province yesterday when about 100 members of the UDD Prachinburi rallied in front of the TOT Plc's branch office to express their outrage at the on-going PAD demonstration.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/041108_News/04Nov2008_news11.php

Edited November 4, 2008 by sriracha john

[Xangsamhua]

This is simply promoting a recycled political philosophy that has resulted in the death of millions of people in recent history.

We shouldn't confuse the aims of corporate statists like Mussolini and Franco with the Thai situation, PAD or the New Politics, though the idea of representation from corporate blocs is superficially similar. As someone said, the way things are at present there can be no resolution. One side regards the electoral process as a farce and the other doesn't mind if it's farcical. For the latter it's all about power and, as we saw during the Thaksin era, power is not seen as something to be exercised responsibly or for the common good. Remember Thaksin telling the non-TRT voters in the South (2005) that they could expect no support from his TRT government?

PAD's New Politics requires further discussion, but the idea of a partly appointed legislature including people who have demonstrated in their lives that they are honourable and responsible leaders in their fields seems to me quite an attractive alternative to what we have at the moment.

[angiud]

I'm ready to supply 100.000 orange tshirt for a very competitive price (italian fashion)

[Jai Dee]

Thai PBS closes Chiang Mai office

The chief of the Thai PBS Chiang Mai office has ordered evacuation of about 10 staffs and indefinitely closed the office on security results.

The office was closed a day after pro-government protesters stormed into the office Monday and remained rallied there until late night.

The protesters demanded the station to issue an apology for its report, which alleged that Chiang Mai people were paid to attend the pro-Thaksin rally in Bangkok on Saturday.

They agreed to leave the station at 11 pm after the station issued an apology in its late news programme.

Source: The Nation - 04 November 2008

[sriracha john]

It's certainly better to issue to an obviously hollow apology than it is to get bombed...

UDD happy with Thai PBS apology

A group of pro-government demonstrators at Thai PBS television station in Chiang Mai province dispersed after its executive Thepchai Yong apologised the public after its channel claimed that the UDD supporters were paid to attend the Truth Today political talk show last Saturday in Bangkok. UDD core member Petchawat Wattanapong said the group was satisfied that the Thai PBS executive issued a public apology. The protesters disbanded shortly. Meanwhile, there was an explosion about 200 metres away from the PAD rally near Orathai Bridge in Bangkok at 1.50am Tuesday. The blast caused

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131814

[Thai at Heart]

This is simply promoting a recycled political philosophy that has resulted in the death of millions of people in recent history.

We shouldn't confuse the aims of corporate statists like Mussolini and Franco with the Thai situation, PAD or the New Politics, though the idea of representation from corporate blocs is superficially similar. As someone said, the way things are at present there can be no resolution. One side regards the electoral process as a farce and the other doesn't mind if it's farcical. For the latter it's all about power and, as we saw during the Thaksin era, power is not seen as something to be exercised responsibly or for the common good. Remember Thaksin telling the non-TRT voters in the South (2005) that they could expect no support from his TRT government?

PAD's New Politics requires further discussion, but the idea of a partly appointed legislature including people who have demonstrated in their lives that they are honourable and responsible leaders in their fields seems to me quite an attractive alternative to what we have at the moment.

Ironically, a system whereby various members of industry exists in a very obvious example in China. The "CEO's" major state monopolies sit in Parliament. There was an interview given by one of the the more liberal member of the Chinese politburo about 3 weeks ago that stated it likely that China would have full democracy by 2020. The fact that China is going through the plans to increase democracy in the country at a time when Thailand is struggling with possibly moving their's backwards to more closely mimic China of all places is very worrying.