Pro-thaksin Group Seizes Thai Pbs Station In Chiang Mai

[frodo]

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.

Really? They didn't storm into the office and only asked to talk with the manager? Other sources say something a little different. No different than the PAD, and neither can really justify the actions of illegal entry.

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.

The Nation

Source: http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/r...newsid=30087546

[Pierrot]

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.

I believe one important fact has been lost in the current chaos, and this fact is that one side has shown an admirable restrain and patience in front of terrible adversity during the past few years, I believe because of faith and respect in Thailand institutions. Please note that I’m talking of “one side” not one individual, by which I mean the half of the population who has elected and who supports the current government. These people have seen their adversaries making a mockery of the government, the police and, generally speaking, the democratic institutions. I’m afraid their patience is now running very thin and if a democratic, political solution can’t be found, one should remember Clausewitz famous quote “War is merely a continuation of politics by other means”.

[animatic]

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.

I remember that.

And I remember he followed through with that threat.

I remember floods and chaos and the local governments being told NO CASH,

not until Tourist Authority of Thailand weighed in to say it was killing tourist revenue.

That got too little too late, but more.

When it was just local Thais needing services they were told to stuff it. You didn't vote for TRT.

[animatic]

Silence the critics;

a time honor strong arm tradition.

They got what they want a dissenting voice silenced.

[animatic]

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.

I believe one important fact has been lost in the current chaos, and this fact is that one side has shown an admirable restrain and patience in front of terrible adversity during the past few years, I believe because of faith and respect in Thailand institutions. Please note that I’m talking of “one side” not one individual, by which I mean the half of the population who has elected and who supports the current government. These people have seen their adversaries making a mockery of the government, the police and, generally speaking, the democratic institutions. I’m afraid their patience is now running very thin and if a democratic, political solution can’t be found, one should remember Clausewitz famous quote “War is merely a continuation of politics by other means”.

~You can ALSO see it as the inverse.

The other side has finally gotten fed up with being ripped off for years

and is finally NOT sitting quietly by and allowing it to continue.

There has been a mockery made of the intent of elections also.

It's not just having an election but a FAIR one,

and THEN governing for the benefit of THE PEOPLE,

not one clan of cronies.

[Moonrakers]

I am wondering if that what may come out of this is EVIDENCE of payment to the protesters.

[Plus]

I believe one important fact has been lost in the current chaos, and this fact is that one side has shown an admirable restrain and patience in front of terrible adversity during the past few years, I believe because of faith and respect in Thailand institutions. Please note that I’m talking of “one side” not one individual, by which I mean the half of the population who has elected and who supports the current government. These people have seen their adversaries making a mockery of the government, the police and, generally speaking, the democratic institutions. I’m afraid their patience is now running very thin and if a democratic, political solution can’t be found, one should remember Clausewitz famous quote “War is merely a continuation of politics by other means”.

Yeah, how could one forget Central World beatings, Nation's blockade, attacks on Democrats rally in Chiang Mai, numerous cancellations of PAD rallies for security reasons, mob lynching in Udon, stop and search hunt for PAD leaders in Chiang Mai, drunken attact on Makkawan bridge protesters in the middle of the night, recent cancellation of Democrat party meeting, and closure of PBS office.

Q: How could one forget all that and claim "restraint" on the part of pro-government side?

A: You need to be Pierrot.

[Samuian]

........edited.....

A: You need to be Pierrot.

or a member of the PPP ex-TRT, Takky himself, following a certain agenda or simply being an admirer of this mess!

[hammered]

I believe one important fact has been lost in the current chaos, and this fact is that one side has shown an admirable restrain and patience in front of terrible adversity during the past few years, I believe because of faith and respect in Thailand institutions. Please note that I’m talking of “one side” not one individual, by which I mean the half of the population who has elected and who supports the current government. These people have seen their adversaries making a mockery of the government, the police and, generally speaking, the democratic institutions. I’m afraid their patience is now running very thin and if a democratic, political solution can’t be found, one should remember Clausewitz famous quote “War is merely a continuation of politics by other means”.

Yeah, how could one forget Central World beatings, Nation's blockade, attacks on Democrats rally in Chiang Mai, numerous cancellations of PAD rallies for security reasons, mob lynching in Udon, stop and search hunt for PAD leaders in Chiang Mai, drunken attact on Makkawan bridge protesters in the middle of the night, recent cancellation of Democrat party meeting, and closure of PBS office.

Q: How could one forget all that and claim "restraint" on the part of pro-government side?

A: You need to be Pierrot.

There is an attempt to start a meme that the peaceful UDD rally last weekend is the start of something new and to erase the past which of course includes plenty of violence by them. The attempt now is to create the mem that UDD rallies are a peaceful counter to violent PAD ones. It is all part of the politcal game and of course all sides use violence and intimidation to some degree or other.

The brooking of no counter opinions in villages has long been part of the TRT/PPP scheme of infromation control and although not technically the UDD does point to the use of anything from unsaid intimidation right through to removal of opponents by the "government side"

To be fair there was also the coup which is a use of massive intmidation.

All sides in this are quite willing to use all forms of violence and intimidation they can, and it would be niaive to beleive otherwise.

[kmart]

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.

Maybe... But an old gag springs to mind about when the Blue Pirate ship rammed the Red Pirate vessel. All the survivors were marooned.

[sriracha john]

All sides in this are quite willing to use all forms of violence and intimidation they can, and it would be niaive to beleive otherwise.

I agree both sides have indeed used violence, but I would just add that when consideration is given to the degree of violence and the number of incidents and the time over which these violent acts have occurred, that the pro-Thaksin forces vastly surpass the anti-Thaksin forces on this issue of which is more violent.

[Smithson]

The thing which stands out to me most is that so few were against Thaksin when he was doing some of his worst things. Did Chamlong or Sondhi have anything to say when the CC let him off the hook and allowed him to be PM? Then during the war on drugs, I remember very little criticism.

In fact the war is still considered by many to be his greatest achievement. After it he was elected to a second term and (unpaid) Bangkok voters loved. Does anybody know when Chamlong and Sondhi turned against him?

[Pierrot]

........edited.....

A: You need to be Pierrot.

or a member of the PPP ex-TRT, Takky himself, following a certain agenda or simply being an admirer of this mess!

Or anybody from the majority of Thai people who support this government, or the international press. I may sometime sound like a lonely voice in this forum, but if you look outside .... 70,000 red shirts (lower estimate) in a stadium, not a small crowd !

And regarding recent incidents, how can you compare documented organized violence by PAD members and isolated incidents that are most of the time provoked by the aggressive behavior of PAD security?

Who killed an old man and beat unconscious an old lady ? No speculation here, facts! Be real, even propaganda has its limits!

[Plus]

anybody from the majority of Thai people who support this government, or the international press.

You can't vote that pro-Thaksin violence has never happened, even if the "majority of Thai people" decides to forget about it.

Why do you call it "majority", btw? Some opinions polls that slipped our attention? Or last year's elections when PPP got less than 40% of the votes and no other party campaigned on pro-Thaksin, pro-UDD platform?

International press is the same press that was absolutely convinced that Saddam had WMD, why should we trust them now when they are clearly mistaken on certain issues we know about first hand?

[sriracha john]

getting ready for the Second Wave of attack...

Chiang Mai Pro-Government Group to Rally at TPBS Again & Launch Legal Suits

The pro-government group in Chiang Mai plans to besiege the provincial office of Thai PBS station again as they are unhappy with the broadcaster’s apology for claiming that the demonstrators have been paid to attend the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship rally in Bangkok on Saturday.

After having dispersed late last night, pro-government protesters said they would lay siege to the TPBS office in Chiang Mai again due to their resentment toward the broadcaster’s apology.

More than 100 members of the 'Rak Chiang Mai 51' group have stormed the Thai PBS office yesterday and remained camped out there until 11 pm when they received a statement of apology from station director Thepchai Yong.

They were demanding 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.

But the protesters said that the apology was not what they have expected as the statement appeared insincere about it.

They insist that Thepchai and the station’s anchor, Orachun Rintvitoon, make an official apology to the people of Chiang Mai again and reveal the name of the news source behind this report.

The protesters will give TPBS two days to respond to their demand, otherwise they will surround the station's office in Chiang Mai again and lodge both civil and criminal lawsuits against the broadcaster.

It is reported that the Chief of the Thai PBS Chiang Mai office has ordered an evacuation of about ten staffs and indefinitely closed the office on security concerns.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Police Chief Suthep Dejraksa also prepared a team of police officers on standby to take control of the situation and to prevent protesters from storming the broadcaster’s office again.

- TOC / 2008-11-04

[AlKing]

getting ready for the Second Wave of attack...

Chiang Mai Pro-Government Group to Rally at TPBS Again & Launch Legal Suits

The pro-government group in Chiang Mai plans to besiege the provincial office of Thai PBS station again as they are unhappy with the broadcaster's apology for claiming that the demonstrators have been paid to attend the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship rally in Bangkok on Saturday.

After having dispersed late last night, pro-government protesters said they would lay siege to the TPBS office in Chiang Mai again due to their resentment toward the broadcaster's apology.

More than 100 members of the 'Rak Chiang Mai 51' group have stormed the Thai PBS office yesterday and remained camped out there until 11 pm when they received a statement of apology from station director Thepchai Yong.

They were demanding 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.

But the protesters said that the apology was not what they have expected as the statement appeared insincere about it.

They insist that Thepchai and the station's anchor, Orachun Rintvitoon, make an official apology to the people of Chiang Mai again and reveal the name of the news source behind this report.

The protesters will give TPBS two days to respond to their demand, otherwise they will surround the station's office in Chiang Mai again and lodge both civil and criminal lawsuits against the broadcaster.

It is reported that the Chief of the Thai PBS Chiang Mai office has ordered an evacuation of about ten staffs and indefinitely closed the office on security concerns.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Police Chief Suthep Dejraksa also prepared a team of police officers on standby to take control of the situation and to prevent protesters from storming the broadcaster's office again.

- TOC / 2008-11-04

Very civilised UDD protestors. Unlike armed PAD who just storm NBT by force and without warning.

[Sathip2008]

CHIANG MAI MAIL - 04/11/2008

As officials from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and judges sympathetic to PAD come under attack in Bangkok from bullets and home-made bombs, the increase in violence is spreading to Chiang Mai, with reports of an incendiary device causing the destruction of a car belonging to Therdsak Jiamkitwattana, a prominent local PAD supporter.

Therdsak, the leader of the PAD in Chiang Mai, has been prominent in several local protests, and has broadcast anti-government propaganda from a local radio station, using it to rally supporters to join demonstrations. In a recent protest reported in the Chiang Mai Mail, police had to be called to break up a stand-off between PAD and PPP supporters in which missiles were being thrown. Therdsak’s car was in a garage in Muang district, Chiang Mai, when a fire broke out at 4 a.m., which totally destroyed the vehicle. Police believe the blaze was caused by an incendiary device.

[sriracha john]

the clowns speak out...

Nattawut: People not bribed to hear Thaksin speech

Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua, as former host of the Truth Today political talk show, said people going to the Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday to hear Thaksin Shinawatra's phone-in speech were not paid to go. About 50,000 people were at the stadium to hear Thaksin's speech. Nattawut also said that those surrounding the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) in Chiang Mai province to demand the station's apology for its report that alleged them of receiving money to join the talk show were not bribed either. Nattawut insisted that Thaksin's address to his supporters did not cause any conflicts in the nation, and that his criticism on judicial procedure can be done because Thaksin did not criticise the court directly. Meanwhile, PPP MP Jatuporn Promphan said Thaksin's phone-in will be broadcast again on the state-controlled NBT channel. He added that the team is in the process of editing the

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131830

[sriracha john]

There's been an abortion in the UDD...

Red shirt group aborts plan to besiege TPBS in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - After getting an apology, a pro-government group aborted a plan to besiege again the Chiang Mai office of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS), but insisted that nobody had paid them to stage a protest.

A group of over 100 red-shirt members of the pro-government camp on Monday laid siege to the TPBS after the TV station reported that some government supporters were paid to join the November 1 rally at Bangkok's Rajamangkala stadium.

The TPBS director, Thepchai Yong, went on a TPBS programme late Monday night to apologise to the angry protesters.

"I apologise for causing innocent people troubles," he said. The protesters then dispersed peacefully.

However, the group later demanded that the TV director apologise to them according to the script they had agreed earlier. It threatened to surround the station again if this was not done.

This prompted the station to evacuate its staff yesterday morning. But in the afternoon, the group changed its mind, saying it would no longer surround the station. However, it insisted that nobody had paid them to protest.

Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul, leader of the Love Chinag Mai 51 the protesters, said the group had reviewed Thepchai's apology in video and felt satisfied. The group then agreed not to surround the office again. However, it was the group's own decision, not by an order of anyone.

TPBS news division director Takerng Somsup and a group of news anchors went to the temporary government seat at the Don Mueang Airport to petition Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to protect the media from intimidation.

Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua received the petition.

Takerng said TPBS had worked constitutionally but was threatened by the progovernment group. Natthawut said TPBS's apology to the angry public was respectable. The media and the public should be able to find peaceful resolution.

- The Nation / 2008-11-04

[Los78]

Isn't it funny that when PBS apologised for stating false accusations the group of people peacefully left the station. I think a certain PAD leadership and their mob cheer squad that are illegally occuping government house should learn a few things from their fellow Thais in the north. Hopeful dreaming I guess....

Edited November 4, 2008 by Los78

[TAWP]

Isn't it funny that when PBS apologised for stating false accusations the group of people peacefully left the station. I think a certain PAD leadership and their mob cheer squad that are illegally occuping government house should learn a few things from their fellow Thais in the north. Hopeful dreaming I guess....

Los78>> Sure, as soon as Thaksin then admits his guilt...what, that will never happen? I guess Thaksin should learn something from his brother in the north.

Edited November 4, 2008 by TAWP

[Los78]

Isn't it funny that when PBS apologised for stating false accusations the group of people peacefully left the station. I think a certain PAD leadership and their mob cheer squad that are illegally occuping government house should learn a few things from their fellow Thais in the north. Hopeful dreaming I guess....

Los78>> Sure, as soon as Thaksin then admits his guilt...what, that will never happen? I guess Thaksin should learn something from his brother in the north.

Yes but sadly Thaksin is not in politics for awhile and not in the country so does that give mob rule the right to occupy government house. hmm I dont think so. But lets see what happens. Peace talks on the table possibly so all good news for everyone involved and with a bit of luck PAD leaders will get some sense and stop causing this division amongst their fellow Thais.

[jdinasia]

Isn't it funny that when PBS apologised for stating false accusations the group of people peacefully left the station. I think a certain PAD leadership and their mob cheer squad that are illegally occuping government house should learn a few things from their fellow Thais in the north. Hopeful dreaming I guess....

Los78>> Sure, as soon as Thaksin then admits his guilt...what, that will never happen? I guess Thaksin should learn something from his brother in the north.

Yes but sadly Thaksin is not in politics for awhile and not in the country so does that give mob rule the right to occupy government house. hmm I dont think so. But lets see what happens. Peace talks on the table possibly so all good news for everyone involved and with a bit of luck PAD leaders will get some sense and stop causing this division amongst their fellow Thais.

I guess you missed where the UDD thugs are coming back ......

[sriracha john]

The red-shirt siege is the public welcome mat for the ASEAN Leaders coming to town....

PM Declares Thailand Ready To Host ASEAN Summit

BANGKOK (AFP / 24 minutes ago )--Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on Wednesday declared Thailand ready to host next month's Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Chiang Mai, despite ongoing political rallies in the capital.

The government has been forced to change the summit venue from Bangkok to the northern city as anti-government protesters refuse to leave the prime minister's offices, which they have occupied since August.

"Many leaders asked me whether Thailand is ready to host the meeting... I have reassured them that Thailand is ready," Somchai said.

"We will hold the meeting in Chiang Mai as many leaders have requested it and because of the significance of the Chiang Mai initiatives," Somchai added, referring to the regional financial rescue plan drawn up there in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Chiang Mai is also a stronghold of government support as the home town of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who maintains close ties with the incumbent administration.

The exiled politician's ongoing links with government continue to divide Thai society, with Thaksin's critics accusing him of corruption and nepotism.

Throughout their rallies since May across the capital, ant-igovernment protesters have worn yellow shirts to signal their stance, while pro-government supporters wear red.

"No matter whether you wear a red shirt or yellow shirt, this is the time to show your patriotism for the sake of the country - to show our readiness as the host country as the whole world keeps a close watch on us," Somchai told reporters.

He said Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak would pay official visits to Thailand at the conclusion of the summit.

All attending leaders will be granted an audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok on December 17.

The Thai government has declared public holidays for Chiang Mai throughout the December 15-18 summit, to facilitate traffic and security measures.

The ten ASEAN member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It has a combined population of nearly 600 million and GDP of around $1 trillion.

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

The ASEAN Leaders "requested" the venue change to Chiang Mai? Really???

[Plus]

Yes, last thing they need during the summit is red shirts storming PBS offices every couple of days.