4 Grenades Explode Near Thailand's Anti-government Tv Station

[Jai Dee]

Photographs from Matichon- 24 November 2008

[animatic]

Police step up security at Parliament

Police are setting up security detail in the interior and exterior perimeter of the Parliament as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters are approaching the place.

The PAD made its way to the Parliament building this morning at 7:30 AM with it's leaders assuring a peaceful rally. The demonstrators have been instructed within their own ranks to not to approach the gates of the parliament compound and have been ordered to closely follow leader orders. Police have nonetheless placed strict security consisting of border patrol officers within the building along with other officers who have been stationed there since last night to overview the situation.

Some amount of MPs and Senators have made their way to the scheduled parliament meeting today but have been cautious of the protests, admitting the gathering may suspend the meeting.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 24 November 2008

Not the border pastrol again...

and which Thailand border is in Bangkok?

Oh yeah the Thaksinland Border...

[hammered]

Border patrol is bad news if thingsa kick off. Plus they scare a lot of people from going

[ray23]

I am surprised there hasn't been more violence already, but the week isn't over

[Jai Dee]

Joint meeting postponed; PAD protest continues

House Speaker Chai Chidchob on Monday morning called off the joint meeting between MPs and senators until the situation returns to normal after the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) enclosed the parliament building. Mr Chai said the meeting could not commence as supporters of the PAD marched from Government House to the parliament building to prevent lawmakers from considering the constitutional amendments.

Parliament secretary-general Pitoon Pumhiran earlier said the meeting would likely be postponed because less than 10 MPs arrived at the parliament.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[CuttySark]

Six men dressed like PAD guards arrested for hijacking bus

BANGKOK: -- Six men, who were dressed like guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy, were arrested Monday after they seized control of a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority bus.

Police said the men were armed with a sawn-off shotgun and knives.

They asked the driver of a No 53 bus to leave and drove it to the Makkhawan Bridge but soldiers and police shot the bus' tyres and arrested the six.

They were taken to the Nang Loeng police station for questioning.

-- The Nation 2008-11-24

police and military is unarmed....how could they shoot?

PAD is unarmed. How could they hijack?

[Crushdepth]

"It will be D-Day. This will be our final push to bring down the government," 64-year-old protester Chokchuang Chutinaton said.

Yeah right, basically this is going to drag on until there is some serious blood and someone decides to read the riot act (to all factions).

Border patrol is bad news if thingsa kick off. Plus they scare a lot of people from going.

Things always seem to get out of hand when the Border Boys (or the peanuts from the Forestry Goon Squad) are involved. But that's the general idea, isn't it.

Edited November 24, 2008 by Crushdepth

[hammered]

"It will be D-Day. This will be our final push to bring down the government," 64-year-old protester Chokchuang Chutinaton said.

Yeah right, basically this is going to drag on until there is some serious blood and someone decides to read the riot act (to all factions).

Border patrol is bad news if thingsa kick off. Plus they scare a lot of people from going.

Things always seem to get out of hand when the Border Boys (or the peanuts from the Forestry Goon Squad) are involved. But that's the general idea, isn't it.

i make you right on it being the general idea. everyone is ready for a fight. reminds me of english football in th e70's and 80's

[animatic]

Six men dressed like PAD guards arrested for hijacking bus

BANGKOK: -- Six men, who were dressed like guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy, were arrested Monday after they seized control of a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority bus.

Police said the men were armed with a sawn-off shotgun and knives.

They asked the driver of a No 53 bus to leave and drove it to the Makkhawan Bridge but soldiers and police shot the bus' tyres and arrested the six.

They were taken to the Nang Loeng police station for questioning.

-- The Nation 2008-11-24

This one sounds like disinformation is starting up.

PAD has left the bridge for parlement.

Doesn't ring true.

Gee what's happened to those alleged PAD bombers from last week.

Total silence on the prosecution front. Because it was just a PR exercise.

Edited November 24, 2008 by animatic

[quangodosh]

I fear a civil war between north and south. The battleground will be Bangkok. This is s Buddhist country. How can all this happen? It's so sad.

[h90]

police and military is unarmed....how could they shoot?

PAD is unarmed. How could they hijack?

That is not an answer.....

At the moment just black dressed people were seen and just the police saw the weapons. The weapons if existing were not used.

No one ever was attacked by the PAD

The police and army promised to have no weapons after they killed 2 people and shoot away a lot limbs from peaceful protestors on November 7.

So maybe PAD, maybe had weapons against police shooting...

[h90]

I fear a civil war between north and south. The battleground will be Bangkok. This is s Buddhist country. How can all this happen? It's so sad.

I don't think someone from the North will fight unless paid.

[Jai Dee]

PAD declare victory after House session postponed

People's Alliance for Democracy which led protesters besieged the Parliament declared victory on Monday after House Speaker Chai Chidchob decided to postpone joint parliamentary session, PAD's co-leader Pipob Thongchai said.

However the protest will continue as Chai has until November 28 to call for a meeting to consider a charter amendment which the protesters believed would pave the way for ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to return to power, he said.

The anti-government protesters marched from the Government House where they have occupied for months to the Parliament on Monday morning and blocked all access to the venue.

They said they did not want the Parliament to consider the charter amendment as it would allow Thaksin to come back.

House Speaker Chai made a phone call to the press room to formally announce the cancellation of the joint House-Senate sitting. He said the meeting would be postponed until the situation improves.

He said the meeting would be held only after the PAD could reach an agreement with the government.

Apart from the Paliament, hundreds of the protesters also blocked all access at the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Finance Ministry.

Pipob reiterated that the protest will not use violence at any place. PAD leaders will consider later whether to move the protesters at those places back to the Government House.

Source: The Nation - 24 November 2008

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

There goes what is left of Thailands reputation with tourist and potential retires.

[quangodosh]

I fear a civil war between north and south. The battleground will be Bangkok. This is s Buddhist country. How can all this happen? It's so sad.

I don't think someone from the North will fight unless paid.

Both sides have very deep pockets

[CuttySark]

I fear a civil war between north and south. The battleground will be Bangkok. This is s Buddhist country. How can all this happen? It's so sad.

I don't think someone from the North will fight unless paid.

I don't think so many yellow would turn up unless paid too.

[Gianni77]

Humans are the only animal that make the same mistakes more than once... here we go again

[BlackArtemis]

yeah know, I bet if Man U and Liverpool or some other heated match was aired, but some signal cutters were setup around the protest area, everyone would probably run home to watch the game instead. Just a thought.

[h90]

I fear a civil war between north and south. The battleground will be Bangkok. This is s Buddhist country. How can all this happen? It's so sad.

I don't think someone from the North will fight unless paid.

I don't think so many yellow would turn up unless paid too.

no they are not, I sit alone in the office as all my staff is there....they don't receive 1 Satang, a lot of their friends and relatives from the south came, all without receiving money. All tell they are ready to die for the Monarchy.

[Bangyai]

Everything is running too smooth in my opinion.

What were you hoping for ??? Violence ? Surely not ! The police are unarmed ( apparently ) but the PAD security just can't go anywhere with out their sticks and helmets. Not sure if Gandi would approve ?

The govournment is a group of people not a few buildings.

In any event, this time next week, according to Chamlong it will all be over :

" The PAD core figure said this rally would not be prolonged, and should it fail to oust the govournment then the people would already have done their best and the PAD would have to let the " tyrants " rule the country " ( Bangkok Post )

Of course, this would depend on Chamlong being a man of his word so we can discount his sincerity on this occasion.

In a few weeks we will be having " The Absolute final finale " .......again.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands protest, hundred of thousands go shopping, millions get on with their lives wandering when it will all be over.

[JoeInSurin]

That is not an answer.....

At the moment just black dressed people were seen and just the police saw the weapons. The weapons if existing were not used.

No one ever was attacked by the PAD

The police and army promised to have no weapons after they killed 2 people and shoot away a lot limbs from peaceful protestors on November 7. So maybe PAD, maybe had weapons against police shooting...

So maybe the Police, maybe had weapons against PAD shooting... (by the way it is legal for the police to carry guns)

[onnut]

no they are not, I sit alone in the office as all my staff is there....they don't receive 1 Satang, a lot of their friends and relatives from the south came, all without receiving money. All tell they are ready to die for the Monarchy.

So they are being paid by you right????

yeah, thats right.

[h90]

Everything is running too smooth in my opinion.

What were you hoping for ??? Violence ? Surely not ! The police are unarmed ( apparently ) but the PAD security just can't go anywhere with out their sticks and helmets. Not sure if Gandi would approve ?

The govournment is a group of people not a few buildings.

In any event, this time next week, according to Chamlong it will all be over :

" The PAD core figure said this rally would not be prolonged, and should it fail to oust the govournment then the people would already have done their best and the PAD would have to let the " tyrants " rule the country " ( Bangkok Post )

Of course, this would depend on Chamlong being a man of his word so we can discount his sincerity on this occasion.

In a few weeks we will be having " The Absolute final finale " .......again.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands protest, hundred of thousands go shopping, millions get on with their lives wandering when it will all be over.

the unarmed police just shooted at a bus.

I just can't believe that the government is not doing anything after they had no problems killing people last time.

[Rajah]

I sit alone in the office

working overtime as PAD's propaganda minister. We know...

[onnut]

why would the PAD give up and go home if this last push does not work? if it does not work I do not believe that they will give up and let the country be ruled by Taksin's mates. not after everything they have done and been through.

I fear they will get very violent if they do not get there own way.

you know what Thais get like when they lose face. well if they lose, that will be a huge loss of face.!!!

[canuckamuck]

the unarmed police just shooted at a bus.

I just can't believe that the government is not doing anything after they had no problems killing people last time.

The police ended a hijacking with reasonable use of force and with no loss of life, and you seem to be implying that this is a bad thing . How much koolaid did you drink?

Maybe they should have given the bus a police escort through parliment.

[animatic]

One thing little mentioned in this North / South juxtaposition is that

much of the south is ALSO aggrarian and not just some elites playground.

And much of ther south also has workers from all over, especially in hospitailty

and construction. Funny you don't here much of ANY support from these people for Thaksin.

TRT and PPP couldn't hardly get a rally of 30 on Samui, and there are plenty of people from the north here.

The much of thesouth also has felt the sting of Thaksin when he is not voted for, and loved.

He vindictively stuck it to any province that didn't vote for him, and so,

no one down south wants to risk that situation again.

He governed for himself and his clique up north and used government funds allocation

as a weapon against any who didn't jump on his bandwagon.

Seems so many forget this has a LOT to do with why so many have just

traveled north for this protest. They know how bad things will get for them again

IF Thaksin regains power over them.

[Jai Dee]

PAD Asks Finance Ministry Officials to Join Rally

Two PAD leaders have led a large number of PAD protesters to the Finance Ministry. They are calling for the Finance minister to step down from his post.

Meanwhile the 2 leaders are calling for Finance ministry officials to join the PAD rally and allow the PAD supporters to use the ministry's toilets.

PAD leaders Somkiat Pongpaiboon and second-generation leader Sirichai Mai-ngarm have led a group of PAD supporters to the Finance ministry at around 11 a.m. this morning.

The 2 leaders have requested the finance ministry officials' for permission to allow the PAD supporters to use the restrooms inside the ministry. However if the request isn't granted, the PAD may be forced to break down gate no. 4, located between the Budget Bureau and the Office of the Attorney General.

Source: Thailand Outlook - 24 November 2008

[hammered]

We dont need to worry as little somchai is not resigning and he assures us he is more worried about the economic problems and is working to solve them. Meanwhile it is common knowledge that the government is not doing anyhting in terms of governing or policy beyond surviving, trying to enact Mr. Ts chosen constitution and/or amnesty and passing a leakage ridden budget to buy the next election. Still as there isnt a cloud on the world horizon I am sure Thailand need not worry about what is happening outside its borders and it may actually be a good thing that government is totally non-functioning as the PPP dont exactly have anyone who understnads economic 101 let alone could do anything about the impending tidal wave.

Oh yes the real fun is yet to start.

[geriatrickid]

There goes what is left of Thailands reputation with tourist and potential retires.

Well, it hasn't put a damper on the Christmas rush. TG flights BKK to Phuket are almost all sold out 24-27 of Dec. It will be interesting if TG staff go on strike with the rest of the state enterprises.