Protest Engagement Level

[skippybangkok]

Sorry for double up...askd this in my extended local family, and friends. Although there might be some oppinions ( passive ), there is not one single person who has physically joined either side ( leading to my suspicion that this is a funded mob ( power play )rather than a voice of the people ).

I am interested to know the Engagement. In surveys in the public, they usually have 2 distinct levels "engaged customers" and "happy customers"

How many people in ur circles feel so strong about this that they have joined either side actively ?

Edited November 26, 2008 by skippybangkok

[thithi]

they are extremely dislike, but always enjoy talking about the protest.

[skippybangkok]

Yeh, lets figure this one out -

block roads, lots of traffic jams, no more tourists, many companies will go bankrupt, many people loose their jobs - and that will create sympathy for PAD ?

Seems their top levels are not trying to get buy in from the public ( which is kinda a corner stone of democracy ?)

[TexasRanger]

2 people from my wifes village were paid 300 Bt per day and brought to BKK to protest, after the agreed 3 days they were prevented from leaving by pad guards. They called us to warn others from coming to Bangkok. True story and no second hand gossip.

[KhaoNiaw]

2 people from my wifes village were paid 300 Bt per day and brought to BKK to protest, after the agreed 3 days they were prevented from leaving by pad guards. They called us to warn others from coming to Bangkok. True story and no second hand gossip.

I wonder how they work out who's allowed to come and go and who's not? I have students who are always going in and out, come to class and then go back again. We've got neighbours who've been sent to rally for both sides - it all depends who they work for and the big boss supports. They all seem to get 500 baht a day. The students and their families are not paid.

Edited November 26, 2008 by KhaoNiaw

[skippybangkok]

2 people from my wifes village were paid 300 Bt per day and brought to BKK to protest, after the agreed 3 days they were prevented from leaving by pad guards. They called us to warn others from coming to Bangkok. True story and no second hand gossip.

Grr...guess i shud of added "paid to join" which support the "rent a mob" theory in some cases

Edited November 26, 2008 by skippybangkok

[Jimjim]

I believe there are paid members. I also believe there are people who go of their own free will and don't get paid. Doesn't have to be either/or and it isn't.

[skippybangkok]

I believe there are paid members. I also believe there are people who go of their own free will and don't get paid. Doesn't have to be either/or and it isn't.

Ummm...i think that kinda figures......... and there are many futher itterations.

At the end of the day, if u really feel strongly - u will go................ if ur getting 300 or 500 baht per day, well, thats more than an average labourer ( and more "fun" / less work than working on a construction site ). Thus, being paid such high amounts kinda makes one think they are there mainly for the $$

Notice the attire for the PAD thugs with bats and guns. They are not running around in Nike's or Levis, and quite frankly look like the guys across teh road from me building a house.

[Old Man River]

I believe there are paid members. I also believe there are people who go of their own free will and don't get paid. Doesn't have to be either/or and it isn't.

Ummm...i think that kinda figures......... and there are many futher itterations.

At the end of the day, if u really feel strongly - u will go................ if ur getting 300 or 500 baht per day, well, thats more than an average labourer ( and more "fun" / less work than working on a construction site ). Thus, being paid such high amounts kinda makes one think they are there mainly for the $$

Notice the attire for the PAD thugs with bats and guns. They are not running around in Nike's or Levis, and quite frankly look like the guys across teh road from me building a house.

I fully agree with JimJim that some are and some are not. My view is that those upcountry who travel into Bangkok would be more likely to have been paid, and less likely if they live here. As it relates to the PAD, I have several friends that go in the evenings (after work) and most of them donate money, but never take. While none (that I know) have stayed 24/7, some have been caught in the middle of the UDD's first confrontation and the police's tear gassing, so I guess that qualifies as being involved despite not living there. None would think of taking money.

Being paid to demonstrate is far from a black and white issue. This country is polarized and many don't have to be paid for their open support of what they believe in.

[thithi]

yes there are defo. paid members

i once peeped in with yellow t-shirt and i got paid 300 b ... somebody got more tho

sighhhh....