Pro-government Mass Rally To Be Held At Sanam Luang On Sunday

[Colonel_Mustard]

Thaksin must be sitting in his chair and smiling, watching all the bad news.

This is what he wants, weakening the country, get everyone in his trap (like the PAD seizing the airports). Guess why the army is hesitating? It might be his trap too!

Sick of this all. He is playing his power games on the back of the country and it's people. Shame on him.

What absolute rubbish. The forces behind rent-a-mob are all about succession and undemocratic means of ruling the country. Essentially, it has nothing to do with Thaksin.

The red mob is direct payed by Thaksin, that's the only rent-a-mob.

Red and yellow. Different paymasters same old shit.

[APMann]

I actually went to check it out . . . here is my report . . .

about 5000 to 10000 red shirts . . . the venue was WAY too small to hold everyone . . . all those feet clappers and colored shirts reminded me too much of PAD . . .

i saw only two morons with stick weapons and motor cycle helmets . . . i actually spoke with one of them (i speak thai), but he obviously wasn't that educated . . .

i saw three farang wearing red shirt/bandana gear, and another 10+ farang who were news reporters (i wore white!)

another thai guy i met said he hated thaksin, but hated PAD even more so he joined the red shirts

at some point ill post my video on my youtube channel (learnthaiculture)

Thank you for posting. I have found these past few days that (a) I am glued to TV and ( it is actually the best source of up to date info on the unfolding crisis, especially with reliable eyewitness reports like yours.

My edit was to get rid of that smiley as I typed "B", but I can't get rid of it. Maybe it's a sign to me to cheer up!

Edited November 30, 2008 by APMann

[britmaveric]

^I agree with you mate!

[farangnahrak]

I just saw this in Bangkok Post. If the UDD start acting like the PAD we are all doomed . . .

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=132396

"That, said UDD icon and Kwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth Today) TV personality Veera Musikapong, "represents a silent coup by the Constitution Court judges." Speakers at the UDD rally lit into the court from the opening of the event on Sunday.

"On Tuesday, so many people will go to the Constitution Court that there will be no place to stand, and the judges will not be able to enter to pass their verdict," UDD leader Chatuporn Phomphan told the crowd"

[h90]

I actually went to check it out . . . here is my report . . .

about 5000 to 10000 red shirts . . . the venue was WAY too small to hold everyone . . . all those feet clappers and colored shirts reminded me too much of PAD . . .

i saw only two morons with stick weapons and motor cycle helmets . . . i actually spoke with one of them (i speak thai), but he obviously wasn't that educated . . .

i saw three farang wearing red shirt/bandana gear, and another 10+ farang who were news reporters (i wore white!)

another thai guy i met said he hated thaksin, but hated PAD even more so he joined the red shirts

at some point ill post my video on my youtube channel (learnthaiculture)

Thanks for the news!

news reported between 5-20K.

Did you speak with more people? Do they seem to know what they are doing or just people who got paid?

[lannarebirth]

Kewl - we should all support the reds, so they can restore order to the airport/country.

Jesus Brit, with your kind of bloodlust, wouldn't you please turn your attention to the US Federal Reserve and Treasury Dept? Take as many Reds as you need, to get them sorted out.

[wedders]

Thaksin must be sitting in his chair and smiling, watching all the bad news.

This is what he wants, weakening the country, get everyone in his trap (like the PAD seizing the airports). Guess why the army is hesitating? It might be his trap too!

Sick of this all. He is playing his power games on the back of the country and it's people. Shame on him.

What absolute rubbish. The forces behind rent-a-mob are all about succession and undemocratic means of ruling the country. Essentially, it has nothing to do with Thaksin.

The red mob is direct payed by Thaksin, that's the only rent-a-mob.

Red and yellow. Different paymasters same old shit.

The pro-government camp is supported in the main by ordinary folk who do not want to see a return to establishment dominance and exploitation of the rural poor. Thaksin, the paymaster? Nonsense.

Here is how they are surviving day to day. These photos taken outside the pro-government headquarters in Chiang Mai a couple of days ago.

All day long, ordinary folk...

On foot, in cars...

Were pulling up in front of the pro-government supporters' headquarters...

To give what they can afford - from a hundred baht, to an occasional thousand...

Or from local restaurants, food and water.

Is it that hard to understand that this is a movement supported by the majority of the population?

Edited November 30, 2008 by wedders

[henryalleman]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30089808

Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy rallied at the house of Interior Minister Kowit Watana Sunday afternoon.

Is this far enough away from the pro-rally for them not to clash?

Yes, the 2 locations are many miles apart

I don't think they're too far apart....looks like maybe a 15 minute walk....

You are obviously not in Bangkok, and havent got a clue

Muang Thong Thani(ministers house) is North of Bangkok, near Impact Arena.

Sanam Luang is at least 25km away!!!!!

Are you living in MTT?

[farangnahrak]

Well, everyone acted just like the PAD in terms of cheering. If they had yellow shirts on and I didn't listen to the speeches, I wouldn't know the difference.

There was no free food, no handouts of cash . . .

There were lots of people wearing pink and black bandannas that said 'Staff' . . . some of them looked kinda shady to be honest . . .

It was all safe, no yellow shirts in site . . . many people took off their red shirt as soon as they left . . . police and medical staff were visible.

The few people I spoke with talked about how the PAD are costing them and their companies a lot of money, and thats why they are there. They seemed to be intrigued that I was there and asked me about my thoughts.

[h90]

Kewl - we should all support the reds, so they can restore order to the airport/country.

Jesus Brit, with your kind of bloodlust, wouldn't you please turn your attention to the US Federal Reserve and Treasury Dept? Take as many Reds as you need, to get them sorted out.

Did you see Rambo IV?

britmaveric is Rambo, just using brit to confuse the enemy.

[grandpops]

And don't they look a happier bunch than those awful light skinned "educated" PAD.

BBC interviewed a woman lecturer at the airport. She had to be the thickest person ever to make it onto a news cast. The bbc let them talk as it weakens the PAD cause the more these idiots are allowed to speak into microphones.

"the problem is with poor people in Thailand. They don't know about anything so don't know how to vote properly. That is why we must take charge of government" Said the fair skinned "educated" one. Sickening, absolutely sickening.

Keep on talking sheep, keep on talking. They interview you not because they like you, rather, to show the world how ignorant and dispicable you are.

[britmaveric]

Not a bad idea h90 - rambo is what is needed at the airport, substitute burmese junta for PAD and we have smth!!!

[wedders]

And don't they look a happier bunch than those awful light skinned "educated" PAD.

BBC interviewed a woman lecturer at the airport. She had to be the thickest person ever to make it onto a news cast. The bbc let them talk as it weakens the PAD cause the more these idiots are allowed to speak into microphones.

"the problem is with poor people in Thailand. They don't know about anything so don't know how to vote properly. That is why we must take charge of government" Said the fair skinned "educated" one. Sickening, absolutely sickening.

Keep on talking sheep, keep on talking. They interview you not because they like you, rather, to show the world how ignorant and dispicable you are.

Just posted these to my blog, from today's pro-democracy concert in Chiang Mai. A happier bunch you say - indeed. Take a look at these....

Corny it may be, but sometimes a picture really does speak a thousand words...

[britmaveric]

^No worries PAD are exposed for what they are - sad muppets who dont get their way and make rest of the people suffer.

Great photos Wedders - keep up the good work.

Edited November 30, 2008 by britmaveric

[h90]

Well, everyone acted just like the PAD in terms of cheering. If they had yellow shirts on and I didn't listen to the speeches, I wouldn't know the difference.

so peaceful no "we kill them all talk"?

There was no free food, no handouts of cash . . .

There were lots of people wearing pink and black bandannas that said 'Staff' . . . some of them looked kinda shady to be honest . . .

To be honest also some of the PAD guards look a bit shady. So no difference in that.

It was all safe, no yellow shirts in site . . . many people took off their red shirt as soon as they left . . . police and medical staff were visible.

when they took of the red shirt, how did this look like? Doing it because they are afraid of getting into troubles, taking it off because they have to give back the TShirt?

The few people I spoke with talked about how the PAD are costing them and their companies a lot of money,

their companies means, that they have a company or means the company they work for? (Sorry my english is not perfect)

and thats why they are there. They seemed to be intrigued that I was there and asked me about my thoughts.

Did you speak with them English or Thai?

[JetsetBkk]

The red mob is direct payed by Thaksin, that's the only rent-a-mob.

[rainman]

Great photos, really shows the difference.

[Jupiter99]

Corny it may be, but sometimes a picture really does speak a thousand words...

I wonder if the music is better than that trite crap at the PAD rallies?

[h90]

Thaksin must be sitting in his chair and smiling, watching all the bad news.

This is what he wants, weakening the country, get everyone in his trap (like the PAD seizing the airports). Guess why the army is hesitating? It might be his trap too!

Sick of this all. He is playing his power games on the back of the country and it's people. Shame on him.

What absolute rubbish. The forces behind rent-a-mob are all about succession and undemocratic means of ruling the country. Essentially, it has nothing to do with Thaksin.

The red mob is direct payed by Thaksin, that's the only rent-a-mob.

Red and yellow. Different paymasters same old shit.

The pro-government camp is supported in the main by ordinary folk who do not want to see a return to establishment dominance and exploitation of the rural poor. Thaksin, the paymaster? Nonsense.

Here is how they are surviving day to day. These photos taken outside the pro-government headquarters in Chiang Mai a couple of days ago.

All day long, ordinary folk...

On foot, in cars...

Were pulling up in front of the pro-government supporters' headquarters...

To give what they can afford - from a hundred baht, to an occasional thousand...

Or from local restaurants, food and water.

Is it that hard to understand that this is a movement supported by the majority of the population?

Even I am a PAD supporter I think these pictures does not tell much.

"hey here are 1000 Baht buy for all my red friends here a Coke" does not make a rent-a-mob.

It is NOT 20 people in a line collecting 200 Baht.

We also donated food to the PAD and with the camera in the right moment you could have simillar pictures in yellow.

[grandpops]

What we need is a Thai Joe Strummer (RIP)to organise some real rock agains Fascist concerts and events like we had in the early 80's in The West. Where is Ad Carabao? Where are all the Luk Thung acts we see on Thai Chai Yo every day. Where is Jintana et al?

Beautiful people in the North and a reminder of why we live here.

PAD rally is a reminder of why nobody likes Bangkok and avoids it like the plague. OR gets out of it every friday to monday to head north, to Pattaya or to Hua Hin to get away from it.

EDIT.. Thank you H90 for posting those wonderful pictures again. Thank you

Edited November 30, 2008 by grandpops

[Jupiter99]

At least the UDD don't look like hypnotized housewives waiting to donate their tampons?

[chutai]

PAD rally is a reminder of why nobody likes Bangkok and avoids it like the plague. OR gets out of it every friday to monday to head north, to Pattaya or to Hua Hin to get away from it.

Most seem to arrive in Cha-Am at weekends and holidays. Can't move in what otherwise is a quiet little town. Not sure that it's anything but the sea and holiday atmosphere that attracts them though.

[erobando]

Great photos, really shows the difference.

LOL WUT.

much different than the pictures of the PAD'ers playing badminton and singing songs.

what about all the Thai Rouge that are tossing granades in bkk?

it doesn't really matter... both sides have people that believe in their cause, and they're all essentially pawns.

the PAD guards comprise of many former soldiers, especially from the south.

the DAAD'ers have strong cop connection, and I'd guess a number of ex-military people from the north.

if the two groups mmet it's going to essentially be civil war and not good for any of us.

Edited November 30, 2008 by erobando

[grandpops]

Great photos, really shows the difference.

LOL WUT.

much different than the pictures of the PAD'ers playing badminton and singing songs.

what about all the Thai Rouge that are tossing granades in bkk?

it doesn't really matter... both sides have people that believe in their cause, and they're all essentially pawns.

the PAD guards comprise of many former soldiers, especially from the south.

the DAAD'ers have strong cop connection, and I'd guess a number of ex-military people from the north.

if the two groups mmet it's going to essentially be civil war and not good for any of us.

Look its not six of one and half a dozen of the others.

One side is advocating the overthrow of a democratically elected (for those who missed it, they won the last four elections) Govorenment to replace it with military rule and rule by elite appointments. Also stating openly in public that the majority of the country is too stupid to vote so should have that right withdrawn. Add to that causing the country billions of dollars of financial loss, loss of reputation and respect. Also escalating violence in a bid to drag the army in and practicing witchcraft and stuffing used sanitary towels and tampons into statues for god knows what reason.

I have yet to see one single post commenting on the wisdom of stuffing tampons in statues! Anybody want to be first? JD?

And the other side is defending democracy.

Edited November 30, 2008 by grandpops

[Richard W]

(for those who missed it, they won the last four elections)

They won the last one by deceit. The PPP's current partners promised not to join with the PPP, and then did.

Edited November 30, 2008 by Richard W

[erobando]

Look its not six of one and half a dozen of the others.

One side is advocating the overthrow of a democratically elected (for those who missed it, they won the last four elections) Govorenment to replace it with military rule and rule by elite appointments. Also stating openly in public that the majority of the country is too stupid to vote so should have that right withdrawn. Add to that causing the country billions of dollars of financial loss, loss of reputation and respect. Also escalating violence in a bid to drag the army in and practicing witchcraft and stuffing used sanitary towels and tampons into statues for god knows what reason.

I have yet to see one single post commenting on the wisdom of stuffing tampons in statues! Anybody want to be first? JD?

And the other side is defending democracy.

not sure what this has to do with my point... voilent clashes aren't good for anyone.

the elected government brought this upon themselves. they were too confrontational and forgot that they represent all of thailand.

exactly what have they done ever for the rural south?

what have they done for anyone post-coup?

elected or not, they appear not to have the confidence of the military or now even the police. defending democracy? not sure about that. thailand has votes but has never been a true democracy. but that's ok for now, neither are malaysia, vietnam, singapore and so on... thailand will get by.

hopefully, thailand will eventually develop true political parties with actual distinct ideological platforms. but this hasn't happened yet.

[rainman]

The PAD wants to take away voting rights from the poor. How Democratic is that?

[A_Traveller]

^ Hm... that's not factual, though it's a popular turn of phrase. The reality is that the discussed 'New Politics' would still require a full general election, with one person one vote, however the resulting administration would be split between directly elected representatives, and other component parties. I say this, not to support it, but to clarify that the voting principal is unchanged. Thailand had such a system before with the appointed Senate having considerable powers compared to the elective element of the system.

Regards

/edit typo//

Edited November 30, 2008 by A_Traveller

[spongeman]

I totally agree with rainman. Its not PPP's fault that the Democrats cant deliver in rural areas. I doubt this airport fiasco will increase their vote the next time. They are only damaging themselves.

Dissolving the party on Tuesday wont solve anything. New bodies will take over.

[NanLaew]

Even I am a PAD supporter I think these pictures does not tell much.

"hey here are 1000 Baht buy for all my red friends here a Coke" does not make a rent-a-mob.

It is NOT 20 people in a line collecting 200 Baht.

We also donated food to the PAD and with the camera in the right moment you could have simillar pictures in yellow.

You missed the point COMPLETELY (again)! The photographs show that PAD does NOT have the monopoly on popular support.