Thaksin Supporters To Rally During Two-day Parliament Meeting

[aromsia]

I wonder if many were here and remember 1997.

Yes..well I wonder how many were here and remember 1973. Do you what happened then? Democracy was also stolen from the masses. They rebelled...not just red t-shirt types, but hundreds AND hundreds AND hundreds of thousands of people (500,000) - young and old - teachers, peasants, students, union workers -- all to say - NO. We will choose who leads us . It ended with the right-wing massacre of 1976.

This terrifies the 3 or 4 thousand wealthy families who may feel threatened enough to move their trigger fingers again. Why haven't more people figured out the present circumstances by now? My God. It's 'party time'.

Aromasia, I can't help but think that this is a distinct possibility. The way that people around me are talking about major institutions has changed markedly in the last year. There is real private debate and discussion going on that wasn't happening 3 or 4 years ago. There is no precedent in history for what is occurring now and will occur in the next couple of years in Thailand.

Relying on peoples naivety is not a solution. The Democrats have to stump up some very real and very successful solutions very quickly.

Inevitably a change is coming and to claim that any problem associated with it is an impossibility is to bury one's head in the sand.

The country has gone through 3 PM's in less than 6 months and the rural communities have a feeling of empowerment like never before. Anything is possible, and it is an amazingly delicate situation. Fortunately, the feeling is that people want to give the Dems a chance, but... can they deliver and unite the country.

This is the crux combined with will they be allowed the room to do so. It relies on the opposition too. Circumstance now and 73/76 are different. Back then there was an ideologiocal struggle betwen socialism and capitalism going on world wide and Thailand had its part in that too. Now maybe unfortunately socialism is not an ideologiocal brand. we have a debate centered on what version of capitalism.

The big change when it comes could well be a bigger change than expected. However, that may very well not be a good thing for the masses who to this day remain unorganised and with no representation that stems from their own ranks. The conditions back in the 70's were different when there really was at least some representation from the bottom. Now it is all about the big guys (white knights) from the top and who carves the cake -whether they be Thaksin or Abhisit or whoever else. The poor to achieve their own desires need to politcally organise within the system and have their own leadership. Right now yellow and red are not it. It is also worht nothing that the leftists of the 70's can be found in the PAD, UDD and outside of both. In fact the PAD probably includes more than the red side.

I agree with the highlighted part..It's a result of the failure of grassroots movements to organize the masses poltically. That was the main point of Ji Ungkaporn's book A Coup for the Rich as I recall. Before when I first read it I kind of agreed with some parts but dismissed other parts as it seemed a bit too wacky...but I read it again about a week ago. Now even the chapters I felt were questionable don't seem so wacky or far-fetched anymore..(sadly). Another failure (in my view) is that of the students who are usually quicker than older people to smell a rat. I guess they are just too busy playing with their new mobiles or web-dating?

Just a quick edit to add that I still think Thaksin is much more of a red herring in all this than many people believe. I suspect that the Demo-PADs and their backers are hel_l-bent on ensuring that populism is never allowed to become a political force in Thailand again. That's going to be the real fight - and that's why I made the point about 1973/76. I agree with Thai at Heart - and I also hope this can be worked out peacefully - with no losers.

Edited December 31, 2008 by aromsia

[sriracha john]

Thaksin must respect justice system: PM

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, in response to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's interview with foreign media, said Thaksin has the right to return to Thailand, but he has to accept the justice system before deciding to be back in the country. According to the ousted PM's interview with CEO Middle East magazine, he would like to return and lead the government once again. Mr Abhisit called on Thaksin to respect the justice system and he should not start any political movement, as it may cause damage to the country. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said the government had coordinated with the opposition, urging them to stop inciting conflicts. The government had tried to contact Thaksin to discuss various issues, in a bid to push the nation

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...tice-system:-pm

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

Coup still exists, claims Thaksin

Thailand is still under a coup but it is staged by the legal system and not the army, according to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's interview with CEO Middle East magazine. Thaksin said he hopes to return to Thailand to help out the poor and his supporters, but he must receive a royal pardon from His Majesty the King first. Otherwise, he would continue to stay abroad and conduct businesses in the Middle East. He also believed he could bring back confidence to Thailand quickly, if he could return to the country. According to the interview, Thaksin, after being ousted from power by a 2006 military coup, was trying to solve global poverty, working on the public health system in the Middle East, and setting up a fund to aid people in Asia who were hit by the global financial crisis.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-claims-thaksin

Edited December 31, 2008 by sriracha john

[MyphuketLife]

The RED should now go home and enjoy the New Year holiday. After than start planning their next move. If I am their leader, I will be planning on taking all the airports during ASEAN meeting. Since it is not a crime to peacefully protest and block off airports, I would take the airports after all the ASEAN PMs have arrived. So that they cannot go home. This will convey a very powerful message to all the ASEAN leaders, why PAD can do it, and still walks.

So, there is a possibility you will be their leader? It won't be so easy the next time. Different government with army and big guns.

No chance.

I agree thier is no chance that the army or police will allow it to happen, at least not now.... They should have stopped the first four airport closers and did not, but I can almost garuantee that they will not allow it to happen again, unless its the YELLOWS doing it.

But do you agree that the RED can round up as many protesters as the YELLOW when they take the airports? Just imagine, 20,000 people go to Swampy at the same time. What will happen. The police & army will block off the roads leading to the airports, and will selectively allow only cars that have some form of air-tickets through. The tail back will goes for miles. Worst, some of the RED will just park their cars/pickups there, blocking some lanes. Although not many will want to part their vehicle, just a few will cause lots of inconvinience. What if the taxis join the blockage. They don't own the vehicle, rent rent it on a day to day basis, and they don't care if they just dump the taxi there to block the roads. All other passengers are stuck in between and behind. Very few passengers (say 10%) will get through, the airport is effective non-operatable. Also, as flight arrived, more and more passengers pour in, and cannot be get themselves out of the airports because the exits lanes are also blocked by taxis and the RED. The trains are not in operation yet.

I don't know how many people the RED can round up to be honest... But if they did round up 20,000 people that wanted to block the airport you are right they could.... For a short time. I don't think if the REDS shut down the airport the police and army would sit there and do nothing, allowing the REDS to stay until they decided to leave on their own terms. I think the police and or army would take the action against the reds that they should, and should have taken with the PAD…. You know removal of the “protestors”

I really hope they don't decide to go down that road, the one that leads to swampy, although it proved to be effective for PAD does not make it a right action to take.....

The one good thing that would come of it if anything would be watching all those PRO-PAD airport siege do a bunch of double talk about how bad the RED are for taking the airport.... And then when the police come and remove the REDS seeing the same folks double talk about police forcing crowds to disperse

[MyphuketLife]

Coup still exists, claims Thaksin

Thailand is still under a coup but it is staged by the legal system and not the army, according to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's interview with CEO Middle East magazine. Thaksin said he hopes to return to Thailand to help out the poor and his supporters, but he must receive a royal pardon from His Majesty the King first. Otherwise, he would continue to stay abroad and conduct businesses in the Middle East. He also believed he could bring back confidence to Thailand quickly, if he could return to the country. According to the interview, Thaksin, after being ousted from power by a 2006 military coup, was trying to solve global poverty, working on the public health system in the Middle East, and setting up a fund to aid people in Asia who were hit by the global financial crisis.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-claims-thaksin

He is out of his mind, to many hate him, his return and attempt to return to power would only worsen an already bad situation. I also don't think his pardon plea is going to work.

[mrtoad]

Coup still exists, claims Thaksin

Thailand is still under a coup but it is staged by the legal system and not the army, according to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's interview with CEO Middle East magazine. Thaksin said he hopes to return to Thailand to help out the poor and his supporters, but he must receive a royal pardon from His Majesty the King first. Otherwise, he would continue to stay abroad and conduct businesses in the Middle East. He also believed he could bring back confidence to Thailand quickly, if he could return to the country. According to the interview, Thaksin, after being ousted from power by a 2006 military coup, was trying to solve global poverty, working on the public health system in the Middle East, and setting up a fund to aid people in Asia who were hit by the global financial crisis.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-claims-thaksin

He is out of his mind, to many hate him, his return and attempt to return to power would only worsen an already bad situation. I also don't think his pardon plea is going to work.

I don't agree with a lot of the stuff you say, but on this one you have got it spot on.

[Thai at Heart]

I have to agree with whoever wrote that this situation is a lot to do with banishing grass roots "populism" to the waste bin.

Thailand has never been run that way, and the mere sign that the supposedly uneducated masses were becoming empowered must have caused a lot of people to really get scared about where it could end up.

As for Thaksin wanting a pardon, give it about 10 years and it might be possible. At the moment absolutely impossible.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Thai at Heart

[Samuian]

Coup still exists, claims Thaksin

Thailand is still under a coup but it is staged by the legal system and not the army, according to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's interview with CEO Middle East magazine. Thaksin said he hopes to return to Thailand to help out the poor and his supporters, but he must receive a royal pardon from His Majesty the King first. Otherwise, he would continue to stay abroad and conduct businesses in the Middle East. He also believed he could bring back confidence to Thailand quickly, if he could return to the country. According to the interview, Thaksin, after being ousted from power by a 2006 military coup, was trying to solve global poverty, working on the public health system in the Middle East, and setting up a fund to aid people in Asia who were hit by the global financial crisis.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-claims-thaksin

He is out of his mind, to many hate him, his return and attempt to return to power would only worsen an already bad situation. I also don't think his pardon plea is going to work.

I don't agree with a lot of the stuff you say, but on this one you have got it spot on.

And I second that!

He is out of his mind and on a an excessive confrontational track.

Abhisit says here is our hand, come back, but accept the rules!

Takky in turn charges back and claims "the King must give a pardon first!"

Wonder what he got up this far....he wants to win, whatever, clean, retrun as a hero - his ego is haevly blistered if not burnin' he want's the lot now!

Never ever, unless he will get it HIS way!

Ego!

Edited December 31, 2008 by Samuian

[oceano]

1st tank you mypucket life for that i apreciate that.

Why some insane people must to fight in all forum they write?

MR journalist you had fight in all post whit everybody, why?

i hope some moderator ban you one time, if you want fight why dont you go on the road? thai people like fight whit farang or you are afraid and you use the forum for that?

for the others, i only ask in good manner i dont say you must romove...my words:

"is only a quite request, please can you change your avatar"

So why make polemics about that?

Sorry in dont know what does it mean CHAP, but also you that you call me sir , why you want fight for that? i dont talk whit you so why write about that?

Nonsense words about rommel...i only ask to change one avatar...But also you if someone like hitler, nazist and fascist picture you have many site in internet were you can be happy talk about.

Im so bored about this stupid people.

For some that dont respect the Italian People dead for the freedom from the nazist this is for you:

fosse ardeatine.

Edited December 31, 2008 by oceano

[animatic]

Coup still exists, claims Thaksin

Thailand is still under a coup but it is staged by the legal system and not the army, according to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's interview with CEO Middle East magazine. Thaksin said he hopes to return to Thailand to help out the poor and his supporters, but he must receive a royal pardon from His Majesty the King first. Otherwise, he would continue to stay abroad and conduct businesses in the Middle East. He also believed he could bring back confidence to Thailand quickly, if he could return to the country. According to the interview, Thaksin, after being ousted from power by a 2006 military coup, was trying to solve global poverty, working on the public health system in the Middle East, and setting up a fund to aid people in Asia who were hit by the global financial crisis.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-claims-thaksin

He is out of his mind, to many hate him, his return and attempt to return to power would only worsen an already bad situation. I also don't think his pardon plea is going to work.

I don't agree with a lot of the stuff you say, but on this one you have got it spot on.

And I second that!

He is out of his mind and on a an excessive confrontational track.

Abhisit says here is our hand, come back, but accept the rules!

Takky in turn charges back and claims "the King must give a pardon first!"

Wonder what he got up this far....he wants to win, whatever, clean, retrun as a hero - his ego is haevly blistered if not burnin' he want's the lot now!

Never ever, unless he will get it HIS way!

Ego!

It has been pretty clear since 2006 when his own TRT guys started leaving his cabinets,

that under stress the guy goes quite flaky, and into and ego driven irrationality.

Maybe not 24/7, but enought to be VERY scary in a national leader...

This last sejourn into things going counter to his planning seems to show this yet again.

Loses o;f money, wife, power, his puppet government, Diplo-Passport, generally 'control',

and the beat goes on... He's a control freak with little to run and what he CAN Control

is going pearshaped on him...I am not at all surprised he's not dealing well with it.

This latest public statement seems to show; He believes his own spin.

The spin seems to have taken over his life.

[animatic]

oceano, Journalist was not fighting with me,

just making a rather dry joke which i understood.

[endure]

The subject of this thread is: "Thaksin Supporters To Rally During Two-day Parliament Meeting"

Please keep on topic or the thread will be closed.

[endure]

And please stop flaming or you will be suspended.

[aromsia]

So to avoid closure...back on track.

What will happen after the New Year holiday is over? Will the pro-democracy supporters go back to Parliament? Anyone know if any of them are still there? The headline of the Post the other day said that the UDD was furious over the change of venue - it basically taunted them - saying they had been tricked by the Dems.

Anyone have new information about the rally?

A suggestion, if I may:

Please stay on track...At the best of times, it's hard to keep pro-democracy or anti-PAD threads going on thaivisa for fear of closure - perhaps that's more understandable since the new illegitimate Government appears to be suggesting it will use ever-widening interpretations of existing draconian laws on websites in order to silence anti-PAD/Democrat Party rhetoric (e.g. by trying to claim disloyalty). Evidently that would be bad for business if the ISPs refused access to this site. So please be aware of the way the wind is blowing here .. even if you're posting from abroad - or you'll soon find no thai-based posts being added!

Edited January 1, 2009 by aromsia

[hammered]

I wonder if many were here and remember 1997.

Yes..well I wonder how many were here and remember 1973. Do you what happened then? Democracy was also stolen from the masses. They rebelled...not just red t-shirt types, but hundreds AND hundreds AND hundreds of thousands of people (500,000) - young and old - teachers, peasants, students, union workers -- all to say - NO. We will choose who leads us . It ended with the right-wing massacre of 1976.

This terrifies the 3 or 4 thousand wealthy families who may feel threatened enough to move their trigger fingers again. Why haven't more people figured out the present circumstances by now? My God. It's 'party time'.

Aromasia, I can't help but think that this is a distinct possibility. The way that people around me are talking about major institutions has changed markedly in the last year. There is real private debate and discussion going on that wasn't happening 3 or 4 years ago. There is no precedent in history for what is occurring now and will occur in the next couple of years in Thailand.

Relying on peoples naivety is not a solution. The Democrats have to stump up some very real and very successful solutions very quickly.

Inevitably a change is coming and to claim that any problem associated with it is an impossibility is to bury one's head in the sand.

The country has gone through 3 PM's in less than 6 months and the rural communities have a feeling of empowerment like never before. Anything is possible, and it is an amazingly delicate situation. Fortunately, the feeling is that people want to give the Dems a chance, but... can they deliver and unite the country.

This is the crux combined with will they be allowed the room to do so. It relies on the opposition too. Circumstance now and 73/76 are different. Back then there was an ideologiocal struggle betwen socialism and capitalism going on world wide and Thailand had its part in that too. Now maybe unfortunately socialism is not an ideologiocal brand. we have a debate centered on what version of capitalism.

The big change when it comes could well be a bigger change than expected. However, that may very well not be a good thing for the masses who to this day remain unorganised and with no representation that stems from their own ranks. The conditions back in the 70's were different when there really was at least some representation from the bottom. Now it is all about the big guys (white knights) from the top and who carves the cake -whether they be Thaksin or Abhisit or whoever else. The poor to achieve their own desires need to politcally organise within the system and have their own leadership. Right now yellow and red are not it. It is also worht nothing that the leftists of the 70's can be found in the PAD, UDD and outside of both. In fact the PAD probably includes more than the red side.

I agree with the highlighted part..It's a result of the failure of grassroots movements to organize the masses poltically. That was the main point of Ji Ungkaporn's book A Coup for the Rich as I recall. Before when I first read it I kind of agreed with some parts but dismissed other parts as it seemed a bit too wacky...but I read it again about a week ago. Now even the chapters I felt were questionable don't seem so wacky or far-fetched anymore..(sadly). Another failure (in my view) is that of the students who are usually quicker than older people to smell a rat. I guess they are just too busy playing with their new mobiles or web-dating?

Just a quick edit to add that I still think Thaksin is much more of a red herring in all this than many people believe. I suspect that the Demo-PADs and their backers are hel_l-bent on ensuring that populism is never allowed to become a political force in Thailand again. That's going to be the real fight - and that's why I made the point about 1973/76. I agree with Thai at Heart - and I also hope this can be worked out peacefully - with no losers.

I think we differ slightly. For me the current battle is about Thaksin and who gets to rule right now. Yes I agree T is a red herring for the other stuff. The other thing going on is the poor and for that matter the middle classes are all more politcally aware now. However, the poor have not started to organise themselves yet and certainly havent found leaders from among themselves. An arguement could also be made for the (lower) middle classes too. That is going to come whoever wins the current power struggle and I think all sides in the current thing see that now. The current battle is about who gets to oversee the next clash which could end up like the 70's or could be very different. that will depend on how winners handle that impending situation.

There will be losers for sure. There always are in political struggle. The trick is probably to make sure the losers either arent capable of disruption or better still that the losers havent lost enough to not accept change. I guess though we then enter the revolution versus evolution of politcal systems.

[sriracha john]

So to avoid closure...back on track.

What will happen after the New Year holiday is over? Will the pro-democracy supporters go back to Parliament? Anyone know if any of them are still there? The headline of the Post the other day said that the UDD was furious over the change of venue - it basically taunted them - saying they had been tricked by the Dems.

Anyone have new information about the rally?

The last I've seen is that the pro-Thaksin supporters dispersed after they were "outwitted"... but the Nutter said they plan on resuming their divisional activities at the end of next month:

Thousands of loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked away from protest sites in Bangkok late Tuesday after the new government outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy speech that the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the Parliament building.

Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the Foreign Ministry for the policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.

Nuttawut Saikua, said demonstrators would probably target the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which Thailand is hosting, probably in late February.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New Year's holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the movement's sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and entertainment during rallies.

- Associated Press / 2008-12-31

[Samuian]

....... some participants grumbled that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and entertainment during rallies.

Is already one point which makes this movement rather weak as the participants obviously don't care much for what they attend the rally or why!

[justanothercybertosser]

The last I've seen is that the pro-Thaksin supporters dispersed after they were "outwitted"... but the Nutter said they plan on resuming their divisional activities at the end of next month:

Thousands of loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked away from protest sites in Bangkok late Tuesday after the new government outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy speech that the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the Parliament building.

Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the Foreign Ministry for the policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.

Nuttawut Saikua, said demonstrators would probably target the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which Thailand is hosting, probably in late February.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New Year's holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the movement's sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and entertainment during rallies.

- Associated Press / 2008-12-31

Here is the correctly attributed article in full length including the passages that were omitted by this poster, bringing it into the correct context (highlighted are important passages):

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thailand anti-government protests suspended

By DENIS D. GRAY Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Anti-government protesters Wednesday vowed to renew demonstrations that have plagued Thailand over the past year after taking a break for the New Year holidays.

But after a year of almost relentless protests, some hope emerged for calmer political waters in 2009 as seemingly weakened demonstrators suspended their siege of Parliament.

Thousands of loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked away from protest sites in Bangkok late Tuesday after the new government outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy speech that the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the Parliament building. Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the Foreign Ministry for the policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.

"We'll have a small party tonight and disperse after midnight so that we can take time to celebrate the New Year festival," a protest leader, Veera Musigapong, said Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, another leader, Nuttawut Saikua, said demonstrators would probably target the summit of the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which Thailand is hosting, probably in late February. Thailand has been rocked by protests by rival groups of demonstrators who either support or oppose Thaksin, once one of the country's richest men, who now lives in self-imposed exile after being forced from office in a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption.

Many Thais appear fed up with both camps after seeing their pocketbooks badly hurt by the upheaval, which wrecked the country's vital tourism industry after anti-Thaksin protesters seized Bangkok's two airports for a week.

In a New Year's message, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called on all people to settle their differences in the coming year.

"Today is the last day of a year which brought great concern to everyone. I'd like all those worries to pass with the year and let us start a new one with hope. Let's make our wish come true," he said.

Abhisit said he was not surprised that Thaksin wanted to return to Thailand to lead the country, but he would first have to face the courts, which have convicted him on corruption charges. He is also banned from holding political office for five years.

The prime minister was reacting to Thaksin's recent statement that he wanted to return to Thailand to bring back confidence to the country and help its poor. But he told the CEO Middle East magazine that he would first need to receive a pardon from King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New Year's holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the movement's sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and entertainment during rallies.

It is common practice in Thailand by all sides to beef up their demonstrations by paying anyone willing to join in. Free food and live music are also often offered.

Abhisit, Thailand's third prime minister in four months, promised in his policy speech Tuesday to heal the country's deep rifts and restore its international image.

He was forced to delay his speech by a day because of the anti-government protesters outside Parliament - the same street-swamping tactics that anti-Thaksin protesters had used before he came to power two weeks ago.

Abhisit was formally named prime minister Dec. 17 in a step that many hoped would bring peace.

But on Monday, thousands of Thaksin loyalists, who call themselves the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, vowed to surround Parliament until new general elections are called.

The alliance - also known as the "red shirts" because of their clothes - is an eclectic mix of Thaksin loyalists, farmers and urban laborers.

They have demanded the new government dissolve the legislature and call general elections, which they believe the pro-Thaksin camp would win easily because of its strong rural base.

Abhisit's Democrat Party, which had been in opposition since 2001, heads a coalition that some analysts doubt is strong enough to last until the next scheduled general elections in 2011. But there is some optimism that it may remain in power long enough to restore some stability to the country.

2008-12-31 09:05:06 GMT

Copyright 2008. The Associated Press All Rights Reserved.

[aromsia]

OK - so there is some news about what may happen next. Thanks for the AP story - with or without deletions. I also read that the by-elections to replace the 29 Peau Thai (PPP) MP banned from politics will be held 11 January.

I guess that's the next significant marker.

[Koo82]

Thousands of loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked away from protest sites in Bangkok late Tuesday after the new government outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy speech that the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the Parliament building.

Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the Foreign Ministry for the policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.

Nuttawut Saikua, said demonstrators would probably target the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which Thailand is hosting, probably in late February.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New Year's holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the movement's sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and entertainment during rallies.

- Associated Press / 2008-12-31

The last paragraph is a lie. I was there on 30 Dec. The reds were happily gathering and laughing. There were free food and bottled water. We donated some money. What do they mean by "entertaining"? We don't come there to watch role plays and hi-so gossips.

We paid for our own transportation. They checked our bags to make sure there was no weapon. We were free to come and leave. Many people slept far from the main stage on the street. We did grumble but about how ugly the Democrat Party is.

[aromsia]

Thousands of loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked away from protest sites in Bangkok late Tuesday after the new government outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy speech that the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the Parliament building.

Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the Foreign Ministry for the policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.

Nuttawut Saikua, said demonstrators would probably target the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which Thailand is hosting, probably in late February.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New Year's holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the movement's sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and entertainment during rallies.

- Associated Press / 2008-12-31

The last paragraph is a lie. I was there on 30 Dec. The reds were happily gathering and laughing. There were free food and bottled water. We donated some money. What do they mean by "entertaining"? We don't come there to watch role plays and hi-so gossips.

We paid for our own transportation. They checked our bags to make sure there was no weapon. We were free to come and leave. Many people slept far from the main stage on the street. We did grumble but about how ugly the Democrat Party is.

You should forward that to Reimer then. I've read in other threads how he 'hates lies and liars' - so he may take action.

Good luck.

[Koo82]

But do you agree that the RED can round up as many protesters as the YELLOW when they take the airports?

PAD will never have this number of people turning up in one meeting.

And the reds do not plan to block airports. Those who do that are fake reds.

[Koo82]

This one is classic!

[Insight]

This one is classic!

Yeah, gave me a good giggle too

[samgrowth]

But do you agree that the RED can round up as many protesters as the YELLOW when they take the airports?

PAD will never have this number of people turning up in one meeting.

And the reds do not plan to block airports. Those who do that are fake reds.

I hope the RED block the airports. I want to know how the Kangaroo court will say this time. Legal or illegal.

You know what the court say the last time - protesters have the RIGHTS.

Edited January 2, 2009 by samgrowth

[Ricardo]

The last paragraph is a lie. I was there on 30 Dec. The reds were happily gathering and laughing. There were free food and bottled water. We donated some money. What do they mean by "entertaining"? We don't come there to watch role plays and hi-so gossips.

We paid for our own transportation. They checked our bags to make sure there was no weapon. We were free to come and leave. Many people slept far from the main stage on the street. We did grumble but about how ugly the Democrat Party is.

Koo, it would be interesting to hear more from you, what it was like at the meeting & what was being said by the organisers ?

Was the basic-message just one of being anti-Democrats, or were they discussing how a TRT/PPP/PTP government would have different policies, to help the country ?

[LevelHead]

Democrat MP's chased out of Chiang Mai

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/04...cs_30092361.php

PROTESTERS CROSS SWORDS

Thaksin backers see red as Democrat MP Somkiat visits northern province

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on January 4, 2009

Pro and anti-Thaksin supporters nearly clashed yesterday in Lampang after Democrat MP and PAD co-leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon paid a visit to the province to meet his supporters.

About 150 police were quickly deployed at a local shopping mall in Lampang where the meeting took place with both sides engaging in heated verbal exchanges and finger-pointing. Many local shopkeepers closed their shops.

Somkiat was forced to delay going to the meeting place at Seri shopping mall in Lampang due to safety concerns after nearly 100 red-shirts marched there after learning through two local community radios that Somkiat was coming to town.

The red-shirt crowd managed to break through the barricade but was prevented by the police from physically clashing with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters.

The red-shirts shouted: "Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!" They also used their foot-clappers to show their dissatisfaction with Somkiat, the PAD and the ruling Democrat Party.

Somkiat later told the press that it was his first visit to Lampang and the objective was to meet and exchange views with PAD supporters. He also planned to visit PAD supporters in Tak province's Mae Sot district. The Democrat MP cum PAD co-leader soon left driving a white car with no licence plate.

Meanwhile in Chiang Mai a group of red-shirts calling itself "Lovers of Chiang Mai 2008" declared a new era of anti-Democrat government protests. More than 100 of its members surrounded the Royal Lanna Hotel, where a senior Democrat was staying.

A small convoy, led by a truck mounted with loud speakers followed by some tuk-tuks and other small four-wheel taxis, went to the downtown hotel. The group was led by Kanyarat Maneejak.

Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong, who is also a senior Democrat and a member of the party's advisory council, was staying there to help a Democrat candidate, Kayan Vipromchai, to run in the upcoming snap election in Lampang.

Some 20 police officers were mobilised and barricades were set up in front of the hotel. The pro-Thaksin red-shirt group later learnt that Paitoon had checked out earlier so they eventually left without any incident.

The group leaders later told the locals that a new era of anti-government protests had begun. They said any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up. Their announcement was also broadcast by a local community radio, FM 92.5.

[Plus]

"Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!"

"any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up"

>>>

Thaksin is solely responsible for creating such political movement but I don't think Thailand has relevant laws to prosecute him for that.

[Ricardo]

PROTESTERS CROSS SWORDS

Thaksin backers see red as Democrat MP Somkiat visits northern province

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on January 4, 2009

Pro and anti-Thaksin supporters nearly clashed yesterday in Lampang after Democrat MP and PAD co-leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon paid a visit to the province to meet his supporters.

About 150 police were quickly deployed at a local shopping mall in Lampang where the meeting took place with both sides engaging in heated verbal exchanges and finger-pointing. Many local shopkeepers closed their shops.

Somkiat was forced to delay going to the meeting place at Seri shopping mall in Lampang due to safety concerns after nearly 100 red-shirts marched there after learning through two local community radios that Somkiat was coming to town.

The red-shirt crowd managed to break through the barricade but was prevented by the police from physically clashing with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters.

The red-shirts shouted: "Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!" They also used their foot-clappers to show their dissatisfaction with Somkiat, the PAD and the ruling Democrat Party.

But there have been several PMs since Thaksin, surely the red-shirts as campaigners for democracy meant, return us to the previous government before the Dems ? Or are they actually just campaigning, on Thaksin's sole behalf, rather than for the democracy, which they claim to have been stolen from them ?

I think they ought to be more clear about their true motives !

Somkiat later told the press that it was his first visit to Lampang and the objective was to meet and exchange views with PAD supporters. He also planned to visit PAD supporters in Tak province's Mae Sot district. The Democrat MP cum PAD co-leader soon left driving a white car with no licence plate.

Meanwhile in Chiang Mai a group of red-shirts calling itself "Lovers of Chiang Mai 2008" declared a new era of anti-Democrat government protests. More than 100 of its members surrounded the Royal Lanna Hotel, where a senior Democrat was staying.

A small convoy, led by a truck mounted with loud speakers followed by some tuk-tuks and other small four-wheel taxis, went to the downtown hotel. The group was led by Kanyarat Maneejak.

Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong, who is also a senior Democrat and a member of the party's advisory council, was staying there to help a Democrat candidate, Kayan Vipromchai, to run in the upcoming snap election in Lampang.

Some 20 police officers were mobilised and barricades were set up in front of the hotel. The pro-Thaksin red-shirt group later learnt that Paitoon had checked out earlier so they eventually left without any incident.

"Outwitted" again, it would seem, they're not having much luck with their protests, are they ?.

The group leaders later told the locals that a new era of anti-government protests had begun. They said any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up. Their announcement was also broadcast by a local community radio, FM 92.5.

my comment above in red.

All this bad publicity for Lampang & Chiang Mai with red-shirts demonstrating on-the-streets, must be very worrying to the already-suffering local tourist-trade. Especially taking place over the long holiday week-end, when Chiang Mai was packed with tourists, from overseas and other parts of the country.

Perhaps those who were condemning the airport-occupation, and the damage done to Thai tourism, will now equally condemn the on-going damage being done to local tourism & businesses, by the red-shirts ?

And don't the red-shirts & PTP-supporters remember, some 25% of local voters up here already support other parties, than the latest incarnation of TRT/PPP ? Do they hope to demonstrate their commitment to democracy, respecting others right to hold a different point-of-view, with their actions ? Or do they merely hope to intimidate non-believers, on their supposed home-ground, quite a dilemma for them really.

[tig28]

"Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!"

"any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up"

>>>

Thaksin is solely responsible for creating such political movement but I don't think Thailand has relevant laws to prosecute him for that.

Hi PLUS

Well... They may not have the "relevant laws to prosecute him for that" just yet--- but give them time--I'm sure they are working on it!

Because so far this amazing criminal mastermind of yours has been found guilty (5-4) of signing a public document accepting that his wife could purchase land (as must every Thai husband) when he held a political position. Not exactly the crime of the century.

[tig28]

Perhaps those who were condemning the airport-occupation, and the damage done to Thai tourism, will now equally condemn the on-going damage being done to local tourism & businesses, by the red-shirts ? Ok --- you cunning fox --- I condemn them!! They were terrible for disrupting that center for a couple of hours--- you surly jest?

And don't the red-shirts & PTP-supporters remember, some 25% of local voters up here already support other parties, than the latest incarnation of TRT/PPP ? Do they hope to demonstrate their commitment to democracy, respecting others right to hold a different point-of-view, with their actions ? Or do they merely hope to intimidate non-believers, on their supposed home-ground, quite a dilemma for them really. Sadly I think he does not jest. How dare they demonstrate in such a minor manner??? Head straight for the airports !!