Red-shirted People Raid Santi Asoke Branch In Chiang Mai

[DaleBlue]

I cannot believe that no one post even a single photo.

[sriracha john]

Chiang Mai University Files Charges against Red-shirt Supporters

Chiang Mai University is preparing to file charges against the red-shirt group who disrupted their alumni meeting, while the red-shirt protesters insist that the person who slapped the Director of Chiang Mai University's Library was not a member of their group.

Chiang Mai University's Director of the Agency for Asset Management, Somsak Chareonsuk said that he has already had the authorities check the damage within the assembly hall and other areas around the university, in order to calculate the full extent of the damages.

As for charging the red-shirt protesters, it will be up to Administrator to determine whether and when to file charges.

The "Love Chiang Mai 51" group insisted that they will continue their attempts to drive out Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, but will focus on individuals who bring disorder to the country.

They also affirmed that the person who slapped the Director of Chiang Mai University's Library is not one of their group members, saying a large number of other people were present on the night.

- TOC / 2009-01-26

[sriracha john]

Chiang Mai Police to Issue Arrest Warrant for Red Shirt Protester

Chiang Mai police ready to issue arrest warrant for red shirt protester, wanted for assault of female university employee during a protest at Chiang Mai University yesterday.

- TOC / 2009-01-26

[DaleBlue]

Chiang Mai University Files Charges against Red-shirt Supporters

Chiang Mai University is preparing to file charges against the red-shirt group who disrupted their alumni meeting, while the red-shirt protesters insist that the person who slapped the Director of Chiang Mai University's Library was not a member of their group.

Chiang Mai University's Director of the Agency for Asset Management, Somsak Chareonsuk said that he has already had the authorities check the damage within the assembly hall and other areas around the university, in order to calculate the full extent of the damages.

As for charging the red-shirt protesters, it will be up to Administrator to determine whether and when to file charges.

The "Love Chiang Mai 51" group insisted that they will continue their attempts to drive out Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, but will focus on individuals who bring disorder to the country.

They also affirmed that the person who slapped the Director of Chiang Mai University's Library is not one of their group members, saying a large number of other people were present on the night.

- TOC / 2009-01-26

Did I miss something here? I don't see any violence in this photo.

Also, TOC (as well as ASTV) is not a neutral source.

PS. Want to see some action? Here is one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbnFPhExOTw

[sriracha john]

Did I miss something here? I don't see any violence in this photo.

Also, TOC (as well as ASTV) is not a neutral source.

Several of the local television news shows all showed video footage of the attack on the Santi Asoke on the day following it's occurrence. Perhaps if someone is familiar with how to access their archived footage, they can post instructions.

Do you know of any specific inaccuracies or falsehoods in this particular TOC article?

PS. Want to see some action? Here is one [url="http://www.

< off-topic link snipped >

PS. There's absolutely no need to post completely off-topic links. Thank you for not derailing the subject.

Edited January 27, 2009 by sriracha john

[ThNiner]

[hammered]

Chiang Mai University Files Charges against Red-shirt Supporters

Chiang Mai University is preparing to file charges against the red-shirt group who disrupted their alumni meeting, while the red-shirt protesters insist that the person who slapped the Director of Chiang Mai University's Library was not a member of their group.

Chiang Mai University's Director of the Agency for Asset Management, Somsak Chareonsuk said that he has already had the authorities check the damage within the assembly hall and other areas around the university, in order to calculate the full extent of the damages.

As for charging the red-shirt protesters, it will be up to Administrator to determine whether and when to file charges.

The "Love Chiang Mai 51" group insisted that they will continue their attempts to drive out Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, but will focus on individuals who bring disorder to the country.

They also affirmed that the person who slapped the Director of Chiang Mai University's Library is not one of their group members, saying a large number of other people were present on the night.

- TOC / 2009-01-26

Clearly there is no love for Chiang Mai in reality.

[Ricardo]

Clearly there is no love for Chiang Mai in reality.

The problem in Chiang Mai is, with some 75% of the local vote in elections, the TRT/PPP/PTP-supporters feel that they have an absolute mandate, to do whatever they like.

In particular they clearly have shown, through this and other actions over the past few years, that to them 'supporting democracy' means not allowing anyone else to hold or express any different opinions.

Their party-leaders must find this embarrassing, but seem powerless to control their local supporters, in their boundless enthusiasm for showing their intolerance and lack-of-understanding of democracy.

If 'Love Chiang Mai 51' do wish to 'focus on individuals who bring disorder to the country', perhaps they might make a start by looking within their own ranks, or identifying the person who on this occasion assaulted the CMU-librarian from within their group ?

I am unaware, please correct me if I'm wrong, of any example of the PAD ever invading a wat in this fashion ?

[henryalleman]

Sorry .. but you are wrong

IF they were still part of the Thai Sangha what you say MIGHT be true. Since they are not, you are wrong.

I never heard such nonsense before in my life.

Then you might wish to actually learn something about the topic

Santi Asoke (although a bit unorthodox in many ways, and very fundamentalist in many other ways) is a legitimate Buddhist sect.

but the leader is not a monk. The head monk that ordained him revoked his monk status. Does he accept his authority or not ? either way he loses because if he accepts the head monks authority then he must accept the revokation, if he doesnt accept his authority then by implication he doesnt accept his own ordination as legitimate. Also he has broke a critical rule causing him to lose monk status. That rule relates to boasting about spiritual attainments. That particular rule is of such serious concequence for a monk it is classed along with murder and sex.

Feel free to keep doing some reading

Your knowledge of a schism or sectarian religions and theologies seems to be missing.

Can I self ordain? Sure ... does it have any merit? It does under some circumstances.

Does it make the slightest difference in this discussion? NO .. unless you have knowledge about which monk was attacked and who his preceptor was ... (not to mention all the other factors)

well that was a bizarre, mysterious post.

so lets suppose an average joe buys some monk robes, 'self ordains' himself, then goes around saying he is a reincarnation of some Buddha, flaunts and breaks the rules, plays his part in effecting a schism in the Sangha, then expects to be given the same level of respect as other 'real' monks ?

when faced with the hand clappers, the 'monks' did the right thing be remaining equananimous, to their credit. I respect that.

If I follow your thinking than the Church of England and all the Protestants are schismatic's.

And how to call all the money grabbing preachers in the States.

BTW did Lord Buddha ever talked about organizing a Sangha?

In fact "Buddhism religion" is a "contraditio in terminis", because Buddhism is not a religion or believe. Did Lord Buddha ever judged other people. Buddhism is a way of living, where everybody is responsible for his own life. Lord Buddha only shows the way, he never ask somebody to follow it. He only teach the people to judge by themselves if what he was saying had some value or not, and its to each individual to believe it or not, or to follow it or not.

Its not up to us or any Sangha to judge if somebody is a monk or not.

So sorry to say but the Thai Buddhist Sangha has not much to do with the teachings of Lord Buddha.

The same way as the Catholic church ore the numerous protestant churches has something to do with the teachings of Jesus.

They are all a self serving bunch to protect there own interests.

[henryalleman]

More and more the Red shirts starting to behave as Hitler SA hurdes. When they are going to picketing shops of PAD suporters.

[Gravelrash]

It is getting sad and predictable. First the yellows run riot managing to break almost every section of the legal code with complete impunity, then these other idiots in the red think they can do the same (except of course that the army are not supporting the reds as they did the yellows). Suspect most people have had enough and they will start to even alienate their followers. Twits.

[wedders]

Some of the stuff in this thread is so far from reality. I spent a few months until late December interviewing the redshirts in CM, photographing them, accompanying them on various demos.

The vast majority are a bunch of normal peace-loving folk who feel hard done by, following all the political legal etc shenanigans. PAD stand and stood for a removal of a sizeable proportion of the right to vote from the 'unworthy uneducated peasants', and somewhat unsurprisingly, said peasants (who may well be in the majority should there ever be another election) could well be tempted to kick the present government out (again).

Of course the Democrats are doing their best to buy their way out of trouble with policies aimed at supporting the poorer echelons of Thai society, but should that be seen to fail, I reckon it'll be a loooooong wait before new elections are held - unless a new constitution is introduced before then, with elected members only retaining say 30% of decision-making powers, the remainder going to 'appointees'. That's PAD's wish, and you can be sure that it's the wish of a number of pressure groups behind the scenes too.

On the monastery thing, there was a lot of resentment a long time before Xmas in the red camp about the rather blatant political allegiances of a certain temple in CM.

[samgrowth]

On the monastery thing, there was a lot of resentment a long time before Xmas in the red camp about the rather blatant political allegiances of a certain temple in CM.

Religion should stay out of politics. However this temple does not. This must be Krama.

[mc2]

Some of the stuff in this thread is so far from reality. I spent a few months until late December interviewing the redshirts in CM, photographing them, accompanying them on various demos.

The vast majority are a bunch of normal peace-loving folk who feel hard done by, following all the political legal etc shenanigans. PAD stand and stood for a removal of a sizeable proportion of the right to vote from the 'unworthy uneducated peasants', and somewhat unsurprisingly, said peasants (who may well be in the majority should there ever be another election) could well be tempted to kick the present government out (again).

Of course the Democrats are doing their best to buy their way out of trouble with policies aimed at supporting the poorer echelons of Thai society, but should that be seen to fail, I reckon it'll be a loooooong wait before new elections are held - unless a new constitution is introduced before then, with elected members only retaining say 30% of decision-making powers, the remainder going to 'appointees'. That's PAD's wish, and you can be sure that it's the wish of a number of pressure groups behind the scenes too.

On the monastery thing, there was a lot of resentment a long time before Xmas in the red camp about the rather blatant political allegiances of a certain temple in CM.

well said and to the poster above. yes it is forbidden for 'monks' to involve themselves politically. agree karma has bitten them.

Edited January 27, 2009 by mc2

[sriracha john]

On the monastery thing, there was a lot of resentment a long time before Xmas in the red camp about the rather blatant political allegiances of a certain temple in CM.

Religion should stay out of politics. However this temple does not. This must be Krama.

[Plus]

Some of the stuff in this thread is so far from reality.

And that's your post about lovely Chiang Mai reds who behaved like lynch mob on more than one occasion.

Oh, they are such a nice people. They wouldn't beat an old man and shoot him to die, would they? And if they go and raid a temple - that was the work of karma, not the reds.

Of course reds had several rallies at a temple in Bangkok, maybe that's what you had in mind.

[sriracha john]

Chiang Mai University Condemns Red-Shirt Group for Disrupting Alumni Gathering

The Rector of Chiang Mai University has condemned the anti-government protesters for disrupting the university's alumni meeting, while some local radio stations have threatened to burn the house of University Library Director.

Rector of Chiang Mai University, Pongsak Angkasith, and the university's executives launched a statement condemning the red-shirt group "Love Chiang Mai 51" who disrupted the alumni meeting at the university's auditorium on Saturday night.

The statement revealed how the protesters broke into the university, damaging their property, and slapped the Director of the Chiang Mai University Library.

Pongsak stated that, amid the ongoing political conflict, Chiang Mai University has remained neutral and wanted unity for society; therefore, the incident is unacceptable.

He urged police to take serious action against the activists while saying the university's executives are talking with the legal team about the charges to be filed against the red-shirts.

Director of the Chiang Mai University Library, Pensuwan Nakhapreecha, who was slapped by a red-shirt protester on that day, said after the incident some local radio stations claimed that she was aggressive and started the attack.

Some police officers have been stationed at her house after the radio stations threatened to torch her place.

- TOC / 2009-01-28

[hammered]

Chiang Mai University Condemns Red-Shirt Group for Disrupting Alumni Gathering

The Rector of Chiang Mai University has condemned the anti-government protesters for disrupting the university's alumni meeting, while some local radio stations have threatened to burn the house of University Library Director.

Rector of Chiang Mai University, Pongsak Angkasith, and the university's executives launched a statement condemning the red-shirt group "Love Chiang Mai 51" who disrupted the alumni meeting at the university's auditorium on Saturday night.

The statement revealed how the protesters broke into the university, damaging their property, and slapped the Director of the Chiang Mai University Library.

Pongsak stated that, amid the ongoing political conflict, Chiang Mai University has remained neutral and wanted unity for society; therefore, the incident is unacceptable.

He urged police to take serious action against the activists while saying the university's executives are talking with the legal team about the charges to be filed against the red-shirts.

Director of the Chiang Mai University Library, Pensuwan Nakhapreecha, who was slapped by a red-shirt protester on that day, said after the incident some local radio stations claimed that she was aggressive and started the attack.

Some police officers have been stationed at her house after the radio stations threatened to torch her place.

- TOC / 2009-01-28

It is nice to see some people in Chiang Mai standing up against the bully boys and their neo-facist radio propoganda stations. Oh memories of Samak.

[sbk]

Let's tone down the rhetoric and insults please.

[Richard W]

If I follow your thinking than the Church of England and all the Protestants are schismatic's.

The 'ordination lineage' of the Church of England is apostolic, even if papists must believe that the forms of consecration were once invalid.

BTW did Lord Buddha ever talked about organizing a Sangha?

He's certainly credited with doing so - look up the term Vinaya!

[jbowman1993]

Some of the stuff in this thread is so far from reality. I spent a few months until late December interviewing the redshirts in CM, photographing them, accompanying them on various demos.

The vast majority are a bunch of normal peace-loving folk who feel hard done by, following all the political legal etc shenanigans. PAD stand and stood for a removal of a sizeable proportion of the right to vote from the 'unworthy uneducated peasants', and somewhat unsurprisingly, said peasants (who may well be in the majority should there ever be another election) could well be tempted to kick the present government out (again).

Of course the Democrats are doing their best to buy their way out of trouble with policies aimed at supporting the poorer echelons of Thai society, but should that be seen to fail, I reckon it'll be a loooooong wait before new elections are held - unless a new constitution is introduced before then, with elected members only retaining say 30% of decision-making powers, the remainder going to 'appointees'. That's PAD's wish, and you can be sure that it's the wish of a number of pressure groups behind the scenes too.

On the monastery thing, there was a lot of resentment a long time before Xmas in the red camp about the rather blatant political allegiances of a certain temple in CM.

With fair and balanced reporting like that, you must work for Fox News.

Reality is that most of the common folk associated with the red and yellow movements are just trying to correct what they see as excesses of the other side. Thaksin and his cronies unmasked corruption vrs the Royalists and the Thai "Elite". Unfortunately, movements such as this attract extreme elements and individuals, which is why violence is unavoidable. These idiots would be killing and beating each other for some other reason. The current one is just an excuse.

These threads have become almost unbearable in their polarity. If the threads keep getting out of hand, in a virtual, no consequences, no benefit environment like TV, imagine how hard the polarity will be to solve in the real world, where it affects real people with real problems.

For myself, despite the obvious imperfections of the current administration, I admire how they have tried to address many of the issues that have been delayed by the months of political uncertainty. I hope that they have the stability to govern for a time, so that Thailand may enjoy some peace and (relative in this current economic climate) prosperity.

Is there anyone here who can honestly say that they would rather have Charlerm in power, as the PM, at this point in time? Because that is your only other choice. With the exception of a few fanatics, i think most thoughtful caring people would reject that choice. Lets put aside these red vrs yellow debates. No one will ever win, and it just serves to make people more angry and frustrated. Lets work together to find a way through the darkness, and hopefully on to a brighter day tomorrow.

[sriracha john]

Authorities in Chiang Mai Hold Meeting with Red-Shirt Group

Chiang Mai authorities have warned the anti-government group in the province to run its protest within the law, or it could face tough legal action.

The Region 5 Provincial Police and the Chiang Mai Provincial Office held a meeting today with 'Love Chiang Mai 51' after some 300 of its members trespassed at the Chiang Mai University auditorium in their hunt for Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who was attending an alumni party there, and some of those attending the event were reportedly intimidated.

Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Pairoj Saengpuwong said after the meeting that future rallies must be run within the legal framework, and the authorities will arrest protesters if they commit any legal offence.

Pairoj also reprimanded 'Love Chiang Mai 51' because the group previously accused others of sparking disorder, but it has now become the one causing chaos.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Region 5 Provincial Police Lieutenant-General Sathaporn Dunagkaew pledged that the laws regarding public rallies will be strictly exercised.

He also said the development of the investigation into the cases against the 'Love Chiang Mai 51' Group will be reported to the National Police Chief tomorrow. The group's leader, Pechawat Watthanapongsirikul, said the chaos at Chiang Mai University arose because Deputy PM Suthep attempted to flee from the scene, so it was difficult to keep the protesters under control.

Pechawat said his group will stage a protest against the January 30th visit by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti.

TOC / 2009-01-28

[samgrowth]

Authorities in Chiang Mai Hold Meeting with Red-Shirt Group

Chiang Mai authorities have warned the anti-government group in the province to run its protest within the law, or it could face tough legal action.

TOC / 2009-01-28

The occupation of Govt House, Airports (Swampy, DM, Hat Yai, Krabi & Phuket) are all WITHIN the law.

TOC is own by Sondhi. If you people read Thai, you should post cuttings from ASTV & Manager.co.th as well.

[Journalist]

"Lets work together to find a way through the darkness, and hopefully on to a brighter day tomorrow."

Thanks JFK !

[jbowman1993]

"Lets work together to find a way through the darkness, and hopefully on to a brighter day tomorrow."

Thanks JFK !

JLB actually.

[animatic]

Sorry .. but you are wrong

IF they were still part of the Thai Sangha what you say MIGHT be true. Since they are not, you are wrong.

I never heard such nonsense before in my life.

Then you might wish to actually learn something about the topic

Santi Asoke (although a bit unorthodox in many ways, and very fundamentalist in many other ways) is a legitimate Buddhist sect.

but the leader is not a monk. The head monk that ordained him revoked his monk status. Does he accept his authority or not ? either way he loses because if he accepts the head monks authority then he must accept the revokation, if he doesnt accept his authority then by implication he doesnt accept his own ordination as legitimate. Also he has broke a critical rule causing him to lose monk status. That rule relates to boasting about spiritual attainments. That particular rule is of such serious concequence for a monk it is classed along with murder and sex.

They thought that head monk was corrupt

and they were going by a stricter more accurate teaching of Lord Buddha.

That is why he defrocked their leader.

He wasn't being obedient to a LESSER reading of scripture as it were.

So they don't care if this Sangha disowns them,

because THEY find IT corrupt and sub-standard teachers of Buddha's word.

So they in their eyes are BETTER Buddhists, and have MORE rights to be called monks.

There are several other LARGER sanctioning bodies in Buddhism, that dwarf the Thai Sangha

and lead or teach more accurately to Buddah's intentions.

Santi-Asoke is a more ascetic version and more purist,

not less controled by the Sangha. And not as compatible with nation building

and not as compatible with capitalism, the Sangha is MORE compatible.

That is another of Santi Asoke's complaints about it.

In many, or even MOST parts of North America and Europe, ALL Buddhists,

are thought of as some sort of cult.... All depends on your point of view.

In general the stricter the scriptural observation the smaller the flock,

and so less seats in the temple filled, come Sunday/Saturday/hollidays etc.

I have a friend who is so strict he has split up TWO small churchs in the last year,

and then been kicked out of BOTH halves that kept him for a time...

But who can say for sure WHICH is right.

Edited January 29, 2009 by animatic

[sriracha john]

Red Shirt Movements in Chiang Mai and Buriram

The Chiang Mai red-shirt group plans to protest against the Natural Resources and Environment Minister tomorrow, when he will travel to Chiang Mai province.

Chiang Mai University is currently inspecting the damage on their premise before they file charges. Earlier this week, about 300 members of the 'Love Chiang Mai 51' Group caused chaos in the auditorium at Chiang Mai University during an alumni meeting.

Pensuwan Nakapreecha, Director of the Chiang Mai Library, was injured by the red shirt group.

She stated that at the moment university officials are inspecting the damages. She is cooperating with officials and she insists that the only reason she filed charges is to protect her own rights.

Meanwhile, the 'Love Chiang Mai 51' Group is continuing its movements. They have arranged to meet at the Three Kings Monument at 10am tomorrow to protest against Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Kunkitti, who will travel to Chiang Mai province to open a campaign event to solve the fog and smoke issues in the upper northern region.

Yesterday, the Chiang Mai Provincial Office and the Region 5 Provincial Police invited the core leaders of the 'Love Chiang Mai 51' Group to ask for their cooperation to carry out their protests within the law. Officials say they will make immediate arrests if the group violates any law, and the group insists they will continue their movements.

Police Lieutenant-General Kritsada Kongpanchuen, the Region 3 Police Commissioner, has ordered the provincial police in Buriram, Surin, and Sisaket provinces to prevent and control crimes in the area.

He also ordered local authorities to prepare measures in case members of the Cabinet or politicians visit the area, to avoid chaos resulting from protests, as has occurred in other provinces.

- TOC / 2009-01-29

[sriracha john]

Red shirts 'shameful'

Midnight University yesterday condemned red-shirted protesters for slapping a senior woman official from Chiang Mai University as they tried to mob a Cabinet member last week.

"It's shameful (to slap a woman's face). Whoever started such violence is unacceptable as it is a threat to people's rights and freedom," the alternative university said in its statement.

"We want to condemn the red-shirted people and ask police to bring the wrongdoers to punishment," it said.

Last Saturday, supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke into the university's auditorium to eject Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who was attending an alumni reunion.

Pensuwan Nakapreecha, Director of the university's library, was assaulted by the protesters after she tried to stop them from entering.

The statement said any political groups or parties should have realised that a political goal could not be attained by uncivilised and illegal ways or by attacking a weaker person.

Midnight University also urged people to stop supporting any bullying political groups that tried to win political points without considering the means.

- The Nation / 2009-01-30

[Plus]

Yet another split in the red camp.

Good to see Midnight University people still standing by their principles.

[hammered]

Yet another split in the red camp.

Good to see Midnight University people still standing by their principles.

Indeed. Kudos to them.