10,000 Police, Soldiers, Security Officials Deployed To Keep Security At Government House

[Koo82]

The guy wears business suit to the front house and teaches you sufficiency economy when he still drinks most expensive wine, smokes imported cigarettes, eats shark fin, plays casinos, travels overseas every week, and gives your neighbors and your brothers free money. This guy is still young and does not know how to make money. His family does not have any noticeable business for 70 years, so he borrows your neighbors when visiting them. Not enough, when your neighbors visit your house, he borrows again.

But Koo, your "husband" did all of these things too. And he didn't bother with borrowing money to give to other people, he stole it, and then loaned it back to those he stole it from.

You can't pretend your husband was a humble poor person when he was an arrogant rich one. You can't pretend that, just because you love him, the police can't lock him up when he commits crimes against your neighbours.

When did I say my husband is poor? My neighbors gossip that my husband stole, but I know my husband had a successful business for so long before we got married. My husband does not eat our budget keeping apart to send our children to school. He creates new investment chances by his own brain. He is rich and gives good education to our children and gives me all facilities in the house. I don't marry the poor guy who still lives in his friend's house.

Nuttawut said on the red stage that Ex-PM Chuan still does not have his own house. I don't know if it is true or not but being PM twice and is poor is so funny. He is not good at making money. How can we expect he can improve Thai economy?

You can't blame me for posting false information about Khun Chuan. When people quote from online newspapers, are you sure those information are correct 100%?

Edited March 29, 2009 by Koo82

[webfact]

Just received a SMS from THE NATION news service I'd like to share

"PM invited the red shirted to take part in political and

judiciary reforms, saying he will provide venues for them to air their comments"

Now you red guys must show guts....

Edited March 29, 2009 by webfact

[Old Man River]

Is it possible to get anymore hilarious than Thaksin's comments yesterday? Below is the link to the full article by The Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/29...cs_30099112.php

The excerpt that I couldn't stop laughing about is this one:

"The former premier criticised the government for spending money on populist policies, instead of sinking it in projects that would create jobs and income for the public."

I can just hear his clueless supporters yelling, yes, yes he is right, he knows all. Of course, this is the exact opposite of his position when he was PM.

Thaksin knows how clueless the majority of his supporters are so he can say anything and they will support it. I find it interesting how many on TV are also falling into his traps.

The quote referred to a portion of Thaksins speech which in fact criticised spending money on populist policies under the present economic circumstances. A clarification that presumably the Nation saw fit to omit as it fits their flow of info. better.

For those that listened to the speech and understand , they will have noticed that it definitely clarified "under the present economic circumstances".

Personally I think the wording of the speeches is of less importance as the frequency and timing.

Is it only me, or does anyone else sense a possible split in Army ?

There are also rumours of a quashed deal leading up to present events.

Personally I don't think Thaksin will be laying cards on the table without being fairly sure of necessary backing.

My thoughts are that it has fallen into place over the previous few weeks.

SNAP. Another one falls into the trap (and this time color me surprised as you usually know better). Please remember that not only were populist parties the order of the day under the TRT, but also the PPP AND the PTP! It is during these current economic times that Thaksin has continued to support his populist parties, but now that the current government has gone tit for tat, to differentiate his position in front of the clueless, he has taken the Democrats previous position. It is all politics. Don 't fall into this trap as well.

On the issues of the military, this is difficult to call, but I doubt that Gen. Panlop's position means anything more than he was taken care of (in the monetary sense). Given the Privy Counselor's role with the monarchy and Thaksin's accusations against the most senior members of the PC's, it is hard to imagine members of the military turning on the most senior liaisons with the monarchy.

[cmsally]

Is it possible to get anymore hilarious than Thaksin's comments yesterday? Below is the link to the full article by The Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/29...cs_30099112.php

The excerpt that I couldn't stop laughing about is this one:

"The former premier criticised the government for spending money on populist policies, instead of sinking it in projects that would create jobs and income for the public."

I can just hear his clueless supporters yelling, yes, yes he is right, he knows all. Of course, this is the exact opposite of his position when he was PM.

Thaksin knows how clueless the majority of his supporters are so he can say anything and they will support it. I find it interesting how many on TV are also falling into his traps.

The quote referred to a portion of Thaksins speech which in fact criticised spending money on populist policies under the present economic circumstances. A clarification that presumably the Nation saw fit to omit as it fits their flow of info. better.

For those that listened to the speech and understand , they will have noticed that it definitely clarified "under the present economic circumstances".

Personally I think the wording of the speeches is of less importance as the frequency and timing.

Is it only me, or does anyone else sense a possible split in Army ?

There are also rumours of a quashed deal leading up to present events.

Personally I don't think Thaksin will be laying cards on the table without being fairly sure of necessary backing.

My thoughts are that it has fallen into place over the previous few weeks.

SNAP. Another one falls into the trap (and this time color me surprised as you usually know better). Please remember that not only were populist parties the order of the day under the TRT, but also the PPP AND the PTP! It is during these current economic times that Thaksin has continued to support his populist parties, but now that the current government has gone tit for tat, to differentiate his position in front of the clueless, he has taken the Democrats previous position. It is all politics. Don 't fall into this trap as well.

On the issues of the military, this is difficult to call, but I doubt that Gen. Panlop's position means anything more than he was taken care of (in the monetary sense). Given the Privy Counselor's role with the monarchy and Thaksin's accusations against the most senior members of the PC's, it is hard to imagine members of the military turning on the most senior liaisons with the monarchy.

MY only issue is that it was not reported correctly.

Of course populist policies are always brought into place to try and quell the minions but in the case of the Democrats, the timing couldn't have been worse, as the economic situation has recently started to affect Asia in a bad way. Borrowing money to give handouts at the moment is like handing someone a political weapon, especially when you look at past PAD rhetoric.

Of course it is all politics, but at the end of the day it boils down to money and influence. If the PAD have run out of steam and the army's favour can be won; what does that leave the Democrats with?

If it is the case that Democrats and army have been vying for favour and the army has come out on top, where does the new alliance lead?

The point I was making above was not the substance of Thaksins speeches but the timing and frequency. Is this based on the fact of a new alliance forged within the past few weeks?

[henryalleman]

Police are smiling with the reds

He is not smiling, he is laughing WITH her NOT AT her, did you look to the policeman at the left? He is smiling to the photographer

You can see very clear that they find her thinthong or pasaad mak maak.

The policeman second on the right show clearly his disgust about her behaviour.

wow amazing, you can look at a photograph and tell us what the people are thinking, thats great, maybe you can use this special talent to make money,

to me it looks like the second one has wind,the one in the shades is thinking "I look like Ponch with these on" and the one supposedly smiling at the photographer is probably smiling at what the little fella is smiling at.

perceptions, speak about facts mate and not what you think people are thinking

I only gave this reply to tackle the comment of Koo above the pictures. Nothing more nothing less.

Police are smiling with the reds.

BTW Koo did not react, so I presume he got the meaning of my comment

[henryalleman]

The guy wears business suit to the front house and teaches you sufficiency economy when he still drinks most expensive wine, smokes imported cigarettes, eats shark fin, plays casinos, travels overseas every week, and gives your neighbors and your brothers free money. This guy is still young and does not know how to make money. His family does not have any noticeable business for 70 years, so he borrows your neighbors when visiting them. Not enough, when your neighbors visit your house, he borrows again.

But Koo, your "husband" did all of these things too. And he didn't bother with borrowing money to give to other people, he stole it, and then loaned it back to those he stole it from.

You can't pretend your husband was a humble poor person when he was an arrogant rich one. You can't pretend that, just because you love him, the police can't lock him up when he commits crimes against your neighbours.

When did I say my husband is poor? My neighbors gossip that my husband stole, but I know my husband had a successful business for so long before we got married. My husband does not eat our budget keeping apart to send our children to school. He creates new investment chances by his own brain. He is rich and gives good education to our children and gives me all facilities in the house. I don't marry the poor guy who still lives in his friend's house.

Nuttawut said on the red stage that Ex-PM Chuan still does not have his own house. I don't know if it is true or not but being PM twice and is poor is so funny. He is not good at making money. How can we expect he can improve Thai economy?

So you blame Chuan for not being corrupt and didn't steal the money from Thai people?

Nice to know your opinion.

You can't blame me for posting false information about Khun Chuan. When people quote from online newspapers, are you sure those information are correct 100%?

[animatic]

Just because the army was quiet for a spell during some of Thaksin's time,

never meant they were gone from the scene. When he started screwing up

they got back in the game up front. Especially when he started trying end runs around them.

He stepped on the sleeping tigers tail and it bit him in panic. And being a cat,

it doesn't have much trust that he will watch his heels in the future.

Just because Thaksin was lucky enough to ride an economic upswing world wide,

doesn't mean his populist policies were any better or worse planned than the current ones.

It isn't just the current administration that is injecting money, but EVERY large economy,

and most of the small ones are ALLLLLLLL doing similar cash to the populace schemes,

to try and slow the juggernaut of recession.

Getting people to spend, and not stash, cash is one of the few ways to keep things rolling.

You can spend all you want in creating jobs, it LOOKS GOOD. But, and it's a big but,

if people aren't buying the products then you have created a new company or project

without a market.... Good money after bad in the short term.

It makes sense to keep existing companies floating by making sure that their

traditional markets can still buy a bit of their products. Locally if not internationally.

Yes, the Sufficeny Economy is not gauged for long term growth,

but it is very good for keeping people eating and healthy during times of stagnation.

So outward looking growth schemes and inward looking survival schemes need to be blended,

and morphed with efforts to keep the economy moving internally even as external economies stutter.

There are many here who say 'ANYTHING THE DEMOCRATS DO IS BAD.' Myopia of a low order.

That is a purely and totally ideology driven attitude and does little to reflect

facts on the ground, and the changing dynamic of international economic realities.

Hate them all you like, but replace them at all of our 'group peril', because there

do not appear on the scene ANYONE with better credentials and better talents to fit this

horrenous global secene as it decends on Thailand.

There is not a single Pheua Thai 'leader' capable of taking the helm, as proved by PPP

not being able to do so roperly under 2 'leaders', and that coupled with the recent 'censure fiasco'.

Thaksin had a near perfect economy to play around with.

He has since lost most of his money, known by his OWN WORDS,

in bad investments he didn't keep a weather eye on, and that certainly disproves

his light as a economic savior of Thailand in truly bad times.

If he can't guide his own fortune with total control, how can he be

able to run Thailand better than the current, trained and properly educated, administration.

And the job is administration, balancing needs and abilites with a long term eye to

the best possible outcome with the bulk of the people in mind,

based on decisions made now, based on information available now,

and reasonable prognostication of future probabilities.

[hammered]

Is it possible to get anymore hilarious than Thaksin's comments yesterday? Below is the link to the full article by The Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/29...cs_30099112.php

The excerpt that I couldn't stop laughing about is this one:

"The former premier criticised the government for spending money on populist policies, instead of sinking it in projects that would create jobs and income for the public."

I can just hear his clueless supporters yelling, yes, yes he is right, he knows all. Of course, this is the exact opposite of his position when he was PM.

Thaksin knows how clueless the majority of his supporters are so he can say anything and they will support it. I find it interesting how many on TV are also falling into his traps.

The quote referred to a portion of Thaksins speech which in fact criticised spending money on populist policies under the present economic circumstances. A clarification that presumably the Nation saw fit to omit as it fits their flow of info. better.

For those that listened to the speech and understand , they will have noticed that it definitely clarified "under the present economic circumstances".

Personally I think the wording of the speeches is of less importance as the frequency and timing.

Is it only me, or does anyone else sense a possible split in Army ?

There are also rumours of a quashed deal leading up to present events.

Personally I don't think Thaksin will be laying cards on the table without being fairly sure of necessary backing.

My thoughts are that it has fallen into place over the previous few weeks.

SNAP. Another one falls into the trap (and this time color me surprised as you usually know better). Please remember that not only were populist parties the order of the day under the TRT, but also the PPP AND the PTP! It is during these current economic times that Thaksin has continued to support his populist parties, but now that the current government has gone tit for tat, to differentiate his position in front of the clueless, he has taken the Democrats previous position. It is all politics. Don 't fall into this trap as well.

On the issues of the military, this is difficult to call, but I doubt that Gen. Panlop's position means anything more than he was taken care of (in the monetary sense). Given the Privy Counselor's role with the monarchy and Thaksin's accusations against the most senior members of the PC's, it is hard to imagine members of the military turning on the most senior liaisons with the monarchy.

MY only issue is that it was not reported correctly.

Of course populist policies are always brought into place to try and quell the minions but in the case of the Democrats, the timing couldn't have been worse, as the economic situation has recently started to affect Asia in a bad way. Borrowing money to give handouts at the moment is like handing someone a political weapon, especially when you look at past PAD rhetoric.

Of course it is all politics, but at the end of the day it boils down to money and influence. If the PAD have run out of steam and the army's favour can be won; what does that leave the Democrats with?

If it is the case that Democrats and army have been vying for favour and the army has come out on top, where does the new alliance lead?

The point I was making above was not the substance of Thaksins speeches but the timing and frequency. Is this based on the fact of a new alliance forged within the past few weeks?

I guess the Dems could have supported the populist programs in Thailand the way the rest of the world is supoporting its own Keynsian policies by printing money (US and UK). Borrwoign is another way. Nobody is spending their reserves for this as that runs very real different kind of risks.

It is allpolitcs. Thanong and a few others have intimated at military splits but whether they are pro-T/anti-T or split over anti-T tactics (patrliamentary and soft versus extra-parlaimentary and very hard) nobody has elucidated on. Some Thai webboards speculate as Thaksin is throwing the kitchen sink into this he willor has called in the police and military favours he still has. Anupong has been very quiet but there hasnt been an early shift of battalion commanders sohe must still think he has control.

Thaksin and his side are the ones who have recently spoken of civil war and that is clearly where they are willing to gonow with talk of coutnry wideuprisings. Whether they have that support remains moot, but certainly within the up country folk I know who voted Thaksin it seems very luke warm to say the least. That could change ifthe government overreacts or something and I suspect that is where Thaksin is aiming.

Nobody except possibly security experts really know if Thaksins dont come to BKK but protest upcountry is a sign of strength or weakness. It may be because they havent turned out enough in BKK or it may be because they have cadres scattered in certain areas -there is no way it is country wide.

Anyway hopefully everything will stay calm and we can have a nice Songkhran.

[Koo82]

This man said when he heard Khun Thaksin promised during election campaigns, he did not believe. He said many governments came and went and could not do what they promised.

Anyway Thai Rak Thai won. He went to hospital using the 30 Baht card. They asked him to come back in another 15 days, then they provided him man-made leg(s) costing more than 50,000 Baht. He paid only 30 Baht. He was so moved.

In the "Red in the Land" talk on Saturday and Sunday on DStation, a few people opened their shirts and showed the scars they had heart operation for 30 Baht. They all were very moved.

No one cared for them in the past. They know they were not wrong when voting for Khun Thaksin.

Other women said in the past they couldn't find money to set up a noodle cart to sell in the market. After Khun Thaksin came, they could wear aprons and walked into a bank to borrow money, using village loan program.

During those days, Democrat Party laughed at those programs but now they still keep. Because they can't think of anything better. They only know to give budget for Newin group, those ministries having PAD holding positions such as Foreign Ministry, a little for coalition parties and what they do best is to give out free money and to borrow money. They have the history of playing political games only and not having any sensible theory.

Even Abhisit wants to give out free medical cares, no red will vote for Democrat Party. The reds are protesting because Abhisit did not come by a true democracy way and is a representative for noble system against democracy.

[Koo82]

Red-shirted protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

The protesters blocked the truck at 3 pm.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

- The Nation -

[Koo82]

Red-shirted protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

The protesters blocked the truck at 3 pm.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

- The Nation -

The reds said on the stage that on 26th March, they found out soldiers inside Government House did not eat for 10 hours since noon, so they sent foods and water in. They said if foods truck from military comes, they must check to make sure no weapon is inside. They on the other hand blamed top military people for not caring for their low level soldiers. Foods for soldiers should be supplied in advance, because the reds have said they will protest long time.

They say all the time that soldiers and police are on the same side with reds except a few at top. Police being injured by PAD on 7th October last year were protected by the reds when hospitals refused to care, thinking they "killed yellow people". The reds said that PAD brought in weapons and self made bombs, not letting members go in Parliament House and Police was right they had to clear this illegal protest.

Soldiers are being loved by the reds too. The reds know soldiers must obey the order from their bosses. If you understand Thai, you can hear it daily from the red stage.

They announce very often who contribute how much. Some I've heard are:

- Red <province name> xxx Baht

- Red in soldier house xxx Baht

- Police's wife xxx Baht

- Sellers at <name> market 100kg pork, grilled chicken and somtam

- Red in the North 1000 sticky rice boxes

- Red in .... xx boxes of water

- Soldier not giving out name xxx Baht

This is how they can eat and stay. Police and military are with the reds.

In the rally 24, 25, 26th last month, Nuttawut said they received donation around 370,000 Baht per day and they spent 300,000 Baht per day. This shows that they can survive and protest until this government serving noble system is down.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Koo82

[Sabum]

lol propaganda, gotta love it

[jbowman1993]

Red-shirted protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

The protesters blocked the truck at 3 pm.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

- The Nation -

The reds said on the stage that on 26th March, they found out soldiers inside Government House did not eat for 10 hours since noon, so they sent foods and water in. They said if foods truck from military comes, they must check to make sure no weapon is inside. They on the other hand blamed top military people for not caring for their low level soldiers. Foods for soldiers should be supplied in advance, because the reds have said they will protest long time.

They say all the time that soldiers and police are on the same side with reds except a few at top. Police being injured by PAD on 7th October last year were protected by the reds when hospitals refused to care, thinking they "killed yellow people". The reds said that PAD brought in weapons and self made bombs, not letting members go in Parliament House and Police was right they had to clear this illegal protest.

Soldiers are being loved by the reds too. The reds know soldiers must obey the order from their bosses. If you understand Thai, you can hear it daily from the red stage.

They announce very often who contribute how much. Some I've heard are:

- Red <province name> xxx Baht

- Red in soldier house xxx Baht

- Police's wife xxx Baht

- Sellers at <name> market 100kg pork, grilled chicken and somtam

- Red in the North 1000 sticky rice boxes

- Red in .... xx boxes of water

- Soldier not giving out name xxx Baht

This is how they can eat and stay. Police and military are with the reds.

In the rally 24, 25, 26th last month, Nuttawut said they received donation around 370,000 Baht per day and they spent 300,000 Baht per day. This shows that they can survive and protest until this government serving noble system is down.

Protest will be over by Monday. Koo is delusional. Thaksin doesn't love you Koo. He doesn't care about you. He only cares about his money. You are fighting for Thaksin's money. If you are ok with that, great!

[animatic]

There certainly seems to be some pretty solid brainwashing going on in the red ranks.

Reality is now an alternative but not a prerogative.

ie. if you tell an un-disputed lie enough times,

it can take on the patina of truth; whether that exists or not.

AND THAT SERIES OF REPEATS will eventually win you the 'true believers',

and those 'prepared to suspend disbelief to be part of the group'.

JB, even Koo's own husband agrees with you, by her own words.

I guess if you don't have much in your life,

ignore what you have, and grab on kicking and screaming,

to anything that seems bigger than your let down of a reality,

since bigger MUST be better.

[Koo82]

On the first day, when I was there, Nuttawut said they had to move containers and set up stage so did not have time to set up kitchens. They had 30,000 rice boxes from sponsorship so they asked for more sponsorship.

The reds have 2 kitchens set up on 27th March. Chiangmai set up their own kitchen yesterday.

Another 500 reds in Udon Thani will gather this afternoon and will arrive at Government House by 4:00 tomorrow.

On 25th March, the red leaders of 19 provinces in Isan had press release to form the organization to fight with Abhisit government.

On 27th, those Isan reds at home who cannot go to Bangkok sent news that if government uses tear gas to red protestors when reds do not violate protest law, they will block all government houses in the 19 provinces.

[LevelHead]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-impeach-suthep

Puea Thai to impeach Suthep

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 29/03/2009 at 02:27 PM

The opposition Puea Thai party will file a motion to impeach Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, accusing him of abusing his authority, Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Sunday.

According to Mr Prompong, Mr Suthep chaired the Police Commission meeting to transfer police officials even though he had no authority to do so, and he also intervened in the works of civil servants after he assigned Democrat party MPs to help different ministries.

The spokesman said 119 names of Puea Thai MPs were on the list to file the impeachment to the House Speaker on Thursday.

[Netfan]

The reds are protesting because Abhisit did not come by a true democracy way and is a representative for noble system against democracy.

The problem with that old argument is that he did come to be PM in a democratic way. PPP did not have the votes / seats to elect a PM, Democrats made the deals to get the votes and Abhisit is PM. It's called a parlimentary democracy. Try reading news about places other than Thailand- Israel for example. Is what is happening in the Israeli parliament not democratic? But that would be above the heads of most in the red group. Anything Mr. T says cannot be and is not questioned.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Netfan

[rixalex]

Protest will be over by Monday. Koo is delusional. Thaksin doesn't love you Koo. He doesn't care about you. He only cares about his money. You are fighting for Thaksin's money. If you are ok with that, great!

That's what it boils down to. Thousands of people, many of them quite poor, fighting on behalf of one man to have his ill-gotten gains returned to him and perhaps even give him the chance to dip his ugly snout into the trough one more time. How very sad!

[DP25]

Well, at least we know where the former Iraqi Information Minister ended up.

[Koo82]

The reds from Chaiyapoom led by 1 pickup and 1 bus and were stopped. They tried to find way out. More buses will be out.

Reds from Lam Pang and Isan are on the way.

Reds from Chiang Mai Lover 51 Group and Udon Thani are on the way >1,000 reds each group.

Reds from Ayutthaya were blocked for wearing red and go by big groups, so they divided into smaller groups and looking for pickups to go.

Buses the reds from Lam Phun booked did not come so they rushed to train station. Staff said train tickets are sold out.

Khon Kaen bus station manager asked buses to be back to station and didn't allow buses to pick the reds.

Ang Thong reds phoned Nuttawut and said the cars of Chief Amphor and Army people blocked the house of the red leader and this leader could go out of the house. Nuttawut then phoned and the Chief Amphor said he was at home.

That was on 25th March. Until today, news the reds being blocked is out everyday.

From what I hear from the stage, Governors from Chonburi, Nan, Saraburi (and some more I forget where) were moved to a lower positions for letting reds go to Bangkok.

The reds said if they move like that, they will move Governor in every province. Reds are in every district and village now. Some yellows are wearing reds after listening to reasons. They were disappointed with Sondhi since the Kotex incident (Sondhi used sanitary pad to have some effects) and the spraying of mon water. They were scared joining the yellow protest, thinking to have fun at first, but death and injuries were seen. No such things with red protests so far.

[animatic]

It amazes me you can parrot the same things over and over

and get so little effect yet continue.

Edited March 29, 2009 by animatic

[Journalist]

The reds are protesting because Abhisit did not come by a true democracy way and is a representative for noble system against democracy.

The problem with that old argument is that he did come to be PM in a democratic way. PPP did not have the votes / seats to elect a PM, Democrats made the deals to get the votes and Abhisit is PM. It's called a parlimentary democracy.

The 'deal' being a massive bribe in the form of billions of baht in pork barrel slush funds to Newin's affiliates who are now safely esconsed in the Transport Ministry handling various pet projects.

This is all just a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

The average impoverished person in Thailand doesn't want to change the system from top to bottom. He just wants to do a bit better out of it. Right now that person is the loser, caught between the internecine squabbles of two right wing power blocs of kleptocrats.

[LevelHead]

It amazes me you can parrot the same things over and over

and get so little effect yet continue.

Pot calling the kettle black springs to mind.........

[Journalist]

It amazes me you can parrot the same things over and over

and get so little effect yet continue.

Yes, its all becoming farcical and a bit of a pantomime, with Prem saying "Huh? Me!" and Surayud saying "Huh? Me!"

And Thaksin saying "You you you!"

Abhisit has five years to change Thailand. Then as people come - and go - in Thailand, all the old-style political bully boys will be back to find a central place in the vacuum. I hope Abhisit succeeds in modernisation, but if the next five years are just frittered while those grubbier types on the fringes of his administration line their pockets, then I think that Thailand will stay Third World for the rest of our lifetimes.

[Plus]

Newin was going to get his porfolios either way, he secured himself a position of a king maker who can make or break any government.

Dems have a lot of different policies, some specifically for job creation. 2k checks are also meant to keep jobs going by stimulating domestic consuption.

Right now they are setting up infrastructure investment projects that would really create a lot of activity, and jobs.

Last year's populist policies - free water, electricity, and bus rides were originally proposed by Democrat shadow cabinet, if I remember Korn correcty.

Thaksin is simply putting his own twist, nothing else, if he was in power, all the same projects would have been described completely differently, and everyone knows that, even the reds.

Abhisit again said he doesn't understand what the man wants. They've been going on about bad constitution for years but suddently it's all good and all we need is new elections. Constitution reform is suddenly not important anymore, just as they set up KPI to work on it.

It's interesting to see if reds will stay there tomorrow. They've got another videolink scheduled for today to keep the numbers, but will it be enough for Monday? I seriously doubt it.

[Sunderland]

Red-shirted protesters blocked a military truck from entering the Government House compound to supply lunch to soldiers deployed to keep security inside the Government House.

The protesters blocked the truck at 3 pm.

They shouted that the soldiers should be let to starve inside the compound.

The protesters cheered when the truck backed off.

- The Nation -

The reds said on the stage that on 26th March, they found out soldiers inside Government House did not eat for 10 hours since noon, so they sent foods and water in. They said if foods truck from military comes, they must check to make sure no weapon is inside. They on the other hand blamed top military people for not caring for their low level soldiers. Foods for soldiers should be supplied in advance, because the reds have said they will protest long time.

They say all the time that soldiers and police are on the same side with reds except a few at top. Police being injured by PAD on 7th October last year were protected by the reds when hospitals refused to care, thinking they "killed yellow people". The reds said that PAD brought in weapons and self made bombs, not letting members go in Parliament House and Police was right they had to clear this illegal protest.

Soldiers are being loved by the reds too. The reds know soldiers must obey the order from their bosses. If you understand Thai, you can hear it daily from the red stage.

They announce very often who contribute how much. Some I've heard are:

- Red <province name> xxx Baht

- Red in soldier house xxx Baht

- Police's wife xxx Baht

- Sellers at <name> market 100kg pork, grilled chicken and somtam

- Red in the North 1000 sticky rice boxes

- Red in .... xx boxes of water

- Soldier not giving out name xxx Baht

This is how they can eat and stay. Police and military are with the reds.

In the rally 24, 25, 26th last month, Nuttawut said they received donation around 370,000 Baht per day and they spent 300,000 Baht per day. This shows that they can survive and protest until this government serving noble system is down.

Cuckoo ... sums it up perfectly.

[sbk]

References to the Royals have been removed. Further such posts will result in immediate suspension.

[Old Man River]

MY only issue is that it was not reported correctly.

Of course populist policies are always brought into place to try and quell the minions but in the case of the Democrats, the timing couldn't have been worse, as the economic situation has recently started to affect Asia in a bad way. Borrowing money to give handouts at the moment is like handing someone a political weapon, especially when you look at past PAD rhetoric.

Of course it is all politics, but at the end of the day it boils down to money and influence. If the PAD have run out of steam and the army's favour can be won; what does that leave the Democrats with?

If it is the case that Democrats and army have been vying for favour and the army has come out on top, where does the new alliance lead?

The point I was making above was not the substance of Thaksins speeches but the timing and frequency. Is this based on the fact of a new alliance forged within the past few weeks?

I am glad you clarified this. I thought you fell down and hit your head.

I don't have a problem with the timing. The current economic ills have to be attacked with both short term and long term policies. While the main focus of the populist policies are meant to push Thaksin further into the background, to the extent they increase consumer spending all the better.

While this coalition government understands that job creation is important, it also understands that when private investment plummets, as exports and consumer spending nosedive, job creation has to come from government spending and this takes time and money. Hence, the importance of the shorter term projects (albeit politically motivated), until the long term projects can be financed and implemented.

Thaksin knows and understands all this.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Old Man River

[sriracha john]

Numbers tell the tale of a failure to win over the people

There is a huge gap between 30,000 and 300,000.

The second six-digit figure is the estimated number of red-shirt people who were expected by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship to join its proclaimed biggest ever and most prolonged anti-government protest.

It is probably the same figure that the UDD leaders told their big boss, exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinatra, and thus convinced him to go for broke in his latest battle royal against a handful of "feudalists" allegedly responsible for his overthrow three years ago.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...over-the-people

[Jai Dee]

DPM calls on Dr. Thaksin to take responsibilty for criticisms of the Privy Council

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Matters, Suthep Thaugsuban indicated that former Pmine Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should take responsibility for his criticisms on the institution of Privy Council.

Mr. Suthep stated yesterday that deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's allusions to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanont as well as other members of the Privy Council might not infringe on any present state regulations but expressed his opinion that Dr. Thaksin should take responsibility for his comments.

General Surayud Chulanont, former Prime Minister and Privy Councillor, had already responded to some of the accusations made. Mr. Suthep remarked that citizens should use their better judgment in accepting the words of Dr. Thaksin.

Speaking on the on-going anti-government rally that had seized the Government House, the DPM said only that the matter was in the hands of the police and crowd control authorities.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 30 March 2009