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

[webfact]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

Now I should make a call to Woody Allen

[sriracha john]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

Tell them not to tie them so tightly, the impeded blood flow has untoward effects.

[justanothercybertosser]

While red and yellow can &*^% on about their numebrs, the reality is the majority remain uncommitted and in that must lie hope for the future as extreme red and yellow are both just power crazed loons obsessed on owning the country for their own personal benefit.

I guess it depends where you live.

In the Soi where i live here in Bangkok (mostly lower to mid income people) are several people that go to the rallies when they can afford to take time off work, and apart from one Chinese pharmacist and one other man (whose wife though is red), everybody is sympathetic to the Red Shirts.

I also disagree with the terms of extremism and power crazed loons. If you closely look at the different ideologies, the demands of the Red Shirts in a European context are far from extremism - much of those aims even conservative parties see as integral part of our democracies - equal opportunities, no role of the military or other extra-constitutional powers in politics, etc.

If you take the PAD, their whole ideology is extremist, and comes much closer to the definition of power crazed loons.

People may argue that this here is Thailand, and not Europe. But it is ordinary Thais who do want European style democracy (who have won many elections decisively, before their chosen party's most able politicians together with a few criminals were banned by a law that was introduced by the coup group) pitted against fellow Thais who adhere to a group that is using very European style of fascism under the mantle of Asian style "democracy", backed up by power networks that derive their power not from the constitution.

[sriracha john]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

have picture?

Associated Press

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

Tell them not to tie them so tightly, the impeded blood flow has untoward effects.

*Edit:

ahh... just noticed that Koo is saying the police are doing this, not REDS... sorry, I don't have any photographic proof of that... surely Koo does, though.

Edited March 30, 2009 by sriracha john

[Ricardo]

In the past, when clearing protests, they sent new set of soldiers to do because old set understood the reason when hearing what protestors said.

Just like Somchai, sending in the border-police against the PAD, because the regular Bangkok cops weren't willing to behave like thugs for him, against people they knew ? Deja-vue all over again.

Right now there have been police with weapons seen near Government House.

Forgive me, but every policeman I ever saw in Thailand carries a hand-gun, so this is hardly earth-shattering news.

Yellows occupied Government House for 3 months and 2 airports at Bangkok for a week with no problem and reds are in danger now.

Selective memory Koo, to forget the five hundred people put in hospital on October 7th, or the dead. They too were normal well-meaning Thais like yourself.

(my comments above in red)

I hope it all stays quiet & peaceful, I particularly hope (whether you choose to believe me or not) that you yourself don't get hurt, but the rabble-rousing speaches you've previously described are not designed to keep things calm, Koo.

I'm also sorry that the number of protesters seems to be only a small fraction, of what you had hoped for, and been promised by your leaders. But I sincerely doubt that the country is ready for revolution, despite what Thaksin or Giles may say, from the safety of Africa or Nicaragua or Dubai.

[Journalist]

Let them blather on till they peter out.

Didn't Marie Antoinette say something like this?

[Koo82]

News from the stage:

Police outside GH have announced they are with the reds now and will be at the reds side.

Reds from Satun have arrived at Bangkok GH.

20,000 Reds from Nan is at local Government House.

Here is how Police slept at night. Do police at top care for their policemen?

[justanothercybertosser]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

have picture?

Why do you need a picture? It is common knowledge that most police officers are sympathetic to the Red Shirt movement. Even your AssTV has complained about this for months.

[h90]

While red and yellow can &*^% on about their numebrs, the reality is the majority remain uncommitted and in that must lie hope for the future as extreme red and yellow are both just power crazed loons obsessed on owning the country for their own personal benefit.

I guess it depends where you live.

In the Soi where i live here in Bangkok (mostly lower to mid income people) are several people that go to the rallies when they can afford to take time off work, and apart from one Chinese pharmacist and one other man (whose wife though is red), everybody is sympathetic to the Red Shirts.

I also disagree with the terms of extremism and power crazed loons. If you closely look at the different ideologies, the demands of the Red Shirts in a European context are far from extremism - much of those aims even conservative parties see as integral part of our democracies - equal opportunities, no role of the military or other extra-constitutional powers in politics, etc.

If you take the PAD, their whole ideology is extremist, and comes much closer to the definition of power crazed loons.

People may argue that this here is Thailand, and not Europe. But it is ordinary Thais who do want European style democracy (who have won many elections decisively, before their chosen party's most able politicians together with a few criminals were banned by a law that was introduced by the coup group) pitted against fellow Thais who adhere to a group that is using very European style of fascism under the mantle of Asian style "democracy", backed up by power networks that derive their power not from the constitution.

here the soi in the moo ban Bangkok (mid income or high income people): everything the same if you replace red with yellow. beside income it depends mostly on the education (see your chinese pharmacist).

Beside Berlusconi in Italy I don't know any European style democracy which can be compared with Thaksins TRT, PPP or PTP.

[Koo82]

Don't you know that yellows on 7 Oct had weapons so they violated protest law? Court has decided yellows were wrong that day. Yellows injured 60 policemen that day. This is why Police are with the reds. Reds never harm police and soldiers. Reds protest against top Police and top Army.

Why people trying to bring Khun Somchai and some other people to justice for attacking yellows is beyond me.

[animatic]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

have picture?

Where are Tony Orlando and Dawn when we need them.

Theme song for the reds soon, quick, quick!

[h90]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

have picture?

Why do you need a picture? It is common knowledge that most police officers are sympathetic to the Red Shirt movement. Even your AssTV has complained about this for months.

I have no knowledge about common police officers....You take ASTV as proof that your information is true?

[sriracha john]

Red Shirts vow prolonged anti-government protest

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) - Anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Thursday vowed to continue their protest at Government House for at least one month.

UDD core key leader Jatuporn Prompan, also a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party, said that the group’s rally would be prolonged for at least one month, and that the group has sufficient capability and could sustain the protest up to one year if they wish.

Red-Shirt Protests to continue through March 31 before future plans finalized

Red shirt protesters have vowed to continue to protest until the 31st, and have said that Thaksin does not need government officers’ assistance in setting up video-link technology, as the former PM is an expert.

Red-shirt group co-leader Jatuporn Phrompan said that the red-shirt group will continue protests through this Tuesday, March 31st, and will be evaluating the situation to make future plans.

- TOC / 2009-03-30

[Insight]

It's been said before, but this Koo's latest posts are now taking a very similar tone to the Iraqi Information Minister's press interviews during the war.

Thanks for the nostalgia, Koo!

[webfact]

It's been said before, but this Koo's latest posts are now taking a very similar tone to the Iraqi Information Minister's press interviews during the war.

Thanks for the nostalgia, Koo!

For those who don't know him http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/

[justanothercybertosser]

here the soi in the moo ban Bangkok (mid income or high income people): everything the same if you replace red with yellow. beside income it depends mostly on the education (see your chinese pharmacist).

Beside Berlusconi in Italy I don't know any European style democracy which can be compared with Thaksins TRT, PPP or PTP.

Yes, and the aims of what PAD wants has been defeated in Europe in 1945. Only in Spain it lasted a bit longer, until Franco's death in 1975.

Common sense and education does not necessarily go hand in hand though, sophism and education often does.

What is somewhat weird is that Westerners of an original liberal background are emphasizing with the PAD and the high income/high power groups they represent in a country which still is in terms of class structure, labor rights and wealth distribution on the level of early industrialization Europe against the aspirations of the large sectors of society the PAD has nothing but contempt for.

We do know that Thaksin was and is not the nicest person. He definitely is no humanitarian. But compared to what the PAD represents he is the lesser evil. In your terms - i prefer Berlusconi over Mussolini and Franco.

[justanothercybertosser]

I have no knowledge about common police officers....You take ASTV as proof that your information is true?

There are a lot of things concerning common people in Thailand you have no knowledge about. You posts are ample proof of that. No wonder when posting from a high income Mu Ban, safely isolated from the gritty aspects of this country the majority of people have to deal with on a day to day base.

[cmsally]

It all seems to be getting a bit too much for Foreign minister Kasit , who even whilst in the govt. seems to be reverting back to the good old days on the stage at at Swampy

Manager

Partial translation at Bangkok Pundit

[Koo82]

[Splatter]

Police at Makkawan Bridge have tied red ribbons around their heads.

have picture?

Why do you need a picture? It is common knowledge that most police officers are sympathetic to the Red Shirt movement. Even your AssTV has complained about this for months.

I am gob smacked.

The rotten two timing buggers.

Only nine months ago the plod were buying the PAD ice creams.

Though they got the best cones for their own blokes in the helmets.

AND HERE ARE THE PHOTOs....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/...57607071407173/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/...57607071407173/

Edited March 30, 2009 by Splatter

[h90]

here the soi in the moo ban Bangkok (mid income or high income people): everything the same if you replace red with yellow. beside income it depends mostly on the education (see your chinese pharmacist).

Beside Berlusconi in Italy I don't know any European style democracy which can be compared with Thaksins TRT, PPP or PTP.

Yes, and the aims of what PAD wants has been defeated in Europe in 1945. Only in Spain it lasted a bit longer, until Franco's death in 1975.

Common sense and education does not necessarily go hand in hand though, sophism and education often does.

What is somewhat weird is that Westerners of an original liberal background are emphasizing with the PAD and the high income/high power groups they represent in a country which still is in terms of class structure, labor rights and wealth distribution on the level of early industrialization Europe against the aspirations of the large sectors of society the PAD has nothing but contempt for.

We do know that Thaksin was and is not the nicest person. He definitely is no humanitarian. But compared to what the PAD represents he is the lesser evil. In your terms - i prefer Berlusconi over Mussolini and Franco.

To compare PAD with Fascists shows lack of any education in European history. If you call them monarchists it might be partially right, but Fascists? Either you don't know what Fascists look like or you watch ONLY DTV.

[cmsally]

I have no knowledge about common police officers....You take ASTV as proof that your information is true?

There are a lot of things concerning common people in Thailand you have no knowledge about. You posts are ample proof of that. No wonder when posting from a high income Mu Ban, safely isolated from the gritty aspects of this country the majority of people have to deal with on a day to day base.

I was talking to a "common police officer" this morning. He was : 1. glad he wasn't in BKK as he was there in '92 and had to work all day and then go to protests and night, often sleeping as in pictures above (on the street).

2. Said : he and many others had orders to defend provincial governor and govt offices. But on the other hand whoever let through as much as a rotten egg, would be transferred on the spot. Therefore they had decided not to defend anything, much safer to simply not turn up as there was no punishment for that.

[h90]

impressive picture, do you know what date it was?

[sriracha john]

This is why Police are with the reds. Reds never harm police

For the benefit of those with fuzzy memories...

Can't imagine why the police would want to prosecute thugs for assaulting an injuring 200 policemen? It's not difficult.

July 22, 2007 UDD protest at Prem's house that resulted in 200 policemen getting injured.

[justanothercybertosser]

To compare PAD with Fascists shows lack of any education in European history. If you call them monarchists it might be partially right, but Fascists? Either you don't know what Fascists look like or you watch ONLY DTV.

The only difference between European fascists and the PAD is that European fascists in general have mostly been distrustful of their monarchies, while the PAD claims of royal legitimacy is particular to Thailand's history. Nevertheless, their anti-democratic stand, their xenophobia, and their nationalist chauvinism as seen in the Viharn issue (and soon to come their stand on the autonomy question in the three southern provinces), including their exclusive ideology of national unity are clearly proto-fascist.

What Fascists "look like"? Don't judge the content of a package by its appearance. Just because PAD has long hair compared to the stereotype of the shaven skinhead does not mean that they are any less fascist (and that stereotype isn not even true in Europe - many skinheads are actually leftists, and the Neonazi black block looks exactly the same as the radical left - long hair, black dress, etc.)

[Wolfie]

Reds never harm police and soldiers. Reds protest against top Police and top Army.

There were a round of photos going about a while ago clearly showing the 'peaceful' reds causing havok and violence during the PAD protests.

In my opinion, the protesters are all the same, they will claim to be peaceful, but given an opportunity they will kick off and the streets will run red with blood. Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Orange or Green... its all a melting pot waiting to explode. They are all as bad as each other.

[justanothercybertosser]

This is why Police are with the reds. Reds never harm police

For the benefit of those with fuzzy memories...

Can't imagine why the police would want to prosecute thugs for assaulting an injuring 200 policemen? It's not difficult.

July 22, 2007 UDD protest at Prem's house that resulted in 200 policemen getting injured.

And rather interesting that the courts have finally decided not to prosecute the leaders of the UDD for the events of that day. Maybe the UDD has been right in their claims that the aggression that day was actually initiated by the ones that gave the police the dispersal order, and UDD has defended itself.

[jayboy]

here the soi in the moo ban Bangkok (mid income or high income people): everything the same if you replace red with yellow. beside income it depends mostly on the education (see your chinese pharmacist).

Beside Berlusconi in Italy I don't know any European style democracy which can be compared with Thaksins TRT, PPP or PTP.

Yes, and the aims of what PAD wants has been defeated in Europe in 1945. Only in Spain it lasted a bit longer, until Franco's death in 1975.

Common sense and education does not necessarily go hand in hand though, sophism and education often does.

What is somewhat weird is that Westerners of an original liberal background are emphasizing with the PAD and the high income/high power groups they represent in a country which still is in terms of class structure, labor rights and wealth distribution on the level of early industrialization Europe against the aspirations of the large sectors of society the PAD has nothing but contempt for.

We do know that Thaksin was and is not the nicest person. He definitely is no humanitarian. But compared to what the PAD represents he is the lesser evil. In your terms - i prefer Berlusconi over Mussolini and Franco.

To compare PAD with Fascists shows lack of any education in European history. If you call them monarchists it might be partially right, but Fascists? Either you don't know what Fascists look like or you watch ONLY DTV.

The PAD was and is an alliance of a number of groups, most of which could not be described as fascist (though a minority were).However the PAD leadership did propagate a number of policies which can quite reasonably be described as fascist in nature.It is precisely because I have studied European history that I can make this assertion with great confidence.

[hammered]

While red and yellow can &*^% on about their numebrs, the reality is the majority remain uncommitted and in that must lie hope for the future as extreme red and yellow are both just power crazed loons obsessed on owning the country for their own personal benefit.

I guess it depends where you live.

In the Soi where i live here in Bangkok (mostly lower to mid income people) are several people that go to the rallies when they can afford to take time off work, and apart from one Chinese pharmacist and one other man (whose wife though is red), everybody is sympathetic to the Red Shirts.

I also disagree with the terms of extremism and power crazed loons. If you closely look at the different ideologies, the demands of the Red Shirts in a European context are far from extremism - much of those aims even conservative parties see as integral part of our democracies - equal opportunities, no role of the military or other extra-constitutional powers in politics, etc.

If you take the PAD, their whole ideology is extremist, and comes much closer to the definition of power crazed loons.

People may argue that this here is Thailand, and not Europe. But it is ordinary Thais who do want European style democracy (who have won many elections decisively, before their chosen party's most able politicians together with a few criminals were banned by a law that was introduced by the coup group) pitted against fellow Thais who adhere to a group that is using very European style of fascism under the mantle of Asian style "democracy", backed up by power networks that derive their power not from the constitution.

I may have more sympathy with some red demands if they were not so directly and seemingly inextricably linked to Thaksin who at the end of the day is Thailands biggest human rights abuser in decades - as PM he is responsible for government policy under international standard. That link isnt just shameful to any organization claiming to be pro-democracy but directly undermines the claim of being pro-democracy. Democracy and democratic values are more than just elections. Why dont the red shiorts demand Thaksin is tried for his governments criminal drug war policy? Dont they believe in the democratic rights of the poor? That nobody seems to care about this issue speaks volumes about Thailand's democratic development. Even western media sources while trying to fit Thaksin into the democrat overthrown by military elite box fail to ever mention his death record which according to the numbers reproted in the Rettig report is not disimilar in scope to the actual death record of Pinochet.

On a different note as the economic situation deteriorates and the command economies are seen as being able to respond faster and to better see out the the recession the idea that western style democracy will be seen as the ideal role model will not necessarily remain especially in a region that is now under Chinese rather than US hegemony. That though probably suits both extremes in this power battle.

[justanothercybertosser]

Reds never harm police and soldiers. Reds protest against top Police and top Army.

There were a round of photos going about a while ago clearly showing the 'peaceful' reds causing havok and violence during the PAD protests.

In my opinion, the protesters are all the same, they will claim to be peaceful, but given an opportunity they will kick off and the streets will run red with blood. Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Orange or Green... its all a melting pot waiting to explode. They are all as bad as each other.

That is the easy option out.

Nevertheless. So far, during the Red Shirt protests against this government at parliament and government house the leadership has shown a restraint the PAD has not.

The potential for violence is of course there, and the Reds have shown that in the past, and might do so again in the future. But what also has been looked at are the political ideologies behind the groups. What the PAD stands for is clearly proto-fascist, while the vast majority of Red Shirts have a democratic background.