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

[h90]

I just took a photo from Dtv. This is at the main stage. Another group stay in front of the back door, not letting Abhisit and Suthep go inside.

that picture does not tell much. do you have a picture which allows to estimate how many people there are?

[wayfarer108]

The red leader in Ang Thong just went up the stage. He said Khun Thaksin's policy let market sellers in Ang Thong bring the booth registration paper to borrow 30,000 Baht to have fund to buy and sell. Their lives were improved during Khun Thaksin's time and were not improved during other people's time.

He had a chance to talk via the phone with Khun Thaksin for 20 minutes. He asked, "Have you forgotten you promised to eat rice in my house in Ang Thong?"

Khun Thaksin said he never forgets.

He said, "We Ang Thong people cook rice and wait for you for so long already. Will we have to wait for another 10 years?"

Khun Thaksin said "Why 10 years? 8 months will be the estimated time".

I thought the reds weren't all about supporting Thaksin. Guess that's another lie they propagate.

And a losing one, too, with Abhisit's current poll ratings running double that of Thaksin's.

[Koo82]

Main tv channels at the same time around 13:30 today. Seems like no red protest is going on:

Edited March 30, 2009 by Koo82

[h90]

Other channels at the same time around 13:30 today. Seems like no red protest is going on:

The reds don't allow other TV stations, so even ASTV showed reports from DTV

reason of edit: removed the pictures to reduce the size

Edited March 30, 2009 by h90

[mc2]

thanks for the info and pics koo

[hammered]

I seriously doubt that many people want to watch day long coverage of red rallies so TV stations dont show it. Low ratings equals low advertising revenue. If anyone wants to watch it they can subscribe to DTV. I get this on local cable along with ASTV and tbh I wouldnt recommend either unless you were in love with one side and their regurgitated propoganda.

[h90]

I seriously doubt that many people want to watch day long coverage of red rallies so TV stations dont show it. Low ratings equals low advertising revenue. If anyone wants to watch it they can subscribe to DTV. I get this on local cable along with ASTV and tbh I wouldnt recommend either unless you were in love with one side and their regurgitated propoganda.

Well, blocking the parliament is enough for a larger coverage, but of course not day long. people want to see their soap operas

[Steve2UK]

The reds don't allow other TV stations, so even ASTV showed reports from DTV

What's the basis for your claim? I have watched coverage on The Nation TV channel (including their own reporter inside the GH compound) as well as on other Thai channels. Regarding ASTV not being allowed there - rather less surprising; I suspect DTV would not have felt that welcome when PAD/ASTV were running their show inside GH last year.

[h90]

The reds don't allow other TV stations, so even ASTV showed reports from DTV

What's the basis for your claim? I have watched coverage on The Nation TV channel (including their own reporter inside the GH compound) as well as on other Thai channels. Regarding ASTV not being allowed there - rather less surprising; I suspect DTV would not have felt that welcome when PAD/ASTV were running their show inside GH last year.

I picked that up somewhere, but can't recall where NBT????

I don't know the Nation TV. Did you see original (not DTV) on any other channels?

Maybe I heard wrong....

[samgrowth]

The Thai text is from Manager.com

The English translation is done by my gf, for the benefit of non-Thai readers. Her english is quite good. Thanks for the slight collection is red.

Basically, Kasit claiming that they are with "Democracy and Monachy" while the other group is NOT. Kasit is very smart is his choice of words, to imply that the red is against the Monachy, byt did not directly say it:

1. He use the phase "the other group" and not "red shirt, or UDD or Thaksin, etc".

2. He never said the the other group is against the Monachy; he just said that his group is, but the other group "don't want these"

[Steve2UK]

The reds don't allow other TV stations, so even ASTV showed reports from DTV

What's the basis for your claim? I have watched coverage on The Nation TV channel (including their own reporter inside the GH compound) as well as on other Thai channels. Regarding ASTV not being allowed there - rather less surprising; I suspect DTV would not have felt that welcome when PAD/ASTV were running their show inside GH last year.

I picked that up somewhere, but can't recall where NBT????

I don't know the Nation TV. Did you see original (not DTV) on any other channels?

Maybe I heard wrong....

The Nation TV channel is available through the WETV cable service here in Chiang Mai - and, I assume, others elsewhere and via satellite. It's also featured as video on the The Nation's (as in newspaper) website.

The other channels have carried standard (original) news location reporting in their bulletins - some was from camera positions inside the GH compound and some from mobile cameras outside. As hammered says, few channels are likely to break away from regular programming schedules to show continuous coverage of protests a la DTV now and ASTV previously - that's guaranteed to get most viewers reaching for the remote control.

As you say, maybe you heard wrong - but, with all due respect, if you heard right but it was from NBT......... then.......

[Moonrakers]

Even when the yellows protest was at it's height there was little coverage.

Making sure that the soaps where aired was absolute priority it seemed.

[h90]

Even when the yellows protest was at it's height there was little coverage.

Making sure that the soaps where aired was absolute priority it seemed.

unfortunately it is more important for most Thais, than in which direction the country is moving.

[sriracha john]

The Thai text is from Manager.com

The English translation is done by my gf, for the benefit of non-Thai readers. Her english is quite good.

As said, is it possible to get a more official translation prior to acceptance for posting?

There are any number of trusted Thai translators available on the Forum.

[sriracha john]

Rally Mood Tense after Police Threaten Dispersal

Tensions are rising at the anti-government protest, with police threatening to disperse the demonstration because they say protesters broke the law by blocking government officials and Cabinet members from entering Government House.

Using the public address system, police announced at 8.30 am that they will remove protestors from the roads around Government House because Cabinet members and other state officials have been prevented from entering the compound.

In response, leaders of the red-shirt group have called on demonstrators to block all gates to the compound, and threatened to have taxi drivers block traffic throughout the city in retaliation if the protest is dispersed.

Most government officials left the compound after the police announced that they will break up the demonstration.

Meanwhile, a 47-year-old woman from Udon Thani Province wearing a yellow shirt was beaten by a group of red-shirt protestors near the Orathai Bridge as she was walking through the crowd toward Government House. Police eventually rescued the woman, who was identified as Benjawan Butwong .

Benjawan said she only wanted to visit friends who had joined the protest, and never imagined that wearing yellow -- which she said was unintentional -- would bring her harm.

Benjawan suffered minor injuries to her face, arms and legs.

In the meantime, Army Advisor Major-General Kattiya Sawasdipol is scheduled to speak on the primary stage at the protest this afternoon.

- TOC / 2009-03-30

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

additional info on Major-General Kattiya...

General Kattiya Warns of More Attack against ASTV Headquarters

source: TOC 24 November 2008

General Kattiya Sawasdiphol has warned ASTV staff of more attacks against the ASTV headquarters on Phra Arthit Road.

Army specialist Maj General Kattiya Sawadipol has warned that more attacks are likely to be launched against the ASTV headquarters on Phra Arthit Road.

He also cautioned that unlike the two failed attempts before dawn this morning, the future attacks are likely to be more violent and guarantees to cause damages to the ASTV headquarters and even casulties to its staff.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Photo lovingly ripped from SJ (tanks)

PS: MAJOR Gen whacko Joe, er, Kattiya keeps this up and he just might replace Chalerm in the new upcoming Thaksin led Peua Thai Cabinet (Chalerm moves to Justice Minister)

Edited March 30, 2009 by sriracha john

[Koo82]

Thing came back to normal around 13:30. The alert this morning was the preparation for Suthep to go into GH.

Khun Chad Kunladilok, Former Supreme Commander, Central Inquiry Dept, was on the red stage just now. He said police and soldiers should know that the reds are not enemy. They are here with no weapon to call for democracy. This is not a fighting place.

[hammered]

Psychological games. Thaksin has called for an uprising to return him effect. Round the country the red groups will try to gather at various locations while the BKK rally goes into under siege mentality. Every ally Thaksin has will be on call to attend, rally etc.

Likely the authorities by mentioning dispersal are testing red organization.

The government have choices:

1. Leave the rally alone and

2. Smash the rally now if the red organization and support looks weak

3. Keep testing red strength by false dispersal rumours in order to wear them down and to expose their hand

4. Do secret negotiations

5. Try to goad the reds into doing something that will undermine them - violence

6. Offer open negotiations

My guess is that if the government knows what it is doing and feels secure enough (and none of us knows on this) it will do a mix of 1,3,5 and 6. Appearing reasonable and concilliatory while doing nothing to interfere with a rally is usually the best option for any government. Sadly it is not that often the approach governments choose.

[Koo82]

thanks for the info and pics koo

You're welcome. I like those photos too.

[Splatter]

The picture above is outside the National anti corruption ... office. Unless there are more than one it is between Siam Square and Rachathewi BTS. Does that mean people are protesting in central BKK??

Just got back from a lunchtime jaunt down to Govt House.

There is also Corruption Office to the side road of the Government Building, which the photo above shows.

Probably so the Govt can easily pop in for some advice on corruption.

Interesting stage set,

a cross between a launch party for Cherry Coke and a 1950s Soviet birthday parade.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/3398316024/

I'll bang up some more in a wee while

(If someone can tell me how to get pics in the posts

without having to do links can you please pp me)

[hammered]

Some ABAC poll has 73% "disagreeing with Thaksin's speech" not sure if that means disagreeing with that he made it or disagreeing with what was in it. Reported on the TOC site.

[h90]

Psychological games. Thaksin has called for an uprising to return him effect. Round the country the red groups will try to gather at various locations while the BKK rally goes into under siege mentality. Every ally Thaksin has will be on call to attend, rally etc.

Likely the authorities by mentioning dispersal are testing red organization.

The government have choices:

1. Leave the rally alone and

2. Smash the rally now if the red organization and support looks weak

3. Keep testing red strength by false dispersal rumours in order to wear them down and to expose their hand

4. Do secret negotiations

5. Try to goad the reds into doing something that will undermine them - violence

6. Offer open negotiations

My guess is that if the government knows what it is doing and feels secure enough (and none of us knows on this) it will do a mix of 1,3,5 and 6. Appearing reasonable and concilliatory while doing nothing to interfere with a rally is usually the best option for any government. Sadly it is not that often the approach governments choose.

It would be interesting how many people are there, but no informations on that. Are that 500, 1300 (someone posted that number), 5000 or 50.000?

7. (similar to 1) wait a few days. It is reported that Thaksin paid for 2 weeks, but there are rumors that it will only last a few days due to the big corruption within the red shirts. If it is down to 500 people they can't siege anything anymore.

[Koo82]

The picture above is outside the National anti corruption ... office. Unless there are more than one it is between Siam Square and Rachathewi BTS. Does that mean people are protesting in central BKK??

I walked from Sanam Luang to Government House on 26th and walked across this building of NACC. After I followed Nuttawut's truck to clear containers, I walked across it again. It's around the GH only.

The reds have been around Government House since 26th.

Edited March 30, 2009 by Koo82

[sriracha john]

Just got back from a lunchtime jaunt down to Govt House.

Interesting stage set,

a cross between a launch party for Cherry Coke and a 1950s Soviet birthday parade.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/3398316024/

I'll bang up some more in a wee while

nice pics... but I do prefer the same view with Nuttawutta's impersonation of Michelle Pfeiffer on a piano in the movie The Fabulous Baker Boys.

To post a photo without a link... start a photobucket.com account and put the selection after you upload a photo.

[hammered]

Psychological games. Thaksin has called for an uprising to return him effect. Round the country the red groups will try to gather at various locations while the BKK rally goes into under siege mentality. Every ally Thaksin has will be on call to attend, rally etc.

Likely the authorities by mentioning dispersal are testing red organization.

The government have choices:

1. Leave the rally alone and

2. Smash the rally now if the red organization and support looks weak

3. Keep testing red strength by false dispersal rumours in order to wear them down and to expose their hand

4. Do secret negotiations

5. Try to goad the reds into doing something that will undermine them - violence

6. Offer open negotiations

My guess is that if the government knows what it is doing and feels secure enough (and none of us knows on this) it will do a mix of 1,3,5 and 6. Appearing reasonable and concilliatory while doing nothing to interfere with a rally is usually the best option for any government. Sadly it is not that often the approach governments choose.

It would be interesting how many people are there, but no informations on that. Are that 500, 1300 (someone posted that number), 5000 or 50.000?

7. (similar to 1) wait a few days. It is reported that Thaksin paid for 2 weeks, but there are rumors that it will only last a few days due to the big corruption within the red shirts. If it is down to 500 people they can't siege anything anymore.

The reds will want to see out tomorrow's cabinet nmeeting, probably Abhisit's G20 appearance and maybe another weekend if they can. The smaller gatherings around provincial halls are also probably aimed at trying to provoke a government reaction. They are now in the same position that the yellows were before. You need events to start happening to keep the momentum going and certainly a placcid non-reactive government is the last thing a protest group wants.

I ahdnt though of the money side atcually but yes the paid extras will disappear at some point. There will however always be a core that remains. I hadnt heard the 2 weeks money rumour tbh.

[h90]

Just got back from a lunchtime jaunt down to Govt House.

Interesting stage set,

a cross between a launch party for Cherry Coke and a 1950s Soviet birthday parade.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/3398316024/

I'll bang up some more in a wee while

nice pics... but I do prefer the same view with Nuttawutta's impersonation of Michelle Pfeiffer on a piano in the movie The Fabulous Baker Boys.

To post a photo without a link... start a photobucket.com account and put the selection after you upload a photo.

Michelle Pfeiffer is also a there

[samgrowth]

The picture above is outside the National anti corruption ... office. Unless there are more than one it is between Siam Square and Rachathewi BTS. Does that mean people are protesting in central BKK??

Just got back from a lunchtime jaunt down to Govt House.

There is also Corruption Office to the side road of the Government Building, which the photo above shows.

Probably so the Govt can easily pop in for some advice on corruption.

Interesting stage set,

a cross between a launch party for Cherry Coke and a 1950s Soviet birthday parade.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/3398316024/

I'll bang up some more in a wee while

(If someone can tell me how to get pics in the posts

without having to do links can you please pp me)

Nice photos. Also nice photos od your wife/gf family. Pls remind her not to wear that YELLOW t-shirt if she want to appears near the RED protest site.

[h90]

my wife told me, but I doubt that, that: If Abhisit fails he can go to HM the King and tells that he failed and ask for a royal appointed government.

Is that in the constitution?

If yes, how should that look like, there is a parliament and the parliament could vote against the appointed goverment.

Anyone read the constitution?

[Koo82]

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

have picture?

Not now as I'm not there.

For the time being, view this

[hammered]

my wife told me, but I doubt that, that: If Abhisit fails he can go to HM the King and tells that he failed and ask for a royal appointed government.

Is that in the constitution?

If yes, how should that look like, there is a parliament and the parliament could vote against the appointed goverment.

Anyone read the constitution?

Not sure about that but if Abhisit fails a hard coup is just as likely as an election. A lot of people are sick of the whole political power game and if Thaksin does pull off serious street agitation there probably wont be the conditions for any kind of democratic election. How can candidates canvass if they are going to be beaten up by the local feudal warlords enforcers? It is exactly these people who are organising most of the upcountry red movements.

However, Abhisit still has a lot of options left right now, and doing nothing is likely to be the best.

[Koo82]

my wife told me, but I doubt that, that: If Abhisit fails he can go to HM the King and tells that he failed and ask for a royal appointed government.

Is that in the constitution?

If yes, how should that look like, there is a parliament and the parliament could vote against the appointed goverment.

Anyone read the constitution?

The 2540 Constitution Law does not say this, but after the coup, Army made new Constitution Law 2550 ok for this.

When voting for this, they sent people to villages saying if we don't sign, we don't love Father. However both my husband and I did not vote for this noble Constitution Law as it is very ridiculous and is not democratic.

From what I remember, Abhisit did this thing once, but our Father said he is not involved in politics and PM must come from elections.

This 2550 version said if 50,000 people sign names, they will consider amend Constitution Law. The reds collected 200,000 signatures. After checking, only 70,000 are qualified. This matter is a top of Parliament's list of thing to do, but people always find other matters to cut queue, thinking if we amend, Khun Thaksin will come back.

Edited March 30, 2009 by Koo82