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

[moo9]

"If you my countrymen tell me to get back to work, I will do it even though it means hard work at the age of 60," he said. "I will return and tackle the problems. I will do magic for you."

...he is a criminal in all aspects.

Disgusting!

He should keep his magic, nobody needs it

[Plus]

The silence means they've been taken by surprise, and they are contemplating a response.

The Cabinet is having an urgent meeting where they won't go beyond a couple of official one liners.

More interesting is what is thought in the security circles, and they might never announce it. For example they might be trying to track Thaksin's location, that kind of thing won't be disclosed until some action is taken.

Think of a few quiet days between airport blockade and announcement of Dem led coalition.

[PhilHarries]

English signs omnipresent in Thailand. You'd think such a proud country would insist on signeage being all in its own script. Tokyo doesn't feel it has to have so many signs with our familiar lettering.

Imagine if New York signs were all in Arabic or Sanskrit.

Oh but you do, I've seen many signs in Tokyo and Yokohama with the header in English and the complete rest of it in Japanese. I asked a Japanese colleague why they do this and he answered "It's because the English header conveys a sense of quality". That's exactly what he told me, believe it or not.

Same here in Seoul, many signs, menus etc have English language headers followed by the rest entirely in Korean.

Thaksin's determined to get back at the feed trough, to hel_l with the country, to hel_l with the people and to hel_l with..........................well you know. He is like a drug addict, determined to get his next fix no matter what the cost nor consequences.

[sriracha john]

Yesterday Thaksin threw his cards open - an all out war to oust aristocracy. I haven't met anyone today yet who seems to care or understand what exactly is he asking them to do. It's just seem incomprehensible and unbelievable.

Silence from his opponents is suspicious, everytime they go quiet like this something is about to happen and they are plotting away. The coup has been ruled out, Kasit said he's not going to withdraw Thaksin's passport (surely thinking that passport means citizenship), appearing on live TV with heavy faces like last TV coup is not going to work, but that's the most likely scenario if they want to do anything public.

Silence can also mean, that they don't know what to do at the moment

The government dont really have a lot of options of things to do that wont worsen their position or play into the PR hands of Thaksin. It is a bit like a coupel of boxers. Say the government are ahead on points but stuck in a corner taking a flurry of blows. If they open up to take a swing they are more likely to recieve a knock out blow so they take their chances in staying on the ropes and hoping to cover up until the bell goes (Songkhran comes)

The Rope-A-DOPE strategy of Muhammad Ali to regain his World Heavyweight Championship from George Foreman is the perfect analogy for the Red Shirts. btw, Ali eventually knocked him out in the 8th round.

Edited April 1, 2009 by sriracha john

[Thai at Heart]

Just had a meeting with clients (an MNC) on one of the industrial estates. Got taken aside by one of the management to have a coffee at the end of the meeting.

He asked me my opinion about the situation, at which point I diplomatically stated it isn't my business since I am not Thai. He then drew me what he believed to be the structure of British politics from the top to the army. He then drew the Thai equivalent and explained that he was an ardent UDD supporter and pointed out where he believed the problems lay.

He stated that the people now know what the real problems are with the structure and that he will be off to protest tonight. The word appears to be spreading, and these are not all "lower" class people protesting. What astonished me was how brazenly he pointed out where he believed the problems lay.

[samgrowth]

Just had a meeting with clients (an MNC) on one of the industrial estates. Got taken aside by one of the management to have a coffee at the end of the meeting.

He asked me my opinion about the situation, at which point I diplomatically stated it isn't my business since I am not Thai. He then drew me what he believed to be the structure of British politics from the top to the army. He then drew the Thai equivalent and explained that he was an ardent UDD supporter and pointed out where he believed the problems lay.

He stated that the people now know what the real problems are with the structure and that he will be off to protest tonight. The word appears to be spreading, and these are not all "lower" class people protesting. What astonished me was how brazenly he pointed out where he believed the problems lay.

Your client must be Ms. Koo.

[Denim]

Meanwhile, down at squeeky cleans :

Kasit admits recieving money while diplomat :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-thaksin-claims

[Denim]

Kasit : " Yep, I took the money but I never spent any on myself....honest. I already had a piano so I didn't need the money."

[Plus]

..and pointed out where he believed the problems lay.

And the problem was that not enough businessmen control the poor people, so they need someone like Thaksin to reign them in?

[samgrowth]

Meanwhile, down at squeeky cleans :

Kasit admits recieving money while diplomat :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-thaksin-claims

I guess, as a diplomat it is OK to receive free cash from the PM. After all Kasit was not in Thailand at that time, hence Thai corruption law does not apply.

Will he be able to name those people he pass the money to? I am sure Thai corruption law does not apply to them too.

[thailandlover]

Thaksin sets rally deadline

Anti-government forces will end their rally outside Government House before Songkran, a Puea Thai Party member says.

The source, a member of Puea Thai Party's strategy team, said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wanted the rally to succeed in its aim to oust the Abhisit administration before Songkran, the Thai new year, begins on April 13.

Thaksin has called for protesters to pour in from every province to join the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protest in Bangkok.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-rally-deadline

Its pretty sad that given the current economic conditions and the thousands of people finding themselves out of jobs that he finds it more important to spend his money trying to oust the government than in helping people.

[Journalist]

Meanwhile, down at squeeky cleans :

Kasit admits recieving money while diplomat :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-thaksin-claims

I guess, as a diplomat it is OK to receive free cash from the PM. After all Kasit was not in Thailand at that time, hence Thai corruption law does not apply.

Will he be able to name those people he pass the money to? I am sure Thai corruption law does not apply to them too.

Thai diplomats are subject to Thai law and can't just break it when they are on assignment. Its parking tix in the country they are serving in that they can chuck in the bin !

[h90]

Meanwhile, down at squeeky cleans :

Kasit admits recieving money while diplomat :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-thaksin-claims

I guess, as a diplomat it is OK to receive free cash from the PM. After all Kasit was not in Thailand at that time, hence Thai corruption law does not apply.

Will he be able to name those people he pass the money to? I am sure Thai corruption law does not apply to them too.

he named it already! charities etc

[kurtgruen]

Ahhh, that was a nice refreshing swim and nap next to the pool.

I see nothing has changed...the reds still claim to be gaining in numbers, the rest are ignoring them.

Sort of reminds me of a two year old child throwing a temper tantrum....it can be quite embarrassing to the parents and bystanders, but hopefully the child will eventually get a good spanking and behave. After all, the World doesn't center around a two year old, even though he might think so at that age...

I guess some people just never grow up.

[Plus]

Kasit says he gave it to staff, some have already died. What if it was for medical treatment, what if it was to keep up with mortgages?

His story sounds very plausible - boss getting funds for his subordinates when they really need it.

Thaksin, btw, didn't mention why Kasit asked for money in the first place and why he gave it to him.

[Journalist]

Ahhh, that was a nice refreshing swim and nap next to the pool.

I see nothing has changed...the reds still claim to be gaining in numbers, the rest are ignoring them.

Sort of reminds me of a two year old child throwing a temper tantrum....it can be quite embarrassing to the parents and bystanders, but hopefully the child will eventually get a good spanking and behave. After all, the World doesn't center around a two year old, even though he might think so at that age...

I guess some people just never grow up.

If you're convinced its all such a non-event, why are you following it?

Why not just take no notice of it, read a few good books, and then come back in a week or so when its all blown over and say 'I told you so' !

[Netfan]

Ahhh, that was a nice refreshing swim and nap next to the pool.

I see nothing has changed...the reds still claim to be gaining in numbers, the rest are ignoring them.

Sort of reminds me of a two year old child throwing a temper tantrum....it can be quite embarrassing to the parents and bystanders, but hopefully the child will eventually get a good spanking and behave. After all, the World doesn't center around a two year old, even though he might think so at that age...

I guess some people just never grow up.

Excellent summation. I need to spend more time napping by the pool.

[Old Man River]

Meanwhile, down at squeeky cleans :

Kasit admits recieving money while diplomat :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-thaksin-claims

I guess, as a diplomat it is OK to receive free cash from the PM. After all Kasit was not in Thailand at that time, hence Thai corruption law does not apply.

Will he be able to name those people he pass the money to? I am sure Thai corruption law does not apply to them too.

I think it interesting that even you, at first hearing about Thaksin paying money, immediately jump to the conclusion that it was corruption. Normally with Thaksin you would be correct, but not always and maybe not here.

[sriracha john]

Ahhh, that was a nice refreshing swim and nap next to the pool.

I see nothing has changed...the reds still claim to be gaining in numbers, the rest are ignoring them.

Update on the current numbers and what the rest are doing

Thai PM offers talks with Thaksin

BANGKOK: Thailand's government said Wednesday it was ready to hold talks with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a bid to end a week-long blockade of the current prime minister's office.

The offer came as around 2,000 red-clad Thaksin loyalists who have camped outside Government House in Bangkok for the past seven days vowed to hold a further mass rally in Bangkok next week.

The protesters want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve his three-month-old government -- which unseated Thaksin's allies in December last year -- and to call snap elections.

"The government is ready to hold talks with Thaksin wherever to make our country peaceful," Suthep Thaugsuban, the deputy prime minister in charge of security, told reporters.

"But some of his demands are impossible, such as the dissolution of the house," he said.

Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and is living in exile abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption. He recently said that he was living in Dubai.

But he has been firing up his supporters outside Government House with almost nightly video or telephone speeches, urging protesters to "rise up" against the government.

He also accused two of the revered king's main advisors of instigating the coup against him.

"I am ready to open talks with Thaksin as he's the real protest leader and decision-maker," Suthep said. "I will wait for his reaction this evening."

- Channel News Asia / 2009-04-01

[kurtgruen]

Ahhh, that was a nice refreshing swim and nap next to the pool.

I see nothing has changed...the reds still claim to be gaining in numbers, the rest are ignoring them.

Sort of reminds me of a two year old child throwing a temper tantrum....it can be quite embarrassing to the parents and bystanders, but hopefully the child will eventually get a good spanking and behave. After all, the World doesn't center around a two year old, even though he might think so at that age...

I guess some people just never grow up.

If you're convinced its all such a non-event, why are you following it?

Why not just take no notice of it, read a few good books, and then come back in a week or so when its all blown over and say 'I told you so' !

I can't help it...I'm addicted to Politics ;-) I need my daily fix of listening to crooks on both sides, explaining how they really didn't do anything wrong.

[hammered]

If Kasit taking the money was wrong then Thaksin giving it was wrong or vice-versa. Either they were both doing something wrong or neither of them was. They are now tied together.

Suthep's offer is interesting. Thaksin will likely refuse it. However, refusing it will seem confrontational. I note the only specific that Suthep said was not negotiable was house disolution. That leaves a lot of other stuff as still on the table.

[Plus]

Suthep is not the PM.

There's nothing they can talk about if he flatly refuses House Dissolution, and he'd better watch his step if he is perceived as making secret deals with Thaksin. The secret won't stay so for long PAD will have him for breakfast, as if having red enemies is not enough.

[kurtgruen]

Ahhh, that was a nice refreshing swim and nap next to the pool.

I see nothing has changed...the reds still claim to be gaining in numbers, the rest are ignoring them.

Update on the current numbers and what the rest are doing

Thai PM offers talks with Thaksin

BANGKOK: Thailand's government said Wednesday it was ready to hold talks with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a bid to end a week-long blockade of the current prime minister's office.

The offer came as around 2,000 red-clad Thaksin loyalists who have camped outside Government House in Bangkok for the past seven days vowed to hold a further mass rally in Bangkok next week.

The protesters want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve his three-month-old government -- which unseated Thaksin's allies in December last year -- and to call snap elections.

"The government is ready to hold talks with Thaksin wherever to make our country peaceful," Suthep Thaugsuban, the deputy prime minister in charge of security, told reporters.

"But some of his demands are impossible, such as the dissolution of the house," he said.

Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and is living in exile abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption. He recently said that he was living in Dubai.

But he has been firing up his supporters outside Government House with almost nightly video or telephone speeches, urging protesters to "rise up" against the government.

He also accused two of the revered king's main advisors of instigating the coup against him.

"I am ready to open talks with Thaksin as he's the real protest leader and decision-maker," Suthep said. "I will wait for his reaction this evening."

- Channel News Asia / 2009-04-01

Hmmmm 2000, if those numbers are accurate, no wonder that Thaskin is getting desperate :-)

Smart move to invite Thaskin into a dialogue, "...as he's the real protest leader and decision-maker". :-)

hmmm. I think the last Rolling Stones Concert I attended had about 30,000 Fans or more there. Doesn't say much for the red movement (or lack of it), does it?

[kurtgruen]

Meanwhile, down at squeeky cleans :

Kasit admits recieving money while diplomat :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-thaksin-claims

I guess, as a diplomat it is OK to receive free cash from the PM. After all Kasit was not in Thailand at that time, hence Thai corruption law does not apply.

Will he be able to name those people he pass the money to? I am sure Thai corruption law does not apply to them too.

I think it interesting that even you, at first hearing about Thaksin paying money, immediately jump to the conclusion that it was corruption. Normally with Thaksin you would be correct, but not always and maybe not here.

I think most of us here, believe that most politicians on all sides are corrupt in Thailand. (and not just in Thailand). Calling a politician in this country corrupt is like like saying he or she is a man or woman. We are not saying anything that everyone doesn't already know.

[kurtgruen]

Red-shirts to declare victory during mass rally next Wednesday

Supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were urged to come out to join a mass rally next Wednesday when the red-shirted movement would announce its "victory".

Jatuporn Promphan, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, told the crowd at the Government House rally late Tuesday night that a mass rally would be held next Wednesday.

"We will announce our decisive measure and will achieve our victory on April 8," Jatuporn said.

The Nation

ROFL Now that's positive thinking lol....

So the first part of my prediction came true already...they declared victory....the second part, them running with their tails between their legs, to follow. ;-)

[samgrowth]

Suthep is not the PM.

There's nothing they can talk about if he flatly refuses House Dissolution, and he'd better watch his step if he is perceived as making secret deals with Thaksin. The secret won't stay so for long PAD will have him for breakfast, as if having red enemies is not enough.

Confirm Suthep is not PM.

All Thaksin wants is his 76 million Baht back, so he can retires. Thai banks (espeacially SCB) may liquidate he he made a single withdrawal.

Since when does Thai government negotiate with fugitive?

[hammered]

Suthep is not the PM.

There's nothing they can talk about if he flatly refuses House Dissolution, and he'd better watch his step if he is perceived as making secret deals with Thaksin. The secret won't stay so for long PAD will have him for breakfast, as if having red enemies is not enough.

Confirm Suthep is not PM.

All Thaksin wants is his 76 million Baht back, so he can retires. Thai banks (espeacially SCB) may liquidate he he made a single withdrawal.

Since when does Thai government negotiate with fugitive?

Suthep is a game playing political fixer of the old school. He is not the smooth talking PM. People like him rely on political acquanitances on all sides and dont thrive on long grudge creating wars. Suthep will whatever the outcome of the current battle want to be around in the future and useful. Interestingly the PAD dont regard Suthep as one of them and he may be pushing a more pragamtic wing of the Dems as opposed to Kasit's PAD fringe wing of the Dems. Quite honestly his demon speech was ridiculous, and part of Suthep saying lets talk apart from game playing may well be trying to show the Dems arent utterly insane, or at least have a reasonable element. Kasit really doesnt look reasonable at all right now. You arent meant to lose it and react stupidly.

[cmsally]

Depending on one's sources Suthep's original offer of a deal was turned down and now he wants to save face by offering talks, I suppose.

Seeing as the protests and phone ins coincided with the supposed quashed deal I would imagine Suthep is trying to supply some rhetoric to save his ego.

Still doesn't answer my original question though; was there some maneuvering behind the scenes before the deal turned down.

Always better to start the game with a good hand in place.

[samgrowth]

I am just thinking why a mass rally called for next Tuesday night. How can Thaksin declare vcitory next Wednesday.

Could it be that Mark is flying in next Wednesday morning? So Thaksin want to have the biggest group possible to gather on Tuesday night, so that they can march to capture Swampy that night. On Wednesday morning, when Mark cannot land (get diverted to Hua Hin), Thaksin will then declare victory as promised.

[kurtgruen]

Pheu Thai MPs, former Thai Rak Thai executive join rally

Some Pheu Thai Party MPs and former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party joined the red-shirted rally in front of the Government House at noon Wednesday.

They joined the rally after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra called on the 110 other banned Thai Rak Thai executives to come out to join the "fight for democracy".

Chiang Rai MP Visaradee Tejathirawat acted a host on the main stage while some former Thai Rak Thai executives and some Pheu Thai MPs joined a talk show on the stage.

They included former Thai Rak Thai executive Wichit Plungsrisakul and Chiang MP Julaphn Amornwiwat.

The Nation

So, if and when this crowd gets disbursed, we should see some new by-elections, since some Pheu Thai MPs are now openly participating in a location, in which the court ordered demonstrators to disband.

Since Thaksin is urging the overthrow of the Government, and these Pheu Thai MPs are participating, that should make them liable to all kinds of lawsuits, possibly including treason.

Not a smart move, I would think.