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

[wasabi]

Blue-shirts to counter red-shirts at airport

About 300 people clad in blue shirts gathered at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Thursday afternoon to prevent a possible seizure by the red-shirted protesters.

The group led by Samrern Adisa, president of the club of operators of passenger vans in Bangkok and satellite provinces, gathered at the all-purpose ground of the airport at 3 pm.

Samrern said his group would peacefully rally there to prevent any attempt to seize the airport.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...irts-at-airport

300 van drivers in blue shirts????

What next? 200 florists in purple shirts?

And a partridge in a pear tree ...

So 300 van drivers plan to hold protesters back, after 10,000 police and soldiers fail to do so.

Even J K Rowling couldn't come up with this blend of of fiction and fantasy.

I think Dr. Seuss could have! They should just keep having random groups of different colored shirts descend on the government house to create confusion. Then roll in with a few vats of Som Tam and Mekong to dispell the crowd and entice them to go back to sitting on the porch in Issan and concocting schemes to separate love lorn Farangs from their loot.

Edited March 26, 2009 by wasabi

[Nick100]

They can protest and show support via shirts of every color of the rainbow as is their right, I just hope no one is (a) stupid enough to contemplate taking the international airport over again, or ( gutless enough to let it happen

Frankly the protest is as justified as the PAD one was in the minds of the UDD let's just hope they don't misjudge things too much; IMHO I suspect the army won't be so patient this time.

Now I must continue my beer hoarding. Songkran will NOT be a dry holiday in my neck of the woods

[Koo82]

I came to Sanam Luang late at 12:45 as the traffic was heavy. I think other reds started to walk around 12:30 to Government House.

The reds cleared containers and other vehicles they blocked our way until 15:00

This was how the stage and sitting area looked like before I left at 18:00:

[samgrowth]

UDD have learned from PAD that it is useless to take the govt house. They have also learn that it is more effective to take the airports. I fear some hard headed red-shirts might be provoked enough to move there. All hel_l will break loose before Monday (just my prediction).

[Koo82]

After we lifted containers and placed some (containers) in the klong, we heard from the stage on 6 wheel truck that they sent a few thousand soldiers to Suvarnabhumi. We all laughed at this because we will not block airports.

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

[Enjibenji]

After we lifted containers and placed some (containers) in the klong, we heard from the stage on 6 wheel truck that they sent a few thousand soldiers to Suvarnabhumi. We all laughed at this because we will not block airports.

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

i hope not because my girlfriend is supposed to be coming here soon

[Moonrakers]

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

No shit Einstein.

Did you collect your 2000 baht government before you went to the protest koo?

[henryalleman]

Henry, this is Comedia del F'ART.

Cause it all just stinks to high heaven.

Thaksin stalls for time again.

Oh yes, that's right, NOW he will TELL ALL on Saturday.

And name names on Friday, or maybe Saturday

or.... well lets keep the rally going folks!!!

All of course with the hopes of dragging this out until he speaks again.

And draggs it on somemore

No one but 'himself' possibly knows how to save the economy of the country

from the economics of the rest of the world...

Since he NOW has made SO MUCH MONEY investing that he has

thanked the coup makers for saving his money safe in Thailand,

so he didn't lose that too. Really a savy world class investor...

And has the moral courage to ask the courts to let him testify in court via video link,

rather than appear in court and thus have to be SUBJECT to another court.

'I will SUBMIT to the court for my benifit, as long as I am not SUBJECT to the court

for any fines and punishments. ' One court it seems will treat him fair, if they play by HIS rules,

but the other he can't get a fair trial from.

Its all so sad, people are used, cheated and robbed for the benefit of one man. Its throughout global history always the same shameless game, that common little man is used. And throughout history people seems to love the most the ones who cheated and oppresses them.

[henryalleman]

After we lifted containers and placed some (containers) in the klong, we heard from the stage on 6 wheel truck that they sent a few thousand soldiers to Suvarnabhumi. We all laughed at this because we will not block airports.

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

Koo, are you by accident this idiot?

[Enjibenji]

After we lifted containers and placed some (containers) in the klong, we heard from the stage on 6 wheel truck that they sent a few thousand soldiers to Suvarnabhumi. We all laughed at this because we will not block airports.

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

Koo, are you by accident this idiot?

koo is a THAI female, no?

[samgrowth]

Its all so sad, people are used, cheated and robbed for the benefit of one man. Its throughout global history always the same shameless game, that common little man is used. And throughout history people seems to love the most the ones who cheated and oppresses them.

Watch out for the police. Jail term quite possible if charged.

[Pakeha]

Are there any updates on how many protesters there actually were?

Also, any more news on the potential of an airport blockade? Please tell me it's just speculation and couldn't possibly be allowed to happen again.

By the way - even though this isn't the economic forum - let's watch the effect 'democracy' has on the strength of the baht in the coming days / weeks.

[sriracha john]

Are there any updates on how many protesters there actually were?

Published 36 minutes ago...

UDD demonstration goes ahead without Thaksin

About 20,000 red-shirt demonstrators ringing the Government House compound are threatening to hold their ground until the Democrat-led government steps down.

Demonstrators taking part in the rally, organised yesterday by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), are hoping to receive a boost today when former premier Thaksin Shinawatra delivers on his threat to expose the "extra-constitutional figure" who unseated him in 2006.

Thaksin was to address the crowd by video link yesterday at 8.10pm but said he had trouble getting through.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1404...without-thaksin

[sriracha john]

Published 36 minutes ago...

About 20,000 red-shirt demonstrators ringing the Government House compound are threatening to hold their ground until the Democrat-led government steps down.

which is just a smidgen less than what they were predicting...

It is estimated the crowd of 200,000 to 300,000 from over 50 provinces across Thailand will participate in the rally in Bangkok, Weng Tojirakarn, one of the UDD Core Leaders said earlier.

Edited March 27, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Published 36 minutes ago...

About 20,000 red-shirt demonstrators ringing the Government House compound are threatening to hold their ground until the Democrat-led government steps down.

which is just a smidgen less than what they were predicting...

It is estimated the crowd of 200,000 to 300,000 from over 50 provinces across Thailand will participate in the rally in Bangkok, Weng Tojirakarn, one of the UDD Core Leaders said earlier.

They either have to increase this over the next few days dramatically or trigger something or the rally will just be worthless from their perspective.

The delay of Thaksin's speech is probably part of an attempt to raise the tempo somehow. The speeches will no doubt get angrier. There can be few watching this who dont see it as an important moment in the ongoing power struggle.

Thaksin has put himself on the line here. Before the small rallies were organised by his ineffective lietenants. For this one he has donned the red and made speech after speech. If it peters out or is unsuccesful Thaksin will be badly wounded on the ability to draw the masses front. This will be disastrous in politcal terms as Newin sits looking ever stronger while Thaksin looks ever weaker. MPs will want to side with the strong one. An airport assault must remain a possibility bearing the strong Newin angle. The airport is run by those close to Newin.

Edited for typos

Edited March 27, 2009 by hammered

[Ricardo]

Just found the statement of the year in a todays Bangkok Post article

The protesters left Sanam Luang about 1.30pm, after a brief delay, and began marching to Government House, demanding the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Protest leaders earlier delayed the start, explaining they needed to wait for supporters who went to collect their 2,000-baht gift cheques from the government in the morning.

Bangkok Post 26 March Full Story

Love it - they got the cheques then donated the money to the UDD.

Ha Ha Ha.

Looks like money cannot buy votes or support - even though they are trying hard to buy it.

This would make a very funny story, except that the Bangkok Post article doesn't say anything, about the supporters donating their money to the Red-Shirts. Do you have a source ?

[Pakeha]

This would make a very funny story, except that the Bangkok Post article doesn't say anything, about the supporters donating their money to the Red-Shirts. Do you have a source ?

It's in this article that SJ posted http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1404...without-thaksin

[george]

Update:

PRO-THAKSIN RALLY

Thousands at Government House

BANGKOK: -- An estimated 40,000 Thaksin supporters in red shirts yesterday mounted the largest protest against the government since Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took power and marched from Sanam Luang to Government House.

More supporters and members of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship were expected to join by the weekend, and some leaders even claimed that hundreds of thousands would arrive from upcountry by tomorrow.

Protesters got furious at finding about a dozen dumpster-sized, sand-filled metal containers blocking Makkawan Bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue and other spots around Government House.

DAAD leaders ordered a mobile crane to remove the containers. Two were dumped into a canal in front of Gate 1 at Government House.

One was turned into a makeshift lavatory, one was used to block off Government House's western gate from the outside others served as blank canvasses for graffiti to release the protesters' anger at the containers, which were believed to have been put up by the Army.

"The Armed Forces belong to the people and aren't someone's private property," read one message spray-painted on a container.

"They never give us justice and that's why the number of red-shirt people is visible all over the land now," said another.

DAAD co-leader Weng Tojirakarn urged the men to guard the protest site, which surrounds the Government House compound, at night, while women would relieve them during the day.

"Let the enemy not attack us at 4am or 5am," Weng told the crowd in front of Government House in the late afternoon.

Anger was vented at various spots, with lesser-known and unknown members of the DAAD ridiculing or inciting hatred against those they regard as their enemies.

"I don't feel any stress," said a woman, who introduced herself to the crowd from the back of a pickup truck as Mae Daeng from Nakhon Ratchasima.

"This is because when I get up in the morning the first thing I do is I lambaste Thep Thaug [on community radio]," she said.

She was referring to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who met the Army chief just prior to the formation of this administration, leading to the belief that this is an Army-engineered government.

Daeng went on to verbally abuse the People's Alliance for Democracy and others and whipped up the crowd into jeering.

By then, which was about 5pm, Mae Daeng's picture printed with a smiling Thaksin Shinawatra next to her was placed on a metal traffic fence standing on top of the large container now blocking the back entrance of Government House.

Shortly before 6pm, at Gate 1 on the eastern side of Government House, a group of protesters lashed out at a television reporter and her crew from TV Thai public television, formerly known as Thai PBS.

"Lies! Lies!," they screamed, livid at the live reporting just a stone's throw away near the front lawn inside the Government House compound.

The protesters regard TV Thai as heavily biased against them.

"Liars, liars, aren't you ashamed," a woman yelled.

"Go hang yourself!" shouted another from outside the gate.

Soon one claimed that a male TV crew member gave them a vulgar sign with his hand. It got them roaring back even louder. "Go and take some drug and die!" a fuming male red shirt cried out.

Just a few minutes away, on the southern side of Government House, protesters were asking police if the packaged food being delivered through a gate was for Army officers inside or police.

"Don't give it to the soldiers," one said.

"If Abhisit comes tomorrow let him crawl in like a dog," said another, as loudspeakers and projectors were being set up in anticipation of Thaksin's promised phone-in later in the evening.

-- The Nation 2009-03-27

[george]

PRO-THAKSIN RALLY

Govt 'to avoid clashes,' protect airport

BANGKOK: -- Police and officials would exercise utmost restraint in dealing with red shirt protesters surrounding Government House, sources said yesterday.

Meanwhile, some 2,000 people dressed in blue, consisting of police and troops plus health volunteers, gathered at a building at Suvarnabhumi yesterday in case an effort is made to seize the airport.

The authorities would try their best to avoid clashes between protesters and security forces, sources said.

Chief government whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said urged ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to avoid causing further social division by improperly mentioning royal advisers in his phone-ins.

Tens of thousands of pro-Thaksin protesters surrounded Government House yesterday and planned to camp there "until the government leaves office", rally leaders said.

Thaksin phoned in shortly after 8pm last night. He said he would "tell it all" about his political enemies when he calls again tonight. Earlier, he claimed Privy Councillor and former PM General Surayud Chulanont and some top judges were behind the 2006 coup that overthrew his government.

He also complained about "double standards" in politics.

Thaksin, who said he was in an African country, spoke for just about 10 minutes in a link that sounded scratchy.

Jatuporn Phrompan, an MP from the opposition Pheu Thai Party and one of the protest leaders, said Thaksin would address supporters every night for half an hour via a video-link system.

He said the rally and Thaksin's phone-ins would continue until the government leaves office. He claimed broadcast signals of the pro-Thaksin D Station satellite TV were being obstructed.

Government sources said most protesters came from Bangkok and surrounding areas. Provincial authorities admitted they had failed to block red shirts from their provinces. Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban earlier threatened action against governors and police chiefs who failed to block protesters from their provinces, the sources said.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul described the protest as worrying. He said a report estimated the crowd had surged to about 30,000.

Chaovarat could not predict how long it would last. He said police were closely monitoring the rally after threats to protest at other government agencies, including the new airport.

-- The Nation 2009-03-27

[hammered]

If reports are to be believed it does seem like anger/frustration is high or being fueled.

[samgrowth]

Are the Red angry that Thaksin got kick out?

Or are they angry that the Army kick an elected govt out?

Or are they angry that the Army abusing King's name to kick an elected govt out?

I am not too sure what I to believe anymore.

IMHO, Mark is a very handsome guy, so he should be the PM. Much nicer looking that Thaksin, Samak or Somchai anyway.

[Ricardo]

This would make a very funny story, except that the Bangkok Post article doesn't say anything, about the supporters donating their money to the Red-Shirts. Do you have a source ?

It's in this article that SJ posted http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1404...without-thaksin

Thanks !

[hammered]

This would make a very funny story, except that the Bangkok Post article doesn't say anything, about the supporters donating their money to the Red-Shirts. Do you have a source ?

It's in this article that SJ posted http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1404...without-thaksin

If I wererunning a rally I would have organized a publicity stunt like that too. Quite a nice one

[hammered]

A quick scan through foreign news reports and 20K seems to be the common number for the size with one 30K thrown in.

Some work, it seems, remains to be done to get the hundreds of thousands organisers claimed would attend.

[webfact]

Someone must have made a promise to pay them back the money they donate...

It's obvious! Maybe "you give us 2000 and you will get back 3000"?

its not a stunt it is disgusting and embarrassing! I trust 95% of all protesters don't know what is really going on!

They are used by their own so called "protest leaders" to save the a** of one man. MHO

/typo error

Edited March 27, 2009 by webfact

[sriracha john]

This would make a very funny story, except that the Bangkok Post article doesn't say anything, about the supporters donating their money to the Red-Shirts. Do you have a source ?

It's in this article that SJ posted http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1404...without-thaksin

Thanks !

and in a related article, they "scoffed" at the checks... but still apparently took them:

BANGKOK (Associated Press) — More than 20,000 red-shirted protesters ringed the prime minister's office Thursday, demanding the government resign and scoffing at its handout of checks to millions of low-income workers as a buy off.

[sriracha john]

A quick scan through foreign news reports and 20K seems to be the common number for the size with one 30K thrown in.

Some work, it seems, remains to be done to get the hundreds of thousands organisers claimed would attend.

Then did do better than the ASEAN Summit where "hundreds of thousands" of announced protesters turned out to be ten. Not tens of thousands... ten, total.

[Koo82]

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

No shit Einstein.

Did you collect your 2000 baht government before you went to the protest koo?

I don't know if someone generating 100,000 Baht income a month can collect that check.

[george]

Some 3,000 protesters remain at 5:30 am

BANGKOK: -- Some 3,000 protesters continue their rally outside the Government House at 5:30 am Friday.

Some of them took a sleep along the fence of the complex while most listened attentively to their leaders.

-- The Nation 2009-03-27

[webfact]

PAD did not win by protesting in the 2 airports. The PPP was down because they were dissolved.

No shit Einstein.

Did you collect your 2000 baht government before you went to the protest koo?

I don't know if someone generating 100,000 Baht income a month can collect that check.

Have you donated it already?