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

[kenai]

Well what countries do have Democracy??

I would rank Thailand still as more democratic than USA (with just 2 choices of similar parties). Also countries like Germany have a political structure that almost can't change much. Others like Italy have a much better structure but democracy doesn't work as well.

So I don't see Thailand much worse.

H90 you made some decent points yesterday .. i thought..

When you make a statement like this it puts to question every other remark you have made so far. I feel I have wasted my time to even quote such a statement.

Quoting Wikipedia has no value, because its proven dozens of time that its very easy to manipulate.

henryalleman - your correct wikipedia is not 100% accurate all the time and can be changed by the user that is its strength as well as weakness, you should go on there and make the changes to any article that isn't factual if you are so inclined. What quote do you not agree/believe.

May I ask - where you get your information and facts from?

[Samuian]

..................edited....

If violence is used to unarmed reds, they will report to the UN.

..............

"The UN is not my father!" -

said:

Thaksin Shinawatrra - the man this fuzz is all about!

But then

"The prime minister told the Cabinet that he could have been over-reacting a little bit when he said: 'The UN is not my father',"

said government spokesman ...

Source:

and then..isn't the ever changing of principles for the sake of defending ones moves,

worse than cheating?

As he didn't conceal his assets knwoingly, cought doing it he simply referred to the question with the all time classic:

"honest mistakes!"

Honest?

The Radjadapisek Deal - another "honest Mistake" or just overlooked the fact that the person at the perceiving end was his wife?

Nope, their children had a long ride into town to meet some socialites, so that is why they have decided to purchase this piece of land...

to build a little house for their children, so they don;t have to drive on the dangerous roads for overextended time...

Understandable - very concerned parents!

I think i must have lost the plot by now!

[Steve2UK]

"COMMENTARY

Looking for signs of progress

By: Atiya Achakulwisut [Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post]

Published: 7/04/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

What is in a number? Many analysts have said it is the numbers that matter, that the future of the Red movement depends solely on whether or not it can draw up to 300,000 protesters tomorrow, as advertised by its leaders.

I disagree. I think numbers are not the whole point. After all, 300,000 seems totally haphazard. It does not signify a critical mass, nor does it present a form of majority or any kind of popular consent. For me, the issue is not how big the Red Surge will be (of course, if there are 30 million red shirts out there then it's another story); the issue, rather, is that the rally has woken up a "Red Spirit." It has broken a glass ceiling, a taboo. It put an idea into people's minds, that it is okay to challenge what has long been held as a given. That is a much more important notion for us to be aware of, than speculating about the size of tomorrow's crowd."

Article continues at:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...gns-of-progress

[h90]

Well what countries do have Democracy??

I would rank Thailand still as more democratic than USA (with just 2 choices of similar parties). Also countries like Germany have a political structure that almost can't change much. Others like Italy have a much better structure but democracy doesn't work as well.

So I don't see Thailand much worse.

H90 you made some decent points yesterday .. i thought..

When you make a statement like this it puts to question every other remark you have made so far. I feel I have wasted my time to even quote such a statement.

Quoting Wikipedia has no value, because its proven dozens of time that its very easy to manipulate.

henryalleman - your correct wikipedia is not 100% accurate all the time and can be changed by the user that is its strength as well as weakness, you should go on there and make the changes to any article that isn't factual if you are so inclined. What quote do you not agree/believe.

May I ask - where you get your information and facts from?

I can live with that.

[mdechgan]

Koo... look out for the tall farang tomorrow wearing the shirt below... I'll buy you an ice cream.

Why don't you just wear orange?

[Wolfie]

Why don't you just wear orange?

He's hedging his bets with that shirt, he can stand with the reds or the yellows

Maybe even collect his 400b a day from both camps

[sriracha john]

500 Chiang Mai people head to Bangkok

About 500 members of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group left for Bangkok Tuesday morning to join the "final battle" against the government Wednesday.

Udon Thani red shirts head to BKK

Some 2,500 red-shirted protesters from Udon Thani travel to Bangkok on Tuesday in 50 buses to attend D-Day rally on Wednesday.

Udon Thani red-shirted demonstrators had gathered at community radio station operated by Udon Lovers Club before they travelled to Bangkok this evening.

Some protesters, who could not join the trip, donated money instead.

Khwanchai Praipana, leader of the pro-government Udon Lovers Club, said that Truth Today Group sponsored 50 buses for the demonstrators.

- The Nation / 2009-04-07

[sriracha john]

Rak Chiang Mai 51 group left for Bangkok

Udon Lovers Club before they travelled to Bangkok this evening.

So now we have two of the more notorious and historically more violent factions of the Red Shirts on their way.

Edited April 7, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Newin urges red-shirts to have second thought for joining rally Wednesday

Newin Chidchob, former Thai Rak Thai Party executive, Tuesday urged those who plan to join the mass rally of the red-shirted people on Wednesday to have a second thought.

Telling a press confidence, which is broadcast live on some TV stations, Newin said the red-shirted leaders apparently attacked the monarchy when they attacked the privy councillors.

The Nation

From the Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...nd-thought-for-

It seems the message is getting harder.

[henryalleman]

You forgot the third side Koo

- The Thaksin "I want my money back and don't really care about anyone or anything, except for that."

I could see how that would be easy to miss....

Your thought is the thought of ruling class.

They only care how they can maintain their power and their wealth. To them, someone in their side must be big, such as Prem. They don't see people in their eyes.

They think the reds fight for Khun Thaksin thinking the reds must have someone big to fight for. In fact the reds know each one of them is big.

They think Khun Thaksin cares for his money, same as what the ruling class care for their wealth.

If tomorrow the red shirts denounce Thaksin I'm willing to believe they are genuine in their protest. till then.........

[kurtgruen]

500 Chiang Mai people head to Bangkok

About 500 members of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group left for Bangkok Tuesday morning to join the "final battle" against the government Wednesday.

Udon Thani red shirts head to BKK

Some 2,500 red-shirted protesters from Udon Thani travel to Bangkok on Tuesday in 50 buses to attend D-Day rally on Wednesday.

Udon Thani red-shirted demonstrators had gathered at community radio station operated by Udon Lovers Club before they travelled to Bangkok this evening.

Some protesters, who could not join the trip, donated money instead.

Khwanchai Praipana, leader of the pro-government Udon Lovers Club, said that Truth Today Group sponsored 50 buses for the demonstrators.

- The Nation / 2009-04-07

2500 from Udon + 500 from Chiang Mai = 3000 reported so far...keep those reports coming.

As far as critical mass goes, unattainable, I think. Est. Population Thailand 63,396,000, according to Institute for Population and Social Research. 1% of the population would equal 633,960, so even if they could come up with their figure of 300,000 people, that would still be less than 1/2 of a Percent of the total population.

Numbers will be important in peoples minds tomorrow, because if the numbers are small (lets say 20,000), after all of Thaksin's and the Protest leaders hype about 1,000,000 (later revised to 300,000), people will see that Thaksin doesn't have the power base, that he thinks (or claims) he does. If he cannot pull it off tomorrow, he will more and more fade from peoples memory.

Red leaders will attempt to keep him alive in people's minds...after all, there is another election coming in a few years, but I think that they will have a difficult time doing so.

As for putting the idea into people's minds, that it is okay to challenge what has long been held as a given, the PAD had already done that. The RED Shirt movement is just a carbon copy with a different agenda.

I think the Government right now, is playing it safe, by outnumbering protesters whereever possible. It shows that they are in control of the situation.

Time is quickly running out, for Thaksin to bring in his pawns from the North and East. I'm sure, that there will be a few roadblocks and checks along the way, for weapons and such. The Government would be irresponsible not to search for weapons at this time. Considering, that a lot of people in the villages stay in their homes or go to bed, after it gets dark, he would have to get his people moving before 9pm for sure, I think. It's almost 3:30pm now, which doesn't leave a lot of time.

[sriracha john]

Clashes as Thai protesters trap PM

PATTAYA, Thailand - Anti-government protesters trapped Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva inside a beach hotel and attacked his motorcade Tuesday as the kingdom's political turmoil boiled over into violence.

The clash was the most serious since supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded Abhisit's offices in Bangkok on March 26 and came amid mounting speculation about a possible military coup.

Red-clad Thaksin supporters calling for fresh elections surrounded Abhisit's hotel in the coastal resort of Pattaya as he held a Cabinet meeting, preventing him from leaving for several hours, witnesses said.

Abhisit finally escaped, but about 50 so-called "Red Shirts" chased his car when it stopped at a traffic light and then pelted it with plastic bottles, police who saw the incident told AFP.

Police tried to move the premier to another car, but the demonstrators pulled open the door of the second vehicle and began to beat the driver and police who were escorting Abhisit, they said.

The Oxford-educated Abhisit escaped unharmed, they added.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security, said he had ordered police to catch the attackers immediately and added that police had photo evidence of the incident.

"I told police to arrest the assailants within today," he told reporters. "This is not a peaceful protest. They have violated the law, the government already warned them that they will be prosecuted."

Pattaya is set to host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and key regional partners including China and Japan at a summit starting on Friday.

The summit -- already postponed from December due to ongoing political unrest -- would go ahead as planned, said Vitawas Srivihok, the senior ASEAN department official at Thailand's foreign ministry.

"The 'Red Shirts' protest will not affect foreign leaders attending the summit," Vitawas said, referring to the protesters by their nickname.

The incident came a day before a mass rally planned by Thaksin's supporters in Bangkok which organisers say hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend.

Thailand, a key tourism destination, has been crippled by political turmoil since billionaire tycoon Thaksin was toppled in a military coup in September 2006.

He is living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term imposed last year over corruption allegations which he says are politically motivated.

- AFP / 2009-04-07

[Journalist]

Rak Chiang Mai 51 group left for Bangkok

Udon Lovers Club before they travelled to Bangkok this evening.

So now we have two of the more notorious and historically more violent factions of the Red Shirts on their way.

Can't make an omelette without cracking a few eggs.

No point being polite, it gets them nowhere.

Can you prosecute PAD?......'No, they haven't done anything wrong'

Can you call elections?.......'Nope. Too busy.'

Does a clown like Kasit belong in his job......'oh definitely yes'.

So, lets bring in the red Wuffians.......if there's no room for a negotiated deal, the best way to decide this is with a big fight.

[sriracha john]

500 Chiang Mai people head to Bangkok

About 500 members of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group left for Bangkok Tuesday morning to join the "final battle" against the government Wednesday.

Udon Thani red shirts head to BKK

Some 2,500 red-shirted protesters from Udon Thani travel to Bangkok on Tuesday in 50 buses to attend D-Day rally on Wednesday.

2500 from Udon + 500 from Chiang Mai = 3000 reported so far...keep those reports coming.

As far as critical mass goes, unattainable, I think.

Red-shirt protesters from Mae Sot heading to Bangkok

Around 30-40 red-clad protesters from Mae Sot district and nearby areas in Tak province have gathered in front of the the King Naresuan Shrine before traveling to Bangkok tonight to join the red-shirt group's major rally.

The protesters are going to head towards Bangkok as tomorrow is the red-shirt group's major rally or "D-Day Rally".

It is expected to take place in front of Privy Council President Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda [i'm assuming they TN meant to include "home"] who was accused by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra of masterminding the September 19th coup.

Some red-shirt supporters from Tak earlier traveled to Bangkok to join those rallying in front of Government House.

More police officers have been dispatched to closely monitor movements of the red-shirt group.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-07

[sriracha john]

Udon Lovers Club before they travelled to Bangkok this evening.

So now we have two of the more notorious and historically more violent factions of the Red Shirts on their way.

Can't make an omelette without cracking a few eggs.

Police tried to move the premier to another car, but the demonstrators pulled open the door of the second vehicle and began to beat the driver and police who were escorting Abhisit, they said.

Seems like the egg-cracking has already started in Pattaya.

Edited April 7, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Clashes as Thai protesters trap PM

PATTAYA, Thailand - Anti-government protesters trapped Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva inside a beach hotel and attacked his motorcade Tuesday as the kingdom's political turmoil boiled over into violence.

The clash was the most serious since supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded Abhisit's offices in Bangkok on March 26 and came amid mounting speculation about a possible military coup.

Red-clad Thaksin supporters calling for fresh elections surrounded Abhisit's hotel in the coastal resort of Pattaya as he held a Cabinet meeting, preventing him from leaving for several hours, witnesses said.

Abhisit finally escaped, but about 50 so-called "Red Shirts" chased his car when it stopped at a traffic light and then pelted it with plastic bottles, police who saw the incident told AFP.

Police tried to move the premier to another car, but the demonstrators pulled open the door of the second vehicle and began to beat the driver and police who were escorting Abhisit, they said.

The Oxford-educated Abhisit escaped unharmed, they added.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security, said he had ordered police to catch the attackers immediately and added that police had photo evidence of the incident.

"I told police to arrest the assailants within today," he told reporters. "This is not a peaceful protest. They have violated the law, the government already warned them that they will be prosecuted."

Pattaya is set to host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and key regional partners including China and Japan at a summit starting on Friday.

The summit -- already postponed from December due to ongoing political unrest -- would go ahead as planned, said Vitawas Srivihok, the senior ASEAN department official at Thailand's foreign ministry.

"The 'Red Shirts' protest will not affect foreign leaders attending the summit," Vitawas said, referring to the protesters by their nickname.

The incident came a day before a mass rally planned by Thaksin's supporters in Bangkok which organisers say hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend.

Thailand, a key tourism destination, has been crippled by political turmoil since billionaire tycoon Thaksin was toppled in a military coup in September 2006.

He is living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term imposed last year over corruption allegations which he says are politically motivated.

- AFP / 2009-04-07

Stupid tatcics by the red shirts. A day before their big demo and they have just linked themsleves to unincited violence upon innocents.

Edited to add: put that in with what Newin, Kamnan, headmen and a privvy councillor have been saying. A meme is coming.

Edited April 7, 2009 by hammered

[kurtgruen]

500 Chiang Mai people head to Bangkok

About 500 members of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group left for Bangkok Tuesday morning to join the "final battle" against the government Wednesday.

Udon Thani red shirts head to BKK

Some 2,500 red-shirted protesters from Udon Thani travel to Bangkok on Tuesday in 50 buses to attend D-Day rally on Wednesday.

2500 from Udon + 500 from Chiang Mai = 3000 reported so far...keep those reports coming.

As far as critical mass goes, unattainable, I think.

Red-shirt protesters from Mae Sot heading to Bangkok

Around 30-40 red-clad protesters from Mae Sot district and nearby areas in Tak province have gathered in front of the the King Naresuan Shrine before traveling to Bangkok tonight to join the red-shirt group's major rally.

The protesters are going to head towards Bangkok as tomorrow is the red-shirt group's major rally or "D-Day Rally".

It is expected to take place in front of Privy Council President Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda [i'm assuming they TN meant to include "home"] who was accused by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra of masterminding the September 19th coup.

Some red-shirt supporters from Tak earlier traveled to Bangkok to join those rallying in front of Government House.

More police officers have been dispatched to closely monitor movements of the red-shirt group.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-07

3040 and counting, thanks John ;-)

[sriracha john]

'We cannot allow a civil war'

Bangkok - Thailand's prime minister vowed to prevent a "civil war" in Thailand as the nation braced for a massive anti-government protest on Wednesday amid fears of bloodshed, just two days before Asian leaders gather in Thailand.

Publicly admitting the insecurities of his four-month-old government, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said security forces do not want to clash with protesters, but will do what is necessary to maintain law and order.

"We cannot allow a civil war or a people's revolution," Abhisit said in a nationally televised speech late Monday, noting his and the public's concerns about violence at least 10 times. "If the situation leads to a riot, the government cannot stand still."

Anti-government protesters who have encircled Abhisit's Bangkok office for almost two weeks have called for tens of thousands of supporters nationwide to join Wednesday's rally.

They plan to march from Government House to the home of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's top adviser, Prem Tinsulanonda, whom they accuse of masterminding the 2006 coup that ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

The protesters are supporters of Thaksin, who has been addressing the rallies almost nightly via video link from exile. Thaksin was ousted for alleged corruption and convicted last year for abuse of power but retains widespread support among the rural poor majority that benefited from his populist policies.

Prem has denied the accusations but the rare public criticism of the privy councilor broke a taboo in Thailand where members of the monarchy and their aides are highly revered. Prem had been indirectly accused of orchestrating the coup before; the last rally outside his home in July 2007 turned into a riot in which more than 200 people were injured.

"We have a job to protect key institutions, protect good people and the respected elders of the country," Abhisit said.

The prime minister held an urgent security meeting on Monday with top defence officials, police commanders and chiefs of the armed forces "to get ready for the situation that could happen", he said.

Any violence at the demonstration could undermine Abhisit's government as it prepares to host leaders from 16 Asian nations from April 10-12. Leaders from across Southeast Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand are gathering in the seaside town of Pattaya, about a 90-minute drive from Bangkok.

The protests are the latest episode in Thailand's long-running political turmoil, which has become a tug-of-war between Thaksin's supporters and opponents. Each is known by the colour of shirts they wear at rallies, red for pro-Thaksin and yellow for anti-Thaksin.

- Associated Press / 2009-04-07

[sriracha john]

Thai PM's car attacked after Cabinet meeting

BANGKOK - Protesters attacked a car carrying Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday as a minister warned that opposition elements wanted to cause chaos at a big rally this week in a bid to topple the government.

Abhisit was unhurt, but a window in his car was smashed when a group of red-shirted demonstrators surrounded the vehicle in Pattaya, a resort town where the Cabinet held its weekly Cabinet meeting.

Some 40-50 protesters caught up with Abhisit's motorcade when it was stuck near a traffic light.

TV footage showed one protester smashing the station wagon's back window with a motorcycle helmet, while others hit it with sticks, shouting abuse at the prime minister.

"It's okay. It did not scare me. I can still perform my work," Abhisit told reporters later in Bangkok.

Earlier, Satit Wongnongtaey, a minister at the Prime Minister's office, told reporters security was being stepped up to control the crowds expected in central Bangkok on Wednesday.

Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have besieged Thailand's seat of government since March 26 in a bid to force Abhisit out of office, one reason why the cabinet meeting was held in Pattaya this week.

The UDD says up to 300,000 people are expected to join the rally.

The 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other Asian countries including Japan and China hold a summit in Pattaya from Friday.

- Reuters / 2009-04-07

[Samuian]

You forgot the third side Koo

- The Thaksin "I want my money back and don't really care about anyone or anything, except for that."

I could see how that would be easy to miss....

Your thought is the thought of ruling class.

They only care how they can maintain their power and their wealth. To them, someone in their side must be big, such as Prem. They don't see people in their eyes.

They think the reds fight for Khun Thaksin thinking the reds must have someone big to fight for. In fact the reds know each one of them is big.

They think Khun Thaksin cares for his money, same as what the ruling class care for their wealth.

If tomorrow the red shirts denounce Thaksin I'm willing to believe they are genuine in their protest. till then.........

A genuine classic would be: The reds denounce him, while in a spontaneous "phone-in" he shouts:

"I am with you, my brothers!"

can anyone confirm the rumor that hard core reddies are being payed up to 4000 each to attend, to get as many people as possible to the gathering?

[plachon]

Clashes as Thai protesters trap PM

PATTAYA, Thailand - Anti-government protesters trapped Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva inside a beach hotel and attacked his motorcade Tuesday as the kingdom's political turmoil boiled over into violence.

The clash was the most serious since supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded Abhisit's offices in Bangkok on March 26 and came amid mounting speculation about a possible military coup.

Red-clad Thaksin supporters calling for fresh elections surrounded Abhisit's hotel in the coastal resort of Pattaya as he held a Cabinet meeting, preventing him from leaving for several hours, witnesses said.

Abhisit finally escaped, but about 50 so-called "Red Shirts" chased his car when it stopped at a traffic light and then pelted it with plastic bottles, police who saw the incident told AFP.

Police tried to move the premier to another car, but the demonstrators pulled open the door of the second vehicle and began to beat the driver and police who were escorting Abhisit, they said.

The Oxford-educated Abhisit escaped unharmed, they added.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security, said he had ordered police to catch the attackers immediately and added that police had photo evidence of the incident.

"I told police to arrest the assailants within today," he told reporters. "This is not a peaceful protest. They have violated the law, the government already warned them that they will be prosecuted."

Pattaya is set to host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and key regional partners including China and Japan at a summit starting on Friday.

The summit -- already postponed from December due to ongoing political unrest -- would go ahead as planned, said Vitawas Srivihok, the senior ASEAN department official at Thailand's foreign ministry.

"The 'Red Shirts' protest will not affect foreign leaders attending the summit," Vitawas said, referring to the protesters by their nickname.

The incident came a day before a mass rally planned by Thaksin's supporters in Bangkok which organisers say hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend.

Thailand, a key tourism destination, has been crippled by political turmoil since billionaire tycoon Thaksin was toppled in a military coup in September 2006.

He is living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term imposed last year over corruption allegations which he says are politically motivated.

- AFP / 2009-04-07

Stupid tatcics by the red shirts. A day before their big demo and they have just linked themsleves to unincited violence upon innocents.

I'm glad you've replied to this Hammered, as I was just thinking about you when I was about to reply. Now, I've got a lot of time and respect for your points of view and appreciate your insights on many occasions, but your narrow view in the past that Red and Yellows are "just as bad as each other", has been one thing I cannot accept and I've flagged you on it on several occasions and you've been unable to find a satisfactory answer.

In fact, this current action by the Reds is very typical and par for the course in their long history of violence, whether in Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Udon and numerous other incidents hardly reported, across Isaan and other provincial centres over the past year. They have not "just linked themselves to unicied violence against innocents" as anyone who has followed ThaiVisa news threads can testify, but have been repeatedly doing it for a period of over 12 months. They did it on numerous occasions elsewhere which I'm sure you are aware of, with one of the nastiest being the attacks on PAD rallies in Udon and an earlier one in Mahasarakham. Pull the skin from off your eyes and you will see that there is pattern of this kind of incident happening over a prolonged time, which demonstrates clearly that there can be no comparison between Reds and Yellows when it comes to systematic violence levels.

I know it is tempting to try and condemn both sides as equally reprobate and delinquent, but there comes a point when you have to call a spade a spade and a violent mob a violent mob.

Having said that, keep the insightful comments coming as I have learned much from them over the past few years.

[kurtgruen]

Clashes as Thai protesters trap PM

Abhisit finally escaped, but about 50 so-called "Red Shirts" chased his car when it stopped at a traffic light and then pelted it with plastic bottles, police who saw the incident told AFP.

Police tried to move the premier to another car, but the demonstrators pulled open the door of the second vehicle and began to beat the driver and police who were escorting Abhisit, they said.

There we go again, Democracy in action, Red Shirt/Thaksin style

[Journalist]

Stupid tactics by the red shirts. A day before their big demo and they have just linked themsleves to unincited violence upon innocents.

Edited to add: put that in with what Newin, Kamnan, headmen and a privy councillor have been saying. A meme is coming.

Time to get this thing on. Too late now to worry about tactical feints and perceived non-fairplay. Time for the red ruffians to put up or shut up and lets have a rumble.

[Lami]

Thanks for posting "The Nation" items in full. (Having trouble opening anything from their site today).

[Lovia]

Red shirts are nothing more than a bunch of barbaric hooligans.

[sriracha john]

We've seen them using helmets before...

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

TV footage showed one protester smashing the station wagon's back window with a motorcycle helmet, while others hit it with sticks, shouting abuse at the prime minister.

[henryalleman]

henryalleman - your correct wikipedia is not 100% accurate all the time and can be changed by the user that is its strength as well as weakness, you should go on there and make the changes to any article that isn't factual if you are so inclined. What quote do you not agree/believe.

May I ask - where you get your information and facts from?

http://petercherbi.wordpress.com/2007/10/0...tics-reformers/

http://soulsphincter.blogspot.com/2007/08/...ted-by-cia.html

http://antwerp.wordpress.com/2006/11/05/is...ly-manipulated/

http://www.irene-amelia.com/id79.html

Just google Wikipedia manipulated and you will see 338 000 hits

[h90]

You forgot the third side Koo

- The Thaksin "I want my money back and don't really care about anyone or anything, except for that."

I could see how that would be easy to miss....

Your thought is the thought of ruling class.

They only care how they can maintain their power and their wealth. To them, someone in their side must be big, such as Prem. They don't see people in their eyes.

They think the reds fight for Khun Thaksin thinking the reds must have someone big to fight for. In fact the reds know each one of them is big.

They think Khun Thaksin cares for his money, same as what the ruling class care for their wealth.

If tomorrow the red shirts denounce Thaksin I'm willing to believe they are genuine in their protest. till then.........

A genuine classic would be: The reds denounce him, while in a spontaneous "phone-in" he shouts:

"I am with you, my brothers!"

can anyone confirm the rumor that hard core reddies are being payed up to 4000 each to attend, to get as many people as possible to the gathering?

I got told 50.000 if coming with 20 people. Thats 2.500 per person.

4000 I would believe for southern guards, they always get a lot more.

[hammered]

Stupid tactics by the red shirts. A day before their big demo and they have just linked themsleves to unincited violence upon innocents.

Edited to add: put that in with what Newin, Kamnan, headmen and a privy councillor have been saying. A meme is coming.

Time to get this thing on. Too late now to worry about tactical feints and perceived non-fairplay. Time for the red ruffians to put up or shut up and lets have a rumble.

Be interesting to see how the attack on the PM is shown on Thai news along of course with Newin. The day before the demo and the media picture will be a bit different from Thaksin claiming things. Violence and lack of loyalty are not the best things to attract huge numbers. It does feel time for a rumble as you say. It looks like the days and days of anger and hate filled oratory have brought the faithful close to climax but will that climax be long and glorious or short and a bit of a damp squib?

[hammered]

Clashes as Thai protesters trap PM

PATTAYA, Thailand - Anti-government protesters trapped Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva inside a beach hotel and attacked his motorcade Tuesday as the kingdom's political turmoil boiled over into violence.

The clash was the most serious since supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded Abhisit's offices in Bangkok on March 26 and came amid mounting speculation about a possible military coup.

Red-clad Thaksin supporters calling for fresh elections surrounded Abhisit's hotel in the coastal resort of Pattaya as he held a Cabinet meeting, preventing him from leaving for several hours, witnesses said.

Abhisit finally escaped, but about 50 so-called "Red Shirts" chased his car when it stopped at a traffic light and then pelted it with plastic bottles, police who saw the incident told AFP.

Police tried to move the premier to another car, but the demonstrators pulled open the door of the second vehicle and began to beat the driver and police who were escorting Abhisit, they said.

The Oxford-educated Abhisit escaped unharmed, they added.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security, said he had ordered police to catch the attackers immediately and added that police had photo evidence of the incident.

"I told police to arrest the assailants within today," he told reporters. "This is not a peaceful protest. They have violated the law, the government already warned them that they will be prosecuted."

Pattaya is set to host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and key regional partners including China and Japan at a summit starting on Friday.

The summit -- already postponed from December due to ongoing political unrest -- would go ahead as planned, said Vitawas Srivihok, the senior ASEAN department official at Thailand's foreign ministry.

"The 'Red Shirts' protest will not affect foreign leaders attending the summit," Vitawas said, referring to the protesters by their nickname.

The incident came a day before a mass rally planned by Thaksin's supporters in Bangkok which organisers say hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend.

Thailand, a key tourism destination, has been crippled by political turmoil since billionaire tycoon Thaksin was toppled in a military coup in September 2006.

He is living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term imposed last year over corruption allegations which he says are politically motivated.

- AFP / 2009-04-07

Stupid tatcics by the red shirts. A day before their big demo and they have just linked themsleves to unincited violence upon innocents.

I'm glad you've replied to this Hammered, as I was just thinking about you when I was about to reply. Now, I've got a lot of time and respect for your points of view and appreciate your insights on many occasions, but your narrow view in the past that Red and Yellows are "just as bad as each other", has been one thing I cannot accept and I've flagged you on it on several occasions and you've been unable to find a satisfactory answer.

In fact, this current action by the Reds is very typical and par for the course in their long history of violence, whether in Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Udon and numerous other incidents hardly reported, across Isaan and other provincial centres over the past year. They have not "just linked themselves to unicied violence against innocents" as anyone who has followed ThaiVisa news threads can testify, but have been repeatedly doing it for a period of over 12 months. They did it on numerous occasions elsewhere which I'm sure you are aware of, with one of the nastiest being the attacks on PAD rallies in Udon and an earlier one in Mahasarakham. Pull the skin from off your eyes and you will see that there is pattern of this kind of incident happening over a prolonged time, which demonstrates clearly that there can be no comparison between Reds and Yellows when it comes to systematic violence levels.

I know it is tempting to try and condemn both sides as equally reprobate and delinquent, but there comes a point when you have to call a spade a spade and a violent mob a violent mob.

Having said that, keep the insightful comments coming as I have learned much from them over the past few years.

I'll take a look at what happens over the next few days and then maybe I'll have a new line on this..... I agree with what you say about the red shirts although dont think the yellows are anywhere near as angelic as some say. Anyway lets see what the next few days bring as it may all be very different after then. Things change over time.

However, violence is wrong. It doesnt really matter who commits it. It is still wrong.