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

[h90]

Those TV members who want to label the red shirts as poor or uneducated, much the way the ABC (Australia) has done, should disconnect themselves from their oxygen bottles and push their walking frames down to the rally or pull their heads out of the sand. There are a large number of quite well educated and literate people at this rally. these are not (all) hicks from the boonies.

Red-shirts demand PM, Prem, Surayud, Charnchai to resign, resign from what they are not the government, they are appoint by you know who, to serve the you know who, educated in your term but not too smart if you ask me.

well it is pretty well known what Thaksin wants.....

He even tried the chair already once and his son spoke it out....

[chowder]

asking red shirt if they are getting pay......" what! noooooo, we no get pay, you wait here, i go over the collect money, i come back talk to you"......

[h90]

Just popped back for a moment to drop man image from 7.52am this morning. The mass of people you can see extends well past the large projection screen circled in green.

<snip>

Perhaps those with more experience at estimating crowd numbers can venture an opinion based on this one photo?

This is the evidence you submit to justify your earlier claim of "150,000 to 200,000" attendees at this event?

There are no more than 1,000 to 1,200 even vaugely identifiable individuals in this photo.

As for your claim that no one you spoke to had admitted to being paid to attend - maybe so. I can however assert that after a round of Golf at a Club in Central Bangkok earlier today at least 20 of the Caddies were eager to leave and go to the "Rally" in order to claim a cash reward for doing so.

(They were equally eager to participate in the general "Sanook" atmosphere that prevails in these situations of course)

Patrick

I wonder why the red shirts never bring photos of the masses. Everything so professional but no pictures from high buildings which brings an overview.

The Yellows did it all the time.

Why they don't show their x00.000 people??

Yes the payments: of course, my wife got a phone call and many others here were reporting the same, of course a big part is paid.

[way2muchcoffee]

never mind

Edited April 8, 2009 by way2muchcoffee

[redscouse]

why do people keep spouting sh!te about numbers, i fail to see the importance, none of you know exact figures so its all speculation. the only important numbers are the votes cast in the next election. do any of you actually think it matters if there are 50,000 or 100,000 when the press will invent a figure anyway.

its pathetic to read grown men believing that t makes a difference, the mentality of 'yellows had more so yellows must be better' belongs in the playground

grow the***up and we can have decent discussion without having to read pathetic speculation about numbers

[h90]

why do people keep spouting sh!te about numbers, i fail to see the importance, none of you know exact figures so its all speculation. the only important numbers are the votes cast in the next election. do any of you actually think it matters if there are 50,000 or 100,000 when the press will invent a figure anyway.

its pathetic to read grown men believing that t makes a difference, the mentality of 'yellows had more so yellows must be better' belongs in the playground

grow the**** up and we can have decent discussion without having to read pathetic speculation about numbers

indeed it is important if with all the money, there are just 20.000 people or 200.000 or 1 Million.

That shows the public support.

[sbk]

posts have been deleted. We do not discuss the Royal family. Period.

[JoeInSurin]

Just popped back for a moment to drop man image from 7.52am this morning. The mass of people you can see extends well past the large projection screen circled in green.

<snip>

Perhaps those with more experience at estimating crowd numbers can venture an opinion based on this one photo?

This is the evidence you submit to justify your earlier claim of "150,000 to 200,000" attendees at this event?

There are no more than 1,000 to 1,200 even vaugely identifiable individuals in this photo.

As for your claim that no one you spoke to had admitted to being paid to attend - maybe so. I can however assert that after a round of Golf at a Club in Central Bangkok earlier today at least 20 of the Caddies were eager to leave and go to the "Rally" in order to claim a cash reward for doing so.

(They were equally eager to participate in the general "Sanook" atmosphere that prevails in these situations of course)

Patrick

I wonder why the red shirts never bring photos of the masses. Everything so professional but no pictures from high buildings which brings an overview.

The Yellows did it all the time.

Why they don't show their x00.000 people??

Yes the payments: of course, my wife got a phone call and many others here were reporting the same, of course a big part is paid.

Here in Surin the yellow shirts had a bus giving cash handouts to come to their protest and now the red shirts are doing the same. The people from here with the hand clappers are now the same people with foot clappers. They are just there for the money and taking both sides to the bank.

[sriracha john]

I think Suthep is being a tad overoptimistic if he thinks only 20K

I am not sure if the government has a good secret plan to outsmart them, or if they are simply silly.

let the two guys who damaged the car in Pattaya isn't a good sign.

I don't know in other countries, but in my country they would walk out of a police station also, after the paper work is dun. They will have to go to court later. Not a big deal at all.

Once they throw eggs to the belgian king, after 2 hours they where back on the streets. Not even went to court.

Anyone ever go after Him with a motorcycle helmet or attempt to strangle his driver?

[h90]

Just popped back for a moment to drop man image from 7.52am this morning. The mass of people you can see extends well past the large projection screen circled in green.

<snip>

Perhaps those with more experience at estimating crowd numbers can venture an opinion based on this one photo?

This is the evidence you submit to justify your earlier claim of "150,000 to 200,000" attendees at this event?

There are no more than 1,000 to 1,200 even vaugely identifiable individuals in this photo.

As for your claim that no one you spoke to had admitted to being paid to attend - maybe so. I can however assert that after a round of Golf at a Club in Central Bangkok earlier today at least 20 of the Caddies were eager to leave and go to the "Rally" in order to claim a cash reward for doing so.

(They were equally eager to participate in the general "Sanook" atmosphere that prevails in these situations of course)

Patrick

I wonder why the red shirts never bring photos of the masses. Everything so professional but no pictures from high buildings which brings an overview.

The Yellows did it all the time.

Why they don't show their x00.000 people??

Yes the payments: of course, my wife got a phone call and many others here were reporting the same, of course a big part is paid.

Here in Surin the yellow shirts had a bus giving cash handouts to come to their protest and now the red shirts are doing the same. The people from here with the hand clappers are now the same people with foot clappers. They are just there for the money and taking both sides to the bank.

yes....strange country....

[JoeInSurin]

I think Suthep is being a tad overoptimistic if he thinks only 20K

I am not sure if the government has a good secret plan to outsmart them, or if they are simply silly.

let the two guys who damaged the car in Pattaya isn't a good sign.

I don't know in other countries, but in my country they would walk out of a police station also, after the paper work is dun. They will have to go to court later. Not a big deal at all.

Once they throw eggs to the belgian king, after 2 hours they where back on the streets. Not even went to court.

Anyone ever go after Him with a motorcycle helmet or attempt to strangle his driver?

These people that went after him were clearly yellow shirts dressed up as red shirts. Of course I am just kidding and would not claim this as the yellow shirt socialists would have.

[kenai]

The Nation is reporting 100,000 now, with more expected to join tonight.

I agree that numbers are not the key element. However most protests do hope for a large number in order to gather more attention to their cause.

To compare the number of protesters to the number in the population of a country is odd to me. There have been a number of protests in the US on issues from the Iraq war to Anti-abortion. I dont recall anyone ever claiming to know the percentage of support by knowing the number of protesters.

Im very curious about the Red Power page coming up before entering The Nation online, I always felt this to be a PAD sided paper - any ideas?

Edited April 8, 2009 by kenai

[sriracha john]

Abhisit is doing an awesome job in the BBC interview, considering that he is being attacked with every question. I think he handles himself quite well :-)

I disagree.It was overall an adequate performance but not Abhisit at his best, particularly in view of the petulance displayed when he was grilled by Zeinab Badawi (also a sharp witted Oxonian) on the more difficult domestic political issues.The more sensitive political issues were not touched on incidentally.On Thailand's regional role and Asean leadership he was certainly much better but on the Rohiyinga boat people issue he was frankly hopeless, bleating repeatedly about not having received evidence from the international media.In summary he did a great deal better than any other Thai politician could have managed, didn't get asked the explosive political questions (was this a condition of his appearing, I wonder?), showed a rather childish petulance when asked hard questions.Not bad but a million miles from awesome.

Darn, sorry I missed it.

Sounds like at least he didn't rudely belch throughout the interview and end it by intimidating and threatening the interviewer like Samak did. That was some real classy stuff for an international audience.

[h90]

I think Suthep is being a tad overoptimistic if he thinks only 20K

I am not sure if the government has a good secret plan to outsmart them, or if they are simply silly.

let the two guys who damaged the car in Pattaya isn't a good sign.

I don't know in other countries, but in my country they would walk out of a police station also, after the paper work is dun. They will have to go to court later. Not a big deal at all.

Once they throw eggs to the belgian king, after 2 hours they where back on the streets. Not even went to court.

So in case I feel an urge to do such things, I'll keep in mind to throw eggs at the belgian king and not shoes at the american president.

I think we had a "tortung" in Austria (putting a cake in a politicians face)...no problem.

But this case wasn't eggs, a window broke and it looked like they want to harm him, while a egg does not do much harm.

[samgrowth]

Seriously though. The reds can't accomplish anything by surrounding Prem's house. That does nothing except annoy a few old people. If they truely believe in their dear leader and the republic they have to take it to the next step.

1. They will need some support from the army. Possibly from bases stationed in the rural provinces.

2. Have the police support them. Which I think they already have since the cops here are so underpaid and undereducated.

3. Have to clog bkk. Suffocate it. I mean block off schools, banks, maybe even powerplants, bridges. Park them taxis on the streets and leave them there.

4. Do they have the guts to surround palaces?

Just showing up for afew hundred baht is one thing, but actually doing something you believe in is another.

Watch what you write, or the LM police will be knocking at your door.

[webfact]

As a fact I have to admit I am not a supporter either red or yellow or green or what color ever comes up in future.

The reds are talking to bring the Government down, demand new elections. Fine. But if the Government steps down a caretaker Government has to be in place until a new Government has been elected and is full functioning.

This will take at least 4 month!

I am not sure if a caretaker Government can establish new laws or make important decisions.

I am concerned. Why? The entire world seems to know about the world economy is close to doomsday and these guys don't realize that?

Why don't they give the current Government the power/support and time to solve the economical issue? In such a time of a world crisis they want to bring the Government down?

Do they know that a world economy crash will affect their lives as well?

I wonder what will happen when all the protesters have realized they have lost their jobs!

Will then the big spender come up and provide them with food, new jobs and free housing?

[Rinrada]

Just had a run down to have a look and all in good mood.Latest estimates (bit like woodstock ) recon on up to 300,000 and more on the way.

Got my red T shirt on so nobody noticed me...need to get one of those clappy things to take home to Enfield.......

anyway wiffee is doing some newspaper interview or summit so time for me to head orf for a drink in the offshore so....

[johncitizen]

Here's the latest news for you just to clear up all the rumours:

taken from the Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...ropolitan-chief

100,000 protesters now: deputy metropolitan chief

The number of protesters has risen to be over 100,000 at about 6 pm Wednesday.

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Lt Gen Jakthip Chaijinda confirmed the figure estimated by field reporters.

Jaktip said more protesters are expected to join the rallies at night.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

Conflicting reports on the banned from politics former First Lady Yaowapha... fled the country or at the Red stage????

Lookalikes being paid to satisfy/confuse the media and the masses.

very difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate her rare beauty...

[JoeInSurin]

Abhisit is doing an awesome job in the BBC interview, considering that he is being attacked with every question. I think he handles himself quite well :-)

I disagree.It was overall an adequate performance but not Abhisit at his best, particularly in view of the petulance displayed when he was grilled by Zeinab Badawi (also a sharp witted Oxonian) on the more difficult domestic political issues.The more sensitive political issues were not touched on incidentally.On Thailand's regional role and Asean leadership he was certainly much better but on the Rohiyinga boat people issue he was frankly hopeless, bleating repeatedly about not having received evidence from the international media.In summary he did a great deal better than any other Thai politician could have managed, didn't get asked the explosive political questions (was this a condition of his appearing, I wonder?), showed a rather childish petulance when asked hard questions.Not bad but a million miles from awesome.

Darn, sorry I missed it.

Sounds like at least he didn't rudely belch throughout the interview and end it by intimidating and threatening the interviewer like Samak did. That was some real classy stuff for an international audience.

Well everyone can't do something to an international audience with as much class as the PAD did and take over an International Airport. I am sure the belch caused the drop in tourism and the airport takeover had nothing to do with it.

[waza]

More than a 100,000 protesters are out in Bangkok demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. ABC news

[sriracha john]

Just popped back for a moment to drop man image from 7.52am this morning. The mass of people you can see extends well past the large projection screen circled in green. In addition all of the space under the canopies on the left side were full, as was the road running across the back and left side of Government House. The road at the back of Government House is at least six lanes. In front of Government House are two roads with a canal in between. The road closest to Government House was full, while the road ont he other side of the canal and extending back behind were the shot was taken were both heavily conjested also.

Admittedly it's hard to judge the size of a crowd while on the ground but it take take me more than an hour to get through the crowd at that time of the morning and walk around the Government House complex - a walk I have completed in less than 20 minutes in the past.

There were no helicopters overhead all the morning I was there. I doubt Thai television stations run to the luxury of helicopters.

To those people who doubt the information my translator obtained from people she spoke to please take note. I and she are professional at what we do and she is well able to get people to talk. More importantly, the conversations were carried out without me being in the vicinity. I repeat, of the 200 or so people she spoke to none said they had received any financial incentive. My first hand observation was of large quantities of notes with Bt1,000 bills attached being passed up to the stage.

Those TV members who want to label the red shirts as poor or uneducated, much the way the ABC (Australia) has done, should disconnect themselves from their oxygen bottles and push their walking frames down to the rally or pull their heads out of the sand. There are a large number of quite well educated and literate people at this rally. these are not (all) hicks from the boonies.

We'll have to point that out to Koo and others on the Red Shirt side who portray that image in their descriptions.

[RubbaJohnny]

While an alcohol ban and curfew may be over reaction has anyone considered banning SHIRTS?

A topless Thailand would be a boon for TAT TOT TIT and no doubt

Those underage to be chained to Poles and earn foreign currency from aliens

It aint arf AOT mum

[sriracha john]

Conflicting reports on the banned from politics former First Lady Yaowapha... fled the country or at the Red stage????

Since when is the wife of an PM a First lady, by my knowledge they don't call her like that in any country, most of the time they are completely at the background and almost never seen in public.

Anyhow this is the case in Continental Europe.

In Thailand... there have been at 2 recent First Ladies seen as being the real decision-makers and deal-brokers with PM husbands... Potjaman and Yaowapa.

[Steve2UK]

I think Suthep is being a tad overoptimistic if he thinks only 20K

I am not sure if the government has a good secret plan to outsmart them, or if they are simply silly.

let the two guys who damaged the car in Pattaya isn't a good sign.

I don't know in other countries, but in my country they would walk out of a police station also, after the paper work is dun. They will have to go to court later. Not a big deal at all.

Once they throw eggs to the belgian king, after 2 hours they where back on the streets. Not even went to court.

Anyone ever go after Him with a motorcycle helmet or attempt to strangle his driver?

You earlier posted a Matichon photo which shows a protester grabbing at the driver's shirt collar. You have a source to back up your now citing an attempt to strangle him ?

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for your source for any report saying that the Shinawatra's "fled" as opposed to "left" or "departed" - which is all I have seen.

[h90]

As a fact I have to admit I am not a supporter either red or yellow or green or what color ever comes up in future.

The reds are talking to bring the Government down, demand new elections. Fine. But if the Government steps down a caretaker Government has to be in place until a new Government has been elected and is full functioning.

This will take at least 4 month!

I am not sure if a caretaker Government can establish new laws or make important decisions.

I am concerned. Why? The entire world seems to know about the world economy is close to doomsday and these guys don't realize that?

Why don't they give the current Government the power/support and time to solve the economical issue? In such a time of a world crisis they want to bring the Government down?

Do they know that a world economy crash will affect their lives as well?

I wonder what will happen when all the protesters have realized they have lost their jobs!

Will then the big spender come up and provide them with food, new jobs and free housing?

No caretaker Government can't do much, as well they'll make promotion in every Ban Nok and don't have the time to do something for the country.

So 3 month for the election, 1 month (at least) fighting for who make a coalition with who and get what job.

So absolute minimum 4 month and than there are a lot new ministers who need to get used to the job first.

[sriracha john]

Conflicting reports on the banned from politics former First Lady Yaowapha... fled the country or at the Red stage????

Since when is the wife of an PM a First lady, by my knowledge they don't call her like that in any country, most of the time they are completely at the background and almost never seen in public.

Anyhow this is the case in Continental Europe.

It's the case here too.As in most monarchical systems,there is no Thai version of a First Lady (ie wife of the PM).It's a mistake that Americans often make.

It's not an official title as in America, but is nonetheless not so uncommonly used term here to describe the PM's wife. Google is your friend.

Edited April 8, 2009 by sriracha john

[edwardmoulton]

The crowd will disrupt things and cause problems in the short-term but let's be honest a change is needed to this corrupt and chaotic country! From the top down, it is like a bunch of kids playing at big boys games but with no idea how to even switch the GameBoy on...

For those who haven't seen it yet, watch the news tonight and wait for the clip to be shown again of the attack on Abhisit's car. I cannot call it a motorcade as that would be too grand an expression for a retarded driver who cannot drive straight, runs over a motorbike, drives the PM with the car doors unlocked and puts the PM at risk as a result all after stopping at a red light. The PM must have been really happy after being trapped inside the Royal Cliff Hotel for three hours before... and then the police let one of the attackers escape from the police station. Unreal...

If you ever wanted a prime example of the hopeless inadequate abilities of this nation, that was it. The clip was on the BBC news site and my friends in the UK were in hysterics when they saw what passes for an organised security measure here.... Put lines of police along the road but have no idea at all how to put security into place. I am sure the attendees to the next Asean meeting on Friday will bring their own security!!!

The only people in this country I have any respect for are the hard working poor, the rest are lazy parasites with enough stupidity, ignorance and xenophobia to make it endemic.

Grow up Thailand before it is too late. You are getting so left behind in the dark ages!

Edited April 8, 2009 by edwardmoulton

[sriracha john]

I am not sure if the government has a good secret plan to outsmart them, or if they are simply silly.

let the two guys who damaged the car in Pattaya isn't a good sign.

I don't know in other countries, but in my country they would walk out of a police station also, after the paper work is dun. They will have to go to court later. Not a big deal at all.

Once they throw eggs to the belgian king, after 2 hours they where back on the streets. Not even went to court.

Anyone ever go after Him with a motorcycle helmet or attempt to strangle his driver?

You earlier posted a Matichon photo which shows a protester grabbing at the driver's shirt collar. You have a source to back up your now citing an attempt to strangle him ?

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for your source for any report saying that the Shinawatra's "fled" as opposed to "left" or "departed" - which is all I have seen.

Sorry, I was busy answering the more important posts first.

Video shown on a number of TV stations showed them forcing open the drivers door and grabbing him around the neck. It appeared they were attempting to strangle him.

As for Yaowapa. Did the Shinawatras have a scheduled family reunion, funeral, or wedding to attend to outside of Thailand this week? If so, I would describe that as "departed." Their leaving en masse at this extremely critical juncture for all of their futures could easily and fairly be described as "fled." But try not to get so hung up on the vernacular. It's not nearly as outlandish as some of the other posts by others which you chose not to reply to.

Edited April 8, 2009 by sriracha john

[waza]

The crowd will disrupt things and cause problems in the short-term but let's be honest a change is needed to this corrupt and chaotic country! From the top down, it is like a bunch of kids playing at big boys games but with no idea how to even switch the GameBoy on...

For those who haven't seen it yet, watch the news tonight and wait for the clip to be shown again of the attack on Abhisit's car. I cannot call it a motorcade as that would be too grand an expression for a retarded driver who cannot drive straight, runs over a motorbike, drives the PM with the car doors unlocked and puts the PM at risk as a result all after stopping at a red light. The PM must have been really happy after being trapped inside the Roay Cliff Hotel for three hours before... and then the police let one of the attackers escpe from the police station. Unreal...

If you ever wanted a prime example of the hopeless inadequate abilities of this nation, that was it. The clip was on the BBC news site and my frinds in the UK were in hysterics when they saw what passes for an organised security measure here.... Put lines of police along the road but have no idea at all how to put security into place. I am sure the attendees to the next Asean meeting on Friday will bring their own security!!!

Grow up Thailand!

http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?hl=...ek&start=10 Have a look at this, the red shirts were able to run the PM's car down twice, without any police interferance. PS I think fled is a fair assessment

Edited April 8, 2009 by waza