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

[hammered]

Mum tells UDD leader: Stop it

The elderly mother of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader and opposition Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan has told him to stop damaging the country.

Mrs Nuam said her son's activities made her feel uncomfortable because she feared he was causing harm to the country.

and coming from his 90 year-old mother.... that's just too precious...

Mr Jatuporn's mother said she had tried to phone her son, but he never answered or called her back.

hmmm... he's not a very good human being on even more levels now....

My wife told me that Jatuporn can't go to his hometown Surat since a long time. As people there hate him that much, that he is not sure if someone might kill him. And this is since long before the protests.

A lot of people know exactly why that is too inspite of efforts to disappear it. It has absolutely nothing to do with politics.

[WAERTH]

Somebody tell me! How does speaking good English has anything to do with managing the Country?

Other than the fact most all international governmental interaction and business dealings

is in English these days...?

Managing a country can be done in the language of that country pretty well .....

And no many business dealings are not done in English, they are done in French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and many other languages as well.

Chinese (Mandarin) will probably become an important language in the future ...

But lets get back on topic!

W

You aren't doing business, or?

English is the business language and all the companies, even very small one who do some international business do it in english.

German and French speak English together and Chinese and Japanese speak English together.

My Thai/Chinese wife is speaking English with our Chinese/Singapore supplier!

I am doing business.

There is a reason why in the Netherlands we have to learn 3 languages and not just English because it has been found that many German businessmen like to conduct business in German, same for the French. A friend of mine who was working for a mobile phone company in the Netherlands owned by France Telecom said that many of the meetings with high managers would be in French, not English. I could go on and on and on.

But there is definitely a reason why students in a country like the Netherlands (which is in a huge way dependent on international trade) are encouraged to learn other languages apart from just English. Recent years saw Russian re-introduced as an exam choice and Spanish and Mandarin introduced and promoted more for students to take in during their high school years. And you know why they do this, because they came to the conclusion that far from everyone speaks English or likes to conduct business in that language ...

Waerth

[hammered]

Sanan aide sought over Charnchai plot

Police confident of arresting mastermind

By: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Published: 9/04/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a close aide to Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart over accusations he masterminded the alleged assassination attempt on privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta.

Suspects in the alleged plot to assassinate privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta at a news conference Thursday. From left, suspected gunman Sakchai sae Lim, Panupong Ratanapaiboon, Kamik Sukkanchanakas and Maj Thienchai Muangjanthuek

Police sources said two warrants were issued yesterday - one for Chakkrit Sekhanant, Maj Gen Sanan's close aide, and a man identified only as "Jack", who allegedly served as a go-between in the alleged assassination attempt.

Police launched a hunt for the two after questioning four other suspects.

Maj Gen Sanan, who is now in Japan, admitted he had asked Capt Chakkrit to work at the PM's Office during the Samak administration, a source said.

Later, Capt Chakkrit transferred back to the navy and Maj Gen Sanan no longer had any connection with him.

The four suspects were named as Thienchai Muangjanthuek, 45, Kamik Sukkanchanakas, 32, Panupong Ratanapaiboon, 32, and Sakchai sae Lim, 27.

Police told a news conference yesterday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the assassination contract had been given to the four last month.

Maj Thienchai, an army librarian, allegedly received the contract and was paid 1.5 million baht. He was told the target was a northern businessman.

Police say he then contacted Mr Kamik to find a gunman and offered him 500,000 baht.

Mr Kamik passed the contract to Mr Panupong who in turn asked Mr Sakchai to shoot Mr Charnchai in exchange for 40,000 baht. Mr Panupong and Mr Sakchai are motorcycle taxi drivers at Wat Laksi in Bangkok.

Police said Mr Panupong met Mr Kamik in Pathum Thani on March 31 and received a gun. He was given Mr Chanchai's photo the next day and later 38-calibre bullets by Maj Thienchai.

An illegal revolver, six hollow-point bullets and four ordinary bullets were shown to the news conference yesterday.

Police said Mr Panupong and Mr Sakchai went to Mr Charnchai's house on April 4 to kill him. They retreated because police were on duty nearby.

The next day, the men returned but again backed away because of police, it was alleged.

As they left, police at a checkpoint in the Prachachuen area seized their motorcycle as it did not have a licence plate. Interrogation uncovered the assassination plot and led to the arrest of Mr Kamik and Maj Thienchai.

Sources said Maj Thienchai allegedly received the contract from Capt Chakkrit through someone called "Jack".

Mr Suthep and Pol Gen Patcharawat insisted the assassination plot was real.

Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Chalong Sonjai said there was evidence to nail the mastermind of the alleged plot.

So the Elites are prepared to assassinate a privy councillor and then make it look as though the red shirts are the guilty ones?

Maybe or maybe it is made to look that way. Nothing is ever as it seems in Thailand but sometimes it is.. It is a bit like same same but different. Considering what behind all the rhetoric is really at stake here for the power players, and few really realise what really is at stake, anything could happen or be done. This is a nasty game. You may well be right but I wouldnt assume it 100%.

[WAERTH]

I am hearing on television now that over 100 taxi's have blocked roads at Victory monument.

Waerth

[Wolfie]

As i believe it, the three most widely spoken languages in the world (in order)

Mandarin (Chinese)

Spanish

English

But, lets keep this on topic anyway

[Wolfie]

Taxi drivers block roads at Victory Monument

Some 20 taxi drivers used their cars to block two roads at the Victory Monument at noon Thursday to pressure the government to resign.

They started blocking the inbound Rajvithi Road in front of the Center One shopping mall at 12:30 pm and later on blocked the inbound Phayathai Road.

The members of the Taxi Community Radio Club said if the government refused to resign by 4 pm, they would use 20,000 taxis to block all roads in Bangkok.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...ictory-Monument

[kurtgruen]

Somebody tell me! How does speaking good English has anything to do with managing the Country?

Other than the fact most all international governmental interaction and business dealings

is in English these days...?

Managing a country can be done in the language of that country pretty well .....

Yes, if you want to be seen as keeping that country in the equivalent of the stone age, by historians 100 years from now

[Moonrakers]

Taxi drivers block roads at Victory Monument

Some 20 taxi drivers used their cars to block two roads at the Victory Monument at noon Thursday to pressure the government to resign.

They started blocking the inbound Rajvithi Road in front of the Center One shopping mall at 12:30 pm and later on blocked the inbound Phayathai Road.

The members of the Taxi Community Radio Club said if the government refused to resign by 4 pm, they would use 20,000 taxis to block all roads in Bangkok.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...ictory-Monument

Guess I'll be leaving the office early today then.

[kurtgruen]

Taxi drivers block roads at Victory Monument

Some 20 taxi drivers used their cars to block two roads at the Victory Monument at noon Thursday to pressure the government to resign.

They started blocking the inbound Rajvithi Road in front of the Center One shopping mall at 12:30 pm and later on blocked the inbound Phayathai Road.

The members of the Taxi Community Radio Club said if the government refused to resign by 4 pm, they would use 20,000 taxis to block all roads in Bangkok.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...ictory-Monument

Oh well, look at the bright side, pollution levels will be down and everybody will get some exercise.

Pull their licenses to drive a Taxi and give them to somebody, who can drive and wants to work.

Time to get the tow trucks out there ;-)

[hammered]

Anyone want to hazard a guess to the outcome of all this?

[kurtgruen]

I do think, that regardless of how big this gets or how small it stays, it would be wise for all of us Expats to fill up our gas tanks and head to the nearest ATM to fill up our wallets. Better safe than sorry, I say. I wouldn't want to be stuck with no gas and no money during the Songkran holiday.

[h90]

I am hearing on television now that over 100 taxi's have blocked roads at Victory monument.

Waerth

Nation reporting simillar thing

[h90]

As i believe it, the three most widely spoken languages in the world (in order)

Mandarin (Chinese)

Spanish

English

But, lets keep this on topic anyway

years ago Russian was number 1, as Chinese and all the other commie countries had to learn Russian.

But that changed of course.

[jbowman1993]

For those interested in a first hand report on yesterday's rally it is now posted at (URL deleted)

Rabid PAD protesters such as jbowman1993 might like to ignore this post as it doesn't meet their openly PAD platform.

If anyone wishes to dispute the attendance figure then I suggest they get off their bums and go to the protest site rather than relying on reports from people who stood at one spot.

A photo compilation will be posted this afternoon.

JLF

Just like a good journalist, never let the facts get in the way of a good story! LOL

Show any pro PAD statement I have ever made, or <deleted>. In any event, despite photojourn's description of me as "Rabid" I have maintained on several occasions that the reds and yellows are both idiots, two sides of the same stupid coin.

Edited April 9, 2009 by LivinginKata

[h90]

I do think, that regardless of how big this gets or how small it stays, it would be wise for all of us Expats to fill up our gas tanks and head to the nearest ATM to fill up our wallets. Better safe than sorry, I say. I wouldn't want to be stuck with no gas and no money during the Songkran holiday.

fill the fridge with beer and if you have a deep freeze than fill it with ice (incase they cut the electric).

Nothing is worse than watching a revolution without cold beer.....("red horse beer" might be the right choice as there is no red buffalo beer)

I downloaded already the "Internationale" in case I have to proof that I am a good communist....

[kurtgruen]

Anyone want to hazard a guess to the outcome of all this?

No idea, but one thing I would think is, that no matter who wins, in the future, the rights of individuals will be much more limited than now, in this Country, which is a real shame, in my opinion.

All I know is, that right now, I'm heading to the ATM, taking out another 25,000 Baht and go on holidays tomorrow. As the song goes....

"Common' baby, lets get out of this town. Got a full tank of gas and the top rolled down, there some money I saved, enough to get on our way...and baby you can sleep while I drive"

[hammered]

I do think, that regardless of how big this gets or how small it stays, it would be wise for all of us Expats to fill up our gas tanks and head to the nearest ATM to fill up our wallets. Better safe than sorry, I say. I wouldn't want to be stuck with no gas and no money during the Songkran holiday.

It is probably those in BKK that have to worry most but if this does go into Songkhran that will show one hel_l of a a lot of mettle by the reds. Likley things will become tenser and tenser over the next few days and then it will lessen over Songkhran if we reach there without incident imho. Things though could break or get out of control before then. However, the authorities seem determined not to react and wait for Songkhran.

Taxi's shutting down BKK could cause public opinion to go either way in the city. The reds announced they wouldnt do this earlier today but now are going to do it.

Edited April 9, 2009 by hammered

[WAERTH]

I am not sure but police on Nationchannel now reporting that Rama VI is closed as well. but some taxidrivers seem to drive, stop, drive, stop instead of just blocking.

Waerth

[hammered]

I do think, that regardless of how big this gets or how small it stays, it would be wise for all of us Expats to fill up our gas tanks and head to the nearest ATM to fill up our wallets. Better safe than sorry, I say. I wouldn't want to be stuck with no gas and no money during the Songkran holiday.

fill the fridge with beer and if you have a deep freeze than fill it with ice (incase they cut the electric).

Nothing is worse than watching a revolution without cold beer.....("red horse beer" might be the right choice as there is no red buffalo beer)

I downloaded already the "Internationale" in case I have to proof that I am a good communist....

Outside BKK things are remarkably normal. Here in small town Chonburi you wouldnt know there was a poltical rally on and the in-laws say up the lower North it is quiet. Funny old world

[sriracha john]

Much of the other "charges" are all down to "spoken testimony" of people, that took two years to get hold of, for some reason. They are pretty flimsy and appear to some people to be totally "false allegations and testimony" which was the reason Thaksin fled as he said "I cannot get a fair trial".

Reality check time...

That's the beauty of thaivisa's search engine... lots of real facts readily available with a few clicks of a mouse.... such as the veritable avalanche of documented evidence of wrong-doing....

Wanna know why cases take so long? The sheer volume of evidence is a good place to start....

one case:

Thaksin stands to lose a fortune in 'unusual wealth'

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra might be exiled in London but he is about to pay a whopping price with his Bt76-billion fortune about to be seized in Bangkok.

Based on graft allegations, public prosecutors have mounted a sturdy case for the seizure of Thaksin's wealth. The prosecution writ is 124-pages long. The associated evidence required 180 boxes and needed to be transported to the court in a large lorry.

another case:

there certainly is a lot of it... eg. 40 boxes in the lottery case

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday filed corruption charges in the Supreme Court against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and former Cabinet ministers, in connection with the two and three digit lottery scandal.

The Nation / 2008-03-10

still another case:

Apparently there is literally a mountain of evidence being turned in...

THAKSIN CORRUPTION CASE

AEC submits 50,000 pages

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday submitted more than 50,000 pages to the Attorney-General's Office that it says implicates ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, son Panthongtae, and former board members of Krung Thai Bank (KTB) in alleged loan irregularities extended to the Krisda Mahanakorn Group.

and yet another case:

oops... sorry, forum software limits me to 4 quotes...

[h90]

I am not sure but police on Nationchannel now reporting that Rama VI is closed as well. but some taxidrivers seem to drive, stop, drive, stop instead of just blocking.

Waerth

blocking might be illegal, but driving at 1km/h might be legal.

[Moonrakers]

I am not sure but police on Nationchannel now reporting that Rama VI is closed as well. but some taxidrivers seem to drive, stop, drive, stop instead of just blocking.

Waerth

No change there then?

[Insight]

I've got to venture the traffic in the next hour (although not in the Victory Monument / Rama 4 areas)

If anything's amiss I'll report it when I get back (if I ever do).

[TAWP]

Taxi drivers block roads at Victory Monument

Some 20 taxi drivers used their cars to block two roads at the Victory Monument at noon Thursday to pressure the government to resign.

They started blocking the inbound Rajvithi Road in front of the Center One shopping mall at 12:30 pm and later on blocked the inbound Phayathai Road.

The members of the Taxi Community Radio Club said if the government refused to resign by 4 pm, they would use 20,000 taxis to block all roads in Bangkok.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...ictory-Monument

Yeah, 20 taxis, which is all the support this little rogue group could find now, is gonna muscles together 20 000 cars...sure...

[Moonrakers]

From memory there is both a state childrens hospital and old persons hospital near the victory monument.

They had best re-think their strategy because blocking emergency vehicles such as ambulances is likely to pIss alot of people off, that and it's just wrong.

[SoMeOnEnUlL]

Somebody tell me! How does speaking good English has anything to do with managing the Country?

If you really do not know the answer to your question, then I'm afraid you couldn't understand the answer were someone to give it to you.

That goes for English or any language of that particular land. Its called being able to properly communicate.

I don't think you really get the question.

I don't think you're communicating effectively.

Then I'll cancel Hard Talk

Sorry.. English is my... hmm.. third language and wasn't aware of the Hardtalk that is going on. It's an honor for me to talk to English speaking people from this internet forum.

Now, could you explain me why a PM of non-English speaking country need to speak a *good* English to manage a non-English speaking country? If it's about the communication, then, are you implying that someone who speak *good* English can better communicate with his fellow country men who speak non-English?

[Steve2UK]

On the last election the Democrats had nearly as many votes as TRT 2nd edition without vote buying...

What was I saying about "facts are sacred"?

And I guess the EC were mistaken in red-carding Democrat candidates? This is Thai politics........ knights in shining armour are few and far between.

[h90]

I've got to venture the traffic in the next hour (although not in the Victory Monument / Rama 4 areas)

If anything's amiss I'll report it when I get back (if I ever do).

so hear from you tomorrow

[NCFC]

Sanan aide sought over Charnchai plot

Police confident of arresting mastermind

By: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Published: 9/04/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a close aide to Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart over accusations he masterminded the alleged assassination attempt on privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta.

Suspects in the alleged plot to assassinate privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta at a news conference Thursday. From left, suspected gunman Sakchai sae Lim, Panupong Ratanapaiboon, Kamik Sukkanchanakas and Maj Thienchai Muangjanthuek

Police sources said two warrants were issued yesterday - one for Chakkrit Sekhanant, Maj Gen Sanan's close aide, and a man identified only as "Jack", who allegedly served as a go-between in the alleged assassination attempt.

Police launched a hunt for the two after questioning four other suspects.

Maj Gen Sanan, who is now in Japan, admitted he had asked Capt Chakkrit to work at the PM's Office during the Samak administration, a source said.

Later, Capt Chakkrit transferred back to the navy and Maj Gen Sanan no longer had any connection with him.

The four suspects were named as Thienchai Muangjanthuek, 45, Kamik Sukkanchanakas, 32, Panupong Ratanapaiboon, 32, and Sakchai sae Lim, 27.

Police told a news conference yesterday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the assassination contract had been given to the four last month.

Maj Thienchai, an army librarian, allegedly received the contract and was paid 1.5 million baht. He was told the target was a northern businessman.

Police say he then contacted Mr Kamik to find a gunman and offered him 500,000 baht.

Mr Kamik passed the contract to Mr Panupong who in turn asked Mr Sakchai to shoot Mr Charnchai in exchange for 40,000 baht. Mr Panupong and Mr Sakchai are motorcycle taxi drivers at Wat Laksi in Bangkok.

Police said Mr Panupong met Mr Kamik in Pathum Thani on March 31 and received a gun. He was given Mr Chanchai's photo the next day and later 38-calibre bullets by Maj Thienchai.

An illegal revolver, six hollow-point bullets and four ordinary bullets were shown to the news conference yesterday.

Police said Mr Panupong and Mr Sakchai went to Mr Charnchai's house on April 4 to kill him. They retreated because police were on duty nearby.

The next day, the men returned but again backed away because of police, it was alleged.

As they left, police at a checkpoint in the Prachachuen area seized their motorcycle as it did not have a licence plate. Interrogation uncovered the assassination plot and led to the arrest of Mr Kamik and Maj Thienchai.

Sources said Maj Thienchai allegedly received the contract from Capt Chakkrit through someone called "Jack".

Mr Suthep and Pol Gen Patcharawat insisted the assassination plot was real.

Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Chalong Sonjai said there was evidence to nail the mastermind of the alleged plot.

So the Elites are prepared to assassinate a privy councillor and then make it look as though the red shirts are the guilty ones?

Maybe or maybe it is made to look that way. Nothing is ever as it seems in Thailand but sometimes it is.. It is a bit like same same but different. Considering what behind all the rhetoric is really at stake here for the power players, and few really realise what really is at stake, anything could happen or be done. This is a nasty game. You may well be right but I wouldnt assume it 100%.

Yes I agree with you there that we won't know whether this was a planned assassination attempt or what the motives were until the major players are winkled out. What surprised me was how quickly the police were able to unravel the money chain. I guess that the motor cycle boys were not prepared to to take a long stretch in the slammer for 40K baht when they could get a plea bargain, no doubt.

But surprisingly those in the middle of the chain were very quick to point the finger upwards. Let's see what the 'aide close to the Deputy Prime Minister' has to say for himself.

[WAERTH]

Yeah, 20 taxis, which is all the support this little rogue group could find now, is gonna muscles together 20 000 cars...sure...

Dear Tawp watch the Thai tv and you will hear it is over a 100 at the moment. Not much, but with Victory Monument being one of the choking points in Bangkok traffic the fallout could be big already.

The do not need 20.000 taxis to choke Bangkok traffic. 1000 taxi's well placed would be enough.

Waerth