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

[mdechgan]

Haven't been following the discussion, so maybe this has already been asked.

So when/if elections are called again and the newest reincarnation of Thai Rak Thai wins again (I believe they will), what then? Does Thailand just repeat the cycle again of coup or court intervention? How long does that nonsense go on before elections are just abandoned and Thailand officially becomes an oligarchy?

Not looking for a flame, it's an honest question

TRT 3rd edition will do massive vote buying again, they will be dissolved again.

You can think about it: Why didn't they try to win elections a legal way, if so many people love them?

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

And then what? Another election/dissolution, then another then another?

The problem is Thailand is deeply divided demographically and economically.

There will always be a division because the current constitution puts priority over the majority mob rule. Only 30% of the population lives in BKK. But almost everything financially, economically and politically in Thailand centers around the BKK-Chonburi area. Half of the country's GDP is from BKK and another 20-30% from the Chonburi province. 80% of the county's graduates are located in the BKK-Chonburi area while the rural majority have mostly a 4th grade education level.

I don't see how this can be fixed unless the rural majority becomes more educated which will take atleast another decade. When they do become educated chances are they will move into the BKK area.

The PAD thinks only a few capable should be able to goven the country and why should the majority of the rural areas be able to control the BKK money, government and politics.

The red shirts say they have the majority and they should be able to run the entire country as they have the majority vote.

The only way out is like China's 1 country two systems approach with HK. Should China be able to control HK's policies and economics or should HK be able to control China's government?

[hammered]

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.

Technical point but you cant really compare the constituency vote as in some constiuecies voters had 3 votes and some 2 votes depending on how the constituencies were divided. It also meant the total vote was more than the electorate. The proportional vote was OMOV. Trust Thailand to have a complicated system.

[mdechgan]

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

I think they are already too many taxis on the road. They don't have to park them, they are all over the place already. During some parts of the day there are more taxis than there are passenger vehicles.

[h90]

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

But what happens if Mr. Thai Man wants to drive home, but can't.

Can't tell Mrs because this street isn't on the regular way home and Mrs would figure out that he has a GF....

Than Mr. Thai Man maybe get a little bit angry with the Taxi driver and there will be many people.......

That might cause terrible clashes.....

[mdechgan]

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.

36% ppp vs. 30% for the democrats.

The proportional vote was almost neck to neck.

However if the people were to vote for a PM regardless of party lines I'm pretty sure the people would have preferred and voted for Mr. Mark over Samak.

[waza]

Thaksin knows that the people who conspired to make up false allegations against him, those who "did the dirty" and sold out things that are normally not told, those Elite who have for years run Thailand as their personal money making enterprise, those big Army generals with Billions of baht they should not have etc etc...... are more afraid of something else.

Thaksin knows that his life is now finished, his name tarnished.

However, he also knows that if he blows the whistle on all of those Elite who conspired to kick him out, he will "take them down, just as they took him down".

Ultimately this is why I like the reds cause, for the end result will be good for the Thai people. Thaksin is now fighting for true democracy, as this is the one thing all those fat greedy corrupt Elite do not want.

They threw stones in a glass house, and now Thaksin is making sure those stones break the glass, just as he had his glass broken.

Do not see this as the PAD / Democrats / Elite are trying to "spin" it as. They want people to think its just Thaksin wanting to get off all charges.

The real fight here is Thaksin now supporting "true Democracy" in Thailand, and the Bangkok Elite finally getting kicked into touch.

It might be revenge for Thaksin, but it really is the future and freedom for the Thai people thats now on the line.

You sound like a spin doctor............

[Jai Dee]

UDD taxis block traffic leading to Victory Monument

Red clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters in the name of Taxi Community Radio Station have started to close all roads leading to Victory Monument.

Today at about 12.30 hrs, UDD taxi protesters have started to block the road. Initially, traffic coming into Rachawitee Road in front of Centre One Department store was blocked.

Protesters said that they would block the road to force the Government to resign. If they had not received any response before 16.00 hrs, the 24 hrs deadline set by the UDD core leaders, they would close the road for other three more days. They also threatened to use about 20,000 taxis to block traffic throughout the city of Bangkok.

Commuters are advised to avoid travelling to the area or use other routes accordingly.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 09 April 2009

[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

I think they are already too many taxis on the road. They don't have to park them, they are all over the place already. During some parts of the day there are more taxis than there are passenger vehicles.

I am afraid that that is what they are hoping for .....

Actually one of the nationchannel presenters said that the police asked people to show patience and not to get angry.

I cannot update anymore now as my girlfriend decided to visit me today and she immediately switched the television to the soapseries .... she said she is sick and tired of the idiots fooled by Thaksin (she is from Mukdahan) ..... and came to my home because her friends in her room are constantly watching the tv and cheering the red team ...

Waerth

[rixalex]

Errr.... it is a proven fact that corruption was much less during the Thaksin era, than it was before it.

This is the reason the Elite got unhappy and wanted Thaksin out, he cut off many of their "easy money schemes" - like taking toll booth fee's and not giving receipts to drivers.

3000 dead, did Thaksin kill them ?

How many civilians are killed by US bombs or UK bombs ? Are their Presidents or Prime Ministers responsible ? Be careful what "parallels" you try to draw.

Please enlighten me and give me some proven facts. I am eager to learn about! Thanks

I was waiting for the "prove it" to be said.

I have been in Thailand over 2 decades, and believe me vote buying used to be rampant in the 1980's. The newspapers were filled with corruption scandals all the time. Swampy airport project had gone on for decades wasting billions, but was still a swamp.

Thaksin was elected to power under the TRT to "rid Thailand of corruption". The people wanted him as he was already rich, and did not need to take "too much more".

At this stage please note the only offence Thaksin is convicted of is his wife buying some land......if thats an offence. Nothing else has been charged with. The idiots and liars who quote "tax evasion" are idiots, the law of the land was adhered to, he broke no laws. Many tax loopholes exist in many countries and politicians and rich use them often, this may be morally wrong, but its not illegal.

When Thaksin was in power, roads got built, Swampy airport after a few decades was finally finished. We actually saw checks and balances like having Cadets sit at Tollway booths counting cars to prevent the "no receipt given to driver scam".

Now, whilst the Elite have done a good job painting Thaksin bad, the reason for this is that he upset them by preventing massive corruption.

I would say this to you, prove to me that corruption was not more before Thaksin........for I know it was.

Levelhead (or should i say younghusband?),

Seeing as you were ready and waiting, i was expecting you to come forth with some actually solid evidence of your bizarre claim: "Errr.... it is a proven fact that corruption was much less during the Thaksin era, than it was before it".

You promised proven facts and all we got was anecdotal nonsense and personal opinion. Disappointing but unsurprising.

[mdechgan]

I think the reds have a sense of urgency. They have only a few days left before the holiday. I think they will try and do anything to provoke the government.

I would like to see what happens if the protests go all the way to the 12th and 13th. If there will still be 100,000 people protesting in BKK during Songkhran then I give props to them for doing what they believe in. But I seriously doubt the protest will continue with this much force during the holidays.

The only way for the UDD to continue the rally during Songkhran is offering free booze and water guns.

[globalmenace]

UDD taxis block traffic leading to Victory Monument

Red clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters in the name of Taxi Community Radio Station have started to close all roads leading to Victory Monument.

Today at about 12.30 hrs, UDD taxi protesters have started to block the road. Initially, traffic coming into Rachawitee Road in front of Centre One Department store was blocked.

Protesters said that they would block the road to force the Government to resign. If they had not received any response before 16.00 hrs, the 24 hrs deadline set by the UDD core leaders, they would close the road for other three more days. They also threatened to use about 20,000 taxis to block traffic throughout the city of Bangkok.

Commuters are advised to avoid travelling to the area or use other routes accordingly.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 09 April 2009

What, traffic can't move on surface streets in BKK and it has something to do with politics? Sounds like a typical everyday traffic situation to me...

[h90]

Levelhead (or should i say younghusband?),

Seeing as you were ready and waiting, i was expecting you to come forth with some actually solid evidence of your bizarre claim: "Errr.... it is a proven fact that corruption was much less during the Thaksin era, than it was before it".

You promised proven facts and all we got was anecdotal nonsense and personal opinion. Disappointing but unsurprising.

that is almost a proof that Levelhead is the reincarnation of younghusband

[hammered]

I think the reds have a sense of urgency. They have only a few days left before the holiday. I think they will try and do anything to provoke the government.

I would like to see what happens if the protests go all the way to the 12th and 13th. If there will still be 100,000 people protesting in BKK during Songkhran then I give props to them for doing what they believe in. But I seriously doubt the protest will continue with this much force during the holidays.

The only way for the UDD to continue the rally during Songkhran is offering free booze and water guns.

The reds are going to raise the tempertaur eot extreme fever pitch in the next two days and casue as much disruptuion as possible. It will be intersting to see how the government react. Maybe an extra Songkhran holiday tomorrow is called for

[sriracha john]

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.

Would you please elaborate on this either in the open forum or PM?

Given Jatuporn's stature within the Red Shirts and his position in all of this it seems quite relevant to events of the day.

[mdechgan]

I kinda wish there will be an end in sight. One way or another. Just finish it. No more playing chicken or flexing muscles. No more Mexican(Thai) standoffs.

If Thailand is to be a republic, socialist, communist, whatever I can live with that and cope.

If Thailand were split into two territories like north south I can live with that too.

Lets just move on already. If the house is dissolved and new elections announced I think we will be in the same predicament again. The only difference being yellow or red. However I think there might be a wild card this time, Newin. Will he support the democrats or the Phua Thai?

[Jai Dee]

Red shirts threaten Pattaya rally if demand not met

The red shirts may move the rally site to Pattaya, coinciding with the Asean Summit, after today's deadline on their demand for the prime minister and privy councillors to step down, rally co-organiser Jatuporn Phrompan said on Thursday.

Jatuporn said the political struggle has moved into a final showdown which there must be a winner and a loser.

"Anything can happen today or tomorrow," he said.

Source: The Nation - 09 April 2009

[TAWP]

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

I'm working, so no thai tv news around. And that was hardly the point.

The threat of 20 000 taxis is just ridiculous.

[mdechgan]

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

I'm working, so no thai tv news around. And that was hardly the point.

The threat of 20 000 taxis is just ridiculous.

I don't think its ridiculous. A few years ago I read on a bulletin board where I had to renew my driver's license. They were something like 34,000 - 40,000 taxi registrations in BKK. This was a few years ago. I think there are more taxis now because many people quit there jobs to become taxi drivers. However I don't know the percentage of how many are green/yellow private and how many belong to taxi companies. I don't think the private yellow/green ones would be willing to just park their cars. They have to make payments like 1,000 baht per day for the lease. For the company ones they just have to park it anywhere because they only rent them for like 500 baht per day, most of the taxi company owners are thaksin loyalists.

[seri thai]

Just saw Hard Talk. I can only say that Abhisit is not an idiot, he answered straight to the point, had clear ideas about the future of his country, and even clear ideas about ASEAN, IMHO a PM every country will be proud of.

Lets see now:

1) Do we have a PM every country will be proud of? Check

2) Does he have a cabinet and the support of honest politicians every country would be proud of?

3) Does he have popular democratic support as opposed to the usual parliamentary coalition of hogs at a trough?

4) Are they at all likely to follow the kings admonition to do their duties responsibly with the interests of the nation and its people as their primary concern?

Well 1 out of 4 is a start I suppose? and in my opinion it's preferable to the alternative.

I wonder if the red-shirts might not have been better advised to choose a less inflammatory colour bearing in mind the negative historical connotations it has for the military and conservatives. Pink vs yellow would have been interesting. Then all sides could sue each other for les-majeste. I fully agree with Thitinan that there is a case to be answered and it would be foolish for the conservative elements to undermine and wish it all away as they have in the past. I believe Abhisit has the wisdom, vision and inclination to do this but does he have the power and resolve to unite the nation? Time will tell.

[kurtgruen]

I think the reds have a sense of urgency. They have only a few days left before the holiday. I think they will try and do anything to provoke the government.

I would like to see what happens if the protests go all the way to the 12th and 13th. If there will still be 100,000 people protesting in BKK during Songkhran then I give props to them for doing what they believe in. But I seriously doubt the protest will continue with this much force during the holidays.

The only way for the UDD to continue the rally during Songkhran is offering free booze and water guns.

I'm sure you will see lots of free lao khao flowing and lots of red waterguns ;-)

[kurtgruen]

I kinda wish there will be an end in sight. One way or another. Just finish it. No more playing chicken or flexing muscles. No more Mexican(Thai) standoffs.

If Thailand is to be a republic, socialist, communist, whatever I can live with that and cope.If Thailand were split into two territories like north south I can live with that too.

Lets just move on already. If the house is dissolved and new elections announced I think we will be in the same predicament again. The only difference being yellow or red. However I think there might be a wild card this time, Newin. Will he support the democrats or the Phua Thai?

If Thailand were to be socialist of communist, I could live with that, too, but neither sides are, this is about money and power, with lots of pawns being played (and maybe sacrificed) on the board.

[WAERTH]

I'm working, so no thai tv news around. And that was hardly the point.

The threat of 20 000 taxis is just ridiculous.

I don't think its ridiculous. A few years ago I read on a bulletin board where I had to renew my driver's license. They were something like 34,000 - 40,000 taxi registrations in BKK. This was a few years ago. I think there are more taxis now because many people quit there jobs to become taxi drivers. However I don't know the percentage of how many are green/yellow private and how many belong to taxi companies. I don't think the private yellow/green ones would be willing to just park their cars. They have to make payments like 1,000 baht per day for the lease. For the company ones they just have to park it anywhere because they only rent them for like 500 baht per day, most of the taxi company owners are thaksin loyalists.

71000 ++ if you want to know precisely see this link: http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scar.htm

It is the department of land transport details for number of registered taxis.

So they only need 1/4th of those drivers to reach 20.000. Add to that number the motorcycle taxi's and the Tuktuks!

Waerth

ps) this is the page with all the different colourschemes and the companies: http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scolour.htm

Edited April 9, 2009 by WAERTH

[mdechgan]

Red shirts threaten Pattaya rally if demand not met

The red shirts may move the rally site to Pattaya, coinciding with the Asean Summit, after today's deadline on their demand for the prime minister and privy councillors to step down, rally co-organiser Jatuporn Phrompan said on Thursday.

Jatuporn said the political struggle has moved into a final showdown which there must be a winner and a loser.

"Anything can happen today or tomorrow," he said.

Source: The Nation - 09 April 2009

I don't see what the reds are trying to do. Samak, Somchai, the PPP were disqualified and disbanded by the courts not the PAD. One can put pressure on the PM to resign, but the Privy councilors can only be removed and appointed by the King and only the King. If they all resign new appointments have to be made, and only the King can appoint them. I just don't see where this is going. If they have to blame someone or something they have to blame the 2007 constitution which was approved by a (ahem....) majority!

[kurtgruen]

Red shirts threaten Pattaya rally if demand not met

The red shirts may move the rally site to Pattaya, coinciding with the Asean Summit, after today's deadline on their demand for the prime minister and privy councillors to step down, rally co-organiser Jatuporn Phrompan said on Thursday.

Jatuporn said the political struggle has moved into a final showdown which there must be a winner and a loser.

"Anything can happen today or tomorrow," he said.

Source: The Nation - 09 April 2009

So what happened to the claims of the REDS being so much better than the Pad blah blah blah..? All I see them is copying.

End result....more lost tourism revenue, another major holiday business season going bust, less confidence from the international business and investment community,more violence .... I sure hope your great HERO is worth it, red guys

[mdechgan]

I'm working, so no thai tv news around. And that was hardly the point.

The threat of 20 000 taxis is just ridiculous.

I don't think its ridiculous. A few years ago I read on a bulletin board where I had to renew my driver's license. They were something like 34,000 - 40,000 taxi registrations in BKK. This was a few years ago. I think there are more taxis now because many people quit there jobs to become taxi drivers. However I don't know the percentage of how many are green/yellow private and how many belong to taxi companies. I don't think the private yellow/green ones would be willing to just park their cars. They have to make payments like 1,000 baht per day for the lease. For the company ones they just have to park it anywhere because they only rent them for like 500 baht per day, most of the taxi company owners are thaksin loyalists.

71000 ++ if you want to know precisely see this link: http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scar.htm

It is the department of land transport details for number of registered taxis.

So they only need 1/4th of those drivers to reach 20.000. Add to that number the motorcycle taxi's and the Tuktuks!

Waerth

ps) this is the page with all the different colourschemes and the companies: http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scolour.htm

Just park like 2 on the Pin Klao bridge, a couple on the Rama 7 bridge, some on rangsit, sukhumvit, petchburi, 1 or 2 on rama 4 road, BKK is screwed already.

[sriracha john]

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...

Jatuporn said the political struggle has moved into a final showdown which there must be a winner and a loser.

"Anything can happen today or tomorrow," he said.

Sorry Mae Nuam... but your boy Jatuporn is at it again and is getting worse with his threats...

There's a big paddle at the school down the street that I could obtain for you.....

Edited April 9, 2009 by sriracha john

[kenai]

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

I think the taxi drivers supporting the red shirts is 70-90% thats my own low and high estimate in there. Im sure all would not take part but when we were in Bangkok 2 weeks ago my wife spoke with many many drivers, most claimed 80-90% of drivers support the Reds. Some that she spoke to were quite emotional about it. I personally would not be surprised at all to see a very large number taking part ...in the thousands.

[TAWP]

Notice when you travel in taxi's that many are listening to the taxi-stations, which are propaganda-stations for the red.

Sp they get automatically brainwashed...

[kurtgruen]

Someone mentioned activities in the Provinces earlier. Nothing here in Chiang Mai, as far as I can tell.

A few tuk tuk and Songtheaw drivers attached red ribbins and rags to their vehicles, some are wearing red shirts, a few of them yellow shirts.

Lots of jokes about the situation up here and lots of funny suggestions, from the Thai People who are up here. For example (these are from Thai people, not me....

Thaepae Road has water guns set up by the city on both sides of the road. One Thai lady suggested, that you put everyone in red on one side of the street and everyone in yellow on the other, so that they can spray each other. Everyone laughed and agreed.

At the market, women joked about carrying a red and a yellow T-shirt with them, so they can go with the group who will offer them the most money. Again, everyone laughed.

Another one suggested to have Thai boxers in red and yellow uniforms from now on, instead of red and blue.

A foreigner yesterday, walking up Chiang Mai road, wore a bright yellow shirt, red shorts and yellow shoes. My wife and I thought that was quite funny (covering all the bases) ;-)

One thing, that us foreigners often do, that a lot of Thais don't, is to take Thai politics serious.

The old "One day at a time" comes to mind. :-)

Edited April 9, 2009 by kurtgruen

[henryalleman]

Thaksin is perhaps the most self serving individual I've ever seen, from any walk of life. To invite people to bring their children to a protest, while he whisks away his own on fears of safety is hypocrisy of the worst kind.

I am glad you picked up on that. It pretty much says it all about the leadership of this "peoples" demonstration.

Leaving Taksin aside and leaving aside preconceived ideas and opinions; do posters think people are right to seek cahnge in their couintry. that is the real question

Definitely! This country needs change.

As far as timing goes, it is wrong.

As far as their leader goes, it is wrong, as already explained by jbowman in his other post. If you are going to have a revolution, have one with a leader who genuinly cares about the people (People like Che Guevara come to mind), not some self serving, corrupt cop, who has only used this country to line his pocket, while throwing a few crumbs to the poor, to keep them from revolting.

What a pathetic excuse of a human being, calling the masses to bring their children, to a potentially violent situation, while getting his family out of the country. As my kids would say Lllllloooooooser.

I do think that you don't know much about Che. He was a fanatic, murderer and executioner. He was a very dangerous man, he did kill quite a few of the first revolutionary who embarked whit him and Castro. He was such a danger for the revolution that Castro send him away under the false pretext to spread the revolution in South America to prevent further bloodshed under his comrades.

He was such a loose canon that even the Angolions send him back.

He was the 20th century Robespiere and the perfect example for the old motto, " a revolution always eat his own children"