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

[Plus]

He might try to pop up somewhere in Isan or the North and get reds to physically protect him from the police. I bet he's got a lot of local police on his side anyway.

Sounds like a mad idea but who can put it past Thaskin nowadays. He just needs an escape route planned in case it turns sour.

[webfact]

wasn't his name Sinatra?

........

And now, the end is near;

And so I face the final curtain.

My friends, Ill say it clear,

Ill state my case, of which I'm certain.----

[hammered]

He might try to pop up somewhere in Isan or the North and get reds to physically protect him from the police. I bet he's got a lot of local police on his side anyway.

Sounds like a mad idea but who can put it past Thaskin nowadays. He just needs an escape route planned in case it turns sour.

Thanong of the Nation has a Nation blog entry up claiming that the red shirts will march on Prem's house and then Thaksin will denounce him. He mentions that the political situation is delicate and the military badly divided and asks who will move first. Cryptic stuff and just what Thailand doesnt need. Lets hope it comes to nothing.

I posted a link on the PM worries thread (I think)

[Koo82]

They have talked on the red stage this morning and until now that they heard Abhisit government may announce State of Emergency before the video link talk tonight of Khun Thaksin.

Does anyone have any news?

Edited March 27, 2009 by Koo82

[h90]

He's run out of ammunition, after "Surayud behind the coup" flop there's not much space left. Go a step higher and you are a certified madman.

That certainly seems to be the common analysis.

There is one rumour doing the rounds that the rally and attacks on the privvy council are a distraction for an attempted coup by military officers loyal to him. Sounds unlikely to me but Thaksin may have all kinds of weird dream these days. Certainly after these few days are over we should have a lot clearer picture.

A Thaky coup.....the yellow and loyal to the monarchy army against the coup-makers, the southerners gearing up (including the paramilitary and ex communists) and the country will have a civil war.

In this case it will be very uncomfortable here and economic will decrease fast.

[samgrowth]

They have talked on the red stage this morning and until now that they heard Abhisit government may announce State of Emergency before the video link talk tonight of Khun Thaksin.

Does anyone have any news?

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews...327-131408.html

Govt 'to avoid clashes,' protect airport

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

- - ----

See a sea of blue, I hope AOT do not press the panic button like last time.

[Koo82]

Red-shirts to rally at City Hall

BANGKOK: -- A group of red-shirted protesters from the Government House will be deploy to demonstrate at the Bangkok City Hall Friday, their leader Natthawut Saikua said.

He said the red-shirted people would protest against the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for failing to deploy enough mobile toilets to serve the demonstrators outside the Government House.

According to red representatives, in the red rally last month in front of Government House, this BCH gave 5 mobile toilets for the reds but gave 10 for soldiers and police inside Government House.

I guess they made this temporary bridge to run to sh_t as I was not there last month:

5 toilets for all of these in Feb?

They have many plastic bags in case they can't wait for toilets.

[sriracha john]

If they used their crane again and hoisted those container boxes out of the canal that they dumped them in... they'd have lots of toilet material as they were full of sand.

[Jai Dee]

Police already instructed to ensure orderliness at high risk areas, preparing for red-shirt group's multi pronged strategy

The Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Supon Pansuae today (March 27) instructed police forces to be ready and prepared for the red-shirt group’s multi-pronged strategy, assuring security measures were in place at residences of important figures.

Police Major General Suporn revealed that the overall situation of the red-shirt group’s movement remainedl under control. He then asserted that police were still investigating whether the speculation that the red-shirt group would start employing a multi-pronged strategy held any truths, but the assigned police forces had already been instructed to provide safety and ensure orderliness in high risk areas and at residences of important figures in the society.

Furthermore, it had been expected that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra might be phoning in today’s evening through the video link to the group’s main rally force.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 27 March 2009

[Jai Dee]

Red-shirt group asks Navin to stop interfering

The red-shirt group states today (March 27) if the leader of the Navin’s faction, Navin Chidchop, doesn’t stop overstepping and creating situation, the red-shirt group will certainly strike back.

Mr. Chatuporn Phormpan, one of the core leaders of the Red-shirted group asserted today (March 27) that he had received information from a confidential source that those men in blue shirts currently gathering at Suvarnbhumi airport claiming to prevent the airport from the red-shirt group, had some affiliation with Mr. Navin Chidchop, a leader of the Navin’s faction.

Mr. Chatuporn then stated that if Mr. Navin did not stop such actions and was still overstepping and creating situation, the red-shirt group would strike back, while affirming that the red-shirt group had no intentions to close the airport.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 27 March 2009

[Koo82]

We have said a thousand times that we don't seize airports.

What is wrong with this country now? When PAD announced on ASTV that PAD would go to Suvarnabhumi, they sent a few hundred police and soldiers there and these people were driven away by PAD guards, and those high ranking people all the time having meetings, meetings and more meetings. Now they try to make us think the reds may block airport.

These blues are scaring tourists.

Police met 4 reds in Pathum Thani at their houses on Saturday 14th March 2009 for throwing eggs and slippers at Suthep's car. They went to Police Station on Sunday (the next day) and were charged by Court on Monday 16th. Super fast! We are not stupid to block airports knowing no one will help us to do that.

But it can be done if Abhisit government passes the law charging 500 to 10,000 Baht for blocking airports.

We can invest 1,500 Baht each and can block Suvarnabhumi 3 times .

Anyone know the true punishment for blocking airports? Death or live sentence isn't it?

In fact, we are following the rules regarding protests: announce in advance, no weapon and no blockage of public venues. Policemen smiling with the reds are what have been seen. We know that blocking airports does not make us win. PAD didn't win by blocking airports.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Koo82

[sriracha john]

the red-shirt group’s multi-pronged strategy

[Koo82]

If they used their crane again and hoisted those container boxes out of the canal that they dumped them in... they'd have lots of toilet material as they were full of sand.

Only those who graduated from Oxford can think of using containers with sand inside to block a legal protest.

[Koo82]

A few hundred reds were walking from Sanam Luang to Government House yesterday around 13:00.

[Plus]

How many people are there now?

Maybe it was the case of "tomorrow's news today". Today it would probably fit.

I suppose there will be a good turnout to listen to Thaksin today, but what's the program for tomorrow and Sunday?

[hammered]

Red-shirt group asks Navin to stop interfering

The red-shirt group states today (March 27) if the leader of the Navin’s faction, Navin Chidchop, doesn’t stop overstepping and creating situation, the red-shirt group will certainly strike back.

Mr. Chatuporn Phormpan, one of the core leaders of the Red-shirted group asserted today (March 27) that he had received information from a confidential source that those men in blue shirts currently gathering at Suvarnbhumi airport claiming to prevent the airport from the red-shirt group, had some affiliation with Mr. Navin Chidchop, a leader of the Navin’s faction.

Mr. Chatuporn then stated that if Mr. Navin did not stop such actions and was still overstepping and creating situation, the red-shirt group would strike back, while affirming that the red-shirt group had no intentions to close the airport.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 27 March 2009

Navin usually spelt Newin I suspect still has insiders in the red movement as well as the PTP and knows every little potentailplan. No doubt putting a small force at the airport protects his turf against any potential move there while creating a nice media meme connecting red to airport seizure. Prem's house is a more likely target imho as the authorities willnotallow it to be seized.

Newin was instrumental in setting up the red shirt movement and UDD and supplying members, connections and networks. His loss was a big one to the movement but he almost certainly still retains connections.

What situation is Newin creating by putting a security force in to protect huis interests if ther red shirts dont plan on going there is a pertinent question. They seem somewhat overly upset at Newin's move if it wasnt part of their plan.

[Sunderland]

Togo and Chad.

Any other possibilities?

The local Thai community here (mainly cabin crew with Emirates and Ethihad) seem pretty sure that he is still here in the U.A.E. Perhaps he doesn't know that the U.A.E. is not in Africa. Probably still enjoying his camel meat and camel milk that he so loathes. Funny, I haven't seen any camel meat in the local supermarket here in Dubai and camel milk is dwarfed by dairy milk. Oh well ... must be what they serve up in the 7-star Burj Al Arab.

[hammered]

Togo and Chad.

Any other possibilities?

The local Thai community here (mainly cabin crew with Emirates and Ethihad) seem pretty sure that he is still here in the U.A.E. Perhaps he doesn't know that the U.A.E. is not in Africa. Probably still enjoying his camel meat and camel milk that he so loathes. Funny, I haven't seen any camel meat in the local supermarket here in Dubai and camel milk is dwarfed by dairy milk. Oh well ... must be what they serve up in the 7-star Burj Al Arab.

Unless he is actually chilling up in Darfur which would explain the poor quality phone line.

[Sunderland]

Yep, they look like newsworthy headlines for tomorrow's tabloids.

Thaksin Chillin' In Chad

Thaksin Trollin' In Togo

[h90]

A few hundred reds were walking from Sanam Luang to Government House yesterday around 13:00.

How many are there now?

[h90]

Yep, they look like newsworthy headlines for tomorrow's tabloids.

Thaksin Chillin' In Chad

Thaksin Trollin' In Togo

Thaksin plays golf with Mugabe

Thaksin pushes Nigera's Economic grow to 10 %

.....

let him help the Africans for a few years, after 6 years in Thailand there aren't any poor people here anymore.

[Jai Dee]

Democrat to hold party assembly on Sunday

Prime Minister Abhsit Vejjajiva will deliver a speech as the Democrat Party leader during the party's general assembly on Sunday, Democrat spokesman Buranachai Samuttharak said Friday.

He said Abhisit would make a speech on the future of Thailand and society and the need for the members of the society to cooperate to lead the country out of the crises.

Source: The Nation - 27 March 2009

[Koo82]

The red leader in Ang Thong just went up the stage. He said Khun Thaksin's policy let market sellers in Ang Thong bring the booth registration paper to borrow 30,000 Baht to have fund to buy and sell. Their lives were improved during Khun Thaksin's time and were not improved during other people's time.

He had a chance to talk via the phone with Khun Thaksin for 20 minutes. He asked, "Have you forgotten you promised to eat rice in my house in Ang Thong?"

Khun Thaksin said he never forgets.

He said, "We Ang Thong people cook rice and wait for you for so long already. Will we have to wait for another 10 years?"

Khun Thaksin said "Why 10 years? 8 months will be the estimated time".

[Plus]

How touching.

[h90]

The red leader in Ang Thong just went up the stage. He said Khun Thaksin's policy let market sellers in Ang Thong bring the booth registration paper to borrow 30,000 Baht to have fund to buy and sell. Their lives were improved during Khun Thaksin's time and were not improved during other people's time.

He had a chance to talk via the phone with Khun Thaksin for 20 minutes. He asked, "Have you forgotten you promised to eat rice in my house in Ang Thong?"

Khun Thaksin said he never forgets.

He said, "We Ang Thong people cook rice and wait for you for so long already. Will we have to wait for another 10 years?"

Khun Thaksin said "Why 10 years? 8 months will be the estimated time".

:D

[henryalleman]

We donated only 3,000 Baht on 30th November last year when we waited for Abhisit to announce his policies at Government House. But he was so scared, thinking we would have done what PAD had, and secretly announced at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You might say it doesn't matter if he announced there. Law forces that PM must announce at Parliament House in order to start working.

If you watch how the whole party and coalition parties squeezing inside Ministry of FA, you will laugh you teeth off. Small room. No proper sitting. No opposition party members as they didn't know Abhisit secretly moved there.

Koo, you have the right to protest, and I wish you success with it. Because you will need it. If you are a little bit realistic you should realize by now that this demonstrations will have no results and is doomed to fail. Didn't you noticed that you have no support from the population, life still go's on normal all over the country. You even not succeed to create an extra traffic jam in Bangkok.

Where is the protest in the rest of the country. There are no strikes, the government did not run away like the last time.

And even you succeed to get 200 000 people to Bangkok, its still only 0.003 % of the population.

Maybe you should look around and you will notice that there are no Yellow shirts on the streets to counter you. So you can not even claim to be provoked. Nobodies is throwing bombs or attacks you, like the red shirts did the last time.

In not yet 2 weeks its Songkran and most of the people will return to their home town for the celebrations.

The government let you blow of steam and handle the situation very intelligent. They restrain themselves to response to any provocation like throw some containers in some Klong.

And what can you do except than sitting on the streets? Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for.

And do you honestly believe that you can bring Thaksin back. Come on deep in your hearth you know very well that this is impossible.

So this demonstrations is a last desperate action from your hero to play some role in Thai politics, and it will be over by Sunday evening.

This is only a personal view on tactics and strategy and not a political comment.

[LevelHead]

Certainly looks like some Democrats are in panic mode.

The earlier Nation news article said Suthep will remove governers and police who fail to stop demonstrators coming from the provinces.

So how he thinks he can stop the freedom of movement of innocent Thai people in their own country - whatever next...............

[webfact]

He said, "We Ang Thong people cook rice and wait for you for so long already. Will we have to wait for another 10 years?"

Khun Thaksin said "Why 10 years? 8 months will be the estimated time".

Even if my remark is a little off topic I't like to make it.

Khun Taksin likes these kind of promising statements... I trust to remember years ago he estimated to solve Bangkoks traffic jam within 3 month, or was it 6?

Well, he will be back then in 8 month to eat rice in Ang Thong...? Give yourself a break!

Edited March 27, 2009 by webfact

[Steve2UK]

Koo, you have the right to protest, and I wish you success with it. Because you will need it. If you are a little bit realistic you should realize by now that this demonstrations will have no results and is doomed to fail. Didn't you noticed that you have no support from the population, life still go's on normal all over the country. You even not succeed to create an extra traffic jam in Bangkok.

Where is the protest in the rest of the country. There are no strikes, the government did not run away like the last time.

And even you succeed to get 200 000 people to Bangkok, its still only 0.003 % of the population.

Maybe you should look around and you will notice that there are no Yellow shirts on the streets to counter you. So you can not even claim to be provoked. Nobodies is throwing bombs or attacks you, like the red shirts did the last time.

In not yet 2 weeks its Songkran and most of the people will return to their home town for the celebrations.

The government let you blow of steam and handle the situation very intelligent. They restrain themselves to response to any provocation like throw some containers in some Klong.

And what can you do except than sitting on the streets? Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for.

And do you honestly believe that you can bring Thaksin back. Come on deep in your hearth you know very well that this is impossible.

So this demonstrations is a last desperate action from your hero to play some role in Thai politics, and it will be over by Sunday evening.

This is only a personal view on tactics and strategy and not a political comment.

Well thought through and well expressed, henryalleman.......... a refreshing contrast to the usual suspects who squirm, duck and dive as they desperately look for something meaningful (not to mention truthful) to say about this protest that won't get them howled down in derision when inevitable comparisons are made with what their counterparts got up to - and which they excused left, right and centre at the time. Nothing much meaningful for them to say - so they have to settle for mocking any way they can and trotting out the usual blah. Same old same old..............

[Ricardo]

Certainly looks like some Democrats are in panic mode.

The earlier Nation news article said Suthep will remove governers and police who fail to stop demonstrators coming from the provinces.

So how he thinks he can stop the freedom of movement of innocent Thai people in their own country - whatever next...............

Perhaps he got the idea from the way first Thaksin, then later the PPP governments, tried to stop the yellow-shirts from getting to Bangkok for their peaceful protest-rallies ?

Whatever, I would agree, free (If not necessarily innocent) Thai people ought to be able to travel, without these attempts to restrict or control them. It doesn't work anyway.