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

[johncitizen]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that how things unfold this weekend will either make or break the red shirt movement.

[Sunderland]

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.

I think you mean 0.3% ... 0.003% would be around 2,000 people.

[henryalleman]

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

This is a very standard procedures to avoid an uncontrollable situation. If the red shirts had some intelligence they would organize protest demonstrations in every major town and call for a general strike. This would bring the government in real problems. But they can't do it, due to lack of support by the public and maybe more important no logistic and organisation skills.

BTW in a country with a population of 65 million you must have at least 2 million people demonstrating in the capital to have any major effect and not a few then-thousands.

A good rock concert have an bigger audiance.

On the back of my house they have a yearly public Sing-a-Long with 100 000 people singing together from 5PM till 2AM.

[Old Man River]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that how things unfold this weekend will either make or break the red shirt movement.

While I want to agree with your view, I can't. It is rumored that Thaksin's wife (OK "ex-wife") is funding the reds and she isn't going to quit because of the red's pending failure. The reds will be re-born many times over until this merry go round is stopped.

[Minus]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that how things unfold this weekend will either make or break the red shirt movement.

While I want to agree with your view, I can't. It is rumored that Thaksin's wife (OK "ex-wife") is funding the reds and she isn't going to quit because of the red's pending failure. The reds will be re-born many times over until this merry go round is stopped.

As REM sang , " This is the end of the world as we (thai people) knew it".

As simple as that.

[LevelHead]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that how things unfold this weekend will either make or break the red shirt movement.

While I want to agree with your view, I can't. It is rumored that Thaksin's wife (OK "ex-wife") is funding the reds and she isn't going to quit because of the red's pending failure. The reds will be re-born many times over until this merry go round is stopped.

The reds strategy is quite clear, it is only the liars who try to portray them as "last attempt" each time.

Their strategy is to not break the law, and keep holding protests, every few weeks. As more and more lose their jobs and become unemployed, whilst watching the government waste money and go from one scandal to another, they will start to join the reds, and more and more will join the reds, so that by the end around September time the reds rallies will draw hundreds of thousands to the streets each and every time.

Why do you think the biased people keep trying to say its all "do or die" this time. The last protest. This is their misinformation, but the reds will keep on demonstrating, and each time more and more will join. Its going to be a long battle for them, but time is on their side.............not the Democrats.

[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.

I think you mean 0.3% ... 0.003% would be around 2,000 people.

Of course, thanks for correcting the typing error.

[TonySoprano]

"Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for."

Wrong. You can't do that because the Army does not support you. You do that, and instead of telling the Government to quit, the Army will leave your dead body in the street.

But please, keep up the endless propaganda Henry.

[TAWP]

"Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for."

Wrong. You can't do that because the Army does not support you. You do that, and instead of telling the Government to quit, the Army will leave your dead body in the street.

But please, keep up the endless propaganda Henry.

Surely your reply is propaganda, since his argument was logical.

You can claim that it would happen (but we don't know it yet) but to claim his assertion that doing the same thing themselves would render their protest regarding the other side void isn't wrong in any way, it's pure logic.

But yes, please continue with the propaganda.

[George4]

I wonder how many protesters know why they were there or care?

Apparantly many people who were entitled to their 2k spending money complained they had not received it. When asking where their cheques were they got the following answer:

The money was put into containers and some idiots threw them into the canal

[h90]

"Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for."

Wrong. You can't do that because the Army does not support you. You do that, and instead of telling the Government to quit, the Army will leave your dead body in the street.

But please, keep up the endless propaganda Henry.

I doubt that the Army would shoot anyone...

[TonySoprano]

Are you incompetent? Since when does politics have to do with right or wrong or logic? You think seizing airports and the Army brokering deals between political parties is "logical" or "right"? The Reds will do whatever it takes to win just like the yellow shirts did. The Army supports your side so take great pride in that, but save the propaganda for your private web board we cant stomach it here...

[TonySoprano]

"Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for."

Wrong. You can't do that because the Army does not support you. You do that, and instead of telling the Government to quit, the Army will leave your dead body in the street.

But please, keep up the endless propaganda Henry.

I doubt that the Army would shoot anyone...

Perhaps a history lesson is in order?

[Plus]

The reds strategy is quite clear, it is only the liars who try to portray them as "last attempt" each time.

Their strategy is to not break the law, and keep holding protests, every few weeks. As more and more lose their jobs and become unemployed, whilst watching the government waste money and go from one scandal to another, they will start to join the reds, and more and more will join the reds, so that by the end around September time the reds rallies will draw hundreds of thousands to the streets each and every time.

Why do you think the biased people keep trying to say its all "do or die" this time. The last protest. This is their misinformation, but the reds will keep on demonstrating, and each time more and more will join. Its going to be a long battle for them, but time is on their side.............not the Democrats.

It's certainly one way to look at it. On the other hand, the previous red demo wittled out on the second day and reds had to adjoirn for a month.

What were the numbers today? For the big Thaksin speach that was postponed? No media reports as far as I can see.

If reds can't keep the demo running beyond Moday, they are finished.

"Each time more and more will join" is not going to happen. In fact even the peak numers are either flat or falling. Without sustainable pressure they can't achive anything.

[samgrowth]

The reds strategy is quite clear, it is only the liars who try to portray them as "last attempt" each time.

Their strategy is to not break the law, and keep holding protests, every few weeks. As more and more lose their jobs and become unemployed, whilst watching the government waste money and go from one scandal to another, they will start to join the reds, and more and more will join the reds, so that by the end around September time the reds rallies will draw hundreds of thousands to the streets each and every time.

Why do you think the biased people keep trying to say its all "do or die" this time. The last protest. This is their misinformation, but the reds will keep on demonstrating, and each time more and more will join. Its going to be a long battle for them, but time is on their side.............not the Democrats.

It's certainly one way to look at it. On the other hand, the previous red demo wittled out on the second day and reds had to adjoirn for a month.

What were the numbers today? For the big Thaksin speach that was postponed? No media reports as far as I can see.

If reds can't keep the demo running beyond Moday, they are finished.

"Each time more and more will join" is not going to happen. In fact even the peak numers are either flat or falling. Without sustainable pressure they can't achive anything.

Are you suggesting to strike while it is still hot? Take the airports now?

[LevelHead]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/28...cs_30099090.php

THAKSIN'S BOMBSHELL

'Gen Prem the invisible hand'

Published on March 28, 2009

Ousted prime minister continues his do-or-die campaign from overseas hideout with direct attack on the head privy councillorAds by Google

For the first time, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday night publicly accused Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda of being a mastermind of events lead to the 2006 coup that overthrew his government.

He also said Prem was the "influential person outside the Constitution" trying to meddle in government affairs when Thaksin was in power.

He also urged his supporters to continue rallying against the government until "real democracy" returned and double standards in the country were brought to an end. He encouraged his fellow banned politicians from the now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party as well to join the red-shirt protests across the country.

The former leader called on privy councillors and military leaders to stop getting involved in politics, insisting that the Constitution had to be amended, the House of Representatives dissolved and a snap election called to end the ongoing political conflict.

Thaksin said Prem, the other privy councillors and the Army commander should resign and contest elections if they really want to get involved in politics.

He said that even though he would not be contesting in the elections, other banned politicians should be allowed to run. The ex-leader was addressing his red-shirted supporters through a video-link system, which was loud and clear and displayed during their rally outside of Government House last night.

His speech, which began at about 8.30pm, lasted for more than an hour.

"General Prem has become so involved with politics that people suspect he is the Democrat Party leader," Thaksin said.

He also criticised Prem for publicly supporting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, an action he described as politically significant.

He said by interfering in politics, Prem, as a royal adviser, would make people think his moves were being approved by His Majesty the King.

Apart from Prem, Thaksin also named former prime minister Surayud Chulanont as one of the plotters of the September 19, 2006 coup.

Earlier in the day, General Panlop Pinmanee, Thaksin's "witness" in his case against the coup plotters, yesterday called on Surayud to quit his privy councillor's post because of alleged involvement in the coup.

Panlop said Surayud should resign to protect the Privy Council from any untoward criticism. "A privy councillor should not get involved in politics, but he [surayud] meddled in politics. So in order to protect the institution's reputation, I think he'd better resign," Panlop said.

The retired general said he was suggesting this out of good intentions, because Surayud was his former commander in the Army and former senior at the military academy.

Surayud served as the Army's commander-in-chief and later the Armed Forces supreme commander before retiring.

Panlop served as deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command when Thaksin was prime minister, and it was during that period that Panlop was also accused of masterminding a plot to assassinate the deposed PM.

Yesterday, Panlop reiterated his claim that Surayud had a hand in the coup, saying he himself had attended up to four meetings with other coup plotters at a house in Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road area.

He said the attendees were looking for ways to overthrow the government of Thaksin over accusations of being disloyal to the monarchy. In the end, the plotters came up with two possible options: overthrowing Thaksin through legal and constitutional means or doing it through a coup.

Panlop yesterday also accused Surayud of trying to persuade certain members of the Election Commission to resign so the April 2006 general elections could not go ahead.

He said one of the election commissioners had told Thaksin about Surayud's moves, but Surayud denied it when confronted by the ousted prime minister.

[sriracha john]

THAKSIN'S BOMBSHELL

bombshell???

[sriracha john]

Excerpts of Thaksin's words from Associated Press:

Thaksin spoke via video link from self-imposed exile,

"Let's start again. Dissolve the Parliament and call fresh elections."

"This way the country can move past the crisis."

"We want to see true democracy in Thailand."

"We want to see justice."

Edited March 28, 2009 by sriracha john

[Plus]

Are you suggesting to strike while it is still hot? Take the airports now?

They've got to do something.

Simply blabbing about Prem is not going to impress anyone.

[hammered]

I didnt see any reports of numbers last night so I guess they were big. Didnt have chance to watch it myself but it seems a bit anti-climatic to name someone who has been repeatedly named. It probably plays well in incting the converted and annoying his enemies but silent majority?

Thaksin by inciting and calling on the 111 and their supporters is aiming for some kind of street uprising to pressure the government into something: election, violence, deal on his terms or possibly is gambling on certain military elements saying enough is enough with all these attacks on people and launching a coup or forcing Abhisit to declare a state of emergency or maybe the PAD will be goaded onto the streets in response. No reaction by authorites and opponents is as per conventional wisdom probably good for them.

Interesting. As someone else commented how this weekend turns out will be a defining moment for the red shirts.

[h90]

"Well nothing, you can not occupying Government house, or airport because than you will do exactly what you blamed the yellow shirts for."

Wrong. You can't do that because the Army does not support you. You do that, and instead of telling the Government to quit, the Army will leave your dead body in the street.

But please, keep up the endless propaganda Henry.

I doubt that the Army would shoot anyone...

Perhaps a history lesson is in order?

The Army was on the other side this time.....

[hammered]

From AFP:

Former Thai PM Thaksin points finger of blame

BANGKOK (AFP) — Fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra made an angry video address to 13,000 of his protesting supporters Friday, blaming the revered king's main advisers for his downfall.

Rest at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/artic...tVquqlRtyWVcGWQ

First report of numbers I have seen. 13K sounds a bit lower than I would have expected. Accurate or not?

[Jai Dee]

It's getting nastier, more personal

Offensive books, posters commonplace The protest might be about ousting the government but evidence of continued social division, resentment and even disturbing hatred against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's political enemies could be observed at the red-shirt rally at Government House yesterday.

The protesters, affiliated with the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, credited the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for paving the way for the Abhisit Vejjajiva government's rise to power.

Books condemning the PAD - with titles such as "Evil Deeds of the PAD" - are widely available. Common too are signs and posters attacking and ridiculing the PAD leaders.

One poster shows a picture of PAD speaker Suriyasai Katasila with abusive words calling him names and adding, "This is a man who turns black into white and white into black," a reference to the perceived truth and falsity propagated by the PAD.

Leaflets containing a lengthy list of companies allegedly sponsoring the PAD during its 19-month marathon protest, which saw a military coup and the ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra and later the downfall of two premiers regarded as his proxies, were also being distributed.

"Please pass it on," said the male distributor sitting under a tent, which gave some relief from the scorching summer sun outside Government House.

"Take only one each and have it photocopied and distribute it widely," he said.

The list includes not just the names of companies but also those of musicians, actors and artists who have graced the PAD stage.

"Stop buying or watching their shows," the pamphlet urged.

Much more disturbing was an exhibition of four pictures put up by the same man and showing near-naked pictures of the body of "Nong Bo", Angkana Radabpanyawut, a female PAD member who died last October during the PAD's major protest at Parliament, which ended in bloody clashes with the police.

The pictures show the woman's body lying on an autopsy bed, with stickers attached to the photos to cover her private parts. However, the controversial wounds to the left side of her chest and an arm are visible.

The PAD insist she was killed by the police, while the red-shirt group argue it was some sort of home-made grenade she was carrying that night which exploded and took her life.

The caption reads: "See the truth for yourself. This picture is not doctored. Is it tear gas, or a grenade she carried?"

Many red-shirt protesters were glued to the macabre pictures after a woman burst into a tirade against Nong Bo.

Source: The Nation - 28 March 2009

[jumnien]

Go Red Go! Let freedom ring...

[hammered]

It's getting nastier, more personal

Offensive books, posters commonplace The protest might be about ousting the government but evidence of continued social division, resentment and even disturbing hatred against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's political enemies could be observed at the red-shirt rally at Government House yesterday.

The protesters, affiliated with the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, credited the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for paving the way for the Abhisit Vejjajiva government's rise to power.

Books condemning the PAD - with titles such as "Evil Deeds of the PAD" - are widely available. Common too are signs and posters attacking and ridiculing the PAD leaders.

One poster shows a picture of PAD speaker Suriyasai Katasila with abusive words calling him names and adding, "This is a man who turns black into white and white into black," a reference to the perceived truth and falsity propagated by the PAD.

Leaflets containing a lengthy list of companies allegedly sponsoring the PAD during its 19-month marathon protest, which saw a military coup and the ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra and later the downfall of two premiers regarded as his proxies, were also being distributed.

"Please pass it on," said the male distributor sitting under a tent, which gave some relief from the scorching summer sun outside Government House.

"Take only one each and have it photocopied and distribute it widely," he said.

The list includes not just the names of companies but also those of musicians, actors and artists who have graced the PAD stage.

"Stop buying or watching their shows," the pamphlet urged.

Much more disturbing was an exhibition of four pictures put up by the same man and showing near-naked pictures of the body of "Nong Bo", Angkana Radabpanyawut, a female PAD member who died last October during the PAD's major protest at Parliament, which ended in bloody clashes with the police.

The pictures show the woman's body lying on an autopsy bed, with stickers attached to the photos to cover her private parts. However, the controversial wounds to the left side of her chest and an arm are visible.

The PAD insist she was killed by the police, while the red-shirt group argue it was some sort of home-made grenade she was carrying that night which exploded and took her life.

The caption reads: "See the truth for yourself. This picture is not doctored. Is it tear gas, or a grenade she carried?"

Many red-shirt protesters were glued to the macabre pictures after a woman burst into a tirade against Nong Bo.

Source: The Nation - 28 March 2009

Both the red and yellow groups have used an almost faith based approach to building their movements. There is little rational thought but easy catchy mantras, hatred to enemies and easily adopted but overly simplistic politcal ideals built around cult worship.

[sriracha john]

Go Red Go!

go red go! Freedom rings!

Go Red Go! Let freedom ring...

overly simplistic political ideals built around cult worship.

a fair assessment

[Denim]

Excerpts of Thaksin's words from Associated Press:

Thaksin spoke via video link from self-imposed exile,

"Let's start again. Dissolve the Parliament and call fresh elections."

"This way the country can move past the crisis."

"We want to see true democracy in Thailand."

"We want to see justice."

Sounds reasonable

[rixalex]

"We want to see justice."

Sounds reasonable

From a convicted criminal who skipped bail and refuses to serve his time? That's reasonable???!!! OK.

In your world does "up" mean "down"?

[sriracha john]

The pictures show the woman's body lying on an autopsy bed, with stickers attached to the photos to cover her private parts. However, the controversial wounds to the left side of her chest and an arm are visible.

The PAD insist she was killed by the police, while the red-shirt group argue it was some sort of home-made grenade she was carrying that night which exploded and took her life.

There's more than just PAD blaming the police for Angkana's death:

Thailand's foremost veteran forensic expert Dr. (Khunying) Pornthip

Thailand's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) investigating committee

Thailand's Senate investigating committee

Thailand's NACC investigating committee

Only the police say otherwise...

*edit... and oh yes, the Red shirts also now

Edited March 28, 2009 by sriracha john

[Koo82]

made an angry video

Angry?

Angry so he didn't wear red and didn't have red flowers?