Ready To Tear The Country Apart

[jayboy]

Chang Noi has totally lost the plot here.

Chang Noi is just being naive.

In your predictable opinion.When I see a perceptive analysis being rejected in toto, I'm reminded of Talleyrand's comment on the restored House of Bourbon.They have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.So Chang Noi now joins the ranks of the BBC, Jonathan Head, Financial Times, Guardian, New York Times, New Mandala, Human Rights Watch etc who are ignorant, naive, tainted or bought off by Thaksin's PR people (ignoring the fact that Chris/Pasuk are probably the world's leading authorities on contemporary Thai politics).

You're not really left with many authorities are you -Crispin on a good day notwithstanding his tendency to present rumour, often from his innumerable mysterious "sources", as fact.Well I suppose you have that Pattaya ladyboy guru, Andrew Drummond.Perhaps you could enlist Stickman or Bernard Trink.That plebeian weirdo Hastings who "edits" (ha ha) the Big Chilli might back you up.

Honestly (and the two paras above are meant facetiously) surely Chang Noi puts down some sensible pointers on the way ahead.The trouble is I fear is that those of your way of thinking see the conflict as a zero sum game.It's not.....and where are the Bourbons now?

[jayboy]

So, a pardon won't be coming up any time soon now.

After years of obfuscation, he's finally taken the plunge with his latest interview...

^^^ well its hardly any revelation.

Most Thais know this anyway.

yellow ribbons tied around the tanks shooter thing (whats the name of it, dont know)... images all over the tv during the coup .....

whats interesting is the alleged justification ..... not corruption ... but disloyalty.

i imagine if the justification was for corruption the reaction would have been

but for disloyalty...

His statements to The Financial Times are unprecedented, AFAIK, in the history of modern Thailand.

My reading is you have breached forum rules here, on which you like to lecture others on so enthusiastically.

Anyway assuming we are allowed to discuss I don't think it matters one way or another whether the comments are "unprecedented".The pertinent question is are his statements true.I am fairly sure they are not.

[Plus]

While I wouldnt say Chang Noi has lost the plot

You are just being too soft on him (them).

>>>

They can do all those things - revert the constitution, issue amnesty etc. If there are enough people asking for it, it might actually work. For a while, at least.

However, the foundations of these moves are as questionable as Thaksin's motives back in 2000. You can live in this "make believe" world only for so long, then it blows right in your face.

Who knows, maybe next time around former reds and yellows would campaign together, but make no mistake - in the battle of people against their rulers the amnesty and the rest is a victory for politicians and defeat for the people. "Elites" and the rest have precious nothing to do with it, they've been dragged into this war against their will, when Thaksin decided they'd make better enemies than emerging middle classes.

[sriracha john]

Chang Noi has totally lost the plot here.

Chang Noi is just being naive.

In your predictable opinion.When I see a perceptive analysis being rejected in toto, I'm reminded of Talleyrand's comment on the restored House of Bourbon.They have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.So Chang Noi now joins the ranks of the BBC, Jonathan Head, Financial Times, Guardian, New York Times, New Mandala, Human Rights Watch etc who are ignorant, naive, tainted or bought off by Thaksin's PR people (ignoring the fact that Chris/Pasuk are probably the world's leading authorities on contemporary Thai politics).

You're not really left with many authorities are you -Crispin on a good day notwithstanding his tendency to present rumour, often from his innumerable mysterious "sources", as fact.Well I suppose you have that Pattaya ladyboy guru, Andrew Drummond.Perhaps you could enlist Stickman or Bernard Trink.That plebeian weirdo Hastings who "edits" (ha ha) the Big Chilli might back you up.

Honestly (and the two paras above are meant facetiously) surely Chang Noi puts down some sensible pointers on the way ahead.The trouble is I fear is that those of your way of thinking see the conflict as a zero sum game.It's not.....and where are the Bourbons now?

Another impressive "new" member to Thaivisa for the very same implausible reasons as below...

Its hilarious reading this forum sometimes.

When the previous government were

You're apparent diligence in going back into the archives of Thaivisa is impressive as so many of the events you describe and posters reactions to them were posted months and months before your arrival to Thaivisa membership.

So very diligent you are in your review of Plus's posts that were made months and months before your arrival to Thaivisa membership.

[sriracha john]

My reading is you have breached forum rules here, on which you like to lecture others on so enthusiastically.

Anyway assuming we are allowed to discuss I don't think it matters one way or another whether the comments are "unprecedented".The pertinent question is are his statements true.I am fairly sure they are not.

You want to mention rules... see above and the Forum rule #26

26) Not to create multiple accounts. Any member found to have more than one account on the ThaiVisa Forum will be suspended. Suspended or banned members found creating additional accounts will be banned immediately.

Edited April 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[Plus]

When I see a perceptive analysis being rejected in toto

I have actually dissected Chang Nois demands point by point. Feel free to defend the need to restore 1997 consitution instead of reforming 2007. Actually would be nice to know what needs to be reformed exactly. So far it is all about being too strict on politicians, and its only politicians that want it reformed. Your average Somchai has no idea what's all the fuss about.

Feel free to argue how exonerating people who shamelessly engaged in worst cases of electoral fraud would improve the society.

Feel free to argue the issues.

So Chang Noi now joins the ranks of the BBC, Jonathan Head, Financial Times, Guardian, New York Times, New Mandala, Human Rights Watch etc who are ignorant, naive, tainted or bought off by Thaksin's PR people (ignoring the fact that Chris/Pasuk are probably the world's leading authorities on contemporary Thai politics).

Some of these people have proven themselves to be ignorant, naive, tainted or whatever, at least on some issues.

I have no idea why you put Chris/Pasuk in this pile. Baker actually wrote a very good paper for the UN on sufficiency economy.

[Samuian]

Embrace the proposal to return to the 1997 constitution with some fixes for its few well-known failings. Amnesty the 220 banned politicians. Don't try to stifle the red voice; listening is better. Punish the yellow on par with the red or others will do it for you. Stop worrying about the Nicaraguan special ambassador. Bring back a properly elected parliament and government as soon as possible. Accept the result and let the system work. Never again give the puppet players the support they don't deserve.

Chang Noi has totally lost the plot here.

- Embrace the proposal to return to the 1997 constitution with some fixes for its few well-known failings.

So you get something close to 2007 version. 90% of people didn't read anyway - why is it so important?

The proposal to reinstall 1997 consitution has no benefits except automatically exonerating Thaksin and his cronies.

Chang Noi is just being naive.

- Amnesty the 220 banned politicians.

People went to great lengths to make them pay for theis sins and Chang Noi thinks that excusing them would bring reconciliation. Right.

- Don't try to stifle the red voice; listening is better.

Red voice doesn't make it into national discource because it lacks any substance, devoid of any reason, lstripped of any contstructive proposals, and generally is an affront to one's intellegence.

- Punish the yellow on par with the red

Another childish idea straight from kindergarten sandbox - grow up and realise that you should punish people according to their crimes, there should be no profiling based on color.

- Stop worrying about the Nicaraguan special ambassador.

Pardon me? It was only a week since the worst violence Bangkok in nearly thirty years, and Chang Noi already tells us not to worry about it. That was exactly what we heard from "progressive" reds for ages, and see where it brought us - on a brink of a revolution. Yeah, "move on people, there's nothing to see here" - means a huge embarassment to the red cause, better forget about Thaksin's role in it.

- Bring back a properly elected parliament and government as soon as possible. Accept the result and let the system work

Would the April 2006 election qualify? It was the last election according to 1997 constitution, overruled by judiciary. Bring that back. It should give us a few fake parties but not to worry, as long as it's "true democracy".

"Bring back a properly elected parliament" - what is a properly elected parliament anyway? The current one is as "proper" as they come. Perhaps Chang Noi means that nobody important should be punished for vote buying, that would bring A LOT of reconciliation, yeah.

- Never again give the puppet players the support they don't deserve.

What? PTP won't be allowed to consult with Thaksin? Next PTP hopeful can't declare himself Thaksin's proxy? Or does it mean PTP shouldn't be allowed to run in the first place? Who's going to lead the campaign? Jatuporn?

That is the most ridiculous red demand ever.

Second that - agreed - but this is the way people express Opinion -

Any Opinion does not necessarily carry the seal of the absolute truth -

whatever it's author claims to be, to know or to believe in!

It's always healthy if not wise to read "between the lines" -

to understand the content and get a grasp of it's hidden

agenda - where does this and that lead to...?

If it doesn't seem to bear desirable results -

well, the answer shouldn't be al that too difficult -

SHREDDER!

"reconciliation" seems to be a "noble cause" but what is hidden on

the path the promoters of it are holding their breath for, is what needs

to be explored, examined and analyzed if it's free of vitriolic content -

well let's proceed, if it's contaminated - get rid of it and dispose safely of as

"toxic waste"!

Edited April 20, 2009 by Samuian

[beammeup]

OK so the puppet masters are Reds- Mr T, Yellows- Army, privy Counsel? Blues- newin? What about this new group with the inner and outer rings who is their puppet master or masters? There are a lot of unknowns in this equation and people are making a lot of assumptions. A simplistic view is that Mr T took taxpayers (yellow shirt, middle class) money and gave it to the Poor (Red shirt not sure how much tax they pay) in the form of loans for his hand phones. He gets the cash in the long run tells the poor they dont need to pay it back gets their vote and support and angers the middle class for misusing their money.

[jayboy]

My reading is you have breached forum rules here, on which you like to lecture others on so enthusiastically.

Anyway assuming we are allowed to discuss I don't think it matters one way or another whether the comments are "unprecedented".The pertinent question is are his statements true.I am fairly sure they are not.

You want to mention rules... see above and the Forum rule #26

26) Not to create multiple accounts. Any member found to have more than one account on the ThaiVisa Forum will be suspended. Suspended or banned members found creating additional accounts will be banned immediately.

Pathetic attempt to dodge the bullet.

If you have evidence I or anyone are breaching forum rules, I suggest you report it to moderators.I assume IP addreses are logged

[jayboy]

So very diligent you are in your review of Plus's posts that were made months and months before your arrival to Thaivisa membership.

Strange.Only recently you were extolling TV's search facilty and now you get hot and bothered when someone uses it.Actually I have followed Plus's contributions for at least 9 months before I joined.I also am well aware of your record and fondness for feuding.

[sriracha john]

My reading is you have breached forum rules here, on which you like to lecture others on so enthusiastically.

Anyway assuming we are allowed to discuss I don't think it matters one way or another whether the comments are "unprecedented".The pertinent question is are his statements true.I am fairly sure they are not.

You want to mention rules... see above and the Forum rule #26

26) Not to create multiple accounts. Any member found to have more than one account on the ThaiVisa Forum will be suspended. Suspended or banned members found creating additional accounts will be banned immediately.

Pathetic attempt to dodge the bullet.

If you have evidence I or anyone are breaching forum rules, I suggest you report it to moderators.I assume IP addreses are logged

I have no bullet to dodge. I don't feel my comments breached the rules. I didn't discuss what was said by him.

You, on the other hand, are faced with the obvious evidence that your own postings betray your pre-existence on the board.

You guys are so quick to sort out when you post looming errors, such as events occurring long before you were here. A good multi-ID'er is getting harder and harder to encounter on here while amateurs are dropping evidence all over.

Who needs IP tracking when your clumsy efforts unravel so quickly and you give yourselves away?

Edited April 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[jayboy]

My reading is you have breached forum rules here, on which you like to lecture others on so enthusiastically.

Anyway assuming we are allowed to discuss I don't think it matters one way or another whether the comments are "unprecedented".The pertinent question is are his statements true.I am fairly sure they are not.

You want to mention rules... see above and the Forum rule #26

26) Not to create multiple accounts. Any member found to have more than one account on the ThaiVisa Forum will be suspended. Suspended or banned members found creating additional accounts will be banned immediately.

Pathetic attempt to dodge the bullet.

If you have evidence I or anyone are breaching forum rules, I suggest you report it to moderators.I assume IP addreses are logged

I have no bullet to dodge. I don't feel my comments breached the rules. I didn't discuss what was said by him.

You, on the other hand, are faced with the obvious evidence that your own postings betray your pre-existence on the board.

You guys are so quick to sort out when you post looming errors, such as events occurring long before you were here. A good multi-ID'er is getting harder and harder to encounter on here while amateurs are dropping evidence all over.

Who needs IP tracking when your clumsy efforts unravel so quickly and you give yourselves away?

Look again at forum rules on the matter.In the last week a post of your was removed by moderators for much the same reasons.Your card is marked.

As to your rather silly personal accusations, take it up with moderators or keep quiet.

[sriracha john]

So very diligent you are in your review of Plus's posts that were made months and months before your arrival to Thaivisa membership.

Strange.Only recently you were extolling TV's search facilty and now you get hot and bothered when someone uses it.Actually I have followed Plus's contributions for at least 9 months before I joined.I also am well aware of your record and fondness for feuding.

Sorry... the only feuding I do is connected to outing your types in an effort to maintain some credibility for the forum which banned returning posters like you have ruined.

I don't feud with legitimate members of the forum.

but quite frankly... after being involved in the disposal of over 100 documented banned trolls, I'm tiring of it.

Edited April 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

<snipped>

the evidence is out there. more is available if needed. in the interim, moving you to Ignore.

Edited April 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[mc2]

My reading is you have breached forum rules here, on which you like to lecture others on so enthusiastically.

Anyway assuming we are allowed to discuss I don't think it matters one way or another whether the comments are "unprecedented".The pertinent question is are his statements true.I am fairly sure they are not.

You want to mention rules... see above and the Forum rule #26

26) Not to create multiple accounts. Any member found to have more than one account on the ThaiVisa Forum will be suspended. Suspended or banned members found creating additional accounts will be banned immediately.

Pathetic attempt to dodge the bullet.

If you have evidence I or anyone are breaching forum rules, I suggest you report it to moderators.I assume IP addreses are logged

I have no bullet to dodge. I don't feel my comments breached the rules. I didn't discuss what was said by him.

You, on the other hand, are faced with the obvious evidence that your own postings betray your pre-existence on the board.

You guys are so quick to sort out when you post looming errors, such as events occurring long before you were here. A good multi-ID'er is getting harder and harder to encounter on here while amateurs are dropping evidence all over.

Who needs IP tracking when your clumsy efforts unravel so quickly and you give yourselves away?

Look again at forum rules on the matter.In the last week a post of your was removed by moderators for much the same reasons.Your card is marked.

As to your rather silly personal accusations, take it up with moderators or keep quiet.

:D :D

Edited April 20, 2009 by mc2

[LawnGnome]

mc2 and jayboy - nothing but class, as per their norm.

[cmsally]

Interesting first hand account:

New mandala - Crushing of the Red Shirts

It's too long to post in entirity so take a look at the link. In the first few sentences he has his dates wrong it should be March, but you can follow the timescale through.

[LawnGnome]

Interesting first hand account:

New mandala - Crushing of the Red Shirts

It's too long to post in entirity so take a look at the link. In the first few sentences he has his dates wrong it should be March, but you can follow the timescale through.

Wow, certainly a brave man, and completely "Fair and balanced" wasn't he.... Journalist of the highest standards there.

[ray23]

Democarcy in Thailand seems to be a very confusing thing, has ever really been defined. See I don't care what color shirt a person wears. I do care if the person thinks he rights are more important then mine. To live a peaceful life, to work and earn a living to not havin my travel restricted be it on a road or an airport.

Protest is one thing riots trying to over throw the government is another. It appears that the country depends on the Constitution to define all this. Won't work Most countries have specific criminal code to deal with this. I'm surprised there does not seem to be any such system within the country. A court order needed to tell people not to block the entrance to a government building that is simply redicules. To have to declare a National Emergency to deal with a riots, Nuts. The country needs to look at more then just the Constitution.

The system here includes three seperate entities one of which is the military. My country the President controls the military and they are not a part of political system. They are very powerful here and it would appear based on the number of coups in Thailand they always have been. That is not going to change overnight might as well adjust.

The current PM is calling for input as to a rewrite of the current Constitution, that was one of things asked for, but yet instead of making recommendations and seeing where it goes. The political infighting has already started. the problem they see they may not get exactly what they want.

If there really was an interest in making things better. Things would be better served trying to work together, for the betterment of the country. So far that does not seem possible. the reality what happened in the past isn't going to resolve this. So as long as they cling to I'm right and he is wrong with no movement. Every Thai will suffer.

The truth about democracy sometimes you have to endure things you don't like.

But hey I'm just a long term visitor, not sure how long depends on how long I live. It's not my country but it is my home. In the end it's up to the Thai peopel to find the way out of this, I hope they are succesful soon.

[LawnGnome]

The truth about democracy sometimes you have to endure things you don't like.

But hey I'm just a long term visitor, not sure how long depends on how long I live. It's not my country but it is my home. In the end it's up to the Thai peopel to find the way out of this, I hope they are succesful soon.

Amen Ray!

[sriracha john]

Interesting first hand account:

New mandala - Crushing of the Red Shirts

It's too long to post in entirity so take a look at the link. In the first few sentences he has his dates wrong it should be March, but you can follow the timescale through.

Wow, certainly a brave man, and completely "Fair and balanced" wasn't he.... Journalist of the highest standards there.

I thought we had heard the last of the Red Shirted non-journalist Nick Nostitz... but apparently not.

Oh well... at least his self-assessments are accurate.

Post blog entry comments are the same as a forum. It's a discourse of opinions regarding the entry from registered users.

As for the supposed journalist moniker, Nick himself says it best...

"I am not such a good journalist."

- Nick Nostitz, in an interview by Stickman

Perhaps you could invite Nick to join us on the forum as a member.

anyhoo.... returning to articles by real journalists......

Edited April 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

'I'm Like a Rat'

In a SPIEGEL interview, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, 59, discusses the uprising of his supporters against the government in Bangkok.

SPIEGEL: Dr. Thaksin, the news emerged from Bangkok on Friday that Sonhi Limthongkul, the leader of the government loyal Yellow Shirts, barely survived an assassination attempt. He has always been one of your most dogged opponents.

Thaksin Shinawatra: It was the government that declared a state of emergency. Even though there was an election, the government used its power in an even worse way than a putsch government. It controls every place, it can seize and search without any warrants, and they don't care about human rights. It's a government that has been given the license to kill. And I have the impression that the phase of "cut-off killings" has begun -- in other words, they are eliminating anyone who knows too much about the conspiracy of those in power against me.

SPIEGEL: Officially, two people died in the latest riots and 123 were injured. Do you dispute these figures?

Thaksin: It is an absolute lie.

SPIEGEL: Do you have proof of that?

Thaksin: After they said there were only two dead, we found two Red Shirts who had been tied with their hands behind their backs and were found in the Chao Praya River. We are still looking for others.

SPIEGEL: The world is very alarmed by the developments in your country. What is the reason for the lasting crisis?

Thaksin: The political elite are very worried because I and my associates have remained popular and powerful, as they were before. They would like to shift the power to the the other camp, the Democrats, but they cannot do it through democratic means. Now they are using all kinds of other means. They unsuccessfully tried to assassinate me. They also sparked protests, which were not successful -- but it was still enough for them to use it as an excuse to conduct the coup d'etat. After the coup, they politicized the justice system and convicted me and my family. Then they created an illegal constitution. Despite all that, the people still vote for my camp. This really upsets Bangkok. That's why the latest uprising happened.

SPIEGEL: How can Thailand pull itself out of this plight?

Thaksin: As long as the power struggle is not transparent and is not conducted by democratic means, everything will remain stuck. We will not be able to move. The justice system has been used to shore up a double standard -- it is lenient to one side and brutal to the other. Reconciliation is the only solution.

SPIEGEL: And you now hold these men responsible for the current crisis?

Thaksin: My government was democratically elected and won by a landslide. Now I am like a rat who stays in the house. They want to catch me so badly that they would dare to burn down the whole house to do so.

SPIEGEL: Your opponents claim that it was you who caused the latest conflagration by calling for the protests from abroad.

Thaksin: I have to give the people moral support. But when we say that we want a revolution, we mean that we want it through peaceful means. We in Thailand have long suffered under a democracy that is valid only for a few: the political elite in Bangkok.

SPIEGEL: In broad swaths of the population, you still enjoy great popularity. That means you also carry responsibility. Couldn't you be doing more to calm the current situation?

Thaksin: No way. The only choice is a broad reconciliation. We use peaceful means. The violence in Thailand comes from the government-supported armed forces. These are people who mix in with the protesters, kill people and create chaos.

SPIEGEL: What are you personally planning to do now?

Thaksin: I travel a lot and I don't normally stay in a place for longer than two weeks. I have business to take care of. The Red Shirt Committees work independently and make their own decisions. Sometimes they call me for advice, but they don't have to believe in me. I don't support them financially because my assets in Thailand have been frozen and I don't have much money.

SPIEGEL: The government has stripped you of your passport -- how do you travel now?

Thaksin: I have passports from other countries. Friends and leaders from many countries have offered me honorary citizenship, a passport or travel documents. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is strongly behind me and his country has given me a diplomatic passport.

SPIEGEL: How can lasting peace be achieved in Thailand?

Thaksin: Both sides have committed wrong doings. It's time to reconcile by forgiving each other, forgetting the past and looking forward. We should become one nation and one people. But I will not recognize the current prime minister and the other side will not accept me.

- Interview conducted by Bernhard Zand for Der Spiegel / 2009-04-20

Edited April 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[LawnGnome]

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel doesn't do him justice

[LawnGnome]

SPIEGEL: In broad swaths of the population, you still enjoy great popularity. That means you also carry responsibility. Couldn't you be doing more to calm the current situation?

Thaksin: No way.

Priceless.... and then this!

SPIEGEL: What are you personally planning to do now?

Thaksin: I travel a lot and I don't normally stay in a place for longer than two weeks. I have business to take care of. The Red Shirt Committees work independently and make their own decisions. Sometimes they call me for advice, but they don't have to believe in me. I don't support them financially because my assets in Thailand have been frozen and I don't have much money. (the man who flies around in his own private jet doesn't have much money...)

Anyone who actually supports this vile, evil guy must be delusional.

[jayboy]

Interesting first hand account:

New mandala - Crushing of the Red Shirts

It's too long to post in entirity so take a look at the link. In the first few sentences he has his dates wrong it should be March, but you can follow the timescale through.

Wow, certainly a brave man, and completely "Fair and balanced" wasn't he.... Journalist of the highest standards there.

I thought we had heard the last of the Red Shirted non-journalist Nick Nostitz... but apparently not.

Oh well... at least his self-assessments are accurate.

A predictable ad hominem attack by someone overwhelmed by prejudice on a brave journalist who has presented a perspective that's unavailble elsewhere.The pre-eminent historian Chris Baker thinks so too:

"Huge admiration for Nick. The photos are superb, but the diary narrative is what makes this outstanding. So much photojournalism focuses our attention on a single image which has a limited range of messages. This essay puts a whole slew of images into the context of a story, allowing the humanity to break through the brittle surface of the drama. The woman massaging the soldier. Dancing under the expressway. The small dramas in the sois. Nick’s own personal dramas. And the humanity is important to the politics. Whatever else happened in this two days (provocation, third hands, who knows), most of those involved invested their frustrations and hopes. The previous episodes in this series have been superb, but this moves to another level."

[Ricardo]

'I'm Like a Rat'

SPIEGEL: Officially, two people died in the latest riots and 123 were injured. Do you dispute these figures?

Thaksin: It is an absolute lie.

SPIEGEL: Do you have proof of that?

Thaksin: After they said there were only two dead, we found two Red Shirts who had been tied with their hands behind their backs and were found in the Chao Praya River. We are still looking for others.

I haven't seen this allegation before, about the 2 bodies in the river, does anyone know did it appear elsewhere ?

And I sadly note, Senor Thaksin failed to take the opportunity given in the interview, to condemn the assasination-attempt on his former friend Sondhi, whoever ordered it. No doubt there are diplomatic reasons for this failure, which we mere mortals wouldn't understand, oh well.

[cmsally]

Interesting first hand account:

New mandala - Crushing of the Red Shirts

It's too long to post in entirity so take a look at the link. In the first few sentences he has his dates wrong it should be March, but you can follow the timescale through.

Wow, certainly a brave man, and completely "Fair and balanced" wasn't he.... Journalist of the highest standards there.

I thought we had heard the last of the Red Shirted non-journalist Nick Nostitz... but apparently not.

Oh well... at least his self-assessments are accurate.

A predictable ad hominem attack by someone overwhelmed by prejudice on a brave journalist who has presented a perspective that's unavailble elsewhere.The pre-eminent historian Chris Baker thinks so too:

"Huge admiration for Nick. The photos are superb, but the diary narrative is what makes this outstanding. So much photojournalism focuses our attention on a single image which has a limited range of messages. This essay puts a whole slew of images into the context of a story, allowing the humanity to break through the brittle surface of the drama. The woman massaging the soldier. Dancing under the expressway. The small dramas in the sois. Nick’s own personal dramas. And the humanity is important to the politics. Whatever else happened in this two days (provocation, third hands, who knows), most of those involved invested their frustrations and hopes. The previous episodes in this series have been superb, but this moves to another level."

Interesting to see Chris Baker's comments on this ; thank you for adding those.

Of course for all the cynics out there, we are waiting with baited breath for when you upload your version with photos taken on the streets of Bangkok; as I am sure you were all out there in your bulletproof vests on those days!

It was a pretty fair and unbiased narration of events as he experienced them as far as I can see.

[ubonjoe]

All the personal sniping by some members needs to stop. It is just wasting space.

If it keeps up warnings will be given.

[hammered]

Interesting first hand account:

New mandala - Crushing of the Red Shirts

It's too long to post in entirity so take a look at the link. In the first few sentences he has his dates wrong it should be March, but you can follow the timescale through.

Wow, certainly a brave man, and completely "Fair and balanced" wasn't he.... Journalist of the highest standards there.

I thought it was good too.

[hammered]

Spiegel have an amazing interview with the Bangkok governor that must rank as a must read. Im not sure a link is appropriate