Traffic Chaos In Bangkok As Protesters Close Main Roads

[edwardmoulton]

I still don't understand why they moved it from Phuket to Pattaya.

More hookers for the international representatives? I wonder if they charge a "guest fee" at the resort.

I remember the international AIDS/HIV conference a few years back in Bangkok, I saw quite a few of the delegates walk into their hotel rooms in Sukhumvit with one or two bargirls.

More likely they remembered their own airport blokade and try to fly as little as possible.

Asean was moved to Pattaya from Phuket to boost the falling tourist numbers in Pattaya as Phuket was already booked out for Songkran....

[edwardmoulton]

Police poised to arrest red-shirt leaders

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt General Worapong Chiewpreecha on Friday indicated that police were preparing to ask for the court-approved warrants to round up red shirt leaders, including fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Worapong said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban, who is in Pattaya, had just called him to check into the progress ot issuing the arrest warrants.

He said the warrants would be based on charges relating to inciting insurrection and causing disturbances.

The Nation

Corruption at it's finest moment. They never even bothered arresting the PAD leaders last year.

Yes they did! Do you really believe the crap you're writing?

They did NOT arrest the PAD members.... they eventually asked them to report to the police station which they never did and have still not done and it was ONLY for blocking Governemnt House. They dropped all charges regarding the airport as they said it was 'all over now so no need to worry'..... Yes, really....

[Ricardo]

The only responsible solution is to dissolve the house and call for new elections.

Why?

So that the PTP can poll 40%-ish of the vote again, proclaim a 'landslide victory', and form a legal opposition in Parliament, then declare the whole process undemocratic and rigged, thus progressing democracy erm ... erm ... erm ?

If a new election is the only responsible solution, doesn't that mean it was irresponsible of PM-Somchai not to do that, last November ? Or perhaps playing golf & going to karaoke in Chiang Mai was some new version of responsible behaviour, previously unseen in power, which would have helped the country focus on its response to the global economic-crisis ?

[henryalleman]

The main problem is in the very foundation of Thailand. Working all month, every day, for 6,000-8,000 Baht creates a paradise for corruption. Thais now have the huge shopping centers, as we have in the West. There are cinemas, fast food restaurants, expensive perfumes & shoes, students want/need to shop at Guess or other brand name stores. Otherwise you're "out" or "low-so".

If everyone earned 30,000-40,000 Baht, it would be much less attractive to accept a 'donation' to vote for this or that person. It doesn't take Einstein to discover that countries with high income have much less corruption than countries with low income.

But simple math tells me that:

Tourists avoiding Thailand + insecure export + instability + non-improving infrastructure = Low income = High corruption.

Surely Thaksin was corrupt and put a lot of money into his own pocket, but Thailand was on the right path while he was PM. For probably many decades, Thailand will likely always have PMs who put money into their own pockets, but the difference will be if they do something for the country or if they don't.

I haven't seen Abhisit do anything to improve tourism, export or confidence in Thailand. No compensations to the workers who have lost their jobs because of the airport occupation and the damage it has cause to the tourism industry.

I have however seen bonuses for government workers, which again are usually the ones who have higher salaries than the people working as maids cleaning hotel rooms or the ones serving food in tourist restaurants.

I seriously hope that the red shirts keep their demonstrations limited to the government buildings and the government itself, not like the yellow shirts.

In the end, between Abhisit and Thaksin, I have to say Thaksin is the better choice. It's either a chipmunk who does nothing or a chipmunk who does something.

Give me a better choice and I may well change my mind, but for right now that's what Thailand is stuck with.

I would like to remind you that Abhisit is only in office for 3 months and is confronted with the most severe economical and financial crisis since decades.

And in this 3 months he did more than the previous government in 2 years. He implemented a stimulus plan, now the 30 baht scheme is really working, the legislative work is continuing, he is preparing an additional stimulus plan, but before he can do that its necessary to change some law; he put a few billion baht in an education plan, he arrange free water and electric for the poor, free public transport for some and much more and all of this in only 3 months, while he is confronted with an convicted criminal who stir up the people for his own benefit, who's own children fleeing the country while he urge the demonstrators to bring their own to demonstrate.

Who could do more in such a short time? Samak or Chamleng maybe?

Edited April 10, 2009 by henryalleman

[sriracha john]

See this

Civilians taking control and removing a Red Shirted road block...

[h90]

Police poised to arrest red-shirt leaders

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt General Worapong Chiewpreecha on Friday indicated that police were preparing to ask for the court-approved warrants to round up red shirt leaders, including fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Worapong said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban, who is in Pattaya, had just called him to check into the progress ot issuing the arrest warrants.

He said the warrants would be based on charges relating to inciting insurrection and causing disturbances.

The Nation

Corruption at it's finest moment. They never even bothered arresting the PAD leaders last year.

Yes they did! Do you really believe the crap you're writing?

They did NOT arrest the PAD members.... they eventually asked them to report to the police station which they never did and have still not done and it was ONLY for blocking Governemnt House. They dropped all charges regarding the airport as they said it was 'all over now so no need to worry'..... Yes, really....

no the reported to the police end of March. My wife was there when they did it.

[samtam]

See this

Civilians taking control and removing a Red Shirted road block...

Is the tide turning? I think Bangkokians are getting a bit fed up with this nonsense. The even more ridiculous thing is that this is right next to the police pill box. Well, maybe not that ridiculous, given the usual problems with BiB.

[edwardmoulton]

Well, h90, I wasn't there but the news reported that the PAD's lawyers requested more time to declare their defence. If they did report, what was your wife doing there and have they been charged? What are the charges exactly and what will happen now? Re ember this matter dates back to last year so already four months overdue...

[h90]

Well, h90, I wasn't there but the news reported that the PAD's lawyers requested more time to declare their defence. If they did report, what was your wife doing there and have they been charged? What are the charges exactly and what will happen now? Re ember this matter dates back to last year so already four months overdue...

If I recall it right it was scheduled for beginning of March and they requested more time and it was agreed to 30 ??? March.

A few thousand supporters of PAD went there for moral support. Our accounting and my wife went there (if I recall it right).

It was the usual Thailand joke...go to the police station, hear the charges, go home...So relative pointless.

[h90]

From TOC: http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData...?DataID=1013675

Mother of Red-Shirt Core Leader Urges Son to Action Against Monarchy

UPDATE : 10 April 2009

The Mother of a red shirt core leader has asked her son to stop campaigning against the monarchy.

Some three hundred supporters of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda went to the house of 90-year-old Nuam Prompan, mother of Jatuporn Prompan, the core leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, in Surat Thani province yesterday, asking Nuam to convince her son to stop insulting the monarchy.

Nuam pleaded with her son to stop what he is doing, saying it is inappropriate and disrespectful. She also expressed interest in meeting her son directly to offer her advice, but added that she has not seen her son for five or six years and Jatuporn has not taken her phone calls during this time.

Aree Parndaeng, Jatuporn's elder sister, confirmed her mother's remarks, saying Jatupron has not taken any phone calls from Nuam, despite her suffering from health problems.

end quote

From the Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/10...cs_30100193.php

Red-shirted shooed away from Sathorn

By The Nation

Red-shirted people's attempt to block the Sathorn-Narathiwat Intersection Friday was foiled by unity of normal people on the road who happened to be there.

People crossing the roads on connected pedestrian shouted in unison "get out, get out" when a group of red-shirted people tried to block the Intersection, which turns left to Rama III road with traffic barricades and taxis at 11 am.

Some motorcyclists also drove through the barricade to disrupt the attempt to block the road.

Some motorcyclists also parked their machines and walked to push out the barricades away from the road.

Several motorcyclists and other pedestrians also pushed or kicked the taxis when they were driven away.

The people shouted in joy when the red-shirted people retreated in taxis and motorcycles.

watch the video of the incident

More links of you-tube videos of the event could be found here:

[edwardmoulton]

Well, h90, I wasn't there but the news reported that the PAD's lawyers requested more time to declare their defence. If they did report, what was your wife doing there and have they been charged? What are the charges exactly and what will happen now? Re ember this matter dates back to last year so already four months overdue...

If I recall it right it was scheduled for beginning of March and they requested more time and it was agreed to 30 ??? March.

A few thousand supporters of PAD went there for moral support. Our accounting and my wife went there (if I recall it right).

It was the usual Thailand joke...go to the police station, hear the charges, go home...So relative pointless.

Exactly! So not really arrested then.... A bit like any others here with power and influence who go in the front of the Police station and out the back door the same day like the kid who mowed down the queue of pedestrians on Sukhumvit. Set free same day... Thanks for the update anyway...

[h90]

Well, h90, I wasn't there but the news reported that the PAD's lawyers requested more time to declare their defence. If they did report, what was your wife doing there and have they been charged? What are the charges exactly and what will happen now? Re ember this matter dates back to last year so already four months overdue...

If I recall it right it was scheduled for beginning of March and they requested more time and it was agreed to 30 ??? March.

A few thousand supporters of PAD went there for moral support. Our accounting and my wife went there (if I recall it right).

It was the usual Thailand joke...go to the police station, hear the charges, go home...So relative pointless.

Exactly! So not really arrested then.... A bit like any others here with power and influence who go in the front of the Police station and out the back door the same day like the kid who mowed down the queue of pedestrians on Sukhumvit. Set free same day... Thanks for the update anyway...

Yes like everyone here with power and influence or money....The system is simply not working.....

Steal 100 Baht and you are in troubles. Steal 100 Million and you are regarded....

[sriracha john]

Is the tide turning? I think Bangkokians are getting a bit fed up with this nonsense.

Burning and trampling on a Red Shirt...

[h90]

Is the tide turning? I think Bangkokians are getting a bit fed up with this nonsense.

Burning and trampling on a Red Shirt...

you missunderstand the video. These are supporters of the mass-movement (according to some posters approx. 130 % of the population) of the reds. :D

[sriracha john]

Anti-government protesters retreat

The anti-government protesters agreed to retreat from conventional hall of a hotel which is hosting Asean Summit after handing a letter to Asean leaders.

Their leader, Arisman Phongruangrong, handed over "the letter of demand" to Bara Kuma Palaniappan, a senior official from Asean Secretariat. The protesters said they had no intention to disrupt the meeting but to show thier democratic rights.

Earlier some pro-Thaksin protesters broke into compound of Royal Cliff Beach Hotel which is hosting Asean Summit plus dialogue partner countries in Pattaya, Chonburi on Friday.

They made a sit-in protest close to stairs of the Conventional Hall which is the meeting venue. Arisaman used megaphone to criticise the Abhisit government.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

Their leader, Arisman Phongruangrong, handed over "the letter of demand"

They made a sit-in protest close to stairs of the Conventional Hall which is the meeting venue. Arisaman used megaphone to criticise the Abhisit government.

I think Arisman might have some other ulterior motives and reasons for attempting to bring down the government....

1.2 Billion Reasons...

Singer-turned-politician former MP from Banned Thai Rak Thai Party Arisman Phongruangrong

a new discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday indicted eight individuals for corruption relating to 1.2 Billion Baht in kickbacks over construction of the Ua Athorn housing project.

They included former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook, his aide Mana Wongpipat, and former MP Arisman Pongruangrong.

"Of the 15 contractors for the Ua Athorn project, eight have been linked to the 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes and evidence has clearly shown that the minister and his middlemen demanded and received kickbacks," AEC member Kaewsan Atibhodi said.

above and updates in thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Accu...an#entry2605412

[henryalleman]

As I keep saying, it is not about the personalities here, it is about saving the country from disaster. The ONLY way is an election and then a democratic government whoever wins or whoevers in the coalition.

I don't think you know how a parliamentary democracy works. The present government is an coalition government and they have an majority in the parliament. So the present government is legal, and therefore new elections are nor necessary. In an parliamentary democracy its not uncommon that when a government lost the vote of trust in the parliament( the last Thai government did) a new government is formed by parties who can achieve an new majority. In some democratic countries they have even legislature governments, meaning that they can only have elections after the legislature period of the parliament is finished, so when a government loose a vote of confidence the constitution make it mandatory that a new parliamentary majority is formed who make a new government.

I presume that you are an American or British citizen who are familiar with a 2 party system and therefore not familiar with coalition governments.

[rainman]

A yellow shirt PAD supporter burning a red flag and standing on it, while his family is video taping it and cheering, hardly shows a "tide turning".

Everyone is saying that 10,000 or 70,000 are not significant number of red shirts, but when a single (1) guy is burning a red flag, the "tide is turning".

Forgive me, but:

Edited April 10, 2009 by rainman

[rixalex]

A few thousand supporters of PAD went there for moral support. Our accounting and my wife went there (if I recall it right).

That explains the tunnel vision.

What explains yours? Marriage to an Isaan woman?

[Lami]

A few thousand supporters of PAD went there for moral support. Our accounting and my wife went there (if I recall it right).

That explains the tunnel vision.

What explains yours? Marriage to an Isaan woman?

Was that supposed to be a slur ?

[way2muchcoffee]

What explains yours? Marriage to an Isaan woman?

Not cool at all rixalex. You're crossing multiple lines with comments like that.

[neverdie]

Rainman is certainly getting worked up about this one.

Rainman, "YOU ARE NOT A THAI" , I will repeat this for you in case you missed it the first time, "You are not a Thai".

Amazing Thailand Expats

[h90]

What explains yours? Marriage to an Isaan woman?

Not cool at all rixalex. You're crossing multiple lines with comments like that.

I think it is not top secret that Isaan is the area which likes Thaksin most.

So what is wrong with that idea that hardcore red farangs are most probably married with an Isaan woman and hear the propaganda there?

[neverdie]

What explains yours? Marriage to an Isaan woman?

Not cool at all rixalex. You're crossing multiple lines with comments like that.

Yes, your likely to upset the masses of thai visa 'specials' who are married to upcountry ladies

[chowder]

A yellow shirt PAD supporter burning a red flag and standing on it, while his family is video taping it and cheering, hardly shows a "tide turning".

sometime it only take one man to take down the whole charade.

red shirt wanted, give it a try you might like it, i heard that they pay good money

[sriracha john]

Chonburi Governor Surrounded by Red Shirts

Reports have come in that the Chonburi Governor has been surrounded by red shirt protesters, gathering in front of the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.

He met with them to receive a letter of complaint, but they refused to allow him to leave.

Latest reports indicated that the Governor had been released at 5pm.

- TOC / 2009-04-10

[LevelHead]

Its hilarious reading this forum sometimes.

When the previous government were "gentle" with the PAD - it was because they had no power, useless.

The Democrats are gentle and do nothing and - its cause they are clever and all part of the plan.

When the previous government stopped the treasonous act of blocking parliament the force was "over the top".

Now we see the excuses being posted already that - people will have had enough and action is needed.

Some people are yellow to the spine on here. Hilarious.

Back to the protests the Reds are following a clear strategy, and the Democrats have to handle with care. The people of the North and North East (the majority of the Thai population) support TRT, PPP, PTP but are not presently getting too involved in this. If the Democrats/Army start killing a few Isaan/Northern people, and that news is spun back to the North/North East then all hel_l might break loose and millions will descend on Bangkok for revenge.

The Reds know this, and they will keep pushing and pushing through demonstrations and give the Democrats/PAD some time to come to their senses and call a new election.

But as time goes by they will use the same methods as the PAD did.

Time is on the Reds side.

After Songkran its the rainy season.

After Sonkran many hundreds of thousands of people will be laid off for the wet season.

Many people will have nothing to do.......and looking for ways to earn some cash.

Edited April 10, 2009 by LevelHead

[sriracha john]

Rainman is certainly getting worked up about this one.

Rainman, "YOU ARE NOT A THAI" , I will repeat this for you in case you missed it the first time, "You are not a Thai".

Amazing Thailand Expats

It's a quarterly event... we last saw him in the News Forum back in December.

[LevelHead]

When willit end?

So long as someone pays daily money to protesters (doesn't matter wich color they are), it will never end. We had four construction workers. They told us yesterday that they will not come work for the next four days, because someone offered them over 1000 Baht per day to go for rallies. I don't know if this is true, but this is what they told us.

I had heard the Democrats/PAD were paying people not to protest. Yes, had heard they were giving people 2000 baht to go an have a slap up meal and get drunk with, provided they love the government and did not join the reds.

More is promised (good old carrot to keep them hanging on).

Not sure if this is true, as anyone else heard of the government paying people 2000 baht for their support ?

[h90]

What explains yours? Marriage to an Isaan woman?

Not cool at all rixalex. You're crossing multiple lines with comments like that.

Yes, your likely to upset the masses of thai visa 'specials' who are married to upcountry ladies

to upset them is extremly extremly extremly dangerous, I was almost banned because of a similar comment.

It did upset a (male I guess) moderator. Since than my mouth is on such things.