Traffic Chaos In Bangkok As Protesters Close Main Roads

[CFIT]

Neither CNN or BBC web site or TV is reporting on the Bangkok protests, but just the much smaller ASEAN protests in " Pa Tay Ya " as they are calling it.

In fact just now BB is showing just the ASEAN site , about a dozen protesters having a shoving match with police .

Edited April 10, 2009 by CFIT

[DP25]

Frankly, I wonder why the Reds would want an election.

Because Thaksin is completely delusional. He's been drinking too much red kool aid.

[jackspratt]

You should open a separate thread for me if you want to discuss me.

Bandwidth is very, very cheap, but honestly, you are not worth it.

ps when are you going to respond to the 2000baht question

[baht&sold]

Well, it appears it's the reds turn now (despite an economic crisis, mai pen rai) and apparently DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE!!! OR, simply 76 BILLION frozen baht (and a chance for Mr Thaksin to thaw it & 'double-up') This all conveniently coincides with Dr Thaksin's upcoming court date on said frozen approx 2 Billion USD.

It's all becoming slightly reminiscent of the old movie 'It's a Mad, Mad World'...

With greatest respect to deceased Spencer Tracy (whom prob wouldn't want to be caught dead with this lot)

Wonder if it will end similarly for Big 'T'?

http://www.ruinedendings.com/film662ending

Mr Thaksin's earlier pleaded for the red-rally to: "Tell YOUR children to come" This occurred at the same time HIS 'children' were being jetted out to safety, in first class comfort of course... (no more needs to be added really)

Edited April 10, 2009 by baht&sold

[jackspratt]

Anway, its Friday night and time to party and have a great long weekend.

So enough of this politics rubbish and yellow and red.

Party time.................see you in a few days.

Driving somewhere are we Level?

No doubt you will be in reverse gear for the entire journey

[jbowman1993]

Well, it appears it's the reds turn now (despite an economic crisis, mai pen rai) and apparently DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE!!! OR, simply 76 BILLION frozen baht (and a chance for Mr Thaksin to 'double-up') This all conveniently coincides with Dr Thaksin's upcoming court date on said frozen approx 2 Billion USD.

It's all becoming slightly reminiscent of the old movie 'It's a Mad, Mad World'...

With greatest respect to deceased Spencer Tracy (whom wouldn't be caught dead with this lot)

Wonder if it will end similarly for Big 'T'?

http://www.ruinedendings.com/film662ending

Mr Thaksin's earlier pleaded for the red-rally to: "Tell YOU children to come" This occurred at the same time HIS 'children' were being jetted out to safety in first class comfort... (no more needs to be added really)

I'll add one more to this.

Thaksin is the villain in this story! The sooner people figure that out, the better.

[mangostays]

Police ready cranes to clear roads

BANGKOK: -- The police threatened to use cranes and trucks to move taxis parked on roads all over Bangkok if cabbies who support the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) do not stop blocking the streets.

The red-shirt protesters began blocking key roads across the capital on Thursday afernoon to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign.

They gathered outside the the Constitution Court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government House and Democrat party headquarters in Bangkok, and in Pattaya where the 14th Asean Summit is to begin on Friday.

Bangkok's traffic police commander Weerapat Tansrisakul said his men were trying to negotiate with the taxi drivers who blocked all traffic lanes around the Victory Monument.

If the talks failed police may have to use cranes and trucks to remove the taxis and clear the roads, he said.

The UDD leaders said about 20,000 taxis would block roads around Bangkok for another three days if the government does not meet their demands for a general election and the resignation of the foreign minister and three privy councillors.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-04-09

They've paid them to put on red shirts and protest. On Samui, the mayor of **** paid 4K per vote. my mum in law was given 500 THB to wave a flag and make a fuss in BKK.

Stop pretending that any sort of democracy exists here. Here, money talks period.

[mangostays]

Well, it appears it's the reds turn now (despite an economic crisis, mai pen rai) and apparently DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE!!! OR, simply 76 BILLION frozen baht (and a chance for Mr Thaksin to thaw it & 'double-up') This all conveniently coincides with Dr Thaksin's upcoming court date on said frozen approx 2 Billion USD.

It's all becoming slightly reminiscent of the old movie 'It's a Mad, Mad World'...

With greatest respect to deceased Spencer Tracy (whom prob wouldn't want to be caught dead with this lot)

Wonder if it will end similarly for Big 'T'?

http://www.ruinedendings.com/film662ending

Mr Thaksin's earlier pleaded for the red-rally to: "Tell YOUR children to come" This occurred at the same time HIS 'children' were being jetted out to safety, in first class comfort of course... (no more needs to be added really)

Shame on Thailand. Shame.

Money, money, money, money. Shame on you.

[Old Man River]

Well, it appears it's the reds turn now (despite an economic crisis, mai pen rai) and apparently DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE!!! OR, simply 76 BILLION frozen baht (and a chance for Mr Thaksin to 'double-up') This all conveniently coincides with Dr Thaksin's upcoming court date on said frozen approx 2 Billion USD.

It's all becoming slightly reminiscent of the old movie 'It's a Mad, Mad World'...

With greatest respect to deceased Spencer Tracy (whom wouldn't be caught dead with this lot)

Wonder if it will end similarly for Big 'T'?

http://www.ruinedendings.com/film662ending

Mr Thaksin's earlier pleaded for the red-rally to: "Tell YOU children to come" This occurred at the same time HIS 'children' were being jetted out to safety in first class comfort... (no more needs to be added really)

I'll add one more to this.

Thaksin is the villain in this story! The sooner people figure that out, the better.

Yes, he is Mr. Big, and he is after a whole lot more than just his THB 76 billion. A whole lot more.

[rainman]

Bandwidth is very, very cheap, but honestly, you are not worth it.

I bet you could sink even lower if you try hard enough.

[sriracha john]

All Abhisit and the Democrats appear to have done so far is jump in bed with Newin and his ilk to gain power, go out and borrow loads of money, throw it away by giving out 2000B cheques, have scandal after scandal and basically stand by doing nothing whilst hundreds of thousands of Thai's lose their jobs. All the while appointing PAD people to powerful positions and advisory roles to the government.

The funny thing about the 2000 Baht cheques is that only government workers were eligible, who are not the ones that lost their jobs due to the PAD demonstrations last year.

No cheques for the tourism industry workers that lost their jobs.

No cheques for the people working in the factories that closed down.

No cheques for the farmers who lost and are still losing due lost export contracts.

But 2000 Baht shopping cheques for government workers, who already have a higher salary than most average Thais.

That's Abhisit.

That's bull, most of my wife's extended family have received the stimulus cheques and they all work regular jobs in factories around the country.

Don't worry... the above was just the latest factually erroneous post from rainman.

He's been posting them hourly for most of the day.

Edited April 10, 2009 by sriracha john

[h90]

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

Why?

It seems to be the only sensible solution right now. How else can their be a government that can be accepted by all parties?

The current PM might be a good guy, but he seems to be under the army rather than above it.

No you under a wrong impression.

If there are elections now and TRT 3rd edition wins...Yellow on the street

...................................Democrats win...................Red on the street.

both sides won't accept it. both sides will tell that it is not true: Yellow would tell vote buying.

Red would tell fraud or Army forced something.

So elections now won't improve the situation but would cause a min. of 4 month without active government

[h90]

All Abhisit and the Democrats appear to have done so far is jump in bed with Newin and his ilk to gain power, go out and borrow loads of money, throw it away by giving out 2000B cheques, have scandal after scandal and basically stand by doing nothing whilst hundreds of thousands of Thai's lose their jobs. All the while appointing PAD people to powerful positions and advisory roles to the government.

The funny thing about the 2000 Baht cheques is that only government workers were eligible, who are not the ones that lost their jobs due to the PAD demonstrations last year.

No cheques for the tourism industry workers that lost their jobs.

No cheques for the people working in the factories that closed down.

No cheques for the farmers who lost and are still losing due lost export contracts.

But 2000 Baht shopping cheques for government workers, who already have a higher salary than most average Thais.

That's Abhisit.

that is a lie every worker got it, also my workers of a farang company. My motorbike delivery guys were at the fax machine to ensure their information is for sure faxed and noone forgets it. And all got it with a short waiting (not the 6 hours other were reporting) So don't fake informations!

[DP25]

The funny thing about the 2000 Baht cheques is that only government workers were eligible

I expect nothing but lies from you, but that one is just too funny. The government workers I know haven't even recieved their checks yet, while the non government workers have.

[h90]

All Abhisit and the Democrats appear to have done so far is jump in bed with Newin and his ilk to gain power, go out and borrow loads of money, throw it away by giving out 2000B cheques, have scandal after scandal and basically stand by doing nothing whilst hundreds of thousands of Thai's lose their jobs. All the while appointing PAD people to powerful positions and advisory roles to the government.

The funny thing about the 2000 Baht cheques is that only government workers were eligible, who are not the ones that lost their jobs due to the PAD demonstrations last year.

No cheques for the tourism industry workers that lost their jobs.

No cheques for the people working in the factories that closed down.

No cheques for the farmers who lost and are still losing due lost export contracts.

But 2000 Baht shopping cheques for government workers, who already have a higher salary than most average Thais.

That's Abhisit.

That's bull, most of my wife's extended family have received the stimulus cheques and they all work regular jobs in factories around the country.

Complete crap from Rainman - The stimulus checks were given to all members of the Social Security Scheme (that includes government workers, aprox 1.2 million) making less than 15k a month, and most companies in Thailand are part of this scheme. Also, once a person is a member, they can continue to be, even after losing their job, when they receive unemployment benefits etc. The number was close to 10 million who qualified. Both my wife and I are members of the Social Security, and both make over 15k. Neither of us received stimulus checks. However, all the workers at my wife's company did, and none of them are government workers.

Well it seems rainman has his script and sometimes there are mistakes or he didn't listen at the briefing.

It all costs a lot and Thaksin must also safe money on his promotion work.

[sriracha john]

I think the Reds have done well for the moment.

Thailand is in the headlines on BBC, CNN and the questions over the military, PAD, Democrats is all over the news. T

Neither CNN or BBC web site or TV is reporting on the Bangkok protests, but just the much smaller ASEAN protests in " Pa Tay Ya " as they are calling it.

In fact just now BB is showing just the ASEAN site , about a dozen protesters having a shoving match with police .

Clearly it must be a case that there two different versions of both BBC and CNN being broadcast.

[h90]

I got the rumor that Pattaya people are attacking the red shirts. Anyone heard of it?

[Djaotchou]

My girlfriend works in a Farang restaurant in Phuket, she got her cheque yesterday.

I don't know about Pattaya, but in Bangkok:

Edited April 10, 2009 by Djaotchou

[hegenious]

*** Breaking News ***

Yellow and Red shirts reconciled!

Thailands troubles are finally over...

picture taken in Phatthalung last week

[edwardmoulton]

Yes, I am British but I do understand the system as we also have had coalitions in the UK too. It is pretty simple. If there is no faith in a government (motion of no confidence in the UK, censure here etc), the government calls an election, it does not allow the other parties to get together to make a new government. Never... If a leader of a party steps down or is forced down as with Samak, then a new leader of the party takes his place.... So either way, an election is needed as you cannot tell me that the yellow shirts forcing Somchai out and we then get a new PM in the form of Abhisit who no-one ahs ever voted for is right... that would be like Abhisit stepping down now and Thaksin is declared the new PM with out an election!...

I think I said that 50 pages ago or so Abhisit should have called for new elections right when he became PM. Thaksin was just convicted and his party dissolved. He would have never gotten enough votes and Abhisit would have been the fair politician that gave the nation their voice. Now he's sitting up top and keeps saying "I won't go, I won't go, no matter what happens" live on national television which for Thais feels like they have nothing to say anymore.

The main problem with the red's campaign, is that they can't win...so why are the causing so much trouble lol

They can win and I hope they will win,

All I see here from the detractors of the red movement are criticism and jokes about Thaksin. I NEVER EVER see any positive recommendation for the Abhisit yellow government.

Could that be because there is nothing good to say about it?

Abhisit is smart and cool but unproven and singularly lacking in any charisma. He is no leader which is why he has chosen to 'caretake' for the real power behind, the military and others we cannot name here.

He is surrounded by a team of halfwits - Kasit (no need to even comment on him as the whole world knows he is a helpless retard who has made enemies of everyone), Suthep (who has failed at every step of his tenure and now cannot even organise security), and Korn (who has no grasp of basic economics let alone macro economics to lead Thailand out of trouble, just borrows to curry favour and lies all the time about the recession) and others who receive no limelight so I assume they are powerless.

And please remember that these are just the mouthpieces for a lot more sinister controlling powers behind that can basically do whatever they want and are turning Thailand into a police state rapidly.

On the other hand you have a movement led by Thaksin. Sure he and his family stole billions but he also made billions for Thailand and himself because he is a strong leader and a shrewd businessman. In his time he repaid the national debts, opened Thailand to external trade and tried to break the old guard which has always kept Thailand back. He tried to give at least some power to the people too... The people were not unhappy with him, the rich elite were because they were threatened by him.

Even if you do not wish to see Thaksin back in power, ask yourself if you want Thailand to stay in the dark ages ruled but he handful of rich families and military who bend the rules to their ends, twist the law to promote corruption and have no interest at all in doing anything for the people other than keeping them as modern day slaves.

You do not have to be pro-Thaksin or even a socialist to want change, you simply have to be pro-democracy and pro-reform in a country that is LONG over due for some of that. Put down the red shirts and look forward to many more years of corruption, military force and injustice with no freedom of speech and a population kept down. Go for it!

Edited April 10, 2009 by edwardmoulton

[edwardmoulton]

I think the Reds have done well for the moment.

Thailand is in the headlines on BBC, CNN and the questions over the military, PAD, Democrats is all over the news. T

Neither CNN or BBC web site or TV is reporting on the Bangkok protests, but just the much smaller ASEAN protests in " Pa Tay Ya " as they are calling it.

In fact just now BB is showing just the ASEAN site , about a dozen protesters having a shoving match with police .

Clearly it must be a case that there two different versions of both BBC and CNN being broadcast.

Just selective vision by some members - Thailand is in the initial news headline summary and there is a sizeable report form Jonathan Head each hour at least.

[rixalex]

Sure he and his family stole billions but.....

You are adding a "but" to a statement like "Sure he and his family stole billions.."???!!!

There should never be a "but" to a statement like that, just as there's no "but" to a statement like "Sure, he sanctioned the killing of thousands of people without trial..."

[sriracha john]

From TOC:

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

Jatuporn's treatment of his 90 year-old mother is highly reflective to his treatment of Thailand...

Mae Nuam

[h90]

Yes, I am British but I do understand the system as we also have had coalitions in the UK too. It is pretty simple. If there is no faith in a government (motion of no confidence in the UK, censure here etc), the government calls an election, it does not allow the other parties to get together to make a new government. Never... If a leader of a party steps down or is forced down as with Samak, then a new leader of the party takes his place.... So either way, an election is needed as you cannot tell me that the yellow shirts forcing Somchai out and we then get a new PM in the form of Abhisit who no-one ahs ever voted for is right... that would be like Abhisit stepping down now and Thaksin is declared the new PM with out an election!...

I think I said that 50 pages ago or so Abhisit should have called for new elections right when he became PM. Thaksin was just convicted and his party dissolved. He would have never gotten enough votes and Abhisit would have been the fair politician that gave the nation their voice. Now he's sitting up top and keeps saying "I won't go, I won't go, no matter what happens" live on national television which for Thais feels like they have nothing to say anymore.

The main problem with the red's campaign, is that they can't win...so why are the causing so much trouble lol

They can win and I hope they will win,

All I see here from the detractors of the red movement are criticism and jokes about Thaksin. I NEVER EVER see any positive recommendation for the Abhisit yellow government.

Could that be because there is nothing good to say about it?

Abhisit is smart and cool but unproven and singularly lacking in any charisma. He is no leader which is why he has chosen to 'caretake' for the real power behind, the military and others we cannot name here.

He is surrounded by a team of halfwits - Kasit (no need to even comment on him as the whole world knows he is a helpless retard who has made enemies of everyone), Suthep (who has failed at every step of his tenure and now cannot even organise security), and Korn (who has no grasp of basic economics let alone macro economics to lead Thailand out of trouble, just borrows to curry favour and lies all the time about the recession) and others who receive no limelight so I assume they are powerless.

And please remember that these are just the mouthpieces for a lot more sinister controlling powers behind that can basically do whatever they want and are turning Thailand into a police state rapidly.

On the other hand you have a movement led by Thaksin. Sure he and his family stole billions but he also made billions for Thailand and himself because he is a strong leader and a shrewd businessman. In his time he repaid the national debts, opened Thailand to external trade and tried to break the old guard which has always kept Thailand back. He tried to give at least some power to the people too... The people were not unhappy with him, the rich elite were because they were threatened by him.

Even if you do not wish to see Thaksin back in power, ask yourself if you want Thailand to stay in the dark ages ruled but he handful of rich families and military who bend the rules to their ends, twist the law to promote corruption and have no interest at all in doing anything for the people other than keeping them as modern day slaves.

You do not have to be pro-Thaksin or even a socialist to want change, you simply have to be pro-democracy and pro-reform in a country that is LONG over due for some of that. Put down the red shirts and look forward to many more years of corruption, military force and injustice with no freedom of speech and a population kept down. Go for it!

just many people don't want to live in a Peoples Republic of Thailand, with dearest leader Thaksin.

[sriracha john]

I NEVER EVER see any positive recommendation for the Abhisit yellow government.

It's always nice when people can provide their own answer to their own wonderings...

Just selective vision by some members

[edwardmoulton]

Sure he and his family stole billions but.....

You are adding a "but" to a statement like "Sure he and his family stole billions.."???!!!

There should never be a "but" to a statement like that, just as there's no "but" to a statement like "Sure, he sanctioned the killing of thousands of people without trial..."

Are you telling me that any other politician in Thailand is NOT corrupt....

And you miss the whole point again.... It is not about being pro-Thaksin, it is about being against a state ruled without any true democracy or freedom of speech so once again,

"Do you admire Abhisit, Suthep, Kasit and Korn and their backers and turn your back on all the people's rights?"

Edited April 10, 2009 by edwardmoulton

[edwardmoulton]

I NEVER EVER see any positive recommendation for the Abhisit yellow government.

It's always nice when people can provide their own answer to their own wonderings...

Just selective vision by some members

I hope you understand your own humour!

[h90]

Sure he and his family stole billions but.....

You are adding a "but" to a statement like "Sure he and his family stole billions.."???!!!

There should never be a "but" to a statement like that, just as there's no "but" to a statement like "Sure, he sanctioned the killing of thousands of people without trial..."

Are you telling me that any other politician in Thailand is NOT corrupt....

And you miss the whole point again.... It is not about being pro-Thaksin, it is about being against a state ruled without any true democracy or freedom of speech so once again,

"Do you admire Abhisit, Suthep, Kasit and Korn and their backers and turn your back on all the people's rights?"

Chuan was never corrupt and had at the end less money than before.

I didn't hear anything about Abhisit is corrupt.

But from Thaksin, Samak, etc everyone knows

[DP25]

Sure he and his family stole billions but.....

You are adding a "but" to a statement like "Sure he and his family stole billions.."???!!!

There should never be a "but" to a statement like that, just as there's no "but" to a statement like "Sure, he sanctioned the killing of thousands of people without trial..."

Sure, he and his government killed thousands of innocent people without trail, but he made the trains run on time!

[edwardmoulton]

just many people don't want to live in a Peoples Republic of Thailand, with dearest leader Thaksin.

You should try Burma then - I am sure they will love people like you...

The trouble is they don't and they don't in Thailand either because the bit you miss is that the average Thai looks down on and resents foreigners but the elite Thais absolutely despise them and will not let them anywhere near their houses or daughters. At least the regular low to middle class accept us a little more especially if we are married to their daughters so don't kid yourself you are ever going to be accepted into any elitist arena so supporting the old guard. They have tried to keep Thailand free of us (and every nation bordering) for centuries. That is one of the major problems and things that need to be changed!