Traffic Chaos In Bangkok As Protesters Close Main Roads

[jamesjdaly]

Yeah!! Let Abhisit resign and then we can all look forward to the sensible, straight-forward policies of Chalerm and his band of scummy, inbred mutants. His sons will make excellent diplomats.

[mommysboy]

I understand the frustration of the people, but surely by now they must realise, the rich always win......

I weep for Thailands image.

So just roll over and die ? The world already has quite enough inequality in my view.

[MrSnrang]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

[McHow2]

I assume that ain't April's Fools day again?

[obi1970]

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!

What is it with thai that they can not resolve things with dialog????

dont they understand that they really screwing up there own country!!!! really feel sad for people like that.

[geovalin]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

I disagree.

Yellow + Red = a tiny minority.

Thai population wants peace and sanook.

[h90]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

my wife told 1 year ago, a royal appointed government for 2 years is the only way to move forward. than can be democracy again.

Now it seems she was right.

[Toxane]

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness. (Confucius)

[edwardmoulton]

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!

What is it with thai that they can not resolve things with dialog????

dont they understand that they really screwing up there own country!!!! really feel sad for people like that.

If you take a little time to study the Thai language or watch two Thais trying to talk to each other and it is soon apparent that communication is very poor. Limitations of what is basically a simple 'one grunt, two grunt' evolved language and the cultural style of never ever getting to the point only serves to make owning a mobile phone company here very profitable but discussing anything more than a food order virtually impossible! Sad but true IMHO...

[hudriwudri]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

my wife told 1 year ago, a royal appointed government for 2 years is the only way to move forward. than can be democracy again.

Now it seems she was right.

democracy can only be restored by election!

[obi1970]

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!

What is it with thai that they can not resolve things with dialog????

dont they understand that they really screwing up there own country!!!! really feel sad for people like that.

If you take a little time to study the Thai language or watch two Thais trying to talk to each other and it is soon apparent that communication is very poor. Limitations of what is basically a simple 'one grunt, two grunt' evolved language and the cultural style of never ever getting to the point only serves to make owning a mobile phone company here very profitable but discussing anything more than a food order virtually impossible! Sad but true IMHO...

lol true im thai myself (one who knows how to use diaolog)

Edited April 9, 2009 by obi1970

[MrSnrang]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

I disagree.

Yellow + Red = a tiny minority.

Thai population wants peace and sanook.

Being Thai myself, I can say that they want peace and sanook but only their particular brand of it. Close-minded politicians are elected to appeal to specific social strata who in reality only act in favor of their own interests.

The filthy rich will always support the government that will bend towards their needs, the middle class will be unclear but mostly side with the Dems. despite all of their corruption and self-serving nature, and the working class will continue to follow TRT incarnations despite of all of their corruption and self-serving nature.

Foreign media will continue to lambast whoever happens to be in power.

Even though the Yellow and Red are small minorities, they still aren't insignificant and have huge swaying power.

[stromasher24]

Hi all,

Quick travel update:

Just travelled back (7pm) from the office on Ratchada using MRT to Sukhumviht then home to Sanam Pao using BTS and the trains weren't too crowded.

Passing Victory Monument it still looks full of red shirts and is blocked off to cars but theres a few bikes cutting through the crowds.

Think the cloudburst maybe helped thin out the crowds a bit.

Not sure what it'll be like tomorrow but would imagine the crowds starting to thin out when the lure of parties in the provinces.

.

[TAWP]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

I disagree.

Yellow + Red = a tiny minority.

Thai population wants peace and sanook.

Indeed, they are a tiny minority, but really think they are a majority.

My DAAD-fan friend honestly believe that some 90+% of the country really is pro-red, with some 'fooled people' being the rest...

[obi1970]

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness. (Confucius)

Yes and man who go to sleep with itchy bottom wake up with smelly finger (me)

Edited April 9, 2009 by obi1970

[h90]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

my wife told 1 year ago, a royal appointed government for 2 years is the only way to move forward. than can be democracy again.

Now it seems she was right.

democracy can only be restored by election!

yes but only if they are free and every party can campaign everywhere.

[h90]

Now this might get me banned or arrested, but where can we go from here?

There's two sides who have no sign of reconciling their differences, a military unwilling to govern, the owners of big business who will support whoever ends up winning, and a divide between Bangkok and the provinces that gets clearer and clearer every day.

There's a government that has shown no real effort to quell civil unrest, a party that's been banned time and time again, a global economic downturn, and no true clarity of the situation in the international media.

All I can see is civil war or the return of absolute monarchy.

I disagree.

Yellow + Red = a tiny minority.

Thai population wants peace and sanook.

Indeed, they are a tiny minority, but really think they are a majority.

My DAAD-fan friend honestly believe that some 90+% of the country really is pro-red, with some 'fooled people' being the rest...

last election only 40 % vote for TRT 2nd Edition, so 90+ can't be true

[NaiGreg]

I'm wearing green.

[colino]

Any chance of just having a topic started only for updates

whats going on ?

colino

[gregb]

democracy can only be restored by election!

Democracy can only be restored when everyone accepts the rule of law. Elections are simply a convenient way to determine the desire of the majority to implement that law. They are incidental to the process.

[rainman]

If Abhisit really wants democracy, why not call for elections and accept the result, whatever it is? If the majority really wants him, they will vote for him. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't ever seen him talk about a date of the elections.

[BigBikeBKK]

most taxi drivers are fiercly pro thaksin anyways

And most taxi drivers are fockin' morons

They are reflective of the small minded short sighted easily manipulated rural masses that still support Toxin.

Poor Thailand

[johncitizen]

I enjoy the fact that NOW the yellow-shirts are asking everyone to respect the rule of law.

The academic community is beginning to call for the government to be dissolved and for general elections to be held. I'm with them in believing this is the safest, most peaceful and most democratic way out of this situation.

Taken from the Nation URL: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/09...cs_30100030.php

Gov't should dissolve House to ease tension: academic

By The Nation

The government should push ahead with the political reform within for 50 days before dissolving the House to pave way for the elections, King Prachadhipok's Institute political scientist Pornchai Theppanya said on Thursday.

Pornchai urged the government to step down in order to overcome the political impasse triggered by the red-shirt crowd.

He said he would not comment on the demand for privy councillors to quit, arguing he could offer his idea on what was deemed within reason for the government to review and comply.

He reminded the Democrats that they once called for two governments under Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat to quit under similar circumstances.

[edwardmoulton]

Yeah!! Let Abhisit resign and then we can all look forward to the sensible, straight-forward policies of Chalerm and his band of scummy, inbred mutants. His sons will make excellent diplomats.

You have a point but for me this is about a little bit of ideology and democracy rather than individuals and in any case, maybe a less manipulative direct approach to politics from the next PM might be welcome. For all his brains and education, Abhisit (and his Oxford sidekick Korn) have persisted in telling us it's ok in Thailand and we will not get a recession.....

Now are they really that stupid or have they just decided to treat the populus with such contempt that they will not tell the truth about anything that really matters?

[terryp]

9:30 this morning about 30 police arrived at sukhumvit end of soi 31…they sat around for about 1 hour then a Army guy arrived and started giving instructions to the police..RIOT shields then arrived and stacked on the pavement. (police have been there all day waiting)

About 11am I went down to Abisit’s house for a look; (down soi 31) the place was mobbed by well over 60-80 police and some air force looking uniforms all frantically and quite comical putting barb wire around the upper part of Abisits house fence etc and yellow metal barriers on the footpaths etc

They know there is going to be trouble there, so anyone on Sukhumit & soi 23 –soi 47 would be advised to keep their wits tonight

[edwardmoulton]

I enjoy the fact that NOW the yellow-shirts are asking everyone to respect the rule of law.

The academic community is beginning to call for the government to be dissolved and for general elections to be held. I'm with them in believing this is the safest, most peaceful and most democratic way out of this situation.

Taken from the Nation URL: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/09...cs_30100030.php

Gov't should dissolve House to ease tension: academic

By The Nation

The government should push ahead with the political reform within for 50 days before dissolving the House to pave way for the elections, King Prachadhipok's Institute political scientist Pornchai Theppanya said on Thursday.

Pornchai urged the government to step down in order to overcome the political impasse triggered by the red-shirt crowd.

He said he would not comment on the demand for privy councillors to quit, arguing he could offer his idea on what was deemed within reason for the government to review and comply.

He reminded the Democrats that they once called for two governments under Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat to quit under similar circumstances.

I read that earlier... And yes, the yellow shirts keep asking for respect for the law and keep linking Thaksin to disrespect of the highest institution. All manipulation and distortion to try to pull attention away from the fact that they themselves are an unelected government that does not represent the vote of the people or democracy in any form and is deeply unpopular.

[tuky]

Red or Yellow, these people need to stop this foolishness.

Thailand is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the world.

I am deeply ashamed of having any connection to Thailand and these petty antics.

I live in Indo now and these buggers are no better. My girlfriend had to vote today because she had already accepted the 100,000 RP to vote for a specific person.

Shame on Asia.

Taksin/Mahattir/Suharto/Marcos etc etc etc ~

When will the same old story end? When will they all learn?

[paulbkk]

This whole thing is totally retarded, just like most of the people in these protests and the police. The blind leading the blind. I have been living in Thailand 11 years, and i have started to hate the red shirts to be honest. Close airports, mess up normal peoples lives in Bangkok. oh much love to your cause. i think NOT!!!!! Bring out the tear gas and let the police grow a pair of balls for god sake!!!

[h90]

If Abhisit really wants democracy, why not call for elections and accept the result, whatever it is? If the majority really wants him, they will vote for him. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't ever seen him talk about a date of the elections.

I recall not long ago the reds and their leaders were strictly against elections and the Democrats wanted elections.

Always the opposition wants election and the ruling parties not.

That there are 100.000 jumping around in Bangkok is no reason. If it needs 100.000 to trigger elections than we would have new elections every 3 month.

[cloudbusting]

could we not keep the thread going with transport updates in the bangkok forum

this is just going to descend into a red/yellow shirt argument which is going to be torture to sift through for useful information