Tanks Mobilised In Bangkok

[kalaminsa]

Who here thinks the red shirts have a legitimate grievance? I ask because I'm still trying to understand if they have a right to be mad or if they are simply being manipulated.

The whole nation is being manipulated..

[sadhukar]

Who here thinks the red shirts have a legitimate grievance? I ask because I'm still trying to understand if they have a right to be mad or if they are simply being manipulated.

My factory-owning uncle says that his workers took a day off when they were paid 1000 baht a day to protest. 2 days ago I was trying to play Badminton at a local court, only to find the manager complaining that his workers were all paid. So I reckon about 60% of the protestors are paid (and they're the ones who stand further back, shout less and do nothing besides mill about) and the other 40% have real grieviences.

[kalaminsa]

Who here thinks the red shirts have a legitimate grievance? I ask because I'm still trying to understand if they have a right to be mad or if they are simply being manipulated.

My factory-owning uncle says that his workers took a day off when they were paid 1000 baht a day to protest. 2 days ago I was trying to play Badminton at a local court, only to find the manager complaining that his workers were all paid. So I reckon about 60% of the protestors are paid (and they're the ones who stand further back, shout less and do nothing besides mill about) and the other 40% have real grieviences.

Yeah , I would have a grievance too if I was'nt being paid ..

[eldar1]

Who here thinks the red shirts have a legitimate grievance? I ask because I'm still trying to understand if they have a right to be mad or if they are simply being manipulated.

I do believe that the poor have been shafted by the government for too long, but their grievances in regards to the current government being illegal is just manipulation from "dark influence"

[LawnGnome]

I still hold out hope for a peaceful way out of the current situation. Not sure how it will happen, but I hope for the best!

Stay safe everyone.

[booma]

Who's got the water canons?

[kalaminsa]

Stay home tomorrow ...

In the present situation will all the police busy there will plenty of drunken drivers..

That will be a far bigger danger than the demonstrations.

[pippomusic]

Most of you seem to have a problem with the way the Thais go about things. I have read your vitriol over the past few days about the ineptitude of everyone in this Country from the PM, army, police, farmers etc. In most countries this would have turned into a blood bath by now. Thank god for their "ineptitude". This is a day at the fair compared to your football hooligans every weekend back home. Thank god for the Thais and their culture which is what brought you all here in the first place. I dont imagine any of you packing your bags in a hurry to go find a better place to live. This country will never "go to the dogs" because people like most of you will keep coming here to live out your last sad old days as exchange rate studs. Some posters have called this country "a joke". Correction. The US administration and banking system is a joke. Other jokes included, Canada, Greenland, bolivia, Australia, Cambodia, Italy (Berlusconi/Taksin) Mexico and i have not even touched the middle east need i go on? Nothing would join the red and yellow shirts quicker than for them both to read the spit and scorn in these forums. Nothing joins two foes better than a common enemy. And yes you are right, When we turn nasty we will turn real nasty. Lets hope they are not looking at you. If you all have such disdain for this country's people and their ways then you know where the door is.

For the record. I was on one of those APV's this afternoon. The young soldiers did not want to fight their own people. We pulled them out and they were happy to join us. I am actually in some of the fotos posted above. None of the people i was talking to were getting paid. They were mums, dads, sisters, brothers, grandmothers and all they want is another election and they all said they will accept the outcome. A lot of them don't even like Taksin. They were a people trying to have their say. Maybe if the American people spoke louder in 2004 the world would not be the joke it is today. BUt they would have been teargassed and shot down by swat and branded for life as terrorists on the efficient CIA, NSA, FBI etc computer network. So which is the better Country to live in?

Fantastic post.

You took the words out of my mind. I definitely agree. Especially being Italian, so ashamed of our psychedelic prime minister. At least you people in Thailand had the guts to react. It seems on this forum is full of people who "know how things should be". It's an attitude I faced in many english speaking expats in Thailand. They like to think they can look down at thais. Actually, I don't know if it would be worse to get trapped in the judicial system in Thailand, Italy or USA.

I just hope nothing bad is going to happen to thailand. I love this country too much.

[cat5]

I posted this in another thread, but maybe it belongs here:

Just got back from a quick drive. One tank is out at the Army base in Phaholyothin Road. Saw a squad of Army solders with weapons at the base of Ari BTS.

And something is happening at Paragon. Two armoured personnel carriers, soldiers with weapons running around, lots of red shirts scrambling out of pickups and hundred of onlookers on the flyovers and at Siam BTS. I was driving and ran right into the middle of it as it was starting, and thankfully managed to get past it before it got blocked.

Red shirts are back at Victory Monument, waving red flags all around at the entrances.

Things aren't looking good....

For anyone who is interested, Paragon and Central World were closed about 17:00 on Sun April 12, 2009. Seems like they thought the risks were too great.

[cat5]

Who here thinks the red shirts have a legitimate grievance? I ask because I'm still trying to understand if they have a right to be mad or if they are simply being manipulated.

My factory-owning uncle says that his workers took a day off when they were paid 1000 baht a day to protest. 2 days ago I was trying to play Badminton at a local court, only to find the manager complaining that his workers were all paid. So I reckon about 60% of the protestors are paid (and they're the ones who stand further back, shout less and do nothing besides mill about) and the other 40% have real grieviences.

Yeah , I would have a grievance too if I was'nt being paid ..

I have spoken with quite a few, and none of them admit to receiving any payment whatsoever. Yes, I know, "Of course they'd say that, wouldn't they?" Anyway, paid or not, they all seem very committed to their cause, and they don't all fit into the stereotype of poor Isaan farmer. I have met several well-educated protesters who are quite capable of discussing politics at length in English.

[auserb]

I just want to kno one thing.

Summit?????

it has a purpose. But I do sincerely think that: this is premeditated government act, as they do not want to see what kind of life farang live in Pattaya and what kind of tourisam is provided by Pattaya people....

it is just a thought

[DP25]

I just want to kno one thing.

Summit?????

it has a purpose. But I do sincerely think that: this is premeditated government act, as they do not want to see what kind of life farang live in Pattaya and what kind of tourisam is provided by Pattaya people....

it is just a thought

An easier way to do that would be to have the conference...held somewhere else.

[auserb]

I just want to kno one thing.

Summit?????

it has a purpose. But I do sincerely think that: this is premeditated government act, as they do not want to see what kind of life farang live in Pattaya and what kind of tourisam is provided by Pattaya people....

it is just a thought

An easier way to do that would be to have the conference...held somewhere else.

Chiang Mai? or Udon Thani?

No!!!! No!!! Bangkok is the only place, if they want clear concience. Dont you think so???

[henryalleman]

Anarchy.

He could have arrested the PAD for the airport closures, and indoing so shown to be unbiased and upholding the law over anarchy.

I would like to point out that in a democracy its not up to a PM or government to arrest people but its the duty of the juridical system who have to following the law, and by my knowledge some of PAD people have already laws suits against them. Also by my knowledge Thailand don't have something like the Human rights violating Patriot act.

[jayboy]

Who here thinks the red shirts have a legitimate grievance? I ask because I'm still trying to understand if they have a right to be mad or if they are simply being manipulated.

Youi're having a joke.Is he having a joke?

[MaiThaiMai]

... Later ... .. .

On December 1, 2008 the Court accepted the case and appointed the Counter Corruption Commission to investigate.

Thanks for this info. Interesting, kinda goes to motive doesn't it.

Long live the King!

Hmmm...seems to me there's a good chance of an Anti-Counter Corruption Commission being formed for further investigations before long

[henryalleman]

Shouldn't a soldier who lets his army vehicle get seized by a protester be court-martialled? What kind of army is this?

--

Maestro

exactly what i thought while watching this on TV, just think what would happen if cambodia attacked us !!!!

also the monk beating up Abhisit's car should be defrocked ... if not hung by the balls .... so much shame for Buddhism, he can't be a real monk.

don't worry he will be re-born as an cockroach

[vincentc]

Always knew they should have been colonised by the Brits and had some common sense and honesty knocked into them. You don;t get this sort of carry on in Singapore now do you?

I agree DragonFly. Iam not a Brit. However Iam sure if the Thais were colonized, they

would have alot more common sense . eg Malayasia,Singapore

Haha... yeah, and Cambodia, Vietnam, and Burma. Common sense indeed!

and...

Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe,... Can't wait indeed for Thailand to join this list of peacefull and trouble free nations enlightened with British common sense

[Old Man River]

From what I can see, the intersections are being taken back by the military. Shots have been fired. The military are carrying wounded off on stretchers. Wounded seems to be from both sides. The intersections which the Reds had controlled are now freed up. The pictuers show a taxi in shambles in the middle of a road and you can still hear shots being fired. Only Red shirts I can see are the wounded or, perhaps, dead.

The clearing process in Bangkok is underway.

[henryalleman]

.

If it is true that democrats got the second after PPP, why they don't want to schedule a new election within near future?

I don't know about the result on Dec 2007 election, but I heard something about coalition after Somchai was turned down.

if Abhisit is a real hero, then he should admit that the airport closure is a crime and he must do something against the perpetrators.

He did that in Hardtalk last week, and he he also said legal action was taking by the juridical system against the responsible ones. There are several law suits filled;

[Oberkommando]

and...

Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe,... Can't wait indeed for Thailand to join this list of peacefull and trouble free nations enlightened with British common sense

That's the trouble. You can't hit a home run every time you swing the bat.

[maza892003]

I'm very confused. What is the army supposed to be doing, celebrating with the reds?

06:00hr local time bkk: taxidriver driving mo-chit to silom reports already army clashed with redshirt, many dead.... fires/smoke seen under highway.

anybody can confirm?

[tb86]

From what I can see, the intersections are being taken back by the military. Shots have been fired. The military are carrying wounded off on stretchers. Wounded seems to be from both sides. The intersections which the Reds had controlled are now freed up. The pictuers show a taxi in shambles in the middle of a road and you can still hear shots being fired. Only Red shirts I can see are the wounded or, perhaps, dead.

The clearing process in Bangkok is underway.

good, that took long enough, now all we need is for someone to escort Thaksin back here to be dealt with

[britmaveric]

Just heard there are ongoing clashes between red army factions and yellow army factions.

[globalmenace]

This from the AP...The Thai army has started a crackdown on anti-Government protesters in Bangkok, with reports that troops and protesters have fired on one another.

Troops have moved to secure a major junction, forcing back hundreds of demonstrators, who have thrown stones and retreated to side streets.

An army spokesman said soldiers trying to clear a main road in the city were shot at by protesters before dawn, and fired back.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd told a radio station that troops fired into the air first in response to tear gas and smoke bombs thrown at them by protesters but then fired real bullets.

A spokesman for Bangkok emergency services says at least 49 people have been injured in the crackdown.

[tb86]

i guess its more fun to create this mess from afar for him

[OldgitTom]

HACK & FERRET LOUNGE, Bangkok

Frontline O'booze (Your man in the stained flak-jacket).

Here in the thick of a bitter battle between (insert) & (insert), colored tracers criss-cross the sky - red, yellow, blue, luminous bugs with big eyes, an' the whole bar's lit up. A local Thai man said, 'Hey, when you pay go home, arsehol_e?' That sums up the tense situation. Anything could happen. Send more 'spenses.

[Seizhin]

They're dispersing the red mob from what I heard, no pictures on TV.

Funny how the PRESS always revealed and repeats what the previous government did to the yellow mob.

[globalmenace]

Better work on your use of the quote function. Big Thaksin-apprehending internet tough guy.

[esprit]

HACK & FERRET LOUNGE, Bangkok

Frontline O'booze (Your man in the stained flak-jacket).

Here in the thick of a bitter battle between (insert) & (insert), colored tracers criss-cross the sky - red, yellow, blue, luminous bugs with big eyes, an' the whole bar's lit up. A local Thai man said, 'Hey, when you pay go home, arsehol_e?' That sums up the tense situation. Anything could happen. Send more 'spenses.

Jonathon D'Head there with you ?