More Rallies 'as Soon As Decree Ends'

[hammered]

This is a long article on Thanong's blog on the current situation. While I am sure Bangkok Pundit and Fonzi (Thailand Jumped the Shark) will have a field day picking it apart, it is well worth a read.

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/thanong/2009/04/21/entry-1

Politically I agree with much that Thanong says. Economically, I disagree with what he is leading up to.

Seemingly, in garnering a 2 out of 3 factions alliance, a Red/Yellow sans Thaksin and "elite" baggage would be preferable for the future of the Kingdom. Is it at all possible?

If you accept that the reds represent the poor of certain areas and take Thaksin and his suitors out of the equation and you accept as Sondhi L says that his yellows represent the middle class interests (he has been quit escathing of the military and elite) and maybe remove a couple of other more elititst bit sof yellow then it is not so difficult to see. The hard part is liberating the groups from those who want to use them for ulterior purposes or for divide and rule. The Dems who represent another region probably also need factoring in as while certainly not red they arent overall that yellow either.

[Koo82]

To the ones who hates Thaksin so much. Do u really believe u hate him because what he his done, and not because the of the propaganda campaign started against him?

I didn't see this hate until beginning of 2005. And until then charges were always about conflict-of-interest corruption. That seems to hold still today as well...as the court never managed to get him on anything else than the land sales on Ratchada. Many ppl seem to be upset about the sales of Shin Corporation, but nobody can explain what was wrong with it, and if they can, they get the facts completely wrong.

Why not list the crimes he committed, and then let's see how many can be backed up with facts.

Someone has listed about 10 "crimes" and said "because he is not here to hear the judge"

How can he accept to be judged by a whole system set up by Army? PAD on 7 Oct 2008 brought in weapons and bombs. When police fired tear gas to them, they ran and dropped bombs from their bodies and PAD lost legs, injured themselves and Nong Bo was dead. PAD still requested to change investigation staff as they said those staff are not fair to them. Why do they think Khun Thaksin should accept? UDD protesting near Prem's house after the coup 2006 was cleared by tear gas too but all of them still have arms and legs and no one died.

Corruption is known in Thailand for so long but they made the stories up like only Khun Thaksin is "corrupt" and "abuses power", and everybody else is clean and works for benefits of Thailand.

You are right that they still cannot prove anything wrong with Khun Thaksin except the land case. This together with Khun Samak cooking case are unique to the whole world. No other country has this kind of violation.

Their all desperate efforts for 3 years trying to cut Khun Thaksin just show that Khun Thaksin is so popular, so powerful, so rich and so loved by majority Thais. They can't afford seeing Khun Thaksin back.

[Siripon]

To the ones who hates Thaksin so much. Do u really believe u hate him because what he his done, and not because the of the propaganda campaign started against him?

I didn't see this hate until beginning of 2005. And until then charges were always about conflict-of-interest corruption. That seems to hold still today as well...as the court never managed to get him on anything else than the land sales on Ratchada. Many ppl seem to be upset about the sales of Shin Corporation, but nobody can explain what was wrong with it, and if they can, they get the facts completely wrong.

Why not list the crimes he committed, and then let's see how many can be backed up with facts.

Someone has listed about 10 "crimes" and said "because he is not here to hear the judge"

How can he accept to be judged by a whole system set up by Army? PAD on 7 Oct 2008 brought in weapons and bombs. When police fired tear gas to them, they ran and dropped bombs from their bodies and PAD lost legs, injured themselves and Nong Bo was dead. PAD still requested to change investigation staff as they said those staff are not fair to them. Why do they think Khun Thaksin should accept? UDD protesting near Prem's house after the coup 2006 was cleared by tear gas too but all of them still have arms and legs and no one died.

Corruption is known in Thailand for so long but they made the stories up like only Khun Thaksin is "corrupt" and "abuses power", and everybody else is clean and works for benefits of Thailand.

You are right that they still cannot prove anything wrong with Khun Thaksin except the land case. This together with Khun Samak cooking case are unique to the whole world. No other country has this kind of violation.

Their all desperate efforts for 3 years trying to cut Khun Thaksin just show that Khun Thaksin is so popular, so powerful, so rich and so loved by majority Thais. They can't afford seeing Khun Thaksin back.

They can't prove it because Thaksin ran away. You should know Thai law Koo, a case cannot begin until the defendant appears.

The 'whole system' was not set up by the army. The judges were appointed in Thaksin's era.

Samak stood again for PM but your hero didn't want him, he wanted his brother-in -law, Somchai. That wasn't very nice of Thaksin was it, rejecting someone who had helped him so much?

One day you will wake up.

[Koo82]

They still close DStation so I cannot know any news. Only one sided news from Abhisit's people and how funny they don't interview any reds.

TNN said the meeting of the reds will start from 17:00 today at Sanam Luang, demanding to edit 2550 Constitution Law or bring back 2540 Constitution Law, dissolve the house, call new election, stop blocking DStation and red radio stations and free red leaders.

Some people have arrived:

[Koo82]

The 'whole system' was not set up by the army. The judges were appointed in Thaksin's era.

When the coup 2006 happened, everything is finished including those appointed in Khun T's time.

[Sunderland]

They still close DStation so I cannot know any news. Only one sided news from Abhisit's people and how funny they don't interview any reds.

TNN said the meeting of the reds will start from 17:00 today at Sanam Luang, demanding to edit 2550 Constitution Law or bring back 2540 Constitution Law, dissolve the house, call new election, stop blocking DStation and red radio stations and free red leaders.

Some people have arrived:

Yes .... looks like more than half the country have travelled down.

So much for not wearing red anymore.

Yellows and reds ... just one lie after another, after another, after another ...

Is this the prequel to their final final final final FINAL battle or just episode 17 ????

Edited April 25, 2009 by Sunderland

[webfact]

No Thaksin's phone-in during Saturday rally

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not make a phone-in to address his supporters at their rally at Sanam Luang Saturday evening.

Somyos Prueksakasemsuk said there would be no special highlight during the rally and the rally would be short, not a prolonged one.

He said people, who want to join the rally, could wear any colour of shirt.

The Nation 2009/04/25

[animatic]

The 'whole system' was not set up by the army. The judges were appointed in Thaksin's era.

When the coup 2006 happened, everything is finished including those appointed in Khun T's time.

Incorrect dear.

People have been filling your head with incorrect factoids, but not FACTS.

Someone is leading you down the garden path and is having his way with you.

Not raping your body, but your mind and soul. And that maybe infinitely worse.

The truth will set you free, not Thaksin nor Red or yellow or blue shirts either.

[dkt]

The damages after the riot may not enough for these people, how far do they want to destroy this country????

[Thai at Heart]

The damages after the riot may not enough for these people, how far do they want to destroy this country????

Fortunately or unfortunately the damage isn't really on the hands of the common man. The relevant players on both sides of the fence are to blame for this mess.

Edited April 25, 2009 by Thai at Heart

[Ricardo]

Some people have arrived:

Does anybody know the official Red-Shirt truth, is this one million people, or two million people ? Or are they still trying to catch a journalist, so they can hold another press-conference, to inform the world what we're supposed to believe ?

The 'whole system' was not set up by the army. The judges were appointed in Thaksin's era.

When the coup 2006 happened, everything is finished including those appointed in Khun T's time.

Sorry Koo, you're wrong, you should not believe everything your leaders tell you.

But may I say, I am glad that the SoE is over and the Red-Shirts can hold their new protest, I hope that this time it stays peaceful, and nobody tries to blow-up gas-tankers or burn buses or throw molotov-cocktails in Bangkok.

[Ricardo]

PAD on 7 Oct 2008 brought in weapons and bombs. When police fired tear gas to them, they ran and dropped bombs from their bodies and PAD lost legs, injured themselves and Nong Bo was dead. PAD still requested to change investigation staff as they said those staff are not fair to them. Why do they think Khun Thaksin should accept? UDD protesting near Prem's house after the coup 2006 was cleared by tear gas too but all of them still have arms and legs and no one died.

Koo, you forgot to mention that the PAD also had tanks & strike-aircraft, and used nuclear-weapons against the police that day.

[hammered]

They still close DStation so I cannot know any news. Only one sided news from Abhisit's people and how funny they don't interview any reds.

TNN said the meeting of the reds will start from 17:00 today at Sanam Luang, demanding to edit 2550 Constitution Law or bring back 2540 Constitution Law, dissolve the house, call new election, stop blocking DStation and red radio stations and free red leaders.

Some people have arrived:

Abhisit has agreed to ammend the constitution. The red leaders are out on bail. Abhisit has said the house can be disolvedand an election held after the charter is ammended. I guess that just leaves a rally to demand red TV and say thanks to Abhisit for doing all the rest.

[Koo82]

Until something is done, I don't believe in what Abhisit says. He said they would not use violence to the reds. Did the reds hurt themselves more than 100 people?

Photos of today meeting:

[Insight]

What have you got planned for the next "meeting" Koo? Interviews with the people who were killed?

[h90]

Until something is done, I don't believe in what Abhisit says. He said they would not use violence to the reds. Did the reds hurt themselves more than 100 people?

Photos of today meeting:

why are that picture ALWAYS so that you can't estimate numbers???

why not make overview pics like PAD did??

[Thai at Heart]

Until something is done, I don't believe in what Abhisit says. He said they would not use violence to the reds. Did the reds hurt themselves more than 100 people?

Photos of today meeting:

why are that picture ALWAYS so that you can't estimate numbers???

why not make overview pics like PAD did??

Coz they don't have a media mogul running the show possibly?

[Koo82]

The reds are going home now. They asked Police to look after them because there were some 3rd hands trying to do something.

[Cayenne]

What have you got planned for the next "meeting" Koo? Interviews with the people who were killed?

Probably going to have another religious ceremony to revive all those hundreds of dead people and have them up on stage to talk about their experiences. Seriously, the reds/PTP have yet to provide any conclusive proof that anybody was killed from their side.

[Koo82]

Suthep said in the Parliament meeting, 22nd and 23rd April 2009, that when the reds went home on 14th April, they saw many weapons at back of stage outside Government House. Those are what the reds took from soldiers when they took the tanks. From what I heard, the reds took control of 4 or 5 tanks and a lady was one of the people doing that.

If anti-reds see these photos, they would say the reds have gun last night (25th April):

In fact, short gun was brought in by a blue. Police came after that. The man wearing dark shirt with white t-shirt inside is a red policeman coming to red meeting after he finishes his duty time. This video shows who the blue is:

I have no idea about the long guns as I was out that time.

[plachon]

The reds are going home now. They asked Police to look after them because there were some 3rd hands trying to do something.

The Police as willing as ever to "look after" the Reds then. At the Songkran and Pattaya riots, it seemed like the Police were the Reds and vice versa. You could always ask that famous "Third hand", Sae Daeng, for protection too of course. He knows all about "trying to do something", eh?

[dkt]

The damages after the riot may not enough for these people, how far do they want to destroy this country????

Fortunately or unfortunately the damage isn't really on the hands of the common man. The relevant players on both sides of the fence are to blame for this mess.

It is the responsibility of these common men to behave with civility, learn to respect the rights of others, not to close the airports, not to close the roads, not to use gas trucks to threaten others, not to attack others, not to lie, not to spread the lies to create chaos, many more .....

These common men must educate themselves what is democracy before shouting for democracy and justice while they are burning this country.

[webfact]

Red shirts rally with no phone-ins from their leaders

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on April 26, 2009

Red shirts rally with no phone-ins from their leaders

The red shirts last night held their first rally after Friday's lifting of the state of emergency, with an absence of addresses by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and other key leaders, who are having trouble with the law following the Songkran riot.

White balloons were released and candles lit in a solemn ceremony shortly before 8pm. Protest leaders said the function was a homage to the protesters injured and killed during the military crackdown on the riot.

The red shirts insisted people had been killed in the crackdown while the authorities denied the claim, saying that the two deaths during the Songkran riot had been caused by angry protesters.

Police said about 1,200 people had turned out at Sanam Luang, the rally venue, when it started at 5pm.

The organisers said they expected about 5,000 people to attend the rally, which was moved from Samut Prakan after the lifting of the state of emergency. The gathering was scheduled to last until 11pm.

Somyos Phruksakasem, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, a key group in the red-shirt movement, said Thaksin and protest leader Jakrapob Penkair would not phone in. They are both on the run from arrest warrants for inciting violence during the state of emergency.

Somyos said some red-shirt sympathisers from New York and Los Angeles would phone in during last night's rally.

Earlier yesterday, key government figures expressed no concern over the new rally by the red shirts.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban said they were not worried about the anti-government rally, saying police were instructed to strictly enforce the law.

Suthep said police would not drop charges against suspects who had committed crimes such as breaking into state agencies, assaulting officials, battering cars and attempted murder. However, they are considering whether to be lenient with offences in accordance with the emergency decree. Police are also considering allowing D station to broadcast again.

He rejected a proposal from red-shirt leaders that the government drop all charges against them to end the rally. He said the government would not negotiate or bargain with offenders, who would be dealt with as normal. "We are not framing innocent people. If they do not break law, they do not need to fear,'' he said.

Asked whether he was concerned the rally would turn violent, Abhisit said the government would follow the situation closely and he was optimistic that that the protesters would realise what the majority of Thais wanted.

"We hope everyone respects the law, because we all have learnt the lesson that violence hurts not only the country's economy but the people's feelings.''

Asked how safe he felt after what had happened to him during Songkran, Abhisit said he had to carry out his duties as on the day he assumed the premiership.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul also dismissed concerns about the rally, saying the government and police were experienced in handling protests and he did not believe the red shirts could instigate public unrest by showing video clips of military crackdowns on protesters as the public had seen them all during the joint session of Parliament on Wednesday and Thursday.

THE NATION 2009/04/26

[Koo82]

The news on tv should have been "buses being burnt". No other channels of the reds are allowed to clarify. I have seen no reports of bus owners whose buses were robbed. No bus passengers reported how they were forced to get off the buses. Since 3:30am or 4:00am on 13th April 2009, soldiers holding real guns were everywhere near Din Daeng. The reds must be supermen or 007 to be able to bring buses in to burn.

If the reds robbed these buses, they are caught and charged right away. Was anyone charged so far?

[kurtgruen]

One Country's misfortune is another countries lifeline....

This swine flu in Mexico, which has everyone worried and keeps people from Travelling to Central (and possibly) South America, will have a positive effect on Thai and other Asian tourism.

People want to go somewhere for their holidays and if they are afraid for their health, going to Mexico, they will come to other places, like Thailand, instead.

Horrible for the Mexican Economy and Touism, which was already suffering big time, from the Global Economic downturn :-(

People who book tours, or own timeshare blocks, will go other places now, which will benefit Thailand.

If the Red Shirt Protests stay small (5000 or less) and remain peaceful, they won't hurt tourism much, because they are not going to get the continued international media attention, because the West won't find it newsworthy. They rather report about possible pandemics or events in Sri Lanka or Afghanistan and Iraq. They want to bring out news that the Westerners will eat up.

Not too many people in the West care about what happens in Thailand, aside from the sincere concern and empathy, after the Tsunami.

So whatever happens here from now on, I think, will be mostly internal...

Western Government like the US, will continue to prop up any Thai government that supports their Western ideals.

Not much will change in the LOS... the rich will continue to control everything...the poor will continue the worship the rich... Whoever is in power will continue to use corrupt practices to line their own pockets...and money is still #1. Same S**t different day. :-(

[Koo82]

why are that picture ALWAYS so that you can't estimate numbers???

why not make overview pics like PAD did??

Is it a better picture? Meeting yesterday at Sanam Luang:

[photojourn]

Here are some photos of the 'blueshirt" and his gun (same as already posted) at the red shirt rally at Sanam Luang last night. The red shirt supporters filled about 1/3 of Sanam Luang and despite what the English language Thai press have said, the majority were wearing their red shirts. Estimates on the attendance were around 8-9,000 people.

The blueshirt was removed by red shirt guards and handed to the police unharmed. There was no mention of former prime minister Thaksin at the Sanam Luang rally and the "next generation" of red shirt leaders were younger, enthusiastic and kept the dialogue focused on the democracy claims of the group.

Media management by the red shirts is appalling and they need to urgently address their lack of professionalism in this area if they are to get their message across.

To answer a previous post the "long guns" were plastic toys but it was being demonstrated how a safety blocking device is supposed to be inserted in the end of the barrel when training rounds are being used.

Edited April 26, 2009 by photojourn

[photojourn]

One Country's misfortune is another countries lifeline....

This swine flu in Mexico, which has everyone worried and keeps people from Travelling to Central (and possibly) South America, will have a positive effect on Thai and other Asian tourism.

People want to go somewhere for their holidays and if they are afraid for their health, going to Mexico, they will come to other places, like Thailand, instead.

You think so? You think people have forgotten that quickly of hundreds of thousands of tourists being stranded when the PAD invaded the airports not just in Bangkok but at other places too? Ummmmm, I doubt it actually?

Horrible for the Mexican Economy and Touism, which was already suffering big time, from the Global Economic downturn :-(

People who book tours, or own timeshare blocks, will go other places now, which will benefit Thailand.

Other places without the risk of ongoing political unrest

If the Red Shirt Protests stay small (5000 or less) and remain peaceful, they won't hurt tourism much, because they are not going to get the continued international media attention, because the West won't find it newsworthy. They rather report about possible pandemics or events in Sri Lanka or Afghanistan and Iraq. They want to bring out news that the Westerners will eat up.

There was well over 5,000 at Sanam Luang last night so I guess that theory goes out the window

Not too many people in the West care about what happens in Thailand, aside from the sincere concern and empathy, after the Tsunami.

So whatever happens here from now on, I think, will be mostly internal...

Western Government like the US, will continue to prop up any Thai government that supports their Western ideals.

Not much will change in the LOS... the rich will continue to control everything...the poor will continue the worship the rich... Whoever is in power will continue to use corrupt practices to line their own pockets...and money is still #1. Same S**t different day. :-(

Don't know if the word "worship" is correct or accurately reflects the views of the poor. Perhaps it would have been more accurate to say the poor will continue to be oppressed by the rich, who will continue to try and remove their basic rights - such as one person, one vote.

The last part pretty well sums it up though.

[sriracha john]

The red shirt supporters filled about 1/3 of Sanam Luang and despite what the English language Thai press have said, the majority were wearing their red shirts. Estimates on the attendance were around 8-9,000 people.

Not from the English language Thai press, but from an organization with "only" 38 Pulitzer Prizes...

Protesters return for anti-government rally

Thousands of supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra held their first anti-government rally since their previous protests turned violent two weeks ago and were stopped by the army.

The protest at Sanam Luang, a field near Bangkok's Grand Palace, drew about 5,000 people, as predicted by organizers but far short of the estimated 100,000 who turned out for a rally April 8.

The protest was called Friday hours after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lifted a state of emergency imposed to deal with rioting that cut short a regional summit hosted by Thailand.

- Los Angeles Times / 2009-04-26

[hammered]

It is interesting that the international media still label the red shirts as supporters of Thaksin.