Pad Leader Sondhi Limthongkul Shot

[canuckamuck]

People are not generally convicted on the grounds of who had the biggest motive. Except here on TV.

I doubt we will even ever know the truth because it is just to easy to pin this on Thaksin. It would suit many powerful people quite well to have attempted murder tacked on to Thaksin's rap sheet.

Sure it might be him, he is not above it. But what a great opportunity to get rid of Sondhi and get away with it for anyone except Thaksin.

[sriracha john]

Very good post, baht&sold...

I would only like to make a few clarifications.

Police in Pattaya answer to the Mayor whom is the son of notorious Kamnan Poh, a banned MP from Mr Thaksin's TRT party, now on the 'run' from corruption charges (said to be 'hiding out' at the palatial family compound, but Pattaya police just can't seem to locate him...)

Kamnan Poh (Somchai Khunpluem) is not a banned MP from TRT. His son, Sonthaya, is the former TRT MP banned from politics. He is TRT Banned # 15 and was in the Thaksin Cabinet as Sports and Tourism Minister. Somchai, himself, was mayor of Bang Saen.

Somchai is on the run from a conviction for premeditated murder for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He is also on the run from a corruption conviction that added 5 years to his sentence.

The above is all in the 3 and a half year-old and still running strong thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Sinking-Lowe...141#entry496141

Sinking Lower The Lowest, Pattaya City News Breaks Record

Thus, many Expats also ardently support Mr Thaksin as their 'best hope' in preserving what they see as endangered lifestyles in advancing times as well. Some even believe Mr Thaksin's return would somehow 'magically' return the pound to 70 (conveniently disregarding global events and further suspending reality in committed Walter Mitty fashion).

No foul in all that but let's just be be straight about it: Despite all the deflecting 'noise', many Expat's fight is not about 'democracy', it's just a more 'decent' rallying cry than stating what they actually desire and desperately fear losing.

Ultimately, it's a great pity so many Expats rally to support Mr Thaksin's obvious self-serving agenda

The number of actual Thaksin supporters and apologists among the expat community I don't feel is really all that large. On Thaivisa, they are deceptively large in number in that so many are simply reappearing multiple-ID trolls repeatedly popping back after banishment. What may actually be only a handful, or less, of these expats is distorted by their many, many different nicknames.

Again, overall... an excellent post.

[webfact]

Sondhi case: Suspects to be arrested soon

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on April 19, 2009

Police investigators are likely to arrest suspects in the shooting of media magnate Sondhi Limthongkul within a week as many of them have been identified, sources said yesterday.

The sources said that Sondhi himself best knew who had mounted the attempt on his life.

Three teams of assassins on motorcycles sprayed a hail of bullets at Sondhi, his driver and his secretary, from the front, the back and the side of the vehicle, according to the sources. The gunmen were not in a pickup truck as earlier suspected.

The man who drove the pickup truck spotted by security camera following Sondhi's vehicle moments before the shooting yesterday came to police and denied involvement. The motorist said that he had been driving behind Sondhi's vehicle when he heard gunshots, which prompted him to turn behind a bus nearby for cover.

Sondhi's guards, following him in another vehicle, also saw the suspects and fired on them, forcing them to speed away before they could complete their mission, they said.

"Sondhi knows best who tried to kill him," said a source, "but he can't say anything much now because he doesn't trust the police or the investigators."

Deputy national police chief General Jongrak Juthanond yesterday chaired a meeting of investigators at Chana Songkhram police station to discuss the probe into the shooting.

At 5.30 am on Friday, Sondhi's van was attacked by a team of gunmen as he was on the way to his office for a six-o'clock ASTV talk show. The gunmen used a range of weapons to fire several dozen bullets at Sondhi in front of Wat Iamworanuj, in Bangkok's Bang Khumphrom area.

Sondhi escaped because he was sitting in the back seat and his guards, in another vehicle behind, fired at the gunmen, who lost their nerve and sped from the scene.

After five hours of surgery, bullet fragments were removed from Sondhi's skull. While Sondhi's secretary accompanying him was unhurt, his driver remains in critical condition, needing a third operation.

According to Sondhi's media firm Manager, he is furious with his attackers.

Sondhi's condition improved yesterday, and he was able to talk, walk and eat, said his doctor Theerapong Charoenvit, director of Chulalongkorn Hospital.

The People's Alliance for Demo-cracy leader will be kept under close medical observation for one week, however. Theerapong said Sondhi, who is on the eighth floor of the hospital, had asked him to tell the media he was "fine and safe".

His driver, Adul Daengpradab, was in a more serious situation with a four-cubic-centimetre swelling at the back of his brain and will have to have another brain operation, his doctor said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Jintanat Limthongkol, Sondhi's son and senior executive of the ASTV-Manager media empire, said yesterday Sondhi was "vengeful" but not sure yet who was behind the assassination attempt. Jintanat urged the PAD to exercise caution and not fall into the trap of the enemy.

Democrat Party spokesperson Buranaj Smutharaks yesterday urged the authorities to quickly arrest those behind the attack as the issue could complicate the political situation and lead to confrontation. He warned against believing rumours.

Amongst the many well-wishers who visited the hospital yesterday were Chuan Leekpai's son Surabot, who said he and his mother had come on behalf of his father.

- THE NATION -

[brahmburgers]

"Sondhi knows best who tried to kill him," said a source, "but he can't say anything much now because he doesn't trust the police or the investigators." (from Nation newspaper)

Let's hope the real perpetrators get busted. After reading the multiple theories on this detailed thread, my guess is Sae Daeng is directly behind it.

[Ricardo]

UDD leader expresses regret to Sondhi after assassination attempt yesterday

Leader of the red-shirt people or the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has expressed regret towards Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the PAD or the yellow-shirt people whose life was attempted on in an assassination plot yesterday morning.

Jatuporn Phrompan, a core leader of the red-shirt people or the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has today expressed his regret on behalf of his members towards Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the PAD or the yellow- shirt people, and his family for the assassination attempt yesterday morning.

Jatuporn affirmed that despite his and Mr. Sondhi’s ongoing conflicts, he had never had any intention to take his opponent’s life.

He also added that the possibility of the Red and Yellow shirted groups to collide is quite low since the two groups had a really different political stance, but insisting that there will not be violence between the two groups.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-18

Good to see someone from the UDD condemning the assasination-attempt, hopefully Senor Thaksin will eventually follow suit from Nicaragua, although he certainly is taking his time about it, despite his now claiming to only support peaceful protest. Perhaps Sam Moon is still drafting/spinning his response ?

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on April 19, 2009[/b]

<snip for brevity>

Sondhi's guards, following him in another vehicle, also saw the suspects and fired on them, forcing them to speed away before they could complete their mission, they said.

...

Sondhi escaped because he was sitting in the back seat and his guards, in another vehicle behind, fired at the gunmen, who lost their nerve and sped from the scene.

At last the identity of the 2nd vehicle is revealed, Sondhi's bodyguards, he must be thanking them for his life, right now.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khun Animatic,

... snip ... Police do look at motive, means and opportunity as the big three in an investigation. And prosecuters also pump those elements along with forensic and eye witness datum.

Do you assume "police" and "prosecutors" here are functioning as their nominal counterparts in Europe or America ?

And having been instrumental in the convictions for attempted murder in NYC of the "Bistro Bandits",

having been a voice of logic sitting on that jury, I feel I DO understand how investigations and prosecutions

work in the real world. One of them got 163 years in jail by the way ... snip ...

Which is as relevant to Thailand as Durian is to ?

The danger to benefit ratio seems pretty low for others to do it just to add a charge on Thaksin.

Assuming "reason" is present here in any form ? Assuming the actors here are all using the "playbook" by Machiavelli, or are all looking up their notes from their Stanford M.B.A.'s ? You want to see "down and dirty" politics, blood feuds, vendettas, complete corruption of elections and control of public offices and contracts by a patronage system run by a criminal clique : I offer you : "Chicago, USA" 1900-1965.

~o:37;

"wisdom is extinct, common sense is an endangered species, you asked for it."

[Sandstone Art]

Very good post, baht&sold...

I would only like to make a few clarifications.

Police in Pattaya answer to the Mayor whom is the son of notorious Kamnan Poh, a banned MP from Mr Thaksin's TRT party, now on the 'run' from corruption charges (said to be 'hiding out' at the palatial family compound, but Pattaya police just can't seem to locate him...)

Kamnan Poh (Somchai Khunpluem) is not a banned MP from TRT. His son, Sonthaya, is the former TRT MP banned from politics. He is TRT Banned # 15 and was in the Thaksin Cabinet as Sports and Tourism Minister. Somchai, himself, was mayor of Bang Saen.

Somchai is on the run from a conviction for premeditated murder for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He is also on the run from a corruption conviction that added 5 years to his sentence.

The above is all in the 3 and a half year-old and still running strong thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Sinking-Lowe...141#entry496141

Sinking Lower The Lowest, Pattaya City News Breaks Record

Thus, many Expats also ardently support Mr Thaksin as their 'best hope' in preserving what they see as endangered lifestyles in advancing times as well. Some even believe Mr Thaksin's return would somehow 'magically' return the pound to 70 (conveniently disregarding global events and further suspending reality in committed Walter Mitty fashion).

No foul in all that but let's just be be straight about it: Despite all the deflecting 'noise', many Expat's fight is not about 'democracy', it's just a more 'decent' rallying cry than stating what they actually desire and desperately fear losing.

Ultimately, it's a great pity so many Expats rally to support Mr Thaksin's obvious self-serving agenda

The number of actual Thaksin supporters and apologists among the expat community I don't feel is really all that large. On Thaivisa, they are deceptively large in number in that so many are simply reappearing multiple-ID trolls repeatedly popping back after banishment. What may actually be only a handful, or less, of these expats is distorted by their many, many different nicknames.

Again, overall... an excellent post.

Sriracha John,

That is very good records you got there!

You can teach local political science here at TV!

Enjoyed all your posts and that of Baht& Sold too!

Thank you for the good write up!

[h90]

lannarebirth,

All things concerned with whether reds at Din Daeng are dead are blocked. I can't read any when searching in both Thai and English. Free tv showed tonight that some people claimed that their people are missing. All I can read is normal people died because the reds attacked them and it is an old childish game. Anyone can wear a red and makes normal people hate the reds.

We don't want to kill anyone. We just ask them to accept the election results and not to stage any more coups. We want those who do out of their duties to resign (those who are not supposed to get involved in politics).

But unfortunately people like you were abused by Thaksin.

I don't know how long it will need till people like you understand that more/better democracy isn't possible with Thaksin as leader.

[sriracha john]

Very good post, baht&sold...

I would only like to make a few clarifications.

Police in Pattaya answer to the Mayor whom is the son of notorious Kamnan Poh, a banned MP from Mr Thaksin's TRT party, now on the 'run' from corruption charges (said to be 'hiding out' at the palatial family compound, but Pattaya police just can't seem to locate him...)

Kamnan Poh (Somchai Khunpluem) is not a banned MP from TRT. His son, Sonthaya, is the former TRT MP banned from politics. He is TRT Banned # 15 and was in the Thaksin Cabinet as Sports and Tourism Minister. Somchai, himself, was mayor of Bang Saen.

Somchai is on the run from a conviction for premeditated murder for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He is also on the run from a corruption conviction that added 5 years to his sentence.

The above is all in the 3 and a half year-old and still running strong thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Sinking-Lowe...141#entry496141

Sinking Lower The Lowest, Pattaya City News Breaks Record

Thus, many Expats also ardently support Mr Thaksin as their 'best hope' in preserving what they see as endangered lifestyles in advancing times as well. Some even believe Mr Thaksin's return would somehow 'magically' return the pound to 70 (conveniently disregarding global events and further suspending reality in committed Walter Mitty fashion).

No foul in all that but let's just be be straight about it: Despite all the deflecting 'noise', many Expat's fight is not about 'democracy', it's just a more 'decent' rallying cry than stating what they actually desire and desperately fear losing.

Ultimately, it's a great pity so many Expats rally to support Mr Thaksin's obvious self-serving agenda

The number of actual Thaksin supporters and apologists among the expat community I don't feel is really all that large. On Thaivisa, they are deceptively large in number in that so many are simply reappearing multiple-ID trolls repeatedly popping back after banishment. What may actually be only a handful, or less, of these expats is distorted by their many, many different nicknames.

Again, overall... an excellent post.

Sriracha John,

That is very good records you got there!

You can teach local political science here at TV!

Enjoyed all your posts and that of Baht& Sold too!

Thank you for the good write up!

Kind words coming from someone senior to myself on the forum means all that much more.

btw, Kamnam's banned TRT MP son Sonthaya will likely be the VIP opening Sriracha's Gong Kao festival tonight. The jerk-off hasn't missed that annual role over the past 6 years.

That this family CONTINUES to extend its influence in this area never ceases to amaze me, although it certainly has been whittled away at... slowly, but surely.

[pacovl46]

My wife heard on the radio that Sondhi LImthongkul - the founder of the Manager Daily Newspaper, ASTV, and a core leader of the PAD - the People's Alliance for Democracy, was shot, along with his driver.Sondhi is in serious condition : doctor

Sondhi Limthongkul is in serious condition

BANGKOK: -- Sondhi Limthongkul is in serious condition after being shot as a bullet hit his left skull. The bullet is still in his skull, causing bleeding inside his brain, Vajira Hospital Director Dr Chaiwun Charoenchoktavee said Friday.

Doctors are conducting an urgent operation on Sondhi and the operation is expected to finish around noon.

Sondhi, a core leader of yellow shirts, known also as People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who seized Bankok airports late last year, has no wounds on his body.

His driver, Vayupak Mussi, was also seriously wounded from the attack. Doctors said later that he survived and was now in stable condition.

Meanwhile PAD's spokesman Parnthep Pualpongpan said at least two attackers riding on a pickup blocked Sondhi's vehicle who was on Samsen Road, heading to Manager newspaper office in Banglampoo area early Friday morning.

The attackers then shot four tyres of Sondhi's vehicle before stepping out of their car and sprayed more bullets on the car. The attack lasted about five minutes and the attackers went back to their pickup which sped away along Tevet Road.

Police who rushed to the scene found Sondhi's car riddled with bullets and they could collect more than cartridges of AK-16 and rifles from the scene.

Parnthep said Sondhi was informed of reports that he could possible a target of attack, but he simply ignored the warnings.

Meanwhile Chamnong Paokorn, 53, a bus driver, said that he was driving his bus past Iamworanut Temple when he saw a blue pickup truck which had no license plate blocked Sondhi's vehicle.

Then two men on the back of the pickup then opened fires on the vehicle. Then another vehicle sped to the scene and exchanged fires with the attackers who later escaped the scene.

-- The Nation 2009-04-17

three words: bullet-proof car

[Insight]

Very good post, baht&sold...

I would only like to make a few clarifications.

Police in Pattaya answer to the Mayor whom is the son of notorious Kamnan Poh, a banned MP from Mr Thaksin's TRT party, now on the 'run' from corruption charges (said to be 'hiding out' at the palatial family compound, but Pattaya police just can't seem to locate him...)

Kamnan Poh (Somchai Khunpluem) is not a banned MP from TRT. His son, Sonthaya, is the former TRT MP banned from politics. He is TRT Banned # 15 and was in the Thaksin Cabinet as Sports and Tourism Minister. Somchai, himself, was mayor of Bang Saen.

Somchai is on the run from a conviction for premeditated murder for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He is also on the run from a corruption conviction that added 5 years to his sentence.

The above is all in the 3 and a half year-old and still running strong thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Sinking-Lowe...141#entry496141

Sinking Lower The Lowest, Pattaya City News Breaks Record

Thus, many Expats also ardently support Mr Thaksin as their 'best hope' in preserving what they see as endangered lifestyles in advancing times as well. Some even believe Mr Thaksin's return would somehow 'magically' return the pound to 70 (conveniently disregarding global events and further suspending reality in committed Walter Mitty fashion).

No foul in all that but let's just be be straight about it: Despite all the deflecting 'noise', many Expat's fight is not about 'democracy', it's just a more 'decent' rallying cry than stating what they actually desire and desperately fear losing.

Ultimately, it's a great pity so many Expats rally to support Mr Thaksin's obvious self-serving agenda

The number of actual Thaksin supporters and apologists among the expat community I don't feel is really all that large. On Thaivisa, they are deceptively large in number in that so many are simply reappearing multiple-ID trolls repeatedly popping back after banishment. What may actually be only a handful, or less, of these expats is distorted by their many, many different nicknames.

Again, overall... an excellent post.

I'd agree there also. The few expats I know that were sympathetic to his ouster (and not necessarily supporters) turned against him completely during red-shirt driven chaos during Songkran.

I think a poll on whether the BBC coverage of the events was biased or not would produce some interesting results.

[animatic]

Sawasdee Khun Animatic,

... snip ... Police do look at motive, means and opportunity as the big three in an investigation. And prosecuters also pump those elements along with forensic and eye witness datum.

Do you assume "police" and "prosecutors" here are functioning as their nominal counterparts in Europe or America ?

And having been instrumental in the convictions for attempted murder in NYC of the "Bistro Bandits",

having been a voice of logic sitting on that jury, I feel I DO understand how investigations and prosecutions

work in the real world. One of them got 163 years in jail by the way ... snip ...

Which is as relevant to Thailand as Durian is to ?

The danger to benefit ratio seems pretty low for others to do it just to add a charge on Thaksin.

Assuming "reason" is present here in any form ? Assuming the actors here are all using the "playbook" by Machiavelli, or are all looking up their notes from their Stanford M.B.A.'s ? You want to see "down and dirty" politics, blood feuds, vendettas, complete corruption of elections and control of public offices and contracts by a patronage system run by a criminal clique : I offer you : "Chicago, USA" 1900-1965.

~o:37;

"wisdom is extinct, common sense is an endangered species, you asked for it."

TIT, nothing is exactly the same, but the basics of jurisprudence remain the same.

The horse trading and machinations behind the scenes will have a local flavor.

No, I assume nothing, but I did note I do have a bit of personal exerience

with a similar type of case, durian based or not. Laws and courts have the same functions.

Even in Chicago in the old days hits were usually thought out,

those that did it in a rage typically got done fast themselves

because they didn't think things through.

TIT, yes, assuming reason is/was present. Not a given.

If it was Jutuporn's or the likes underlings I can buy this argument.

Loose cannons with BIG mouths, put on the street to enrage the foot soldiers.

Yet several of the high end players postulated as involved

are of the 50-100 year long term Chinese mentality.

You don't create and maintain a dynasty by going to jail

for badly planned hits on rivals. These guys are by nature

more Machiavellian than Macchi himself. Who just chronicled life around him.

They also don't forget or forgive having their hard built dynasties torn down.

Same goes for Thaksin, who really is one of their own.

Remember Macchi was modeling his prince on Cesar Borgia, princeling and devil to many,

and his family including Lucrezia the legendary poisoner, who never got caught, only suspected.

There are elements of the Sondhi hit that are quite finnessful,

well planned and allowing for escape. Almost military in precision...

Video cameras down, oh so conveniently JUST there... hmmm.

Just the shooters got nervous being shot at and buggered off before finishing.

Edited April 19, 2009 by animatic

[Plus]

PAD is not our competitor.

It's not your designated competitor today but in the past your comrades rallied specifically against PAD:

In March 2008, for example.

PAD rally marred by pro-amendment mob

By The Nation

Supporters of constitutional rewrite tried unsuccessfully to mar Sunday's rally by the anti-amendment People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at the Democracy Monument.

More than 100 pro-amendment people gathered near the PAD's protest site shortly after the rally began at 3 pm. A crowd leader, Waranchai Chokchana, attacked the PAD through megaphone, using curses and vulgar words from time to time.

Despite the presence of about 30 policemen, some of the pro-amendment people ran after a PAD truck and tore down a banner carrying the message "Don't amend the Constitution if you love the country".

The crowd, many of them from the anti-coup Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, also burned effigies of the five PAD leaders.

The pro-amendment crowd then hurled plastic bottles at the PAD supporters, who threw them back. The exchange went on for about five minutes before police intervened. A 48-year-old man, identified as Weerayut Seniwongse na Ayutthaya, was slightly injured in the clash.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/rea...newsid=30073904

There was plenty of more on that day - flashing genitals, throwing shit bags,

>>>>

A progovernment group formed by People Power Party MPs plans to hold weekly meetings in parallel with those organised by the antigovernment People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Pracha Prasopdee, a People Power MP from Samut Prakan who heads the newly-formed Public Group for the Protection of Democracy, said Monday that its gatherings would take place every Friday at venues close to those of the PAD.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/rea...newsid=30068423

>>>>

And, of course, the mother of all latest political violence, the Udon Thani red mob:

Pro-government activist admits on TV he led protests to beat up PAD protesters in Udon Thani

Kwanchai Praiphana, leader of the Udon Thani Guard Group, admitted during an interview on Channel 3 that he let his supporters to beat up protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Kwanchai vowed to lead his supporters to beat PAD protesters again if they hold another rally in the northeastern province.

On Thursday, Kwanchai led hundreds of protesters demolish PAD's stage and beat up PAD protesters, seriously injuring two of them.

Kwanchai said he had warned local PAD supporters several times not to organise a rally in the province, because he regarded that anti-government rallies damaged the province's reputation.

"Yes, I did it and I am not afraid of legal action because I will be charged only public brawl charges," Kwanchai said.

"I've warned them several times that they must not come here."

The Nation

>>>

Sorry, Koo, but your claim that PAD is not your competitor rings very hollow.

[sriracha john]

Police believe PAD leader assailant may be tied to Constitution Court shooting

The Commander of the Metropolitan Police indicated that police suspect the shooter of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sonthi Limthongkul used a pickup truck in his assassination attempt and used sniping techniques, leading authorities to believe the incident was connected to an earlier Constitution Court shooting.

Metropolitan Police Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Worapong Chiwpreecha disclosed progress being made in the assassination attempt of PAD head Sonthi Limthongkul, saying that surveillance camera footage from various areas compared to footage from similar cases have shown the presence of a dark colored pickup truck in all instances.

Metropolitan Police believed that the shooter was also involved in a Constitution Court shooting as surveillance footage showed both incidents involving a sniper using an M 79 Rifle and a dark colored pickup truck.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-19

[Plus]

We just ask them to accept the election results and not to stage any more coups

Why don't you accept 2007 election results yourself? Every MP in the House is elected, are they not? Why do you demand fresh elections?

You most certainly have other reasons than "just accept election results".

Spill it out.

[Tywais]

involving a sniper using an M 79 Rifle and a dark colored pickup truck.

Funny stuff considering the M79 is a grenade launcher. Wonder where the scope goes?

[henryalleman]

Anyone can wear a red and makes normal people hate the reds.

In chinese, this is called "Borrow your enermy knife to comit a murder".

I don't know if the media is block or not, but so far, other than the 2 kill by the RED, I have not heard of any death. Wounded is almost 100 however.

Yes Koo, police act like animals. Next riots of the reds they should go the one who throw molotov coctails, make a deep wai and say Khotoot Khun, mai dai krab, karuna krab, khun pai ban mai, chok dee krab.LOL

[sriracha john]

involving a sniper using an M 79 Rifle and a dark colored pickup truck.

Funny stuff considering the M79 is a grenade launcher. Wonder where the scope goes?

the extremely-rare Bolivian-produced M79-1 grenade-launcher sniper-rifle with ladder scope....

[animatic]

PAD is not our competitor.

It's not your designated competitor today but in the past your comrades rallied specifically against PAD:

In March 2008, for example.

PAD rally marred by pro-amendment mob

By The Nation

Supporters of constitutional rewrite tried unsuccessfully to mar Sunday's rally by the anti-amendment People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at the Democracy Monument.

More than 100 pro-amendment people gathered near the PAD's protest site shortly after the rally began at 3 pm. A crowd leader, Waranchai Chokchana, attacked the PAD through megaphone, using curses and vulgar words from time to time.

Despite the presence of about 30 policemen, some of the pro-amendment people ran after a PAD truck and tore down a banner carrying the message "Don't amend the Constitution if you love the country".

The crowd, many of them from the anti-coup Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, also burned effigies of the five PAD leaders.

The pro-amendment crowd then hurled plastic bottles at the PAD supporters, who threw them back. The exchange went on for about five minutes before police intervened. A 48-year-old man, identified as Weerayut Seniwongse na Ayutthaya, was slightly injured in the clash.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/rea...newsid=30073904

There was plenty of more on that day - flashing genitals, throwing shit bags,

>>>>

A progovernment group formed by People Power Party MPs plans to hold weekly meetings in parallel with those organised by the antigovernment People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Pracha Prasopdee, a People Power MP from Samut Prakan who heads the newly-formed Public Group for the Protection of Democracy, said Monday that its gatherings would take place every Friday at venues close to those of the PAD.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/rea...newsid=30068423

>>>>

And, of course, the mother of all latest political violence, the Udon Thani red mob:

Pro-government activist admits on TV he led protests to beat up PAD protesters in Udon Thani

Kwanchai Praiphana, leader of the Udon Thani Guard Group, admitted during an interview on Channel 3 that he let his supporters to beat up protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Kwanchai vowed to lead his supporters to beat PAD protesters again if they hold another rally in the northeastern province.

On Thursday, Kwanchai led hundreds of protesters demolish PAD's stage and beat up PAD protesters, seriously injuring two of them.

Kwanchai said he had warned local PAD supporters several times not to organise a rally in the province, because he regarded that anti-government rallies damaged the province's reputation.

"Yes, I did it and I am not afraid of legal action because I will be charged only public brawl charges," Kwanchai said.

"I've warned them several times that they must not come here."

The Nation

>>>

Sorry, Koo, but your claim that PAD is not your competitor rings very hollow.

It also delineates the history of red violence against PAD,

each round causing a hardening of purpose and rachetting up of security around PAD.

Maybe that was the original intent stifle them or make them look martial.

But it culminated in the Airport and that was a gross miscalculation on the reds part.

PAD has always been a mirror image of the REDS actions towards PAD.

They created their own enemy from whole cloth.

[animatic]

We just ask them to accept the election results and not to stage any more coups

Why don't you accept 2007 election results yourself? Every MP in the House is elected, are they not? Why do you demand fresh elections?

You most certainly have other reasons than "just accept election results".

Spill it out.

Exactly.

Every MP in the house is directly elected by the people,

including Abhisit by the way.

Only MP LEADERS, who were guilty of condoning or abetting election crimes left the political stage,

leaving Chalerm as the PTP best hope... which explains how badly they are put together now.

Those remaining duly elected representatives of the people THEN

vote for a Prime Minister from amongst themselves.

As per the constitution voted in by the ENTIRE Thai voting public.

(And in the USA they were not given a choice of more than yes or no either.)

This time the PTP could not get a majority in the house.

Your side could not do the job in the same Thai fashion as is typical.

So the opposition did it and PTP continues to slide down the slope of ineffectiveness.

That is the results of the 2007 election.

YOu Reds should support the existing constitution while it is in force

AND AKNOWLEDGE THE LEGITMATE GOVERNMENT

then go on your way and try and change it with TRUE Democracy.

The coup was 4 governments ago... quit whining.

Edited April 19, 2009 by animatic

[groovyc]

We just ask them to accept the election results and not to stage any more coups

Why don't you accept 2007 election results yourself? Every MP in the House is elected, are they not? Why do you demand fresh elections?

You most certainly have other reasons than "just accept election results".

Spill it out.

Exactly.

Every MP in the house is directly elected by the people,

including Abhisit by the way.

Only MP LEADERS, who were guilty of condoning or abetting election crimes left the political stage,

leaving Chalerm as the PTP best hope... which explains how badly they are put together now.

Those remaining duly elected representatives of the people THEN

vote for a Prime Minister from amongst themselves.

As per the constitution voted in by the ENTIRE Thai voting public.

(And in the USA they were not given a choice of more than yes or no either.)

This time the PTP could not get a majority in the house.

Your side could not do the job in the same Thai fashion as is typical.

So the opposition did it and PTP continues to slide down the slope of ineffectiveness.

That is the results of the 2007 election.

YOu Reds should support the existing constitution while it is in force

AND AKNOWLEDGE THE LEGITMATE GOVERNMENT

then go on your way and try and change it with TRUE Democracy.

The coup was 4 governments ago... quit whining.

"guilty of condoning..."-******* under an illegal constitution.

"voted in by the ENTIRE Thai voting public " - after being cooked up by some bandits sitting in parliament.

mm, the yellow shirts shud've made a new one too while they were ransacking the place eh..

"4 governments ago" - doesn't make it any less troubling if it was 40 govts ago, as long as it hasn't been corrected.

After all, Abhisit had a good rapo with the people before. He got what he desperately needed to save his party leadership.

now why doesn't he do the right thing? after all, I remember him promising to do that before...

Is it too big a thing to ask? ooh, wait...he is not going to be "elected" again, which the man knows well.

power sure seems addictive...

[cmsally]

An interesting article over on Bangkok Pundit about the shooting and its motives (my apologies if these are already posted).

Nation blog post which is a translation (synopsis in English)

Nation blog - translation of Matichon

A quick glance suggests its a brief synopsis. Sorry don't have time to do a translation.

Original article in Thai at Matichon:

Matichon - Sondhi attack

Original Bangkok Pundit article here (with both links here - including another link to the Manager):

Bangkok Pundit

[Foggy Bottom]

Sondhi recovering well following lucky escape

By The Nation

Published on April 18, 2009

....

A medical team there successfully performed an operation to remove several tiny metal pieces from Sondhi's skull.

"We believe the tiny metal pieces are from a bullet. They pierced his right temple and the outer part of his skull," hospital director Dr Chaiwan Charoenchoktawee said. "They also pressed the inner part of the skull against brain membrane".

Following the operation, Chaiwan announced that no membrane had been removed and Sondhi's brain had received no permanent damage

....

- THE NATION -

OK - so can we roll out the phrase - "No part of the Press-ident's brain is missing" ?

[sriracha john]

Sondhi to be out within a week

The health condition of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Sondhi Limthongkul, who was attacked by two gunmen, had improved, but his driver Adul Daengpradab was still in a coma, physicians at Chulalongkorn Hospital said on Sunday.

Two unidentified gunmen fired M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles on Mr Sondhi's car while he and his aide Wayuphak Mangkalasin together with Mr Adul were on their way to work on Friday morning.

Hospital director Adisorn Patradul and a group of physicians held a press conference to report the conditions of the three patient's conditions.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...t-within-a-week

[hansnl]

Perhaps Thailand is just trying to catch up with the US, in terms of insane gun violence.

Hmmmmmm........

Only the US?

Why only the US?

Because the happen to have liberal gun laws?

Hmmmmmm.......

What about Germany, England, and so on and so on.......

In short all the countries with restrictive gun laws!

remember, and please do not forget ever: people are violent, people kill.

And use tools to do that, any tools, legal or illegal.

Most of the time, in countries with the most heavy gun laws, the illegal possession and availablilty of guns is blooming.

For example the Netherlands, VERY restrictive gun laws indeed.

Not even a slingshot is allowed, or somethoing that looks like a gun.

But shooting incidents, killings with guns, illegal finds of guns, plenty.

And it is thought that maybe as much as 3-4 million illegal guns, OR MORE, are possesed by the population.

Violence is something to be found in very many people!

[Loaded]

After Pattaya the PAD asked Abhisit to remove Suthep. Suthep was responsible for security at the ASEAN conference. Now Sondhi's son alleges political involvement in the assassination attempt as well as a clique within the police (4 out of 5 CCTV cameras out of action where the attempted murder took place) and the passive participation of the army. Suthep has all the right connections to make this happen.

[hammered]

After Pattaya the PAD asked Abhisit to remove Suthep. Suthep was responsible for security at the ASEAN conference. Now Sondhi's son alleges political involvement in the assassination attempt as well as a clique within the police (4 out of 5 CCTV cameras out of action where the attempted murder took place) and the passive participation of the army. Suthep has all the right connections to make this happen.

You have two things going on that need to be seperated. There is a vicious power struggle that crosses all politcal divides and involves actors within every group or party and membership of a colour or party may not identify where loyalty actually lies or where it will stay. This struggle is becoming more urgent.

Then you have a politcal reform/democracy debate going on for which there are good people on all sides but who are being inextricably pulled into the power struggle to the detriment of any meaningful debate on reform. If these peole can see the wood for the trees and move beyond the pure power plays then there is hope for some reason and a lessenign of violence. If they remain manipulated this will be long and bloody with little hope of a nice outcome.

[dave9988]

13 pages and not one person wished him well or said they felt bad. i guess he was not very well respected or liked for that matter. i have not heard a single Thai person in the street express sorrow.

[webfact]

13 pages and not one person wished him well or said they felt bad. i guess he was not very well respected or liked for that matter. i have not heard a single Thai person in the street express sorrow.

Thais call that "som nam na"...

sounds hard to understand but its true

[dave9988]

13 pages and not one person wished him well or said they felt bad. i guess he was not very well respected or liked for that matter. i have not heard a single Thai person in the street express sorrow.

Thais call that "som nam na"...

sounds hard to understand but its true

ok

Edited April 19, 2009 by dave9988