Pad Leader Sondhi Limthongkul Shot

[sriracha john]

Doctor says PAD core-leader and his driver out of intensive care unit

Director of Chulalongkorn Hospital Dr. Adisorn Phattaradul held a press conference on Sunday (April 19), saying PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul and his driver Adul Saengpradab, who was seriously injured during an attack on Friday, are currently out of critical condition and released from intensive care units.

However, Mr. Adul Saengpradab would be under close medical care after a third round of brain surgery while the PAD leader's condition has continuously improved, says the physician.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-19

[brahmburgers]

surveillance footage showed both incidents involving a sniper using an M 79 Rifle and a dark colored pickup truck.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-19

How can the police, or anyone, use the word 'sniper'? Snipers put a bead on their target and pull the trigger. The thugs that tried to harm Sondhi were like Mafia lame-brains who press the triggers of their automatic weapons with their eyes shut, just spraying bullets back and forth like kids copying their favorite gangster movie. If it hadn't caused serious harm, it would almost be humorous.

Whether or not I like Sondhi's politics, I wish him and driver a speedy recovery. As for the cowardly punks who shot up his car - I hope they find the right ones, prosecute them, and put them away in solitary for a very long time.

"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...

bitch bitch bitch. If one group of men get put in power in Thailand, the people supporting the other guys will be whinging about 'unfair' 'unconstitutional' 'undemocratic' ...ad nauseum.

Then when their own set of manipulators get in to office, the other side whinges away with the same sorts of complaints. Let's face it, there's manipulation and power plays on all sides. Not a whole lot different than the USA, but in the States, people sometimes get caught and prosecuted for political and business shenanigans. In Thailand, that's a rare occurrence. Fact remains: Thai politics is dirty, so both sides can find ways to bitch - when their favored group of crooks don't get in to the power seats.

Because politics is intrinsically wrapped up with self-enrichment, the stakes are that much higher. Plus it's too easy, in Thailand, to hide assets with relatives, mia noi, and others.

What's the answer? Put someone like me in top position. I have no connections with any police bosses or military brass. I have no friends in high places that need kickbacks or favored treatment on no-bid contracts, etc. I've taken a vow of poverty (really), so no chance of me being influenced by endemic bribe offerings that come to those in high office. I would endeavor to clean up graft, improve education, make visa procedures simple (right there, I'd get most of the farang vote, if farang could vote).

Actually, I rather like Abhisit as PM, so disregard the paragraph above. When someone mentioned the position of PM, I earlier thought they were referring to 'Pompous Man.' In a Roseanna Roseanna sort of way, I'll end by saying; 'never mind.'

Edited April 19, 2009 by brahmburgers

[sriracha john]

Bhum Jai Thai Party: Newin not behind Sondhi’s ambush or blue clad protesters

Bhum Jai Thai Party Spokesperson Supachai Jaisamut asserted that Newin Chidchob was not behind the assassination plot against media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul or blue clad protesters.

Mr. Jittanart Limthongkul, the son of the media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul earlier accused Newin Chidchob, an influential politician with a close relationship to the Party, of masterminding the assassination attempt to set up blue clad protesters.

In response to the allegation, Mr. Supachai said that Mr. Jittanart was too imaginative. He asserted that Newin did not mastermind the ambush and had absolutely no association with the blue clad demonstrators.

The spokesperson said the party would discuss the matter and would organise a press conference on 20 April 2009, adding that the time and venue would be confirmed later.

In addition, Mr. Supachai said Bhum Jai Thai Party would like to see the nation peaceful while problems should be solved via parliamentary measures in order to avoid turmoil. Mr. Supachai said the Party never wanted to solve problems by violence.

The spokesperson added that Newin's team of lawyers were now working on the proceedings and would file a lawsuit against United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Jatuporn Prompan, who earlier accused Newin of being behind the movement of blue clad protesters as well.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-19

[Thai at Heart]

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

"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...

bitch bitch bitch. If one group of men get put in power in Thailand, the people supporting the other guys will be whinging about 'unfair' 'unconstitutional' 'undemocratic' ...ad nauseum.

Then when their own set of manipulators get in to office, the other side whinges away with the same sorts of complaints. Let's face it, there's manipulation and power plays on all sides. Not a whole lot different than the USA, but in the States, people sometimes get caught and prosecuted for political and business shenanigans. In Thailand, that's a rare occurrence. Fact remains: Thai politics is dirty, so both sides can find ways to bitch - when their favored group of crooks don't get in to the power seats.

Because politics is intrinsically wrapped up with self-enrichment, the stakes are that much higher. Plus it's too easy, in Thailand, to hide assets with relatives, mia noi, and others.

What's the answer? Put someone like me in top position. I have no connections with any police bosses or military brass. I have no friends in high places that need kickbacks or favored treatment on no-bid contracts, etc. I've taken a vow of poverty (really), so no chance of me being influenced by endemic bribe offerings that come to those in high office. I would endeavor to clean up graft, improve education, make visa procedures simple (right there, I'd get most of the farang vote, if there farang could vote).

Actually, I rather like Abhisit as PM, so disregard the paragraph above. When someone mentioned the position of PM, I earlier thought they were referring to 'Pompous Man.' In a Roseanna Roseanna sort of way, I'll end by saying; 'never mind.'

On the basis of that I'd vote for you. But then again, I can't vote. Don't worry, I'll get missus to campaign for you, but only the basis that you make it a bit easier for me to get a permanent residency and own my own house. Farang for PM. I'm with you there!

Buggar, you see everyone has an angle.

[Journalist]

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.

Reason why elections are needed is because the last ones were not democratic

I know that because Ive read it 16 million times on Thai visa.

Its tempting now that the good guys (the Democrats) are in the citadel, for them to pull up the drawbridge.

But they shouldn't. They should ask the people for a fresh mandate, and embark on educating the electorate -in the style Chamlong advocates- about why selling their vote is dumb.

With Democrats governing the nation and the protocol of an election, perhaps they can educate the electorate - tell them they don't have to vote for someone who gives them money, ....make voting booths secure, .....ban camera phones from voting areas....

Take the high road. Not sit in the seat of power and moon at those who ain't and say that the last election was frightfully democratic after all......

Edited April 19, 2009 by Journalist

[Tony Clifton]

Bhum Jai Thai Party: Newin not behind Sondhi’s ambush or blue clad protesters

Bhum Jai Thai Party Spokesperson Supachai Jaisamut asserted that Newin Chidchob was not behind the assassination plot against media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul or blue clad protesters.

Mr. Jittanart Limthongkul, the son of the media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul earlier accused Newin Chidchob, an influential politician with a close relationship to the Party, of masterminding the assassination attempt to set up blue clad protesters.

In response to the allegation, Mr. Supachai said that Mr. Jittanart was too imaginative. He asserted that Newin did not mastermind the ambush and had absolutely no association with the blue clad demonstrators.

The spokesperson said the party would discuss the matter and would organise a press conference on 20 April 2009, adding that the time and venue would be confirmed later.

In addition, Mr. Supachai said Bhum Jai Thai Party would like to see the nation peaceful while problems should be solved via parliamentary measures in order to avoid turmoil. Mr. Supachai said the Party never wanted to solve problems by violence.

The spokesperson added that Newin's team of lawyers were now working on the proceedings and would file a lawsuit against United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Jatuporn Prompan, who earlier accused Newin of being behind the movement of blue clad protesters as well.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-19

My money in on The PTV core being behind the assassination attempt.

Especially Jatuporn.

[samgrowth]

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

I heard my nana girl friends say "som nam na" too.

I don't quite understand.

Anyone want to expand on this term?

[samgrowth]

Bhum Jai Thai Party: Newin not behind Sondhi's ambush or blue clad protesters

Bhum Jai Thai Party Spokesperson Supachai Jaisamut asserted that Newin Chidchob was not behind the assassination plot against media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul or blue clad protesters.

Mr. Jittanart Limthongkul, the son of the media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul earlier accused Newin Chidchob, an influential politician with a close relationship to the Party, of masterminding the assassination attempt to set up blue clad protesters.

In response to the allegation, Mr. Supachai said that Mr. Jittanart was too imaginative. He asserted that Newin did not mastermind the ambush and had absolutely no association with the blue clad demonstrators.

The spokesperson said the party would discuss the matter and would organise a press conference on 20 April 2009, adding that the time and venue would be confirmed later.

In addition, Mr. Supachai said Bhum Jai Thai Party would like to see the nation peaceful while problems should be solved via parliamentary measures in order to avoid turmoil. Mr. Supachai said the Party never wanted to solve problems by violence.

The spokesperson added that Newin's team of lawyers were now working on the proceedings and would file a lawsuit against United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Jatuporn Prompan, who earlier accused Newin of being behind the movement of blue clad protesters as well.

- ThaiNews / 2009-04-19

My money in on The PTV core being behind the assassination attempt.

Especially Jatuporn.

My money in on another group.

However I do not dare to expand further.

[brahmburgers]

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

I heard my nana girl friends say "som nam na" too.

I don't quite understand.

Anyone want to expand on this term?

means: 'serves him right'

[Plus]

Reason why elections are needed is because the last ones were not democratic

I know that because Ive read it 16 million times on Thai visa.

But now OUR guys are in power. You want 16 million reasons why elections are not necessary anymore?

Seriously, though, it doesn't go beyond the first on - this government has support of the parliament and support of the people and it's busy doing a very important job. None of these conditions existed last year.

And calls for elections are based on silly reasons - PTP shouldn't really talk about behind the scene manipulations, they are the ones who'd spend as much time campaigning for positions before some revolutiionary in Nicaragua as before electorate in Thaland.

Reds, btw, don't want just elections - they want reinstallment of the 1997 consitution with blank absolution for everyone first.

Sitauation might change in the coming months but for now you can forget about it.

[Loaded]

I heard my nana girl friends say "som nam na" too.

I don't quite understand.

Anyone want to expand on this term?

It means you shouldn't have fallen asleep with a girl from nana with your wallet next to the bed

[webfact]

Sondhi to be discharged from Chulalongkorn Hospital Friday

Sondhi Limthongkul, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, could be discharged from the Chulalongkorn Hospital on Friday, the hospital director said Monday.

Assoc Prof Doctor Adisorn Phatthradul, the director, said the condition of Sondhi had improved a lot and he is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Friday.

- THE NATION -

[Pierrot]

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.

Probably because Sondhi is the most hated person in Thailand. If you thought that Elliot Carver (Tomorrow Never Dies) was the perfect villain but too evil to be real, think again.

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license, probably because he sensed at that time that Sondhi was already too powerful for Thailand’s good. Unfortunately, the future will prove him right !

[kurtgruen]

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.

Probably because Sondhi is the most hated person in Thailand.

.

No Thaksin holds that title.

Anyways, I liked Robbin Williams quote..." All Politicians should be changed frequently, just like diapers...and for the same reasons"

As for Khun Sondhi, I do wish him well, as I would anyone else, who is the victim of terrorism or cowardly acts.

[Plus]

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license

Nice little theory. Repeat it great many times, belive in it, and it becomes your version of reality.

On the other hand, no one who observed Sondhi's campaigning during these past four years can doubt that man's sincerety and dedication to his goal, and no one would even think he has been doing it for some TV license either, no matter how it started.

[Pierrot]

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license

Nice little theory. Repeat it great many times, belive in it, and it becomes your version of reality.

On the other hand, no one who observed Sondhi's campaigning during these past four years can doubt that man's sincerety and dedication to his goal, and no one would even think he has been doing it for some TV license either, no matter how it started.

Are you sur you're not working for Sondhi ? Because that's the way he works, show it on TV, on the internet, in the newspapers so many times that people will believe it's true *... That's the way he got Thaksin

But at the end he got too greedy ... That's the problem with these power addict people, they never realize when they go too far

* I even heard he has people infiltrated in internet forum

[LawnGnome]

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license

Nice little theory. Repeat it great many times, belive in it, and it becomes your version of reality.

On the other hand, no one who observed Sondhi's campaigning during these past four years can doubt that man's sincerety and dedication to his goal, and no one would even think he has been doing it for some TV license either, no matter how it started.

Are you sur you're not working for Sondhi ? Because that's the way he works, show it on TV, on the internet, in the newspapers so many times that people will believe it's true *... That's the way he got Thaksin

But at the end he got too greedy ... That's the problem with these power addict people, they never realize when they go too far

* I even heard he has people infiltrated in internet forum

Ah, the old 'you must be working for xxxx" post - that never gets old, does it.

[Pierrot]

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license

Nice little theory. Repeat it great many times, belive in it, and it becomes your version of reality.

But sorry about it, no theory, fact ! Sondhi was Thaksin "best" friend until he was refused his license.

And it's also fact that Sondhi thought (think ?) he can control Thailand through his media empire. He thought he can use people of influence. People of influence thought they can use him. He is now seen as a "free agent", unfortunately to free to be let be free ....

Edited April 20, 2009 by Pierrot

[LawnGnome]

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license

Nice little theory. Repeat it great many times, belive in it, and it becomes your version of reality.

But sorry about it, no theory, fact ! Sondhi was Thaksin "best" friend until he was refused his license.

And it's also fact that Sondhi thought (think ?) he can control Thailand through his media empire. He thought he can use people of influence. People of influence thought they can use him. He is now seen as a "free agant", unfortunately to free to be let be free ....

[Pierrot]

It all started with Thaksin refusal to grant Sondhi a new TV license

Nice little theory. Repeat it great many times, belive in it, and it becomes your version of reality.

But sorry about it, no theory, fact ! Sondhi was Thaksin "best" friend until he was refused his license.

And it's also fact that Sondhi thought (think ?) he can control Thailand through his media empire. He thought he can use people of influence. People of influence thought they can use him. He is now seen as a "free agant", unfortunately to free to be let be free ....

I understand it's just a job for you (I was a student too ) but if you have nothing to say, could you please stop polluting this forum ?

[Plus]

Yes, Sonthi was Thaksin's friend, and so were half of his die hard opponents.No matter what triggered the change, they are enemies now.

Their commitment over the years cleared away any doubts about their sincere believe in their "new" cause.

[LawnGnome]

I understand it's just a job for you (I was a student too ) but if you have nothing to say, could you please stop polluting this forum ?

Why the hostility? You seem be be determined to "win". You can't win - its an opinion forum. Why not just be satisfied to have a nice, non-name calling discussion?

[cmsally]

Yes, Sonthi was Thaksin's friend, and so were half of his die hard opponents.No matter what triggered the change, they are enemies now.

Their commitment over the years cleared away any doubts about their sincere believe in their "new" cause.

Enemies today can also become friends tomorrow. Something that is often worth remembering.

[Plus]

I think it's simply impossible without a major change on Thaksin's part.

There's a flip flop Panlop, however...

[Pierrot]

I understand it's just a job for you (I was a student too ) but if you have nothing to say, could you please stop polluting this forum ?

Why the hostility? You seem be be determined to "win". You can't win - its an opinion forum. Why not just be satisfied to have a nice, non-name calling discussion?

Fine ... I'm waiting for your arguments ...

... I can already see your supervisors sweating ...

Sorry, but I'm afraid you won't last long in this job

[LawnGnome]

I understand it's just a job for you (I was a student too ) but if you have nothing to say, could you please stop polluting this forum ?

Why the hostility? You seem be be determined to "win". You can't win - its an opinion forum. Why not just be satisfied to have a nice, non-name calling discussion?

Fine ... I'm waiting for your arguments ...

... I can already see your supervisors sweating ...

Sorry, but I'm afraid you won't last long in this job

I appreciate your train of thought. Pierrot is implying that I am being paid for posting here, because my comments go counter to most of his political and ideological leanings. I get it...its funny. Thanks for lightening the mood. Also, please feel free to repeat it over and over and over, because it gets more humorous each time! As for arguments - I'd say Plus's explanation is quite on target. Apparantly you disagree. I'd like to hear why, without another reference to either I or Plus working for Sonthi.

[Pierrot]

Yes, Sonthi was Thaksin's friend, and so were half of his die hard opponents.No matter what triggered the change, they are enemies now.

Sorry, but when a personnal feud pushes a nation to the brink of civil war ... it matters !

Because it's what it is, a personnal feud ! People of all sides tried to use it to their personnal advantage, but at the end it's only a personnal feud, and for the good of Thailand, it has to stop !

[LawnGnome]

Yes, Sonthi was Thaksin's friend, and so were half of his die hard opponents.No matter what triggered the change, they are enemies now.

Sorry, but when a personnal feud pushes a nation to the brink of civil war ... it matters !

Because it's what it is, a personnal feud ! People of all sides tried to use it to their personnal advantage, but at the end it's only a personnal feud, and for the good of Thailand, it has to stop !

I don't see feud as being the root of the red shirts riots. I see it more about Thaksin's frozen assets, and the fact that those court cases come up in a short time. Terror about losing his money is what prompted his push to the red shirt violence. I think the term civil war was never applicable, and if anything, with the red shirts ease at resorting to violence, it is a remote possibility. Thaksin lost most of the tacit support he enjoyed, and he'll never get that back. Checkmate.

I'll be right back, my boss wants to know why my post count is so low this hour...

[Pierrot]

Actually we have an other contender for the title of "luckiest guy alive"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england...ter/8007565.stm

[animatic]

Yes, Sonthi was Thaksin's friend, and so were half of his die hard opponents. No matter what triggered the change, they are enemies now.

Their commitment over the years cleared away any doubts about their sincere believe in their "new" cause.

I suppose the most telling thing about Thaksin is the

the shear number of people once very close to him,

that will try and move heaven and earth just to see

he never gains power again.

The most recent being Newin, like him or hate him, he's a shrewd operative for sure.

Why would he make such a sea change from Thaksin's camp, as so many others have?

Money deals come and go, what did Newin see that last meeting in Hong Kong that made him

cause such a HUGE sea change in Thailands politics, when he blew off Mr. T.

Those closest to the flame learn what makes it burn,

that proximity also makes them get burned all the easier,

and often learn and see more clearly what fuels the fire.

Edited April 20, 2009 by animatic